... From about the middle of the 1990s there was an increased level of liaison between the various agency units responsible for assessment and listing, and with external conservation scientists concerned with the methods used. The last decade has seen some degree of operational convergence in the type of data now being gathered for assessment purposes, an increased level of data and information exchange, and a partial trend towards acceptance of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN 2001(IUCN , 2008 categories and criteria as a useful method of assessment, although the local legislative categories for listing necessarily take priority. ...
... It is still fairly common, over a decade after the final ROTAP edition was published, and despite its methods having been superseded, for new species to be published with a 'recommended conservation code' expressed in ROTAP terms. This persistence reflects 1n part the difficulties encountered by people, other than listing specialists, in coping with the discrepant and sometimes arcane jurisdictional systems, and in accessing and understanding the other main methodology, the IUCN (2001IUCN ( , 2008 Broadly, the IUCN (2001) system requires quite a lot of information about extent of occurrence, degree of fragmentation, estimated area actually occupied, estimated rates of past or projected decline, and population structure. The resulting estimates of species conservation status are methodologically transparent and repeatable, robust, and can be translated to quite different legislative categories if necessary. ...
... Morphological observations and measurements were made from live collections, herbarium specimens, and digital images using the program ImageJ (Schneider et al. 2012). We assessed the extinction risk of Bomarea pastazensis following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2012) and guidelines of the IUCN Standards and Petitions Committee (2022). We considered observations, collection localities, and population estimate from fieldwork. ...
... We calculated the AOO=12 km 2 from Peña's observation and the type collection (Fig. 3). Based on the available information and according to the IUCN Red List criteria (IUCN 2012;IUCN Standards and Petitions Committee 2022), Bomarea pastazensis is preliminarily assessed as Vulnerable (VU) based on a limited area of occupancy (IUCN criterion D2 where AOO <20 km 2 ) and dependence on conservation efforts for its continued survival. The only documented populations of Bomarea pastazensis are located inside protected areas, at elevations that are used for agriculture in unprotected parts of the Pastaza province. ...
Recent field research on the eastern slopes of the Andes resulted in the discovery of a new species of Bomarea from the Cerro Candelaria Reserve in the Tungurahua province of Ecuador. Bomarea pastazensis is the second smallest species in the genus and differs from the smallest by the presence of glutinous trichomes on the ovary, glabrous sepals, and greenish-yellow petals with purple spots. Based on IUCN guidelines, a preliminary conservation status is assigned as Vulnerable (VU).
... The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species and Natural Heritage Network Element Ranking Systems (Nature-Serve 2006) are two institutions that aim to list species in conservation categories at different geographical scales (IUCN 2001(IUCN , 2012(IUCN , 2019NatureServe 2006NatureServe , 2021. However, the need to apply a legal instrument soon led many countries to create their own classification systems to categorise threatened species (Gärdenfors 2001;IUCN 2003 In the present study, we applied the tools, criteria and categories developed by the IUCN and NatureServe to assess the conservation status of terrestrial micro-snails of the family Charopidae Hutton, 1884. ...
... The EOO and AOO parameters were obtained in the Geospatial Conservation Assessment Tool (GeoCAT) portal (Bachman et al. 2011), which uses a file of geographic coordinates of the species to provide a preliminary semi-automatic evaluation of the conservation status of a taxon. In the case of the EOO, we use the minimum convex polygon (MCP) and, for the AOO, a 2 × 2 km 2 grid cell around the occurrence (IUCN 2012(IUCN , 2019. For species with few occurrences, we also use criterion D, specifically D2. ...
The biodiversity of molluscs is highly threatened in marine, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems worldwide. This research aimed at studying the distribution and conservation status of eight poorly-known micro-snails of the genera Stephacharopa and Stephadiscus in Chile. We performed a comprehensive review of literature and databases to determine the occurrences of the species, which were mapped on vector layers containing protected areas and human development infrastructure to find potential threats. Conservation status assessment was performed following the criteria and tools implemented by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and NatureServe. We also conducted species distribution models, based on maximum entropy, to identify areas that should be prioritised for conservation. Two species meet the criteria for IUCN listing as Critically Endangered (CR), four Endangered (EN), one Vulnerable (Vu) and one Least Concern (LC). This classification is rather coincident with equivalent categories obtained under the NatureServe standard, in which two species were ranked as Critically Imperiled (N1), five Imperiled (N2) and one Vulnerable (N3). We found that Stephacharopa paposensis is the most at-risk species, with only one occurrence not included in a protected area, followed by Stephadiscus stuardoi , with two occurrences, one of them within a protected area. Stephadiscus lyratus was the species with the greatest geographic range, accounting for 17 occurrences, seven matching a protected area. We found wider potential ranges in modelled species that may be useful for prioritising conservation measures. Considering distributional data, protected areas and more than 20 plausible threats identified, we propose potential in situ and ex situ conservation actions to protect these neglected micro-snails.
... Monitoring is a critical aspect of species conservation in Canada as it provides trend information for species assessment by COSEWIC and, by extension, the SARA process. Benchmarks have been established by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and implemented by COSEWIC for assessing the conservation status of a species based on spatial and temporal trends, commonly represented as proportional reductions in abundance, area of occupancy, extent of occurrence, and/or quality of habitat (SARA 2002;IUCN 2012;COSEWIC 2021). However, due to the issues of imperfect detection and low species abundance, describing changes in abundance or distribution with reasonable statistical power is challenging. ...
Monitoring for species listed under the Species at Risk Act often does not begin until a suspected decline in abundance or distribution has occurred, leading to challenges for documenting trends. Here, simulations were performed to evaluate the power and precision of single-season occupancy and N-mixture models to detect proportional reductions in occupancy probability and abundance for imperfectly detected species in low abundance between two time periods. The results suggest that many sites and surveys are needed to achieve sufficient statistical power (i.e., 0.80) for detecting change when occupancy probability, detection probability, and abundance are low. For example, quantifying a 30% reduction in occupancy probability for a species with high detection probability (0.7) and moderate occupancy probability (0.5), 200 sites surveyed three times (600 samples) were needed to achieve a power of 0.80. For the same species with a detection probability of 0.30, the number of samples required increased to 1400. Even greater effort was needed to detect significant changes in abundance. Occupancy models generated estimates with greater accuracy and precision than N-mixture models for a given level of effort. Overall, the results suggest the need to maximize detection probability for rare species, which will reduce the effort needed to quantify trends with sufficient statistical power.
... Additionally, the habitat and dispersal environment for reproduction are steep and harsh, making it challenging for the species to expand its distribution area. Based on the IUCN Red List criteria (IUCN 2012(IUCN , 2022, this new species should be classified as Endangered (EN; criteria B1ac(iii)+2ac(iii); C2a(i); D). However, we recognize that further assessments are required as additional populations are identified. ...
Melanoseris kangdingensis , a new species native to western Sichuan, China, is firstly described and illustrated, and its conservation status is also assessed. It bears resemblance to M. macrantha and M. bracteata in terms of morphology; however, there are distinguishing characteristics in terms of their leaf structure, presence of bracts, hairiness of involucre, number of florets, and length of both stamen tube and achene’s beak.
... In the Himalayan range the population of the species is inferred to be severely fragmented. Based on the present observations its conservation status can be evaluated as 'Vulnerable' [VU B2ab(iii)] as per the IUCN Red listing guidelines (19,20). ...
Cremanthodium nepalense Kitam. (Asteraceae) is reported for the first time from India. It is endemic to the Himalayas and has only been reported from Nepal and China. It was found growing in alpine meadows near river bank in North Sikkim at an elevation of ca 4370 m. In the present report, the diagnostic features, morphological variations and coloured photo-plate are provided. Besides conservation, status ‘Vulnerable’ has also been evaluated using IUCN Red listing guidelines.
... The species does not seem to be utilised by humans, but during times of drought is heavily browsed by domestic stock, mainly goats and cattle (Fig. 1A), which may result in considerable damage to plants. It should be considered as Least Concern (LC) since it is not endangered or vulnerable currently and is widespread in the extensive mountainous area on both sides of the Kunene River in Namibia and Angola (IUCN 2012). ...
