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I am leading the Laboratory of Animal Behaviour and Conservation, where we focus on a broad range of species. Projects were so far focused on the behavioural ecology and conservation of amphibian species in East Asia (and especially treefrogs - and Dryophytes suweonensis personally), but this is changing and you are welcome to inquire, maintaining a focus on North East Asia.
Biodiversity in the Middle and Lower Yangtze Floodplain has critically decreased during the last several decades, driven by numerous determinants. Hence, identification of primary drivers of animal population decline is a priority for conservation. Analyzing long time-series data is a powerful way to assess drivers of declines, but the data are often missing, hampering effective conservation policymaking. In this study, based on twenty-four years (from 1996 to 2019) of annual maximal count data, we investigated the effects of climate and landscape changes on the increasing population trend of the Greater White-Fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) at a Ramsar site in the Middle and Lower Yangtze Floodplain, China. Our results showed that the availability of a suitable habitat and landscape attributes are the key driving forces affecting the population trend, while the effects of climate factors are weak. Specifically, increasing the area of suitable habitat and alleviating habitat fragmentation through a fishing ban policy may have provided a more suitable habitat to the geese, contributing to the increasing population trend. However, we also observed that the grazing prohibition policy implemented in 2017 at Shengjin Lake may have potentially negatively affected geese abundance, as grazing by larger herbivores may favor smaller geese species by modifying the vegetation community and structure. Based on our results, we suggest several practical countermeasures to improve the habitat suitability for herbivorous goose species wintering in this region.
Sheng Chen; Yong Zhang; Amaël Borzée; Tao Liang; Manyu Zhang; Hui Shi; Bin Chen; Wenbin Xu; Yunwei Song; Lingfeng Mao. Landscape Attributes Best Explain the Population Trend of Wintering Greater White-Fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) in the Yangtze River Floodplain. Land 2021, 10, 865 .
AMA StyleSheng Chen, Yong Zhang, Amaël Borzée, Tao Liang, Manyu Zhang, Hui Shi, Bin Chen, Wenbin Xu, Yunwei Song, Lingfeng Mao. Landscape Attributes Best Explain the Population Trend of Wintering Greater White-Fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) in the Yangtze River Floodplain. Land. 2021; 10 (8):865.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSheng Chen; Yong Zhang; Amaël Borzée; Tao Liang; Manyu Zhang; Hui Shi; Bin Chen; Wenbin Xu; Yunwei Song; Lingfeng Mao. 2021. "Landscape Attributes Best Explain the Population Trend of Wintering Greater White-Fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) in the Yangtze River Floodplain." Land 10, no. 8: 865.
Determining the range, status, ecology and behaviour of species from areas where surveys and samplings are uncommon or difficult to conduct is a challenge, such as in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPR Korea). Here, we used genetic samples, field surveys, call recordings, photographic identification and a literature review to estimate the presence, range and status of amphibians in the DPR Korea. From our combined results and based on the IUCN Red List categories and criteria, we were able to estimate the national threat levels for most species. Our results demonstrated the presence of 18 native species and the suspected presence of Karsenia koreana and two Onychodactylus species. We reported the first record for Rana uenoi in the vicinity of Pyongyang using molecular tools and similarly confirmed the presence of Dryophytes japonicus at the same location. Based on distribution and modelling, we can expect the contact zone between species within the Rana and Onychodactylus genera to be located along the Changbai Massif, a mountain range that marks a shift in ecoregions and acts as a barrier to dispersion. The species richness was higher in the lowlands and at lower latitudes, with such areas populated by up to 11 species, while more northern regions were characterised by species richness of about half of that value. The combination of ecological models and known threats resulted in the recommendation of ten species as threatened at the national level following the IUCN Red List categories and criteria. This high number of threatened species was anticipated based on the high threat level to amphibians in bordering nations and globally. While the ecology of species in the DPR Korea is still understudied, we argue that species relying on agricultural wetlands such as rice paddies are not under imminent threat due to the enduring presence of extensive agricultural landscapes with low rates of chemical use and mechanisation. The maintenance of such landscapes is a clear benefit to amphibian species, in contrast to more industrialised agricultural landscapes in neighbouring nations. In comparison, the status of species dependent on forested habitats is unclear and threat levels are likely to be higher because of deforestation, as in neighbouring nations.
Amaël Borzée; Spartak Litvinchuk; Kyongsim Ri; Desiree Andersen; Tu Nam; Gwang Jon; Ho Man; Jong Choe; Sera Kwon; Siti Othman; Kevin Messenger; Yoonhyuk Bae; YuCheol Shin; Ajoung Kim; Irina Maslova; Jennifer Luedtke; Louise Hobin; Nial Moores; Bernhard Seliger; Felix Glenk; Yikweon Jang. Update on Distribution and Conservation Status of Amphibians in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea: Conclusions Based on Field Surveys, Environmental Modelling, Molecular Analyses and Call Properties. Animals 2021, 11, 2057 .
AMA StyleAmaël Borzée, Spartak Litvinchuk, Kyongsim Ri, Desiree Andersen, Tu Nam, Gwang Jon, Ho Man, Jong Choe, Sera Kwon, Siti Othman, Kevin Messenger, Yoonhyuk Bae, YuCheol Shin, Ajoung Kim, Irina Maslova, Jennifer Luedtke, Louise Hobin, Nial Moores, Bernhard Seliger, Felix Glenk, Yikweon Jang. Update on Distribution and Conservation Status of Amphibians in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea: Conclusions Based on Field Surveys, Environmental Modelling, Molecular Analyses and Call Properties. Animals. 2021; 11 (7):2057.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAmaël Borzée; Spartak Litvinchuk; Kyongsim Ri; Desiree Andersen; Tu Nam; Gwang Jon; Ho Man; Jong Choe; Sera Kwon; Siti Othman; Kevin Messenger; Yoonhyuk Bae; YuCheol Shin; Ajoung Kim; Irina Maslova; Jennifer Luedtke; Louise Hobin; Nial Moores; Bernhard Seliger; Felix Glenk; Yikweon Jang. 2021. "Update on Distribution and Conservation Status of Amphibians in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea: Conclusions Based on Field Surveys, Environmental Modelling, Molecular Analyses and Call Properties." Animals 11, no. 7: 2057.
