Coasts harbour a mosaic of highly interconnected ecosystems that collectively sustain coastal biodiversity, productivity and resilience. However, coastal conservation and management measures have often focused disproportionately on charismatic habitats such as mangroves and coral reefs, while comparatively less attention has been given to intertidal mudflats and other coastal habitats. A decadal assessment of India’s wetlands reported a net loss of 1867.53 km2 of intertidal mudflats between 2006 and 07 and 2018–19. During the same period, man-made coastal wetlands and mangrove cover increased by 1409.94 km2 and 266.52 km2, respectively. Although these changes do not, by themselves, establish a direct causal relationship, their temporal correspondence raises important questions regarding the conversion and changing classification of intertidal mudflat habitats, including through mangrove afforestation, land reclamation and expansion of saltpan and aquaculture activities. Given the ecological importance of mudflats as productive intertidal habitats and feeding and roosting grounds for shorebirds, their conservation is essential for maintaining the ecological integrity, connectivity and resilience of coastal ecosystems. This paper therefore emphasizes the need for greater scientific recognition, systematic mapping, monitoring and effective conservation of intertidal mudflats as integral components of the coastal ecosystem.
We examined the vertical distribution and ecology of epiphytic Peperomia Ruiz Pav. species in tropical montane cloud forests (TMCF) of the southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India, spanning two forest types: upper montane cloud forest (UMCF) and lower montane cloud forest (LMCF). Mature phorophytes (> 10 cm DBH) bearing substantial epiphytic loads were selected across ten study sites and stratified into five Johansson vertical zones, within which Peperomia populations were characterized through field and microscopic observation. Five epiphytic species were recorded, representing 41
The blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), a near threatened antelope endemic to the Indian subcontinent, is declining because of habitat loss, poaching, and human–wildlife conflict. Preserving habitat connectivity is crucial for maintaining viable populations in fragmented landscapes. This study assesses habitat suitability for blackbuck in the Kaimur district of Bihar, India, using the MaxEnt species distribution model. Field observations were combined with bioclimatic and anthropogenic predictors to evaluate potential habitats and inform conservation strategies. Results indicate that 11.75
This study assessed the vegetation composition, structural characteristics, and carbon storage potential of tropical dry deciduous forests across the north-central Eastern Ghats using 45 systematically laid sampling stations between 2021 and 2023. The Vegetation Carbon Pool (VCP) sampling design, combined with the R-BIOMASS package, ensured reliable and consistent estimation of aboveground biomass (AGB) and aboveground carbon (AGC). A total of 39,755 trees representing 107 species across 33 families were recorded, with Fabaceae and Rubiaceae emerging as the most diverse families. Stem density varied widely (340–1663 stems ha⁻1), reflecting heterogeneity in stand structure and site conditions. Structural analyses revealed substantial variation in DBH (16.5 ± 7.5 cm), height (10.2 ± 5.6 m), and basal area ( 428 m2 ha⁻1), indicating mixed growth stages. Regression analyses showed that DBH explained a moderate proportion of variation in AGB and AGC (R2 ≈ 0.49), whereas tree height accounted for a much smaller share (R2 ≈ 0.20), highlighting the dominant role of large-girth trees in carbon accumulation. AGB and AGC exhibited pronounced spatial variability, with AGB ranging from 1.3 to 896.7 Mg ha⁻1 and AGC from 0.61 to 421.45 Mg C ha⁻1. Sampling uncertainty remained below 17
Tropical dry forests are among the most threatened ecosystems worldwide, yet their biodiversity remains understudied compared to humid tropical forests. We integrated functional trait ecology with environmental vulnerability assessments to evaluate multi‑causal disturbances affecting amphibians and reptiles in Oaxaca, Mexico, a hotspot of endemism and biodiversity loss. Environmental Vulnerability Scores (EVS) were constructed for the complete herpetofaunal assemblage and compared against international (IUCN) and national (NOM‑059) classifications. Significant discrepancies emerged: reptiles (n = 222) exhibited higher EVS than amphibians (n = 99), yet 14
