Growing interest in bat-borne zoonoses has intensified field sampling of wild bats, raising questions about welfare, methodological transparency, and conservation impacts. We conducted a Systematic Quantitative Literature Review of zoonotic research published between 2014–2024 and involving capture and sampling of bats worldwide, querying Scopus and PubMed. A total of 226 studies met the inclusion criteria, spanning five continents and focusing predominantly on viruses (71.2%). Invasive procedures were frequent and often performed on species of conservation concern: euthanasia was reported in 48.2% of studies, anaesthesia in 20.3%, blood sampling in 18.6%, and PIT-tagging in 1.7%. Methodological transparency was frequently insufficient: 46.3% of studies failed to report essential procedural details, preventing assessment of adherence to welfare guidelines, while explicit non-compliance was identified in 15.0% of cases. Less than half of the studies supported their sampling approaches by citing established protocols or guidelines. Ethical approvals and capture or sampling authorisations were generally present, although inconsistently detailed. Overall, our findings reveal substantial gaps in procedural transparency in bat zoonotic research. We encourage the scientific community to strengthen welfare standards and ensure full methodological disclosure within a One Health-One Welfare framework, balancing public health objectives with wildlife welfare and long-term conservation priorities.

Climate change alters species distributions, and range-restricted species are particularly vulnerable. Our study used species distribution modelling under climate change for two montane bird species categorised as Near Threatened by the IUCN. The Drakensberg Rockjumper Chaetops aurantius and Mountain Pipit Anthus hoeschi are confined to the high-elevation mountains of South Africa and Lesotho. Understanding how their life histories mediate climate vulnerability is essential for conservation prioritisation. We used ensemble species distribution models within the BIOMOD 2 framework to predict changes in habitat suitability for both species under the high-emission SSP5-8.5 scenario for the years 2050–2080, relative to the current climate (1970–2000). The models predicted that both species are likely to experience contractions in their distribution ranges by the 2080s, with suitable climatic space persisting primarily in high-altitude areas of Lesotho and lower Drakensberg slopes. The Drakensberg Rockjumper exhibited severe declines, with mean suitability decreasing by 36.4% by 2050 and 63.5% by 2080, while the Mountain Pipit showed moderate declines of 4.4% and 18.9%, respectively. In terms of variable importance, the Drakensberg Rockjumper distribution is limited by temperature (22.4% importance), whereas the Mountain Pipit is limited by elevation (32.7%). Elevation-dependent patterns showed greater losses at lower elevations (1,500–2,000 m) for both species, with the Lesotho Highlands (>2,500) serving as climate refugia. Even within optimal high-elevation habitats, the Drakensberg Rockjumper’s distribution is projected to contract further. Its greater vulnerability to range loss than the Mountain Pipit is directly attributable to its sedentary life history and narrow habitat specificity, which limit its capacity to track shifting climatic conditions. We recommend reassessing the Drakensberg Rockjumper’s IUCN status, prioritising protection of high-elevation refugia, and considering assisted colonisation as a last-resort conservation measure. Future studies on physiological and ecological constraints will enhance understanding of their capacity to cope with climate change.

Primary freshwater crabs are keystone aquatic species, yet the potential impact of climate change on their distribution and conservation status remains unknown, particularly in biodiversity-rich areas such as South Africa. We employed maximum entropy and climatic niche modelling to evaluate the effects of climate change on the distribution of 17 Potamonautes species in South Africa and estimate protected area coverage for suitable habitats under both current and future climate projections of increased temperature, and the impact on the conservation of these species. Our results indicate that six of the 17 species are likely to experience a net loss of suitable habitat, and seven are projected to experience net habitat gains. Habitat changes for four of the 17 species are dependent on the climate scenario applied. Under predicted temperature increases, P. barbarai and P. isimangaliso are expected to experience significant habitat reduction, with P. isimangaliso being sensitive as a result of substantial predicted losses in both suitable and protected habitat. Conversely, P. depressus, P. flavusjo and P. warreni appear to be the least sensitive to climate change, gaining suitable habitat under both climate models. Unsurprisingly, we found precipitation to be a critical predictor of suitable habitat as these crabs are dependent on freshwater ecosystems. Our results underscore the importance of conservation strategies tailored to the unique predicted response of each species to climate change.

