Spatial mismatches and multi-dimensional conservation priorities for urban birds in China.

With increasing urbanization, the importance of urban areas in biodiversity conservation grows. However, traditional conservation efforts are often based on high species richness, may underestimate the value of evolutionary potentials and functional traits that species could provide for the ecosystem processes. In this study, we draw priority maps to capture the priority areas of avian taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity using a relativity-based prioritization approach.

Prosecution records reveal pangolin trading networks in China, 2014-2019.

In a precautionary response to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, China's Ministries permanently banned eating and trading in terrestrial wild (non-livestock) animals on 24 February 2020, and extensively updated the list of Fauna under Special State Protection (LFSSP) in 2020 and 2021, in which pangolins (Manidae spp.) were upgraded to the highest protection level. Examining 509 pangolin prosecution records from China Judgements online prior to these changes (01/01/14-31/12/19), we identified that Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan Provinces were hotspots for trade in whole pangolins and their scales.

China's online parrot trade: Generation length and body mass determine sales volume via price.

The wildlife trade threatens global biodiversity and animal welfare, where parrots are among the taxa most frequently traded, supplying exotic pets and captive breeders worldwide. Using phylogenetic path analysis, we examine how biological factors interact with price to influence online protected parrot trade volumes in China, using transactions recorded for 46 species (n = 5862 individuals). Trade was greatest in smaller, faster breeding species that commanded a lower price.