International Day for Biological Diversity 2024

Today’s International Day for Biodiversity highlights the importance and value of biodiversity and aims to raise awareness of biodiversity issues. To mark the occasion Elsevier has curated a special collection of journal articles and book chapters. Explore articles relating to topics such as Biodiversity for ecosystem services, the role of citizen science in biodiversity monitoring and mountain biodiversity.

Table of contents

Elsevier,

Encyclopedia of Biodiversity, Third Edition, 2024, pp 52-63

This chapter advances the UN SDG goals 11 and 15 by reviewing the major impacts people have on urban biodiversity at household, neighborhood, city, and global scales.
Elsevier,

Encyclopedia of Biodiversity, Third Edition, 2024, pp 152-166

This chapter advances the UN SDG goals 11 and 12 by reviewing the economic importance of biodiversity and the services that it provides to the rest of the economy, then considering the policy options available for better conservation of biodiversity.
Elsevier,

Encyclopedia of Biodiversity, Third Edition, 2024, pp 674-689

This chapter advances the UN SDG goals 14 and 15 by discussing conservation efforts for mammals, which particularly focus on habitat protection and direct protection. Mammals are often treated as flagships for the rest of biodiversity conservation.
Elsevier,

Imperiled: The Encyclopedia of Conservation, 2022, pp 46-54

This chapter advances the UN SDG goals 13 and 14 by reviewing the range of ecosystem services provided by coral reefs, the human activities that threaten these services and proposing promising policy and management interventions to promote the maintenance of key coral reef ecosystem services into the future.
Elsevier,

Biological Invasions and Global Insect Decline, 2024, pp 291-314

This chapter advances the UN SDG goals 15, 11, and 17 by reviewing ways for community members to take part in insect conservation. Particularly with the rise of social media and the popularity of new reporting apps, citizen science is an often overlooked, yet effective tool in monitoring insect biodiversity and invasive species.
Elsevier,

The World of Sea Cucumbers: Challenges, Advances, and Innovations, 2024, pp 201-220

This chapter advances the UN SDG goals 13 and 14 by reviewing the biodiversity of sea cucumber species and the ways in which changing climates and habitats have influenced their biogeographies.
Elsevier,

Dynamic Aquaria, Fourth Edition: Building and Restoring Ecosystems and the Biosphere, 2024, pp 167-180

This chapter advances the UN SDG goals 13 and 14 by reviewing how to calculate species count in a high-veracity ecosystem model for use in climate resilience and aquatic conservation settings.
Elsevier,

Snow Leopards, Second Edition, 2024, pp 309-321

This chapter advances the UN SDG goals 9 and 15 by reviewing how industry and infrastructure development can infringe on snow leopard habitat and how sustainable business drivers can encourage companies to engage in biodiversity conservation efforts.
Elsevier,

Biodiversity and Bioeconomy: Status Quo, Challenges, and Opportunities, 2024, pp 81-110

This chapter advances the UN SDG goals 13, 14, and 15 by reviewing the role of biodiversity in sustainable development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Elsevier,

Managing Urban Rivers: From Planning to Practice, 2024, pp 109-130

This chapter advances the UN SDG goals 11 and 15 by reviewing how intentional and sustainable urban design can promote urban diversity and preserve regional biodiversity in the face of increasing urbanization and industrial development.
Elsevier,

Soil Microbiology, Ecology and Biochemistry, Fifth Edition, 2024, pp 131-159

This chapter advances the UN SDG goals 13 and 15 by reviewing the biodiversity of soil fauna, they key roles these taxa play in ecosystem functioning, and their importance in the context of climate change.
Elsevier,

Wetzel's Limnology, Fourth Edition: Lake and River Ecosystems, 2024, pp 859-892

This chapter advances the UN SDG goals 11, 13, and 14 by reviewing the role of lakes and ponds in maintaining critical aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in the context of growing urbanization and climate change.
Elsevier,

Global Ecology and Conservation, Volume 52, August 2024

This paper highlights the importance for conservation biologists and on-the-ground practitioners to engage more with local pastoralists to tackle the complex and infrequently described conflicts on how best to implement protective policies.
Elsevier,

Forensic Science International: Animals and Environments, Volume 5, June 2024

This study introduces an innovative method using DNA barcodes to accurately identify species, addressing the critical issue of trafficking invaluable medicinal plants like Trillium govanianum.
Elsevier,

Heliyon, Volume 10, 30 April 2024

This study has provided a spatial view of the temporal trends in gregarization in the CLCPRO countries since 1985.
Elsevier,

One Earth, Volume 7, 19 April 2024

The paper highlights the interconnectedness of public health crises, such as pandemics, with biodiversity loss and climate change, as increased demand for materials to combat infectious diseases exacerbates environmental pressures, posing a threat to global sustainability and biodiversity.
Elsevier,