Human activities are driving many species to the brink of extinction, and the current distribution of protected areas only weakly alleviates pressure on threatened species. This discrepancy reflects the presence of protected areas on lands available instead of the ecological, evolutionary, or conservation values of species present. Habitat loss consequently continued to impact threatened species, as illustrated by geographic patterns of biodiversity loss for amphibians. Given the need to better align the boundaries of protected areas with at-risk biodiversity, we assessed the importance of various factors for identifying global and biome-level conservation priority areas, specifically for amphibians. We identified, mapped, and ranked areas of critical conservation importance for all amphibian species on earth using a new integrative tool that scores the urgency of conserving each species and location based on a combination of species characteristics and ecoregion-level human impacts. Our integrative approach is novel in that it accounts for likely threats to Data Deficient species, considers the irreplaceability of unique species that are phylogenetically isolated, and addresses the localized conservation implications of species endemicity and projected future human impacts to an ecoregion. For comparison, we also mapped and ranked amphibian biodiversity using species richness and an EDGE score proxy. Our integrative approach predicted key regions for amphibian conservation that were not apparent when using a simple species richness or EDGE score proxy-based approach. Furthermore, by scaling conservation priority scores relative to biome, we identified several temperate and xeric regions of crucial yet overlooked conservation importance for amphibians. Until global amphibian diversity is thoroughly catalogued, we recommend using our integrative scoring approach to set geographic priorities for amphibian habitat protection, while acknowledging that this approach may be complemented by others (e.g., EDGE scores). Our study provides an avenue for avoiding common pitfalls of more simplistic species richness-based approaches for conservation planning, and can be used to improve the future design of protected areas.
Sky Button; Amaël Borzée. An integrative synthesis to global amphibian conservation priorities. Global Change Biology 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleSky Button, Amaël Borzée. An integrative synthesis to global amphibian conservation priorities. Global Change Biology. 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSky Button; Amaël Borzée. 2021. "An integrative synthesis to global amphibian conservation priorities." Global Change Biology , no. : 1.
Amphibian populations are declining worldwide, at an accelerating rate. The principal reason is the plethora of threats they are facing, ranging from habitat loss, to pathogens, pollution, climate change and introduced species. Here I highlighted the shared origin and geographic unity of two genera of treefrogs, Dryophytes and Hyla, and determined the correspondence of threats for the two genera, despite the variety of habitat. A unifying point is that species on all four continents where the two genera occur rely on rice paddies as breeding habitat, and that the threatened species are the ones with the smallest ranges. This mainly pertains to the fact that these threatened species are more likely affected by stochastic variables, and thus more broadly impacted by localized threats, while species occurring over a broad range benefit from behavioral flexibility and a variety of habitat to occupy and shift from. I also illustrated the impact of all the threats affecting the Suweon treefrog, Dryophytes suweonensis, a species endemic to the Korean peninsula. The main reason for the decline of the species in the Republic of Korea is habitat loss, the species now being restricted to rice paddies, while population size and abundance in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is comparatively high, likely due to different land use and management systems.
Amaël Borzée. Threatened Holarctic Treefrogs, and Special Consideration on the Causes of Decline of the Suweon Treefrog. Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleAmaël Borzée. Threatened Holarctic Treefrogs, and Special Consideration on the Causes of Decline of the Suweon Treefrog. Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences. 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAmaël Borzée. 2021. "Threatened Holarctic Treefrogs, and Special Consideration on the Causes of Decline of the Suweon Treefrog." Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences , no. : 1.
Reintroductions of large carnivore species present unique opportunities to model population dynamics as populations can be monitored from the beginning of a reintroduction. However, analysis of the population dynamics of such reintroduced populations is rare and may be limited in incorporating the complex movements and environmental interactions of large carnivores. Starting in 2004, Asiatic black bears Ursus thibetanus were reintroduced and tracked in the Republic of Korea, along with their descendants, using radio telemetry, yielding 33,924 tracking points over 12 years. Along with information about habitat use, landscape, and resource availability, we estimated the population equilibrium and dispersal capability of the reintroduced population. We used a mixed modelling approach to determine suitable habitat areas, population equilibria for three different resources-based scenarios, and least-cost pathways (i.e. corridors) for dispersal. Our population simulations provided a mean population equilibrium of 64 individuals at the original reintroduction site and a potential maximum of 1,438 individuals in the country. The simulation showed that the bear population will disperse to nearby mountainous areas, but a second reintroduction will be required to fully restore U. thibetanus. Northern suitable habitats are currently disconnected and natural re-population is unlikely to happen unless supported. Our methodologies and findings are also relevant for determining the outcome and trajectories of reintroduced populations of other large carnivores.
Desiree Andersen; Yoonjung Yi; Amaël Borzée; Kyungmin Kim; Kwang-Seon Moon; Jeong-Jin Kim; Tae-Wook Kim; Yikweon Jang. Use of a spatially explicit individual-based model to predict population trajectories and habitat connectivity for a reintroduced ursid. Oryx 2021, 1 -10.
