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Zhao J, Yu L, Newbold T, Chen X. Trends in habitat quality and habitat degradation in terrestrial protected areas. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024:e14348. [PMID: 39166836 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Protected areas are typically considered a cornerstone of conservation programs and play a fundamental role in protecting natural areas and biodiversity. Human-driven land-use and land-cover (LULC) changes lead to habitat loss and biodiversity loss inside protected areas, impairing their effectiveness. However, the global dynamics of habitat quality and habitat degradation in protected areas remain unclear. We used the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) model based on global annual remotely sensed data to examine the spatial and temporal trends in habitat quality and degradation in global terrestrial protected areas. Habitat quality represented the ability of habitats to provide suitable conditions for the persistence of individuals and populations, and habitat degradation represented the impacts on habitats from human-driven LULC changes in the surrounding landscape. Based on a linear mixed-effects modeling method, we also explored the relationship between habitat degradation trends and protected area characteristics, biophysical factors, and socioeconomic factors. Habitat quality declined by 0.005 (0.6%) and habitat degradation increased by 0.002 (11%) from 1992 to 2020 globally, and similar trends occurred even in remote or restrictively managed protected areas. Habitat degradation was attributed primarily to nonirrigated cropland (62%) and urbanization (27%) in 2020. Increases in elevation, gross domestic production per capita, and human population density and decreases in agricultural suitability were associated with accelerated habitat degradation. Our results suggest that human-induced LULC changes have expanded from already-exploited areas into relatively undisturbed areas, and that in wealthy countries in particular, degradation is related to rapid urbanization and increasing demand for agricultural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianqiao Zhao
- Department of Earth System Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Earth System Modeling, Institute for Global Change Studies, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK
| | - Le Yu
- Department of Earth System Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Earth System Modeling, Institute for Global Change Studies, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education Ecological Field Station for East Asian Migratory Birds, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua University (Department of Earth System Science)- Xi'an Institute of Surveying and Mapping Joint Research Center for Next-Generation Smart Mapping, Beijing, China
| | - Tim Newbold
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK
| | - Xin Chen
- Institute of Loess Plateau, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
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2
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Xu D, Peng J, Dong J, Jiang H, Liu M, Luo Y, Xu Z. Expanding China's protected areas network to enhance resilience of climate connectivity. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2024; 69:2273-2280. [PMID: 38724302 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2024.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Expanding the network of connected and resilient protected areas (PAs) for climate change adaptation can help species track suitable climate conditions and safeguard biodiversity. This is often overlooked when expanding PAs and quantifying their benefits, resulting in an underestimate of the benefits of expanding PAs. We expanded PAs through terrestrial mammalian species distribution hotspots, Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), and wilderness areas. Then, we constructed climate connectivity networks using a resistance-based approach and further quantified the network resilience to propose resilient climate response strategies in China. The results showed that existing PAs suffered from location biases with important biodiversity areas. The existing PAs represented about half of the KBAs and wilderness areas, yet only 12.08% of terrestrial mammalian species distribution hotspots were located within existing PAs. Compared with the existing PA network, the network efficiency and resilience of the expanded PAs' climate connectivity increased to 1.80 times and 1.78 times, respectively. With 56% of the nodes remaining, the network efficiency of the expanded PAs was equivalent to that of the existing PAs with all nodes. The network resilience of preferentially protecting and restoring low human footprint patches was approximately 1.5-2 times that of the random scenario. These findings highlighted that confronted with the unoptimistic situation of global warming, nature conservation based on existing PAs was no longer optimal. It was critical to construct a connected and resilient conservation network relying on both important biodiversity areas and low human footprint patches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongmei Xu
- Technology Innovation Center for Integrated Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Utilization, Ministry of Natural Resources, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jian Peng
- Technology Innovation Center for Integrated Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Utilization, Ministry of Natural Resources, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Jianquan Dong
- School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Technology Innovation Center for Integrated Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Utilization, Ministry of Natural Resources, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Menglin Liu
- Key Laboratory for Environmental and Urban Sciences, School of Urban Planning and Design, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yuhang Luo
- Key Laboratory for Environmental and Urban Sciences, School of Urban Planning and Design, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zihan Xu
- School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
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3
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Kerem T, Nejidat A, Zaady E. Monitoring dynamics of biocrust rehabilitation in acid-saturated desert soils. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:715. [PMID: 38980507 PMCID: PMC11233293 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12865-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
The study explores the aftermath of a wastewater reservoir failure in a phosphate fertilizer industry, resulting in the release of acidic water containing phosphorus and sulfate compounds into the Ashalim stream's Nature Reserve in the Judean desert, which affected the soil surface biological crusts (biocrusts) layer. The study aims to examine contamination effects on biocrusts over 3 years at two research sites along the stream, compare effects between contaminated sites, assess rehabilitation treatments, and examine their impact on soil characteristics. Hypotheses suggest significant damage to biocrusts due to acidic water flow, requiring human intervention for accelerated restoration. The results indicate adverse effects on biocrust properties, risking its key role in the desert ecosystem. The biocrust layer covering the stream's ground surface suffered significant physical, chemical, and biological damage due to exposure to industrial process effluents. However, soil enrichment treatments, including biocrust components and organic material, show promising effects on biocrust recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Kerem
- Department of Natural Resources, Agricultural Research Organization, Institute of Plant Sciences, Gilat Research Center, Mobile Post Negev, 8531100, Gilat, Israel
| | - A Nejidat
- Department of Environmental Hydrology and Microbiology, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 8499000, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - E Zaady
- Department of Natural Resources, Agricultural Research Organization, Institute of Plant Sciences, Gilat Research Center, Mobile Post Negev, 8531100, Gilat, Israel.
- Kaye Academic College, 8414201, Beer Sheva, Israel.
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4
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Han Q, Li M, Keeffe G. Can large-scale tree planting in China compensate for the loss of climate connectivity due to deforestation? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:172350. [PMID: 38608907 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172350] [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: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Extensive deforestation has been a major reason for the loss of forest connectivity, impeding species range shifts under current climate change. Over the past decades, the Chinese government launched a series of afforestation and reforestation projects to increase forest cover, yet whether the new forests can compensate for the loss of connectivity due to deforestation-and where future tree planting would be most effective-remains largely unknown. Here, we evaluate changes in climate connectivity across China's forests between 2015 and 2019. We find that China's large-scale tree planting alleviated the negative impacts of forest loss on climate connectivity, improving the extent and probability of climate connectivity by 0-0.2 °C and 0-0.03, respectively. The improvements were particularly obvious for species with short dispersal distances (i.e., 3 km and 10 km). Nevertheless, only ~55 % of the trees planted in this period could serve as stepping stones for species movement. This indicates that focusing solely on the quantitative target of forest coverage without considering the connectivity of forests may miss opportunities in tree planting to facilitate climate-induced range shifts. More attention should be paid to the spatial arrangement of tree plantations and their potential as stepping stones. We then identify priority areas for future tree planting to create effective stepping stones. Our study highlights the potential of large-scale tree planting to facilitate range shifts. Future tree-planting efforts should incorporate the need for species range shifts to achieve more biodiversity conservation benefits under climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyao Han
- Department of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Agricultural University, China.
| | - Ming Li
- Institute of Geodesy and Photogrammetry, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Greg Keeffe
- School of Natural and Built Environment, Queen's University Belfast, UK
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5
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Huang JP, Wu SP, Chen WY, Pham GJ, Kuan YH. Genomic data revealed inbreeding despite a geographically connected stable effective population size since the Holocene in the protected Formosan Long-Arm Scarab beetle, Cheirotonus formosanus. J Hered 2024; 115:292-301. [PMID: 38364316 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esae006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Biodiversity conservation is a top priority in the face of global environmental change, and the practical restoration of biodiversity has emerged as a key objective. Nevertheless, the question of how to effectively contribute to biodiversity restoration and identify suitable systems for such efforts continues to present major challenges. By using genome-wide SNP data, our study revealed that populations from different mountain ranges of the Formosan Long-Arm Scarab beetle, a flagship species that receives strict protection, exhibited a single genetic cluster with no subdivision. Additionally, our result implied an association between the demographic history and historical fluctuations in climate and environmental conditions. Furthermore, we showed that, despite a stable and moderately sized effective population over recent history, all the individuals we studied exhibited signs of genetic inbreeding. We argued that the current practice of protecting the species as one evolutionarily significant unit remains the best conservation plan and that recent habitat change may have led to the pattern of significant inbreeding. We closed by emphasizing the importance of conservation genetic studies in guiding policy decisions and highlighting the potential of genomic data for identifying ideal empirical systems for genetic rescue, or assisted gene flow studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jen-Pan Huang
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Ping Wu
- Department of Earth and Life Science, University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Yun Chen
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Guan Jie Pham
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsiu Kuan
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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6
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Hueholt DM, Barnes EA, Hurrell JW, Morrison AL. Speed of environmental change frames relative ecological risk in climate change and climate intervention scenarios. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3332. [PMID: 38637548 PMCID: PMC11026408 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47656-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Stratospheric aerosol injection is a potential method of climate intervention to reduce climate risk as decarbonization efforts continue. However, possible ecosystem impacts from the strategic design of hypothetical intervention scenarios are poorly understood. Two recent Earth system model simulations depict policy-relevant stratospheric aerosol injection scenarios with similar global temperature targets, but a 10-year delay in intervention deployment. Here we show this delay leads to distinct ecological risk profiles through climate speeds, which describe the rate of movement of thermal conditions. On a planetary scale, climate speeds in the simulation where the intervention maintains temperature are not statistically distinguishable from preindustrial conditions. In contrast, rapid temperature reduction following delayed deployment produces climate speeds over land beyond either a preindustrial baseline or no-intervention climate change with present policy. The area exposed to threshold climate speeds places different scenarios in context to their relative ecological risks. Our results support discussion of tradeoffs and timescales in future scenario design and decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M Hueholt
- Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, 80523, CO, USA.
