Passer domesticus holds the title of being the most widely distributed bird species globally, originating from Central-East Asia and spreading extensively due to human-mediated activities. While initially established as a native species about 10,000 years ago, their association with human-modified habitats has accelerated their expansion, particularly in urban areas. In Thailand, sightings were initially rare but gradually increased, with the species establishing breeding populations, predominantly in urban and suburban areas. This expansion poses challenges as they compete with native species for resources and nesting sites. This study utilized citizen science data from the eBird platform to investigate the factors influencing the expansion of P. domesticus breeding areas in Thailand. Through occupancy modeling, spatiotemporal patterns of colonization were analyzed, revealing the influence of urbanization, vegetation indices, elevation, and proximity to infrastructure. Results showed a steady increase in territorial occupancy, particularly in urbanized regions, with roads and petrol stations acting as facilitators for dispersal. The study underscores the role of urban expansion in facilitating the spread of P. domesticus, raising concerns about its impact on native bird species and biodiversity in Thailand. Further research is warranted to assess the full extent of its ecological implications and to devise strategies for mitigating its potential adverse effects.

Forage plants, as primary producers, play an essential role in maintaining populations of large herbivores. The availability and quality of these forage plants can affect the health and viability of these animals. Seasonally dry forests of Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary and Huai Thab Salao-Huai Rabum Non-Hunting Area are recognized as one of the largest contiguous pieces of forests in mainland Southeast Asia and serve as a home to many large herbivore species, particularly banteng (Bos javanicus birmanicus). However, our understanding of forage plants and their dynamics is still limited. Therefore, the current study was undertaken to understand the dynamics of forage plants, prescribed burning effects, and the associated environmental factors. During 2018–2019, the results showed that the highest forage availability was in June after the prescribed burns at 156.2–252.6 kg ha⁻¹ and the lowest in February before the burning at 16.8–39.8 kg ha⁻¹. Environmental factors that impacted the forage availability include canopy cover, tree density, tree basal area, soil bulk density, soil pH, and topography. However, the impacts of these factors varied among the studied plant life forms, suggesting the importance of active habitat management through prescribed burns and stand improvement to maintain sufficient forage for large herbivores in the future.

The 2018 arrival of African swine fever (ASF) in China was followed by reports of wild pig deaths across most countries in Southeast Asia. However, the magnitude and duration of population‐level impacts of ASF on wild pig species remain unclear. To elucidate the spatiotemporal spread of ASF in the region for native pig species, we gathered qualitative information on wild pig population dynamics in Southeast Asia between 2018 and 2024 from 88 expert elicitation questionnaires representing sites in 11 countries. Peak reported population declines occurred in 2021 and 2022, with more than half of respondents reporting declining wild pig populations, far higher than in earlier years. The reported declines waned to 44.23% in 2024, whereas simultaneously, the number of populations reported to be “increasing” increased from 11.3%–13.2% in 2019–2022 to 28.9% in 2024. These reports suggest that the ASF outbreak may have peaked for wild boars and bearded pigs in mainland Southeast Asia, Borneo, and Sumatra, with some subsequent recovery. However, the disease is still expanding into the ranges of island endemic species, such as new reports for the Sulawesi warty pig ( Sus celebensis ) in September of 2024. Island endemics remain particularly vulnerable to extinction from ASF and require urgent monitoring and conservation action.