This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of morbidity and mortality in Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus and Great White Pelican P. onocrotalus in Greece. Data were collected over a 24-year period (1998–2021), using specific questionnaires to highlight the temporospatial, age and aetiological causes of morbidity and mortality to advance conservation efforts. Overall, 316 incidents of morbidity/mortality and 23 mass mortality events were recorded while the two species differed significantly in all parameters of morbidity/mortality. Annual rate of mortality was higher in Dalmatian Pelican (44.5 deaths per annum) than the Great White Pelican (2.4 deaths per annum). Dalmatian Pelican mortality tended to occur more during late winter/early spring and late summer/autumn, while Great White Pelican mortality occurred during autumn, matching with the presence of pre-migratory concentrations and migration. Dalmatian Pelican tended to be found dead in areas where pelicans congregated (e.g. colonies, feeding, wintering) while Great White Pelican were equally found in both areas with and without pelican congregations. A total of 30% of Great White Pelican mortality/morbidity happened in south Greece away from pelican areas and along the migration route whilst adult Dalmatian Pelicans and juvenile Great White Pelicans were the prevalent age groups. In Dalmatian Pelicans, 70% of mortality accumulated in the mass mortality events, while the sympatric Great White Pelican was unaffected during these events. Dalmatian Pelican mortality was mostly attributed to environmental (biotoxin) and infectious (viral/avian influenza) causes, while Great White Pelican mostly to anthropogenic (trauma/illegal shooting). Specific causes in Dalmatian Pelican mortality showed significant seasonal variation with viral causes in spring, biotoxin and entrapment in autumn, and illegal shooting and emaciation in winter. In Great White Pelicans, illegal shooting tended to occur in spring. A total of 25% of rescued Dalmatian Pelicans were released. Limitations of this study were that only 1% of the dead pelicans underwent a veterinary post-mortem investigation, in 26% of the dead pelicans the cause was completely unknown, the sex was not determined, and the age remained unidentified in a high percentage (43-46%) of individuals. In future, more veterinary input and a national preparedness plan for mass mortality events are needed.

Understanding migratory patterns helps guide conservation efforts in response to environmental change by identifying the breeding populations that contribute to different non-breeding regions. To examine these patterns, we analysed stable hydrogen isotope (δ²H) values in feathers of birds captured at nine non-breeding sites across Mexico to map the migratory connectivity of the Orange-crowned Warbler Leiothlypis celata, which breeds in Canada and the United States (US). We integrated isotopic assignments with long-term Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) and eBird abundance data and found weak migratory connectivity (MC = 0.18), showing that most non-breeding sites host a mixture of individuals from six breeding clusters. However, a northwestern breeding population exhibited strong connectivity, suggesting a possible crosswise migration to an easternmost non-breeding region in Mexico. Additionally, we found divergent demographic trajectories among populations, with those along the Pacific Coast showing severe declines. Mixing of populations with non-uniform trends on the non-breeding grounds hinders effective conservation by limiting the detection of population-specific declines. Our study emphasises the importance of analysing trends at the population level rather than the species level. We show that species-wide conservation designations may be insufficient, while our data-driven clusters provide a more effective framework for identifying management units.

