1
|
Twumasi-Ankrah MJ, Zhan J, Asamoah EF. Mapping ecoregional vulnerability to climate change for Africa. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 953:176219. [PMID: 39265675 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176219] [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: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024]
Abstract
African ecosystems are expected to be significantly affected by climate change, making it crucial to understand these changes for effective management. We provide a framework and application to assess ecoregional vulnerability to climate change, considering environmental exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. We assessed environmental exposure using projections for consecutive dry days, precipitation, and temperature changes. Sensitivity was determined based on forest fragmentation and grassland degradation. Adaptive capacity was represented by protected areas network and biodiversity intactness. These factors were combined to create overall vulnerability index and specific categories to guide management decisions. Under the SSP5 8.5 scenario, 16 % of ecoregions will be highly impacted by 2050, with vulnerable areas emerging in Montane forest-grassland and flooded savanna. Impacted ecoregions are disproportionately biodiverse. By intersecting the likely climate impacts and adaptive capacity, we highlight where conservation actions are needed to enhance the resilience of ecoregions to climate change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Jordan Twumasi-Ankrah
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Jinyan Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Ernest Frimpong Asamoah
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, 2109 Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Barredo JI, Vizzarri M, Kuželová K. Archetypal typology of European forest ecosystems integrating management intensity and naturalness. AMBIO 2024; 53:1587-1598. [PMID: 38992337 PMCID: PMC11436663 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-024-02050-3] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
The crises of climate change and biodiversity loss have pushed the aim for increasing the resilience of forest ecosystems high on the agenda of foresters and policymakers. At the same time, synergistic opportunities for restoring forests and biodiversity are emerging to safeguard these ecosystems. Naturalness is a key characteristic of forest ecosystems, which should be considered when estimating benchmarks for resilience and biodiversity conservation. The naturalness of forest ecosystems is highly dependent on the intensity of human activity, as different levels of management intensity can change the original traits of forest ecosystems. This paper presents an archetypal typology of forest ecosystems, describing the association between management and naturalness. Both features are represented as gradients covering the full spectrum observed in European forests. The array of forest ecosystem archetypes was verified using case studies across Europe. The typology provides useful information for setting targets for resilience and restoration of forest ecosystems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José I Barredo
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Via Enrico Fermi, 2749, 21027, Ispra, VA, Italy.
| | - Matteo Vizzarri
- Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Klára Kuželová
- ARHS Developments S.A., Rue Nicolas Bové, 2B, 1253, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Monteiro R, Pardal EC, Ândrade M, Mendes DS, Moraes CG, Silva JRSD, Fernandes MEB. Plastic nests: The first record of the Yellow-rumped Cacique (Cacicus cela) and the Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) building nests with discarded fishing material on the Amazon Coast. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 207:116805. [PMID: 39128230 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116805] [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: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
The Amazonian coastal ecosystems face a significant threat from plastic contamination, posing a major risk to their biodiversity. Here, we provide the first evidence of using plastics in nest building by Yellow-cacique Cacique (Cacicus cela) and Greater Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus). During 2023 and 2024, 15 nests built with ropes and fishing lines were recorded in the Brazilian Amazon Coast, a colony of 12 nests in the State of Amapá and one nest in Pará for C. cela, and one nest for P. sulphuratus was observed in Maranhão during the fieldwork, covering all Brazilian Amazon Coast. These nests were observed on the edge of mangroves, built with solid waste from fishing activities, pointing out how environmental pollution can be incorporated into wildlife this issue. Our records emphasize the effect of plastic pollution on two passerine species associated with mangrove forests and the need for conservation measures and further research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raqueline Monteiro
- Observatório do Lixo Antropogênico Marinho (OLAMAR), AP, PA, MA, Brazil; Laboratório de Sensoriamento Remoto e Análises Espaciais Aplicado a Ecossistemas Aquáticos (LASA), Instituto de Pesquisas Científicas e Tecnológicas do Estado do Amapá (IEPA), Macapá, AP, Brazil.
| | - Emarielle Coelho Pardal
- Observatório do Lixo Antropogênico Marinho (OLAMAR), AP, PA, MA, Brazil; Laboratório de Sensoriamento Remoto e Análises Espaciais Aplicado a Ecossistemas Aquáticos (LASA), Instituto de Pesquisas Científicas e Tecnológicas do Estado do Amapá (IEPA), Macapá, AP, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Ândrade
- Observatório do Lixo Antropogênico Marinho (OLAMAR), AP, PA, MA, Brazil; Grupo de Biodiversidade e Bioprodutos da Amazônia Maranhense, Universidade Federal do Maranhão (UFMA), Pinheiro, MA, Brazil
| | - Dayene Santiago Mendes
- Observatório do Lixo Antropogênico Marinho (OLAMAR), AP, PA, MA, Brazil; Laboratório de Ecologia de Manguezal (LAMA), Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Câmpus de Bragança, PA, Brazil
| | - Carine Gomes Moraes
- Observatório do Lixo Antropogênico Marinho (OLAMAR), AP, PA, MA, Brazil; Grupo de Biodiversidade e Bioprodutos da Amazônia Maranhense, Universidade Federal do Maranhão (UFMA), Pinheiro, MA, Brazil
| | - José Raimundo Salustiano Da Silva
- Observatório do Lixo Antropogênico Marinho (OLAMAR), AP, PA, MA, Brazil; Laboratório de Ecologia de Manguezal (LAMA), Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Câmpus de Bragança, PA, Brazil
| | - Marcus Emanuel Barroncas Fernandes
- Observatório do Lixo Antropogênico Marinho (OLAMAR), AP, PA, MA, Brazil; Laboratório de Ecologia de Manguezal (LAMA), Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Câmpus de Bragança, PA, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kavana TS, Mohan K, Erinjery JJ, Singh M, Kaumanns W. Distribution and habitat suitability of the endangered lion-tailed macaque Macaca silenus and other primate species in the Kodagu region of the Western Ghats, India. Primates 2024:10.1007/s10329-024-01152-6. [PMID: 39240408 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-024-01152-6] [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: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Because of the universal decline in biodiversity, it is important to map and assess the populations of the endangered species, especially those endemic to small regions, in their remaining wild habitats. With the main focus on the distribution and habitat suitability of the endangered lion-tailed macaque, Macaca silenus, we carried out a survey on primates in the Kodagu region of the Western Ghats, an area not properly explored earlier. The survey trails covered a length of 523 km. We encountered 185 groups of primates including 112, 12, 43 and 18 groups of bonnet macaques, M. radiata, lion-tailed macaques, black-footed gray langurs, Semnopithecus hypoleucos and Nilgiri langurs, S. johnii, respectively. The Brahmagiri Hills harbored the northernmost group of Nilgiri langurs and the southernmost group of black-footed gray langurs. Habitat suitability analysis revealed that the distribution of bonnet macaques and black-footed gray langurs was associated with a large number of environmental factors whereas only a few factors each influenced the distribution of other primate species. When considering the whole landscape spanning over 1295 km2, black-footed gray langurs (961 km2), bonnet macaques (910 km2) and lion-tailed macaques (779 km2) had more suitable habitats than Nilgiri langurs (258 km2). The reserved forests between two Wildlife Sanctuaries covered an area of 311 km2 where 282 km2, 228 km2, 272 km2, and 140 km2 areas were found to be suitable for lion-tailed macaques, bonnet macaques, black-footed gray langurs and Nilgiri langurs, respectively. We recommend these reserved forests to be included in the protected area network. The study brings out the Kodagu region to be a potential conservation area not only for the lion-tailed macaques but also for other primate species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T S Kavana
- Biopsychology Laboratory, Institution of Excellence, University of Mysore, Mysuru, 570006, India
| | - K Mohan
- Biopsychology Laboratory, Institution of Excellence, University of Mysore, Mysuru, 570006, India
| | - Joseph J Erinjery
- Department of Zoology, Kannur University, Mananthavady Campus, Mananthavady, 670645, India
| | - Mewa Singh
- Biopsychology Laboratory, Institution of Excellence, University of Mysore, Mysuru, 570006, India.
- Zoo Outreach Organization, Ganapathy, Coimbatore, 641006, India.
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Piquer-Doblas M, Correa-Londoño GA, Osorio-Vélez LF. From Stand to Forest: Woody Plant Recruitment in an Andean Restoration Project. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:2474. [PMID: 39273957 PMCID: PMC11397074 DOI: 10.3390/plants13172474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2024] [Revised: 08/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
The growing deforestation of tropical forests requires the implementation of restoration actions capable of assisting the recovery of biodiversity and the functioning of these ecosystems. This research aimed to identify the environmental factors that influence the abundance and diversity of woody plant recruitment in an Andean forest restoration project in Medellin (Colombia). Data from woody plant individuals taller than 80 cm were collected in 22 plots of 200·m-2. The environmental factors selected were edaphic variables, plantation structure, slope, elevation, prior land use, and landscape forest cover. Generalized linear models (GLM) were used to analyze recruitment densit and Linear Mixed Models (LMM) to assess recruited species richness, diversity, and dominance. Woody plant recruitment attributes in our study area were similar to those of secondary succession in an Andean forest, but planted trees contributed little to recruitment density and diversity. While recruitment density was affected by slope, canopy closure, and landscape forest cover, recruitment diversity was influenced by physical (bulk density) and chemical (pH, aluminum, Cation Exchange Capacity) edaphic factors, planted tree diversity (species richness and composition), canopy closure, and the mortality rate of planted trees. We conclude that sites with lower mortality rates of planted trees and denser canopies enhance both recruitment density and diversity, indicating a synergy between active restoration and passive regeneration processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marina Piquer-Doblas
- Departamento de Ciencias Forestales, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellín 50034, Colombia
| | - Guillermo A Correa-Londoño
- Departamento de Ciencias Agronómicas, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellín 50034, Colombia
| | - Luis F Osorio-Vélez
- Departamento de Ciencias Forestales, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellín 50034, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Magoulick KM, Hull V, Liu J. Mammal recovery inside and outside terrestrial protected areas. AMBIO 2024; 53:1296-1306. [PMID: 38600245 PMCID: PMC11300748 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-024-02014-7] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Protected areas are a key component of global conservation, and the world is aiming to increase protected areas to cover 30% of land and water through the 30 × 30 Initiative under the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. However, factors affecting their success or failure in regard to promoting mammal population recovery are not well studied, particularly using quantitative approaches comparing across diverse taxa, biomes, and countries. To better understand how protected areas contribute to mammalian recovery, we conducted an analysis of 2706 mammal populations both inside and outside of protected areas worldwide. We calculated the annual percent change of mammal populations within and outside of terrestrial protected areas and examined the relationship between the percent change and a suite of human and natural characteristics including biome, region, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) protected area category, IUCN Red List classification, and taxonomic order. Our results show that overall mammal populations inside and outside of protected areas are relatively stable. It appears that Threatened mammals are doing better inside of protected areas than outside, whereas the opposite is true for species of least concern and Near Threatened species. We also found significant population increases in protected areas classified as category III and significant population decreases in protected and unprotected areas throughout Oceania. Our results demonstrate that terrestrial protected areas can be an important approach for mammalian recovery and conservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M Magoulick
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Vanessa Hull
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jianguo Liu
- Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Khatri K, Negi B, Bargali K, Bargali SS. Toxicological assessment of invasive Ageratina adenophora on germination and growth efficiency of native tree and crop species of Kumaun Himalaya. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 33:697-708. [PMID: 38886245 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-024-02768-6] [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] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
The present study was designed to assess the allelopathic potential of invasive weed Ageratina adenophora leaf extracts on seed germination and seedling development efficiency of native tree [viz. Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus (Oak) and Pinus roxburghii Sarg. (Pine)] and crop [(Triticum aestivum L. (Wheat) and Lens culinaris Medik. (Lentil)] species of Kumaun Himalaya. Pot experiments were conducted in the glasshouse of the Botany Department, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University Nainital, following a Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with three treatments (C1-25%, C2-50%, and C3-100% of aqueous leaf extract) and one control, each with five replicates. The experiment lasted one year for tree species and continued until the seed maturation phase for crop species. Parameters such as seed germination proportion, root and shoot measurements, biomass, and crop productivity traits were recorded accordingly. Our bioassay results indicated that the inhibitory effect of leaf extracts on the measured traits of the selected native species was proportional to the applied extract concentrations of A. adenophora. Overall, lentil among crops and oak among tree species exhibited more inhibition compared to wheat and pine, respectively. At the highest concentration, reductions of 44%, 34%, 36%, and 24% in biomass production capacity were recorded for wheat, lentil, pine, and oak, respectively, while wheat and lentil productivity decreased by up to 33% and 45%, respectively. These results suggest that water-soluble allelochemicals produced by A. adenophora may impede the establishment of selected crop and tree species in agroecosystems and forest ecosystems invaded by this weed species. However, further studies on the characterization of phytochemicals and their specific role in seed germination and growth are warranted. Furthermore, the allelopathic potential of A. adenophora can be explored for the preparation of biopesticides and nature-friendly option to improve soil health, crop productivity, and reduce environmental pollution and management of this invasive weed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kavita Khatri
- Department of Botany, Kumaun University, Nainital, 263001, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Bhawna Negi
- Department of Botany, Kumaun University, Nainital, 263001, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Kiran Bargali