| | - Elizabeth A Barnes
- Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, 80523, CO, USA
| | - James W Hurrell
- Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, 80523, CO, USA
| | - Ariel L Morrison
- Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, 80523, CO, USA
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7
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Uhey DA, Hofstetter RW, Earl S, Holden J, Sprague T, Rowe H. Living on the edge: The sensitivity of arthropods to development and climate along an urban-wildland interface in the Sonoran Desert of central Arizona. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297227. [PMID: 38635739 PMCID: PMC11025936 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Preservation of undeveloped land near urban areas is a common conservation practice. However, ecological processes may still be affected by adjacent anthropogenic activities. Ground-dwelling arthropods are a diverse group of organisms that are critical to ecological processes such as nutrient cycling, which are sensitive to anthropogenic activities. Here, we study arthropod dynamics in a preserve located in a heavily urbanized part of the Sonoran Desert, Arizona, U.S.. We compared arthropod biodiversity and community composition at ten locations, four paired sites representing the urban edge and one pair in the Preserve interior. In total, we captured and identified 25,477 arthropod individuals belonging to 287 lowest practical taxa (LPT) over eight years of sampling. This included 192 LPTs shared between interior and edge sites, with 44 LPTs occurring exclusively in interior sites and 48 LPTs occurring exclusively in edge sites. We found two site pairs had higher arthropod richness on the preserve interior, but results for evenness were mixed among site pairs. Compositionally, the interior and edge sites were more than 40% dissimilar, driven by species turnover. Importantly, we found that some differences were only apparent seasonally; for example edge sites had more fire ants than interior sites only during the summer. We also found that temperature and precipitation were strong predictors of arthropod composition. Our study highlights that climate can interact with urban edge effects on arthropod biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek A. Uhey
- School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona
| | | | - Stevan Earl
- Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
| | - Jerry Holden
- McDowell Sonoran Conservancy Citizen Science Program, Scottsdale, Arizona
| | | | - Helen Rowe
- McDowell Sonoran Conservancy Citizen Science Program, Scottsdale, Arizona
- School of Earth and Sustainability, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona
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8
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Zwerts JA, Sterck EHM, Verweij PA, Maisels F, van der Waarde J, Geelen EAM, Tchoumba GB, Donfouet Zebaze HF, van Kuijk M. FSC-certified forest management benefits large mammals compared to non-FSC. Nature 2024; 628:563-568. [PMID: 38600379 PMCID: PMC11023928 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07257-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
More than a quarter of the world's tropical forests are exploited for timber1. Logging impacts biodiversity in these ecosystems, primarily through the creation of forest roads that facilitate hunting for wildlife over extensive areas. Forest management certification schemes such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) are expected to mitigate impacts on biodiversity, but so far very little is known about the effectiveness of FSC certification because of research design challenges, predominantly limited sample sizes2,3. Here we provide this evidence by using 1.3 million camera-trap photos of 55 mammal species in 14 logging concessions in western equatorial Africa. We observed higher mammal encounter rates in FSC-certified than in non-FSC logging concessions. The effect was most pronounced for species weighing more than 10 kg and for species of high conservation priority such as the critically endangered forest elephant and western lowland gorilla. Across the whole mammal community, non-FSC concessions contained proportionally more rodents and other small species than did FSC-certified concessions. The first priority for species protection should be to maintain unlogged forests with effective law enforcement, but for logged forests our findings provide convincing data that FSC-certified forest management is less damaging to the mammal community than is non-FSC forest management. This study provides strong evidence that FSC-certified forest management or equivalently stringent requirements and controlling mechanisms should become the norm for timber extraction to avoid half-empty forests dominated by rodents and other small species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joeri A Zwerts
- Ecology and Biodiversity, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Animal Behaviour & Cognition, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - E H M Sterck
- Animal Behaviour & Cognition, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Animal Science Department, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Pita A Verweij
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fiona Maisels
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Global Conservation Program, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Emma A M Geelen
- Animal Behaviour & Cognition, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Marijke van Kuijk
- Ecology and Biodiversity, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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9
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Xu X, Baydur C, Feng J, Wu C. Integrating spatial-temporal soundscape mapping with landscape indicators for effective conservation management and planning of a protected area. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 356:120555. [PMID: 38527384 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120555] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Protected areas (PAs) possess generous biodiversity, making them great potential for human and wildlife well-being. Nevertheless, rising anthropogenic sounds may pose a serious challenge and threat to the habitats. Therefore, understanding the acoustic environments of PAs and implementing proper conservation strategies are essential for maintaining species richness within the territory. In this study, we investigate the spatial-temporal variations of soundscape distribution in the Dashanbao Protected Area (DPA) of China, ultimately discussing the planning and management strategies. Firstly, to systematically analyse the spatial-temporal soundscape distribution of the reserve, we generated single and multi-acoustic source maps by classifying geographical, biological, and anthropogenic sounds. In the region, we installed 35 recording points and collected sounds using the synchronic recording method. Secondly, we conducted Spearman correlation analyses to examine the relationships between the sound sources and i) temporal variations, ii) landscape feature indicators. Thirdly, we identified the dominant sound sources in the region and their conflict areas through the cross-analysis module of Grass Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Finally, we provided sound control strategies by discussing landscape indicators and land-use management policies. The results show that even though there is conservation planning in the DPA, anthropogenic sounds dominate in certain parts of the reserve depending on diurnal and seasonal cycles. This reveals deficiencies in the DPA's current planning concerning the soundscape and highlights the effectiveness of spatial-temporal mapping. Additionally, our correlation analyses demonstrate that landscape feature indicators can represent how sound environment is affected by landscape. The patch diversity (PD), landscape shape index (LSI), Shannon's Diversity Index (SHDI), woodland, shrubland, and water distance (WD) were identified as the primary predictors for both biological and anthropogenic sounds. None of the indicators exhibited a significant positive or negative correlation with geological sounds. Consequently, to enhance and conserve the acoustic quality of the region, spatial-temporal mapping with landscape indicators can be employed in the management and planning processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Xu
- Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092 China; Key Laboratory of Spatial Intelligent Planning Technology, Ministry of Natural Resources, China.
| | - Caner Baydur
- College of Design and Innovation, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Institute of Acoustics, School of Physics Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul 34349, Turkiye.
| | - Jingjie Feng
- Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092 China.
| | - Chengzhao Wu
- Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092 China.
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10
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Li Y, Jin Q, Chen Z, Yin B, Li Y, Liu J. Pathways for achieving conservation targets under metacoupled anthropogenic disturbances. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 353:120227. [PMID: 38310798 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120227] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Enhancing connectivity between protected areas stands as a paramount objective in advancing global conservation goals, particularly in coastal regions grappling with escalating human disruptions. However, little attention has been given to quantitative assessment of human-nature interactions within and among protected areas. Here, we endeavored to model the connectivity between protected areas in rapidly urbanizing regions in China, drawing on insights from the framework of metacoupling based on connected corridors at short and long distances. In alignment with the overarching global conservation aim of increasing the overall coverage of protected areas, we found that adding new site to the protected area system yields superior connectivity gains compared to merely expanding the boundaries of the existing sites. Within the connectivity network between protected areas, we discerned specific sites acting as stepping stones, pivotal in enhancing connectivity among the chosen protected areas. Our study propounds a pragmatic methodology for prioritizing local protection initiatives and underscores the criticality of incorporating connectivity conservation strategies. This approach is vital for attaining regional biodiversity targets, given the dual perspective encompassing both human activities and the natural environment, particularly in the face of mounting anthropogenic disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Li
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, Key Laboratory of Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems (Ministry of Education), College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
| | - Qihao Jin
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, Key Laboratory of Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems (Ministry of Education), College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
| | - Zhixue Chen
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, Key Laboratory of Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems (Ministry of Education), College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
| | - Bingchao Yin
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, Key Laboratory of Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems (Ministry of Education), College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
| | - Yangfan Li
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, Key Laboratory of Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems (Ministry of Education), College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
| | - Jianguo Liu
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
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11
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Kalinauskas M, Shuhani Y, Pinto LV, Inácio M, Pereira P. Mapping ecosystem services in protected areas. A systematic review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169248. [PMID: 38101645 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169248] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Protected areas (PAs) supply ecosystem services (ES) essential for human wellbeing. Mapping is a critical exercise that allows an understanding of the spatial distribution of the different ES in PAs. This work aims to conduct a systematic literature review on mapping ES in PAs. In order to carry out this systematic review, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses method was applied. The results showed an increase in the number of works between 2012 and 2023, and they were especially conducted in Europe and Asia and less in North America, South America, and Oceania. Most studies were developed in terrestrial areas, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature classified them into types II and IV. Most of the works followed the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment classification and were mainly focused on the supply dimension. Regulating and maintenance and cultural ES were the most mapped dimensions in PAs. The most frequent provisioning ES mapped in PAs were Animals reared for nutritional purposes and Cultivated terrestrial plants grown for nutritional purposes. In regulating and maintenance, Maintaining nursery populations and habitats and Regulation of the chemical composition of the atmosphere and oceans were the most analysed. For cultural ES, Characteristics of living systems that enable activities promoting health, recuperation, or enjoyment through active or immersive interactions and Characteristics of living systems that enable aesthetic experiences were the most mapped ES in PAs. Most works followed a quantitative approach, although the number of qualitative studies is high. Finally, most of the works needed to be validated, which may hamper the credibility of mapping ES in PAs. Overall, this systematic review contributed to a global picture of studies distribution, the areas where they are needed, and the most popular dimensions and sections as the methodologies were applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Kalinauskas
- Environmental Management Laboratory, Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Yuliana Shuhani
- Environmental Management Laboratory, Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Luís Valença Pinto
- Environmental Management Laboratory, Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania; Research Centre for Natural Resources, Environment and Society (CERNAS), Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra Agrarian Technical School, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Inácio
- Environmental Management Laboratory, Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Paulo Pereira
- Environmental Management Laboratory, Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
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12
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Milles A, Banitz T, Bielcik M, Frank K, Gallagher CA, Jeltsch F, Jepsen JU, Oro D, Radchuk V, Grimm V. Local buffer mechanisms for population persistence. Trends Ecol Evol 2023; 38:1051-1059. [PMID: 37558537 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Assessing and predicting the persistence of populations is essential for the conservation and control of species. Here, we argue that local mechanisms require a better conceptual synthesis to facilitate a more holistic consideration along with regional mechanisms known from metapopulation theory. We summarise the evidence for local buffer mechanisms along with their capacities and emphasise the need to include multiple buffer mechanisms in studies of population persistence. We propose an accessible framework for local buffer mechanisms that distinguishes between damping (reducing fluctuations in population size) and repelling (reducing population declines) mechanisms. We highlight opportunities for empirical and modelling studies to investigate the interactions and capacities of buffer mechanisms to facilitate better ecological understanding in times of ecological upheaval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Milles
- Department of Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, University of Potsdam, Am Muhlenberg 3, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany; Department of Ecological Modelling, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Nationalparkamt Hunsrück-Hochwald, Research, Biotope- and Wildlife Management, Brückener Straße 24, 55765 Birkenfeld, Germany.