AMA StyleDesiree Andersen, Yoonjung Yi, Amaël Borzée, Kyungmin Kim, Kwang-Seon Moon, Jeong-Jin Kim, Tae-Wook Kim, Yikweon Jang. Use of a spatially explicit individual-based model to predict population trajectories and habitat connectivity for a reintroduced ursid. Oryx. 2021; ():1-10.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDesiree Andersen; Yoonjung Yi; Amaël Borzée; Kyungmin Kim; Kwang-Seon Moon; Jeong-Jin Kim; Tae-Wook Kim; Yikweon Jang. 2021. "Use of a spatially explicit individual-based model to predict population trajectories and habitat connectivity for a reintroduced ursid." Oryx , no. : 1-10.
Snakebite envenomings remain a neglected disease across the globe causing severe injuries and death. An understanding of regional snakebite patterns is a necessary prerequisite for public health programs aimed at reducing snakebite risks. However, such regional knowledge is poorly documented or lacking in many countries where the risk of snakebite envenomings receive little medical attention, and the Republic of Korea is one of these countries. Here, we reviewed the literature on snakebites published between 1970 and 2020 as well as public healthcare data recorded between 2010 and 2019 to determine the patterns of snakebite envenomings in the Republic of Korea. Our results, based on literature data, show Gangwon province as a hotspot of snakebite occurrences and identify middle-aged males living in rural areas as the demographic group at highest risk of venomous snakebites. We also highlight major limitations for further understanding snakebite patterns in the country, most notably the lack of proper species identification for snakes and conflicting patterns of envenomings revealed by different sources of data. Our study provides baseline information on venomous snakebites occurring in the Republic of Korea, thereby filling a gap in the knowledge of snakebite trends in the country.
YuCheol Shin; Yikweon Jang; Amaël Borzée. Snakebite envenomings in the Republic of Korea from the 1970s to the 2020s: A review. Toxicon 2021, 196, 8 -18.
AMA StyleYuCheol Shin, Yikweon Jang, Amaël Borzée. Snakebite envenomings in the Republic of Korea from the 1970s to the 2020s: A review. Toxicon. 2021; 196 ():8-18.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYuCheol Shin; Yikweon Jang; Amaël Borzée. 2021. "Snakebite envenomings in the Republic of Korea from the 1970s to the 2020s: A review." Toxicon 196, no. : 8-18.
It is important to understand the dynamics of population size to accurately assess threats and implement conservation activities when required. However, inaccurate estimates are harming both the threat estimation process, and the resulting conservation actions. Here, we address the extinction threats to Scincella huanrenensis, a species described in the People’s Republic of China, but also occurring on the Korean peninsula. Estimating the threats to the species is not an easy task due to its unknown population status in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Here we analysed the literature to acquire the known presence point for the species, along with datapoints originating from opportunistic field surveys, and employed habitat suitability models to estimate the range of the species. We then followed the categories and criteria of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species to assess the extinction risk of the species. We found the species not to be fitting the threatened category at the global scale based on the range size, the only category for which enough data was available. We recommend the status of the species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species to be updated as it is now listed as critically endangered (CR), a listing fitting a national assessment for the People’s Republic (PR) of China. While this species is possibly less threatened than currently listed, this is not a genuine improvement, and specific conservation aspects should not be neglected due to its specialisation to medium to high elevation habitat.
YuCheol Shin; Kevin Messenger; Kyo Koo; Sang Lee; Mian Hou; Amaël Borzée. How Threatened Is Scincella huanrenensis? An Update on Threats and Trends. Conservation 2021, 1, 58 -72.
AMA StyleYuCheol Shin, Kevin Messenger, Kyo Koo, Sang Lee, Mian Hou, Amaël Borzée. How Threatened Is Scincella huanrenensis? An Update on Threats and Trends. Conservation. 2021; 1 (1):58-72.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYuCheol Shin; Kevin Messenger; Kyo Koo; Sang Lee; Mian Hou; Amaël Borzée. 2021. "How Threatened Is Scincella huanrenensis? An Update on Threats and Trends." Conservation 1, no. 1: 58-72.
The phylogeography of the Kaloula genus in East Asia is still poorly understood. One of the difficulties is the absence of fossils to corroborate molecular dating estimates. Here, we examined the mitochondrial structure of Kaloula spp. in East Asia and focused on the impact of glaciations on the northernmost species: Kaloula borealis. We determined the phylogenetic relationships, molecular dating and genetic connectivity assessments within the genus from 1,211 bp of concatenated mitochondrial 12S and 16S. The relaxed clock analyses reveal the emergence of Kaloula spp. common ancestor in East and South East Asia between the Eocene and Oligocene, c. 38.47 Ma (24.69 – 53.65). The genetic diversification of lineages then increased on the East Asian Mainland during the Lower Miocene, c. 20.10 (8.73 – 30.65), most likely originating from the vicariance and radiation triggered by the orogeny of the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau (QTP). Later, the dispersal towards the North East Asian Mainland during the Upper Miocene drove the population diversification of K. borealis c. 9.01 Ma (3.66 – 15.29). Finally, the central mainland population became isolated following orogenesis events and diverged into K. rugifera during the Pliocene, c. 3.06 Ma (0.02 – 10.90). The combination of population genetic and barrier analyses revealed a significant genetic isolation between populations of Kaloula spp. matching with the massive Qinling‐Daba Mountain chain located in south‐central China. Finally, we highlight a young divergence within the Eastern Mainland population of K. borealis, possibly attributed to refugia in South Eastern China from which populations later expanded. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Siti N. Othman; Eggy Triana Putri; Kevin R. Messenger; Yoonhyuk Bae; Yi Yang; Timothy Bova; Thomas Reed; Hina Amin; Ming‐Feng Chuang; Yikweon Jang; Amaël Borzée. Impact of the Miocene orogenesis on Kaloula spp. radiation and implication of local refugia on genetic diversification. Integrative Zoology 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleSiti N. Othman, Eggy Triana Putri, Kevin R. Messenger, Yoonhyuk Bae, Yi Yang, Timothy Bova, Thomas Reed, Hina Amin, Ming‐Feng Chuang, Yikweon Jang, Amaël Borzée. Impact of the Miocene orogenesis on Kaloula spp. radiation and implication of local refugia on genetic diversification. Integrative Zoology. 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSiti N. Othman; Eggy Triana Putri; Kevin R. Messenger; Yoonhyuk Bae; Yi Yang; Timothy Bova; Thomas Reed; Hina Amin; Ming‐Feng Chuang; Yikweon Jang; Amaël Borzée. 2021. "Impact of the Miocene orogenesis on Kaloula spp. radiation and implication of local refugia on genetic diversification." Integrative Zoology , no. : 1.
