Biodiversity and threats in non-protected areas: A multidisciplinary and multi-taxa approach focused on the Atlantic Forest

Unraveling the shifts in the belowground microbiota and metabolome of Pinus pinaster trees affected by forest decline

Pinus pinaster Aiton (maritime pine) stands are suffering a generalized deterioration due to different decline episodes throughout all its distribution area. It is well known that external disturbances can alter the plant associated microbiota and metabolome, which ultimately can entail the disruption of the normal growth of the hosts. Notwithstanding, very little is known about the shifts in the microbiota and the metabolome in pine trees affected by decline. The aim of our work was to unravel whether bacterial and fungal communities inhabiting the rhizosphere and root endosphere of P. pinaster trees with symptoms of decline and affected by Matsucoccus feytaudi in the National Park of Sierra Nevada (Granada, Spain) showed alterations in the structure, taxonomical profiles and associative patterns. We also aimed at deciphering potential changes in the rhizosphere and root metabolome. Trees infected by M. feytaudi and healthy individual harbored distinct microbial communities at both compositional and associative patterns. Unhealthy trees were enriched selectively in certain plant growth promoting microorganisms such as several ectomycorrhizal fungi (Clavulina) and Streptomyces, while other beneficial microorganisms (Micromonospora) were more abundant in unaffected pines. The rhizosphere of unhealthy trees was richer in secondary metabolites involved in plant defense than healthy pines, while the opposite trend was detected in root samples. The abundance of certain microorganisms was significantly correlated with several antimicrobial metabolites, thus, being all of them worthy of further isolation and study of their role in forest decline.

Behavioral and neurochemical impairments after intranasal administration of chlorpyrifos formulation in mice

Among the most relevant environmental factors associated with the etiology of neurodegenerative disorders are pesticides. Spray drift or volatilization generates pesticide dispersion after its application. In addition, inhalation or intranasal (IN) administration of xenobiotics constitutes a feasible route for substance delivery to the brain. This study investigates the behavioral and neurochemical effects of IN exposure to a commercial formulation of chlorpyrifos (fCPF). Adult male CF-1 mice were intranasally administered with fCPF (3-10 mg/kg/day) three days a week, for 2 weeks. Behavioral and biochemical analyses were conducted 20 and 30 days after the last IN fCPF administration, respectively. No significant behavioral or biochemical effects were observed in the 3 mg/kg fCPF IN exposure group. However, animals exposed to 10 mg/kg fCPF showed anxiogenic behavior and recognition memory impairment, with no effects on locomotor activity. In addition, the IN administration of 10 mg/kg fCPF altered the redox balance, modified the activity of enzymes belonging to the cholinergic and glutamatergic pathways, and affected glucose metabolism, and cholesterol levels in different brain areas. Taken together, these observations suggest that these biochemical imbalances could be responsible for the neurobehavioral disturbances observed after IN administration of fCPF in mice.

Habitat suitability, range dynamics, and threat assessment of Swertia petiolata D. Don: a Himalayan endemic medicinally important plant under climate change

In the current era of the anthropocene, climate change is one of the main determinants of species redistribution and biodiversity loss. Worryingly, the situation is alarming for endemic and medicinally important plant species with a narrow distributional range. Therefore, it is pivotal to inspect the influence of accelerated climate change on medicinally important threatened and endemic plant species. Using an ensemble approach, the current study aims at modelling the present distribution and predicting the future potential distribution coupled with the threat assessment of Swertia petiolata-a medicinally important endemic plant species in the Himalayan biodiversity hotspot. Our study revealed that under current climatic scenarios, the suitable habitats for the species occur across the western Himalayan region which includes the north-western Indian states (Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and southern Uttarakhand), northern Pakistan, and north-western Nepal. Also, temperature seasonality (BIO4) and precipitation seasonality (BIO15) are the most significant bioclimatic variables determining the distribution of S. petiolata. Furthermore, the study projected a reduction in the suitable habitats for the species under future changing climatic scenarios with a reduction ranging from - 40.298% under RCP4.5 2050 to - 83.421% under RCP8.5 2070. Most of the habitat reduction will occur in the western Himalayan region. In contrast, some of the currently unsuitable Himalayan regions like northern Uttarakhand will show increasing suitability under climate change scenarios. The current study also revealed that S. petiolata is classified as Near Threatened (NT) following the IUCN criterion B. Hopefully, the present study will provide a robust tool for predicting the cultivation hotspots and devising scientifically effective conservation strategies for this medicinally important plant species in the Himalaya and similar environments elsewhere in the world.