This strategic action plan presents a comprehensive regional strategy for the conservation and sustainable use of crop wild relatives (CWRs) in Northeast Africa, covering Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan. The region is recognized as a global centre of crop diversity and endemism, making it a priority for genetic resource conservation. Building on recent scientific research, including regional checklists, prioritization frameworks, threat assessments and climate change projections, the plan outlines evidence-based recommendations for in situ and ex situ conservation, integration of CWR into breeding and climate adaptation programmes, and policy development. The strategy emphasizes regional collaboration, capacity building and data sharing to address critical gaps in knowledge, infrastructure and institutional coordination. It also highlights the importance of traditional agricultural knowledge and community engagement in sustaining CWR diversity. By aligning conservation efforts with national and international frameworks, the plan aims to enhance food and nutritional security, strengthen climate resilience and ensure the long-term availability of genetic resources for future crop improvement.

While intensive farming causes biodiversity declines and low-intensity agriculture can support some adapted wildlife, traditional shifting cultivation remains widely debated, with uncertainty over its impacts on biodiversity and the environment. As this practice is widespread in tropical regions, understanding its impacts is fundamental. The effects of active shifting cultivation and different types of fallow duration were investigated by (1) estimating Green Peafowl Pavo muticus density and (2) defining the species’ habitat use in Ngape and Minhla Township, Magway Region, west-central Myanmar, where the species inhabits a shifting-cultivation landscape. Density was estimated using distance sampling over 26 line transects. We used a Generalised Linear Mixed Model to investigate relationships between Green Peafowl numbers and land-use types: (a) active shifting cultivation (b) fallow land less than 6 years old, (c) fallow land aged 6–10 years, (d) degraded natural forest, and (e) paddy fields. The estimated population density across the entire study area was 0.29 calling males per km2, with most birds found in the southern study site at a density of 0.31 calling males per km2. GLMMs results indicated strong habitat use by Green Peafowl of intermediate successional fallow lands, particularly areas abandoned for 6–10 years, which provide suitable roosting shelter and effective foraging opportunities under relatively open canopy conditions. The species avoided areas under active shifting-cultivation, where food resources are limited, Green Peafowl also showed a negative association with degraded forest subjected to high disturbance from logging activities and associated human and chainsaw presence. Our findings indicate that conserving remaining natural forests by reducing logging pressure, together with managing low-intensity shifting cultivation that maintains intermediate successional habitats, can provide important habitats for Green Peafowl. Conservation strategies recognising and sustaining these successional stages may enhance biodiversity conservation while supporting community-based land-use systems.

This article presents a mosaic reburial in the Baths of Regio VII at Sabratha (Libya) which took place in April 2025 after a long gestation. It documents the practical, material and logistical dimensions of safeguarding vulnerable pavements in situ which have been long exposed to the environment with limited maintenance. The article, produced by the MaLiCH project in collaboration with the Libyan Department of Antiquities, discusses the history of the bath complex, its condition and its impact on decision-making for conservation. It describes the rationale for the intervention, the steps taken to deliver it and the value of mentoring and public engagement. It also reflects on the challenges in conflict-affected countries where specific expertise may be limited. By documenting the process, its outcomes and limitations, the case study offers practical evidence and theoretical approaches which can inform future interventions in comparable archaeological contexts.

Wetland restoration has been a key strategy in Denmark’s efforts to reduce agricultural nutrient runoff into aquatic systems over the past three decades. Beyond their primary function, these re-created waterbodies also benefit waterbird species. This study investigates the role of restored wetlands in supporting the national breeding population of the Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis. Drawing on spatial information on restoration efforts from the national monitoring programme and citizen science records from volunteer observers, we analysed breeding presence and abundance of the species across 651 freshwater sites. Our results revealed a strong preference for restored habitats; the proportions of breeding pairs observed in these wetlands increased from 6% in the early 1990s to 83% in the last ten years. Colonisation typically occurred within the first year following restoration but was short-lived, with most colonies persisting only a few years. In a modern Danish landscape largely devoid of hyper-saline and ephemeral arid-lands wetland ecosystems favoured by Black-necked Grebes, restored wetlands appear to function as temporary surrogate habitats for this pioneer species. Longer-term conservation of this species may require the continued creation of newly established wetlands, as well as the re-invigoration of wetland systems governed by natural hydrological processes.