Numerous amphibian species are declining because of habitat loss and fragmentation due to urbanization of landscapes and the construction of roads. This is a mounting threat to species restricted to habitats close to urban areas, such as agricultural wetlands in North East Asia. The Suweon treefrog (Dryophytes suweonensis) falls into the list of species threatened with habitat loss and most populations are under threat of extirpation. Over the last decades, sub-populations have become increasingly disconnected and specifically the density of paved roads has increased around the only site connecting northern and southern Seoul populations. We surveyed this locality in Hojobeol, Siheung, Republic of Korea in 2012, 2015 and 2019 to first confirm the decline in the number of sites where D. suweonensis was present. The second objective was to analyze the habitat characteristics and determine the remaining suitable habitat for D. suweonensis through a species distribution model following the maximum entropy method. Our results show that rice paddy cover and distance from the paved road are the most important factor defining suitable habitat for D. suweonensis. At this locality, uninterrupted rice paddies are a suitable habitat for the species when reaching at least 0.19 km2, with an average distance of 138 ± 93 m2 from the roads. We link the decrease in the number of sites where D. suweonensis is present with the decrease in rice paddy cover, generally replaced by localized infrastructures, greenhouses and habitat fragmentation. Rice paddies should remain connected over a large area for the protection of the remaining populations. In addition, habitat requirements should be integrated in the requisites to designate protected areas.
Il-Kook Park; Daesik Park; Amaël Borzée. Defining Conservation Requirements for the Suweon Treefrog (Dryophytes suweonensis) Using Species Distribution Models. Diversity 2021, 13, 69 .
AMA StyleIl-Kook Park, Daesik Park, Amaël Borzée. Defining Conservation Requirements for the Suweon Treefrog (Dryophytes suweonensis) Using Species Distribution Models. Diversity. 2021; 13 (2):69.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIl-Kook Park; Daesik Park; Amaël Borzée. 2021. "Defining Conservation Requirements for the Suweon Treefrog (Dryophytes suweonensis) Using Species Distribution Models." Diversity 13, no. 2: 69.
Emerging infectious diseases are on the rise in many different taxa, including, among others, the amphibian batrachochytrids, the snake fungal disease and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, responsible for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in mammals. Following the onset of the pandemic linked to COVID-19, eastern Asia has shown strong leadership, taking actions to regulate the trade of potential vector species in several regions. These actions were taken in response to an increase in public awareness, and the need for a quick reaction to mitigate against further pandemics. However, trade restrictions rarely affect amphibians, despite the risk of pathogen transmission, directly, or indirectly through habitat destruction and the loss of vector consumption. Thus, species that help alleviate the risk of zoonoses or provide biological control are not protected. Hence, in view of the global amphibian decline and the risk of zoonoses, we support the current wildlife trade regulations and support measures to safeguard wildlife from overexploitation. The current period of regulation overhaul should be used as a springboard for amphibian conservation. To mitigate risks, we suggest the following stipulations specifically for amphibians. I) Restrictions to amphibian farming in eastern Asia, in relation to pathogen transmission and the establishment of invasive species. II) Regulation of the amphibian pet trade, with a focus on potential vector species. III) Expansion of the wildlife trade ban, to limit the wildlife-human-pet interface. The resulting actions will benefit both human and wildlife populations, as they will lead to a decrease in the risk of zoonoses and better protection of the environment. There is an increasing number of emerging infectious diseases impacting all species, including amphibians, reptiles and mammals. The latest threat to humans is the virus responsible for COVID-19, and the resulting pandemic. Countries in eastern Asia have taken steps to regulate wildlife trade and prevent further zoonoses thereby decreasing the risk of pathogens arising from wild species. However, as amphibians are generally excluded from regulations we support specific trade restrictions: I) Restrictions to amphibian farming; II) regulation of the amphibian pet trade; III) expansion of the wildlife trade ban. These restrictions will benefit both human and wildlife populations by decreasing the risks of zoonoses and better protecting the environment.
Amaël Borzée; Jos Kielgast; Sally Wren; Ariadne Angulo; Shu Chen; Kit Magellan; Kevin R. Messenger; Candace M. Hansen-Hendrikx; Anne Baker; Marcileida M. Dos Santos; Mirza Kusrini; Jianping Jiang; Irina V. Maslova; Indraneil Das; Daesik Park; David Bickford; Robert W. Murphy; Jing Che; Tu Van Do; Truong Quang Nguyen; Ming-Feng Chuang; Phillip J. Bishop. Using the 2020 global pandemic as a springboard to highlight the need for amphibian conservation in eastern Asia. Biological Conservation 2021, 255, 108973 .
