Evaluating the conservation effectiveness of multiple types of protected areas (PAs) on carbon sequestration services can enhance the role of PAs in mitigating global warming. Here, we evaluated the conservation status and effectiveness of national parks, nature reserves, forest parks, geo-parks, and scenic spots on carbon sequestration within the Loess Plateau throughout 2000–2020. The results show that all existing PA types have good representation and conservation effectiveness on carbon sequestration. Nature reserves are the most representative of carbon sequestration but are the least effective in protecting carbon sequestration and are the only ones that are weekly effective in protecting critical carbon sequestration. The main factors influencing these results are PA size, 2000 precipitation, slope, change rate of evapotranspiration, PA rank, and 2000 evapotranspiration. We suggest upgrading the critical carbon sequestration distribution areas in scenic spots, forest parks and geo-parks to national parks or nature reserves in the future and implementing appropriate protection and restoration measures in low carbon sequestration areas within grassland and wild plant nature reserves to help achieve the goal of carbon neutrality early.

Freshwater turtles play vital roles in maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems by supporting ecological balance, nutrient cycling and regulating prey populations. Unfortunately, they are among the most threatened species worldwide. Habitat fragmentation, illegal trade, overharvesting for meat, and use in ethnomedicinal practices have severely endangered freshwater turtle populations, including softshell turtles Nilssonia spp. We investigated environmental and anthropogenic factors influencing the occupancy of three endangered softshell turtle – N. gangetica , N. hurum and N. nigricans – in the eastern lowlands of Nepal. We conducted 95 site surveys between March and September 2024, recording detection histories across four replicate visits. Using single‐season occupancy models, we assessed the effects of water depth, pH, biological oxygen demand (BOD), habitat type (river, pond, wetland), connectivity, and a human disturbance index (HDI) on turtle occupancy while accounting for imperfect detection. Detection probability was significantly higher at night (0.48 ± 0.08) than during the day (0.22 ± 0.06), confirming nocturnal behavior and justifying time‐dependent detection in all models. Among 17 candidate occupancy models, three received strong support (ΔAIC ≤ 2), cumulatively accounting for 88% of AIC weight. Model‐averaged estimates revealed that occupancy was positively associated with water depth (β = 2.87, 95% CI: 1.33–4.42) and negatively associated with HDI (β = −1.66, 95% CI: −2.75 to −0.57). Occupancy increased with water depth across all HDI levels, with the strongest response at low disturbance sites, and declined sharply with increasing HDI, particularly in shallow waters. Potential habitats for these species in eastern Nepal are deteriorating due to intense human pressures such as electrocution, poisoning, overexploitation of aquatic resources, and habitat modification, which signifies the need for immediate and effective conservation actions.

An endangered species, the Himalayan Red Panda Ailurus fulgens is one of the most iconic and sought-after species in the world. Although a symbolic species of the Himalayas, it is threatened by habitat loss, fragmentation, and poaching. The data collection was carried out in accordance with the Red Panda community-based monitoring protocol. Threats to the Himalayan Red Panda within the study area are reported based on key informant interviews and direct field observation. This paper provides new evidence for the presence of Himalayan Red Pandas beyond their previously-known westernmost limit (81.687778°E) across its distribution range. An average encounter rate of 0.92 signs/km was recorded from the surveyed community forests. Trees were the most preferred substrates used for defecation. Extensive resource collection, poaching, overgrazing and forest fires are identified as some of the most significant threats. In general, the study contributes to the conservation of the Himalayan Red Panda in western distribution ranges.