The Lancet Planetary Health, Volume 8, April 2024

This Review supports SDGs 3 and 15 by exploring the links between climate change, biodiversity loss, and infectious diseases. The authors focus on the social, political, and financial factors that frame these issues, and suggest that a better understanding of these interactions is needed to drive solutions.
Elsevier,

eClinicalMedicine, Volume 70, April 2024

This paper supports SDGs 3 and 15 by examining environmental exposures and risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in early life in a Danish cohort. The study found that increased agricultural land use was associated with a higher risk of Crohn's disease, while increased biodiversity and green space were associated with a lower risk of Crohn's disease. These findings may have implications for IBD prevention.
Elsevier,

Global Ecology and Conservation, Volume 50, April 2024

This review paper highlights the significance of rewilding using reptiles for the purpose of ecological restoration and it outline the consequences for reptilian rewilding under climate change.
Elsevier,

iScience, Volume 27, 15 March 2024

Global view on sea turtle conservation
Elsevier,

One Earth, Volume 7, 15 March 2024

The paper elucidates the importance of monitoring and integrating conserved areas into area-based conservation efforts to effectively achieve the 30% protection goal by 2030, emphasizing transparency and accountability in tracking changes to protected and conserved areas for maximizing benefits to biodiversity.
Elsevier,

iScience, Volume 27, 15 March 2024

Reviews the effects of light pollution in urban ecosystems
Elsevier,

The Lancet Planetary Health, Volume 8, March 2024

This paper supports SDG 15 by highlighting that the effects of loss of biodiversity due to climate change and associated changes in the distribution of venomous snakes will be most pronounced in tropical regions, where extensive land is devoted to agriculture and rearing livestock.
Elsevier,

Trends in Ecology and Evolution, Volume 39, March 2024

Coral atolls are at risk from rising sea level, what can be done to enhance island buidling processes
Elsevier,

One Earth, Volume 7, 16 February 2024

The paper addresses the urgency of communicating the worsening anthropogenic-driven species extinction crisis to diverse audiences and proposes a threatened species recovery report card as a tool to showcase conservation progress, emphasizing the need for immediate action to prevent further biodiversity loss.
Elsevier,

Trends in Ecology and Evolution, Volume 39, February 2024

How to reduce human-wildlife conflixt through education
Elsevier,

iScience, Volume 27, 19 January 2024

Shows behavioural and physiological responses to habitat change
Elsevier,

One Earth, Volume 7, 19 January 2024

The paper presents a scientific framework for assessing marine biodiversity and reveals significant gaps in our understanding and protection of ocean biodiversity, emphasizing the need for more strategic conservation efforts to safeguard marine ecosystems and their contributions to human well-being.
Elsevier,

iScience, Volume 26, 15 December 2023

A discussion on how well Emojis reflect biodiversity, and how this should be improved to contribute to public engagement and communication.
Elsevier,

Current Opinion in Microbiology, Volume 76, December 2023

Reminder that Biological diversity is important also for health, supporting SDG 3.
Elsevier,

Forensic Science International: Animals and Environments, Volume 3, December 2023

Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) is among the most lucrative illegal industries in the world and is a significant driver of biodiversity decline. This paper outline the basics of IWT and discuss its cascading consequences on environments, human lives and communities, national stability, and the economy.
Elsevier,

Trends in Plant Science, Volume 28, December 2023

A sustainable future requires securing of the fundamental relationship between humans and biodiversity. This article highlights the importance of tapping into Indigenous and local knowledge for the conservation of biodiversity
Elsevier,

One Earth, Volume 6, 17 November 2023

The paper underscores the urgency of addressing climate change's impact on biodiversity through transboundary conservation efforts, offering guidelines for designing climate-smart marine protected area (MPA) networks in regions like the California Bight, highlighting the need for international coordination to ensure effective protection and adaptation strategies for vulnerable species and ecosystems.
Elsevier,

One Earth, Volume 6, 17 November 2023

The paper addresses the urgent need to halt species extinction by proposing a global prioritization strategy for conservation, leveraging individual population data to identify priority areas that significantly enhance the long-term persistence of threatened terrestrial mammal species, thus providing a more effective and efficient approach for meeting the targets outlined in the Global Biodiversity Framework.
Elsevier,

Acta Biomaterialia, Volume 171, November 2023

This article aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. The research focuses on transitioning the construction industry towards sustainable practices by utilizing local biological materials and developing a construction method for tension-compression anticlastic shellular structures. The use of a fully biodegradable material system and an earthen construction workflow helps minimize the environmental footprint in the built environment. This article aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being. The use of polymer-functionalized plant leaf scaffolds as a novel human cell culture platform for tissue engineering applications, specifically for promoting the alignment and elongation of muscle cells, contributes to advancements in healthcare and the development of functional skeletal muscle tissue.
Elsevier,