| | - Thomas Banitz
- Department of Ecological Modelling, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Milos Bielcik
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Biology, Altensteinstr. 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany; Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Karin Frank
- Department of Ecological Modelling, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; University of Osnabrück, Institute for Environmental Systems Research, Barbarastr. 12, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany; German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstr. 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Cara A Gallagher
- Department of Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, University of Potsdam, Am Muhlenberg 3, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Florian Jeltsch
- Department of Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, University of Potsdam, Am Muhlenberg 3, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany; Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jane Uhd Jepsen
- Department of Arctic Ecology, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Fram Centre, Hjalmar Johansens gt.14, 9007 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Daniel Oro
- Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB - CSIC), Acces Cala Sant Francesc 14, 17300 Blanes, Girona, Spain.
| | - Viktoriia Radchuk
- Ecological Dynamics Department, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Volker Grimm
- Department of Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, University of Potsdam, Am Muhlenberg 3, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany; Department of Ecological Modelling, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstr. 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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13
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O’Brien P, Carr N, Bowman J. Using sentinel nodes to evaluate changing connectivity in a protected area network. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16333. [PMID: 37901466 PMCID: PMC10612492 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been recognized that well-connected networks of protected areas are needed to halt the continued loss of global biodiversity. The recently signed Kunming-Montreal biodiversity agreement commits countries to protecting 30% of terrestrial lands in well-connected networks of protected areas by 2030. To meet these ambitious targets, land-use planners and conservation practitioners will require tools to identify areas important for connectivity and track future changes. In this study we present methods using circuit theoretic models with a subset of sentinel park nodes to evaluate connectivity for a protected areas network. We assigned a lower cost to natural areas within protected areas, under the assumption that animal movement within parks should be less costly given the regulation of activities. We found that by using mean pairwise effective resistance (MPER) as an indicator of overall network connectivity, we were able to detect changes in a parks network in response to simulated land-use changes. As expected, MPER increased with the addition of high-cost developments and decreased with the addition of new, low-cost protected areas. We tested our sentinel node method by evaluating connectivity for the protected area network in the province of Ontario, Canada. We also calculated a node isolation index, which highlighted differences in protected area connectivity between the north and the south of the province. Our method can help provide protected areas ecologists and planners with baseline estimates of connectivity for a given protected area network and an indicator that can be used to track changes in connectivity in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul O’Brien
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Natasha Carr
- Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeff Bowman
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
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14
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Ellis-Soto D, Oliver RY, Brum-Bastos V, Demšar U, Jesmer B, Long JA, Cagnacci F, Ossi F, Queiroz N, Hindell M, Kays R, Loretto MC, Mueller T, Patchett R, Sims DW, Tucker MA, Ropert-Coudert Y, Rutz C, Jetz W. A vision for incorporating human mobility in the study of human-wildlife interactions. Nat Ecol Evol 2023; 7:1362-1372. [PMID: 37550509 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02125-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
As human activities increasingly shape land- and seascapes, understanding human-wildlife interactions is imperative for preserving biodiversity. Habitats are impacted not only by static modifications, such as roads, buildings and other infrastructure, but also by the dynamic movement of people and their vehicles occurring over shorter time scales. Although there is increasing realization that both components of human activity substantially affect wildlife, capturing more dynamic processes in ecological studies has proved challenging. Here we propose a conceptual framework for developing a 'dynamic human footprint' that explicitly incorporates human mobility, providing a key link between anthropogenic stressors and ecological impacts across spatiotemporal scales. Specifically, the dynamic human footprint integrates a range of metrics to fully acknowledge the time-varying nature of human activities and to enable scale-appropriate assessments of their impacts on wildlife behaviour, demography and distributions. We review existing terrestrial and marine human-mobility data products and provide a roadmap for how these could be integrated and extended to enable more comprehensive analyses of human impacts on biodiversity in the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Ellis-Soto
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Ruth Y Oliver
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
| | - Vanessa Brum-Bastos
- School of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
- Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics, Wroclaw University of Environmental Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
- School of Earth and Environment, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Urška Demšar
- School of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Brett Jesmer
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Jed A Long
- Department of Geography & Environment, Centre for Animals on the Move, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Francesca Cagnacci
- Animal Ecology Unit, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center S.C.A.R.L., Palermo, Italy
| | - Federico Ossi
- Animal Ecology Unit, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Nuno Queiroz
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado/BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- Marine Biological Association, Plymouth, UK
| | - Mark Hindell
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Roland Kays
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Dept Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Matthias-Claudio Loretto
- Ecosystem Dynamics and Forest Management Group, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- Berchtesgaden National Park, Berchtesgaden, Germany
- Department of Migration, Max-Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell, Germany
| | - Thomas Mueller
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Frankfurt (Main), Germany
- Department of Biological Sciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt (Main), Germany
| | - Robert Patchett
- Centre for Biological Diversity, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - David W Sims
- Marine Biological Association, Plymouth, UK
- Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Centre for Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Marlee A Tucker
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Yan Ropert-Coudert
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, La Rochelle Université - CNRS, Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Christian Rutz
- Centre for Biological Diversity, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Walter Jetz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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15
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Staccione A, Brown C, Arneth A, Rounsevell M, Hrast Essenfelder A, Seo B, Mysiak J. Exploring the effects of protected area networks on the European land system. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 337:117741. [PMID: 36966632 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The European Union's Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 seeks to protect 30% of land, with 10% under strict protection, while building a transnational nature network. We explore the effects of the Biodiversity Strategy targets for land use and ecosystem services across the European land system. To do so, we propose a novel approach, combining a methodological framework for improving green network connectivity with an EU-wide land system model. We identify an improved network of EU protected areas consistent with the 2030 targets, and explore its effects under different levels of protection and in a range of paired climatic and socio-economic scenarios. The existing network of protected areas is highly fragmented, with more than one third of its nodes being isolated. We find that prioritizing connectivity when implementing new protected areas could achieve the strategy's targets without compromising the future provision of ecosystem services, including food production, in Europe. However, we also find that EU-wide distributions of land uses and ecosystem services are influenced by the protected area network, and that this influence manifests differently in different climatic and socio-economic scenarios. Varying the strength of protection of the network had limited effects. Extractive services (food and timber production) decreased in protected areas, but non-extractive services increased, with compensatory changes occurring outside the network. Changes were small where competition for land was low and scenario conditions were benign, but became far larger and more extensive where competition was high and scenario conditions were challenging. Our findings highlight the apparent achievability of the EU's protected area targets, but also the need to account for adaptation in the wider land system and its consequences for spatial and temporal patterns of ecosystem services provision now and in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Staccione
- Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change and Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Edificio Porta dell'Innovazione - Piano 2, Via della Libertà, 12, 30175, Marghera-Venice, VE, Italy; Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Kreuzeckbahnstraße 19, 82467, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
| | - Calum Brown
- Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Kreuzeckbahnstraße 19, 82467, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
| | - Almut Arneth
- Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Kreuzeckbahnstraße 19, 82467, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany; Institute of Geography and Geo-ecology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Kaiserstraße 12, Building 10.50, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Mark Rounsevell
- Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Kreuzeckbahnstraße 19, 82467, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany; Institute of Geography and Geo-ecology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Kaiserstraße 12, Building 10.50, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany; School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Drummond Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9XP, UK
| | | | - Bumsuk Seo
- Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Kreuzeckbahnstraße 19, 82467, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
| | - Jaroslav Mysiak
- Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change and Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Edificio Porta dell'Innovazione - Piano 2, Via della Libertà, 12, 30175, Marghera-Venice, VE, Italy
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16
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von Jeetze PJ, Weindl I, Johnson JA, Borrelli P, Panagos P, Molina Bacca EJ, Karstens K, Humpenöder F, Dietrich JP, Minoli S, Müller C, Lotze-Campen H, Popp A. Projected landscape-scale repercussions of global action for climate and biodiversity protection. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2515. [PMID: 37193693 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38043-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Land conservation and increased carbon uptake on land are fundamental to achieving the ambitious targets of the climate and biodiversity conventions. Yet, it remains largely unknown how such ambitions, along with an increasing demand for agricultural products, could drive landscape-scale changes and affect other key regulating nature's contributions to people (NCP) that sustain land productivity outside conservation priority areas. By using an integrated, globally consistent modelling approach, we show that ambitious carbon-focused land restoration action and the enlargement of protected areas alone may be insufficient to reverse negative trends in landscape heterogeneity, pollination supply, and soil loss. However, we also find that these actions could be combined with dedicated interventions that support critical NCP and biodiversity conservation outside of protected areas. In particular, our models indicate that conserving at least 20% semi-natural habitat within farmed landscapes could primarily be achieved by spatially relocating cropland outside conservation priority areas, without additional carbon losses from land-use change, primary land conversion or reductions in agricultural productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick José von Jeetze
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Member of the Leibniz Association, PO Box 601203, 14412, Potsdam, Germany.
