Fading into Obscurity: Impact of Climate Change on Suitable Habitats for Two Lesser-Known Giant Flying Squirrels (Sciuridae: Petaurista) in Northeastern India

Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 14(3), P. 242 - 242

Published: Feb. 27, 2025

In recent years, global warming has become a major driver of biodiversity loss, significantly impacting various vertebrate species, including mammals. Consequently, numerous smaller species face extinction risks due to anthropogenic factors as well inadequate assessments and conservation planning. Thus, this study focuses on two recently described endemic giant flying squirrel under the Petaurista genus—Petaurista mishmiensis mechukaensis—found in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Using an ensemble distribution model (SDM), research delineates suitable habitats for these lesser-known evaluates effects climate change habitat fragmentation areas. This analysis aims inform comprehensive management plan their conservation. The identified patches extending beyond current IUCN-designated ranges Pradesh. Under present conditions, P. largest predicted area (9213 sq. km), followed by mechukaensis (6754 km). However, future projections reveal alarming losses ranging from 13.45% 55.86% across area. also highlights severe throughout state viable are drastically reduced size, resulting many being completely lost remaining areas closer together. experiences significant disintegration, smaller, more dispersed within Hence, address challenges, recommends several actions such genetic confirm evolutionary relationships, evaluations corridor connectivity, field studies. Furthermore, establishing joint forest committees involving local communities, personnel, defense forces, naturalists, scientists encouraged. Ultimately, provides critical insights guiding studies Pradesh’s vast landscapes supports development detailed plans protect squirrels.

Language: Английский

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Changing discourses in the third pole: A systematic review of climate change impact on biodiversity in the Hindu Kush Himalaya

Ecological Indicators, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 155, P. 111046 - 111046

Published: Oct. 9, 2023

Climate change has emerged as one of the major threats to biodiversity and Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) is facing challenges due a higher rate elevation dependent warming erratic rainfall. The rich bounty ecosystem services provided by this ‘water tower’ ‘Third Pole’ are under risk. Though there scattered sectoral knowledge available, comprehensive understanding on climate its impact lacking in HKH. To fill gap, systematic literature review using search, appraisal, synthesis, analysis (SALSA) was undertaken look at temporal spatial trends research focusing impacts services. increasing trend evolution from multidisciplinarity approach with focus suggested strong influence regional priority global discourse. There clear pattern biophysical environmental focused early phase 1990s societal concerns highlighting vulnerability, adaptation, mitigation measures later phases. also revealed an multidisciplinary, networking bringing innovative tools linking biodiversity. However, showed greater Tibetan plateau alpine decreasing interest forest ecosystems, very negligible wetlands. Studies assessments but relatively low rate. Better representation investments based vulnerable underrepresented countries collaborative emerging areas such restoration larger scale nature-based solutions could contribute resilience

Language: Английский

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Spatially Explicit climate change vulnerability assessment of ecological systems along altitudinal gradients in the Indian Himalayan region

Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 22, P. 100377 - 100377

Published: March 8, 2024

Spatial ecological vulnerability assessments are important for devising management plans systems to maintain the flow of ecosystem services, especially in mountains. Himalayan mountains, being a fragile ecosystem, have considerable value, however, information on is lacking. The present evaluation attempts prioritize ecosensitive zones by assessing altitudinal Garhwal Himalaya, India framework using mix bio-physical parameters. Eight parameters, viz., Land Use and Cover (LULC), slope, aspect, landscape fragmentation, temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)) were identified considered assess vulnerability. Principal Component Analysis (SPCA) results five Components (PCs), which integrated weighted calculation Ecological Vulnerability (EVI). analysis differential across altitudes with above 2000m altitude showed severe classified as potential (36.25 %), slight (35.25 medium (20.25 high (8.25 %) (0.25 %). vulnerable regions prioritized based their per classes region strict protection (24.70 focal (60.41%) composite development (14.89 study suggetsed priority conservation actions addressing areas sustainable region. provides valuable insights associated measures leading most suitable strategies sustainability systems.

Language: Английский

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Disaster risk assessment of educational infrastructure in mountain geographies using PROMETHEE-II

International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 107, P. 104489 - 104489

Published: April 21, 2024

Language: Английский

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Shaping the European Alps: Trends in landscape patterns, biodiversity and ecosystem services

CATENA, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 235, P. 107607 - 107607

Published: Nov. 4, 2023

Landscape appearance is controlled by a range of different environmental and human-induced factors, although there still lack knowledge about the significance individual factors. Our goal was to identify factors that were significant for landscape change in European Alps rank them according their importance. Therefore, we mapped with standardized survey methodology six typical socio-ecological regions strongly differing socio-economic natural conditions. The results clearly showed has taken place all over last 150–200 years, affecting biodiversity ecosystem services (ES). In general, areas used agriculture have decreased regions, particularly traditionally forms (−72.7 % −6.9 %). greatest decrease took high elevation, agriculturally unfavourable (-72.6 −41.6 %) weak economic conditions (−62.9 −20.9 forest spread on large scale abandoned land economically strong but also settlements monotone intensively cultures. As consequence changes, plant species diversity declined, favourable good site (−62.7 −7.2 %), while it far less (−20.1 −0.7 Regulation & maintenance cultural ESs decreased, whereas provisioning ES generally increased. regional framework play much more important role development than national frameworks. Higher "green subsidies" reduced intensification trend agriculture, led increased abandonment. addition, remained diverse, declined many This demonstrates interpreting historical dynamics analysing impacts can be valuable guide sustainable decision-making processes.