An overview of remote monitoring methods in biodiversity conservation

Conservation of biodiversity is critical for the coexistence of humans and the sustenance of other living organisms within the ecosystem. Identification and prioritization of specific regions to be conserved are impossible without proper information about the sites. Advanced monitoring agencies like the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) had accredited that the sum total of species that are now threatened with extinction is higher than ever before in the past and are progressing toward extinct at an alarming rate. Besides this, the conceptualized global responses to these crises are still inadequate and entail drastic changes. Therefore, more sophisticated monitoring and conservation techniques are required which can simultaneously cover a larger surface area within a stipulated time frame and gather a large pool of data. Hence, this study is an overview of remote monitoring methods in biodiversity conservation via a survey of evidence-based reviews and related studies, wherein the description of the application of some technology for biodiversity conservation and monitoring is highlighted. Finally, the paper also describes various transformative smart technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and/or machine learning algorithms for enhanced working efficiency of currently available techniques that will aid remote monitoring methods in biodiversity conservation.

Distribution and accumulation of major and trace elements in water, sediment, and fishes from protected areas of the Atlantic Rainforest

Environmental pollution affects the quality of the natural environment where major and trace elements have been commonly found to accumulate in biotic and abiotic matrices. The purposes of this research were (1) to assess the accumulation and distribution of 24 major and trace elements in water, sediments, and muscle and gills of ten native fishes from two natural areas with different degree of protection in the Atlantic Rainforest, (2) to discuss potential origin of the elements related to the land use, and (3) to assess the human health risk for water and muscle fish consumption in general and fisher populations. Major and trace elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Concentrations of Ag, Cu, and Se in water and Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, and Zn in sediment were higher than the international guidelines for the aquatic biota protection. Muscle Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Hg, and Zn from several species (both studied areas) were above guidelines for human consumption. The bioaccumulation factor (< 6936) was higher in gills than in muscle, and indicated that Andromakhe saguazu, Andromakhe paris, Gymnogeophagus lipokarenos, and Steindachnerina biornata were macroconcentrators of Zn, and Australoheros ykeregua, G. lipokarenos, and Hemiancistrus fuliginosus were macroconcentrators of Se and Sr. The hazard index and target hazard quotient indicated that there is no risk from chronic consumption of water or fish. The results show the need to reduce the entry of pollutants into streams, paying special attention to reducing runoff in deforested areas.

DNA barcodes reveal striking arthropod diversity and unveil seasonal patterns of variation in the southern Atlantic Forest

The Atlantic Forest harbors 7% of global biodiversity and possesses high levels of endemism, but many of its component taxa remain unstudied. Due to the importance of tropical forests and the urgency to protect them, there is a compelling need to address this knowledge gap. To provide more information on its arthropod fauna, a Malaise trap was deployed for 12 months in a semi-degraded area of the southern Upper Paraná ecoregion of the Atlantic Forest. All specimens were DNA barcoded and the Barcode Index Number (BIN) system was employed to assign each specimen to a species proxy. DNA barcodes were obtained from 75,500 arthropods that included representatives of 8,651 BINs. Nearly 81% of these BINs were first records, highlighting the high rates of endemism and lack of study of arthropods from the Atlantic Forest. Diptera was the most abundant order, followed by Hemiptera, Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera. Diptera was also the most species-rich order, followed by Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, and Coleoptera, a result consistent with studies in other biogeographic regions. Insects were most abundant in winter and most diverse in autumn and winter. This pattern, however, was caused mainly by the dynamics of dipteran diversity as other orders differed in their seasonal variation. The BIN composition of the insect community varied sharply through the year and also differed between the two consecutive summers included in the sampling period. The study of the 38 commonest BINs showed that seasonal patterns of abundance were not order-specific. Temperature had the strongest impact on seasonal abundance variation. Our results highlight the striking and understudied arthropod diversity of the highly fragmented Atlantic Forest, the predominance of dipterans, and the fact that abundance and richness in this insect community peak in the coolest months. Standardized studies like this generate fast and reliable biodiversity inventories and unveil ecological patterns, thus providing valuable information for conservation programs.

A biogeographical study of red listed lichen species at temporal and spatial scales within protected and non-protected areas

The present study is focused on the temporal and spatial distribution of red listed lichen (RLL) species identified in both non-protected areas (NPAs) and protected areas (PAs) in Romania. This study revealed different scenarios of RLL based on two major patterns: (1) the fate of RLL before and after their designation in the red list in Romania and (2) the fate of RLL before and after the designation of PAs in Romania. Generally, the occurrences of RLL were well represented in time and space in both NPAs and PAs through geomorphological and biogeographical units. In particular, the occurrences of RLL were well represented, especially in hilly areas within PAs before and after their official designation, and this was an important aspect over a long period of time. Although NPAs were not less important regarding the occurrences of RLL species, it was observed that they followed the same pattern as PAs, namely, they were well represented in hilly areas and over a long period of time. The bioregions were significant for RLL species in both NPAs (continental and stepic) and PAs (continental, panonic, and stepic). As a significant finding of this study, NPAs and PAs should be subjected to an adequate conservation regime due to their biotical traditional heritage.