- Albrecht Daniel Thaer-Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Isabelle Weindl
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Member of the Leibniz Association, PO Box 601203, 14412, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Justin Andrew Johnson
- Department of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota, 1940 Buford Ave, Saint Paul, MN, 55105, USA
| | - Pasquale Borrelli
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Environmental Geosciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
| | - Panos Panagos
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra (VA), IT-21027, Italy
| | - Edna J Molina Bacca
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Member of the Leibniz Association, PO Box 601203, 14412, Potsdam, Germany
- Albrecht Daniel Thaer-Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kristine Karstens
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Member of the Leibniz Association, PO Box 601203, 14412, Potsdam, Germany
- Albrecht Daniel Thaer-Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Florian Humpenöder
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Member of the Leibniz Association, PO Box 601203, 14412, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Jan Philipp Dietrich
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Member of the Leibniz Association, PO Box 601203, 14412, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Sara Minoli
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Member of the Leibniz Association, PO Box 601203, 14412, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Christoph Müller
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Member of the Leibniz Association, PO Box 601203, 14412, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Hermann Lotze-Campen
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Member of the Leibniz Association, PO Box 601203, 14412, Potsdam, Germany
- Albrecht Daniel Thaer-Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Popp
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Member of the Leibniz Association, PO Box 601203, 14412, Potsdam, Germany
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17
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Pörtner HO, Scholes RJ, Arneth A, Barnes DKA, Burrows MT, Diamond SE, Duarte CM, Kiessling W, Leadley P, Managi S, McElwee P, Midgley G, Ngo HT, Obura D, Pascual U, Sankaran M, Shin YJ, Val AL. Overcoming the coupled climate and biodiversity crises and their societal impacts. Science 2023; 380:eabl4881. [PMID: 37079687 DOI: 10.1126/science.abl4881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Earth's biodiversity and human societies face pollution, overconsumption of natural resources, urbanization, demographic shifts, social and economic inequalities, and habitat loss, many of which are exacerbated by climate change. Here, we review links among climate, biodiversity, and society and develop a roadmap toward sustainability. These include limiting warming to 1.5°C and effectively conserving and restoring functional ecosystems on 30 to 50% of land, freshwater, and ocean "scapes." We envision a mosaic of interconnected protected and shared spaces, including intensively used spaces, to strengthen self-sustaining biodiversity, the capacity of people and nature to adapt to and mitigate climate change, and nature's contributions to people. Fostering interlinked human, ecosystem, and planetary health for a livable future urgently requires bold implementation of transformative policy interventions through interconnected institutions, governance, and social systems from local to global levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- H-O Pörtner
- Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - R J Scholes
- Global Change Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - A Arneth
- Atmospheric Environmental Research, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
| | - D K A Barnes
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge, UK
| | - M T Burrows
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban, Argyll, UK
| | - S E Diamond
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - C M Duarte
- Red Sea Research Centre (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Computational Bioscience Research Centre (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - W Kiessling
- Geozentrum Nordbayern, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen, Germany
| | - P Leadley
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie Systématique Evolution, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, AgroParisTech, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - S Managi
- Urban Institute, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - P McElwee
- Department of Human Ecology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - G Midgley
- Global Change Biology Group, Botany and Zoology Department, University of Stellenbosch, 7600 Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - H T Ngo
- Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), Bonn, Germany
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome, Italy
| | - D Obura
- Coastal Oceans Research and Development-Indian Ocean (CORDIO) East Africa, Mombasa, Kenya
- Global Climate Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - U Pascual
- Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3), Leioa, Spain
- Basque Foundation for Science (Ikerbasque), Bilbao, Spain
- Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - M Sankaran
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bellary Road, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Y J Shin
- Marine Biodiversity, Exploitation and Conservation (MARBEC), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université Montpellier, Insititut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER), CNRS, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - A L Val
- Brazilian National Institute for Research of the Amazon, 69080-971 Manaus, Brazil
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18
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Weerasena L, Shier D, Tonkyn D, McFeaters M, Collins C. A sequential approach to reserve design with compactness and contiguity considerations. Ecol Modell 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2023.110281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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19
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Balbuena‐Serrano Á, Zarco‐González MM, Monroy‐Vilchis O. Biases and information gaps in the study of habitat connectivity in the Carnivora in the Americas. Mamm Rev 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ángel Balbuena‐Serrano
- División de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación Instituto Tecnológico de Toluca, Tecnológico Nacional de México Av. Tecnológico S/N. Colonia Agrícola Bellavista, C.P. 52149 Metepec Estado de México Mexico
| | - Martha Mariela Zarco‐González
- Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Rurales‐Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México Campus El Cerrillo Piedras Blancas Toluca Estado de México 50090 Mexico
| | - Octavio Monroy‐Vilchis
- Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Lerma Av. de las garzas, El Panteón Lerma Estado de México 52005 México
- Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México Instituto literario No. 100 Toluca Estado de Mexico 50000 México
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20
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Yanwen F, Guojing Z, Wenqian D, Yue W, Jiawei L, Mengyu T, Yan L, Haoran L, Bing X, Xiao J, Enyu F, Lulu Z, Jian C, Lei Y, Chenghao W, Yongfeng C, Guoqiang C, Yong Z, Kezi L, Haitao Y, Xuemei H, Jianping G, Jun Z, Limin F. Surprising leopard restoration in fragmented ecosystems reveals connections as the secret to conservation success. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159790. [PMID: 36309282 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159790] [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: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The Chinese Loess Plateau has been the cradle of Chinese civilization and the main human settlement in China for thousands of years, where anthropogenic activities are believed to have deeply eroded natural landscapes. After decades of minimal leopard sighting in forests of northern China, due to serious human interference, we recently discovered that the leopard population is recovering. This finding provides hope for successful biodiversity conservation in human-dominated ecosystems. To understand the mechanism of leopard return into such a highly fragmented landscape, we applied the concept of ecological networks (ENs) to identify key factors promoting leopard restoration and quantify the ecological links among habitats. We first determined the existence of a healthy leopard population in the study area based on the size of its home range and presence of breeding individuals. We then innovatively used the relationship between species richness and top predators to generate ENs, and found that the connectivity of ENs had a significant positive interaction with leopard survival. Our study validates the effectiveness of establishing ecologically connected habitats for leopard protection, and highlights the importance of applying ENs for conservation planning in highly fragmented ecosystems. This study provides a successful case for the protection of top predators in human-dominated landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu Yanwen
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhao Guojing
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Dai Wenqian
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Wang Yue
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Jiawei
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Tan Mengyu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Yan
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Liu Haoran
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xie Bing
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Behavioural Ecology Group, Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jin Xiao
- Shanxi Biodiversity Conservation Center, Taiyuan, China
| | - Fan Enyu
- Wutaishan State-owned Forest Administration Bureau, Shanxi, China
| | - Zhao Lulu
- Shanxi Lincao Biodiversity Science and Technology Consulting Co., Ltd., Taiyuan, China
| | - Cao Jian
- Yan'an Wildlife Protection and Management Station, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yue Lei
- Yan'an Wildlife Protection and Management Station, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wu Chenghao
- Administration of Ziwuling National Nature Reserve, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chen Yongfeng
- Administration of Ziwuling National Nature Reserve, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chen Guoqiang
- Administration of Ziwuling National Nature Reserve, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhang Yong
- Administration of Ziwuling National Nature Reserve, Shaanxi, China
| | - Luo Kezi
- Administration of Ziwuling National Nature Reserve, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yang Haitao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Han Xuemei
- Han EcoAnalytics, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Ge Jianping
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhu Jun
- Shanxi Biodiversity Conservation Center, Taiyuan, China
| | - Feng Limin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Northeast Tiger and Leopard Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Amur Tiger and Amur Leopard Monitoring and Research Center, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory for Conservation Ecology in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
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21
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Combined threats of climate change and land use to boreal protected areas with red-listed forest species in Finland. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
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22
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Demystifying ecological connectivity for actionable spatial conservation planning. Trends Ecol Evol 2022; 37:1079-1091. [PMID: 36182406 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Connectivity underpins the persistence of life; it needs to inform biodiversity conservation decisions. Yet, when prioritising conservation areas and developing actions, connectivity is not being operationalised in spatial planning. The challenge is the translation of flows associated with connectivity into conservation objectives that lead to actions. Connectivity is nebulous, it can be abstract and mean different things to different people, making it difficult to include in conservation problems. Here, we show how connectivity can be included in mathematically defining conservation planning objectives. We provide a path forward for linking connectivity to high-level conservation goals, such as increasing species' persistence. We propose ways to design spatial management areas that gain biodiversity benefit from connectivity.