One Earth, Volume 6, 20 October 2023

The paper underscores the need for improved conservation efforts in the tropics, using Bangladesh as a case study, by revealing gaps in protected area coverage for species representation and providing spatial prioritization to guide future expansion efforts, ultimately contributing to meeting global biodiversity targets outlined in the Kunming-Montreal Framework.
Elsevier,

The Lancet Planetary Health, Volume 7, October 2023

This paper supports SDG 15 by showing that mangroves contribute substantially to food security and nutrition of coastal communities in Indonesia, and thus the conservation of mangroves is important not only for carbon storage and biodiversity, but also for the communities living near them.
Elsevier,

Food Microbiology, Volume 115, October 2023

Biological diversity is important for all aspects of life: from the food we eat to the wine we drink, supporting SDG 12
Elsevier,

iScience, Volume 26, 18 August 2023

Discusses the importance of integrating pollination services, ecological restoration and public engagement towards improving biodiversity conservation and agricultural production
Elsevier,

iScience, Volume 26, 21 July 2023

Show effects of wildfires on the vocal communcication of an iconic threatened species
Elsevier,

Heliyon, Volume 9, July 2023

This is the first report on genetic diversity and population structure analysis of P. polyphylla at the molecular level in Nepal.
Elsevier,

Heliyon, Volume 9, July 2023

This article shows that ecological factors play a significant role in shaping the phytochemical diversity among and within wild populations of Teucrium marum.
Elsevier,

The Lancet, Volume 402, 1 July 2023

This Health Policy paper supports SDG 3, 15, and 16 by highlighting how climate change and other human-induced environmental changes, such as loss of biodiversity and air pollution, disproportionately affect the health of minoritised people globally.
Elsevier,

Trends in Plant Science, Volume 28, May 2023

This opinion highlights how tapping into natural biodiversity, while incorporating information about local environmental and climatic conditions, enables crop production in marginal soils.
Elsevier,

Transportation Research Procedia, Volume 72, 2023

Advocates and justifies a specific maritime policy that would protect marine biodiversity in the Mediterranean.
Elsevier,

Forensic Science International: Animals and Environments, Volume 2, December 2022

"Illegal wildlife trade is a global concern and a major threat to biodiversity conservation. DNA barcoding, specifically the use of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI), is widely used to identify wildlife species in the Philippines. DNA fingerprinting provide accurate identification of aquatic species and can be used for monitoring and tracking IWT."
Elsevier,

The Lancet Planetary Health, Volume 6, December 2022

This Personal View supports SDGs 3 and 15 by introducing geodiversity as a driver of planetary health and highlighting its importance in ecosystem functionality and biodiversity.
Elsevier,

iScience, Volume 25, 16 September 2022

Shows the distribution of flora and fauna diversity in China, suggesting priority area for conservation.
Elsevier,

Journal of Microbiological Methods, Volume 198, July 2022

Supports SDG 15 by providing a methood to preserve wheat species for reintroduction if necessary.
Elsevier,

Ecological Indicators, Volume 140, July 2022

This paper highlights the value of combining passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) recordings with machine-learning analysis for ecological monitoring and demonstrates the potential of PAM to monitor reef restoration.
Elsevier,

Trends in Plant Science, Volume 27, July 2022

Discusses how plant diversity may enhance carbon retention in soils as well as better ecosystem functions and crop yields.
Elsevier,

Current Research in Microbial Sciences, Volume 3, January 2022

Supports SDG 3: biological diversity of parasites makes treatment of Chagas Disease difficult
Elsevier,

Microbiological Research, Volume 254, January 2022

An exploration of how pollution affects biological diversity, supports SDG 15.
Elsevier,

Forensic Science International: Animals and Environments, Volume 1, November 2021

This articles describes an investigative study in a suspected wildlife hunting incident in which molecular biology techniques were employed to identify the species involved. The genetic analysis in this study was suitable for diagnosing the species and concluding a criminal investigation. Molecular forensic techniques can, therefore, provide an important tool that enables local law enforcement agencies to apprehend poachers.
Elsevier,

Safeguarding Mountain Social-Ecological Systems, A Global Challenge: Facing Emerging Risks, Adapting to Changing Environments and Building Transformative Resilience in Mountain Regions Worldwide, 2024, pp 11-15

This chapter advances the UN SDG goals 13 and 15 by reviewing the unique species assemblages of high-elevation ecosystems and biodiversity trends in the context of climate change.
Elsevier,

