Genetic diversity is generally considered the chief determinant of evolutionary change, but epigenetic diversity is now recognized as another layer of heritable variation with potential adaptive consequences. Epigenetic diversity could sometimes (fragmented populations, stressing habitats) alleviate the loss of genetic diversity and provide an “evolutionary backup” mechanism for wild plants.

In long-lived species, usually with deferred maturity and low release numbers, the success of conservation translocations is especially sensitive to survival and site fidelity during the prolonged establishment phase. Concurrent management actions usually implemented in threatened populations may also influence translocation-related responses. Therefore, the specific performance of translocations should be ideally assessed on vital rates of comparable management groups while accounting for...

Pheomelanin, the sulfurated form of melanin pigment, is known to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress-mediated cytotoxicity. Previous studies have shown a conversion of the benzothiazine moiety of pheomelanin to the benzothiazole moiety under heat or energetic radiation exposure, but it is unknown whether endogenous conditions can also produce this structural change.

Habitat destruction and overexploitation are the main threats to biodiversity and where they co?occur, their combined impact is often larger than their individual one. Yet, detailed knowledge of the spatial footprints of these threats is lacking, including where they overlap and how they change over time. These knowledge gaps are real barriers for effective conservation planning. Here, a novel approach was developed to reconstruct the individual and combined footprints of both threats over time.

Climate change will cause species to shift their ranges to survive. Although the impacts of range-shifting species can vary from minor to massive, considerations of species movements in the context of climate change has almost entirely focused on positive impacts. This Review uses invasion ecology theory to consider the impacts of shifting species and how to manage these shifts to protect the recipient communities as well as the survival of the shifters. As Earth’s climate rapidly changes,...