Background and Background Aim: Magnolia calophylloides Figlar & Noot. is a narrowly endemic Indonesian species, currently listed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List. Originally described from Mount Kerinci in 1914, it was last recorded in the wild in 1972. This study aimed to update knowledge on its distribution, population size and structure, habitat preferences, threats, and conservation status. Methods: Field surveys were conducted at historical sites on Mount Kerinci and Mount Tujuh, and a previously unsurveyed area, Ladeh Panjang, in Jambi Province. We assessed population metrics, habitat characteristics, and threats, and updated the species’ taxonomic description based on live observations. Species distribution modeling was used to predict potential habitat suitability. Results: A total of 389 individuals were recorded across the three sites, with 316 (81%) mature. Flowering and fruiting individuals enabled the first photographic documentation of fresh flowers and revision of its morphological description. The primary threats observed were logging and forest conversion to agriculture. Based on population size, extent of occurrence (97.79 km 2 ), and area of occupancy (32 km 2 ), we recommend reclassifying M. calophylloides as Endangered under IUCN criteria B1ab+B2ab(i,ii,iii,v); C2a(i). Conclusions: M. calophylloides is confirmed as a montane forest specialist with a highly restricted elevational range (1,861–2,322 m) and very limited distribution in Sumatra. Its small population and continued habitat loss highlight the species’ vulnerability. Implications for Conservation: Targeted conservation is urgently needed. Priorities include habitat protection, enforcement against illegal logging, community-based forest management, and surveys in nearby suitable areas such as Mount Masurai. The species’ unique traits and evolutionary significance also make it a strong candidate for further research and a flagship for montane forest conservation in Sumatra.

Background and Research Aims: Invasive alien plants pose significant ecological and social threats to native ecosystems and biodiversity. However, there is a growing recognition of potential opportunities to mitigate their negative impacts and generate revenue for conservation efforts. This study uses the Nyanga National Park in Zimbabwe as a case to explore leveraging invasive alien plants to generate revenue for conservation work. Methods: We collected data from 2015 to 2023 to analyze the contribution of timber from invasive alien plants to overall revenue in the context of conservation efforts. Results: The results indicate that timber from invasive alien plants is crucial to overall revenue, with a mean annual contribution of USD 150,000. The mean revenue share was found to be 33.2%, with a maximum of 50.1% during the assessed period. Implications for Conservation: This approach has the potential to generate significant revenue for conservation, turning an ecological issue into an opportunity. Given the financial constraints that protected areas often face, it could provide a quick way to raise funds and co-finance conservation efforts. However, this practice may also compromise environmental goals. We recommend specific action areas for practitioners to consider to minimize the negative impacts of invasive alien woody species. It is essential to acknowledge the real-world situations in areas affected by these species and to consider innovative adaptation strategies. Our report highlights the practice of harvesting invasive alien plants in a protected area that received little financial support for conservation operations, offering practical insights from real-world experiences.

The Camellia nitidissima C.W. Chi, a globally endangered species, is classified as a first-class protected plant in China. Given the potential impact of climate change on the distribution of species on a larger scale, it is crucial to understand the responses of C. nitidissima to this phenomenon for resource protection and sustainable utilization. Based on the existing records of C. nitidissima and multi-source remote sensing data, the optimal MaxEnt model was used to predict the potential habitat of C. nitidissima in both current and future periods. The results indicate that November average maximum temperature(Tx11) is the dominant factor. Under current climate conditions, the potential habitat of C. nitidissima is primarily located in the humid and hot coastal areas of southern China. Under future climate scenarios, the distribution range of C. nitidissima will initially increase, then decrease and finally increase again in correlation with radiation intensity. Comprehensive analysis reveals that under the background of global climate change, there remain significant challenges for the survival and reproduction of C. nitidissima in China. Appropriate protection and utilization measures can be implemented based on its migration trends to ensure the continuity of C. nitidissima habitats.