- Department of Botany, Kumaun University, Nainital, 263001, Uttarakhand, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Bletz MC, Grant EHC, DiRenzo G. Quantitative support for the benefits of proactive management for wildlife disease control. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024:e14363. [PMID: 39183637 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Finding effective pathogen mitigation strategies is one of the biggest challenges humans face today. In the context of wildlife, emerging infectious diseases have repeatedly caused widespread host morbidity and population declines of numerous taxa. In areas yet unaffected by a pathogen, a proactive management approach has the potential to minimize or prevent host mortality. However, typically critical information on disease dynamics in a novel host system is lacking, empirical evidence on efficacy of management interventions is limited, and there is a lack of validated predictive models. As such, quantitative support for identifying effective management interventions is largely absent, and the opportunity for proactive management is often missed. We considered the potential invasion of the chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), whose expected emergence in North America poses a severe threat to hundreds of salamander species in this global salamander biodiversity hotspot. We developed and parameterized a dynamic multistate occupancy model to forecast host and pathogen occurrence, following expected emergence of the pathogen, and evaluated the response of salamander populations to different management scenarios. Our model forecasted that taking no action is expected to be catastrophic to salamander populations. Proactive action was predicted to maximize host occupancy outcomes relative to wait-and-see reactive management, thus providing quantitative support for proactive management opportunities. The eradication of Bsal was unlikely under all the evaluated management options. Contrary to our expectations, even early pathogen detection had little effect on Bsal or host occupancy outcomes. Our results provide quantitative support that proactive management is the optimal strategy for promoting persistence of disease-threatened salamander populations. Our approach fills a critical gap by defining a framework for evaluating management options prior to pathogen invasion and can thus serve as a template for addressing novel disease threats that jeopardize wildlife and human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Molly C Bletz
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
- U.S. Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Science Center (Patuxent Wildlife Research Center), Turners Falls, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Evan H Campbell Grant
- U.S. Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Science Center (Patuxent Wildlife Research Center), Turners Falls, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Graziella DiRenzo
- U.S. Geological Survey, Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Jiang X, Ou Z, Tan C, He Q, Zheng W, Tan Y, He F, Shen H. Impact of nitrogen addition on the chemical properties and bacterial community of subtropical forests in northern Guangxi. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1418425. [PMID: 39211321 PMCID: PMC11358692 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1418425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction In recent years, nitrogen deposition has constantly continued to rise globally. However, the impact of nitrogen deposition on the soil physicochemical properties and microbial community structure in northern Guangxi is still unclear. Methods Along these lines, in this work, to investigate the impact of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on soil nutrient status and bacterial community in subtropical regions, four different nitrogen treatments (CK: 0 gN m-2 a-1, II: 50 gN m-2 a-1, III: 100 gN m-2 a-1, IV: 150 gNm- 2 a-1) were established. The focus was on analyzing the soil physical and chemical properties, as well as bacterial community characteristics across varying nitrogen application levels. Results and discussion From the acquired results, it was demonstrated that nitrogen application led to a significant decrease in soil pH. Compared with CK, the pH of treatment IV decreased by 4.23%, which corresponded to an increase in soil organic carbon and total nitrogen. Moreover, compared with CK, the soil organic carbon of treatment IV increased by 9.28%, and the total nitrogen of treatment IV increased by 19.69%. However, no significant impact on the available nitrogen and phosphorus was detected. The bacterial diversity index first increased and then decreased with the increase of the nitrogen application level. The dominant phylum in the soil was Acidobacteria (34.63-40.67%), Proteobacteria, and Chloroflexi. Interestingly, the abundance of Acidobacteria notably increased with higher nitrogen application levels, particularly evident in the IV treatment group where it surpassed the control group. Considering that nitrogen addition first changes soil nutrients and then lowers soil pH, the abundance of certain oligotrophic bacteria like Acidobacteria can be caused, which showed a first decreasing and then increasing trend. On the contrary, eutrophic bacteria, such as Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria, displayed a decline. From the redundancy analysis, it was highlighted that total nitrogen and pH were the primary driving forces affecting the bacterial community composition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xingjian Jiang
- Guangxi Forestry Research Institute, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Lijiang River Source Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Guilin, China
- Lijiangyuan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guangxi, Guilin, China
| | - Zhiyang Ou
- Guangxi Forestry Research Institute, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Lijiang River Source Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Guilin, China
- Lijiangyuan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guangxi, Guilin, China
| | - Changqiang Tan
- Guangxi Forestry Research Institute, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Lijiang River Source Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Guilin, China
- Lijiangyuan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guangxi, Guilin, China
| | - Qingfei He
- Guangxi Forestry Research Institute, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Lijiang River Source Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Guilin, China
- Lijiangyuan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guangxi, Guilin, China
| | - Wei Zheng
- Guangxi Forestry Research Institute, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Lijiang River Source Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Guilin, China
- Lijiangyuan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guangxi, Guilin, China
| | - Yibo Tan
- Guangxi Forestry Research Institute, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Lijiang River Source Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Guilin, China
- Lijiangyuan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guangxi, Guilin, China
| | - Feng He
- Guangxi Forestry Research Institute, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Lijiang River Source Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Guilin, China
- Lijiangyuan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guangxi, Guilin, China
| | - Hao Shen
- Guangxi Forestry Research Institute, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Lijiang River Source Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Guilin, China
- Lijiangyuan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guangxi, Guilin, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Oakleaf J, Kennedy C, Wolff NH, Terasaki Hart DE, Ellis P, Theobald DM, Fariss B, Burkart K, Kiesecker J. Mapping global land conversion pressure to support conservation planning. Sci Data 2024; 11:830. [PMID: 39080308 PMCID: PMC11289476 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-024-03639-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Proactively identifying where land conversion might occur is critical to targeted and effective conservation planning. Previous efforts to map future habitat loss have largely focused on forested systems and have been limited in their consideration of drivers of loss. We developed a 1-km resolution, global map of land conversion pressure from multiple drivers, referred to as the conversion pressure index (CPI). The CPI combines past rates of anthropogenic change, as measured by temporal human modification maps, with suitability maps for potential future expansion by large-scale development. The CPI thus offers a new way to measure a cumulative gradient of anthropogenic pressure as opposed to categorical land cover change. We find that nearly 23% of land across 200 countries have relatively high conversion pressure, potentially impacting over 460 million ha of intact natural lands. We illustrate how this information can be used to identify areas for proactive conservation to avoid future loss and ensure that national commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity and Paris Agreement Climate Frameworks are upheld.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James Oakleaf
- Global Protect Oceans, Lands and Waters, The Nature Conservancy, Fort Collins, CO, 80524, USA.
| | - Christina Kennedy
- Global Science, The Nature Conservancy, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Nicholas H Wolff
- Global Science, The Nature Conservancy, Brunswick, ME, 04011, USA
| | - Drew E Terasaki Hart
- Natural Climate Solutions Science, The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA, 22203, USA
- CSIRO Environment, Brisbane, Queensland, 4102, Australia
| | - Peter Ellis
- Natural Climate Solutions Science, The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA, 22203, USA
| | - David M Theobald
- Conservation Planning Technologies, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Brandie Fariss
- Global Protect Oceans, Lands and Waters, The Nature Conservancy, Fort Collins, CO, 80524, USA
| | | | - Joseph Kiesecker
- Global Protect Oceans, Lands and Waters, The Nature Conservancy, Fort Collins, CO, 80524, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zhao J, Ren R, Beeraka NM, PA M, Xue N, Lu P, Bai W, Mao Z, PR HV, Bulygin KV, Nikolenko VN, Fan R, Liu J. Correlation of time trends of air pollutants, greenspaces and tracheal, bronchus and lung cancer incidence and mortality among the adults in United States. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1398679. [PMID: 39119087 PMCID: PMC11306054 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1398679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Tracheal, Bronchus, and Lung (TBL) cancer continues to represent the majority of cancer-related incidence and mortality in United States (U.S.). While air pollutants are considered essential risk factors, both global and national average concentrations of major harmful air pollutants have significantly decreased over the decades. Green space may have a beneficial effect on human health. Methods We obtained data on national and state-level burden of TBL cancer, the annual average concentration of main air pollutants, and levels of green spaces in 2007, 2013, and 2019. According to generalized estimating equation (GEE), we examine the associations among incidence and mortality of TBL cancer, air pollutants, and greenspaces, represented by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in different age groups with models adjusted with meteorological, and socio-demographic. We observed additional effects of the interaction between the NDVI, Ozone, PM2.5, and other factors, which helped us to interpret and understand our results. Also, we collated states that witnessed net increments in forest coverage and conducted the same analysis separately. Results In our analysis, the majority of associations between NDVI and air pollutants with TBL cancer remained significantly positive, particularly noticeable among individuals aged 20 to 54. However, our findings did not explore air pollution as a potential mediator between greenspace exposure and TBL cancer. While the associations of PM2.5 with TBL cancer remained positive, the other four pollutants showed positive but statistically insignificant associations. Our interaction analysis yielded that there were positive associations between NDVI and ozone, PM2.5, and tobacco use. Max NDVI acts as a protective factor along with high HDI. Additionally, PM2.5 and HDI also showed a negative association. In 18 states with more forest, NDVI acts as a protective factor along with higher health care coverage, better health status, and participation in physical activities. Conclusion In the state-level of U.S., the effects of total greenspace with TBL cancer are mixed and could be modified by various socio-economic factors. PM2.5 has a direct correlation with TBL cancer and the effects can be influenced by underlying socioeconomic conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ruihang Ren
- Department of Radiation Oncology & Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Narasimha M. Beeraka
- Department of Pharmacology, Raghavendra Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (RIPER), Andhra Pradesh, Ananthapuramu, India
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
- Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Mahesh PA
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER), Mysuru, Karnataka, India
| | - Nannan Xue
- Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) and CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pengfei Lu
- Cancer Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Wenhua Bai
- Department of Radiation Oncology & Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhihan Mao
- Department of Radiation Oncology & Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hemanth Vikram PR
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER), Mysuru, Karnataka, India
| | - Kirill V. Bulygin
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir N. Nikolenko
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Ruitai Fan
- Department of Radiation Oncology & Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Junqi Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology & Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
So K, Rogers CA, Li Y, Arain MA, Gonsamo A. Retention forestry as a climate solution: Assessing biomass, soil carbon and albedo impacts in a northern temperate coniferous forest. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 947:174680. [PMID: 38992363 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Forest management pathways for nature-based climate solutions, such as variable retention harvesting (VRH), have been gaining traction in recent years; however, their net biochemical and biophysical impacts remain unknown. Here, we use a combination of close-range and satellite remote sensing, eddy covariance technique, and ground-based biometric measurements to investigate forest thinning density and aggregation that maintain ecosystem nutrients, enhance tree growth and provide a negative feedback to the local climate in a northern temperate coniferous forest stand in Ontario, Canada. Our results showed that soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in VRH plots were significantly lower (p < 0.05) for all VRH treatments compared to unharvested plots. On average, soil C was reduced by -0.64 ± 0.22 Δ% C and N by -0.023 ± 0.008 Δ% N in VRH plots. We also observed the largest loss of soil C and N in open areas of aggregate plots. Furthermore, the changes in albedo resulting from VRH treatment were equivalent to removing a large amount of C from the atmosphere, ranging from 1.3 ± 0.2 kg C yr-1 m-2 in aggregate 33 % crown retention plots to 3.4 ± 0.5 kg C yr-1 m-2 in dispersed 33 % crown retention plots. Our findings indicate that spatially dispersed VRH resulted in minimal loss of soil C and N and the highest understory growth and C uptake, while enhanced tree growth and local cooling through increased albedo were observed in dispersed VRH plots with the fewest residual trees. These findings suggest that using the harvested trees from VRH in a way that avoids releasing C into the atmosphere makes dispersed VRH the preferred forest management pathway for nature-based climate solutions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kangyu So
- School of Earth, Environment & Society, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Cheryl A Rogers
- School of Earth, Environment & Society, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Yiyao Li
- School of Earth, Environment & Society, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - M Altaf Arain
- School of Earth, Environment & Society, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Alemu Gonsamo
- School of Earth, Environment & Society, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bourgoin C, Ceccherini G, Girardello M, Vancutsem C, Avitabile V, Beck PSA, Beuchle R, Blanc L, Duveiller G, Migliavacca M, Vieilledent G, Cescatti A, Achard F. Human degradation of tropical moist forests is greater than previously estimated. Nature 2024; 631:570-576. [PMID: 38961293 PMCID: PMC11254752 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07629-0] [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: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Tropical forest degradation from selective logging, fire and edge effects is a major driver of carbon and biodiversity loss1-3, with annual rates comparable to those of deforestation4. However, its actual extent and long-term impacts remain uncertain at global tropical scale5. Here we quantify the magnitude and persistence of multiple types of degradation on forest structure by combining satellite remote sensing data on pantropical moist forest cover changes4 with estimates of canopy height and biomass from spaceborne6 light detection and ranging (LiDAR). We estimate that forest height decreases owing to selective logging and fire by 15% and 50%, respectively, with low rates of recovery even after 20 years. Agriculture and road expansion trigger a 20% to 30% reduction in canopy height and biomass at the forest edge, with persistent effects being measurable up to 1.5 km inside the forest. Edge effects encroach on 18% (approximately 206 Mha) of the remaining tropical moist forests, an area more than 200% larger than previously estimated7. Finally, degraded forests with more than 50% canopy loss are significantly more vulnerable to subsequent deforestation. Collectively, our findings call for greater efforts to prevent degradation and protect already degraded forests to meet the conservation pledges made at recent United Nations Climate Change and Biodiversity conferences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Bourgoin
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy.