Sesamothamnus leistneri is formally described as a new species with a restricted range, only known from the mountains along the Kunene River in the Kaokoveld Centre of Endemism, a biogeographical region that spans southwestern Angola and northwestern Namibia. The designations “S. leistner(i)anus” or “S. leistneri” have been previously used to refer to this species, but they were not validly published until now. These trees grow in rocky places on mountain slopes, in kloofs (gorges) and on plateaus. Diagnostic characters for S. leistneri include the pronounced tree habit with thickset semi-succulent stem and branches, relatively large green leaves, the corolla lacking a spur, and flowers with a white to cream-white corolla limb. A comparison of some of the more prominent morphological features to differentiate between S. leistneri and its possibly closest relative, S. rivae, as well as the other four species, S. benguellensis, S. guerichii, S. lugardii, and S. busseanus are provided. Based on IUCN Red List categories and criteria, a conservation assessment of Least Concern (LC) is recommended for S. leistneri.
... The extent of occurrence is estimated at <20000 km² (3300 km²) with less than 10 (7) subpopulations. However, since no decline in population size is known, it is here ranked as Least Concern (LC) (IUCN 2012). ...
The name Petalidium ovatum is reinstated and an amplified description is provided for a species of Petalidium confined to Namibia. Petalidium ovatum used to be treated as a synonym of the widespread P. englerianum, but morphological characters support the reinstatement. Petalidium ovatum is a range-restricted species, only known from the Khorixas-Bergsig area in the Kaokoveld Centre of Endemism, northwestern Namibia, where it grows on arid hillsides and along ephemeral riverbeds and drainage lines. Diagnostic characters for P. ovatum include the pale grey, often almost white, appearance of the plants, vegetative parts with a dense white indumentum of both stellate and dendritic trichomes, flowers borne in short few-flowered dichasia, bracts oblanceolate with apices acute or obtuse, and bracteoles widely ovate. The flowers of P. ovatum are distinctive in having the anterior corolla lobe partly or completely yellow, the others burgundy, and with the two upper lobes connate towards the base for almost half their length. A comparison of some of the more prominent morphological features to differentiate Petalidium ovatum from P. englerianum, its morphologically most similar relative, is provided. Based on IUCN Red List categories and criteria, a conservation assessment of Least Concern (LC) is recommended for the reinstated species.
... O estado de conservação da tartaruga marinha Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758) (Cheloniidae) foi avaliado de acordo com os critérios da IUCN (2001), com base nos dados disponíveis até 2009. Síntese do processo de avaliação pode ser encontrada em Peres et al., neste número. ...
Apresentação e justificativa de categorização O estado de conservação da tartaruga marinha Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758) (Cheloniidae) foi avaliado de acordo com os critérios da IUCN (2001), com base nos dados disponíveis até 2009. Síntese do processo de avaliação das tartarugas marinhas pode ser encontrada em Peres et al., neste número. A categoria proposta para o táxon é “Vulnerável (VU)” segundo o critério A2ab, ou seja, ameaçado, de acordo com informações sobre redução da população. A espécie Chelonia mydas possui distribuição cosmopolita, desde os trópicos até as zonas temperadas, sendo a espécie de tartaruga marinha que apresenta hábitos mais costeiros, utilizando inclusive estuários de rios e lagos. As desovas ocorrem principalmente nas ilhas oceânicas, Ilha da Trindade (ES), Atol das Rocas (RN) e Fernando de Noronha (PE). Na costa brasileira, áreas de desova secundárias ocorrem no litoral norte do estado da Bahia. Esporadicamente ocorrem também ninhos nos estados do Espírito Santo, Sergipe e Rio Grande do Norte. Ocorrências não reprodutivas são registradas em toda a costa do Brasil e também nas ilhas. Este táxon apresenta ciclo de vida longo, com maturação sexual entre 26 e 40 anos. É altamente migratório. As fêmeas migram das áreas de alimentação e descanso para as áreas de reprodução, em deslocamentos que podem chegar a mais de 1500 km. São onívoros nos primeiros anos de vida e depois adotam dieta exclusivamente herbívora. Pelo fato das áreas prioritárias de reprodução estarem localizadas em ilhas oceânicas isoladas, C. mydas sofreu menor impacto de predação sobre ovos e fêmeas que outras espécies, e estas áreas de desova não estão sujeitas à ocupação desordenada da zona costeira. Esta espécie apresenta o maior número de indivíduos juvenis mortos encalhados ao longo da costa brasileira em decorrência do aumento da pesca costeira de emalhe. Não existem dados quantitativos comprovados da abundância deste táxon para o período anterior ao levantamento realizado pelo TAMAR entre 1980-82, onde está registrada a interrupção do ciclo de vida desses animais em várias áreas visitadas, devido a um longo histórico de coleta de praticamente todos os ovos e abate de quase todas as fêmeas. Historicamente, a abundância destas populações era enorme. A falta de perspectiva adequada para quantificação ou o uso de uma linha imaginaria de dados iniciais de abundância para o estudo de tendência populacional podem levar a uma interpretação errônea destas análises. A síndrome da mudança de referencial (shifting baseline syndrome) é conhecida como o uso de dados de tamanho da população que correspondem ao inicio das atividades dos pesquisadores e não da sua real abundância no passado, o que pode levar a subestimativa da perda populacional (Bjorndal 1999). Considera-se que o índice de abundância populacional mais adequado para as tartarugas marinhas seja o número de ninhos em cada temporada. A espécie vem mantendo um número estável de ninhos ao longo dos últimos anos. Adicionalmente, algumas características da estratégia de vida das tartarugas marinhas como a maturação tardia e ciclo de vida longo tornam a recuperação muito lenta. É possível que os números de desovas observados até o presente não se mantenham no futuro, devido à ação das atuais ameaças sobre o estoque de juvenis a serem recrutados para a população reprodutiva. Além disso, os estudos de tendência de população não cobrem um tempo geracional para este táxon (estimado em no mínimo 35,5 anos). Portanto, a manutenção do número de ninhos ou do tamanho populacional observado só poderá ser considerada consistente quando a série histórica de dados for mais longa, incluindo várias décadas. Mantém-se a categoria VU, pois a população brasileira está isolada, não havendo a possibilidade de migração de adultos de outras regiões para o Brasil: as tartarugas marinhas são conhecidas por sua alta filopatria (homing) – capacidade das fêmeas de voltarem para se reproduzir na praia onde nasceram, tornando praticamente impossível a recolonização das praias por fêmeas oriundas de outras populações. O táxon apresenta alta mortalidade de juvenis por captura incidental em pescarias costeiras ao longo de toda a costa brasileira.
... O estado de conservação da tartaruga marinha Dermochelys coriacea (Vandelli 1761) (Dermochelyidae) foi avaliado de acordo com os critérios da IUCN (2001), com base nos dados disponíveis até 2009. Síntese do processo de avaliação pode ser encontrada em Peres et al., neste número. ...
