Explore the vast range of titles available.

Former Natural History Museum (London) paleontologist Fortey gives us the stories of those plants, animals, and other creatures that have survived from Earth's early days--the planet's \"true marathon runners.\"

Restoration ecology has historically focused on reconstructing communities of highly visible taxa while less visible taxa, such as invertebrates and microbes, are ignored. This is problematic as invertebrates and microbes make up the vast bulk of biodiversity and drive many key ecosystem processes, yet they are rarely actively reintroduced following restoration, potentially limiting ecosystem function and biodiversity in these areas. In this review, we discuss the current (limited) incorporation of invertebrates and microbes in restoration and rewilding projects. We argue that these groups should be actively rewilded during restoration to improve biodiversity, ecosystem function outcomes, and highlight how they can be used to greater effect in the future. For example, invertebrates and microbes are easily manipulated, meaning whole communities can potentially be rewilded through habitat transplants in a practice that we refer to as “whole‐of‐community” rewilding. We provide a framework for whole‐of‐community rewilding and describe empirical case studies as practical applications of this under‐researched restoration tool that land managers can use to improve restoration outcomes. We hope this new perspective on whole‐of‐community restoration will promote applied research into restoration that incorporates all biota, irrespective of size, while also enabling a better understanding of fundamental ecological theory, such as colonization and competition trade‐offs. This may be a necessary consideration as invertebrates that are important in providing ecosystem services are declining globally; targeting invertebrate communities during restoration may be crucial in stemming this decline. Restoration and rewilding projects have historically overlooked the role played by invertebrates and microbes in restoring ecosystems. Here, we review the current state of microbial and invertebrate rewilding projects and provide recommendations on how projects can move forward in the future.

We discuss proposals to extend the list of protected insect species in Great Britain and question whether existing species protection measures are appropriate for insects whose ecology is substantially unknown. We highlight the practicalities of applying such measures to very poorly known taxa, whose identification depends upon highly experienced specialists and a tiny pool of relevant expertise. We propose a seven-point plan that would strengthen invertebrate conservation in Great Britain. Our proposals could be applied to other countries with a protected sites network and a desire to improve habitat-based insect conservation measures.Implications for insect conservationOur analysis suggests that insect conservation will not be improved by legislation that restricts the potential for adhoc surveillance that currently provides almost all the data used to monitor rare and threatened insects. We highlight the need for Improvements in the understanding of insect micro-habitat requirements amongst conservation managers. Our proposed seven-point plan provides a structured approach to insect conservation that should improve identification of important insect sites, site management and landscape-scale conservation measures.

Population decline among Asian horseshoe crabs in Asia is increasingly reported, but knowledge of their population and ecological status in China is limited. We conducted community interviews in 30 fishing villages around Beibu Gulf in Guangxi, China, to collect distribution information about the potential spawning/nursery grounds of Tachypleus tridentatus and Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda, and any imminent threats to their populations. Based on the results from 400 respondents we identified 45 potential spawning/nursery grounds distributed widely along the shores of Beibu Gulf. We visited 10 of these sites and verified the presence of juvenile horseshoe crabs by field surveys. Nearly all respondents reported an overall depletion in horseshoe crab populations from these 45 sites, which they attributed mainly to unsustainable fishing practices. Respondents who reported having seen horseshoe crab mating pairs on shores were mostly older people, which may suggest a considerable reduction in horseshoe crabs coming to the shores to spawn in recent years. The mean daily harvest of adult T. tridentatus offshore, as indicated by fishers, has declined from c. 50–1,000 in the 1990s to 0–30 individuals during 2011–2016. Our Wisdom of Crowds approach, supported by confirmatory field surveys, is a cost-effective method for assessing the population status of horseshoe crabs, and the level of threat they face. Similar approaches with other species are likely to be particularly valuable in the Asia–Pacific region, where well-structured population monitoring is largely unaffordable.