| | - G Ceccherini
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
| | - M Girardello
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
| | - C Vancutsem
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
| | - V Avitabile
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
| | - P S A Beck
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
| | - R Beuchle
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
| | - L Blanc
- CIRAD, Forêts et Sociétés, Montpellier, France
- Forêts et Sociétés, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | - G Duveiller
- Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena, Germany
| | - M Migliavacca
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
| | - G Vieilledent
- CIRAD, UMR AMAP, Montpellier, France
- AMAP, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - A Cescatti
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
| | - F Achard
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kirmse S. Structure and composition of a canopy-beetle community (Coleoptera) in a Neotropical lowland rainforest in southern Venezuela. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:240478. [PMID: 39156661 PMCID: PMC11330560 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.240478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Species richness, community structure and taxonomic composition are important characteristics of biodiversity. Beetle communities show distinct diversity patterns according to habitat attributes. Tropical rainforest canopies, which are well known for their richness in Coleoptera, represent such a conspicuous life zone. Here, I describe a canopy-inhabiting beetle community associated with 23 tree species in a Neotropical lowland rainforest. Adult beetles were sampled manually and in aerial traps using a large tower crane for a cumulative year. The sample revealed 6738 adult beetles, which were assigned to 862 (morpho-)species in 45 families. The most species-rich beetle families were Curculionidae (n = 246), Chrysomelidae (n = 121) and Cerambycidae (n = 89). The most abundant families were Curculionidae (n = 2746) and Chrysomelidae (n = 1409). Dominant beetle families were found in most assemblages. The beetle community consisted of 400 singletons (46.4%). A similar proportion was evident for assemblages of single tree species. I found that 74.5% of all beetle species were restricted in their occurrence on host trees to the phenological season and time of the day. This daily and seasonal migration causes patterns similar to mass effects and therefore accounts for the high proportion of singletons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan Kirmse
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC), Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Zhang Q, Tao S, Jagger P, Band LE, Bilsborrow RE, Zhang Z, Huang Q, Zhang Q, Moody A, Song C. Remittance from migrants reinforces forest recovery for China's reforestation policy. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296751. [PMID: 38923961 PMCID: PMC11207146 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296751] [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: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Forests play a key role in the mitigation of global warming and provide many other vital ecosystem goods and services. However, as forest continues to vanish at an alarming rate from the surface of the planet, the world desperately needs knowledge on what contributes to forest preservation and restoration. Migration, a hallmark of globalization, is widely recognized as a main driver of forest recovery and poverty alleviation. Here, we show that remittance from migrants reinforces forest recovery that would otherwise be unlikely with mere migration, realizing the additionality of payments for ecosystem services for China's largest reforestation policy, the Conversion of Cropland to Forest Program (CCFP). Guided by the framework that integrates telecoupling and coupled natural and human systems, we investigate forest-livelihood dynamics under the CCFP through the lens of rural out-migration and remittance using both satellite remote sensing imagery and household survey data in two representative sites of rural China. Results show that payments from the CCFP significantly increases the probability of sending remittance by out-migrants to their origin households. We observe substantial forest regeneration and greening surrounding households receiving remittance but forest decline and browning in proximity to households with migrants but not receiving remittance, as measured by forest coverage and the Enhanced Vegetation Index derived from space-borne remotely sensed data. The primary mechanism is that remittance reduces the reliance of households on natural capital from forests, particularly fuelwood, allowing forests near the households to recover. The shares of the estimated ecological and economic additionality induced by remittance are 2.0% (1.4%∼3.8%) and 9.7% (5.0%∼15.2%), respectively, to the baseline of the reforested areas enrolled in CCFP and the payments received by the participating households. Remittance-facilitated forest regeneration amounts to 12.7% (6.0%∼18.0%) of the total new forest gained during the 2003-2013 in China. Our results demonstrate that remittance constitutes a telecoupling mechanism between rural areas and cities over long distances, influencing the local social-ecological gains that the forest policy intended to stimulate. Thus, supporting remittance-sending migrants in cities can be an effective global warming mitigation strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- Department of Geography and Environment, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Shiqi Tao
- Department of Geography and Environment, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Pamela Jagger
- School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
| | - Lawrence E. Band
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Richard E. Bilsborrow
- Department of Geography and Environment, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Zhiqiang Zhang
- School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Qingfeng Huang
- School of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Quanfa Zhang
- Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Aaron Moody
- Department of Geography and Environment, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Conghe Song
- Department of Geography and Environment, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Francini S, Marcelli A, Chirici G, Di Biase RM, Fattorini L, Corona P. Per-Pixel Forest Attribute Mapping and Error Estimation: The Google Earth Engine and R dataDriven Tool. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:3947. [PMID: 38931731 PMCID: PMC11207733 DOI: 10.3390/s24123947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Remote sensing products are typically assessed using a single accuracy estimate for the entire map, despite significant variations in accuracy across different map areas or classes. Estimating per-pixel uncertainty is a major challenge for enhancing the usability and potential of remote sensing products. This paper introduces the dataDriven open access tool, a novel statistical design-based approach that specifically addresses this issue by estimating per-pixel uncertainty through a bootstrap resampling procedure. Leveraging Sentinel-2 remote sensing data as auxiliary information, the capabilities of the Google Earth Engine cloud computing platform, and the R programming language, dataDriven can be applied in any world region and variables of interest. In this study, the dataDriven tool was tested in the Rincine forest estate study area-eastern Tuscany, Italy-focusing on volume density as the variable of interest. The average volume density was 0.042, corresponding to 420 m3 per hectare. The estimated pixel errors ranged between 93 m3 and 979 m3 per hectare and were 285 m3 per hectare on average. The ability to produce error estimates for each pixel in the map is a novel aspect in the context of the current advances in remote sensing and forest monitoring and assessment. It constitutes a significant support in forest management applications and also a powerful communication tool since it informs users about areas where map estimates are unreliable, at the same time highlighting the areas where the information provided via the map is more trustworthy. In light of this, the dataDriven tool aims to support researchers and practitioners in the spatially exhaustive use of remote sensing-derived products and map validation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saverio Francini
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry, University of Firenze, 50145 Firenze, Italy;
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Agnese Marcelli
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food, and Forest System, Tuscia University, 01100 Viterbo, Italy;
| | - Gherardo Chirici
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry, University of Firenze, 50145 Firenze, Italy;
- Fondazione per il Futuro delle Città, 50127 Firenze, Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Di Biase
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy;
- Department of Economics and Statistics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Lorenzo Fattorini
- Department of Economics and Statistics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Piermaria Corona
- CREA Research Centre for Forestry and Wood, 52100 Arezzo, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Li D, Wu C, Wu J. Soil fungal community has higher network stability than bacterial community in response to warming and nitrogen addition in a subtropical primary forest. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0000124. [PMID: 38771056 PMCID: PMC11218647 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00001-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Global change factors are known to strongly affect soil microbial community function and composition. However, as of yet, the effects of warming and increased anthropogenic nitrogen deposition on soil microbial network complexity and stability are still unclear. Here, we examined the effects of experimental warming (3°C above ambient soil temperature) and nitrogen addition (5 g N m-2 year-1) on the complexity and stability of the soil microbial network in a subtropical primary forest. Compared to the control, warming increased |negative cohesion|:positive cohesion by 7% and decreased network vulnerability by 5%; nitrogen addition decreased |negative cohesion|:positive cohesion by 10% and increased network vulnerability by 11%. Warming and decreased soil moisture acted as strong filtering factors that led to higher bacterial network stability. Nitrogen addition reduced bacterial network stability by inhibiting soil respiration and increasing resource availability. Neither warming nor nitrogen addition changed fungal network complexity and stability. These findings suggest that the fungal community is more tolerant than the bacterial community to climate warming and nitrogen addition. The link between bacterial network stability and microbial community functional potential was significantly impacted by nitrogen addition and warming, while the response of soil microbial network stability to climate warming and nitrogen deposition may be independent of its complexity. Our findings demonstrate that changes in microbial network structure are crucial to ecosystem management and to predict the ecological consequences of global change in the future. IMPORTANCE Soil microbes play a very important role in maintaining the function and health of forest ecosystems. Unfortunately, global change factors are profoundly affecting soil microbial structure and function. In this study, we found that climate warming promoted bacterial network stability and nitrogen deposition decreased bacterial network stability. Changes in bacterial network stability had strong effects on bacterial community functional potentials linked to metabolism, nitrogen cycling, and carbon cycling, which would change the biogeochemical cycle in primary forests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Debao Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Transboundary Ecosecurity of Southwest China, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plant Reproductive Adaptation and Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Biodiversity, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- Laboratory of Soil Ecology and Health in Universities of Yunnan Province, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Chuansheng Wu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Hormone and Reproduction, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang, China
| | - Jianping Wu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Transboundary Ecosecurity of Southwest China, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plant Reproductive Adaptation and Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Biodiversity, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- Laboratory of Soil Ecology and Health in Universities of Yunnan Province, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Marcolin L, Tonelli A, Di Marco M. Early-stage loss of ecological integrity drives the risk of zoonotic disease emergence. J R Soc Interface 2024; 21:20230733. [PMID: 38863350 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic pressures have increasingly disrupted the integrity of ecosystems worldwide, jeopardizing their capacity to provide essential contributions to human well-being. Recently, the role of natural ecosystems in reducing disease emergence risk has gained prominence in decision-making processes, as scientific evidence indicates that human-driven pressure, such as habitat destruction and deforestation, can trigger the emergence of zoonotic infectious diseases. However, the intricate relationship between biodiversity and emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) remains only partially understood. Here, we updated the most comprehensive zoonotic EID event database with the latest reported events to analyse the relationship between EIDs of wildlife origin (zoonoses) and various facets of ecological integrity. We found EID risk was strongly predicted by structural integrity metrics such as human footprint and ecoregion intactness, in addition to environmental variables such as tropical rainforest density and mammal species richness. EID events were more likely to occur in areas with intermediate levels of compositional and structural integrity, underscoring the risk posed by human encroachment into pristine, undisturbed lands. Our study highlights the need to identify novel indicators and targets that can effectively address EID risk alongside other pressing global challenges in sustainable development, ultimately informing strategies for preserving both human and environmental health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lara Marcolin
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza Università di Roma , Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Tonelli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza Università di Roma , Rome, Italy
| | - Moreno Di Marco
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza Università di Roma , Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Lindenmayer D, Zylstra P. Identifying and managing disturbance-stimulated flammability in woody ecosystems. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:699-714. [PMID: 38105616 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13041] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Many forest types globally have been subject to an increase in the frequency of, and area burnt by, high-severity wildfire. Here we explore the role that previous disturbance has played in increasing the extent and severity of subsequent forest fires. We summarise evidence documenting and explaining the mechanisms underpinning a pulse of flammability that may follow disturbances such as fire, logging, clearing or windthrow (a process we term disturbance-stimulated flammability). Disturbance sometimes initiates a short initial period of low flammability, but then drives an extended period of increased flammability as vegetation regrows. Our analysis initially focuses on well-documented cases in Australia, but we also discuss where these pattens may apply elsewhere, including in the Northern Hemisphere. We outline the mechanisms by which disturbance drives flammability through disrupting the ecological controls that limit it in undisturbed forests. We then develop and test a conceptual model to aid prediction of woody vegetation communities where such patterns of disturbance-stimulated flammability may occur. We discuss the interaction of ecological controls with climate change, which is driving larger and more severe fires. We also explore the current state of knowledge around the point where disturbed, fire-prone stands are sufficiently widespread in landscapes that they may promote spatial contagion of high-severity wildfire that overwhelms any reduction in fire spread offered by less-flammable stands. We discuss how land managers might deal with the major challenges that changes in landscape cover and altered fire regimes may have created. This is especially pertinent in landscapes now dominated by extensive areas of young forest regenerating after logging, regrowing following broadscale fire including prescribed burning, or regenerating following agricultural land abandonment. Where disturbance is found to stimulate flammability, then key management actions should consider the long-term benefits of: (i) limiting disturbance-based management like logging or burning that creates young forests and triggers understorey development; (ii) protecting young forests from disturbances and assisting them to transition to an older, less-flammable state; and (iii) reinforcing the fire-inhibitory properties of older, less-flammable stands through methods for rapid fire detection and suppression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Lindenmayer
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Building 141, Linnaeus Way, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia
| | - Phil Zylstra
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia, 6102, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Bono A, Alberti G, Berretti R, Curovic M, Dukic V, Motta R. The largest European forest carbon sinks are in the Dinaric Alps old-growth forests: comparison of direct measurements and standardised approaches. CARBON BALANCE AND MANAGEMENT 2024; 19:15. [PMID: 38740689 PMCID: PMC11092039 DOI: 10.1186/s13021-024-00262-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carbon (C) sink and stock are among the most important ecosystem services provided by forests in climate change mitigation policies. In this context, old-growth forests constitute an essential reference point for the development of close-to-nature silviculture, including C management techniques. Despite their small extent in Europe, temperate old-growth forests are assumed to be among the most prominent in terms of biomass and C stored. However, monitoring and reporting of C stocks is still poorly understood. To better understand the C stock amount and distribution in temperate old-growth forests, we estimated the C stock of two old-growth stands in the Dinaric Alps applying different assessment methods, including direct and indirect approaches (e.g., field measurements and allometric equations vs. IPCC standard methods). This paper presents the quantification and the distribution of C across the five main forest C pools (i.e., aboveground, belowground, deadwood, litter and soil) in the study areas and the differences between the applied methods. RESULTS We report a very prominent C stock in both study areas (507 Mg C ha- 1), concentrated in a few large trees (36% of C in 5% of trees). Moreover, we found significant differences in C stock estimation between direct and indirect methods. Indeed, the latter tended to underestimate or overestimate depending on the pool considered. CONCLUSIONS Comparison of our results with previous studies and data collected in European forests highlights the prominence of temperate forests, among which the Dinaric Alps old-growth forests are the largest. These findings provide an important benchmark for the development of future approaches to the management of the European temperate forests. However, further and deeper research on C stock and fluxes in old-growth stands is of prime importance to understand the potential and limits of the climate mitigation role of forests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Bono
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2 - IT, Grugliasco, TO, 10095, Italy.