Apresentação e justificativa de categorização O estado de conservação da tartaruga marinha Dermochelys coriacea (Vandelli 1761) (Dermochelyidae) foi avaliado de acordo com os critérios da IUCN (2001), com base nos dados disponíveis até 2009. Síntese do processo de avaliação das tartarugas marinhas pode ser encontrada em Peres et al., neste número. A categoria proposta para o táxon é “Criticamente em Perigo (CR)” segundo o critério A2ab, ou seja, ameaçado, de acordo com informações sobre redução da população. A espécie Dermochelys coriacea é cosmopolita, ocorrendo nos oceanos tropicais e temperados de todo o mundo, chegando próximo de águas sub-árticas. Vive usualmente na zona oceânica durante a maior parte da vida. A única área regular de desova conhecida no Brasil situa-se no litoral norte do Espírito Santo. A espécie apresenta ciclo de vida longo com maturação sexual entre 24,5 e 29 anos, valor estimado para a população que desova no Atlântico norte. É uma espécie altamente migratória. As fêmeas migram das áreas de alimentação e descanso para as áreas de reprodução, em deslocamentos que podem chegar até mais de 4.000 km. São carnívoros, alimentando-se de zooplâncton gelatinoso, como celenterados, pyrossomos e salpas durante todo o ciclo de vida. A principal ameaça para D. coriacea no passado foi a coleta de ovos e o abate de fêmeas, o que não acontece mais nas áreas principais de reprodução. Desde a implantação do Projeto TAMAR/ICMBio em 1982, quando as desovas em numerosas praias passaram a estar protegidas, o desenvolvimento e a ocupação desordenada da zona costeira e a pesca artesanal e industrial aumentaram vertiginosamente – principalmente nos últimos 10-15 anos. As tartarugas-marinhas são capturadas incidentalmente em praticamente todas as pescarias no Brasil, com destaque para a alta mortalidade em rede de emalhe de deriva. Não existem dados quantitativos comprovados da abundância deste táxon para o período anterior ao levantamento realizado pelo TAMAR entre 1980-82, onde está registrada a interrupção do ciclo de vida desses animais em várias áreas visitadas, devido a um longo histórico de coleta de praticamente todos os ovos e abate de quase todas as fêmeas. Historicamente, a abundância destas populações era enorme. A falta de perspectiva adequada para quantificação ou o uso de uma linha imaginaria de dados iniciais de abundância para o estudo de tendência populacional podem levar a uma interpretação errônea dos dados. Síndrome da mudança de referencial (“shifting baseline syndrome”) é como se conhece o uso de dados de tamanho da população que correspondem ao início das atividades dos pesquisadores e não da sua real abundância no passado (Bjorndal 1999). Características da estratégia de vida das tartarugas marinhas, como a maturação tardia e ciclo de vida longo, tornam a recuperação populacional muito lenta. É possível que os números de desovas observados até o presente não se mantenham no futuro, devido à ação das atuais ameaças sobre o estoque de juvenis a serem recrutados para a população reprodutiva. Além disso, os estudos de tendência de população não cobrem ainda um tempo geracional para este táxon. As informações coletadas no levantamento inicial do TAMAR sugerem que o potencial de áreas de desova e de abundância nas áreas remanescentes seja maior do que a encontrada, sugerindo desaparecimento de desovas em várias destas áreas e, nas remanescentes, o declínio acentuado das populações. O TAMAR iniciou suas atividades apenas nas áreas remanescentes com concentração ainda significativa de desova. Mantém-se a categoria CR, pois a população brasileira está isolada. Não há possibilidade de migração de adultos de outras regiões para o Brasil: as tartarugas marinhas são conhecidas por sua alta filopatria (homing) – capacidade das fêmeas de voltarem para se reproduzir na praia onde nasceram, tornando praticamente impossível a recolonização das praias por fêmeas oriundas de outras populações. Também possui um número muito baixo de fêmeas (estimada entre 1 e 19) desovando a cada temporada reprodutiva e área de ocorrência reprodutiva prioritária atual restrita somente ao norte do Espírito Santo.
... O estado de conservação da tartaruga marinha Lepidochelys olivacea (Eschscholtz, 1829) (Cheloniidae) foi avaliado de acordo com os critérios da IUCN (2001), com base nos dados disponíveis até 2009. Síntese do processo de avaliação pode ser encontrada em Peres et al., neste número. ...
Apresentação e justificativa de categorização O estado de conservação da tartaruga marinha Lepidochelys olivacea (Eschscholtz, 1829) (Cheloniidae) foi avaliado de acordo com os critérios da IUCN (2001), com base nos dados disponíveis até 2009. Síntese do processo de avaliação das tartarugas marinhas pode ser encontrada em Peres et al., neste número. A categoria proposta para o táxon é “Em perigo (EN)” segundo o critério A2abcde, ou seja, ameaçado, de acordo com informações sobre redução da população. Lepidochelys olivacea tem distribuição circunglobal. A área prioritária de desova desta espécie no Brasil está localizada entre o litoral sul do estado de Alagoas e o litoral norte da Bahia com maior densidade de desovas no estado de Sergipe. Juvenis e adultos ocorrem em áreas costeiras e oceânicas desde o Rio Grande do Sul até o Pará, e em águas internacionais adjacentes à zona econômica exclusiva do Brasil. Este táxon é altamente migratório. As fêmeas migram das áreas de alimentação e descanso para as áreas de reprodução, em deslocamentos que podem chegar a mais de 1500 km. São carnívoros durante todo o ciclo de vida. A principal ameaça para L.olivacea no passado foi a coleta de ovos e o abate de fêmeas, o que não acontece mais nas áreas prioritárias de reprodução. Desde a implantação do Projeto TAMAR/ICMBio em 1982, o desenvolvimento e a ocupação desordenada da zona costeira e a pesca artesanal e industrial aumentaram vertiginosamente – principalmente nos últimos 10-15 anos. As tartarugas-marinhas são capturadas incidentalmente em praticamente todas as pescarias no Brasil, destacando-se a alta mortalidade de fêmeas adultas que ocorre no entorno das áreas de reprodução. Não existem dados quantitativos comprovados da abundância deste táxon para o período anterior ao levantamento realizado pelo TAMAR entre 1980-82, onde está registrada a interrupção do ciclo de vida desses animais em várias áreas visitadas, devido a um longo histórico de coleta de praticamente todos os ovos e abate de quase todas as fêmeas. Historicamente, a abundância destas populações era enorme. A falta de perspectiva adequada para quantificação ou o uso de uma linha imaginária de dados iniciais de abundância para o estudo de tendência populacional podem levar a uma interpretação errônea destas análises. A síndrome da mudança de referencial ou “shifting baseline syndrome” é conhecida como o uso de dados de tamanho da população que correspondem ao início das atividades dos pesquisadores e não da sua real abundância no passado, levando potencialmente a subestimativas da redução populacional (Bjorndal 1999). Considera-se que o índice de abundância populacional mais adequado para as tartarugas-marinhas seja o número de ninhos em cada temporada. Desta forma, o aumento no número de ninhos observado nos últimos anos representa um indício de aumento no tamanho populacional. No entanto, apesar de promissora, acredita-se que essa recuperação é insignificante em relação ao tamanho populacional no passado. A espécie apresenta ciclo de vida longo. Estudo mostra para que para o Pacífico, esta espécie atinge a maturidade sexual entre 10 e 18 anos, o que permite a estimativa de tempo geracional em 20 anos. Porém, para outras regiões não se conhece o período de tempo referente a uma geração, mas é provável que três gerações não ultrapassem 100 anos. Adicionalmente, características da estratégia de vida das tartarugas marinhas como a maturação tardia e ciclo de vida longo tornam a recuperação muito lenta. É possível que os números de desovas observados até o presente não se mantenham no futuro, devido à ação das atuais ameaças sobre o estoque de juvenis a serem recrutados para a população reprodutiva. Além disso, os estudos de tendência de população não cobrem um tempo geracional para este táxon (estimado entre 15 e 36 anos). Portanto, a recuperação do número de adultos ou do tamanho populacional observado só poderá ser considerada consistente quando a série histórica de dados for mais longa, incluindo várias décadas. As informações coletadas no levantamento inicial do TAMAR sugerem um potencial de área de desova e abundância nas áreas remanescentes maior do que a encontrada, indicando desaparecimento de desovas em várias destas áreas e, nas remanescentes, o declínio acentuado das populações. O TAMAR iniciou suas atividades apenas nas áreas remanescentes com concentração ainda significativa de desova. Estudos genéticos comprovam a ocorrência de híbridos: existe alta proporção de hibridismo entre tartarugas da espécie Caretta caretta e Lepidochelys olivacea, não sendo ainda entendidas as causas e implicações deste fato, e seu impacto na diversidade genética e identificação destas espécies. A ocorrência de hibridização interespecífica pode acarretar sérias conseqüências para as espécies envolvidas e é de suma importância para sua conservação. Mantém-se a categoria EN, pois além da população brasileira estar isolada, a principal área de ocorrência reprodutiva atual (sul de Alagoas ao norte da Bahia) é bastante reduzida quando comparada à sua área de ocorrência no passado . A morte de fêmeas reprodutivas em frente às praias de desova também contribui para esta categorização. Não há possibilidade de migração de adultos de outras regiões para o Brasil: as tartarugas marinhas são conhecidas por sua alta filopatria (homing), – capacidade das fêmeas de voltarem para se reproduzir na praia onde nasceram, tornando praticamente impossível a recolonização das praias por fêmeas oriundas de outras populações.