AMA StyleAmaël Borzée, Jos Kielgast, Sally Wren, Ariadne Angulo, Shu Chen, Kit Magellan, Kevin R. Messenger, Candace M. Hansen-Hendrikx, Anne Baker, Marcileida M. Dos Santos, Mirza Kusrini, Jianping Jiang, Irina V. Maslova, Indraneil Das, Daesik Park, David Bickford, Robert W. Murphy, Jing Che, Tu Van Do, Truong Quang Nguyen, Ming-Feng Chuang, Phillip J. Bishop. Using the 2020 global pandemic as a springboard to highlight the need for amphibian conservation in eastern Asia. Biological Conservation. 2021; 255 ():108973.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAmaël Borzée; Jos Kielgast; Sally Wren; Ariadne Angulo; Shu Chen; Kit Magellan; Kevin R. Messenger; Candace M. Hansen-Hendrikx; Anne Baker; Marcileida M. Dos Santos; Mirza Kusrini; Jianping Jiang; Irina V. Maslova; Indraneil Das; Daesik Park; David Bickford; Robert W. Murphy; Jing Che; Tu Van Do; Truong Quang Nguyen; Ming-Feng Chuang; Phillip J. Bishop. 2021. "Using the 2020 global pandemic as a springboard to highlight the need for amphibian conservation in eastern Asia." Biological Conservation 255, no. : 108973.
The ecology of most squamates from the Republic of Korea is poorly understood: information on tolerances to environmental variables, movement patterns, home range sizes, and other aspects of their natural history and ecological requirements are lacking. In turn, this lack of knowledge presents an obstacle to effective conservation management. Currently and at the national level, two of Korea’s eleven terrestrial snake species are listed as threatened or near threatened: Elaphe schrenckii and Sibynophis chinensis, and one out of the six lizard species (Eremias argus) is listed as threatened. However, various threats including habitat loss, climate change and poaching may have already but unknowingly elevated other Korean reptiles to threatened statuses. To help resource managers in developing conservation programs, we provide a summary of the literature on threats to Korean squamates, a national recommended threat status, and species accounts focused on Korean populations. We recommend listing Hebius vibakari, E. argus, Scincella huanrenensis and Gekko japonicus under a higher threat level than the one provided by either the Korean National Institute of Biological Resources or the IUCN Red List. Our results highlight that conservation plans are urgently needed for Korean squamates, mostly because of habitat destruction, and that additional research has to be conducted on most species as there is a clear need for integrated ecological studies and active monitoring programs.
Daniel Macias; YuCheol Shin; Amaël Borzée. An update on the conservation status and ecology of Korean terrestrial squamates. Journal for Nature Conservation 2021, 60, 125971 .
AMA StyleDaniel Macias, YuCheol Shin, Amaël Borzée. An update on the conservation status and ecology of Korean terrestrial squamates. Journal for Nature Conservation. 2021; 60 ():125971.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDaniel Macias; YuCheol Shin; Amaël Borzée. 2021. "An update on the conservation status and ecology of Korean terrestrial squamates." Journal for Nature Conservation 60, no. : 125971.
Closely related individuals from different areas can see their morphologies change based on differences between clades, but also ecological variables such as the island effect or sympatry. This is the case of salamanders, which have adapted to a broad range of ecological niches, ranging from underground dwellers in xeric landscape to tropical arboreal habitats. On the Korean Peninsula, salamanders from the Hynobius clade are widespread on the mainland and islands, with several partially sympatric clades and candidate species. Currently, seven lineages have been identified based on mtDNA, four of them matching named species and three others for which the species status remains untested. While the morphology of Korean Hynobius is known to be variable between genetically segregated clades, we hypothesise that (1) the candidate species are morphologically different, and that (2) the island effect and (3) the sympatric status have significant impacts on the morphology of individuals within the genus. Here we measured 329 Hynobius salamanders from all seven clades, in areas of sympatry and allopatry, and on islands and on the mainland (Graphical Abstract A). We determined that the island effect had a significant impact on the morphology of the genus, with mainland individuals generally displaying a broader range of morphology than islandic individuals (Graphical Abstract B). We also determined that sympatry had an impact on morphology, with the sizes of individuals from clades in sympatric areas diverging from each other (Graphical Abstract C). Finally, we demonstrated that all seven clades have significantly different morphologies, and we described the three candidate species that had already been isolated based on mtDNA and microsatellite data: Hynobius notialis sp. nov., Hynobius geojeensis sp. nov. and Hynobius perplicatus sp. nov. We conclude that looking at morphology alone would be misleading about the true diversity of Hynobius species, and species in general, because of the island and patry effects.
Amaël Borzée; Mi-Sook Min. Disentangling the Impacts of Speciation, Sympatry and the Island Effect on the Morphology of Seven Hynobius sp. Salamanders. Animals 2021, 11, 187 .
AMA StyleAmaël Borzée, Mi-Sook Min. Disentangling the Impacts of Speciation, Sympatry and the Island Effect on the Morphology of Seven Hynobius sp. Salamanders. Animals. 2021; 11 (1):187.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAmaël Borzée; Mi-Sook Min. 2021. "Disentangling the Impacts of Speciation, Sympatry and the Island Effect on the Morphology of Seven Hynobius sp. Salamanders." Animals 11, no. 1: 187.