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23
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Farhadinia MS, Waldron A, Kaszta Ż, Eid E, Hughes A, Ambarlı H, Al- Hikmani H, Buuveibaatar B, Gritsina MA, Haidir I, Islam ZU, Kabir M, Khanal G, Koshkin MA, Kulenbekov R, Kubanychbekov Z, Maheshwari A, Penjor U, Raza H, Rosen T, Yachmennikova A, Rozhnov VV, Yamaguchi N, Johnson PJ, Macdonald DW. Current trends suggest most Asian countries are unlikely to meet future biodiversity targets on protected areas. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1221. [PMID: 36443482 PMCID: PMC9705440 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04061-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Aichi Target 11 committed governments to protect ≥17% of their terrestrial environments by 2020, yet it was rarely achieved, raising questions about the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework goal to protect 30% by 2030. Asia is a challenging continent for such targets, combining high biodiversity with dense human populations. Here, we evaluated achievements in Asia against Aichi Target 11. We found that Asia was the most underperforming continent globally, with just 13.2% of terrestrial protected area (PA) coverage, averaging 14.1 ± SE 1.8% per country in 2020. 73.1% of terrestrial ecoregions had <17% representation and only 7% of PAs even had an assessment of management effectiveness. We found that a higher agricultural land in 2015 was associated with lower PA coverage today. Asian countries also showed a remarkably slow average annual pace of 0.4 ± SE 0.1% increase of PA extent. These combined lines of evidence suggest that the ambitious 2030 targets are unlikely to be achieved in Asia unless the PA coverage to increase 2.4-5.9 times faster. We provided three recommendations to support Asian countries to meet their post-2020 biodiversity targets: complete reporting and the wider adoption "other effective area-based conservation measures"; restoring disturbed landscapes; and bolstering transboundary PAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad S. Farhadinia
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Oxford Martin School and Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Anthony Waldron
- Cambridge Conservation Initiative, David Attenborough Building, Cambridge, UK
| | - Żaneta Kaszta
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK ,grid.261120.60000 0004 1936 8040Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ USA
| | - Ehab Eid
- Eco Values for Sustainable Development, Lutfi Quder Street, 11610 Amman, Jordan
| | - Alice Hughes
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Centre for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 666303 Yunnan, China
| | - Hüseyin Ambarlı
- grid.412121.50000 0001 1710 3792Department of Wildlife Ecology and Management, Duzce University, Duzce, 81620 Turkey ,grid.6936.a0000000123222966Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | | | | | - Mariya A. Gritsina
- grid.419209.70000 0001 2110 259XInstitute of Zoology, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Iding Haidir
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK ,Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation, Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Zafar-ul Islam
- Field Research Department, Prince Saud al Faisal Wildlife Research Centre, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Kabir
- grid.467118.d0000 0004 4660 5283Department of Forestry & Wildlife Management, University of Haripur, Haripur, Pakistan
| | - Gopal Khanal
- grid.466728.90000 0004 0433 6708Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Ministry of Forests and Environment, Government of Nepal, Singhadurbar, Kathmandu Nepal
| | | | | | | | | | - Ugyen Penjor
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Hana Raza
- Independent Wildlife Researcher, Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region Iraq
| | | | - Anna Yachmennikova
- grid.437665.50000 0001 1088 7934A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospekt, 33, Moscow, 119071 Russian Federation
| | - Viatcheslav V. Rozhnov
- grid.437665.50000 0001 1088 7934A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospekt, 33, Moscow, 119071 Russian Federation
| | - Nobuyuki Yamaguchi
- grid.412255.50000 0000 9284 9319Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, University Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu Malaysia
| | - Paul J. Johnson
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - David W. Macdonald
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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24
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Deng Y, Mao Z, Huang J, Yan F, Han S, Li A. Spatial Patterns of Natural Protected Areas and Construction of Protected Area Groups in Guangdong Province. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14874. [PMID: 36429589 PMCID: PMC9690145 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192214874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The fragmentation of protected areas is a common issue in global conservation, which means a new approach to planning and management needs to be explored. In this paper, we proposed the concept of a group of natural protected areas (GNPA) and studied the construction of GNPAs. Firstly, the spatial distribution characteristics of 1363 natural protected areas (NPAs) in Guangdong Province were qualitatively studied. The overall spatial pattern among NPAs and the spatial distribution characteristics of mountain ranges, river basins, urbanization level and economic density were analyzed, and the relationship between the distribution of NPAs and physical geography and social development was clarified. Then, the geographical concentration index, nearest index and Gini coefficient were used for quantitative analysis. The geographical concentration index was 24.6, and the nearest neighbor index was 0.8. The Gini coefficients of the spatial distribution of NPAs in Guangdong Province were Gini = 0.956 and C = 0.044. These indices proved that the overall spatial patterns of NPAs in Guangdong Province had the tendency and characteristics of agglomeration. On this basis, 29 agglomeration areas were constructed using kernel density analysis and the natural break point classification method. According to the requirements of spatial connectivity and management feasibility, combined with the characteristics of physical geography, ecosystems and biodiversity, 32 GNPAs were constructed based on the reasonable adjustment of 29 agglomeration areas. Using Geodetector statistics to analyze the spatial stratified heterogeneity of the GNPAs, the results showed that mountain range, water system, population density, economic density and urbanization level were all factors that could explain the clustering distribution of the natural protected areas. The most important factor was mountain range (p = 0.190), followed by population density (p = 0.162). The 32 GNPAs covered the most representative natural ecosystems in the province and had compact spatial organization, a close ecological relationship and feasible unified management, which means they could aid in resolving the fragmentation of protected areas and improving management efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Deng
- School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ziyi Mao
- School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jinling Huang
- School of Resources and Planning, Guangzhou Xinhua University, Guangzhou 510310, China
| | - Faling Yan
- Guangzhou CAOMUFAN Ecological Research Co., Ltd., Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Shenghai Han
- School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Anqi Li
- School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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25
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Huang RM, van Aarde RJ, Pimm SL, Chase MJ, Leggett K. Mapping potential connections between Southern Africa's elephant populations. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0275791. [PMID: 36219597 PMCID: PMC9553058 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Southern Africa spans nearly 7 million km2 and contains approximately 80% of the world’s savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) mostly living in isolated protected areas. Here we ask what are the prospects for improving the connections between these populations? We combine 1.2 million telemetry observations from 254 elephants with spatial data on environmental factors and human land use across eight southern African countries. Telemetry data show what natural features limit elephant movement and what human factors, including fencing, further prevent or restrict dispersal. The resulting intersection of geospatial data and elephant presences provides a map of suitable landscapes that are environmentally appropriate for elephants and where humans allow elephants to occupy. We explore the environmental and anthropogenic constraints in detail using five case studies. Lastly, we review all the major potential connections that may remain to connect a fragmented elephant metapopulation and document connections that are no longer feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M. Huang
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail: (RMH); (RJA)
| | - Rudi J. van Aarde
- Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
- * E-mail: (RMH); (RJA)
| | - Stuart L. Pimm
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| | | | - Keith Leggett
- Fowlers Gap Arid Zone Research Station, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Fowlers Gap, Australia
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26
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Ward M, Carwardine J, Watson JEM, Pintor A, Stuart S, Possingham HP, Rhodes JR, Carey AR, Auerbach N, Reside A, Yong CJ, Tulloch AIT. How to prioritize species recovery after a megafire. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2022; 36:e13936. [PMID: 35561069 PMCID: PMC9804514 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Due to climate change, megafires are increasingly common and have sudden, extensive impacts on many species over vast areas, leaving decision makers uncertain about how best to prioritize recovery. We devised a decision-support framework to prioritize conservation actions to improve species outcomes immediately after a megafire. Complementary locations are selected to extend recovery actions across all fire-affected species' habitats. We applied our method to areas burned in the 2019-2020 Australian megafires and assessed its conservation advantages by comparing our results with outcomes of a site-richness approach (i.e., identifying areas that cost-effectively recover the most species in any one location). We found that 290 threatened species were likely severely affected and will require immediate conservation action to prevent population declines and possible extirpation. We identified 179 subregions, mostly in southeastern Australia, that are key locations to extend actions that benefit multiple species. Cost savings were over AU$300 million to reduce 95% of threats across all species. Our complementarity-based prioritization also spread postfire management actions across a wider proportion of the study area compared with the site-richness method (43% vs. 37% of the landscape managed, respectively) and put more of each species' range under management (average 90% vs. 79% of every species' habitat managed). In addition to wildfire response, our framework can be used to prioritize conservation actions that will best mitigate threats affecting species following other extreme environmental events (e.g., floods and drought).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Ward
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation ScienceThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
- School of Earth and Environmental SciencesThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
- World Wide Fund for Nature–AustraliaBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | | | - James E. M. Watson
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation ScienceThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
- School of Earth and Environmental SciencesThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Anna Pintor
- School of Marine and Tropical BiologyJames Cook UniversityCairnsQueenslandAustralia
| | - Stephanie Stuart
- Saving our Species Program, Department of Planning, Industry and EnvironmentParramattaNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Hugh P. Possingham
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation ScienceThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
| | - Jonathan R. Rhodes
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation ScienceThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
- School of Earth and Environmental SciencesThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Alexander R. Carey
- Saving our Species Program, Department of Planning, Industry and EnvironmentParramattaNew South WalesAustralia
- Charles Darwin UniversityCasuarinaNorthern TerritoryAustralia
| | - Nancy Auerbach
- Saving our Species Program, Department of Planning, Industry and EnvironmentParramattaNew South WalesAustralia
| | - April Reside
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation ScienceThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
- School of Earth and Environmental SciencesThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Chuan Ji Yong
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation ScienceThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
| | - Ayesha I. T. Tulloch
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of SydneyCamperdownNew South WalesAustralia
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27
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Structural Connectivity of Asia’s Protected Areas Network: Identifying the Potential of Transboundary Conservation and Cost-Effective Zones. ISPRS INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEO-INFORMATION 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/ijgi11070408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Human activities can degrade landscape connectivity and disrupt ecological flows, jeopardising the functional integrity of processes. This study presents a quantitative assessment of Asia’s protected areas’ (PAs) structural connectivity using landscape metrics, as well as analyses of the Cost-Effective Zones’ (CEZs). Using nine landscape metrics, we assessed connectivity at zonal (country borders and interior), national, regional, and geographical (islands and continent) levels. The results showed that the structural connectivity of Asia’s PAs network measured by a Connectance index was very low (0.08% without country borders and 9.06% for the average country analysis). In general, connectivity was higher within borders (0.36%) than within the countries (0.22%). Islands exhibited significantly higher Area-weighted mean patch area, Proximity index and Largest patch index, suggesting more integrity and connectiveness. When comparing Asian regions, Western Asia presented the lowest values for Percentage of landscape and Proximity index. We found that only 15% of the CEZs in Asia were under PAs designation, and more CEZs are located in the interior, but the majority with the highest priority was in the borders (9%). We advocate that expanding PAs coverage, specifically targeting areas that increase connectivity (e.g., through transboundary PAs), should be a priority to maintain their ecological function.
