Building pondscapes for amphibian metapopulations

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 38(6)

Published: May 7, 2024

Abstract The success of ponds constructed to restore ecological infrastructure for pond‐breeding amphibians and benefit aquatic biodiversity depends on where how they are built. We studied effects pond landscape characteristics, including connectivity, metapopulation dynamics 12 amphibian species in Switzerland. To understand the determinants long‐term occupancy (here summarized as incidence), environmental both colonization persistence should be considered. fitted dynamic models 20 years monitoring data a construction program quantify characteristics different connectivity metrics probabilities ponds. Connectivity existing populations explained better than structural metrics, simple (distance nearest neighbor population, population density) were useful surrogates dispersal kernel‐weighted commonly used theory. Population mediated conservation target new ponds, suggesting source–sink newly established populations. density captured this effect well could by practitioners site selection. Ponds created there 2–4 occupied within radius ∼0.5 km had >3.5 times higher incidence (median) isolated Species individual preferences regarding but breeding sites with larger (≥100 m 2 ) total water surface area, that temporarily dried, surroundings maximally 50% forest benefitted multiple species. Pond diversity will foster at scale.

Language: Английский

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Reply to comments on “Rewilding a vanishing taxon – Restoring aquatic ecosystems using amphibians”

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 110953 - 110953

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Integrating Green Infrastructure into Sustainable Agriculture to Enhance Soil Health, Biodiversity, and Microclimate Resilience

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(9), P. 3838 - 3838

Published: April 24, 2025

While green infrastructure (GI) offers numerous benefits, its implementation in low-resource settings remains constrained by limited policy support and upfront costs, highlighting the need for context-sensitive strategies. This paper highlights value of integrating GI within sustainable agricultural systems effectiveness various techniques improving soil microbial communities reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The transition to requires innovative strategies that balance productivity, environmental conservation, resilience climate change. Sustainable agriculture increasingly leverages technological innovations enhance biodiversity, microclimate resilience. Green has found direct application agroforestry, conservation buffers, precision agriculture, health monitoring systems, nature-based solutions such as regenerative management. These applications are crucial enhancing health, water retention, while mitigating microclimatic impacts. Precision tools, like IoT sensors, drones, AI-driven analytics, allow farmers optimize water, nutrient, pesticide use, boosting yields efficiency minimizing impact. Simultaneously, advanced technologies track moisture, nutrients, biological activity real time, informing practices maintain long-term fertility carbon sequestration. integrated approach practical on-farm higher crop stability during droughts enhanced habitats beneficial species. In conclusion, there is a supportive frameworks, subsidies adoption, incentives microclimate, development programs, knowledge-sharing initiatives, encourage farmer adoption.

Language: Английский

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Fine-scale spatial connectivity interacts with seasonality to shape macroinvertebrate assemblages in a restored pondscape

Inland Waters, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 16

Published: May 2, 2025

Language: Английский

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Comments on: “Rewilding a vanishing taxon–Restoring aquatic ecosystems using amphibians”. Stark and Schwarz 2024. Biological Conservation 292, 110559

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 302, P. 110940 - 110940

Published: Jan. 8, 2025

Language: Английский

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Rapid field-based detection of a threatened and elusive species with environmental DNA and CRISPR-Dx

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. e03518 - e03518

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Lessons from pond creation and restoration projects in Europe

Restoration Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Dec. 11, 2024

Pond ecosystems harbour substantial biodiversity and contribute to several ecosystem services as nature‐based solutions (NbS). restoration creation projects have been initiated address these trends, yet while some insights are published, many remain within the expertise of practitioners not easily accessible. Moreover, papers synthesizing findings from multiple such derive broad, universal conclusions very much lacking. Here, we contacted pond that worked on recent in Europe using a questionnaire. We reported which practices currently most common identified where current good might need be modified. As expected, targeted monitored species habitats protected under European Union Birds Directive Habitats Directive. Most focused conservation targets, rather than promotion specific Natura 2000 habitats, or NbS. Several challenges were highlighted including funding limitations stakeholder engagement difficulties. Recommendations included amending legal frameworks, improving connectivity among pondscapes for effective implementing more systematic monitoring. This work illustrates how consultation stakeholders can generate may hidden typical monitoring reports.

Language: Английский

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Socio-Economic Viability of the High Nature Value Farmland under the CAP 2023–2027: The Case of a Sub-Mediterranean Region in Slovenia

Agriculture, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(10), P. 1699 - 1699

Published: Sept. 27, 2024

Our study aimed to analyse socio-economic sustainability and the drivers of land abandonment in Kras region Slovenia, a representative eastern Mediterranean farmland area. We also sought provide policy recommendations for supporting biodiversity conservation facilitating sustainable transition similar High Nature Value (HNV) farming systems across Europe. The Slovenian Typical Farm Model (SiTFarm) was used assess economic performance livestock wine-growing farm types. Additionally, in-depth interviews with farmers were conducted understand their perspectives on these preferences alternative management strategies instruments. findings indicate that, due introduction basic income support complementary voluntary coupled payments, budgetary sector is projected increase by 27–55% estimated gross margins during 2023–2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) period, depending type. Furthermore, farms can enhance converting organic enrolling agri-environmental schemes that promote extensive grasslands management, which crucial conservation. This suggests Slovenia’s current CAP strategic plan adequately addresses maintenance existing systems. However, faces significant challenges, particularly restructuring small adding value primary products. These issues appear be insufficiently addressed plan, implying limited progress expected mitigating long term. Comprehensive development feasible HNV systems, aligned recommendations, well-managed system institutions instruments needed facilitate more market-oriented agriculture at local level.

Language: Английский

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A quantitative approach to ranking management actions for an endangered pool-breeding amphibian

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 373, P. 123556 - 123556

Published: Dec. 6, 2024

Language: Английский

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