| | - Giorgio Alberti
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Animal and Environmental Sciences, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 206 - IT, Udine, UD, 33100, Italy
| | - Roberta Berretti
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2 - IT, Grugliasco, TO, 10095, Italy
| | - Milic Curovic
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Montenegro, Mihaila Lalica 1, Podgorica, Montenegro
| | - Vojislav Dukic
- University of Banja, Luka, blv. Stepa Stepanović, 75, Banja Luka, 78000, Republic of Srpska
| | - Renzo Motta
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2 - IT, Grugliasco, TO, 10095, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Robinson JG, LaBruna D, O’Brien T, Clyne PJ, Dudley N, Andelman SJ, Bennett EL, Chicchon A, Durigan C, Grantham H, Kinnaird M, Lieberman S, Maisels F, Moreira A, Rao M, Stokes E, Walston J, Watson JEM. Scaling up area-based conservation to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework's 30x30 target: The role of Nature's Strongholds. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002613. [PMID: 38771730 PMCID: PMC11108224 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002613] [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] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), signed in 2022 by Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, recognized the importance of area-based conservation, and its goals and targets specify the characteristics of protected and conserved areas (PCAs) that disproportionately contribute to biodiversity conservation. To achieve the GBF's target of conserving a global area of 30% by 2030, this Essay argues for recognizing these characteristics and scaling them up through the conservation of areas that are: extensive (typically larger than 5,000 km2); have interconnected PCAs (either physically or as part of a jurisdictional network, and frequently embedded in larger conservation landscapes); have high ecological integrity; and are effectively managed and equitably governed. These areas are presented as "Nature's Strongholds," illustrated by examples from the Congo and Amazon basins. Conserving Nature's Strongholds offers an approach to scale up initiatives to address global threats to biodiversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John G. Robinson
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Danielle LaBruna
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Peter J. Clyne
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Sandy J. Andelman
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Avecita Chicchon
- Andes-Amazon Initiative, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
| | - Carlos Durigan
- Wildlife Conservation Society Brasil, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Hedley Grantham
- Center for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Bush Heritage Australia, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Sue Lieberman
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Fiona Maisels
- Wildlife Conservation Society Congo, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom
| | - Adriana Moreira
- Global Environmental Facility, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Madhu Rao
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- World Commission on Protected Areas, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Gland, Switzerland
| | - Emma Stokes
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Joe Walston
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - James EM Watson
- School of The Environment, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Levis C, Flores BM, Campos-Silva JV, Peroni N, Staal A, Padgurschi MCG, Dorshow W, Moraes B, Schmidt M, Kuikuro TW, Kuikuro H, Wauja K, Kuikuro K, Kuikuro A, Fausto C, Franchetto B, Watling J, Lima H, Heckenberger M, Clement CR. Contributions of human cultures to biodiversity and ecosystem conservation. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:866-879. [PMID: 38503867 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-024-02356-1] [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: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
The expansion of globalized industrial societies is causing global warming, ecosystem degradation, and species and language extinctions worldwide. Mainstream conservation efforts still focus on nature protection strategies to revert this crisis, often overlooking the essential roles of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP&LC) in protecting biodiversity and ecosystems globally. Here we assess the scientific literature to identify relationships between biodiversity (including ecosystem diversity) and cultural diversity, and investigate how these connections may affect conservation outcomes in tropical lowland South America. Our assessment reveals a network of interactions and feedbacks between biodiversity and diverse IP&LC, suggesting interconnectedness and interdependencies from which multiple benefits to nature and societies emerge. We illustrate our findings with five case studies of successful conservation models, described as consolidated or promising 'social-ecological hope spots', that show how engagement with IP&LC of various cultures may be the best hope for biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, particularly when aligned with science and technology. In light of these five inspiring cases, we argue that conservation science and policies need to recognize that protecting and promoting both biological and cultural diversities can provide additional co-benefits and solutions to maintain ecosystems resilient in the face of global changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Levis
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.
- Affiliated scholar, Brazil LAB, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
| | - Bernardo M Flores
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - João Vitor Campos-Silva
- Instituto Juruá, Manaus, Brazil
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Nivaldo Peroni
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Arie Staal
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maíra C G Padgurschi
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil
- Centro de Pesquisas Meteorológicas e Climáticas aplicadas à Agricultura, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Wetherbee Dorshow
- Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Earth Analytic, Puente Institute, Santa Fe, NM, USA
| | - Bruno Moraes
- Earth Analytic, Puente Institute, Santa Fe, NM, USA
- Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Brazil
| | - Morgan Schmidt
- Laboratório de Estudos Interdisciplinares em Arqueologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
- Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Earth Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Taku Wate Kuikuro
- Associação Indígena Kuikuro do Alto Xingu, Aldeia Ipatse, Território Indígena do Alto Xingu, Canarana and Gaúcha do Norte, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Huke Kuikuro
- Associação Indígena Kuikuro do Alto Xingu, Aldeia Ipatse, Território Indígena do Alto Xingu, Canarana and Gaúcha do Norte, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Kumessi Wauja
- Associação Indígena Kuikuro do Alto Xingu, Aldeia Ipatse, Território Indígena do Alto Xingu, Canarana and Gaúcha do Norte, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Kalutata Kuikuro
- Associação Indígena Kuikuro do Alto Xingu, Aldeia Ipatse, Território Indígena do Alto Xingu, Canarana and Gaúcha do Norte, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Afukaka Kuikuro
- Associação Indígena Kuikuro do Alto Xingu, Aldeia Ipatse, Território Indígena do Alto Xingu, Canarana and Gaúcha do Norte, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Carlos Fausto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Antropologia Social, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Visiting Research Scholar, Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies, Brazil LAB, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Bruna Franchetto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Antropologia Social, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jennifer Watling
- Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Charles R Clement
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Bas TG, Sáez ML, Sáez N. Sustainable Development versus Extractivist Deforestation in Tropical, Subtropical, and Boreal Forest Ecosystems: Repercussions and Controversies about the Mother Tree and the Mycorrhizal Network Hypothesis. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1231. [PMID: 38732447 PMCID: PMC11085170 DOI: 10.3390/plants13091231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
This research reviews the phenomenon of extractive deforestation as a possible trigger for cascade reactions that could affect part of the forest ecosystem and its biodiversity (surface, aerial, and underground) in tropical, subtropical, and boreal forests. The controversy and disparities in criteria generated in the international scientific community around the hypothesis of a possible link between "mother trees" and mycorrhizal networks in coopetition for nutrients, nitrogen, and carbon are analyzed. The objective is to promote awareness to generate more scientific knowledge about the eventual impacts of forest extraction. Public policies are emphasized as crucial mediators for balanced sustainable development. Currently, the effects of extractive deforestation on forest ecosystems are poorly understood, which requires caution and forest protection. Continued research to increase our knowledge in molecular biology is advocated to understand the adaptation of biological organisms to the new conditions of the ecosystem both in the face of extractive deforestation and reforestation. The environmental impacts of extractive deforestation, such as the loss of biodiversity, soil degradation, altered water cycles, and the contribution of climate change, remain largely unknown. Long-term and high-quality research is essential to ensure forest sustainability and the preservation of biodiversity for future generations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Gabriel Bas
- Escuela de Ciencias Empresariales, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo 1780000, Chile;
| | - Mario Luis Sáez
- Facultad de Humanidades, La Serena University, Coquimbo 1700000, Chile;
| | - Nicolas Sáez
- Escuela de Ciencias Empresariales, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo 1780000, Chile;
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Pereira R, Calor AR. Helicopsyche (Feropsyche) Johanson, 1998 (Trichoptera) from Northeastern Mata Atlântica Freshwater ecoregion: integrating taxonomy and niche modeling. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2024; 96:e20230369. [PMID: 38808813 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202420230369] [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: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The Northeastern Mata Atlântica Freshwater ecoregion (NMAF) is part of the 25 worlds biodiversity hotspots. It comprises the Central Atlantic Forest Ecological Corridor and Chapada Diamantina Complex (in part), including high rates of endemism in coastal freshwater ecosystems. However, estimates indicate a high population decline in Freshwater ecosystems. Trichoptera are the most affected insect order, with average extinction rates of ~9% and many unknown species (e.g., estimates are around 50% in Brazil and Ecuador). This crisis can be aggravated by gaps in the knowledge of species (Linnean shortfall) and their distribution (Wallacean shortfall), caused mainly by a lack of investment in extensive fauna inventories and human resources related to systematics. Thus, to face these shortfalls in NMAF, we describe four new species of. H. (Feropsyche) and provide new distribution records. In addition, we perform niche modeling based on the species distributions of the group to identify areas with high environmental suitability to direct biodiversity research efforts on NMAF, a highly endemic and underexplored ecoregion. We increased the number of known species of NMAF from seven to 16 species. The niche modeling pointed to two areas as priorities to guide the strategies to reduce shortfalls in the NMAF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Pereira
- Universidade Federal da Bahia, Instituto de Biologia, PPG Biodiversidade e Evolução, Laboratório de Entomologia Aquática (LEAq), Rua Barão de Jeremoabo, 143, Campus Ondina, 40130-115 Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Adolfo Ricardo Calor
- Universidade Federal da Bahia, Instituto de Biologia, PPG Biodiversidade e Evolução, Laboratório de Entomologia Aquática (LEAq), Rua Barão de Jeremoabo, 143, Campus Ondina, 40130-115 Salvador, BA, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Zhang-Zheng H, Adu-Bredu S, Duah-Gyamfi A, Moore S, Addo-Danso SD, Amissah L, Valentini R, Djagbletey G, Anim-Adjei K, Quansah J, Sarpong B, Owusu-Afriyie K, Gvozdevaite A, Tang M, Ruiz-Jaen MC, Ibrahim F, Girardin CAJ, Rifai S, Dahlsjö CAL, Riutta T, Deng X, Sun Y, Prentice IC, Oliveras Menor I, Malhi Y. Contrasting carbon cycle along tropical forest aridity gradients in West Africa and Amazonia. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3158. [PMID: 38605006 PMCID: PMC11009382 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47202-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Tropical forests cover large areas of equatorial Africa and play a substantial role in the global carbon cycle. However, there has been a lack of biometric measurements to understand the forests' gross and net primary productivity (GPP, NPP) and their allocation. Here we present a detailed field assessment of the carbon budget of multiple forest sites in Africa, by monitoring 14 one-hectare plots along an aridity gradient in Ghana, West Africa. When compared with an equivalent aridity gradient in Amazonia, the studied West African forests generally had higher productivity and lower carbon use efficiency (CUE). The West African aridity gradient consistently shows the highest NPP, CUE, GPP, and autotrophic respiration at a medium-aridity site, Bobiri. Notably, NPP and GPP of the site are the highest yet reported anywhere for intact forests. Widely used data products substantially underestimate productivity when compared to biometric measurements in Amazonia and Africa. Our analysis suggests that the high productivity of the African forests is linked to their large GPP allocation to canopy and semi-deciduous characteristics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huanyuan Zhang-Zheng
- Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
- Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - Stephen Adu-Bredu
- Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Natural Resources Management, CSIR College of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Akwasi Duah-Gyamfi
- Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Sam Moore
- Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Shalom D Addo-Danso
- Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Lucy Amissah
- Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Gloria Djagbletey
- Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Kelvin Anim-Adjei
- Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - John Quansah
- Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Bernice Sarpong
- Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Kennedy Owusu-Afriyie
- Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Agne Gvozdevaite
- Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Minxue Tang
- Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Buckhurst Road, Ascot, United Kingdom
| | - Maria C Ruiz-Jaen
- Forestry Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Panama City, Panama
| | - Forzia Ibrahim
- Department of Forest Ecology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Cécile A J Girardin
- Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sami Rifai
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Cecilia A L Dahlsjö
- Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Terhi Riutta
- Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Xiongjie Deng
- Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Yuheng Sun
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 11103, 9700 CC, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Iain Colin Prentice
- Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Buckhurst Road, Ascot, United Kingdom
- Department of Earth System Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Earth System Modeling, Institute for Global Change Studies, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Imma Oliveras Menor
- Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- AMAP (Botanique et Modelisation de l'Architecture des Plantes et des Végétations), CIRAD, CNRS, INRA, IRD,Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Yadvinder Malhi
- Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
- Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Ma S, Deng G, Wang LJ, Hu H, Fang X, Jiang J. Telecoupling between urban expansion and forest ecosystem service loss through cultivated land displacement: A case study of Zhejiang Province, China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 357:120695. [PMID: 38552521 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120695] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Urbanization can either directly occupy forests or indirectly lead to forest loss elsewhere through cultivated land displacement, resulting in further forest fragmentation and ecosystem service (ES) loss. However, the effects of urban expansion on forest area and ESs are unknown, and this is especially true for indirect effects. Taking Zhejiang Province, China, a typical deforested province, as an example, this study quantified the direct and indirect effects of urban expansion on forest area and five ESs (timber yield, water yield, carbon sequestration, soil conservation, and biodiversity) from 2000 to 2020, explored the relationship between forest structure (forest proportion, mean patch area, edge density, and mean euclidean nearest neighbor distance) change and ESs, and revealed the telecoupling of urban expansion and forest loss and cascade effects among urbanization, deforestation, forest structure, and ESs. The results indicated that the indirect forest loss (4.30%-6.15%) caused by cultivated land displacement due to urban expansion was larger than the direct forest loss (2.42%). Urban expansion has a greater negative impact on carbon sequestration (6.40%-8.20%), water yield (6.08%-7.78%), and biodiversity (5.79%-7.44%) than on timber yield (4.77%-6.17%) and soil conservation (4.43%-5.77%). The indirect forest ES loss was approximately 2.83-4.34 times greater than the direct forest ES loss. Most forest ESs showed a nonlinear significant positive correlation with changes in forest proportion and mean patch area and a significant nonlinear negative correlation with changes in edge density and mean Euclidean nearest neighbor distance (p < 0.05). There is telecoupling between urban expansion in one region and forest ES loss in other distant regions. This study contributes to guiding sustainable forest conservation and management globally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Ma
- Co-Innovation Center of Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab of Soil Erosion and Ecological Restoration, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China.