... O estado de conservação da tartaruga marinha Eretmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus, 1766) (Cheloniidae) foi avaliado de acordo com os critérios da IUCN (2001), com base nos dados disponíveis até 2009. Síntese do processo de avaliação pode ser encontrada em Peres et al., neste número. ...
Apresentação e justificativa de categorização O estado de conservação da tartaruga marinha Eretmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus, 1766) (Cheloniidae) foi avaliado de acordo com os critérios da IUCN (2001), com base nos dados disponíveis até 2009. Síntese do processo de avaliação das tartarugas marinhas pode ser encontrada em Peres et al., neste número. A categoria proposta para o táxon é “Criticamente em Perigo (CR)” segundo o critério A2abcde, ou seja, ameaçado, de acordo com informações sobre redução da população. Eretmochelys imbricata é encontrada circunglobalmente, em águas tropicais e numa menor extensão, em águas subtropicais. No Brasil, as áreas prioritárias de reprodução de Eretmochelys imbricata são o litoral norte da Bahia e Sergipe; e o litoral sul do Rio Grande do Norte. Sendo a mais tropical das espécies de tartarugas marinhas, as áreas de alimentação conhecidas deste táxon conhecidas no Brasil, são as ilhas oceânicas de Fernando de Noronha-PE e Atol das Rocas-RN, havendo evidências de que o banco dos Abrolhos-BA seja uma importante área de alimentação. Há ainda ocorrência na reserva biológica do Arvoredo/SC e também na Ilha de Trindade/ES. A principal ameaça para E. imbricata no passado foi a coleta de ovos e o abate de fêmeas, principalmente para exploração e comércio do casco, o que não acontece mais nas áreas prioritárias de reprodução. Desde a implantação do Projeto TAMAR/ICMBio em 1982, o desenvolvimento e a ocupação desordenada da zona costeira e a pesca aumentaram vertiginosamente – principalmente nos últimos 10-15 anos. As tartarugas de pente são capturadas incidentalmente, principalmente em redes costeiras de emalhe e lagosteira. Não existem dados quantitativos comprovados da abundância deste táxon para o período anterior ao levantamento realizado pelo TAMAR entre 1980-82, onde está registrada a interrupção do ciclo de vida desses animais em várias áreas visitadas, devido a um longo histórico de coleta de praticamente todos os ovos e abate de quase todas as fêmeas. Historicamente, a abundância destas populações era enorme. A falta de perspectiva adequada para quantificação ou o uso de uma linha imaginária equivocada de dados iniciais de abundância para o estudo de tendência populacional podem levar a uma interpretação errônea destas análises. A síndrome da mudança de referencial, ou “shifting baseline syndrome”, é conhecida como o uso de dados de tamanho da população que correspondem ao início das atividades dos pesquisadores e não da sua real abundância no passado, e que pode levar a subestimativas de perdas (Bjorndal 1999). Considera-se que o índice de abundância populacional mais adequado para as tartarugas-marinhas seja o número de ninhos em cada temporada. Desta forma, o aumento no número de ninhos observado nos últimos anos representa um indício de aumento no tamanho populacional. No entanto, apesar de promissora, acredita-se que essa recuperação é insignificante em relação ao tamanho populacional no passado. Adicionalmente, características da estratégia de vida das tartarugas marinhas como a maturação tardia e ciclo de vida longo tornam a recuperação muito lenta. É possível que os números de desovas observados até o presente não se mantenham no futuro, devido à ação das atuais ameaças sobre o estoque de juvenis a serem recrutados para a população reprodutiva. Além disso, os estudos de tendência de população não cobrem um tempo geracional para este táxon (estimado entre 35 e 45 anos, no mínimo). Portanto, a recuperação do número de adultos ou do tamanho populacional observado só poderá ser considerada consistente quando a série histórica de dados for mais longa, incluindo várias décadas. As informações coletadas no levantamento inicial do TAMAR sugerem que o potencial de áreas de desova e a abundância nas áreas remanescentes deve ser maior do que a encontrada, indicando desaparecimento de desovas em várias destas áreas e, nas remanescentes, o declínio acentuado das populações. O TAMAR iniciou suas atividades apenas nas áreas remanescentes com concentração ainda significativa de desova. Mantém-se a categoria CR, pois além da população brasileira estar isolada, a principal área de ocorrência reprodutiva atual (norte da Bahia, Sergipe e sul do Rio Grande do Norte) é bastante reduzida quando comparada à sua área de ocorrência no passado. Não há possibilidade de migração de adultos de outras regiões para o Brasil: as tartarugas marinhas são conhecidas por sua alta filopatria (homing) – capacidade das fêmeas de voltarem para se reproduzir na praia onde nasceram, tornando praticamente impossível a recolonização das praias por fêmeas oriundas de outras populações.
... The status assessments presented here were undertaken using the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria (IUCN 2012) and the most recent set of guidelines for their application (IUCN 2022). ...
This report brings together the information on twenty invertebrate species which
are endemic to Great Britain. As such, we have an international responsibility to
safeguard these species for future generations.
... Subdivided populations of the Paraná Antwren Formicivora acutirostris. In these populations, the area of occupancy (sensuIUCN [2012]; colored polygons are purely didactic) was divided according to habitats of better and worse quality and treated as potential immigration and emigration subpopulations in the present study. aGeneral distribution of subdivided populations. ...
Salt marshes pose challenges for the birds that inhabit them, including high rates of nest ooding, tipping, and predation. The impacts of rising sea levels and invasive species further exacerbate these challenges. To assess the urgency of conservation and adequacy of new actions, researchers and wildlife managers may use population viability analyses (PVAs) to identify population trends and major threats. We conducted PVA for Formicivora acutirostris, which is a threatened neotropical bird species endemic to salt marshes. We studied the species' demography in different sectors of an estuary in southern Brazil from 2006-2023 and estimated the sex ratio, longevity, productivity, rst-year survival, and mortality rates. For a 133-year period, starting in 1990, we modeled four scenarios: 1) pessimistic and 2) optimistic scenarios, including the worst and best values for the parameters; 3) a baseline scenario, with intermediate values; and 4) scenarios under conservation management, with increased recruitment and/or habitat preservation. Projections indicated population decline for all assessment scenarios, with a 100% probability of extinction within 34 years in the pessimistic scenario and no extinction in the optimistic scenario. The conservation scenarios indicated population stability with 16% improvement in productivity, 10% improvement in rst-year survival, and stable carrying capacity. The disjunct distribution of the species, with remnants concentrated in a broad interface with arboreal habitats, may seal the population decline by increasing nest predation. The species should be considered conservation dependent, and we recommend assisted colonization, predator control, habitat recovery, and ex situ conservation.
... Area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) were estimated using GeoCAT (Bachman et al. 2011) with a userdefined cell width of 2 km. The preliminary status conservation followed IUCN (2012IUCN ( , 2022 recommendations. Description:-Shrub, 0.5-1 (-2) m tall, branched. ...
We describe here the new species Pleroma goyazense, including illustrations, geographic distribution, habitat data, and preliminary conservation status according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red list criteria. We also propose to synonymize Pleroma nodosum under Pleroma robustum, a decision corroborated by the study of Pleroma species with similarities to P. goyazense. Pleroma goyazense is endemic to the state of Goiás, Brazil, occurring in cerrado rupestre (rupestrine savanna) on rocky outcrops or crevices, environments that are also shared by similar species P. crassirame and P. robustum. Pleroma goyazense differs from P. crassirame in having sparsely leaves arranged on the upper branches and pedoconnective stamens with a dorsal appendage. It also differs from P. robustum in having lanceolate, non-involucral bracteoles, and sepals acuminate at the apex.