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28
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Global protected areas seem insufficient to safeguard half of the world's mammals from human-induced extinction. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2200118119. [PMID: 35666869 PMCID: PMC9214487 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2200118119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Protected areas are vital for conserving global biodiversity, but we lack information on the extent to which the current global protected area network is able to prevent local extinctions. Here we investigate this by assessing the potential size of individual populations of nearly 4,000 terrestrial mammals within protected areas. We find that many existing protected areas are too small or too poorly connected to provide robust and resilient protection for almost all mammal species that are threatened with extinction and for over 1,000 species that are not currently threatened. These results highlight that global biodiversity targets must reflect ecological realities by incorporating spatial structure and estimates of population viability, rather than relying simply on the total area of land protected. Protected areas (PAs) are a cornerstone of global conservation and central to international plans to minimize global extinctions. During the coming century, global ecosystem destruction and fragmentation associated with increased human population and economic activity could make the long-term survival of most terrestrial vertebrates even more dependent on PAs. However, the capacity of the current global PA network to sustain species for the long term is unknown. Here, we explore this question for all nonvolant terrestrial mammals for which we found sufficient data, ∼4,000 species. We first estimate the potential population size of each such mammal species in each PA and then use three different criteria to estimate if solely the current global network of PAs might be sufficient for their long-term survival. Our analyses suggest that current PAs may fail to provide robust protection for about half the species analyzed, including most species currently listed as threatened with extinction and a third of species not currently listed as threatened. Hundreds of mammal species appear to have no viable protected populations. Underprotected species were found across all body sizes, taxonomic groups, and geographic regions. Large-bodied mammals, endemic species, and those in high-biodiversity tropical regions were particularly poorly protected by existing PAs. As new international biodiversity targets are formulated, our results suggest that the global network of PAs must be greatly expanded and most importantly that PAs must be located in diverse regions that encompass species not currently protected and must be large enough to ensure that protected species can persist for the long term.
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29
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Brennan A, Naidoo R, Greenstreet L, Mehrabi Z, Ramankutty N, Kremen C. Functional connectivity of the world's protected areas. Science 2022; 376:1101-1104. [PMID: 35653461 DOI: 10.1126/science.abl8974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Global policies call for connecting protected areas (PAs) to conserve the flow of animals and genes across changing landscapes, yet whether global PA networks currently support animal movement-and where connectivity conservation is most critical-remain largely unknown. In this study, we map the functional connectivity of the world's terrestrial PAs and quantify national PA connectivity through the lens of moving mammals. We find that mitigating the human footprint may improve connectivity more than adding new PAs, although both strategies together maximize benefits. The most globally important areas of concentrated mammal movement remain unprotected, with 71% of these overlapping with global biodiversity priority areas and 6% occurring on land with moderate to high human modification. Conservation and restoration of critical connectivity areas could safeguard PA connectivity while supporting other global conservation priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Brennan
- Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Interdisciplinary Biodiversity Solutions Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,World Wildlife Fund, Washington, DC, USA
| | - R Naidoo
- Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,World Wildlife Fund, Washington, DC, USA
| | - L Greenstreet
- Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Computer Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Z Mehrabi
- Department of Environmental Studies, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.,Mortenson Center in Global Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - N Ramankutty
- Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - C Kremen
- Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Interdisciplinary Biodiversity Solutions Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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30
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Palfrey R, Oldekop JA, Holmes G. Privately protected areas increase global protected area coverage and connectivity. Nat Ecol Evol 2022; 6:730-737. [PMID: 35393602 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-022-01715-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Privately protected areas (PPAs) are increasing in number and extent. Yet, we know little about their contribution to conservation and how this compares to other forms of protected area (PA). We address this gap by assessing the contribution of 17,561 PPAs to the coverage, complementarity and connectivity of existing PA networks in 15 countries across 5 continents. We find that PPAs (1) are three times more likely to be in biomes with <10% of their area protected than are other PA governance types and twice as likely to be in areas with the greatest human disturbance; (2) that they protect a further 1.2% of key biodiversity areas; (3) that they account for 3.4% of land under protection; and (4) that they increase PA network connectivity by 7.05%. Our results demonstrate the unique and significant contributions that PPAs can make to the conservation estate and that PPAs deserve more attention, recognition and resources for better design and implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Johan A Oldekop
- Global Development Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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31
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Elsen PR, Saxon EC, Simmons BA, Ward M, Williams BA, Grantham HS, Kark S, Levin N, Perez-Hammerle KV, Reside AE, Watson JEM. Accelerated shifts in terrestrial life zones under rapid climate change. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:918-935. [PMID: 34719077 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Rapid climate change is impacting biodiversity, ecosystem function, and human well-being. Though the magnitude and trajectory of climate change are becoming clearer, our understanding of how these changes reshape terrestrial life zones-distinct biogeographic units characterized by biotemperature, precipitation, and aridity representing broad-scale ecosystem types-is limited. To address this gap, we used high-resolution historical climatologies and climate projections to determine the global distribution of historical (1901-1920), contemporary (1979-2013), and future (2061-2080) life zones. Comparing the historical and contemporary distributions shows that changes from one life zone to another during the 20th century impacted 27 million km2 (18.3% of land), with consequences for social and ecological systems. Such changes took place in all biomes, most notably in Boreal Forests, Temperate Coniferous Forests, and Tropical Coniferous Forests. Comparing the contemporary and future life zone distributions shows the pace of life zone changes accelerating rapidly in the 21st century. By 2070, such changes would impact an additional 62 million km2 (42.6% of land) under "business-as-usual" (RCP8.5) emissions scenarios. Accelerated rates of change are observed in hundreds of ecoregions across all biomes except Tropical Coniferous Forests. While only 30 ecoregions (3.5%) had over half of their areas change to a different life zone during the 20th century, by 2070 this number is projected to climb to 111 ecoregions (13.1%) under RCP4.5 and 281 ecoregions (33.2%) under RCP8.5. We identified weak correlations between life zone change and threatened vertebrate richness, levels of vertebrate endemism, cropland extent, and human population densities within ecoregions, illustrating the ubiquitous risks of life zone changes to diverse social-ecological systems. The accelerated pace of life zone changes will increasingly challenge adaptive conservation and sustainable development strategies that incorrectly assume current ecological patterns and livelihood provisioning systems will persist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Elsen
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Global Conservation Program, Bronx, New York, USA
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Earl C Saxon
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Geography, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - B Alexander Simmons
- Global Development Policy Center, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Institute for Future Environments, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michelle Ward
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- WWF Australia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- The School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Brooke A Williams
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- The School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Hedley S Grantham
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Global Conservation Program, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Salit Kark
- The Biodiversity Research Group, The School of Biological Sciences, NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Noam Levin
- Department of Geography, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- Remote Sensing Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Katharina-Victoria Perez-Hammerle
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- The School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - April E Reside
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - James E M Watson
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- The School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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32
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Santiago-Ramos J, Feria-Toribio JM. Assessing the effectiveness of protected areas against habitat fragmentation and loss: A long-term multi-scalar analysis in a mediterranean region. J Nat Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2021.126072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Angelstam P, Albulescu AC, Andrianambinina ODF, Aszalós R, Borovichev E, Cardona WC, Dobrynin D, Fedoriak M, Firm D, Hunter ML, de Jong W, Lindenmayer D, Manton M, Monge JJ, Mezei P, Michailova G, Brenes CLM, Pastur GM, Petrova OV, Petrov V, Pokorny B, Rafanoharana SC, Rosas YM, Seymour BR, Waeber PO, Wilmé L, Yamelynets T, Zlatanov T. Frontiers of protected areas versus forest exploitation: Assessing habitat network functionality in 16 case study regions globally. AMBIO 2021; 50:2286-2310. [PMID: 34657275 PMCID: PMC8563882 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-021-01628-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Exploitation of natural forests forms expanding frontiers. Simultaneously, protected area frontiers aim at maintaining functional habitat networks. To assess net effects of these frontiers, we examined 16 case study areas on five continents. We (1) mapped protected area instruments, (2) assessed their effectiveness, (3) mapped policy implementation tools, and (4) effects on protected areas originating from their surroundings. Results are given as follows: (1) conservation instruments covered 3-77%, (2) effectiveness of habitat networks depended on representativeness, habitat quality, functional connectivity, resource extraction in protected areas, time for landscape restoration, "paper parks", "fortress conservation", and data access, (3) regulatory policy instruments dominated over economic and informational, (4) negative matrix effects dominated over positive ones (protective forests, buffer zones, inaccessibility), which were restricted to former USSR and Costa Rica. Despite evidence-based knowledge about conservation targets, the importance of spatial segregation of conservation and use, and traditional knowledge, the trajectories for biodiversity conservation were generally negative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Per Angelstam
