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Riva F, Koper N, Fahrig L. Overcoming confusion and stigma in habitat fragmentation research. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:1411-1424. [PMID: 38477434 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13073] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Anthropogenic habitat loss is widely recognized as a primary environmental concern. By contrast, debates on the effects of habitat fragmentation persist. To facilitate overcoming these debates, here we: (i) review the state of the literature on habitat fragmentation, finding widespread confusion and stigma; (ii) identify consequences of this for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management; and (iii) suggest ways in which research can move forward to resolve these problems. Confusion is evident from the 25 most-cited fragmentation articles published between 2017 and 2021. These articles use five distinct concepts of habitat fragmentation, only one of which clearly distinguishes habitat fragmentation from habitat area and other factors ('fragmentation per se'). Stigmatization is evident from our new findings that fragmentation papers are more charged with negative sentiments when compared to papers from other subfields in the environmental sciences, and that fragmentation papers with more negative sentiments are cited more. While most empirical studies of habitat fragmentation per se find neutral or positive effects on species and biodiversity outcomes, which implies that small habitat patches have a high cumulative value, confusion and stigma in reporting and discussing such results have led to suboptimal habitat protection policy. For example, government agencies, conservation organizations, and land trusts impose minimum habitat patch sizes on habitat protection. Given the high cumulative value of small patches, such policies mean that many opportunities for conservation are being missed. Our review highlights the importance of reducing confusion and stigma in habitat fragmentation research. To this end, we propose implementing study designs in which multiple sample landscapes are selected across independent gradients of habitat amount and fragmentation, measured as patch density. We show that such designs are possible for forest habitat across Earth's biomes. As such study designs are adopted, and as language becomes more precise, we expect that confusion and stigma in habitat fragmentation research will dissipate. We also expect important breakthroughs in understanding the situations where effects of habitat fragmentation per se are neutral, positive, or negative, and the reasons for these differences. Ultimately this will improve efficacy of area-based conservation policies, to the benefit of biodiversity and people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Riva
- Environmental Geography Department, Institute for Environmental Studies, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1111, 1081, HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Nicola Koper
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, British Columbia, V2N 4Z9, Canada
| | - Lenore Fahrig
- Geomatics and Landscape Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada
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Peng Z, Qian X, Liu Y, Li X, Gao H, An Y, Qi J, Jiang L, Zhang Y, Chen S, Pan H, Chen B, Liang C, van der Heijden MGA, Wei G, Jiao S. Land conversion to agriculture induces taxonomic homogenization of soil microbial communities globally. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3624. [PMID: 38684659 PMCID: PMC11058813 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47348-8] [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: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Agriculture contributes to a decline in local species diversity and to above- and below-ground biotic homogenization. Here, we conduct a continental survey using 1185 soil samples and compare microbial communities from natural ecosystems (forest, grassland, and wetland) with converted agricultural land. We combine our continental survey results with a global meta-analysis of available sequencing data that cover more than 2400 samples across six continents. Our combined results demonstrate that land conversion to agricultural land results in taxonomic and functional homogenization of soil bacteria, mainly driven by the increase in the geographic ranges of taxa in croplands. We find that 20% of phylotypes are decreased and 23% are increased by land conversion, with croplands enriched in Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadota, Planctomycetota, Myxcoccota and Latescibacterota. Although there is no significant difference in functional composition between natural ecosystems and agricultural land, functional genes involved in nitrogen fixation, phosphorus mineralization and transportation are depleted in cropland. Our results provide a global insight into the consequences of land-use change on soil microbial taxonomic and functional diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Xun Qian
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Yu Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Xiaomeng Li
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Hang Gao
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Yining An
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Jiejun Qi
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Lan Jiang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Yiran Zhang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Shi Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Haibo Pan
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Beibei Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Chunling Liang
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Marcel G A van der Heijden
- Plant-Soil Interactions Group, Agroscope, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gehong Wei
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, Shaanxi, P. R. China.
| | - Shuo Jiao
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Yangling, Shaanxi, P. R. China.