... Under this scenario, Lonchocarpus verticillatus has only been recorded in four localities, in small forest fragments (<500 km 2 ) highly intervened and generally associated with streams. Considering the reduced area of occupation (AOO = 16 km 2 ) and extent of occurrence (EOO = 263 km 2 ); the absence of protected areas in the occurrence sites, the progressive deterioration of its habitat quality, and the record of only two subpopulations, is proposed to include this species in the EN (Endangered) category according to the IUCN criteria B1a+B2ab(iii) (IUCN, 2012). ...
Lonchocarpus verticillatus (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Millettieae) is described and illustrated from the seasonally dry forests of the Cauca River valley in Antioquia department, northwestern Colombia. This species is clearly distinguished from other species of the genus by its notably whorled arrangement of leaves, up to 17 leaflets, mesophyll and calyx with glandular dots, and lax inflorescences up to 31 cm long. It is a tree reaching up to 25 m in height, inhabiting forest remnants. Isolated trees can be found in pastures dedicated to livestock. It has been recorded at elevations ranging from 250 to 670 m. Due to habitat fragmentation, the increasing development of infrastructure in its occurrence area, and the limited number of records, a preliminary recommendation is to categorize it as ‘Endangered’ (EN) according to the IUCN criteria.
... Flowering and fruiting material is indicated by 'fl.' and "fr.", respectively. The conservation status of the new species was assessed following IUCN standards (IUCN 2012(IUCN , 2022, including guidelines and procedures developed by FRIM for the Malaysia Plant Red List (Chua and Saw 2006 Diagnosis. Similar to Ardisia rigida in having elliptic leaves but differs in the lateral veins arranged more or less in parallel (vs. ...
Ardisia krauensis, a new species of Primulaceae from Peninsular Malaysia, is described and illustrated. The new species is assignable into subgenus (§) Pyrgus on account of specialised lateral reproductive branches bearing a terminal inflorescence subtended by foliose bracts. Morphologically, the new species mostly resembles Ardisia rigida in having elliptic leaves. However, the new species can be distinguished by the combination of its lateral veins number, the inflorescence branching pattern, the rachis and flower colour, and the stigma shape. Ardisia krauensis is found in an entirely protected habitat, thus, it is assessed as Least Concern (LC).
... corine-land-cover-nomenclature-guidelines/html). The area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) of species were calculated through GeoCAT in a 2 × 2 km 2 grid, following guidelines of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for the assessment of extinction risk of taxa (IUCN 2001;Bachman et al. 2011). ...
Biological invasions are considered a major driver of biodiversity loss, particularly on islands. Invasive alien ants can often have severe consequences on native biodiversity. Here, we review published and new information on alien ant species found on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, a biodiversity hotspot. Our checklist of alien ants of Cyprus includes a total of 17 species, of which nine are reported from Cyprus for the first time (*): Camponotus cf. vitiosus Smith, Cardiocondyla mauritanica Forel, 1890, Cardiocondyla obscurior Wheeler, W.M., 1929*, Hypoponera punctatissima (Roger, 1859)*, Monomorium bicolor Emery, 1877, Nylanderia jaegerskioeldi (Mayr, 1904), Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille, 1802), Pheidole fadli Sharaf, 2007*, Pheidole indica Mayr, 1879, Solenopsis sp. (thief ant)*, Tetramorium bicarinatum (Nylander, 1846)*, Tetramorium caldarium (Roger, 1857)*, Tetramorium immigrans Santschi, 1927*, Tetramorium lanuginosum Mayr, 1870*, Trichomyrmex destructor (Jerdon, 1851), Trichomyrmex mayri (Forel, 1902)*, and Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger, 1863). We did not include three previously reported alien species for which we could not find supporting specimens [Monomorium pharaonis (Linnaeus, 1758), Nylanderia vividula (Nylander, 1846), Solenopsis geminata (Fabricius, 1804)], one based on a previous misidentification [Cardiocondyla nuda (Mayr, 1866)], and two species now considered native to Cyprus [Hypoponera eduardi (Forel, 1894), Monomorium subopacum (F. Smith, 1858)]. Literature records, specimens from field surveys and museum collections, the geographic origin of species, occupied habitats in Cyprus, and notes on invasiveness (spread and impact) are presented for each species. An identification key to distinguish alien from native ant species in Cyprus is provided, including widespread alien ants not yet known from Cyprus in order to support early detection, monitoring, and management efforts.
... software (QGIS Development Team 2023) was used to construct the distribution map based on coordinates and georeferenced estimates of localities given on specimen labels. GeoCAT (Bachman et al. 2011) and IUCN (2012 were consulted to evaluate the conservation status of the new species proposed here. Measurements of vegetative and fruit characters are based on dried material whereas all floral measurements are based on hydrated material. ...
Microlicia indurata is described as a new species from cerrado rupestre in the Serra dos Pireneus of Goiás, Brazil. Illustrations, photos taken in the field, a distribution map, a recommended conservation assessment, and a discussion of putative related species based on morphological similarities are provided. Microlicia indurata is readily recognized by its openly branched shrubby habit, sessile elliptic-lanceolate to elliptic-ovate 5-7-nerved leaf blades that are moderately to copiously covered with short (mostly 0.5-0.7 mm) gland-tipped trichomes on both surfaces, 6-merous, solitary, sessile flowers, caducous calyx lobes that greatly exceed the hypanthia at anthesis, white petals, red antesepalous (large) anthers, 6-locular ovaries that are ca. ⅓ inferior, and mature capsules that are hard and woody with a somewhat protruding tapered acute apex. It is compared with M. pohliana, its presumed closest relative, and the superficially similar M. mucorifera and M. nervulosa.
A new species of Jacquemontia found in Carajás National Forest, Brazil, Jacquemontia ferricola sp. nov., is described for an area with a unique flora threatened by mining. We provide a diagnosis of the new species, morphological and anatomical descriptions, illustrations, scanning electron microscopy images, with comments on its distribution and conservation status. The new species was compared with the Brazilian Amazonian Jacquemontia species and an identification key is provided.
KEYWORDS:
biodiversity; Brazilian flora; Carajás National Forest; ironstone savannas; taxonomy
A new lithophytic species of Gesneria was discovered during a recent research expedition to the Dominican Republic. Gesneria clasei J.L.Clark is a locally endemic species known from a single population in the Sierra de Bahoruco in the southwestern province of Barahona in the Dominican Republic. Images and a discussion are provided to differentiate Gesneria clasei from congeners that share tubular red corollas. Based on IUCN guidelines, a preliminary conservation status of Critically Endangered (CR) is assigned to G. clasei.
Afrothismia is a genus of non-photosynthetic mycoheterotrophs from the forests of continental tropical Africa. Multiple phylogenetic inferences using molecular data recover the genus as sister to a clade comprising mycoheterotrophic Thismiaceae and the photosynthetic family Taccaceae, contrary to earlier placements of Afrothismia and Thismiaceae within Burmanniaceae. Morphological support for separating Afrothismia from the rest of Thismiaceae has depended on the zygomorphic flowers of Afrothismia (although some species of Thismia are also zygomorphic), and their clusters of root tubers, each with a terminal rootlet. The number of described species of Afrothismia has recently increased from four to 16, with seven more species as yet undescribed; these discoveries have added morphological characters that support its distinction from Thismiaceae. Most notably, the ovary in Afrothismia has a single stalked placenta, and circumscissile fruits from which seeds are exserted by placental elevation (vs in Thismiaceae, three placentas, a deliquescing fruit lid, and seeds not exserted). Afrothismia stamens are inserted in the lower part of the floral tube, where they are attached to the stigma, and individual flowers are subtended by a single large dorsal bract. In contrast, in Thismiaceae, stamens are inserted at the mouth of the tube, free of and distant from the stigma, and each flower is subtended by a loose whorl of (2 –) 3 (– 4) bracts. Here we formally characterise Afrothismiaceae and review what is known of its development, seed germination, interactions with mycorrhizal Glomeromycota, biogeography, phylogeny and pollination biology. All but one ( Afrothismia insignis ; Vulnerable) of the 13 species assessed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species are either Endangered or Critically Endangered; one species ( A. pachyantha ) is considered extinct.