| | - Guangyi Deng
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Key Laboratory for Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Liang-Jie Wang
- Co-Innovation Center of Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab of Soil Erosion and Ecological Restoration, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China.
| | - Haibo Hu
- Co-Innovation Center of Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab of Soil Erosion and Ecological Restoration, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China
| | - Xianghua Fang
- Lishui Vocational and Technical College, Lishui, 323000, China
| | - Jiang Jiang
- Co-Innovation Center of Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab of Soil Erosion and Ecological Restoration, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Fei-Baffoe B, Badu E, Miezah K, Adjiri Sackey LN, Sulemana A, Yahans Amuah EE. Contamination of groundwater by petroleum hydrocarbons: Impact of fuel stations in residential areas. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25924. [PMID: 38384582 PMCID: PMC10878933 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic factors such as leakages from fuel storage facilities contribute to the release of petroleum hydrocarbons into groundwater. Following the proliferation of fuel stations in residential areas, this research assessed physicochemical parameters, salinity, and levels of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in groundwater sources within selected residential areas. From the study, mean values of temperature (30.5 °C), pH (5.8), EC (181.5 μs/cm), TDS (90.7 mg/L), and salinity (0.1 ppm) were recorded. The highest mean concentration of TPH (9.5 mg/L) was recorded at location A, while three sampling points (J, L, and M) exhibited 0.0 mg/L. Notably, TPH concentrations exceeding permissible limits were observed at three sampling points (A, B, and R). Strong positive correlations were observed between EC and TDS (r = 0.9), as well as salinity and EC (r = 0.9) and TDS (r = 0.9). Matrix plots demonstrated non-linear relationships, except for TDS and EC, although TPH and temperature exhibited a slightly linear pattern. The distance from USTs to the groundwater sources varied in the area. At location H, this distance (25 m) was measured as the shortest, where the mean TPH concentration was 3.71 mg/L. However, site Q exhibited the longest distance of 535 m, accompanied by a mean TPH concentration of 1.1 mg/L. Though the proximity of USTs to groundwater sources exerted some level of influence on the groundwater system, multiple linear regression, ANOVA, and cluster analysis showed that this did not pose direct and major impacts on the concentrations of TPH. However, approaches are needed to remediate the affected groundwater sources.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Fei-Baffoe
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Biosciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Esther Badu
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Biosciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Kwodwo Miezah
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Biosciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Lyndon Nii Adjiri Sackey
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Biosciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Alhassan Sulemana
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Biosciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Ebenezer Ebo Yahans Amuah
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Biosciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB, Kumasi, Ghana
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Lalechère E, Monnet JM, Breen J, Fuhr M. Assessing the potential of remote sensing-based models to predict old-growth forests on large spatiotemporal scales. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 351:119865. [PMID: 38159307 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Old-growth forests provide a broad range of ecosystem services. However, due to poor knowledge of their spatiotemporal distribution, implementing conservation and restoration strategies is challenging. The goal of this study is to compare the predictive ability of socioecological factors and different sources of remotely sensed data that determine the spatiotemporal scales at which forest maturity attributes can be predicted. We evaluated various remotely sensed data that cover a broad range of spatial (from local to global) and temporal (from current to decades) extents, from Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS), aerial multispectral and stereo-imagery, Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2 and Landsat data. Using random forests, remotely sensed data were related to a forest maturity index available in 688 forest plots across four ranges of the French Alps. Each model also includes socioecological predictors related to topography, socioeconomy, pedology and climatology. We found that the different remotely sensed data provide information on the main forest structural characteristics as defined by ALS, except for Landsat, which has a too coarse resolution, and Sentinel-1, which responds differently to vegetation structure. The predictions were quite similar considering aerial remotely sensed data, on the one hand, and satellite remotely sensed data, on the other hand. Socioecological variables are the most important predictors compared to the remote sensing metrics. In conclusion, our results indicate that a wide range of remotely sensed data can be used to study old-growth forests beyond the use of ALS and despite different abilities to predict forest structure. Accounting for socioecological predictors is indispensable to avoid a significant loss of predictive accuracy. Remotely sensed data can allow for predictions to be made at different spatiotemporal resolutions and extents. This study paves the way to large-scale monitoring of forest maturity, as well as for retrospective analyses which will show to what extent predicted maturity change at different dates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Lalechère
- Université de Picardie Jules Verne, EDYSAN (UMR CNRS-UPJV 7058), 1 rue des Louvels, 80037, Amiens Cedex, France.
| | - Jean-Matthieu Monnet
- INRAE, UR LESSEM, 2 rue de la Papeterie, BP 76 38402, Saint Martin d'Hères Cedex, France.
| | - Juliette Breen
- INRAE, UR LESSEM, 2 rue de la Papeterie, BP 76 38402, Saint Martin d'Hères Cedex, France.
| | - Marc Fuhr
- INRAE, UR LESSEM, 2 rue de la Papeterie, BP 76 38402, Saint Martin d'Hères Cedex, France.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Kirschbaum MUF, Cowie AL, Peñuelas J, Smith P, Conant RT, Sage RF, Brandão M, Cotrufo MF, Luo Y, Way DA, Robinson SA. Is tree planting an effective strategy for climate change mitigation? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 909:168479. [PMID: 37951250 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168479] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
The world's forests store large amounts of carbon (C), and growing forests can reduce atmospheric CO2 by storing C in their biomass. This has provided the impetus for world-wide tree planting initiatives to offset fossil-fuel emissions. However, forests interact with their environment in complex and multifaceted ways that must be considered for a balanced assessment of the value of planting trees. First, one needs to consider the potential reversibility of C sequestration in trees through either harvesting or tree death from natural factors. If carbon storage is only temporary, future temperatures will actually be higher than without tree plantings, but cumulative warming will be reduced, contributing both positively and negatively to future climate-change impacts. Alternatively, forests could be used for bioenergy or wood products to replace fossil-fuel use which would obviate the need to consider the possible reversibility of any benefits. Forests also affect the Earth's energy balance through either absorbing or reflecting incoming solar radiation. As forests generally absorb more incoming radiation than bare ground or grasslands, this constitutes an important warming effect that substantially reduces the benefit of C storage, especially in snow-covered regions. Forests also affect other local ecosystem services, such as conserving biodiversity, modifying water and nutrient cycles, and preventing erosion that could be either beneficial or harmful depending on specific circumstances. Considering all these factors, tree plantings may be beneficial or detrimental for mitigating climate-change impacts, but the range of possibilities makes generalisations difficult. Their net benefit depends on many factors that differ between specific circumstances. One can, therefore, neither uncritically endorse tree planting everywhere, nor condemn it as counter-productive. Our aim is to provide key information to enable appropriate assessments to be made under specific circumstances. We conclude our discussion by providing a step-by-step guide for assessing the merit of tree plantings under specific circumstances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miko U F Kirschbaum
- Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, Private Bag 11052, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
| | - Annette L Cowie
- NSW Department of Primary Industries/University of New England, Armidale, Australia
| | - Josep Peñuelas
- CSIC, Global Ecology Unit, CREAF-CSIC-UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Pete Smith
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, 23 St Machar Drive, Aberdeen AB24 3UU, UK
| | - Richard T Conant
- Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Rowan F Sage
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 25 Willcocks Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3B2, Canada
| | - Miguel Brandão
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering, Stockholm 100-44, Sweden
| | - M Francesca Cotrufo
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Yiqi Luo
- School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Danielle A Way
- Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Sharon A Robinson
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future & Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Liu Y, Ma J. Significant early end of the growing season of forest vegetation inside China's protected areas. iScience 2024; 27:108652. [PMID: 38205259 PMCID: PMC10776955 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The land surface phenology (LSP) indicators (i.e., start, end, and length of the growing season: SOS, EOS, LOS) are important to reflect the growth of forest and its response to environmental changes. However, the spatiotemporal variation and its mechanism of forest phenology under different human disturbance' levels are still unclear. Here, we compare the LSP indicators inside and outside China's 257 protected areas (PAs) and explore the influencing factors of phenological differences (ΔSOS, ΔEOS, ΔLOS). We find that in general, EOS inside PAs (mean ± s.e.m: 312.6 ± 1.2days) is significantly earlier than outside (314.6 ± 1.2days), and LOS inside PAs (218.9 ± 2.0days) are significantly shorter than outside (220.6 ± 2.0days). ΔSOS and ΔEOS are controlled by nighttime and daytime temperature differences, respectively, and both factors affect ΔLOS. This evidence provides a new understanding about the functions of PAs and its influence on forest vegetation growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ya Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, #2005 Songhu Road, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jun Ma
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, #2005 Songhu Road, Shanghai 200438, China
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Staszel-Szlachta K, Lasota J, Szlachta A, Błońska E. The impact of root systems and their exudates in different tree species on soil properties and microorganisms in a temperate forest ecosystem. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 24:45. [PMID: 38212695 PMCID: PMC10785385 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-04724-2] [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: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The species composition of tree stands plays an important role in shaping the properties of forest soils. The aim of our research was to determine the influence on soil properties of the root systems of six species of trees which form forest stands in the temperate climatic zone. The research covered areas including six tree species - Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), European larch (Larix deciduas Mill.), English oak (Quercus robur L.), English ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.). In our study, we determined the characteristics of the roots and the amount of carbon excreted alongside their exudates. Enzymatic activity, and the composition and diversity of the fungi and bacteria, were also determined in addition to the basic physicochemical properties of the soil samples. RESULTS A strong relationship between the root characteristics and soil properties, including the pH, basic cation content and phosphorus content, was confirmed. In addition, the enzymatic activity of phosphatase, β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase and β-D-cellobiosidase were positively correlated with the root characteristics. The study on soil bacteria across different tree species revealed Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota to be the most abundant phylum. Fungal analysis showed Basidiomycota and Ascomycota as the dominant phyla. Ascomycota dominated in hornbeam and oak soils. Mortierellomycota was remarkably more present in pine soil. CONCLUSIONS This analysis of root systems and soil properties confirmed the distinctness of ash stands, which were also more abundant in various microorganisms. It was also found that soils affected by different tree species were characterised by varied fungal and bacterial composition. The ash had particularly beneficial impact on soil microbiota.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Staszel-Szlachta
- Department of Ecology and Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture in Krakow, 29 Listopada 46 Str, 31-425, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Jarosław Lasota
- Department of Ecology and Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture in Krakow, 29 Listopada 46 Str, 31-425, Krakow, Poland
| | - Andrzej Szlachta
- Swierklaniec Forest District, Ul. Oswiecimska 19, 42-622, Swierklaniec, Poland
| | - Ewa Błońska
