Fig cultivation has long been an agricultural tradition in the Mediterranean region, providing economic and social benefits to local communities. Understanding fig tree yield response to the rapid invasions of fig pests and shifts in climatic conditions is essential for developing appropriate sustainable agricultural strategies. In this context, we investigate whether rapid changes in climate and pest invasions have had a combined effect on fig (Ficus carica L.) tree yield. We used data collected over 10 years in Bejaïa province, Algeria, and conducted a regression analysis to investigate the relationship between fig tree yield and two key factors. Results revealed a significant warming trend (0.057 °C yr⁻¹), and a decrease in precipitation (−27.1 mm yr⁻¹), in the region. Multiple pests, including pathogenic fungi (Diaporthe cinerascens, Fusarium spp.) and ravaging bark beetles (Hypocryphalus scabricollis), have spread in the region. Fig tree yield declined by 25% during the study period and was affected by both factors. Our findings provide valuable insights that can aid farmers and practitioners in mitigating risks that arise from the combined effects of climate change and pest invasions, thereby promoting sustainable farming practices.

Anthropogenic wildlife exploitation threatens biodiversity worldwide. With the emergence of online trading which facilitates the physical movement of wildlife across countries and continents, wildlife conservation is more challenging than ever. One form of wildlife exploitation involves no physical movement of organisms, presenting new challenges. It consists of hunting and fishing “experiments” for monetized online entertainment. Here we analyze >200 online videos of these so-called experiments in the world's largest video platform (YouTube). These videos generated about half a billion views between 2019 and 2020. The number of target species (including threatened animals), videos, and views increased rapidly during this period. The material used in these experiments raises serious ethical questions about animal welfare and the normalization of violence to animals on the Internet. The emergence of this phenomenon highlights the need for online restriction of this type of content to limit the spread of animal cruelty and the damage to global biodiversity. It also sheds light on some conservation gaps in the virtual sphere of the Internet which offers biodiversity-related business models that has the potential to spread globally.

Freshwater ecosystems face increasing contamination by heavy metals, yet their transfer patterns remain poorly understood. This study aimed to assess the extent of pollution by ten potential toxic elements (As, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe, Cu, Mn and Se) in water, sediment, Spirogyra sp., and two endemic fish species (Tropidophoxinellus callensis and Luciobarbus callensis) in the El Mellah River. The element concentrations were measured in four matrices using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Bioaccumulation Factor and Trophic Transfer Factor were used to depict bioaccumulation patterns across the ecological strata and two levels of the food web. The results showed that all sediment samples demonstrated very high ecological risk, consistently exceeding critical thresholds (PLI > 1, RI > 600). Contamination factor and geoaccumulation index revealed moderate to extreme contamination by As and Cd throughout all samples. Both fish species exhibited a bio-accumulation affinity for Cr, Cd, Mn, and Zn from water, while concurrently accumulating As from Spirogyra sp. Muscle tissue concentrations of As, Pb, Cr, and Cd in both species exceeded international guideline values. Health risk assessment indicated that children face elevated exposure risks, with Cd intake exceeding safe limits and total hazard quotient surpassing safety thresholds by 2.6-fold, while carcinogenic risks from Cd and Cr exceeded acceptable levels for both adults and children. These findings provide baseline contamination data for this tributary system and highlight elevated risks to both human health (through fish consumption) and ecosystem integrity, indicating the need for targeted monitoring and risk management measures.

Human-wildlife conflict is a major challenge in conservation biology with ecological and socioeconomic consequences. The problem is particularly delicate when the animals involved are threatened with extinction and experiencing rapid habitat loss due to climate change and anthropogenic actions. Here, we examined crop-foraging on farms in Central North Algeria by the Endangered Barbary macaques ( Macaca sylvanus ) to understand the conflict severity. We surveyed 94 farmers to assess the seasonal pattern, occurrence, altitudinal pattern, and consequences of crop-foraging by the Barbary macaques. We found that the Barbary macaque was widely perceived by farmers as a “nuisance”, and one third of farms were abandoned due to severe crop loss. More than 50% of farms had their crops damaged between June and September. The probability of frequent crop-foraging was driven primarily by farm-scale characteristics and landscape context: Larger cultivated area were associated with greater crop-foraging frequency, while altitude and proximity to settlements showed weaker positive associations. Our results highlight the need for sustainable solutions to enhance the coexistence between humans and Barbary macaques in the region.

To determine the prevalence of overweight/obesity and stunting among primary schoolchildren, and the associated factors. This is a cross-sectional study co