The widely held assumption that any important scientific information would be available in English underlies the underuse of non-English-language science across disciplines. However, non-English-language science is expected to bring unique and valuable scientific information, especially in disciplines where the evidence is patchy, and for emergent issues where synthesising available evidence is an urgent challenge. Yet such contribution of non-English-language science to scientific communities and the application of science is rarely quantified. Here, we show that non-English-language studies provide crucial evidence for informing global biodiversity conservation. By screening 419,679 peer-reviewed papers in 16 languages, we identified 1,234 non-English-language studies providing evidence on the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation interventions, compared to 4,412 English-language studies identified with the same criteria. Relevant non-English-language studies are being published at an increasing rate in 6 out of the 12 languages where there were a sufficient number of relevant studies. Incorporating non-English-language studies can expand the geographical coverage (i.e., the number of 2° × 2° grid cells with relevant studies) of English-language evidence by 12% to 25%, especially in biodiverse regions, and taxonomic coverage (i.e., the number of species covered by the relevant studies) by 5% to 32%, although they do tend to be based on less robust study designs. Our results show that synthesising non-English-language studies is key to overcoming the widespread lack of local, context-dependent evidence and facilitating evidence-based conservation globally. We urge wider disciplines to rigorously reassess the untapped potential of non-English-language science in informing decisions to address other global challenges. Please see the Supporting information files for Alternative Language Abstracts.

The NERC and CEH trademarks and logos ('the Trademarks') are registered trademarks of NERC in the UK and other countries, and may not be used without the prior written consent of the Trademark owner. 1 Evolution-based approach needed for the conservation and silviculture of peripheral forest tree populations

Aim Phylogeography of fruit trees is challenging due to recurrent exchanges between domesticated and wild populations. Here we tested the eastern refugium hypothesis (ERH) for the carob tree, Ceratonia siliqua, which supports its natural and domestication origins in the eastern Mediterranean and a feral origin in the west. Location Mediterranean basin. Taxon Ceratonia siliqua L., Leguminosae. Methods A phylogenetic reconstruction based on two nuclear and one plastid sequences was performed to estimate the divergence time between the carob tree and its sister species, Ceratonia oreothauma. Variation from four plastid regions and 17 nuclear microsatellite loci were used to decipher genetic structure in the carob tree and to test coalescent‐based models by an Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) approach. We assessed our hypotheses by examining palaeobotanical records and hindcasting the past distribution of the carob tree at Mid‐Holocene, Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and Last Interglacial (LIG) using species distribution modelling. Results The split between C. oreothauma and C. siliqua was estimated at 6.4 Ma, and a first divergence within C. siliqua at 1.3 Ma. After a continuous presence since the Oligocene, Ceratonia was rarely found in the fossil record during the Pleistocene but present in the western and the eastern Mediterranean. Plastid and nuclear markers, characterized by low allelic richness, revealed a strong west‐east genetic structuring. ABC analyses rejected the ERH. Main conclusions Our study supports a severe population decline during LIG. The strong west–east divergence and the occurrence of four lineages within C. siliqua provided support for a new hypothesis of multiple domestications of the carob tree from native populations throughout the Mediterranean basin.

Mediterranean forests are found in the Mediterranean basin, California, the South African Cape Province, South and southwestern Australia and parts of Central Chile. They represent 1.8 % of the world forest areas of which the vast majority is found in the Mediterranean basin, where historical and paleogeographic episodes, long-term human influence and geographical and climatic contrasts have created ecosystemic diversity and heterogeneity. Even if evergreen is dominant, deciduous trees are also represented, with different forest types including dense stands with a closed canopy (forests sensu stricto) and pre-forestal or pre-steppic structures with lower trees density and height. The Mediterranean basin is also a hot spot of forest species and genetic diversity, with 290 woody species versus only 135 for non-Mediterranean Europe. However, the characteristics of the Mediterranean area (long-standing anthropogenic pressure, significant current human activity and broad biodiversity) make it one of the world’s regions most threatened by current changes. Four examples of Mediterranean forest types, present in south and north of the Mediterranean basin and more or less threatened, are developed in order to show that linking “hard sciences” and humanities and social sciences is necessary to understand these complex ecosystems. We show also that these forests, in spite of specific climatic constraints, can also be healthy and productive and play a major ecological and social role. Furthermore, even if the current human activity and global change constitute a risk for these exceptional ecosystems, Mediterranean forests represent a great asset and opportunities for the future of the Mediterranean basin