Herein a new species of Paruroctonus Werner, 1934 is described from alkali-sink habitats in the San Joaquin Desert of central California, Paruroctonus tulare sp. nov. It can be differentiated from other Paruroctonus by a combination of morphological features including scalloped pedipalp fingers in males, specific setal counts and morphometric ratios, and specific patterns of fuscous pigmentation. It also inhabits a unique distribution allopatric with all other Paruroctonus species except P. variabilis Hjelle, 1982. Photographs of a large series of live P. tulare sp. nov. from across their range and detailed images of several morphological features are provided, their distribution is modeled, a haplotype network is presented, and details about their habitat, ecology, and conservation are discussed.
Orobanche salviae is a European orophyte and considered an exclusive parasite of Salvia glutinosa. Here we provide the first report of the species for the Iberian Peninsula, which we discovered recently in the eastern Catalan Pyrenees. The closest reliable known localities are in the French Maritime Alps, although it was also previously reported with uncertainty from the French Pyrenees. The new found populations are located at the absolute western limit of the distribution of the species. We provide a description of its distribution, habitat and, given its rarity, we suggest a category of threat following the IUCN criteria.
The way conservationists represent extinction today is found predominantly in talk of ‘populations.’ The details of individual life are not necessary to this way of representing extinction. Therefore, population language fails to grasp the difficult reality of what is lost in annihilating them. It cannot even approximately represent provoked extinction.
Elasmobranchs (sharks, rays and skates) are among the most threatened marine vertebrates, yet their global functional diversity remains largely unknown. Here, we use a trait dataset of >1000 species to assess elasmobranch functional diversity and compare it against other previously studied biodiversity facets (taxonomic and phylogenetic), to identify species- and spatial- conservation priorities. We show that threatened species encompass the full extent of functional space and disproportionately include functionally distinct species. Applying the conservation metric FUSE (Functionally Unique, Specialised, and Endangered) reveals that most top-ranking species differ from the top Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) list. Spatial analyses further show that elasmobranch functional richness is concentrated along continental shelves and around oceanic islands, with 18 distinguishable hotspots. These hotspots only marginally overlap with those of other biodiversity facets, reflecting a distinct spatial fingerprint of functional diversity. Elasmobranch biodiversity facets converge with fishing pressure along the coast of China, which emerges as a critical frontier in conservation. Meanwhile, several components of elasmobranch functional diversity fall in high seas and/or outside the global network of marine protected areas. Overall, our results highlight acute vulnerability of the world’s elasmobranchs’ functional diversity and reveal global priorities for elasmobranch functional biodiversity previously overlooked.
We present the first orchid species described from the Mount Busa Key Biodiversity Area (KBA 196) in southern Mindanao, Philippines. The new species was discovered growing on moss-covered tree trunks in the upper montane forest. It is primarily distinguished among the genus Pinalia by its very short inflorescence that bears few, closely spaced and relatively large campanulate flowers with trilobed, weakly keeled labellum and a dentate callus on disc. The discovery of this species brings the total number of Pinalia in the Philippines to 39. More importantly, it highlights the need for more field-based research on the flora of southern Mindanao to alleviate knowledge shortfalls that continue to limit our understanding of the region's biodiversity.
A biodiversidade é um bem comum essencial para a sobrevivência da humanidade na Terra. Seu valor intrínseco e extrínseco tem sido amplamente reconhecido por governos e sociedade civil em diversos acordos internacionais. A perda de biodiversidade é uma das piores crises mundiais da atualidade com espécies e habitats diminuindo a uma taxa alarmante como mostrou a Lista Vermelha de Espécies Ameaçadas de Extinção de 2008 (Vié et al. 2009). Por isso a Convenção sobre a Diversidade Biológica (CDB) definiu para 2020 metas claras de redução das taxas de extinção a nível mundial. As listas de espécies ameaçadas de extinção ou Listas Vermelhas (“Red List”), tornaram-se mundialmente conhecidas através da União Internacional para a Conservação da Natureza (UICN). Inicialmente elaboradas para mamíferos e aves, essas listas foram criadas para chamar a atenção para a necessidade de agir rápida e efetivamente em prol da conservação das espécies com maior risco de extinção em futuro próximo (Fitter & Fitter 1987). Avaliar o estado de conservação nada mais é do que estimar a probabilidade ou risco relativo de extinção de uma espécie ou subespécie. Além de apontar as espécies com maior urgência de ações de conservação, as avaliações podem gerar índices do estado de degeneração ou recuperação da biodiversidade por grupo taxonômico ou por região geográfica. Por isso, quando o objetivo é reduzir a taxa de extinção de espécies, a avaliação do estado de conservação é considerado o passo inicial e também o mais importante para planejar e priorizar recursos e ações (Mace & Lande 2001, Mace et al. 2008). Este artigo apresenta o processo em curso de avaliação do estado de conservação da fauna brasileira, incluindo conceitos envolvidos, abordagens, procedimentos e forma de envolvimento dos profissionais.
Magnolia unicarmensis is described as a new species of mountain Colombian Magnoliaceae. M. unicarmensis can be distinguished from the other members of subsection Dugandiodendron by a combination of characters, including smaller leaf size (3.20-6.73 × 1.91-3.93 cm); leaf shape obovate, base cuneate, woolly abaxial pubescent only in the midvein extending to a small prolongation in the emarginated apex; prefoliation marks on the lamina absent; golden woolly stipules; flowers 5.13-6.37 cm in diameter, 92-100 staments with six to eight petals and fruit ellipsoid 3.04-3.62 × 2.02-2.35 cm with six to seven glabrous carpels. This species is endemic from Antioquia, it is currently known only from Carmen de Viboral and La Unión Municipalities and it is proposed as Critically Endangered under criteria B1 ab(i,ii,iii,v) of IUCN.
Based on the two most recent assessments of Chinese higher plants in 2013 and 2020, of 34,450 and 39,330 species, respectively, we analysed the threatened status of Chinese higher plants. In 2020, around 4,088 (10.39%) of the assessed species in China are threatened, 2,875 (7.31%) Near Threatened, 27,593 (70.16%) not currently threatened and categorised as Least Concern and 4,752 (12.08%) categorised as Data Deficient. While in 2013, 3,767 (10.93%) of the assessed higher plants in China are threatened, 2,723 (7.90%) Near Threatened, 24,296 (70.53%) Least Concern and 3,612 (10.48%) Data Deficient. Estimates of the Red List Index in the two years show different patterns when using different weighting methods with the equal steps weighting method showing a slight decrease (0.91675-0.91495) and the extinction risk weighting method showing a slight increase (0.98792-0.98797). We inferred that China's threatened plant species were likely / relatively effectively protected. However, attention should also be given to the non-threatened species in the future as an additional strategy for their conservation, to maintain their non-threatened status. ARTICLE HISTORY
The species Senecio contumazensis sp. nov. from the southern department of Cajamarca, in northwestern Peru, is described herein. It shows morphological affinities with species of the Senecio series Otopteri, especially with the Bolivian Senecio sepium. In addition, the putative endemic Senecio piurensis from northern Peru is synonymized with S. pericaulis, a species previously described from southern Ecuador. Discussions on the morphology of these species, illustrations, and a distribution map are provided.
Predicting future conservation needs can help inform conservation management but is subject to uncertainty. We measured deforestation rates during 2015–2017 for 114 protected areas in Madagascar, linked deforestation to the status of protection according to IUCN categories I–VI, used recent deforestation rates to extrapolate forest cover over 2017–2050 and linked the size of forest blocks to the projected persistence of lemur subpopulations. In the six IUCN categories for protected areas in Madagascar the median size of forest blocks is 9–37 km2 and median annual deforestation rates range from 0.02% in the single IUCN category III site to 0.19% in category II and 1.95% in category VI sites. In 2017, 40% of all forest blocks within protected areas were < 10 km2, and this is projected to increase to 45% in 2050. Apart from these small forest fragments, the modal site of forest blocks was 160–320 km2 in 2017, and this is projected to decrease to 80–160 km2 in 2050. The range of > 50% of all lemur species exclusively contains forest blocks of < 10 km2. The modal size of forest blocks > 10 km2 is predicted to remain at 120 km2 until 2050. Although uncertainty remains, these analyses provide hope that forest blocks within the protected areas of Madagascar will remain large enough to maintain lemur subpopulations for most species until 2050. This should allow sufficient time for the implementation of effective conservation measures.