- School for Forest Management, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 43, 73921 Skinnskatteberg, Sweden
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, 2480 Koppang, Norway
| | - Andra-Cosmina Albulescu
- Department of Geography, Faculty of Geography and Geology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iaşi, Carol I Boulevard No. 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania
| | | | - Réka Aszalós
- Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Alkotmány u. 2-4, Vácrátót, 2163 Hungary
| | - Eugene Borovichev
- Institute of the Industrial Ecology Problems of the North of the Kola Science Center of RAS, Akademgorodok Street 14a, Apatity, Murmansk, Russia
| | - Walter Cano Cardona
- International Union for Conservation of Nature-Project Integration of Protected Areas from Amazon Biome, República del Salvador Av. N 34-127 and Suiza, PO Box 170515, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Denis Dobrynin
- Department of Geographical and Historical Studies, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 111, 80101 Joensuu, Finland
| | - Mariia Fedoriak
- Department of Ecology and Biomonitoring, Institute of Biology, Chemistry and Bioresources, Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University, 2 Kotsyubynskyi Street, Chernivtsi, 58012 Ukraine
| | - Dejan Firm
- New Zealand Forest Research Institute-Scion, 49 Sala Street, Rotorua, 3010 New Zealand
| | - Malcolm L. Hunter
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology, University of Maine, 5755 Nutting Hall, Room 226, Orono, ME 04469-5775 USA
| | - Wil de Jong
- Kyoto University, 46 Shimoadachichou, Sakyoku, Kyoto, 606‐8501 Japan
| | - David Lindenmayer
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Michael Manton
- Faculty of Forest Science and Ecology, Vytautas Magnus University, Studentu˛ g. 13, Akademija, Kauno r., 53362 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Juan J. Monge
- Market Economics Ltd, Digital Basecamp, 1132 Hinemoa Street, Rotorua, 3010 New Zealand
| | - Pavel Mezei
- Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Ľ. Štúra 2, 960 53 Zvolen, Slovakia
- Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, T.G. Masaryka 24, 960 53 Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - Galina Michailova
- N. Laverov Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research, Russian Academy of Science (FCIArctic RAS), 23 Northern Dvina Embankment, Arkhangel’sk, Russia 163000
| | - Carlos L. Muñoz Brenes
- Social Science, Betty and Gordon Moore Center for Science, Conservation International, 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 600, Arlington, VA 22202 USA
| | - Guillermo Martínez Pastur
- Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Houssay, 200 (9410) Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego Argentina
| | - Olga V. Petrova
- Institute of the Industrial Ecology Problems of the North of the Kola Science Center of RAS, Akademgorodok Street 14a, Apatity, Murmansk, Russia
| | - Victor Petrov
- Kola Biodiversity Conservation Center, Lenina st. 6-29, Apatity, Murmansk, Russia 184209
| | - Benny Pokorny
- Waldbau-Institut, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacherstr. 4, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Serge C. Rafanoharana
- World Resources Institute Africa, Madagascar Program, Hôtel Colbert, Business Center Area, 29 Lalana Printsy Ratsimamanga, BP 3884, 101 Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Yamina Micaela Rosas
- Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Houssay, 200 (9410) Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego Argentina
| | - Bob Robert Seymour
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology, University of Maine, 5755 Nutting Hall, Room 226, Orono, ME 04469-5775 USA
| | - Patrick O. Waeber
- Forest Management and Development, Department of Environmental Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Universitätsstrasse 16, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lucienne Wilmé
- World Resources Institute Africa, Madagascar Program, Hôtel Colbert, Business Center Area, 29 Lalana Printsy Ratsimamanga, BP 3884, 101 Antananarivo, Madagascar
- Missouri Botanical Garden, Madagascar Research & Conservation Program, BP 3391, 101 Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Taras Yamelynets
- Faculty of Geography, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Doroshenko Street 41, L’viv, 79000 Ukraine
| | - Tzvetan Zlatanov
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Gagarin Street, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
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Long-Term Changes in Cork Oak and Holm Oak Patches Connectivity. The Algarve, Portugal, a Mediterranean Landscape Case Study. ENVIRONMENTS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/environments8120131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Structural connectivity can be inferred by several landscape metrics that appear to be relevant for characterizing how landscapes constrain or favor the presence and movement of animal species at the level of the regional landscape. Trends of change can be estimated trough spatial time-series analysis. The use of historical maps increases the time span of analysis of the landscape dynamic, relative to the use of remote sensing-related information. Supported by GIS, in this study, a framework for the analyses of the long-term trends of change in the connectivity of the Algarve regional landscape was used to seize the possibility of expanding the span of the spatial time series by integrating an unpublished agricultural and forest map from the turn of the 19th to the 20th century with another historical map and two recent maps. The total area covered by cork and holm oak-related community patches and their connectivity increased over the 20th century and stabilized in the 21st century. A reflection on Portuguese contemporary land-cover policies is urged, to face the sustainable planning and management challenges concerning biodiversity.
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Tourinho L, Prevedello JA, Carvalho BM, Rocha DS, Vale MM. Macroscale climate change predictions have little influence on landscape-scale habitat suitability. Perspect Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pecon.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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Barnett K, Belote RT. Modeling an aspirational connected network of protected areas across North America. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2021; 31:e02387. [PMID: 34137106 PMCID: PMC8459232 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Connecting protected areas remains an important global conservation strategy in the face of ongoing and future threats to biodiversity. Amid our growing understanding of how species' distributions will respond to climate change, conservation scientists need to plan for connectivity conservation across entire continents. We modeled multiscale connectivity priorities based on the least human-modified lands between large protected areas of North America using least-cost and circuit theory approaches. We first identified priority corridors between large protected areas, then characterized the network's structure to unveil priority linkages most important for maintaining network- and regional-level connectivity. Agreement between least-cost corridors and current flow varied throughout North America, reflecting permeable landscape conditions and "pinch points" where potential ecological flows may concentrate between protected areas. Priority network-level linkages derived from each approach were similar throughout the continental network (e.g., Rocky Mountains and Canadian boreal), but critical linkages that bridged regional protected-area networks varied. We emphasize the importance of planning for connectivity at continental scales and demonstrate the utility of multiple methods when mapping connectivity priorities across large spatial extents with wide gradients in landscape conditions.
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Travers TJP, Alison J, Taylor SD, Crick HQP, Hodgson JA. Habitat patches providing south-north connectivity are under-protected in a fragmented landscape. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20211010. [PMID: 34428962 PMCID: PMC8385378 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.1010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
As species' ranges shift to track climate change, conservationists increasingly recognize the need to consider connectivity when designating protected areas (PAs). In fragmented landscapes, some habitat patches are more important than others in maintaining connectivity, and methods are needed for their identification. Here, using the Condatis methodology, we model range expansion through an adaptation of circuit theory. Specifically, we map 'flow' through 16 conservation priority habitat networks in England, quantifying how patches contribute to functional South-North connectivity. We also explore how much additional connectivity could be protected via a connectivity-led protection procedure. We find high-flow patches are often left out of existing PAs; across 12 of 16 habitat networks, connectivity protection falls short of area protection by 13.6% on average. We conclude that the legacy of past protection decisions has left habitat-specialist species vulnerable to climate change. This situation may be mirrored in many countries which have similar habitat protection principles. Addressing this requires specific planning tools that can account for the directions species may shift. Our connectivity-led reserve selection procedure efficiently identifies additional PAs that prioritize connectivity, protecting a median of 40.9% more connectivity in these landscapes with just a 10% increase in area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J P Travers
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behaviour, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, Merseyside L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Jamie Alison
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales, Deiniol Road, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK
| | | | | | - Jenny A Hodgson
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behaviour, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, Merseyside L69 7ZB, UK
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Mariyam D, Puri M, Harihar A, Karanth KK. Benefits Beyond Borders: Assessing Landowner Willingness-to-Accept Incentives for Conservation Outside Protected Areas. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.663043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Unplanned land-use change surrounding protected areas (PAs) can lead to degradation and fragmentation of wildlife habitats, thereby placing tremendous pressure on PAs especially in tropical countries. Incentivizing the expansion of habitats beyond PAs will not only benefit wildlife but also has the potential to create livelihood opportunities for marginalized communities living adjacent to PAs. Our study explored landowners’ willingness to participate in an incentive-based, wildlife-friendly land-use program using a discrete choice modeling approach. We surveyed 699 landowners living in 287 villages within a five-kilometer buffer around Nagarahole and Bandipur National Parks in India. We found that landowners preferred wildlife-friendly land-use over their ongoing farming practices. Landowners preferred short-term programs, requiring enrolling smaller parcels of land for wildlife-friendly land-use, and offering higher payment amounts. Landowners with larger landholdings, a longer history of living next to the PA, and growing fewer commercial crops were more likely to prefer enrolling large parcels of land. Landowners who grew more commercial crops were likely to prefer long term programs. We also estimated the average monetary incentive to be INR 64,000 (US$ 914) per acre per year. Wildlife-friendly land use, in developing economies like India with shrinking wildlife habitats and expanding infrastructural developments, could supplement rural incomes and potentially expand habitat for wildlife, thereby being a promising conservation strategy.