Juniperus excelsa constitutes a precious woody species of high ecological value able to grow up to Mountain treeline around the Mediterranean. Nuclear microsatellites were used to shed light on genetic diversity and differentiation of different Mediterranean populations. This information is essential in planning conservation strategies and reforestation programs.

Genetic diversity was described in 17 cedar populations covering the geographical range of the four species of the genus Cedrus. The study was conducted using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) on haploid tissues (megagametophytes). Eleven selective AFLP primer pairs generated a total of 107 polymorphic amplification products. Correspondence and genetic distance analyses indicated that Cedrus deodara constitutes a separate gene pool from the Mediterranean cedars. Within Mediterranean cedars, we distinguished two groups: the first one is made of Cedrus atlantica, while the second one is made of Cedrus libani and Cedrus brevifolia, these latter two species being genetically similar despite important divergence previously observed for morphological and physiological traits. The lowest intrapopulation variability was found in the two C. deodara populations analyzed. Surprisingly, C. brevifolia, the endemic taxon from the island of Cyprus that is found in small and fragmented populations, showed one of the highest levels of diversity. This unexpected pattern of diversity and differentiation observed for C. brevifolia suggests a recent divergence rather than a relictual, declining population. Patterns of diversity within-and among-populations were used to test divergence and fragmentation hypotheses and to draw conclusions for the conservation of Cedrus gene pools.

International audienceQuestionsAre variable effects of different phenotypes of foundation plant species on subordinates across contrasting habitat conditions (with varying stress and disturbance levels) due to either varying environmental conditions or heritable differences in traits between phenotypes? To evaluate the contribution of environmental effects we quantified the effects of contrasting phenotypes of a foundation legume shrub on their subordinate species across exposure (drought stress) and grazing conditions. LocationA sub-alpine xerophytic community of western Mount Lebanon, Lebanon. MethodsFor two phenotypes of the spiny cushion shrub Onobrychis cornuta, a facilitative phenotype that occurs in concave topographies (mesic soil) and a competitive phenotype that occurs in convex topographies (xeric soil), we quantified cushion traits, environmental conditions and subordinate plant species abundances (within and outside the cushions) for the two phenotypes in northern (low stress) and southern (high stress) exposures, and with and without grazing. Relative interaction index (RII) for subordinate species richness and abundance was calculated in the eight treatment combinations and a correspondence analysis (CA) was conducted on species composition. ResultsDrought stress exacerbated phenotypic effects in southern exposure, with loose phenotypes being more facilitative and tight phenotypes more competitive than in northern exposure. This was related to both changes in cushion traits of the two phenotypes and to an increase in the pool of subordinate species sensitive to cushion effects. In contrast, grazing increased cushion positive effects of both phenotypes through the occurrence of indirect facilitation, with loose phenotypes becoming more facilitative and tight phenotypes less competitive. This was due both to changes in cushion traits of the two phenotypes and to their shared spiny phenotype limiting grazing effects. ConclusionsBecause increasing stress from northern to southern exposure did not increase competitive effects of either phenotype, and because the cessation of grazing did not cancel out differences in facilitative effects between phenotypes, neither drought stress nor grazing disturbance appeared to be the main drivers of the observed phenotypic effects on subordinate species across habitats. We conclude that differences in phenotypic effects of this legume shrub are very likely due to heritable differences in traits between phenotypes

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