SignificanceDecades of research have fostered the now-prevalent assumption that noncrop habitat facilitates better pest suppression by providing shelter and food resources to the predators and parasitoids of crop pests. Based on our analysis of the largest pest-control database of its kind, noncrop habitat surrounding farm fields does affect multiple dimensions of pest control, but the actual responses of pests and enemies are highly variable across geographies and cropping systems. Because noncrop habitat often does not enhance biological control, more information about local farming contexts is needed before habitat conservation can be recommended as a viable pest-suppression strategy. Consequently, when pest control does not benefit from noncrop vegetation, farms will need to be carefully comanaged for competing conservation and production objectives.

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The present study was designed to determine physico‐chemical characteristics and best extender for refrigerated preservation of Labeo rohita milt. In experiment I, milt was collected from mature and healthy brooders (n = 5) of L. rohita reared at fish seed hatchery, Rawal Town, Islamabad, Pakistan. After collection, milt was maintained at 4°C and physico‐chemical characteristics were studied. The mean volume of Labeo rohita milt was 8.02 ± 0.12 ml, pH 7.60 ± 0.17, sperm count 2.77 ± 0.19 1010/ml, osmolality 267.6 ± 7.4 mOsmol/kg, sodium 95.43 ± 6.7 (mM/L), potassium 34.41 ± 1.2 (mM/L), total lipids 178.94 ± 5.0 mg/dl and motility 83.5 ± 5.0%. In experiment II, nine male brooders (3 brooders/replicate) maintained in three different ponds were used. In each replicate, milt from three brooders was pooled, kept at 4°C and divided into 4 aliquots. An aliquot was kept undiluted (control), while other aliquots were diluted in Alsever's solution, sugar‐based extender and modified Kurokura extender (KE) in 1:9 ratio at 4°C and stored up to 7 days. Sperm motility and viability were assessed for up to 7 days. Total antioxidant capacity was measured on Day 4. Sperm motility was higher (p < 0.05) in milt diluted with KE compared with control and other diluents from Day 5 to Day 7. However, highest sperm viability was observed on Day 6 and Day 7 in sperm diluted with KE. Total antioxidant capacity of milt diluted with KE and control was higher than other diluents on Day 4. In conclusion, viability of Labeo rohita sperm can be increased by diluting it in KE.

Pheasants play a distinctive and significant role in high altitudinal ecosystems. These are good indicators of environmental changes, and their presence determines the health and balance of the bio-network. Recent human pressure continues to degrade their populations, and some pheasant species are already extinct. Therefore, the current study focuses on pheasant abundance and emerging conservation issues. The pheasant population was assessed using “Call count methods” and analyzed by DISTANCE software. The results revealed that the valleys where human interference is minimum had significantly higher encounter rates and densities of pheasants. At the same time, the pheasant population was severely affected, whether found at lower or higher altitudes, showing seasonal migration toward human settlements. The habitat suitability modeling was performed using the MaxEnt model and showed that human activities overlap with the suitable natural habitats of pheasants. The threats were identified using a systematic questionnaire survey from the nearest villages of the potential habitat, and particular attention was paid to valleys where human pressures were found to be high. Major infrastructure development projects, illegal hunting, and deforestation were identified as the major threats to the pheasant population. The study concluded that proper conservation measures are required to protect pheasants in their potential habitats.

The Himalayan pheasants are under the greatest threat due to habitat degradation, and loss. Quantifying geographical range and suitable habitat of a species can help in better management and conservation decisions. Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus) and Koklass (Pucrasia macrolopha) are endemic to the Himalayas and Hindukush mountains. This study aims to investigate habitat suitability of these pheasants in the western Himalayas and Hindukush. MaxEnt and Cringing models were used to document habitat suitability and to identify valleys with most suitable habitat. MaxEnt model displayed excellent predictive performance showing a strong prediction of the probability distribution and habitat. The area under cover (AUC) values quantified for the replicate runs were 0.994 (±0.001) and 0.991 (±0.005) for Himalayan Monal and Koklass pheasant respectively. The climatic parameters including temperature, precipitation of the warmest quarter (bio_18) contributed the maximum 21.3% and 23.5%, followed by annual precipitation (bio_12) 12.3% and 8.9% for habitat prediction of Monal and Koklass. The topographical variables, altitude, slope, and distance to settlements contributed 15.2%, 2.6%, and 16% in the Monal habitat prediction model while 8.4%, 10.5%, and 15.8% for the Koklass habitat prediction model respectively. We quantified highly suitable (844.4 sq. km), moderately suitable (2819.42 sq. km), and less suitable (3933.09 sq. km) habitat for Monal pheasant. Whereas, highly suitable habitat for Koklass pheasant was (611.5 sq. km), followed by moderately suitable (2551.3 sq. km), and less suitable (4494.11 sq. km). Bar Palas region of Koli Palas district, Jalkot and Kandia valley of district upper Kohistan and Kayal valley of district lower Kohistan were identified as core zones or hot spots for these pheasant species. Areas identified as core zone/hotspot and suitable habitat for the pheasant species should be legally protected for the conservation of pheasants.