- Department of Ecology and Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture in Krakow, 29 Listopada 46 Str, 31-425, Krakow, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Gajendiran K, Kandasamy S, Narayanan M. Influences of wildfire on the forest ecosystem and climate change: A comprehensive study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 240:117537. [PMID: 37914016 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117537] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Wildfires have complex impacts on forests, including changes in vegetation, threats to biodiversity, and emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, which exacerbate climate change. The influence of wildfires on animal habitats is particularly noteworthy, as they can lead to significant changes in native environments. The extent of these alterations in species and habitats plays a crucial role in shaping forest ecology. Drought, disease, insect infestations, overgrazing, or their combined effects can amplify the negative effects on specific plant genera and entire ecosystems. In addition to the immediate consequences of plant mortality and altered community dynamics, forest fires have far-reaching implications. They often increase flowering and seed production, further influencing ecological communities. However, one concerning trend is the decline in the diversity of forest biological species within fire-affected areas. Beyond their ecological impacts, wildfires emit substantial quantities of greenhouse gases and fine particulates into the atmosphere, triggering profound changes in climate patterns and contributing to global warming. As vegetation burns during these fires, the carbon stored within is released, rendering large forest fires detrimental to biodiversity and the emission of CO2, a significant contributor to global warming. Measuring the global impact of wildfires on ecological communities and greenhouse gas emissions has become increasingly vital. These research endeavors shed light on the intricate relationships and feedback loops linking wildfires, ecosystem inhabitants, and the evolving climate landscape.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kandasamy Gajendiran
- Department of Microbiology, M.G.R. College of Arts and Science, Hosur, Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sabariswaran Kandasamy
- Department of Biotechnology, PSGR Krishnammal College for Women, Peelamedu, Coimbatore, 641004, India
| | - Mathiyazhagan Narayanan
- Division of Research and Innovations, Department of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Science, Chennai, 602105, Tamil Nadu, India.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Wang L, Wang E, Mao X, Benjamin W, Liu Y. Sustainable poverty alleviation through forests: Pathways and strategies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:167336. [PMID: 37748615 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167336] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Forests are the most productive terrestrial ecosystems across the world. They can play both a direct and indirect role in global poverty alleviation through their social, economic and environmental functions. However, the potential of forests in poverty alleviation is underestimated to a great extent. Sustainability, the most essential advantage and characteristic of forests for poverty alleviation, has not been fully recognized. To that end, we propose the concept of sustainable poverty alleviation through forests (SPAF). This concept shifts the vision of poverty alleviation through forests from a narrow focus on subsistence and livelihood to a sustainable poverty alleviation that promotes all dimensions of human development. There is abundant evidence that forests can at least contribute to sustainable poverty alleviation through a synergy of seven pathways: subsistence materials, health, income, employment, women's empowerment, climate change mitigation and biodiversity, which are highly consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. SPAF also faces enormous implementation challenges, so a sustainable global strategy is urgently needed to provide direction for worldwide poverty alleviation at the crossroads of nature and humanity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ling Wang
- College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Enheng Wang
- College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Xuegang Mao
- College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China; Research and Development Center of Big Data for Ecosystem, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
| | - Watson Benjamin
- College of Foreign Languages, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Aguirre-Gutiérrez J, Stevens N, Berenguer E. Valuing the functionality of tropical ecosystems beyond carbon. Trends Ecol Evol 2023; 38:1109-1111. [PMID: 37798181 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.08.012] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Land-based carbon sequestration projects, such as tree planting, are a prominent strategy to offset carbon emissions. However, we risk reducing natural ecosystems to one metric - carbon. Emphasis on restoring ecosystems to balance ecosystem services, biodiversity conservation, and carbon sequestration is a more appropriate strategy to protect their functioning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Aguirre-Gutiérrez
- Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX13QY, UK; Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX13QY, UK.
| | - Nicola Stevens
- Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX13QY, UK; University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng 2000, South Africa
| | - Erika Berenguer
- Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX13QY, UK; Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Huang Q, Xu J, Wong JP, Radeloff VC, Songer M. Prioritizing global tall forests toward the 30 × 30 goals. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2023; 37:e14135. [PMID: 37377172 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14135] [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: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The Global Deal for Nature sets an ambitious goal to protect 30% of Earth's land and ocean by 2030. The 30 × 30 initiative is a way to allocate conservation resources and extend protection to conserve vulnerable and underprotected ecosystems while reducing carbon emissions to combat climate change. However, most prioritization methods for identifying high-value conservation areas are based on thematic attributes and do not consider vertical habitat structure. Global tall forests represent a rare vertical habitat structure that harbors high species richness in various taxonomic groups and is associated with large amounts of aboveground biomass. Global tall forests should be prioritized when planning global protected areas toward reaching the 30 × 30 goals. We examined the spatial distribution of global tall forests based on the Global Canopy Height 2020 product. We defined global tall forests as areas with the average canopy height above 3 thresholds (20, 25, and 30 m). We quantified the spatial distribution and protection level of global tall forests in high-protection zones, where the 30 × 30 goals are being met or are within reach, and low-protection zones, where there is a low chance of reaching 30 × 30 goals. We quantified the protection level by computing the percentage of global tall forest area protected based on the 2017 World Database on Protected Areas. We also determined the global extent and protection level of undisturbed, mature, tall forests based on the 2020 Global Intact Forest Landscapes mask. In most cases, the percentage of protection decreased as forest height reached the top strata. In the low-protection zones, <30% of forests were protected in almost all tall forest strata. In countries such as Brazil, tall forests had a higher percentage of protection (consistently >30%) compared to forests of lower height, presenting a more effective conservation model than in countries such as the United States, where forest protection was almost uniformly <30% across height strata. Our results show an urgent need to target forest conservation in the greatest height strata, particularly in high-protection areas, where most global tall forests are found. Vegetation vertical structure can inform the decision-making process toward the 30 × 30 goals because it can be used to identify areas of high conservation value for biodiversity protection which also contribute to carbon sequestration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiongyu Huang
- Conservation Ecology Center, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, USA
| | - Jin Xu
- Conservation Ecology Center, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, USA
| | - Jesse Pan Wong
- Conservation Ecology Center, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, USA
- Department of Geography, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA
| | - Volker C Radeloff
- Forest and Wildlife Ecology Department, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Melissa Songer
- Conservation Ecology Center, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Quesada-Ruiz LC, García-Romero L, Ferrer-Valero N. Mapping environmental crime to characterize human impacts on islands: an applied and methodological research in Canary Islands. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 346:118959. [PMID: 37734215 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118959] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Environmental crimes are a global issue due to the damage they cause to landscapes and ecosystems. This study focused on characterizing environmental crimes in the Canary Islands (Spain). Four categories of environmental crimes related to construction, mining and tilling, solid waste, and liquid waste) were defined and analysed. A total of 28 databases were generated, corresponding to each of the 7 major islands and each environmental crime typology. Each database was linked to information on land use and the socioeconomic and physical characteristics of the territory. For each database, firstly a descriptive statistical analysis was conducted, followed by the generation of a regularized Random Forest model with the aim of identifying characteristics that may be related to the location of environmental crimes. The results showed that, in most cases, proximity to residential accommodations, agricultural areas and industrial zones act as the main explanatory features of the distribution of environmental crimes. Furthermore, a marked pattern of concentration of environmental crimes in the coastal belt of the islands was observed, mainly associated with urban-tourist development since the 1960s and 1970s.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Leví García-Romero
- Grupo de Geografía Física y Medio Ambiente, Instituto de Oceanografía y Cambio Global, IOCAG, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, ULPGC, Spain
| | - Nicolás Ferrer-Valero
- Grupo de Geografía Física y Medio Ambiente, Instituto de Oceanografía y Cambio Global, IOCAG, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, ULPGC, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Rivas-Salvador J, Reif J. Species-specific traits affect bird species' susceptibility to global change. THE SCIENCE OF NATURE - NATURWISSENSCHAFTEN 2023; 110:54. [PMID: 37957333 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-023-01883-4] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The current ecological crisis has risen extinction rates to similar levels of ancient mass extinctions. However, it seems to not be acting uniformly across all species but affecting species differentially. This suggests that species' susceptibility to the extinction process is mediated by specific traits. Since understanding this response mechanism at large scales will benefit conservation effort around the world, we used the IUCN global threat status and population trends of 8281 extant bird species as proxies of the extinction risk to identify the species-specific traits affecting their susceptibility to extinction within the biogeographic regions and at the global scale. Using linear mixed effect models and multinomial models, we related the global threat status and the population trends with the following traits: migratory strategy, habitat and diet specialization, body size, and generation length. According to our results and independently of the proxy used, more vulnerable species are sedentary and have larger body size, longer generation time, and higher degree of habitat specialization. These relationships apply globally and show little variation across biogeographic regions. We suggest that such concordant patterns might be caused either by a widespread occurrence of the same threats such as habitat modification or by a uniform capacity of some traits to reflect the impact of different local threats. Regardless of the cause of this pattern, our study identified the traits that affect species' response capability to the current ecological crisis. Conservation effort should focus on the species with trait values indicating the limited response capacity to overcome this crisis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Javier Rivas-Salvador
- Institute of Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
- PECBMS Group, Czech Society for Ornithology, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Jiři Reif
- Institute of Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Miranda A, Hoyos-Santillan J, Lara A, Mentler R, Huertas-Herrera A, Toro-Manríquez MDR, Sepulveda-Jauregui A. Equivalent impacts of logging and beaver activities on aboveground carbon stock loss in the southernmost forest on Earth. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18350. [PMID: 37884596 PMCID: PMC10603114 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45657-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The conservation of forest landscapes is crucial for global climate strategies, and the forest in Tierra del Fuego, located in Patagonia, represents the southernmost example on Earth. These ecosystems are critical for Chile's roadmap toward carbon neutrality. Unfortunately, these ecosystems have been impacted by logging and beaver activities. Currently, the precise contribution of each driver to forest cover and carbon stock loss remains insufficiently quantified, impeding effective policymaking and the implementation of strategies to safeguard and enhance carbon stocks in these ecosystems. In this study, we conducted an assessment of forest carbon stock loss resulting from both logging and beaver activities in Chilean Tierra del Fuego from 1986 to 2019. While beavers have received significant attention for their substantial contribution to forest cover loss (56.1% forest cover, ≈ 1.4 MtC), our findings suggest that logging has nearly equally contributed to carbon stock depletion (43.8% forest cover, ≈ 1.2 MtC). Consequently, the prevailing focus on beavers has obscured the ongoing logging-induced carbon stock loss. The implications of our study highlight the urgency for comprehensive consideration of both drivers in Chile's climate strategy to fulfill the country's mitigation commitments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Miranda
- Center for Climate and Resilience Research (CR), Santiago, Chile
- Laboratorio de Ecología del Paisaje y Conservación, Departamento de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
- Environmental Biogeochemistry Laboratory, GAIA Antarctica Research Centre (CIGA-UMAG), University of Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - Jorge Hoyos-Santillan
- Center for Climate and Resilience Research (CR), Santiago, Chile.
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton, Bonington, UK.