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Harvey JA, Tougeron K, Gols R, Heinen R, Abarca M, Abram PK, Basset Y, Berg M, Boggs C, Brodeur J, Cardoso P, de Boer JG, De Snoo GR, Deacon C, Dell JE, Desneux N, Dillon ME, Duffy GA, Dyer LA, Ellers J, Espíndola A, Fordyce J, Forister ML, Fukushima C, Gage MJG, García‐Robledo C, Gely C, Gobbi M, Hallmann C, Hance T, Harte J, Hochkirch A, Hof C, Hoffmann AA, Kingsolver JG, Lamarre GPA, Laurance WF, Lavandero B, Leather SR, Lehmann P, Le Lann C, López‐Uribe MM, Ma C, Ma G, Moiroux J, Monticelli L, Nice C, Ode PJ, Pincebourde S, Ripple WJ, Rowe M, Samways MJ, Sentis A, Shah AA, Stork N, Terblanche JS, Thakur MP, Thomas MB, Tylianakis JM, Van Baaren J, Van de Pol M, Van der Putten WH, Van Dyck H, Verberk WCEP, Wagner DL, Weisser WW, Wetzel WC, Woods HA, Wyckhuys KAG, Chown SL. Scientists' warning on climate change and insects. ECOL MONOGR 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecm.1553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A. Harvey
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW) Wageningen The Netherlands
- Department of Ecological Sciences Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Kévin Tougeron
- Earth and Life Institute, Ecology & Biodiversity Université catholique de Louvain Louvain‐la‐Neuve Belgium
- EDYSAN, UMR 7058, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, CNRS Amiens France
| | - Rieta Gols
- Laboratory of Entomology Wageningen University Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Robin Heinen
- Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life Sciences Technical University of Munich, Terrestrial Ecology Research Group Freising Germany
| | - Mariana Abarca
- Department of Biological Sciences Smith College Northampton Massachusetts USA
| | - Paul K. Abram
- Agriculture and Agri‐Food Canada, Agassiz Research and Development Centre Agassiz British Columbia Canada
| | - Yves Basset
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Panama City Republic of Panama
- Department of Ecology Institute of Entomology, Czech Academy of Sciences Ceske Budejovice Czech Republic
| | - Matty Berg
- Department of Ecological Sciences Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
- Groningen Institute of Evolutionary Life Sciences University of Groningen Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Carol Boggs
- School of the Earth, Ocean and Environment and Department of Biological Sciences University of South Carolina Columbia South Carolina USA
- Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory Gothic Colorado USA
| | - Jacques Brodeur
- Institut de recherche en biologie végétale, Département de sciences biologiques Université de Montréal Montréal Québec Canada
| | - Pedro Cardoso
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe), Finnish Museum of Natural History Luomus University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
| | - Jetske G. de Boer
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW) Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Geert R. De Snoo
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW) Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Charl Deacon
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Faculty of AgriSciences Stellenbosch University Stellenbosch South Africa
| | - Jane E. Dell
- Geosciences and Natural Resources Department Western Carolina University Cullowhee North Carolina USA
| | | | - Michael E. Dillon
- Department of Zoology and Physiology and Program in Ecology University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USA
| | - Grant A. Duffy
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
- Department of Marine Science University of Otago Dunedin New Zealand
| | - Lee A. Dyer
- University of Nevada Reno – Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology Reno Nevada USA
| | - Jacintha Ellers
- Department of Ecological Sciences Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Anahí Espíndola
- Department of Entomology University of Maryland College Park Maryland USA
| | - James Fordyce
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Tennessee, Knoxville Knoxville Tennessee USA
| | - Matthew L. Forister
- University of Nevada Reno – Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology Reno Nevada USA
| | - Caroline Fukushima
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe), Finnish Museum of Natural History Luomus University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
| | | | | | - Claire Gely
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science, College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Cairns Queensland Australia
| | - Mauro Gobbi
- MUSE‐Science Museum, Research and Museum Collections Office Climate and Ecology Unit Trento Italy
| | - Caspar Hallmann
- Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences Radboud University Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Thierry Hance