Coffee is among the most highly traded agricultural commodities and cultivated across some of Earth’s most biodiverse tropical regions. The conservation literature recognizes coffee farms as potential refuges for biodiversity in landscapes where they have replaced and fragmented natural tropical forests. By contrast, little is known about whether and how coffee impacts native plant communities beyond active farms, as alien species persisting in secondary forests following discontinuation of cultivation and potential invaders into surrounding remnant forests. Here, we explore the literature on coffee in particular and alien plant species in general to identify potential impacts of alien coffee on native plant regeneration. As a prolific, shade-tolerant woody species, alien coffee can theoretically influence native species pollination, dispersal, seed germination, and establishment over prolonged periods, but these effects and consequences for plant community dynamics remain largely untested. Key knowledge gaps include the direction and strength of alien coffee effects on native plant regeneration and how they vary with regeneration stage, native species traits, environmental conditions, coffee species, and forest type (secondary forest vs. invaded remnant). Investigating these gaps can enrich the discourse on coffee and conservation, guide restoration in coffee-occupied forests, and advance the relatively underdeveloped field of shade-tolerant alien species ecology.

In this paper I examine the Itaipu Dam in Paraguay as an industrial heritage complex comprising energy infrastructure, environmental governance, and conservation landscapes. Through the submergence of the Guairá Falls and the displacement of Avá Guaraní communities, I argue that the dam exemplifies “authoritarian terraforming,” the large-scale remaking of landscapes and lifeworlds as part of state-led development. Within this context, I introduce the concept of “green heritage” to analyze how ecological destruction and territorial dispossession are reframed through conservation initiatives that operate as post-extractive governance regimes legitimizing infrastructural violence while producing curated forms of ecological peace. Finally, I show how Indigenous territorial ontologies expose the limits of conservation framed as repair and caution against forms of conservation that reproduce exclusion and dispossession.

Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari, commonly known as guggul, is an economically and medicinally important shrub of the family Burseraceae valued for its oleo-gum resin used in traditional medicine and modern herbal formulations. Native to the arid and semi-arid regions of the Indian subcontinent, the species has undergone a drastic population decline due to the increasing commercial demand, destructive resin tapping practices, habitat degradation and extremely poor natural regeneration. Consequently, C. wightii has been categorized as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List), highlighting the urgent need for conservation and sustainable management of this valuable plant genetic resource. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the biology, ecology and conservation status of C. wightii, with particular emphasis on factors responsible for its population decline, including reproductive constraints, low-seed viability, unsustainable harvesting of oleo-gum resin, habitat degradation and competition from invasive species. The article further discusses ongoing conservation initiatives and management strategies, including in situ and ex situ conservation approaches, vegetative propagation, tissue culture-based multiplication and domestication through cultivation to reduce pressure on wild populations. Sustainable gum tapping protocols and genetic resource conservation strategies are also highlighted as essential components for long-term recovery. Given its ecological, economic and medicinal importance, the conservation of C. wightii represents a critical priority within the framework of plant genetic resource management. Strengthening conservation programmes, promoting cultivation and developing scientifically guided harvesting practices are essential to ensure the sustainable utilization and long-term survival of this endangered medicinal species.

Between 2023 and 2024, the Anchor Church Heritage Project brought together a multidisciplinary team to conserve and revitalise Anchor Church, a medieval hermitage, Victorian retreat, and modern cultural landmark. Fostering collaboration between specialists and non-specialists, this project provided diverse community-engagement opportunities for undergraduate students from the University of Leicester as volunteer heritage researchers. Through their research, blog writing, and the development of interpretive signage, the students were able to uncover the story of Anchor Church and create resources to engage a broader public audience. The project ultimately fulfilled its aims to raise local awareness of Anchor Church, reduce vandalism, encourage public involvement in conservation efforts, and provide “real world” experience for students beyond the classroom. This case study in collaboration highlights the mutual benefits of projects which unite student volunteers and heritage professionals with coinciding goals of improved conservation, enhanced cultural value, and outreach. Demonstrating how community engagement, education, and interpretation can address and reduce instances of vandalism at rural heritage sites, the paper illustrates the value of initiatives which integrate education with conservation to achieve tangible outcomes, serving as a model for future collaborations between student volunteers and the heritage sector.

