Aim To analyse spatial and temporal patterns of dispersal events in the euapioids (Apiaceae subfamily Apioideae). Location Worldwide, with an emphasis on the Northern Hemisphere. Methods A phylogeny of euapioids was inferred from 1194 nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (nrDNA ITS) sequences using Bayesian methods. The reconstruction of ancestral areas was performed simultaneously with phylogenetic inference using a Markov discrete phylogeographical model with Bayesian stochastic search variable selection (BSSVS). Routes with significant non‐zero migration rates were identified using Bayes factors. For each significant track and each tree, the distribution of dispersals in time was scored and the asymmetry of dispersals was evaluated. Results The root of the euapioid umbellifers was reconstructed at c. 44.51 Ma (95% highest posterior density interval: 39.11–51.55 Ma). The Eastern Asiatic Region was reconstructed as the most probable ancestral area for the root of the tree. Seventeen migration routes have significant non‐zero migration rates. Five of these tracks represent long‐distance transoceanic routes: (1) western Eurasia–North America, (2) Eastern Asiatic Region–North America, (3) Australia–Neotropical Kingdom, (4) Australia–Neantarctic, and (5) Neotropical Kingdom–sub‐Saharan Africa. Most dispersal events occurred among the areas that comprise the major diversification centres of apioid umbellifers: western Eurasia and the Mediterranean, Irano‐Turanian and Eastern Asiatic regions. The floristic exchange among these regions was more or less symmetrical in all directions and continuous in time. The exchange between North America and the Eastern Asiatic Region was asymmetrical; the asymmetry of dispersals between western Eurasia and North America was less pronounced and not statistically significant. Floristic exchange was significantly asymmetrical for the Nearctic–Neotropical Kingdom, Nearctic–Neantarctic, western Eurasia–sub‐Saharan Africa, and western Eurasia–Siberia migration tracks. Main conclusions The observed dispersal pattern – intense and symmetrical within the same climatic zone versus scarce and often unidirectional between climatic zones or along long‐distance transoceanic tracks – suggests that both the availability of suitable habitats and geographical barriers have played crucial roles in determining the present distribution of euapioid umbellifers.

SUMMARYMultifaceted patterns of protected area (PA) expansion are reviewed considering: i) the increase in PA number and coverage; ii) distribution and extent of important bird areas (IBAs); and iii) distribution and coverage of global biodiversity hotspots and the Global 200 Ecoregions that fall within the Hindu Kush-Himalayas (HKH). The analysis revealed that biodiversity conservation is a priority for the eight regional member countries of the HKH, who have established 488 PAs over the last 89 years (1918 to 2007). The eight countries sharing the HKH have committed 39% of this total geographical area to the PA network and 11% to IBAs, which is quite significant when compared to the global target of 10%. There has been an increasing trend in PA establishment over the last four decades. The PA coverage within the HKH of China alone is significant (35.5%), followed by India (1.46%) and Nepal (0.58%). When IUCN management categories are considered, the majority of PAs belong to Category V (39%), followed by Category IV (29%). Only 0.6% of PAs are managed as Category I, and, in recent years, Categories V and VI have increased. Of the total HKH geographical area, 32% is covered by four global biodiversity hotspots and 62% by the Global 200 Ecoregions. However, only 25% of the global biodiversity hotspots and 40% of the Global 200 Ecoregions are part of the PA network. There are still numerous gaps in conservation in the HKH. Coordinated and committed efforts are required to bring other critical habitats within the PA network in the HKH.

BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

Introduction: Mountains occupy 24% of the global land surface and are home to 12% of the world's population; they host the world's principal biomes and supply a diverse array of ecosystem services. But they are also highly sensitive to both natural and human induced changes, which can affect service provision meant for one third of humanity. Systematic research on impacts of land cover change from mountains at the local scale are limited, especially in developing countries, which poses a barrier to informed planning for sustainable management. Bhutan being in the forefront as contributor towards global conservation goals, a case study following a systematic research framework considering quantitative, qualitative and geospatial tools was experimented. Outcome: Respondents identified and ranked 24 ecosystem services, among which the provisioning services were the most important, followed by cultural, regulating, and supporting services. Forest was the most important land cover type for services, followed by marsh, scrub, water bodies, and agriculture. The area of forest declined by 2% and marsh by 7% over the 32-year period, suggesting a potential decrease in ecosystem services, which was also observed by the local community. Discussion: It was observed that 80% of the local people are still directly dependent on the diverse ecosystems for services. Though subtle, the decrease in land cover has implications for livelihoods of the people and the rich biodiversity of the area. Aspiring communities for local development needs guidance for identifying trade-offs in land cover types in sustainable management. An integrated and holistic approach focusing on both conservation and community development should be used to manage and develop the valley and the region sustainably. Conclusion:We recommend diversifying the limited livelihood strategies (potato farming and livestock grazing) to reduce the potential vulnerability of the local community and reduce the pressure on forest and marsh. Proper land use planning in the valley would be beneficial to maintain and regulate land uses in an effective way and avoid possible conflicts between settlement, agriculture, forest, and marsh.

Mountain farming systems rely on both empirical and academic knowledge. Their sustainability depends on how effectively diverse knowledge is used for solution-oriented decision making. For mountains, decisions must be conducive to rural farmers whose livelihoods depend on agriculture and related activities. Adopting transdisciplinary research approach, we define a composite Sustainability Space indicator that will help decision makers better understand the ingredients for sustainability, and formulate policy and management decisions to reinforce on-the-ground sustainability. Sustainability Space was derived through analysis of the positive and negative impact factors co-defined by community and disciplinary experts, and visualized through a radar diagram. We used Principal Component Analysis to understand relationships between factors. The results on Sustainability Spaces for eight cases of farming systems from the far-Eastern Himalayas indicated that the sustainability of farming systems is strengthened if decisions holistically cater to (i) geophysical pre-requisites, (ii) ecological foundations, (iii) integrated processes and practices, (iv) resources, knowledge, and value systems, (v) stakeholders’ development and economic aspirations, (vi) well-being of farming communities, and (vii) government support mechanisms. More equitable the attention to these seven components, the higher the sustainability of farming systems in this region could be.