- Environmental Biogeochemistry Laboratory, GAIA Antarctica Research Centre (CIGA-UMAG), University of Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile.
| | - Antonio Lara
- Center for Climate and Resilience Research (CR), Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y Recursos Naturales, Instituto de Conservación, Biodiversidad y Territorio, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
- Fundación Centro de los Bosques Nativos FORECOS, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Rayén Mentler
- Center for Climate and Resilience Research (CR), Santiago, Chile
| | - Alejandro Huertas-Herrera
- Grupo Ecología Forestal, Centro de Investigación en Ecosistemas de la Patagonia (CIEP), Coyhaique, Chile
| | - Mónica D R Toro-Manríquez
- Grupo Ecología Forestal, Centro de Investigación en Ecosistemas de la Patagonia (CIEP), Coyhaique, Chile
| | - Armando Sepulveda-Jauregui
- Center for Climate and Resilience Research (CR), Santiago, Chile
- Environmental Biogeochemistry Laboratory, GAIA Antarctica Research Centre (CIGA-UMAG), University of Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Crosby AD, Leston L, Bayne EM, Sólymos P, Mahon CL, Toms JD, Docherty TDS, Song SJ. Domains of scale in cumulative effects of energy sector development on boreal birds. LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY 2023; 38:3173-3188. [PMID: 38161780 PMCID: PMC10754738 DOI: 10.1007/s10980-023-01779-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Context Industrial development in Canada's boreal forest creates cumulative environmental effects on biodiversity. Some effects may be scale-dependent, creating uncertainty in understanding and hindering effective management. Objectives We estimated cumulative effects of energy sector development on distributions of sixteen migratory songbird species at multiple spatial scales within the boreal region of Alberta, Canada, and evaluated evidence for scale domains in species responses. Methods We used a hierarchical, multi-scale sampling and modelling framework to compare effects of oil and gas footprint on songbirds at five spatial scales. We used Bayesian Lasso to facilitate direct comparison of parameter estimates across scales, and tested for differences in grouped parameter estimates among species. Results We found consistent scale-dependent patterns across species, showing variable responses to development occurring at the smallest scale, little effect at intermediate scales, and stronger, mainly positive effects at the largest scales. Differences in grouped parameter estimates across scales showed strong evidence for scale domains in the response of songbirds to energy sector development. Conclusions We concluded that variable effects at the smallest scale represented individual habitat selection, while larger scale positive effects reflected expanding distributions of open habitat- and disturbance-associated species in areas of high oil and gas footprint. Our results show that single-scale analyses do not reflect population processes occurring at other scales. Future research on linking patterns at different scales is required to fully understand cumulative effects of land use change on wildlife populations. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10980-023-01779-8.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D. Crosby
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada
| | - Lionel Leston
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada
| | - Erin M. Bayne
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada
- Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada
| | - Péter Sólymos
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada
| | - C. Lisa Mahon
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Whitehorse, YT Canada
| | - Judith D. Toms
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Edmonton, AB Canada
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Hood-Nowotny R, Rabitsch I, Cimadom A, Suarez-Rubio M, Watzinger A, Yáñez PS, Schulze CH, Zechmeister-Boltenstern S, Jäger H, Tebbich S. Plant invasion causes alterations in Darwin's finch feeding patterns in Galápagos cloud forests. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 895:164990. [PMID: 37364830 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164990] [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: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Invasive species pose a major threat to forest biodiversity, particularly on islands such as the Galapágos. Here, invasive plants are threatening the remnants of the unique cloud forest and its iconic Darwin's finches. We posit that food web disturbances caused by invasive Rubus niveus (blackberry), have contributed to the rapid decline of the insectivourous green warbler finch (Certhidae olivacea). We compared the birds' dietary changes in long-term management, short-term management and unmanaged areas. We measured C:N ratios, and δ15N‑nitrogen and δ13C‑carbon values in both consumer tissues (bird-blood) and food sources (arthropods), as indicators of resource use change, and collected mass abundance, and arthropod diversity data. We characterised the birds' diets using isotope mixing models. The results revealed that finches in (blackberry-invaded) unmanaged areas foraged more on abundant, yet lower quality, arthropods present in the invaded understory. This suggests that blackberry encroachment leads to a decrease in food source quality with physiological consequences for green warbler finch chicks. Results also implied that blackberry control has a short-term impact on food source quantity, which led to a decrease in chick recruitment that we observed in our previous studies; despite this, in the long-term, these managed systems show signs of recovery within three years of restoration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Hood-Nowotny
- Institute of Soil Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1180 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Ingrid Rabitsch
- Institute of Soil Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - Arno Cimadom
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Marcela Suarez-Rubio
- Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrea Watzinger
- Institute of Soil Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - Paul Schmidt Yáñez
- Ökosystemforschung, Raum 106. Müggelseedamm 301, 12587 Berlin, Germany; Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian H Schulze
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Heinke Jäger
- Charles Darwin Research Station, Charles Darwin Foundation, Santa Cruz, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Sabine Tebbich
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Ota M, Ota T, Shimizu K, Onda N, Ma V, Sokh H, Mizoue N. Forest conservation effectiveness of community forests may decline in the future: Evidence from Cambodia. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad320. [PMID: 37908560 PMCID: PMC10614049 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Community forests (CFs) have been widely established in tropical countries as a tool to achieve forest conservation. Many studies have shown that CFs can contribute to the reduction of deforestation, yet studies that evaluate the contribution of CFs to reducing forest degradation and facilitating forest recovery remain scarce. We investigated the ability of CFs to prevent deforestation and forest degradation and to facilitate forest recovery by using a country-scale longitudinal tree canopy cover and forest cover data set in Cambodia. We found that CFs can prevent both forest degradation and deforestation, but we did not observe a forest recovery effect. We also found that recently established CFs are not effective for forest conservation compared with older CFs. We conclude that, to date, CFs are an effective forest conservation tool; however, this does not necessarily mean that new CFs will be as effective as established ones.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miwa Ota
- Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Tetsuji Ota
- Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Katsuto Shimizu
- Department of Forest Management, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8687, Japan
| | - Nariaki Onda
- Tohoku Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Morioka, Iwate, 020-0123, Japan
| | - Vuthy Ma
- Forest-Wildlife Research and Development Institute, Forestry Administration, Khan Sen Sok, Phnom Penh, 120806, Cambodia
| | - Heng Sokh
- Forest-Wildlife Research and Development Institute, Forestry Administration, Khan Sen Sok, Phnom Penh, 120806, Cambodia
| | - Nobuya Mizoue
- Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Geng M, Li X, Mu H, Yu G, Chai L, Yang Z, Liu H, Huang J, Liu H, Ju Z. Human footprints in the Global South accelerate biomass carbon loss in ecologically sensitive regions. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:5881-5895. [PMID: 37565368 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Human activities have placed significant pressure on the terrestrial biosphere, leading to ecosystem degradation and carbon losses. However, the full impact of these activities on terrestrial biomass carbon remains unexplored. In this study, we examined changes in global human footprint (HFP) and human-induced aboveground biomass carbon (AGBC) losses from 2000 to 2018. Our findings show an increasing trend in HFP globally, resulting in the conversion of wilderness areas to highly modified regions. These changes have altered global biomes' habitats, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. We also found accelerated AGBC loss driven by HFP expansion, with a total loss of 19.99 ± 0.196 PgC from 2000 to 2018, especially in tropical regions. Additionally, AGBC is more vulnerable in the Global South than in the Global North. Human activities threaten natural habitats, resulting in increasing AGBC loss even in strictly protected areas. Therefore, scientifically guided planning of future human activities is crucial to protect half of Earth through mitigation and adaptation under future risks of climate change and global urbanization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengqing Geng
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuecao Li
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing for Agri-Hazards, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Haowei Mu
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guojiang Yu
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Chai
- International College, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongwen Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Haimeng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Regional Sustainable Development Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianxi Huang
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing for Agri-Hazards, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Han Liu
- Key Laboratory of Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation, Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Center, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing, China
| | - Zhengshan Ju
- Key Laboratory of Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation, Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Center, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Llopis JC, Haddaway NR, Omirbek N, Simmons BA, Garrett R, Jones JPG. Evidence of anticipatory forest use behaviours under policy introduction: a systematic map protocol. ENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE 2023; 12:20. [PMID: 38799729 PMCID: PMC11116263 DOI: 10.1186/s13750-023-00307-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Background Forest conservation is a major global policy goal, due to the role forests play in climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. It is well recognized that the introduction of policies, whether aimed at forest conservation or with other objectives, has the potential to trigger unintended outcomes, such as displacement or leakage, which can undermine policy objectives. However, a set of outcomes that has escaped detailed scrutiny are anticipatory forest use behaviours, emerging when forest stakeholders anticipate policy implementation, deploying for example pre-emptive forest clearing, resulting in detrimental environmental outcomes. Lack of understanding of the extent and sectorial scope of these behaviours prevents us from devising strategies to address their potential detrimental consequences. Methods This protocol presents the methodology that will be followed to conduct a systematic map to identify, compile, review and describe the evidence available on anticipatory forest use behaviours in the context of policy introduction around the world. We will use two complementary search strategies, which we have tested before submitting this protocol. First, a systematic bibliographic search, and second, a citation chase approach. We will include articles based on a pre-defined set of criteria defined according to a Population, Intervention and Outcome (i.e. PIO) design. To support identification of knowledge gaps and clusters, we will report results of the systematic map in a narrative synthesis, an evidence atlas and other visualisations. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13750-023-00307-0.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Claudio Llopis
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Conservation Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Neal Robert Haddaway
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Müncheberg, Germany
- Africa Centre for Evidence, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | | | - Rachael Garrett
- Department of Geography and Conservation Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Johnson CE, Tafoya KA, Beck P, Concilio A, White KE, Quirós R, Wasserman MD. Primate richness and abundance is driven by both forest structure and conservation scenario in Costa Rica. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290742. [PMID: 37703237 PMCID: PMC10499215 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290742] [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: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Variation in tropical forest management directly affects biodiversity and provisioning of ecosystem services on a global scale, thus it is necessary to compare forests under different conservation approaches such as protected areas, payments for ecosystem services programs (PES), and ecotourism, as well as forests lacking any formal conservation plan. To examine the effectiveness of specific conservation approaches, we examined differences in forest structure and tree recruitment, including canopy cover; canopy height; seedling, sapling, and adult tree density; and average and total diameter at breast height (DBH) across 78 plots in 18 forests across Costa Rica representing protected areas, private forests utilizing PES and/or ecotourism, and private forests not utilizing these economic incentives. The effectiveness of conservation approaches in providing suitable primate habitat was assessed by conducting broad primate census surveys across a subset of eight forests to determine species richness and group encounter rate of three primate species: mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata), Central American spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi), and the white-faced capuchin monkey (Cebus imitator). Only canopy height was significantly different across the three approaches, with protected areas conserving the tallest and likely oldest forests. Canopy height was also significantly associated with the group encounter rate for both mantled howler and spider monkeys, but not for capuchins. Total group encounter rate for all three monkey species combined was higher in incentivized forests than in protected areas, with capuchin and howler monkey group encounter rates driving the trend. Group encounter rate for spider monkeys was higher in protected areas than in incentivized forests. Incentivized conservation (PES and ecotourism) and protected areas are paragons of land management practices that can lead to variation in forest structure across a landscape, which not only protect primate communities, but support the dietary ecologies of sympatric primate species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kathryn A. Tafoya
- Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States of America
| | - Peter Beck
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, St. Edward’s University, Austin, TX, United States of America
| | - Amy Concilio
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, St. Edward’s University, Austin, TX, United States of America
| | - Kurt E. White
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States of America
| | - Rodolfo Quirós
- Las Cruces Research Station, Organization for Tropical Studies, San Vito, Costa Rica
| | - Michael D. Wasserman
- Department of Anthropology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Morgan D, Strindberg S, McElmurray P, Zambarda A, Singono I, Huskisson S, Musgrave S, Ayina CE, Funkhouser J, Hellmuth H, Joshi P, Cassidy R, Sanz C. Extending the conservation impact of great ape research: Flagship species sites facilitate biodiversity assessments and land preservation. Primates 2023:10.1007/s10329-023-01080-x. [PMID: 37682371 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-023-01080-x] [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: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
To inform regional conservation planning, we assessed mammalian and avian biodiversity in the Djéké Triangle, which is an intact forest with long-term research and tourism focused on western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). This critical region serves as a conservation conduit between the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park (NNNP) in the Republic of Congo and the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park in Central African Republic. Wildlife inventories were conducted to determine if biodiversity in the Djéké Triangle (initially part of a logging concession) was equivalent to the NNNP. Camera traps (CTs) were deployed to estimate species richness, relative abundance, naïve occupancy, and activity patterns of medium-to-large species in mixed species and monodominant Gilbertiodendron forests that comprise the majority of regional terra firma. Species inventories were collected from CTs positioned on a grid and at termite nests throughout the Djéké Triangle and compared to CTs placed in the Goualougo Triangle located within the NNNP. From 10,534 camera days at 65 locations, we identified 34 mammal and 16 bird species. Allaying concerns of wildlife depletion, metrics of species richness in the Djéké Triangle surpassed those of the Goualougo Triangle. Many species were observed to occur across habitats, while others showed habitat specificity, with termite mounds indicated as an important microhabitat feature. Our comparisons of animal activity budgets in different habitat types provide important reference information for other populations and contexts. In conclusion, this study provided empirical evidence of the high conservation value of this region that contributed to increasing the protected status of the Djéké Triangle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Morgan
- Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes, Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL, 60614, USA.