Background and research aims: Human-elephant conflict (HEC) poses a threat to elephant conservation and community livelihoods, as elephants damage crops. Finding methods that farmers can use to reduce elephant damage is important for managing conflict. Together with local farmers, we trialed the efficacy of: 1) solar-powered strobe light fencing, 2) the combination of beehive and metal strip fencing, and 3) the combination of beehive and solar light fencing at deterring elephants. Methods: Fences were linear in configuration, located on frontline farms. The solar light fence was 2 km long. The beehive-metal strip fencing had a 300m test section (beehives + metal strips), and an 850m control section (beehives only). The beehive-solar light fencing had a 750m test section (beehives + solar lights) and a 1550m control section (beehives only). We assessed elephant responses to the fences using ground surveys and camera traps. Results: Elephants encountering the solar light fencing crossed the fence on 33% of approaches and avoided the fence on 59% of approaches (n=154 approaches) over 36 months. However, the deterrent effect of the fence declined over time. Elephants encountering beehive-metal strip fencing crossed the fence on 45% of approaches at test sections and 92% of approaches at control sections over 13 months (n=23 approaches). Elephants encountering beehive-solar light fencing crossed the fence on 33% of approaches at test sections and 92% of approaches at control sections over 13 months (n=15 approaches). Elephants were more vigilant at test than at control sections. Male elephants approached and crossed the fence more often than female groups. Conclusion: We show that additional deterrents to beehive fences can enhance their efficacy, and that solar lights can deter elephants from farmland, although efficacy declined over time. Conservation implications: These findings can assist farmers and conservationists in making informed decisions to mitigate elephant crop damage.

Background and Research Aims Russia is a key source of bear parts in illegal trade but bear trade dynamics within the country is unknown. This study aims to address this gap by examining the legal and illegal international trade of bears in the Russian Far East. Methods Illegal trade of bears from the Russian Far East was analysed using seizure data from the Russian customs authorities from 2015 to 2019, while legal trade was analysed using CITES trade data. Results There were 116 seizures of bears involving the Russian Far East. Bear paws, claws and gall bladders were the main commodities seized revealing a demand for meat, trophies and medicine. During the same timeframe, Russia legally exported bear trophies, parts and derivatives to 55 countries and territories. Trophies were largely destined to the US and European countries whereas bear gall bladders, paws and derivates to Hong Kong. Conclusion This study shows that bears in Russia are threatened by poaching and illegal trade. They are killed for their gall bladders which are exported to Asian markets. They are also killed and exported as trophies predominantly to the US and European countries. As a game resource, Russia permits the hunting of Asiatic black bears and brown bears within established harvest quotas. Despite this, bears are being illegally killed and trafficked beyond Russia’s borders in violation of national laws and CITES trade regulations. Implications for Conservation Illegally sourced bear parts from Russia have been found in numerous countries across the globe. Further research is needed to quantify the overall illegal trade from Russia to understand the impact illegal offtake and trade has on wild bear populations in Russia. Further, the hunting of bears in Russia warrants greater regulation and monitoring to prevent the poaching of their parts for trade.

Background and Research aim: Slope orientations can have a significant impact on the establishment of soil bacterial communities by influencing microclimate, soil properties and hydrological processes such as temperature, water content, pH and soil nutrients. Moreover, soil organic matter in karst ecosystems is more sensitive to environmental changes due to its lower resistance to disturbance. Methods: In this study, we analysed the multiple effects on soil bacterial community structure in karst landscapes at different slope orientations. The chemical properties of the soil of the sunny slope, the shady slope and the hilltop are compared and soil microbial communities are analyzed by high throughput sequencing. Results: We found that soil chemical properties (Total Carbon, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, Total carbon/Total Nitrogen ratio, Total carbon/Total Phosphorus ratio, Total nitrogen/Total Phosphorus ratio) differed between different slope orientations, but pH didn’t differ significantly. In contrast, areas with high carbon to nitrogen ratios showed lower bacterial abundance. Conclusions: This study uncovered distinct soil chemical properties among soils with different slope orientations. At the bacterial and fungal levels, the sunny slope exhibits the properties of having more ASVs. Moreover, although the soil microbial communities exhibited similar structures across these slope orientations, there were substantial variations in species abundance and microbial characteristics. Notably, the abundance of thermophilic bacterial groups increases significantly with increasing altitude, while the bacterial communities with the highest abundance of tree species at low altitude tend to be mesophilic. This study reveals the differences in soil microbial community structure under the influence of different slope orientations, which has practical implications for the overall understanding of soil microbes in karst landscapes and the influence of slope orientation on soil microbial diversity. Implications for Conservation: This study aims to provide a reference and scientific basis for the conservation of karst microbial diversity.