Wild bees in agricultural landscapes face multiple stressors, including habitat loss and pesticide exposure. As demand for sustainably produced agricultural products increases, it is essential to understand how sustainable practices influence wild bee communities. Bee responses to such practices were assessed across 26 vineyards in Canada over 2 years. Wild bees were sampled alongside vegetation and floral resources to evaluate the effects of cover cropping, mowing frequency, alternate row management, organic farming, and certified sustainable management on bee abundance, diversity, and community composition. Vegetation height between vine rows was the strongest positive predictor of both bee abundance and diversity, while vegetation cover and floral abundance also had positive associations. A higher proportion of flowers from cover crop species was negatively associated with bee abundance, specifically for pan-trap collected bees. Alternate row and organic management had limited effects on bee abundance and diversity, while certified sustainable management showed a slight negative impact on bee diversity, as well as reduced floral richness and vegetation height. Community composition analyses revealed that both the bee communities and flower communities differed between vineyard management types, though the use of cover cropping and alternate row management did not differ between organic, certified sustainable, and conventional sites. These findings suggest that reduced mowing frequency may be an effective strategy for supporting wild bees, while other sustainable practices, such as cover cropping, organic farming, and certified sustainable management, may require enhanced research approaches to detect effects or further refinements to improve their conservation outcomes.

In 2010, intestinal schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma mansoni infection, was first confirmed within semi-captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) on Ngamba Island, Lake Victoria. Since then, and despite repeated praziquantel treatments, there is ongoing evidence of reinfection. Conducting a comprehensive contemporary appraisal, we implemented a multi-modal diagnostic approach combining coprological, urine antigen-based and semi-invasive parasitological assays, augmented by standardized hepatic ultrasonography. We reassessed 49 chimpanzees to reveal persistent infections (urine-antigen prevalence was 36.7% although fecal egg-patency was 4.1%), often with progressive schistosomiasis-associated hepatic morbidity, noting overt pipe-stem fibrosis in certain animals. Molecular DNA analyses of retrieved schistosome eggs and larvae confirmed the presence of S. mansoni alone. Sequence analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 provided a snapshot of current schistosome genetic diversity. Three previously identified haplotypes were recovered alongside 2 additional haplotypes newly detected locally. These latter haplotypes, likely having a Kenyan ancestry, were suspected to have been introduced recently. We draw attention to the limitations of chemotherapy-only control and highlight future needs to gain better environmental control within this lakeshore sanctuary setting.

The Chinese pangolin Manis pentadactyla is categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List because of illegal hunting, trafficking and habitat loss across its range. Although previously reported from many parts of Nepal, its presence in Sunsari district has remained unverified. We documented the first photographic evidence of the Chinese pangolin in Sunsari district through a short-term camera-trap survey in Panchakanya forest, a sacred but highly disturbed community forest in the Siwalik foothills. Two camera traps were rotated over 14 nights at selected trails and burrows in January 2025. After 7 nights, a male Chinese pangolin was recorded, confirming the species’ presence for the first time in this district. Field observations indicated abundant foraging signs linked to soft, moist soils supporting ant and termite colonies, aligning with the pangolin’s specialized diet and burrowing habits. This confirmed record increases the number of districts in which the Chinese pangolin has been documented in Nepal to 28. The presence of the Chinese pangolin in a fragmented, disturbed sacred forest highlights both the adaptability of this pangolin and the conservation value of culturally protected community forests outside protected areas.