| | - Samantha Strindberg
- Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Boulevard Bronx, New York, NY, 10460, USA
| | - Philip McElmurray
- Department of Anthropology, Washington University in Saint Louis, 1 Brookings Drive, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63130, USA
| | - Alice Zambarda
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Congo Program, B.P. 14537, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | - Igor Singono
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Congo Program, B.P. 14537, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | - Sarah Huskisson
- Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes, Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL, 60614, USA
| | - Stephanie Musgrave
- Department of Anthropology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA
| | - Crepin Eyana Ayina
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Congo Program, B.P. 14537, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | - Jake Funkhouser
- Department of Anthropology, Washington University in Saint Louis, 1 Brookings Drive, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63130, USA
| | | | - Priyanka Joshi
- Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes, Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL, 60614, USA
| | - Rod Cassidy
- Sangha Lodge, Bayanga, Central African Republic
| | - Crickette Sanz
- Department of Anthropology, Washington University in Saint Louis, 1 Brookings Drive, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63130, USA
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Congo Program, B.P. 14537, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Ling YY, Xiang KL, Peng HW, Erst AS, Lian L, Zhao L, Jabbour F, Wang W. Biogeographic diversification of Actaea (Ranunculaceae): Insights into the historical assembly of deciduous broad-leaved forests in the Northern Hemisphere. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2023:107870. [PMID: 37406952 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107870] [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: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
The deciduous broad-leaved forests (DBLFs) cover large temperate and subtropical high-altitude regions in the Northern Hemisphere. They are home to rich biodiversity, especially to numerous endemic and relict species. However, we know little about how this vegetation in the Northern Hemisphere has developed through time. Here, we used Actaea (Ranunculaceae), an herbaceous genus almost exclusively growing in the understory of the Northern Hemisphere DBLFs, to shed light on the historical assembly of this biome in the Northern Hemisphere. We present a complete species-level phylogenetic analysis of Actaea based on five plastid and nuclear loci. Using the phylogenetic framework, we estimated divergence times, ancestral ranges, and diversification rates. Phylogenetic analyses strongly support Actaea as monophyletic. Sections Podocarpae and Oligocarpae compose a clade, sister to all other Actaea. The sister relationship between sections Chloranthae and Souliea is strongly supported. Section Dichanthera is not monophyletic unless section Cimicifuga is included. Actaea originated in East Asia, likely the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, in the late Paleocene (c. 57 Ma), and subsequently dispersed into North America in the middle Eocene (c. 43 Ma) via the Thulean bridge. Actaea reached Europe twice, Japan twice, and Taiwan once, and all these five colonization events occurred in the late Miocene-early Pliocene, a period when sea level dropped. Actaea began to diversify at c. 43 Ma. The section-level diversification took place at c. 27-37 Ma and the species-level diversification experienced accelerations twice, which occurred at c. 15 Ma and c. 5 Ma, respectively. Our findings suggest that the Northern Hemisphere DBLFs might have risen in the middle Eocene and further diversified in the late Eocene-Oligocene, middle Miocene and early Pliocene, in association with climatic deterioration during these four periods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Yuan Ling
- State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; China National Botanical Garden, Beijing 100093, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Kun-Li Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; China National Botanical Garden, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Huan-Wen Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; China National Botanical Garden, Beijing 100093, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Andrey S Erst
- Central Siberian Botanical Garden, Russian Academy of Sciences, Zolotodolinskaya str. 101, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Lian Lian
- State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; China National Botanical Garden, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Liang Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Florian Jabbour
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, Paris 75005, France
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; China National Botanical Garden, Beijing 100093, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Burger J, Gochfeld M, Giffen N, Brown KG, Cortes M, Ng K, Kosson DS. Comparing land cover and interior forests on contaminated land and the surrounding region: Oak Ridge Reservation as a case study. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2023:1-17. [PMID: 37335075 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2023.2223231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Pressure from expanding populations has resulted in a need for protection, reclamation, and restoration of damaged land to productive, beneficial health uses. The objective of this investigation was to 1) compare land cover on the Department of Energy (DOE) Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR) with the surrounding region, 2) select an indicator to evaluate ORR's protection of ecological resources, and 3) develop and implement a method to compare the amount of the indicator on ORR with the regions using National Land Cover Database (NLCD). Data demonstrated that ORR has a higher % of forests (deciduous, coniferous, mixed) than the 10 km and 30 km areas surrounding ORR, suggesting that obligations are being met to protect the ecology and environment. The findings also indicate that the interior forest at ORR is fragmented more than is the interior forest in the 30 km buffer zone, suggesting a need for DOE and managers of other lands to take into consideration the importance of intact interior forest when developing land or planning roads. The study describes the basis for specific ecological parameters such as interior forest that are important to consider when planning and executing remediation, restoration, and other management actions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Burger
- Division of Life Sciences, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP), Rutgers University and Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Michael Gochfeld
- Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP), Rutgers University and Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Neil Giffen
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Kevin G Brown
- Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP), Rutgers University and Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Monica Cortes
- Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP), Rutgers University and Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kelly Ng
- Division of Life Sciences, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP), Rutgers University and Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - David S Kosson
- Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP), Rutgers University and Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Zemp DC, Guerrero-Ramirez N, Brambach F, Darras K, Grass I, Potapov A, Röll A, Arimond I, Ballauff J, Behling H, Berkelmann D, Biagioni S, Buchori D, Craven D, Daniel R, Gailing O, Ellsäßer F, Fardiansah R, Hennings N, Irawan B, Khokthong W, Krashevska V, Krause A, Kückes J, Li K, Lorenz H, Maraun M, Merk MS, Moura CCM, Mulyani YA, Paterno GB, Pebrianti HD, Polle A, Prameswari DA, Sachsenmaier L, Scheu S, Schneider D, Setiajiati F, Setyaningsih CA, Sundawati L, Tscharntke T, Wollni M, Hölscher D, Kreft H. Tree islands enhance biodiversity and functioning in oil palm landscapes. Nature 2023; 618:316-321. [PMID: 37225981 PMCID: PMC10247383 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06086-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
In the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration1, large knowledge gaps persist on how to increase biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in cash crop-dominated tropical landscapes2. Here, we present findings from a large-scale, 5-year ecosystem restoration experiment in an oil palm landscape enriched with 52 tree islands, encompassing assessments of ten indicators of biodiversity and 19 indicators of ecosystem functioning. Overall, indicators of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, as well as multidiversity and ecosystem multifunctionality, were higher in tree islands compared to conventionally managed oil palm. Larger tree islands led to larger gains in multidiversity through changes in vegetation structure. Furthermore, tree enrichment did not decrease landscape-scale oil palm yield. Our results demonstrate that enriching oil palm-dominated landscapes with tree islands is a promising ecological restoration strategy, yet should not replace the protection of remaining forests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Clara Zemp
- Conservation Biology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
- Biodiversity, Macroecology and Biogeography, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
- Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (CBL), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Nathaly Guerrero-Ramirez
- Biodiversity, Macroecology and Biogeography, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Fabian Brambach
- Biodiversity, Macroecology and Biogeography, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kevin Darras
- Agroecology, Department of Crop Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Science, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ingo Grass
- Ecology of Tropical Agricultural Systems, Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Anton Potapov
- Animal Ecology, J.F. Blumenbach Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alexander Röll
- Tropical Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Isabelle Arimond
- Agroecology, Department of Crop Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Science, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Functional Agrobiodiversity, Dept. of Crop Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Science, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Johannes Ballauff
- Forest Botany and Tree Physiology, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hermann Behling
- Department of Palynology and Climate Dynamics, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dirk Berkelmann
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Siria Biagioni
- Department of Palynology and Climate Dynamics, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Damayanti Buchori
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Institut Pertanian Bogor. Jl. Meranti, IPB Dramaga Campus, Bogor, Indonesia
- Center for Transdisciplinary and Sustainability Sciences, IPB University, Jalan Pajajaran, Indonesia
| | - Dylan Craven
- Centre for Ecosystem Modeling and Monitoring, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rolf Daniel
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Gailing
- Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (CBL), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Florian Ellsäßer
- Tropical Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Natural Resources, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Riko Fardiansah
- Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (CBL), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Zoological Museum, Center of Natural History, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Faculty of Forestry, University of Jambi Jln Raya Jambi, Jambi, Indonesia
| | - Nina Hennings
- Biogeochemistry of Agroecosystems, Faculty of Agricultural Science, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Bambang Irawan
- Faculty of Forestry, University of Jambi Jln Raya Jambi, Jambi, Indonesia
| | - Watit Khokthong
- Tropical Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Valentyna Krashevska
- Animal Ecology, J.F. Blumenbach Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alena Krause
- Animal Ecology, J.F. Blumenbach Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Johanna Kückes
- Tropical Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kevin Li
- Agroecology, Department of Crop Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Science, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hendrik Lorenz
- Tropical Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Mark Maraun
- Animal Ecology, J.F. Blumenbach Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Miryam Sarah Merk
- Chairs of Statistics and Econometrics, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Carina C M Moura
- Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Yeni A Mulyani
- Forest Resources Conservation and Ecotourism, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, IPB University, Kampus IPB Darmaga, Bogor, Indonesia
| | - Gustavo B Paterno
- Biodiversity, Macroecology and Biogeography, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Andrea Polle
- Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (CBL), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Forest Botany and Tree Physiology, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Di Ajeng Prameswari
- Animal Ecology, J.F. Blumenbach Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lena Sachsenmaier
- Biodiversity, Macroecology and Biogeography, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Systematic Botany and Functional Biodiversity, Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stefan Scheu
- Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (CBL), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Animal Ecology, J.F. Blumenbach Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dominik Schneider
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Fitta Setiajiati
- Department of Forest Management, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, IPB University, Kampus IPB Darmaga, Bogor, Indonesia
| | - Christina Ani Setyaningsih
- Department of Palynology and Climate Dynamics, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Leti Sundawati
- Department of Forest Management, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, IPB University, Kampus IPB Darmaga, Bogor, Indonesia
| | - Teja Tscharntke
- Agroecology, Department of Crop Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Science, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Meike Wollni
- Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (CBL), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Environmental and Resource Economics, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dirk Hölscher
- Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (CBL), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Tropical Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Holger Kreft
- Biodiversity, Macroecology and Biogeography, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (CBL), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Simmonds JS, Suarez-Castro AF, Reside AE, Watson JEM, Allan JR, Atkinson SC, Borrelli P, Dudley N, Edwards S, Fuller RA, Game ET, Linke S, Maxwell SL, Panagos P, Puydarrieux P, Quétier F, Runting RK, Santini T, Sonter LJ, Maron M. Retaining natural vegetation to safeguard biodiversity and humanity. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2023; 37:e14040. [PMID: 36424859 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Global efforts to deliver internationally agreed goals to reduce carbon emissions, halt biodiversity loss, and retain essential ecosystem services have been poorly integrated. These goals rely in part on preserving natural (e.g., native, largely unmodified) and seminatural (e.g., low intensity or sustainable human use) forests, woodlands, and grasslands. To show how to unify these goals, we empirically derived spatially explicit, quantitative, area-based targets for the retention of natural and seminatural (e.g., native) terrestrial vegetation worldwide. We used a 250-m-resolution map of natural and seminatural vegetation cover and, from this, selected areas identified under different international agreements as being important for achieving global biodiversity, carbon, soil, and water targets. At least 67 million km2 of Earth's terrestrial vegetation (∼79% of the area of vegetation remaining) required retention to contribute to biodiversity, climate, soil, and freshwater conservation objectives under 4 United Nations' resolutions. This equates to retaining natural and seminatural vegetation across at least 50% of the total terrestrial (excluding Antarctica) surface of Earth. Retention efforts could contribute to multiple goals simultaneously, especially where natural and seminatural vegetation can be managed to achieve cobenefits for biodiversity, carbon storage, and ecosystem service provision. Such management can and should co-occur and be driven by people who live in and rely on places where natural and sustainably managed vegetation remains in situ and must be complemented by restoration and appropriate management of more human-modified environments if global goals are to be realized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy S Simmonds
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andres Felipe Suarez-Castro
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
| | - April E Reside
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - James E M Watson
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- Global Conservation Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - James R Allan
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Pasquale Borrelli
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Stephen Edwards
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Gland, Switzerland
| | - Richard A Fuller
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Edward T Game
- The Nature Conservancy, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Simon Linke
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
- CSIRO Land & Water, Dutton Park, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sean L Maxwell
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Panos Panagos
- Joint Research Centre (JRC), European Commission, Ispra, Italy
| | | | | | - Rebecca K Runting
- School of Geography, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Talitha Santini
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Laura J Sonter
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Martine Maron
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Wang L, Wei F, Svenning JC. Accelerated cropland expansion into high integrity forests and protected areas globally in the 21st century. iScience 2023; 26:106450. [PMID: 37034983 PMCID: PMC10074200 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106450] [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: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Intact forests and protected areas (PAs) are central to global biodiversity conservation and nature-based climate change mitigation. However, cropland encroachment threatens the ecological integrity and resilience of their functioning. Using satellite observations, we find that a large proportion of croplands in the remaining forests globally have been gained during 2003-2019, especially for high-integrity forests (62%) and non-forest biomes (60%) and tropical forests (47%). Cropland expansion during 2011-2019 in forests globally has even doubled (130% relative increase) than 2003-2011, with high medium-integrity (190%) and high-integrity (165%) categories and non-forest (182%) and tropical forest biomes (136%) showing higher acceleration. Unexpectedly, a quarter of croplands in PAs globally were gained during 2003-2019, again with a recent accelerated expansion (48%). These results suggest insufficient protection of these irreplaceable landscapes and a major challenge to global conservation. More effective local, national, and international coordination among sustainable development goals 15, 13, and 2 is urgently needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lanhui Wang
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE) and Section for Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Fangli Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jens-Christian Svenning
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO) & Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|