Urban forest fragmentation impoverishes native mammalian biodiversity in the tropics

Urban expansion has caused major deforestation and forest fragmentation in the tropics. The impacts of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity are understudied in urban forest patches, especially in the tropics and little is known on the conservation value of the patches for maintaining mammalian biodiversity. In this study, camera trapping was used to determine the species composition and species richness of medium‐ and large‐sized mammals in three urban forest patches and a contiguous forest in Peninsular Malaysia. We identified the key vegetation attributes that predicted mammal species richness and occurrence of herbivores and omnivores in urban forest patches. A total number of 19 mammal species from 120 sampling points were recorded. Contiguous forest had the highest number of species compared to the urban forest patches. Sunda Pangolin and Asian Tapir were the only conservation priority species recorded in the urban forest patches and contiguous forest, respectively. Top predators such as Malayan Tiger and Melanistic Leopard were completely absent from the forest patches as well as the contiguous forest. This was reflected by the abundance of wild boars. We found that mammal species richness increased with the number of trees with DBH less than 5 cm, trees with DBH more than 50 cm, and dead standing trees. In the future, the remaining mammal species in the urban forest patches are expected to be locally extinct as connecting the urban forest patches may be infeasible due to land scarcity. Hence, to maintain the ecological integrity of urban forest patches, we recommend that stakeholders take intervention measures such as reintroduction of selected species and restocking of wild populations in the urban forest patches to regenerate the forest ecosystems

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field

Effects of urban forest fragmentation on native mammals in Selangor, Malaysia

Rapid urbanisation has caused major deforestation and habitat fragmentation in the tropics. Yet, the ecological impacts of forest fragmentation on biodiversity are understudied in urban landscapes particularly those that are heavily surrounded by anthropogenic activities. To date, little is known about the conservation value of the patches for maintaining mammalian biodiversity, as each species requires different habitat characteristics. This study uses the camera trapping method to (1) determine the composition of medium- to large-sized mammal species present; (2) identify the dominant species of mammalian community; (3) compare the mammal species composition; and (4) determine the key habitat variables that affect the mammal species richness in three forest patches: AHFR, BCFR, and BFR and one contiguous forest, SLFR. All forest areas are located in Selangor, the most developed and urbanised state in Malaysia. The study was conducted from September 2016 to October 2017 by deploying 30 wildlife cameras at each forest area. A total number of 19 mammal species comprising 11 omnivores, four herbivores, three carnivores and one insectivore from 120 sampling points were recorded. SLFR had the highest number of species compared to the urban forest patches. Only three conservation priority species were recorded, namely the Sunda Pangolin in AHFR and BFR, the Asian Tapir in BCFR and SLFR and the White-handed Gibbon was recorded in the SLFR. Top predators such as Tigers and Leopards were completely absent from the forest patches. This was reflected by hyper-abundance of wild boars. In SLFR, Eurasian Wild Boar, Barking Deer, Long-tailed Macaque and Lesser Mousedeer represented 93% of the species composition. While in AHFR, 98% of the majority species composition made up of Pig-tailed Macaque and Lesser Mousedeer. Eurasian Wild Boar and Pig-tailed Macaque represented 91% and 94% of the species composition in BCFR and BFR respectively. Omnivorous species was the most common found in all study areas may explained by their high tolerance towards modified environments. The mammal species richness responded positively with the number of trees with DBH less than 5 cm, trees with DBH more than 50 cm,and the number of dead standing trees. Sufficiency of food resources provided by trees with DBH less than 5 cm, hiding places provided by trees with DBH more than 50 cm, and food resources and nesting sites provided by dead standing trees are crucial for every species’ persistency. Improving the connectivity between the urban forest patches and continuous forest may be impossible due to land scarcity and urban expansion. This is true particularly for facilitating the movement of ground-dwelling and arboreal mammals. Hence, government stakeholders are recommended to take intervention measures such as species reintroduction and restocking the wild populations in the urban forest patches

The group size and density of long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) (primates: cercopithecidae) in oil palm production landscapes