Species-focused conservation requires a thorough understanding of species’ distributions. Delineating a species’ distribution requires taxonomic knowledge and adequate occurrence data. For plants and fungi, herbaria represent a valuable source of large-scale occurrence data. Advances in digital technology mean that data from many herbarium collections worldwide are now easily accessible. However, species concepts can change over time requiring herbarium records to be re-examined and databases updated, which does not always occur synchronously across all collections. Therefore, non-critical use of these data can promote inaccuracies in understanding species distributions. Taxonomic revisions are common in understudied organisms, such as lichens. Here, we illustrate how changing taxonomy and non-critical acceptance of online data affects our understanding of disjunct distributions, using the lichen Brodoa oroarctica (Krog) Goward as an example. Defining the distribution of the arctic lichen B. oroarctica is confounded by changing taxonomy and uncertainty of herbarium records that pre-date taxonomic revisions. We review the distribution of this species in the literature and in aggregate occurrence databases, and verify herbarium specimens that represent disjunct occurrences in eastern North America to present an updated account of its distribution and frequency in eastern North America. We show that knowledge of changing species taxonomy is essential to depicting accurate species distributions.
Biodiversity loss is a major global challenge and minimizing extinction rates is the goal of several multilateral environmental agreements. Policy decisions require comprehensive, spatially explicit information on species’ distributions and threats. We present an analysis of the conservation status of 14,669 European terrestrial, freshwater and marine species (ca. 10% of the continental fauna and flora), including all vertebrates and selected groups of invertebrates and plants. Our results reveal that 19% of European species are threatened with extinction, with higher extinction risks for plants (27%) and invertebrates (24%) compared to vertebrates (18%). These numbers exceed recent IPBES (Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) assumptions of extinction risk. Changes in agricultural practices and associated habitat loss, overharvesting, pollution and development are major threats to biodiversity. Maintaining and restoring sustainable land and water use practices is crucial to minimize future biodiversity declines.
This study introduces SCAIRM, a Spatially explicit Cumulative Impact Assessment method specifically developed for application to guide Ecosystem-Based Management. The method incorporates relevant human activities, their pressures and their impacts on ecosystem components. Cumulative assessment methods usually apply categorical semi-quantitative scores based on expert judgement in order to be comprehensive, or alternatively, only cover a small subset of interactions using more sophisticated quantitative information. The SCAIRM approach aims to capture 'the best of both worlds': it builds on categorical risk-based approaches, but modified such that their outcome, i.e. Impact Risk from cumulative pressures, is conceptually identical to the outcome from the quantitative approaches. This allows harmonization of qualitative and quantitative approaches into a single method, that has the advantage that it is comprehensive and can be used in data-poor situations while allowing the use of available quantitative information in more data-rich situations. It results in an improved capacity to inform policy or provide operational-centric guidance required for the essentially sectoral management. The method was applied to the North Sea ecosystem as an illustrative example of the typical output of most Cumulative Impact Assessments: indicating the ecosystem components mostly under threat, and the main activities and their pressures responsible for it. To that end, SCAIRM provides an assessment outcome expressed in ecologically meaningful terms, i.e. potential change in state compared to an undisturbed situation, implying all receptors except the pelagic water column to be potentially “endangered” (more than 50% decrease) and requiring conservation efforts. A decision tree was developed to guide management towards an increased effectiveness showing that much of the Impact Risk (41%) is caused by few well-known stressors (7%) that are difficult to mitigate but a remaining 29% of the Impact Risk from many often lesser-known stressors (59%) where management is likely to perform better.
We describe Lychnodiscus bali (Sapindaceae) a new species to science, from the Bali Ngemba Forest Reserve of NW Region Cameroon, the last major remnant of cloud forest in the Bamenda Highlands of Cameroon, recently evidenced as a Tropical Important Plant Area (TIPA or IPA). Confined on current evidence to upper submontane forest, the species is threatened by expanding habitat clearance for farms and is assessed as Critically Endangered. A small tree, attaining 3 – 4 m height, it is the first new species to be added to this Guineo-Congolian tree genus in 50 years, the third recorded from Cameroon, and takes the number of species in the genus to eight. It has the highest known altitudinal range (1700 – 1950 m alt.), of any species of the genus.
Previously identified as Lychnodiscus grandifolius , the new species differs in the shorter length of the distal leaflets (12 – 18 cm vs 22 – 39 cm long), in the abaxial surface lacking glands (vs glands flat and conspicuous), tertiary nerves hairy (vs glabrous), flowers at anthesis 8 – 11 mm long (vs 5 – 7 mm long).
Lychnodiscus bali is described, illustrated and its extinction risk assessment as Critically Endangered is presented. We discuss its discovery in the context of other recently discovered and highly threatened or even extinct plant species in the Cameroon Highlands, and the importance of their conservation.
We present an updated key to the identification of the species of the genus,and discuss its classification in the context of recent molecular phylogenomic studies. Previously placed in Cupanieae by Radlkofer, the authors contend that Lychnodiscus should now be placed in the reconstituted Nepheliaeae in the revised 2021 intrafamilial classification of Buerki et al., probably close to the genera Aporrhiza and Laccodiscus . However, until the genus is included in molecular studies this cannot be confirmed and its sister relationship remains speculative.
This work reports the first photographic record of the Symmachia basilissa basilissa Bates, 1868 subspecies, a butterfly originally described by Henry Walter Bates in 1868. This subspecies had only been recorded three before but had never been photographed alive in Brazil. The photograph was taken in the Chapada das Mesas National Park, located in the southern part of the state of Maranhão. This record was uploaded and georeferenced on the iNaturalist app/website. The taxon Symmachia basilissa comprises four subspecies, and the article provides information on the morphological differences between them. We also discuss the use of iNaturalist and similar tools to integrate academic and citizen science for a better understanding of biodiversity, especially in tropical regions and areas that are difficult to access. Overall, our work makes a valuable contribution to the knowledge of this data deficient butterfly species and highlights the importance of utilizing new technologies and collaborative approaches to advance scientific research.
The aim of this study was to conduct a floristic inventory and update the geographical distribution of Talinaceae species in Ceará state, in the Northeast Region of Brazil. The study was based on a comparative analysis of morphological characters of specimens deposited in the EAC, ESA, HCDAL, HUEFS, HUVA, HVASF, MOSS and RB herbaria, specialized literature, photos of type collections, and field expeditions conducted between March 2015 and April 2022. For the state, Talinum fruticosum and T. paniculatum have been recorded, which prefer drier vegetations, such as Stepic Savanna (Caatinga and Carrasco) and Semideciduous Seasonal Forest (Mata Seca), but also grow in areas that are more humid. The species occur in eight conservation units in Ceará: Dunas da Lagoinha and Serra de Meruoca Environmental Protection Areas, Aiuaba Ecological Station, Sobral National Forest, Ubajara National Park, Pedra da Andorinha Wildlife Refuge, Serra das Almas and Fazenda Trussú Private Natural Heritage Reserves. An identification key, descriptions, photographs, and comments about the geographical distribution, taxonomic relationships, and phenology are provided for the species.