Language: Английский

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Distribution and survival of medicinal and aromatic plants is threatened by the anticipated climate change

Trees Forests and People, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16, P. 100549 - 100549

Published: April 10, 2024

Changing climatic scenarios has been recognized as a prominent threat to biodiversity globally. Given the decline in biodiversity, there are more and local, national, global awareness campaigns well legislative initiatives devoted conservation. The present study aims increase our knowledge understanding of distribution six medicinal aromatic plants (MAPs) Jammu Kashmir, India under future using an ensemble species modelling approach. Results revealed changes habitat range plant due changing leading expansion or contraction their range. A significant suitable habitats Arisaema jacquemontii, Lamium album, Phytolacca acinosa Urtica dioica is predicted. Podophyllum hexandrum Thymus linearis predicted expand ranges, however, losing currently habitats. Thus, recommends that these MAPs should be prioritized for conservation abrupt appraisal population status updated IUCN categorization carried out. Furthermore, provide reliable information decision-making climate scenarios, thorough models take into account both biotic abiotic factors contributing persistence used.

Language: Английский

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Habitat Loss in the IUCN Extent: Climate Change-Induced Threat on the Red Goral (Naemorhedus baileyi) in the Temperate Mountains of South Asia

Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(9), P. 667 - 667

Published: Aug. 27, 2024

Climate change has severely impacted many species, causing rapid declines or extinctions within their essential ecological niches. This deterioration is expected to worsen, particularly in remote high-altitude regions like the Himalayas, which are home diverse flora and fauna, including mountainous ungulates. Unfortunately, of these species lack adaptive strategies cope with novel climatic conditions. The Red Goral (Naemorhedus baileyi) a cliff-dwelling classified as “Vulnerable” by IUCN due its small population restricted range extent. most all goral residing temperate mountains northeastern India, northern Myanmar, China. Given population, this highly threatened climate habitat disruptions, making mapping modeling crucial for effective conservation. study employs an ensemble approach (BRT, GLM, MARS, MaxEnt) distribution assess distribution, suitability, connectivity addressing critical gaps understanding. findings reveal deeply concerning trends, model identified only 21,363 km2 (13.01%) total extent suitable under current limited alarming, it leaves very little refuge thrive. Furthermore, situation compounded fact that around 22.29% falls protected areas (PAs), further constraining species’ ability survive landscape. future projections paint even degraded scenarios, predicted decline over 34% excessive fragmentation In addition, present identifies precipitation seasonality elevation primary contributing predictors species. nine designated transboundary PAs among them highlight role supporting survival time. Moreover, Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary (DWLS) Hkakaborazi National Park revealed largest scenario. highest mean was found between DWLS Mehao (0.0583), while lowest observed Kamlang Namdapha (0.0172). also suggests strategic management planning vital foundation research conservation initiatives, aiming ensure long-term natural habitat.

Language: Английский

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Global patterns and drivers of buzzing bees and poricidal plants

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 34(14), P. 3055 - 3063.e5

Published: June 25, 2024

Language: Английский

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Climatic Influence on Growth Performance of Abies spectabilis in the Himalayas

Forests, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(3), P. 473 - 473

Published: March 8, 2025

Climate change has affected forest ecosystems across the world over past century. However, its impact is particularly high in Himalayas due to increasing temperatures, extreme precipitation events, and regional droughts. In this context, a review of current stage research was deemed necessary understand adaptation key conifer species climate variability Central Himalayas. Hence, we conducted systematic published peer-reviewed journal articles addressing growth performance Abies spectabilis (D. Don) Spach From review, three main patterns response have emerged: positive correlation radial tree with temperature previous growing seasons, limitation by winter temperature, or moisture pre-monsoon season. Overall, results indicate an elevation-dependent sensitivity, crucial role availability, seasonal shifts climate–growth relationships, reflecting species’ adaptability changing conditions. Our revealed that studies on wood anatomical traits A. are still rare. The tree-ring shows complex variability, as well decreasing trends distribution range.

Language: Английский

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A new gecko (Phyllodactylidae: Homonota whitii group) from the Diaguita highlands, Argentina, with an updated phylogeny for the genus

Zoologica Scripta, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 1, 2025

Abstract The South American Transition Zone (SATZ) connects the Neotropical and Andean regions, stretching from western Venezuela to northern Chile central‐western Argentina. In Argentina, northwestern Altoandina Cuyana province includes arid semi‐arid ecosystems, particularly Diaguita District, spanning Catamarca, La Rioja San Juan. This mountainous region, including Sierra de Famatina Cordillera Frontal los Andes, hosts species adapted extreme conditions. Despite its biodiversity, region's endemicity phylogenetic uniqueness remain poorly understood, especially as these ecosystems face growing climate threats, such heatwaves. Geckos (Order Gekkota) are one of oldest lizard clades, with divergences over 150 million years ago. Particularly, genus Homonota (Phyllodactylidae) is endemic southern cone America, primarily in also found Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia Uruguay. As part a broader investigation on geckos this advance their systematic study, we generated data two mitochondrial 12 autosomal loci across 14 species, along comprehensive morphological dataset meristic measurements scale counts. Detailed analyses were conducted within an integrative assessment framework. Consequently, describe new biogeographic district representing northernmost member H. whitii group. inhabits region known for micro‐endemism, further highlighting area important biodiversity hotspot dryland ecosystems. Additionally, provide updated molecular hypothesis genus, offering insights into evolutionary history SATZ.

Language: Английский

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