The pandemic resulting from COVID-19 infections had short-term positive impacts on the environment such as improvement in air and water quality. However, long term changes still have disastrous effects in terms of loosening of conservation policies and an increase in ‘post-COVID-19’ development subsidies to boost the economy at the expense of the environment. The prevention of habitat loss and zoonoses will avert future pandemics and measures to protect the local environment should be taken. The Republic of Korea follows the global trend in the weakness of long-term environmental answer to the pandemic and other on-going zoonoses, such as the avian influenza and African swine fever. Some of the current activities may even increase the risks of pandemic as mass culling of animals is widespread despite known risks. Instead, environmental protection and decreased encroachment may be the only safe way to proactively prevent the emergence of further pandemics. The pandemic resulting from COVID-19 infections had short-term positive impacts on the environment such as improvement in air and water quality. However, long term changes still have disastrous effects in terms of loosening of conservation policies and an increase in ‘post-COVID-19’ development subsidies to boost the economy at the expense of the environment. The prevention of habitat loss and zoonoses will avert future pandemics and measures to protect the local environment should be taken. The Republic of Korea follows the global trend in the weakness of long-term environmental answer to the pandemic and other on-going zoonoses, such as the avian influenza and African swine fever. Some of the current activities may even increase the risks of pandemic as mass culling of animals is widespread despite known risks. Instead, environmental protection and decreased encroachment may be the only safe way to proactively prevent the emergence of further pandemics.
Amaël Borzée. Science-based environmental conservation to answer the risk of pandemic, with a focus on the Republic of Korea. Pacific Conservation Biology 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleAmaël Borzée. Science-based environmental conservation to answer the risk of pandemic, with a focus on the Republic of Korea. Pacific Conservation Biology. 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAmaël Borzée. 2021. "Science-based environmental conservation to answer the risk of pandemic, with a focus on the Republic of Korea." Pacific Conservation Biology , no. : 1.
Invasive species have a massive impact on their environment and predicting geographical zones at risk of invasion is paramount to the control of further invasions. Invasive anurans are particularly detrimental to native amphibian species, other vertebrates, and even aquaculture through competition, predation, disease transmission, toxicity, or a combination of these. Four species have been designated as the worst anuran invaders worldwide: Duttaphrynus melanostictus, Rhinella marina, Lithobates catesbeianus and Xenopus laevis. In this study, we modelled global habitat suitability for all four species using ecological niche factor analysis (ENFA) to predict the most susceptible areas to invasion. Models showed suitable climatic conditions for all four species expanded beyond their current native and invasive ranges. Tropical, subtropical, and island biomes around the world were among the areas with the highest ENFA suitability for all four species. Further, marginality statistics indicate niche expansion in D. melanostictus, and generalism in the three other species. As only climatic variables were used in the modelling, these results show the ultimate distributions if all landscape conditions are met without significant barriers to invasion.
Desiree Andersen; Amaël Borzée; Yikweon Jang. Predicting global climatic suitability for the four most invasive anuran species using ecological niche factor analysis. Global Ecology and Conservation 2020, 25, e01433 .
AMA StyleDesiree Andersen, Amaël Borzée, Yikweon Jang. Predicting global climatic suitability for the four most invasive anuran species using ecological niche factor analysis. Global Ecology and Conservation. 2020; 25 ():e01433.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDesiree Andersen; Amaël Borzée; Yikweon Jang. 2020. "Predicting global climatic suitability for the four most invasive anuran species using ecological niche factor analysis." Global Ecology and Conservation 25, no. : e01433.
The environment is currently under aggravated threats because of climate change, mainly due to increasing resource requirements to maintain the always growing human population. While multiple causes are generally pointed at, and responsibilities bounced back and forth, a clear first step to remedy to the problem would be being responsible about the number humans of Earth. The difficulty inherent to curbing population growth is the cross-culture and world-unifying taboo on any kind of population control. Clear international recommendation will alleviate population growth and enable environmental conservation. In addition, ameliorations in family planning and abortion rights, along with providing resources for education, would significantly curb population expansion and lessen the threats from climate change and resources depletion.
Yoonjung Yi; Amaël Borzée. Human population and efficient conservation: Are humans playing ostriches and rabbits? Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity 2020, 14, 144 -145.
AMA StyleYoonjung Yi, Amaël Borzée. Human population and efficient conservation: Are humans playing ostriches and rabbits? Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. 2020; 14 (1):144-145.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYoonjung Yi; Amaël Borzée. 2020. "Human population and efficient conservation: Are humans playing ostriches and rabbits?" Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity 14, no. 1: 144-145.
