1
|
Pinto T, Sillero N, Mira A, Santos SM. Using the dead to infer about the living: Amphibian roadkill spatiotemporal dynamics suggest local populations' reduction. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:172356. [PMID: 38614338 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Roads represent one of the main sources of wildlife mortality, population decline, and isolation, especially for low-vagility animal groups. It is still not clearly understood how wildlife populations respond to these negative effects over space and time. Most studies on wildlife road mortality do not consider the spatial and temporal components simultaneously, or the imperfect roadkill detection, both of which could lead to inaccurate assumptions and unreliable mitigation actions. In this study, we applied a multi-season occupancy model to a 14-year amphibian mortality dataset collected along 120 km of roads, combined with freely available landscape and remote sensing metrics, to identify the spatiotemporal patterns of amphibian roadkill in a Mediterranean landscape in Southern Portugal. Our models showed an explicit general decrease in amphibian roadkill. The Iberian painted frog (Discoglossus galganoi) experienced roadkill declines over time of ∼70 %, while the spiny common toad (Bufo spinosus) and the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) had a loss of nearly 50 %, and the Southern marbled newt (Triturus pygmaeus) had 40 %. Despite the decreasing trend in roadkill, spatial patterns seem to be rather stable from year to year. Multi-season occupancy models, when combined with relevant landscape and remote sensing predictors, as well as long-term monitoring data, can describe dynamic changes in roadkill over space and time. These patterns are valuable tools for understanding roadkill patterns and drivers in Mediterranean landscapes, enabling the differentiation of road sections with varying roadkill over time. Ultimately, this information may contribute to the development of effective conservation measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Pinto
- MED - Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal; Conservation Biology Lab (UBC), University of Évora, Mitra, 7002-554, Évora, Portugal.
| | - Neftalí Sillero
- Centre for Research in Geo-Spatial Sciences (CICGE), University of Porto, Alameda do Monte da Virgem, 4430-146 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - António Mira
- MED - Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal; Conservation Biology Lab (UBC), University of Évora, Mitra, 7002-554, Évora, Portugal
| | - Sara M Santos
- MED - Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal; Conservation Biology Lab (UBC), University of Évora, Mitra, 7002-554, Évora, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Macdonald KJ, Driscoll DA, Macdonald KJ, Hradsky B, Doherty TS. Meta-analysis reveals impacts of disturbance on reptile and amphibian body condition. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:4949-4965. [PMID: 37401520 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Ecosystem disturbance is increasing in extent, severity and frequency across the globe. To date, research has largely focussed on the impacts of disturbance on animal population size, extinction risk and species richness. However, individual responses, such as changes in body condition, can act as more sensitive metrics and may provide early warning signs of reduced fitness and population declines. We conducted the first global systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the impacts of ecosystem disturbance on reptile and amphibian body condition. We collated 384 effect sizes representing 137 species from 133 studies. We tested how disturbance type, species traits, biome and taxon moderate the impacts of disturbance on body condition. We found an overall negative effect of disturbance on herpetofauna body condition (Hedges' g = -0.37, 95% CI: -0.57, -0.18). Disturbance type was an influential predictor of body condition response and all disturbance types had a negative mean effect. Drought, invasive species and agriculture had the largest effects. The impact of disturbance varied in strength and direction across biomes, with the largest negative effects found within Mediterranean and temperate biomes. In contrast, taxon, body size, habitat specialisation and conservation status were not influential predictors of disturbance effects. Our findings reveal the widespread effects of disturbance on herpetofauna body condition and highlight the potential role of individual-level response metrics in enhancing wildlife monitoring. The use of individual response metrics alongside population and community metrics would deepen our understanding of disturbance impacts by revealing both early impacts and chronic effects within affected populations. This could enable early and more informed conservation management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristina J Macdonald
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Don A Driscoll
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kimberley J Macdonald
- Biodiversity Protection and Information Branch, Biodiversity Division, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bronwyn Hradsky
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tim S Doherty
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Araújo APDC, Luz TMD, Ahmed MAI, Ali MM, Rahman MM, Nataraj B, de Melo E Silva D, Barceló D, Malafaia G. Toxicity assessment of polyethylene microplastics in combination with a mix of emerging pollutants on Physalaemus cuvieri tadpoles. J Environ Sci (China) 2023; 127:465-482. [PMID: 36522078 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2022.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Studies in recent years have shown that aquatic pollution by microplastics (MPs) can be considered to pose additional stress to amphibian populations. However, our knowledge of how MPs affect amphibians is very rudimentary, and even more limited is our understanding of their effects in combination with other emerging pollutants. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the possible toxicity of polyethylene MPs (PE-MPs) (alone or in combination with a mix of pollutants) on the health of Physalaemus cuvieri tadpoles. After 30 days of exposure, multiple biomarkers were measured, including morphological, biometric, and developmental indices, behavioral parameters, mutagenicity, cytotoxicity, antioxidant and cholinesterase responses, as well as the uptake and accumulation of PE-MPs in animals. Based on the results, there was no significant change in any of the parameters measured in tadpoles exposed to treatments, but induced stress was observed in tadpoles exposed to PE-MPs combined with the mixture of pollutants, reflecting significant changes in physiological and biochemical responses. Through principal component analysis (PCA) and integrated biomarker response (IBR) assessment, effects induced by pollutants in each test group were distinguished, confirming that the exposure of P. cuvieri tadpoles to the PE-MPs in combination with a mix of emerging pollutants induces an enhanced stress response, although the uptake and accumulation of PE-MPs in these animals was reduced. Thus, our study provides new insight into the danger to amphibians of MPs coexisting with other pollutants in aquatic environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Thiarlen Marinho da Luz