Metals and metalloids in a first order stream of the Atlantic rainforest: abiotic matrices, bioaccumulation in fishes and human health risk assessment

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Metals and metalloids have been found in several streams and rivers from the Atlantic Rainforest (ARF), one of the world´s leading biodiversity hotspot, which may represent a risk for environmental and human health. The aims of this study were: 1) to evaluate the accumulation and distribution of 24 trace elements in water, sediments and fish tissues (muscle and gills) of sixteen species from the Atlantic Rainforest, 2) to explore bioaccumulation patterns in fish tissues and abiotic matrices, and 3) to assess the impact of metal and metalloids on the human health from water and fish consumption.

METHODS

Water, sediments and fish samples were collected from Ramos Stream (Misiones Province, Argentina). The concentrations of Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hg, Li, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, Ti, U, V and Zn were determined by Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were used to evaluate bioaccumulation of metals and metalloids in relation to water and sediment. The Hazard Quotient (HQ), Hazard Index (HI) and Target Hazard Quotient (THQ, general and fisherman populations) were calculated to assess the non-carcinogenic human health risk from water and fish consumption.

RESULTS

The concentrations of several elements in water and sediment were higher than the international guidelines for aquatic biota protection. Levels of As, Pb and Zn in muscle and gills were above national and international guidelines for human consumption. The bioaccumulation factors ranged from 749 to 13,029 being higher in gills than in muscle. The HQ and HI ranged from 0.001 to 0.015. The THQ for each element and total THQ values were lower than 0.1.

CONCLUSION

Bioaccumulation factor suggests that several species have a moderate capacity to incorporate some metals and metalloids from the abiotic matrices. According to the HI and THQ values found, there is no risk to human health from consumption of water and fish.

Non-protected areas demanding equitable conservation strategies as of protected areas in the Central Himalayan region

The present study aims to explore the mammalian diversity of Darjeeling district using camera traps along with questionnaire survey in protected area (PA) and non- protected area (Non-PA). We also attempted to understand the influence of habitat variables on mammalian species richness using the generalized linear mixed models (GLMM). A total of 30 mammal species were recorded of which 21 species were detected through camera trapping with the most abundant records of barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak) and least of the elusive Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) and red panda (Ailurus fulgens). Additionally, melanistic forms of four mammals were also recorded. The mammalian species richness, their capture rate and naïve occupancy did not differ significantly among the PA and Non-PA. The GLMM revealed that the proportions of oak and bamboo in the forest, percentage canopy cover and camera trap operational days (wAICc = 0.145, wBIC = 0.603) were significant predictors of species richness in the study. We suggest Non-PA forest of Darjeeling should be given equal conservation importance as to the PA. Landscape based conservation planning will be imperative for achieving long term conservation goals in the study area.

Multi-matrix approach reveals the distribution of pesticides in a multipurpose protected area from the Atlantic Rainforest: potential risk for aquatic biota and human health?

The Atlantic Rainforest is among the main biodiversity hotspots in the world, the Yabotí Biosphere Reserve (YBR) being one of the most important remaining areas. Agriculture practices could lead to intensive usage of pesticides resulting in a risk to the environment and human health. Water, suspended particulate matter (SPM), sediment, and fish (Andromakhe paris and Andromakhe saguazu) samples were collected from four streams with different degrees of protection of the YBR in two periods in order to assess the distribution of 18 organochlorine pesticides. Legacy and current-use pesticides were found in the different environmental matrices of the stream headwaters in non-anthropized areas within the buffer zone that drains the intangible area. A similar occurrence pattern of pesticides was found in all matrices. Levels of DDTs (<3.63 ng/L) and endosulfans (<21.8 ng/L) in surface water were above international guidelines for the protection of aquatic life in several streams for both sampling periods. HCHs, DDTs, endosulfans, and chlorpyrifos were detected in SPM and sediments from three streams, while γ-HCH (<60.3 ng/g lipid weight), chlorpyrifos (<698 ng/g lw), p,p´-DDD (<367 ng/g lw), and α-endosulfans (<209 ng/g lw) were detected in fish muscle in several streams. Chlorpyrifos and endosulfans were associated with current use, while DDx/DDT ratios suggested an old use. The concentration of pesticides found would not represent a risk to human health; however, it highlights the need to establish better regulation and action guidelines to reduce the anthropogenic effect on natural reserves.

The impacts of domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) on wildlife in two Brazilian hotspots and implications for conservation

Exotic species are major threats to biodiversity worldwide. Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) are among the most common invasive predators in the world, interacting with wildlife in many ways. We present ecological data based on camera traps and occasional observations of free–roaming domestic dogs from localities within the Brazilian Atlantic forest and Cerrado hotspots. Canis familiaris was the second most abundant mammal species, and the most abundant carnivore. Dogs chased, killed, and/or competed with at least 26 native species. They consumed none of the killed animals, which together with the predominant records of solitary individuals acting during the daytime indicates they are mainly free–roaming dogs relying on humans for food and shelter. The high numbers of dogs and the wide range of prey suggest wildlife could be greatly impacted by domestic dogs, especially in areas that are highly threatened by anthropogenic activities, such as biodiversity hotspots. We highlight possible measures (such as the eradication or removal of dogs from natural areas) that could help to reduce the environmental damage caused by domestic dogs in the region.