Birds are useful environmental indicators as their presence reflects the health of the food web. Bird occurrence, rarity and abundance are reliable indicators of ecosystem health. Monitoring of avian populations in the Republic of Korea (ROK) is a primary requirement due to plummeting populations and the risks to threatened species. The Ministry of Environment of ROK started conducting winter bird censuses in 1999, including inland areas and coast areas, such as Cheorwon, Yeoncheon, Junam Reservoir and Han River. Cheolwon, Yeoncheon and some extent islands in the West Sea have been survey extensively due to iconic bird species, such as White-naped Crane (Grus vipio) or Red-Crowned Crane (Grus japonensis) wintering there. However, the winter bird census has not covered Yu Islet, Han River Estuary. Yu Islet is located within the Han River Estuary, a protected wetland in the Neutral Zone between the two Koreas and north of Gimpo in the ROK. The Islet currently supports a large, mixed breeding colony of waterbirds, such as one of the nation’s largest concentration of breeding Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) and smaller numbers of breeding Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor), Grey Heron (Ardea cinereal), Great Egret (Ardea alba) and Intermediate Egret (Ardea intermedia). Access to the area has long been restricted for military reasons, but recently, regular survey activity is possible supported by Gimpo City and the military base in Gimpo from November 2018. Here, we provide data demonstrating that Yu Islet is important for breeding for waterbirds; and that the northern Gimpo part of Han River Estuary is also internationally important for waterbirds during the migratory bird season, as defined by the Ramsar Convention (Ramsar 1971, RRC-EA 2017). In particular, four waterbird species were found during the survey in the Main Survey Area: Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides), Taiga Bean Goose (Anser fabalis), Tundra Bean Goose (Anser serrirostris) and Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser frontalis). Once considered widespread in East Asia and abundant, the world population of Swan Goose is now estimated at only 60,000 - 78,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2020) and the species is assessed by BirdLife International as globally Vulnerable (BirdLife International 2020). The 1,010 Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides) counted on the vegetated mudflats at Jogang-Ri in the Main Survey Area on 27 November 2018 represents more than 1% of the total world population of this species. Notably, it is also the highest count of this species in the ROK for at least a decade. The count confirms the continuing international importance of the Han River Estuary for the survival of the Swan Goose. The number counted in November had fallen to 250 by 28 December 2018; and none was recorded in the Main Survey Area in January or February 2019. Although searched for in March, none was noted during the northward migration either. The surveys also found small numbers of nationally-scarce Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker (Yungipicus canicapillus) in several areas of woodland surrounded by the Han River Estuary. By selecting the most species-rich count within a given month in each of the two survey sectors, the number of species we recorded ranged from a minimum 29 in January to a maximum of 65 in April 2019. Based on the species recorded, the survey area is clearly important for avian conservation. Its importance derives from the combination of the extensive areas of high-quality wetland and its geographic location within one of the Korea Peninsula’s largest and most important remaining wetland ecosystems, the Han River Estuary. Our surveys resulted in the detection of a substantial number of bird species, especially in March and April when forest-breeding birds are more obviously vocal. The survey result is provided in the supplementary material (Suppl. material 1).
Hyun-Ah Choi; Bernhard Seliger; Nial Moores; Amaël Borzée; Chong Hwi Kevin Yoon. Avian Surveys in the Korean Inner Border Area, Gimpo, Republic of Korea. Biodiversity Data Journal 2020, 8, e56219 .
AMA StyleHyun-Ah Choi, Bernhard Seliger, Nial Moores, Amaël Borzée, Chong Hwi Kevin Yoon. Avian Surveys in the Korean Inner Border Area, Gimpo, Republic of Korea. Biodiversity Data Journal. 2020; 8 ():e56219.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHyun-Ah Choi; Bernhard Seliger; Nial Moores; Amaël Borzée; Chong Hwi Kevin Yoon. 2020. "Avian Surveys in the Korean Inner Border Area, Gimpo, Republic of Korea." Biodiversity Data Journal 8, no. : e56219.
Zoonosis-based epidemics are inevitable unless we revisit our relationship with the natural world, protect habitats, and regulate wildlife trade, including live animals and non-sustenance products. To prevent future zoonoses, governments must establish effective legislation addressing wildlife trade, protection of habitats, and reduction of the wildlife–livestock–human interface.
Amaël Borzée; Jeffrey McNeely; Kit Magellan; Jennifer R.B. Miller; Lindsay Porter; Trishna Dutta; Krishnakumar P. Kadinjappalli; Sandeep Sharma; Ghazala Shahabuddin; Fikty Aprilinayati; Gerard E. Ryan; Alice Hughes; Aini Hasanah Abd Mutalib; Ahmad Zafir Abdul Wahab; Damber Bista; Suchana Apple Chavanich; Ju Lian Chong; George A. Gale; Hanyeh Ghaffari; Yadav Ghimirey; Vijaya Kumaran Jayaraj; Ambika Prasad Khatiwada; Monsoon Khatiwada; Murali Krishna; Ngwe Lwin; Prakash Kumar Paudel; Chinara Sadykova; Tommaso Savini; Bharat Babu Shrestha; Colin T. Strine; Makamas Sutthacheep; Ee Phin Wong; Thamasak Yeemin; Natasha Zulaika Zahirudin; Li Zhang. COVID-19 Highlights the Need for More Effective Wildlife Trade Legislation. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 2020, 35, 1052 -1055.
AMA StyleAmaël Borzée, Jeffrey McNeely, Kit Magellan, Jennifer R.B. Miller, Lindsay Porter, Trishna Dutta, Krishnakumar P. Kadinjappalli, Sandeep Sharma, Ghazala Shahabuddin, Fikty Aprilinayati, Gerard E. Ryan, Alice Hughes, Aini Hasanah Abd Mutalib, Ahmad Zafir Abdul Wahab, Damber Bista, Suchana Apple Chavanich, Ju Lian Chong, George A. Gale, Hanyeh Ghaffari, Yadav Ghimirey, Vijaya Kumaran Jayaraj, Ambika Prasad Khatiwada, Monsoon Khatiwada, Murali Krishna, Ngwe Lwin, Prakash Kumar Paudel, Chinara Sadykova, Tommaso Savini, Bharat Babu Shrestha, Colin T. Strine, Makamas Sutthacheep, Ee Phin Wong, Thamasak Yeemin, Natasha Zulaika Zahirudin, Li Zhang. COVID-19 Highlights the Need for More Effective Wildlife Trade Legislation. Trends in Ecology & Evolution. 2020; 35 (12):1052-1055.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAmaël Borzée; Jeffrey McNeely; Kit Magellan; Jennifer R.B. Miller; Lindsay Porter; Trishna Dutta; Krishnakumar P. Kadinjappalli; Sandeep Sharma; Ghazala Shahabuddin; Fikty Aprilinayati; Gerard E. Ryan; Alice Hughes; Aini Hasanah Abd Mutalib; Ahmad Zafir Abdul Wahab; Damber Bista; Suchana Apple Chavanich; Ju Lian Chong; George A. Gale; Hanyeh Ghaffari; Yadav Ghimirey; Vijaya Kumaran Jayaraj; Ambika Prasad Khatiwada; Monsoon Khatiwada; Murali Krishna; Ngwe Lwin; Prakash Kumar Paudel; Chinara Sadykova; Tommaso Savini; Bharat Babu Shrestha; Colin T. Strine; Makamas Sutthacheep; Ee Phin Wong; Thamasak Yeemin; Natasha Zulaika Zahirudin; Li Zhang. 2020. "COVID-19 Highlights the Need for More Effective Wildlife Trade Legislation." Trends in Ecology & Evolution 35, no. 12: 1052-1055.