- Laboratory of Toxicology Applied to the Environment, Goiano Federal Institute, Urutaí, GO 75790-000, Brazil
| | | | - Mir Mohammad Ali
- Department of Aquaculture; Faculty of Fisheries, Aquaculture & Marine Science; Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
| | - Md Mostafizur Rahman
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Savar 1342, Bangladesh
| | - Bojan Nataraj
- Unit of Toxicology, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, India
| | - Daniela de Melo E Silva
- Post-Graduation Program in Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO 74690-970, Brazil; Laboratory of Environmental Mutagenesis, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO 74690-970, Brazil
| | - Damià Barceló
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), H2O Building, Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, Emili Grahit 101, Girona 17003, Spain; Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), JordiGirona 1826, Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - Guilherme Malafaia
- Laboratory of Toxicology Applied to the Environment, Goiano Federal Institute, Urutaí, GO 75790-000, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Conservation of Cerrado Natural Resources, Goiano Federal Institute, Urutaí, GO 75790-000, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Ecology, Conservation, and Biodiversity, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil; Post-Graduation Programa in Biotechnology and Biodiversity, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO 74605-050, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Halstead BJ, Kleeman PM, Rose JP, Fellers GM. Sierra Nevada amphibians demonstrate stable occupancy despite precipitation volatility in the early 21st Century. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.1040114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate can have a strong influence on species distributions, and amphibians with different life histories might be affected by annual variability in precipitation in different ways. The Sierra Nevada of California, United States, experienced some of the driest and wettest years on record in the early 21st Century, with variability in annual precipitation predicted to increase with climate change. We examined the relationship between adult occupancy dynamics of three high elevation anurans and site and annual variation in measures of winter severity, summer wetness, and cumulative drought. We further evaluated how these weather conditions affected the probability that each species would reproduce, conditional on their occurrence at a site. We found that although different aspects of weather affected the occupancy dynamics of each species differently, adult occupancy probabilities were generally stable throughout our 15-year study period. The probability of reproduction, although slightly more variable than adult occupancy, was similarly stable throughout the study. Although occurrence of the three species was resilient to recent extremes in precipitation, more detailed demographic study would inform the extent to which amphibian populations will remain resilient to increasing severity, duration, and frequency of drought and flood cycles.
Collapse
|
5
|
Beranek CT, Sanders S, Clulow J, Mahony M. Factors influencing persistence of a threatened amphibian in restored wetlands despite severe population decline during climate change driven weather extremes. BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION 2022; 31:1267-1287. [PMID: 35261489 PMCID: PMC8893051 DOI: 10.1007/s10531-022-02387-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Biodiversity is in global decline during the Anthropocene. Declines have been caused by multiple factors, such as habitat removal, invasive species, and disease, which are often targets for conservation management. However, conservation interventions are under threat from climate change induced weather extremes. Weather extremes are becoming more frequent and devastating and an example of this was the 2019/2020 Australian drought and mega-fires. We provide a case study the impacts of these extreme weather events had on a population of the threatened frog Litoria aurea that occurs in a constructed habitat which was designed to reduce the impact of introduced fish and chytrid-induced disease. We aimed to determine what factors influenced persistence so that the design of wetlands can be further optimised to future-proof threatened amphibians. We achieved this with 4 years (2016-2020) of intensive capture-recapture surveys during austral spring and summer across nine wetlands (n = 94 repeat surveys). As hypothesized, drought caused a sharp reduction in population size, but persistence was achieved. The most parsimonious predictor of survival was an interaction between maximum air temperature and rainfall, indicating that weather extremes likely caused the decline. Survival was positively correlated with wetland vegetation coverage, positing this is an important feature to target to enhance resilience in wetland restoration programs. Additionally, the benefits obtained from measures to reduce chytrid prevalence were not compromised during drought, as there was a positive correlation between salinity and survival. We emphasize that many species may not be able to persist under worse extreme weather scenarios. Despite the potential for habitat augmentation to buffer effects of extreme weather, global action on climate change is needed to reduce extinction risk. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10531-022-02387-9.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chad T. Beranek
- Conservation Science Research Group, School of Environmental and life Sciences, Biology Building, University of Newcastle, University Drive, 2308 Callaghan, NSW Australia
- FAUNA Research Alliance, PO Box 5092, 2290 Kahibah, NSW Australia
| | - Samantha Sanders
- Conservation Science Research Group, School of Environmental and life Sciences, Biology Building, University of Newcastle, University Drive, 2308 Callaghan, NSW Australia
| | - John Clulow
- Conservation Science Research Group, School of Environmental and life Sciences, Biology Building, University of Newcastle, University Drive, 2308 Callaghan, NSW Australia
- FAUNA Research Alliance, PO Box 5092, 2290 Kahibah, NSW Australia
| | - Michael Mahony
- Conservation Science Research Group, School of Environmental and life Sciences, Biology Building, University of Newcastle, University Drive, 2308 Callaghan, NSW Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Moss WE, Harper LR, Davis MA, Goldberg CS, Smith MM, Johnson PTJ. Navigating the trade‐offs between environmental
DNA
and conventional field surveys for improved amphibian monitoring. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wynne E. Moss
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology University of Colorado Boulder Colorado USA
| | - Lynsey R. Harper
- Illinois Natural History Survey Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Champaign Illinois USA
- NatureMetrics Ltd, CABI Site Egham UK
| | - Mark A. Davis
- Illinois Natural History Survey Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Champaign Illinois USA
| | - Caren S. Goldberg
- School of the Environment Washington State University Pullman Washington USA
| | - Matthew M. Smith
- School of the Environment Washington State University Pullman Washington USA
| | - Pieter T. J. Johnson
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology University of Colorado Boulder Colorado USA
| |
Collapse
|