Unraveling Environmental Disasters, Second Edition, 2024, pp 469-509

This chapter advances the UN SDG goals 13 and 14 by reviewing the impact of habitat degradation on local biodiversity and species invasions, particularly in the context of climate change and shifting habitat ranges.
Elsevier,

Biological Conservation, Volume 293, May 2024

This papers shows that deforestation negatively affects orchid bee species diversity and that protected areas house the highest richness and abundance of orchid bees.
Elsevier,

Biological Conservation, Volume 293, May 2024

A perspective piece on ecosystem restoration and seed provenance, highlighting different stakeholders and frameworks and current needs
Elsevier,

One Earth, Volume 7, 19 April 2024

The paper demonstrates that coastal ecosystem restoration leads to increased abundance and diversity of animals, comparable to natural reference sites, underscoring its importance in mitigating biodiversity loss and environmental degradation.
Elsevier,

Biological Conservation, Volume 292, April 2024

Amphibian rewilding initiatives may provide early indications of ecological health and better contribute to conservation goals, by simultaneously protecting highly endangered species, and promoting ecological stability in these species ecosystems. Authors recommend the rapid (re)introduction of this “forgotten” taxon via the guidelines of trophic rewilding.
Elsevier,

Biological Conservation, Volume 292, April 2024

Conservation translocations have become popular and important conservation tools and this paper reviews the recent studies concerning animal translocation redefining the field to translocation science to embrace sociopolitical factors.
Elsevier,

Trends in Ecology and Evolution, Volume 39, April 2024

As climate is changing ecosystems, how to do alter our goals for conservation
Elsevier,

Trends in Immunology, Volume 45, March 2024

Bats are among the most diverse of all mammalian species and serve as reservoirs of zoonotic viruses responsible for several recent pandemics; new technologies are providing insights into how the unique physiology and lifestyle of bats drive tolerance to virus infection.
Elsevier,

Trends in Immunology, Volume 45, March 2024

Because immune-related genes in humans are genetically closer to bats than mice, dissecting bat biology can catalyze the discovery and understanding of molecular players in human antiviral immunity.
Elsevier,

Biological Conservation, Volume 291, March 2024

A perspective article on stress-test, commonly used in the financial sector, applied to biodiversity conservation and global change.
Elsevier,

Biological Conservation, Volume 291, March 2024

This paper evaluates the negative impacts of abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) on Indian biodiversity and highlights an urgent necessity to continue building management programs and develop government policies to protect the aquatic environment from it.
Elsevier,

Biological Conservation, Volume 291, March 2024

This paper highlights the importance of Indigenous burning for maintaining and promoting plant diversity in fire-prone ecosystems.
Elsevier,

One Earth, Volume 7, 16 February 2024

The paper demonstrates the importance of a cross-sectoral approach in conservation planning to mitigate the impacts of industrial activities such as fishing, shipping, and deep-sea mining on biodiversity in the open ocean, offering a cost-effective solution for achieving conservation targets and promoting sustainable management in the face of "blue acceleration".
Elsevier,

Materials Today, Volume 72, 1 January 2024

This article aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. The research focuses on the green synthesis of nanoparticles using biological entities, such as microorganisms and plants, through nanobiotechnology processes. The use of these environmentally friendly methods has the potential to revolutionize biomedical applications, including cancer detection and treatment, as well as agricultural applications for crop improvement. Furthermore, green nanoparticles show promise in energy production and storage, offering cost-effective and sustainable solutions for future energy demands.
Elsevier,

Global Ecology and Conservation, Volume 46, October 2023

A perspective piece on best practices to improve grassland restoration success worldwide
Elsevier,

One Earth, Volume 6, 15 September 2023

The paper highlights the increasing importance of multiple-use protected areas in achieving global conservation targets, emphasizing their effectiveness in conserving biodiversity and socio-economic benefits, and calling for closing knowledge gaps to ensure their continued contribution to meeting policy goals such as the 2030 target to protect 30% of Earth's surface.
Elsevier, The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, Volume 32, September 2023
Climate change is one of several drivers of recurrent outbreaks and geographical range expansion of infectious diseases in Europe. We propose a framework for the co-production of policy-relevant indicators and decision-support tools that track past, present, and future climate-induced disease risks across hazard, exposure, and vulnerability domains at the animal, human, and environmental interface.
Elsevier,

Global Ecology and Conservation, Volume 41, January 2023

Threats from mining to the biodiversity and ecological services of boreal forests are increasing as demand for minerals increases globally. This paper examines how mines affect understory communities
Elsevier,

Global Ecology and Conservation, Volume 41, January 2023

This putative reintroduction of emus (extirpated soon after European colonization) to Tasmania could reinstate several ecological and cultural roles but successful rewilding would require support from the wider community.