The herpetology collection of the Ewha Womans University Natural History Museum (EWNHM) represents one of the oldest and largest institutional collections in the Republic of Korea. The specimens deposited in the EWNHM represent a major historical collection of the native herpetofauna, both in species diversity and time span. However, the full inventory of the herpetology collection has never been conducted and thus the collection has received little attention from researchers. Here, the first full account of the herpetology specimens held at the EWNHM is provided, with voucher information for all documented specimens to make the collection accessible for future studies.
YuCheol Shin; Yikweon Jang; Steven J. R. Allain; Amaël Borzée. Catalogue of herpetological specimens of the Ewha Womans University Natural History Museum (EWNHM), Republic of Korea. ZooKeys 2020, 965, 103 -139.
AMA StyleYuCheol Shin, Yikweon Jang, Steven J. R. Allain, Amaël Borzée. Catalogue of herpetological specimens of the Ewha Womans University Natural History Museum (EWNHM), Republic of Korea. ZooKeys. 2020; 965 ():103-139.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYuCheol Shin; Yikweon Jang; Steven J. R. Allain; Amaël Borzée. 2020. "Catalogue of herpetological specimens of the Ewha Womans University Natural History Museum (EWNHM), Republic of Korea." ZooKeys 965, no. : 103-139.
Threat assessment is important to prioritize species conservation projects and planning. The taxonomic resolution regarding the status of the “Dryophytes immaculatus group” and the description of a new species in the Republic of Korea resulted in a shift in ranges and population sizes. Thus, reviewing the IUCN Red List status of the three species from the group: D. immaculatus, D. suweonensis and D. flaviventris and recommending an update is needed. While the three species have similar ecological requirements and are distributed around the Yellow Sea, they are under contrasting anthropological pressure and threats. Here, based on the literature available, I have applied all IUCN Red List criterion and tested the fit of each species in each criteria to recommend listing under the appropriate threat level. This resulted in the recommendation of the following categories: Near Threatened for D. immaculatus, Endangered following the criteria C2a(i)b for D. suweonensis and Critically Endangered following the criteria E for D. flaviventris. All three species are declining, mostly because of landscape changes as a result of human activities, but the differences in range, population dynamics and already extirpated subpopulations result in different threat levels for each species. Dryophytes flaviventris is under the highest threat category mostly because of its limited range segregated into two subpopulations; and several known extirpated subpopulations. Immediate actions for the conservation of this species are required. Dryophytes suweonensis is present in both the Republic of Korea and the Democratic Republic of Korea (DPR Korea) and is under lower ecological pressure in DPR Korea. Dryophytes immaculatus is present in the People’s Republic of China, over a very large range despite a marked decline. I recommend joint efforts for the conservation of these species.
Amaël Borzée. Recommendations for IUCN Red List Conservation Status of the “Dryophytes immaculatus Group” in North East Asia. Diversity 2020, 12, 336 .
AMA StyleAmaël Borzée. Recommendations for IUCN Red List Conservation Status of the “Dryophytes immaculatus Group” in North East Asia. Diversity. 2020; 12 (9):336.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAmaël Borzée. 2020. "Recommendations for IUCN Red List Conservation Status of the “Dryophytes immaculatus Group” in North East Asia." Diversity 12, no. 9: 336.
Amphibian diseases and invasive amphibian species are both generally introduced through the wildlife trade, either for human consumption or for the pet trade. However, adequate regulations can prevent such introductions. In the Republic of Korea, the establishment of invasive Lithobates catesbeianus populations resulted in the alteration of native species’ ecology and in an increase in Batrachochytrid load on local species. While not exemplified yet, the same risk arises from all species in the trade, some of which are already found in the wild despite the potential threats to the ecosystems. While regulations exist for the trade of wildlife in general, they are not directly addressing the amphibian trade, especially newly traded species. Thus, we recommend a restriction on the trade of amphibians in Korea.
Amaël Borzée; Sera Kwon; Kyo Soung Koo; Yikweon Jang. Policy Recommendation on the Restriction on Amphibian Trade Toward the Republic of Korea. Frontiers in Environmental Science 2020, 8, 1 .
AMA StyleAmaël Borzée, Sera Kwon, Kyo Soung Koo, Yikweon Jang. Policy Recommendation on the Restriction on Amphibian Trade Toward the Republic of Korea. Frontiers in Environmental Science. 2020; 8 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAmaël Borzée; Sera Kwon; Kyo Soung Koo; Yikweon Jang. 2020. "Policy Recommendation on the Restriction on Amphibian Trade Toward the Republic of Korea." Frontiers in Environmental Science 8, no. : 1.