- Earth and Life Institute, Ecology & Biodiversity Université catholique de Louvain Louvain‐la‐Neuve Belgium
| | - John Harte
- Energy and Resources Group University of California Berkeley California USA
| | - Axel Hochkirch
- Department of Biogeography Trier University Trier Germany
- IUCN SSC Invertebrate Conservation Committee
| | - Christian Hof
- Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life Sciences Technical University of Munich, Terrestrial Ecology Research Group Freising Germany
| | - Ary A. Hoffmann
- Bio21 Institute, School of BioSciences University of Melbourne Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Joel G. Kingsolver
- Department of Biology University of North Carolina Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Greg P. A. Lamarre
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Panama City Republic of Panama
- Department of Ecology Institute of Entomology, Czech Academy of Sciences Ceske Budejovice Czech Republic
| | - William F. Laurance
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science, College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Cairns Queensland Australia
| | - Blas Lavandero
- Laboratorio de Control Biológico Universidad de Talca Talca Chile
| | - Simon R. Leather
- Center for Integrated Pest Management Harper Adams University Newport UK
| | - Philipp Lehmann
- Department of Zoology Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
- Zoological Institute and Museum University of Greifswald Greifswald Germany
| | - Cécile Le Lann
- University of Rennes, CNRS, ECOBIO [(Ecosystèmes, biodiversité, évolution)] ‐ UMR 6553 Rennes France
| | | | - Chun‐Sen Ma
- Climate Change Biology Research Group, State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Beijing China
| | - Gang Ma
- Climate Change Biology Research Group, State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Beijing China
| | | | | | - Chris Nice
- Department of Biology Texas State University San Marcos Texas USA
| | - Paul J. Ode
- Department of Agricultural Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado USA
- Graduate Degree Program in Ecology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Sylvain Pincebourde
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte, UMR 7261, CNRS Université de Tours Tours France
| | - William J. Ripple
- Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society Oregon State University Oregon USA
| | - Melissah Rowe
- Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW) Department of Animal Ecology Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Michael J. Samways
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Faculty of AgriSciences Stellenbosch University Stellenbosch South Africa
| | - Arnaud Sentis
- INRAE, Aix‐Marseille University, UMR RECOVER Aix‐en‐Provence France
| | - Alisha A. Shah
- W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, Department of Integrative Biology Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan USA
| | - Nigel Stork
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, School of Environment and Science Griffith University Nathan Queensland Australia
| | - John S. Terblanche
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Faculty of AgriSciences Stellenbosch University Stellenbosch South Africa
| | - Madhav P. Thakur
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution University of Bern Bern Switzerland
| | - Matthew B. Thomas
- York Environmental Sustainability Institute and Department of Biology University of York York UK
| | - Jason M. Tylianakis
- Bioprotection Aotearoa, School of Biological Sciences University of Canterbury Christchurch New Zealand
| | - Joan Van Baaren
- University of Rennes, CNRS, ECOBIO [(Ecosystèmes, biodiversité, évolution)] ‐ UMR 6553 Rennes France
| | - Martijn Van de Pol
- Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW) Department of Animal Ecology Wageningen The Netherlands
- College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia
| | - Wim H. Van der Putten
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW) Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Hans Van Dyck
- Earth and Life Institute, Ecology & Biodiversity Université catholique de Louvain Louvain‐la‐Neuve Belgium
| | | | - David L. Wagner
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Connecticut Storrs Connecticut USA
| | - Wolfgang W. Weisser
- Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life Sciences Technical University of Munich, Terrestrial Ecology Research Group Freising Germany
| | - William C. Wetzel
- Department of Entomology, Department of Integrative Biology, and Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan USA
| | - H. Arthur Woods
- Division of Biological Sciences University of Montana Missoula Montana USA
| | - Kris A. G. Wyckhuys
- Chrysalis Consulting Hanoi Vietnam
- China Academy of Agricultural Sciences Beijing China