Livestock grazing is a key factor in many grassland ecosystems and can substantially influence the conservation of grassland species. The Crau steppe in southern France is a protected area that is traditionally grazed by sheep. The Critically Endangered Crau plain grasshopper Prionotropis rhodanica is endemic to the area and a flagship for the conservation of this unique ecosystem. Its population has declined significantly during the last 2 decades, but the reasons remain poorly understood. One potential factor is an altered habitat structure caused by changes in the grazing regime. We examined the microhabitat preferences of the species and compared the habitat structure of populated sites with those where the species is now extinct (former habitat). We found that populated sites had denser and higher vegetation, whereas former habitat had higher cover of stones and bare ground. Vegetation structure in the habitat of the smallest subpopulation was similar to areas of former habitat, suggesting a marginal habitat quality. Our results show that P. rhodanica requires 50–70% vegetation cover and suggest that grazing has contributed considerably to the population decline, but it remains unclear whether this is a direct effect of habitat degradation or an indirect effect by attracting predators associated with grazing activities. We recommend careful management of grazing to improve habitat quality, which would also benefit other invertebrates and insectivores. Continued monitoring is required to conserve habitat specialists in protected areas.

Invertebrates living in underground environments often have unusual and sometimes unique adaptations and occupy narrow ranges, but there is a lack of knowledge about most micro-endemic cave-dwelling invertebrate species. An illustrative case is that of the flatworm Dendrocoelum italicum, the first survey of which was performed 79 years after its description. The survey revealed that the underground stream supplying water to the pool from which the species was first described had been diverted into a pipe for human use, thus severely reducing the available habitat for the species. Here we describe the results of what we believe is the first habitat restoration action performed in a cave habitat for the conservation of a flatworm. The water-diverting structure was removed, with the involvement of local protected area administrators, citizens and volunteers from local organizations. The intervention resulted in the restoration of a large, stable pool inside the cave, thus creating an optimal habitat for this threatened planarian, with increased availability of prey and a stable population. This report of habitat restoration for a neglected invertebrate offers insights for the protection of other micro-endemic species.

L. (Apiaceae) is an annual herb that produces numerous flowerheads and is a host plant for aphids. Studies have demonstrated that adding  . to different kinds of cropping systems can enhance biological control of pests in those crops. This study represents a first step towards selecting . accessions that would perform well as insectary plants in citrus groves. Coriander accessions were grown and evaluated to determine which would grow well and flower quickly in south Florida. Because latitude may affect flowering time, accessions that were tested originated from localities within 10° latitude of the study site (27.418 °N), i.e., India, Pakistan, north Africa. Two of the Indian accessions produced healthy plants that flowered more quickly than the others. Seed from these two accessions were saved, which when sowed produced an open-pollinated (OP) hybrid that grew well in south Florida. A second test was performed to determine if co-sowing the seeds of the quick-flowering OP hybrid coriander with the seeds of a slow-to-flower variety (cilantro) would result in overlapping flowering periods. The flowering periods of the two varieties overlapped by approximately 1 week while the overall flowering period was extended by 35 days relative to planting each variety by itself. The results showed that the coriander and cilantro varieties of can be co-sown to ensure an extended flowering period, saving the grower time and effort and providing a better habitat for biological control insects.