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Co-Management of Protected Areas: A Governance System Analysis of Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland. LAND 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/land10070681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Land allocated to protected areas (PA) is expanding as are expectations about the services these areas deliver. There is a need to advance knowledge on PA governance systems, like co-management, recognising that there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution. We analyse the co-management governance system and performance of Vatnajökull National Park (VNP), Iceland. We adapt an analytical framework from the literature on environmental governance and analyse its governance system, hence actor roles, institutional arrangements and interactions. Our findings illustrate that the co-management structure was an outcome of political negotiations and a response to the lack of legitimacy of its predecessors; resulting in a tailor-made governance system set out in park-specific legislation. Although the performance is quite positive, being adaptive to changes, inclusive, promoting rural development and an appreciated facilitator of devolution and power-sharing, it has come with challenges. It has encountered problems delineating responsibilities among its actors, causing conflict and confusion; in settling conflicting localised issues close to local stakeholders, there have been capacity issues. We argue that the VNP co-management system is fit for its purpose, aligned with Icelandic land-use governance structures but in need of systematic improvements. There are important lessons as Iceland seeks to expand its PA estate and beyond, since the global community is setting ambitious policy goals to expand site-based conservation.
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Assis J, Fragkopoulou E, Serrão EA, Horta E Costa B, Gandra M, Abecasis D. Weak biodiversity connectivity in the European network of no-take marine protected areas. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 773:145664. [PMID: 33940752 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The need for international cooperation in marine resource management and conservation has been reflected in the increasing number of agreements aiming for effective and well-connected networks of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). However, the extent to which individual MPAs are connected remains mostly unknown. Here, we use a biophysical model tuned with empirical data on species dispersal ecology to predict connectivity of a vast spectrum of biodiversity in the European network of marine reserves (i.e., no-take MPAs). Our results highlight the correlation between empirical propagule duration data and connectivity potential and show weak network connectivity and strong isolation for major ecological groups, resulting from the lack of direct connectivity corridors between reserves over vast regions. The particularly high isolation predicted for ecosystem structuring species (e.g., corals, sponges, macroalgae and seagrass) might potentially undermine biodiversity conservation efforts if local retention is insufficient and unmanaged populations are at risk. Isolation might also be problematic for populations' persistence in the light of climate change and expected species range shifts. Our findings provide novel insights for management directives, highlighting the location of regions requiring additional marine reserves to function as stepping-stone connectivity corridors.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Assis
- CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal.
| | - E Fragkopoulou
- CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - E A Serrão
- CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - B Horta E Costa
- CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - M Gandra
- CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - D Abecasis
- CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
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Siqueira FF, de Carvalho D, Rhodes J, Archibald CL, Rezende VL, van den Berg E. Small Landscape Elements Double Connectivity in Highly Fragmented Areas of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.614362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Atlantic Forest in Brazil is a biodiversity hotspot, yet its diverse ecosystems and species are becoming increasingly threatened by habitat loss and extreme habitat fragmentation. Most habitat patches of Atlantic Forest are dispersed across agricultural landscapes (e.g., grazing and cropping) in relatively small and isolated fragments (80% < 50 ha). Forest fragments < 1 ha, scattered trees in pastures, tree lines on trenches and fences, and remnant riparian forest, collectively called here Small Landscape Elements (SLEs), are very common in this context. While these SLEs make up much of the Atlantic Forests footprint, very little is known about their role or impact on the persistence and conservation of species. In this study, we investigate the role of SLEs on landscape configuration, particularly their contribution toward landscape connectivity of individual species and the genetic flow of species between larger forest fragments. We randomly selected 20 buffers of 707 hectares within a 411,670 hectare area of the Atlantic Forest that was completely covered by forest in the past located in the south of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The forest cover randomly varied between these buffers. We used graph theory to measure landscape connectivity as the probability of connectivity for different disperser movement types between landscape knots (habitat patches). We used three estimated dispersal distances in the models: pollen disperser insect (50 m), low-mobility seed disperser bird (100 m) and high-mobility seed disperser bird (760 m). The SLEs together increased the probability of connection by roughly 50%, for all model dispersers, if compared to a theoretical baseline landscape containing no SLEs. Of all SLEs, riparian forests contribute the most toward enhancing landscape connectivity. In these highly fragmented landscapes, such as the Atlantic Forest (>70%), the position of SLEs within the landscapes was more important than their respective areas for connectivity. Although the landscapes were deeply fragmented, we showed that the presence of SLEs can increase connectivity and reduce further biodiversity loss in the Atlantic Forest.
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Effects of Forestry Intensification and Conservation on Green Infrastructures: A Spatio-Temporal Evaluation in Sweden. LAND 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/land10050531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
There is a rivalry between policies on intensification of forest management to meet the demands of a growing bioeconomy, and policies on green infrastructure functionality. Evaluation of the net effects of different policy instruments on real-world outcomes is crucial. First, we present data on final felling rates in wood production landscapes and stand age distribution dynamic in two case study regions, and changes in dead wood amounts in Sweden. Second, the growth of formally protected areas was compiled and changes in functional connectivity analysed in these regions, and the development of dead wood and green tree retention in Sweden was described. The case studies were the counties Dalarna and Jämtland (77,000 km2) representing an expanding frontier of boreal forest transformation. In the wood production landscape, official final felling rates averaged 0.84%/year, extending the regional timber frontier. The amount of forest <60 years old increased from 27–34% in 1955 to 60–65% in 2017. The amounts of dead wood, a key forest naturalness indicator, declined from 1994 to 2016 in north Sweden, and increased in the south, albeit both at levels far below evidence-based biodiversity targets. Formal forest protection grew rapidly in the two counties from 1968 to 2020 but reached only 4% of productive forests. From 2000 to 2019, habitat network functionality for old Scots pine declined by 15–41%, and Norway spruce by 15–88%. There were mixed trends for dead wood and tree retention at the stand scale. The net result of the continued transformation of near-natural forest remnants and conservation efforts was negative at the regional and landscape levels, but partly positive at the stand scale. However, at all three scales, habitat amounts were far below critical thresholds for the maintenance of viable populations of species, let alone ecological integrity. Collaboration among stakeholder categories should reject opinionated narratives, and instead rely on evidence-based knowledge about green infrastructure pressures, responses, and states.
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Spatiotemporal Variation in Ecosystem Services and Their Drivers among Different Landscape Heterogeneity Units and Terrain Gradients in the Southern Hill and Mountain Belt, China. REMOTE SENSING 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/rs13071375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of ecosystem services (ESs) and their drivers in mountainous areas is important for sustainable ecosystem management. However, the effective construction of landscape heterogeneous units (LHUs) to reflect the spatial characteristics of ESs remains to be studied. The southern hill and mountain belt (SHMB) is a typical mountainous region in China, with undulating terrain and obvious spatial heterogeneity of ESs, and was selected as the study area. In this study, we used the fuzzy k-means (FKM) algorithm to establish LHUs. Three major ESs (water yield, net primary productivity (NPP), and soil conservation) in 2000 and 2015 were quantified using the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model and Carnegie Ames-Stanford approach (CASA) model. Then, we explored the spatial variation in ESs along terrain gradients and LHUs. Correlation analysis was used to analyze the driving factors of ESs in each terrain region and LHU. The results showed that altitude and terrain niche increased along LHUs. Water yield and soil conservation increased from 696.86 mm and 3920.19 t/km2 to 1061.12 mm and 5117.90 t/km2, respectively, while NPP decreased from 666.95 gC/m2 to 648.86 gC/m2. The ESs in different LHUs differed greatly. ESs increased first and then decreased along LHUs in 2000. In 2015, water yield decreased along LHUs, while NPP and soil conservation showed a fluctuating trend. Water yield was mainly affected by precipitation, temperature and NDVI were the main drivers of NPP, and soil conservation was greatly affected by precipitation and slope. The driving factors of the same ES were different in different terrain areas and LHUs. The variation and driving factors of ESs in LHUs were similar to some terrain gradients. To some extent, LHUs can represent multiple terrain features. This study can provide important support for mountain ecosystem zoning management and decision-making.
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Magioli M, Ferraz KMPMDB, Chiarello AG, Galetti M, Setz EZF, Paglia AP, Abrego N, Ribeiro MC, Ovaskainen O. Land-use changes lead to functional loss of terrestrial mammals in a Neotropical rainforest. Perspect Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pecon.2021.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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Topographic diversity as an indicator for resilience of terrestrial protected areas against climate change. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Ecological corridors for the amphibians and reptiles in the Natura 2000 sites of Romania. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19464. [PMID: 33173154 PMCID: PMC7655805 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76596-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Landscape heterogeneity and fragmentation are key challenges for biodiversity conservation. As Earth’s landscape is increasingly dominated by anthropogenic land use, it is clear that broad-scale systems of nature reserves connected by corridors are needed to enable the dispersal of flora and fauna. The European Union currently supports a continent-wide network of protected areas, the Natura 2000 program, but this program lacks the necessary connectivity component. To examine whether a comprehensive network could be built in order to protect amphibians and reptiles, two taxonomic groups sensitive to environmental changes due to their physiological constrains and low dispersal capacity, we used species’ distribution maps, the sites of community interest (SCIs) in Romania, and landscape resistance rasters. Except Vipera ursinii rakosiensis, all amphibians and reptiles had corridors mapped that, when assembled, provided linkages for up to 27 species. Natura 2000 species were not good candidates for umbrella species as these linkages covered only 17% of the corridors for all species. Important Areas for Connectivity were identified in the Carpathian Mountains and along the Danube River, further confirming these regions as hot spots for biodiversity in Europe, where successful linkages are most likely. In the end, while such corridors may not be created just for amphibians and reptiles, they can easily be incorporated into more complex linkages with corridors for more charismatic species, therefore enhancing the corridors’ value in terms of quality and structure.
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