| | - Steven L. Chown
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, School of Biological Sciences Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
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4
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Martin TE, Bennett GC, Fairbairn A, Mooers AO. ‘Lost’ taxa and their conservation implications. Anim Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- T. E. Martin
- Operation Wallacea Ltd Spilsby UK
- Biodiversity Inventory for Conservation NPO (BINCO) Glabbeek Belgium
- Wild Planet Trust, Paignton Zoo Paignton UK
| | - G. C. Bennett
- Department of Biological Sciences Simon Fraser University Burnaby BC Canada
| | - A. Fairbairn
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department for Life Science Systems, School of Life Science Technical University of Munich Freising Germany
| | - A. O. Mooers
- Department of Biological Sciences Simon Fraser University Burnaby BC Canada
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Barla J, Bjork-James S. Introduction: Entanglements of Anti-Feminism and Anti-Environmentalism in the Far-Right. AUSTRALIAN FEMINIST STUDIES 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/08164649.2022.2062668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Josef Barla
- Institute of Sociology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Cowie RH, Bouchet P, Fontaine B. The Sixth Mass Extinction: fact, fiction or speculation? Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022; 97:640-663. [PMID: 35014169 PMCID: PMC9786292 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
There have been five Mass Extinction events in the history of Earth's biodiversity, all caused by dramatic but natural phenomena. It has been claimed that the Sixth Mass Extinction may be underway, this time caused entirely by humans. Although considerable evidence indicates that there is a biodiversity crisis of increasing extinctions and plummeting abundances, some do not accept that this amounts to a Sixth Mass Extinction. Often, they use the IUCN Red List to support their stance, arguing that the rate of species loss does not differ from the background rate. However, the Red List is heavily biased: almost all birds and mammals but only a minute fraction of invertebrates have been evaluated against conservation criteria. Incorporating estimates of the true number of invertebrate extinctions leads to the conclusion that the rate vastly exceeds the background rate and that we may indeed be witnessing the start of the Sixth Mass Extinction. As an example, we focus on molluscs, the second largest phylum in numbers of known species, and, extrapolating boldly, estimate that, since around AD 1500, possibly as many as 7.5-13% (150,000-260,000) of all ~2 million known species have already gone extinct, orders of magnitude greater than the 882 (0.04%) on the Red List. We review differences in extinction rates according to realms: marine species face significant threats but, although previous mass extinctions were largely defined by marine invertebrates, there is no evidence that the marine biota has reached the same crisis as the non-marine biota. Island species have suffered far greater rates than continental ones. Plants face similar conservation biases as do invertebrates, although there are hints they may have suffered lower extinction rates. There are also those who do not deny an extinction crisis but accept it as a new trajectory of evolution, because humans are part of the natural world; some even embrace it, with a desire to manipulate it for human benefit. We take issue with these stances. Humans are the only species able to manipulate the Earth on a grand scale, and they have allowed the current crisis to happen. Despite multiple conservation initiatives at various levels, most are not species oriented (certain charismatic vertebrates excepted) and specific actions to protect every living species individually are simply unfeasible because of the tyranny of numbers. As systematic biologists, we encourage the nurturing of the innate human appreciation of biodiversity, but we reaffirm the message that the biodiversity that makes our world so fascinating, beautiful and functional is vanishing unnoticed at an unprecedented rate. In the face of a mounting crisis, scientists must adopt the practices of preventive archaeology, and collect and document as many species as possible before they disappear. All this depends on reviving the venerable study of natural history and taxonomy. Denying the crisis, simply accepting it and doing nothing, or even embracing it for the ostensible benefit of humanity, are not appropriate options and pave the way for the Earth to continue on its sad trajectory towards a Sixth Mass Extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert H. Cowie
- Pacific Biosciences Research CenterUniversity of HawaiiHonoluluHawaii96822U.S.A.