Background and Research Wildlife tourism has been considered a useful tool for conservation in some contexts and found to cause diverse effects on biodiversity. We investigated the effect of the number of tourists on wild black howler monkeys’ ( Alouatta pigra) behavior at the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve (MABR), in the Lacandona forest in Mexico. Methods We used 5-min focal animal sampling, during dry and rainy seasons. We recorded five common behaviors in three wild groups naturally exposed to different degrees of human disturbance (Station, River and Board) without tourists, 5 and 10 tourists. Results Five and 10 tourists increased locomoting and reduced socializing, however, differently affected activities’ allocation time in the monkeys’ groups: in Board, 10 tourists reduced monkeys feeding; ii) in River, 10 tourists reduced socializing; and iii) in Station, 5 tourists increased feeding and reduced socializing, and 10 tourists reduced socializing. Conclusions Watching tourism activities affect behavior differently in groups of Alouatta pigra in the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve in in the Mexican state of Chiapas, emphasizing the importance of regulating tourism programs for the conservation of endangered species. Implications for Conservation Although longer-term studies controlling for additional variables are needed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of tourism on wild howler populations, the results from this study remain valuable as a baseline for understanding such effects and for proposing initial strategies to reduce tourism-induced disturbance.

Background and Research Aim African forest elephants ( Loxodonta cyclotis) are critically endangered yet research on factors influencing their resource use is limited in Central Africa. We assessed the influence of fruit availability, land use types, and anthropogenic activity on forest elephant presence and relative abundance in the southwest part of the Campo-Ma’an Technical Operational Unit (CMTOU) to better understand elephant habitat use in human dominated systems and inform elephant management strategies. Methods We used 17 camera trap stations and surveyed 17 line transects to monitor forest elephant presence and relative abundance as a function of fruit availability, tree species richness, and land use types. Our study area spanned a gradient of human disturbance and included a National Park (NP), Forest Management Unit (FMU), and Community Land (CL). Results Forest elephants were more likely to occur in areas with increased fruit availability and tree species richness. Also, the likelihood of their presence was higher in CL than in FMU and NP. Elephant relative abundance was negatively affected by human activities such as hunting and logging. The relationship between elephant relative abundance and fruit availability was stronger in CL and NP as compared to the FMU. Elephant relative abundance was higher during the rainy season. Conclusion Forest elephant habitat use was positively affected by fruit availability across land use types, and negatively affected by human activities in the southwest part of the CMTOU. Implications for Conservation Continued monitoring of elephant responses to food availability in CMTOU is warranted to track changes in elephant habitat use. Knowledge of the distribution of fruiting trees consumed by forest elephants may allow managers to predict hotspots of habitat use, and to therefore develop effective management strategies.

In Tanzania, beekeeping contributes to the natural ecosystem growth and livelihood of rural poor people. This activity provides income and ensures food security as generated from bee products. This paper explores adoption of hanging frame beehives and its implications for livelihoods and forest conservation in the Chemba district, Dodoma region. Data was collected through interviews and Focus group discussions using structured and unstructured questionnaires. Quantitative and qualitative information were analysed through a statistical package SPSS version 16 and content analysis. The research revealed that 37.9% of the beekeepers obtain an average income of above 50,000 (21.57 USD) Tshs per year from using hanging frame beehives and 36% of other beekeepers obtain less than 50,000 (21.57 USD) Tshs per year from using log beehives. The average income from beekeeping indicates that the communities are not yet receiving reasonable income to emphasise the activity as a main source of income. Furthermore, traditional beekeeping has remained a preferred technique, thus jeopardising the forest ecosystems around the areas. Implying that adoption of hanging frame beehives is still to ensure forest conservation. The study recommends that the government, in collaboration with private stakeholders, should plan to improve beekeeping by introducing improved beehives that can be affordable to rural communities and ensure forest conservation.