This revision is based on sampling efforts over the past three decades in the southern Appalachian Mountains which have provided Nesticus (Araneae, Nesticidae) collections of approximately 2100 adult specimens from more than 475 unique collecting events. Using a “morphology first” framework we examined recently collected specimens plus museum material to formulate morphology-based species hypotheses for putative new taxa (discovery phase). Using sequence capture of nuclear ultraconserved elements (UCEs) we analyzed 801 nuclear loci to validate new (and prior) morphology-based species hypotheses (validation phase) and reconstructed a robust backbone phylogeny including all described and new species. Sanger sequencing and UCE-bycatch were also used to gather mitochondrial data for more than 240 specimens. Based on our integrative taxonomic framework ten new Nesticus species are herein described, including N. binfordae sp. nov. , N. bondi sp. nov. , N. canei sp. nov. , N. cherokeensis sp. nov. , N. dellingeri sp. nov. , N. dykemanae sp. nov. , N. jemisinae sp. nov. , N. lowderi sp. nov. , N. roanensis sp. nov. , and N. templetoni sp. nov. Previously unknown males are also described for N. bishopi Gertsch, 1984, N. crosbyi Gertsch, 1984, and N. silvanus Gertsch, 1984, as well as the previously unknown female for N. mimus Gertsch, 1984. Based on combined evidence N. cooperi Gertsch, 1984 is placed in synonymy with N. reclusus Gertsch, 1984. Overall, the montane radiation of Appalachian Nesticus reveals a general lack of species sympatry and compelling biogeographic patterns. Several regional Nesticus taxa are rare, microendemic habitat specialists that deserve conservation attention and detailed future monitoring as conservation sentinels.

In 2009, the New Zealand company Winstone Aggregates initiated a restoration planting scheme to mitigate the ecological damage caused by mining at the Hunua Quarry, near Papakura, New Zealand. By employing several collection methods (pitfall traps, artificial cover objects, litter samples, weta motels), and comparing invertebrates found in the restoration area with those found in adjacent areas of mature forest and unplanted grassland, this study aimed to identify invertebrates that could be used as bioindicators of restoration trajectory. Multivariate analyses (NMDS, ANOSIM) indicated that the composition of some invertebrate assemblages (e.g. beetles, mites, springtails) may be used to determine whether assemblages in the restoration areas had converged towards those in the mature forest. The survey also identified specific taxa (e.g. cave weta, spiders) that were more abundant in, or exclusive to, the mature forest, and identified other groups (e.g. exotic earthworms, slugs, snails) that typified the grassland invertebrates. Thus, in future invertebrate assessments, an abundance of the former taxa, and lack of the latter, would provide an indication of restoration ‘success’, and assist in monitoring the trajectory of the invertebrate community from that found in the exotic grassland towards an assemblage more typical of the native forest habitat of this region.

Veteran hollow oaks (Quercus spp.) are keystone structures hosting high insect diversity but are declining in numbers due to intensification of land use and the abandonment of traditional management. The loss of this vital habitat is resulting in a reduction of biodiversity, and this likely has consequences for ecosystem functioning, especially if functional diversity is reduced. A considerable amount of research has been done on predictors of beetle taxonomic diversity in veteran oaks, but predictors of functional diversity have remained largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to establish whether the features and surroundings of veteran oaks are related to functional diversity within three functional groups of beetles (decomposers, predators, and flower visitors) and determine whether species richness and functional diversity within the groups are dependent on the same predictors. Sampling was carried out intermittently between 2004 and 2011 on 61 veteran oaks in Southern Norway. Of the 876 beetle species that were collected, 359 were determined to be decomposers, 284 were predators, and 85 were flower visitors. Species richness and functional diversity in all groups were consistently higher in traps mounted on veteran oaks in forests than in open landscapes. However, additional predictors differed between groups, and for species richness and functional diversity. Decomposer species richness responded to tree vitality, while functional diversity responded to habitat connectivity, predator species richness responded to regrowth of shrubs while functional diversity responded to tree circumference, and flower visitor richness and functional diversity did not respond to any additional predictors. Previous studies have found that the features and surroundings of veteran oaks are important for conservation of taxonomic diversity, and the results from this study indicate that they are also important for functional diversity within multiple functional groups. Veteran hollow oaks (Quercus spp.) are keystone structures hosting high insect diversity. The aim of this study was to establish whether the features and surroundings of these trees are related to functional diversity of beetles within three functional groups (decomposers, predators, and flower visitors) and determine whether species richness and functional diversity within the groups are dependent on the same predictors. Previous studies have found that veteran oak's features and surroundings are important for conservation of taxonomic diversity, but the results from this study clearly indicate that they are also important for supporting multiple ecosystem functions.