| | - Philippe Bouchet
- Institut Systématique Evolution Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHEUniversité des Antilles57 rue Cuvier CP 5175005 ParisFrance
| | - Benoît Fontaine
- UMS 2006 Patrinat (OFB, CNRS, MNHN), Centre d'Écologie et des Sciences de la Conservation (UMR 7204), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle43 rue Buffon CP 13575005 ParisFrance
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Nolan G, Kane A, Fernández‐Bellon D. Natural history films generate more online interest in depicted species than in conservation messages. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Grace Nolan
- School of Biology and Environmental Science University College Dublin Dublin Ireland
| | - Adam Kane
- School of Biology and Environmental Science University College Dublin Dublin Ireland
- Earth Institute University College Dublin Dublin Ireland
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Enhancing multiple scales of seafloor biodiversity with mussel restoration. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5027. [PMID: 35322155 PMCID: PMC8943123 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09132-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Restoration projects are underway internationally in response to global declines in shellfish beds. As diverse biological assemblages underpin a variety of ecosystem services, understanding broader changes in biodiversity associated with mussel restoration becomes increasingly valuable to scientists and restoration practitioners. Studies generally show bivalve beds increase species richness and abundance, but results are scale-dependent and conditional on the mobility of specific communities observed. We examined biodiversity at multiple scales to determine how communities with varying levels of mobility are influenced by subtidal mussel restoration. Significant changes in assemblage structure were observed in both mobile fish and epifaunal communities, with enhanced species richness and total abundance of associated individuals. In contrast, we observed site-dependent effects of bivalve restoration on macrofaunal community structure and composition, with sheltered, harbour mussel bed communities numerically dominated by detritivores accustomed to organically enriched, muddy sediments. Sediment organic matter significantly increased within mussel beds, and distance-based linear models showed that sediment organic matter was an important predictor of macrofaunal assemblage structure on mussel beds, highlighting the significance of benthic-pelagic coupling and biodeposition to soft-sediment communities. This study contributes novel methods and ecological insights on the role of species mobility and site selection in structuring restoration outcomes, better informing future mussel restoration efforts aimed at emphasising functionally-driven ecosystem services.
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van der Sluijs JP, Foucart S, Casas J. Editorial overview: Halting the pollinator crisis requires entomologists to step up and assume their societal responsibilities. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 46:vi-xiii. [PMID: 34593201 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2021.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen P van der Sluijs
- Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities, University of Bergen, PB 7805, 5020 Bergen, Norway; Department of Chemistry, University of Bergen, PB 7805, 5020 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Stéphane Foucart
- Le Monde, 67-69, avenue Pierre-Mendès-France, 75013 Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Jérôme Casas
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte (IRBI), Université de Tours, 37200 Tours, France
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10
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Arroyo-Rodríguez V, Fahrig L, Watling JI, Nowakowski J, Tabarelli M, Tischendorf L, Melo FPL, Santos BA, Benchimol M, Morante-Filho JC, Slik JWF, Vieira ICG, Tscharntke T. Preserving 40% forest cover is a valuable and well-supported conservation guideline: reply to Banks-Leite et al. Ecol Lett 2021; 24:1114-1116. [PMID: 33538034 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Banks-Leite et al. (2021) claim that our suggestion of preserving ≥ 40% forest cover lacks evidence and can be problematic. We find these claims unfounded, and discuss why conservation planning urgently requires valuable, well-supported and feasible general guidelines like the 40% criterion. Using region-specific thresholds worldwide is unfeasible and potentially harmful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Arroyo-Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, Michoacán, 58190, Mexico.,Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mérida, Yucatán, 97357, Mexico
| | - Lenore Fahrig
- Geomatics and Landscape Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, K1S 4B6, Canada
| | | | - Justin Nowakowski
- Working Land and Seascapes, Conservation Commons, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, 20013, USA
| | - Marcelo Tabarelli
- Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, 50670-901, Brazil
| | - Lutz Tischendorf
- ELUTIS Modelling and Consulting Inc, Ottawa, ON, K2A 1X4, Canada
| | - Felipe P L Melo
- Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, 50670-901, Brazil
| | - Bráulio A Santos
- Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Universidade Federal da Paraiba, Campus I, João Pessoa, Paraiba, 58051-900, Brazil