Spatial patterns in population trends, particularly those at finer geographic scales, can help us better understand the factors driving population change in North American birds. The standard status and trend models for the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) were designed to estimate trends within broad geographic strata, such as Bird Conservation Regions, U.S. states, and Canadian territories or provinces. Calculating trend estimates at the level of individual survey transects (“routes”) from the BBS allows us to explore finer spatial patterns and simultaneously estimate the effects of covariates, such as habitat-loss or annual weather, on both relative abundance and trend (changes in relative abundance through time). Here, we describe four related hierarchical Bayesian models that estimate trends for individual BBS routes, implemented in the probabilistic programing language Stan. All four models estimate route-level trends and relative abundances using a hierarchical structure that shares information among routes, and three of the models share information in a spatially explicit way. The spatial models use either an intrinsic Conditional Autoregressive structure or a distance-based Gaussian process to estimate the spatial components. We fit all four models to data for 71 species and then fit only two of the models (one spatial and one non-spatial) for an additional 216 species due to computational limitations. Leave-future-out cross-validation showed the spatial models outperformed the non-spatial model for 284 out of 287 species. For the species tested here, the best approach to modeling the spatial components depended on the species; the Gaussian Process had the highest predictive accuracy for 2/3 of the species tested here and the iCAR was better for the remaining 1/3. We also present two examples of route-level covariate analyses focused on spatial and temporal variation in habitat for Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) and Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus). Covariates explain or affect patterns in the rate of population change for both species. Route-level models for BBS data are useful for visualizing spatial patterns of population change, generating hypotheses on the causes of change, comparing patterns of change among regions and species, and testing hypotheses on causes of change with relevant covariates.
Simple Summary
The Habitats Directive is the main legislative tool to protect European biodiversity and aims to ensure the persistence of species listed in its annexes. Here, we document the changes in abundance and occurrence of the Italian agile frog (Rana latastei) within Monza Park, which currently represents the area closest to the type locality of the species. We found that the range of the species inside the park strongly contracted in the early 2000s due to the destruction of breeding sites. Then, around 2021, the species completely disappeared from the area, probably due to the joint effects of inappropriate management and droughts. The extant legal protection did not prevent the local extinction of the Italian agile frog from a core area of its range; hence, we call for more effective tools for the conservation of European biodiversity.
Abstract
Detecting the trends of species and populations is fundamental to identifying taxa with high conservation priority. Unfortunately, long-term monitoring programs are challenging and often lacking. The Italian agile frog Rana latastei is endemic to Northern Italy and adjacent countries, is considered vulnerable by the IUCN, and is protected at the European level. However, quantitative estimates of its decline are extremely scarce. In this study, we document the trends in abundance and distribution of Rana latastei within Monza Park, which currently represents the area closer to the type locality of the species and holds unique genetic features. Wetlands within the park were monitored from 2000 to 2023; counts of egg clutches were taken as a measure of reproductive output and the abundance of breeding females. In 2000, the species occurred over a significant proportion of the park. Total abundance showed strong yearly variation but remained rather constant from 2000 to 2019. However, Rana latastei disappeared from the park around 2021 and was never detected in 2022–2023. The decline is probably related to the joint effect of multiple factors, including the conversion of breeding sites for farming, inappropriate water management, invasive alien species, and severe drought. The local extinction of Rana latastei occurred despite legal protection, highlighting the need for more effective and stringent tools for the conservation of European biodiversity.
Prosthechea sessiliflora is a Brazilian endemic orchid species notably poorly represented in biological collections. The type material whereabouts is unknown, and the species had no further herbarium specimens until very recently. After the recent rediscovery of the species in the Cerrado domain, a deeper morphological evaluation was possible, as well as necessary nomenclatural adjustments. Herein, we present an updated morphological description of the species, together with a composite digital plate highlighting its morphology, perform a lectotypification and epitypification, and provide a preliminary conservation assessment of the species, in addition to nomenclatural and taxonomic notes.
This species belongs to the section Macrocystis Boiss of the genus Astragalus and is a rare and endemic species of Western Tienshan. The distribution of Astragalus rubrivenosus was analyzed on the basis of specimens stored in herbarium backgrounds and data collected during field research conducted in 2021–2023, and it was determined that the rare status of the species belongs to the Endangered category based on the principles of the IUCN. The main habitats of the species
are located in the Bashkizilsoy river basin of the Chotkal range, designated as one of the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA).
Four new Indigofera species are described from the Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR). Indigofera barkeri is a new annual from the Richtersveld, with small flowers, 3.5À4.0 mm long, pinnately trifoliolate leaves and laterally flattened seeds. Indigofera dodii is endemic to the area around Cape Town, growing on granite and shaly slopes. It has apically congested racemes, flowers 6.0À6.5 mm long, digitately trifoliolate leaves, fruit with a hispid indumentum and tuberculate seed testas. Indigofera gariepensis, endemic to dry riverbeds in the eastern Richtersveld, is recognized by its alternate, silky-velutinous leaflets and calyx lobes § equal in length to its 5.5À6.5 mm long magenta flowers. Indigofera tanquana is known from only two collections and is endemic to the western Tanqua Karoo. It is easily recognized by its broad old grey stems, spinescent branches, simple grey-canescent leaves that aggregate on woody brachyblasts and reddish-magenta flowers. Detailed morphological descriptions are presented with composite photographic plates for each species. Notes on ecology, detailed diagnoses comparing with closely related species, a distribution map and an IUCN red list conservation assessment for each species is also provided.
We herein describe a new species, Panax siamensis J. Wen, from the tropical monsoon forests in northern Thailand. Panax siamensis is characterized by a combination of characters including horizontally elongated rhizomes with thick internodes, 3–5 whorled leaves each with 7–9 sessile and lanceolate leaflets, lanceolate bracteoles not persisting at the fruiting stage, 2-locular ovaries, and red fruits with a black top. The new species is most closely related to Panax zingiberensis C.Y. Wu & Feng from southeastern Yunnan province of China, sharing the character of sessile leaflets, but differing in that P. siamensis has well developed, elongated rhizomes (vs. compact, ginger-like rhizomes and rootstock in P. zingiberensis ), and 7–9 leaflets (vs. (3–) 5–7 leaflets in P. zingiberensis ). We also compare Panax siamensis to other related Asian Panax species, including P. assamicus Banerjee, P. bipinnatifidus Seem., P. pseudoginseng Wallich, and P. vietnamensis Ha & Grushv. The new taxon is preliminarily assessed as Vulnerable (VU D2), according to the IUCN Red List criteria. A taxonomic key is provided to facilitate the identification of P. siamensis and its close allies.
The important role of birds in agriculture has long been recognized. The present study on the habitat, feeding and roosting behavior of Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) in agro ecosystem of Punjab was carried from August 2021 to July 2022 in Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. It was conducted in three study areas i.e. study area A (agricultural field area), B (tree plantation area) and C (residential/ roadside area). The annual relative abundance of House Crow (Corvus splendens) was highest everywhere whereas of Asian Koel was 1%, 2.04% and 2.66% at study area A, B and C respectively. The feeding behavior of Asian Koel revealed that fruits and berries were preferred. It was found roosting mainly on Dhek, Neem, Peepal, Purple Bauhinia and Safeda trees. Asian Koel was most active during summer months and during the winters, it is not observed which might be because of its southward local migration.
Sterculia lanceolata Cav. var. lanceolata is reported first time in India from Bherjan-Borajan-Padumoni wildlife sanctuary, Assam. The species is a medium size tree, height up to 6–9 m; its bark is dark brownish in color. The bark fiber is used for making bags and paper. A detailed taxonomic description, illustration, distribution map, and photographs are provided for easy identification of the species.
Geometric morphometry has evolved as a powerful tool to unravel species delimitations within the genus Aristolochia. A survey conducted on the variation of Aristolochia trilabiata flowers and leaves revealed an overlooked entity in its affinity, which is newly described herein as Aristolochia franzii. The new species differs from its relative A. trilabiata by various floral characters, notably the presence of papillae on both the upper and lower limb zones, the presence of a well defined medial upper limb zone, the number of veins on the lateral upper limb zone, a considerably shorter tube, and the relative position of upper and lower limb zones. Furthermore, the leaf shape of A. franzii is cordiform-elongate to hastate, compared to the consistently more compact and shorter cordiform leaves of A. trilabiata. So far, A. franzii has been recorded from Northern Brazil (Amazonas) and French Guiana. An illustration of the diagnostic characters and comparison with A. trilabiata is provided, as well as the geographic distribution and a preliminary assessment of the conservation status.
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