Expansion of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) industry in Malaysia is one of the major threats that has caused biodiversity loss and fragmentation of forest areas. Macaca fascicularis is an example of primate species that being negatively affected by oil palm agriculture but not much attention is being paid to this common species. The effects brought by oil palm monocultural plantations can be explained through understanding the population size of long-tailed macaque in large-scale oil palm plantations. The main objective of this study is to determine the effect of oil palm production on the population of M. fascicularis. A census of long-tailed macaque had been conducted between January to February 2016 to determine the mean troop size of macaque in a large-scale oil palm plantation with a total area of 1689.531 hectares. A total number of 13 groups with 98 individuals were recorded. The density of long-tailed macaque within the oil palm plantation area was 5.68 individuals per 100 hectares. One sample t-test, two sample t-test, and two-sample Poisson test were used to analyze the collected data. The mean group size of long-tailed macaque in large-scale oil palm plantation with that in oil palm smallholdings (t = 4.70), primary forest (t = -7.32), and secondary forest (t = -9.22) had a significant difference (p < .001). The comparison between adult abundance and juvenile abundance in large-scale oil palm plantation showed a slightly significant difference (p = .043) with the simple normal approximation of -2.020. The comparison between adult abundance and juvenile abundance in smallholdings was significantly different (p < .001). There was a significant difference (p < .001) in adult abundance between large-scale oil palm plantation and oil palm smallholdings (t = -6.58). However, there was no significant difference (p = .05) in juvenile abundance between large-scale oil palm plantation and oil palm smallholdings (t = 2.13). The negative impacts brought by oil palm production to long-tailed macaque population are more severe in large-scale plantation than in oil palm smallholdings. Large-scale oil palm monocultures should be minimized or limited as it causes adverse impacts on biodiversity including common species such as long-tailed macaque

The effect of oil palm agricultural expansion on group size of long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in Peninsular Malaysia

Large-scale expansion of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) monocultures across Southeast Asia are creating ecosystems with homogenous habitats with low species diversity. However, heterogeneity varies between oil palm smallholdings and large-scale plantations, with greater habitat heterogeneity found on smallholdings. To date, there has been a paucity of field research on primate species, particularly macaques in oil palm plantations. In this study, we investigate the group size of long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in four habitat types: unlogged forest, logged forest, large-scale oil palm plantations, and smallholdings. Field censuses were conducted in 2015 and 2016 to determine the group size of M. fascicularis in large-scale oil palm plantations and oil palm smallholdings. These data from oil palm plantations were compared to surveys conducted on a logged lowland forest reserve and a previous study in an unlogged lowland forest. We found that group size of M. fascicularis in large-scale plantations was lower compared to smallholdings, logged forest and unlogged forest. The chi-square test showed that the age class (juvenile or adult) of M. fascicularis was associated with farming systems. The paper concludes that the expansion of large-scale oil palm monocultures should be limited because of its adverse impacts on biodiversity including common species such as M. fascicularis

Habitat fragmentation and logging affect the occurrence of lesser mouse-deer in tropical forest reserves

Due to rapid urbanization, logging, and agricultural expansion, forest fragmentation is negatively affecting native wildlife populations throughout the tropics. This study examined the effects of landscape and habitat characteristics on the lesser mouse-deer, Tragulus kanchil, populations in Peninsular Malaysia. We conducted camera-trap survey at 315 sampling points located within 8 forest reserves. An assessment of site-level and landscape variables was conducted at each sampling point. Our study provides critical ecological information for managing and conserving understudied populations of T. kanchil. We found that the detection of T. kanchil was attributed to forest fragmentation in which forest patches had four times greater detection of T. kanchil than continuous forest. The detection of T. kanchil was nearly three times higher in peat swamp forest compared to lowland dipterocarp forests. Surprisingly, the detection of T. kanchil was higher in logged forests (logging ceased at least 30 years ago) than unlogged forests. The detection of T. kanchil increased with the presence of trees, particularly those with DBH of 5 cm to 45 cm, canopy cover, number of saplings and palms, number of dead fallen trees, and distance from nearest roads. However, detection decreased with a greater number of trees with DBH greater than 45 cm and higher elevations, and greater detections where creeping bamboo was abundant. We recommend that conservation stakeholders take the necessary steps (e.g., eradicating poaching, habitat degradation, and further deforestation) to support the conservation of mouse-deer species and its natural habitats

La renonciation aux droits fondamentaux. La libre disposition de soi et le règne de l'échange

Legal and illegal logging is prevalent throughout the tropics, impacting on natural habitat and wildlife. This study aimed to investigate the sensitivity of forest mammals to selective logging in the lowland dipterocarp forests of South-West Peninsular Malaysia and identify the underlying factors that determine species occurrence. A total of 120 camera trap locations were deployed within selectively logged and unlogged forests. We found that unlogged forest had greater wildlife occurrences compared to selectively logged forests, including two endangered mammal species not found in logged forest. Forest vegetation structure characteristics such as the abundance of lianas, large trees, saplings, palms, bamboo and seedlings were associated with mammal species richness. Mammal species richness increased with number of forest trees, particularly those with a DBH of &gt;45 cm, but this was limited to high altitude forest. Worryingly, we did not detect any large mammalian apex predators such as leopards or tigers in either unlogged or selectively logged forests. The absence of these animals may be the result of poaching, habitat degradation or other pressures; these mammals are expected to be present in intact forests in Peninsular Malaysia. Restoring logged forests and preserving the remaining unlogged lowland dipterocarp forests are critically important to safeguard mammalian biodiversity in the region. Besides that, we recommend that conventional logging practices are replaced with reduced impact logging methods.</p

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field