| | - Maíra Benchimol
- Laboratório de Ecologia Aplicada à Conservação, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia, 45662-900, Brazil
| | - Jose Carlos Morante-Filho
- Laboratório de Ecologia Aplicada à Conservação, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia, 45662-900, Brazil
| | - J W Ferry Slik
- Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong, BE1410, Brunei Darussalam
| | - Ima C G Vieira
- Coordenação de Botânica, Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi, CP 399, Belém, Pará, 66040-170, Brazil
| | - Teja Tscharntke
- Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (CBL), University of Goettingen, Göttingen, Germany
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11
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Moreland HR, De Santo EM, MacDonald BH. Understanding the role of information in marine policy development: establishing a coastal marine protected area in Nova Scotia, Canada. Facets (Ott) 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2020-0109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Canada has expanded its marine protected area (MPA) coverage in line with the Aichi Biodiversity Target of protecting 10% of its marine territory by 2020. In 2018, a consultation process was launched to designate an Area of Interest surrounding the Eastern Shore Islands area off the coast of Nova Scotia, as the potential 15th Oceans Act MPA in Canada ( DFO 2021a ). This region has a fraught history with external conservation interventions and, consequently, there was a significant level of local mistrust in the process. This study explored the role of information in the consultation process and how it interplayed with the historical context, political pressures, trust, and mistrust among stakeholders and rightsholders. Drawing on interviews, a detailed desktop analysis, and participant observation at consultation meetings, this paper describes what worked well and what could be improved with respect to the sources of information used and the channels through which stakeholders and rightsholders accessed it. This case study demonstrates that while preferences for information sources and channels are context specific and varied, they are inherently personal and influenced by shared histories, trust, and individual beliefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hali R. Moreland
- Marine Affairs Program, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS. B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Elizabeth M. De Santo
- Department of Earth and Environment, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA. 17604, USA
| | - Bertrum H. MacDonald
- School of Information Management, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS. B3H 4R2, Canada
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12
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Sutherland WJ, Atkinson PW, Broad S, Brown S, Clout M, Dias MP, Dicks LV, Doran H, Fleishman E, Garratt EL, Gaston KJ, Hughes AC, Le Roux X, Lickorish FA, Maggs L, Palardy JE, Peck LS, Pettorelli N, Pretty J, Spalding MD, Tonneijck FH, Walpole M, Watson JEM, Wentworth J, Thornton A. A 2021 Horizon Scan of Emerging Global Biological Conservation Issues. Trends Ecol Evol 2020; 36:87-97. [PMID: 33213887 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2020.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We present the results from our 12th annual horizon scan of issues likely to impact biological conservation in the future. From a list of 97 topics, our global panel of 25 scientists and practitioners identified the top 15 issues that we believe society may urgently need to address. These issues are either novel in the biological conservation sector or represent a substantial positive or negative step-change in impact at global or regional level. Six issues, such as coral reef deoxygenation and changes in polar coastal productivity, affect marine or coastal ecosystems and seven relate to human and ecosystem-level responses to climate change. Identification of potential forthcoming issues for biological conservation may enable increased preparedness by researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Sutherland
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK.
| | | | - Steven Broad
- TRAFFIC, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK
| | - Sam Brown
- Environment Agency, Horizon House, Deanery Road, Bristol BS1 5AH, UK
| | - Mick Clout
- Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, PB 90129 Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Maria P Dias
- BirdLife International, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK; MARE Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA, Instituto Universitário, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Lynn V Dicks
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK; School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Helen Doran
- Natural England, Eastbrook, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge CB2 8DR, UK
| | - Erica Fleishman
- College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Elizabeth L Garratt
- UK Research and Innovation, Natural Environment Research Council, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1EU, UK
| | - Kevin J Gaston
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Alice C Hughes
- Centre for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan 666303, PR China
| | - Xavier Le Roux
- Microbial Ecology Centre, UMR1418 INRAE, CNRS, University Lyon 1, VetAgroSup, 69622 Villeurbanne, France; BiodivERsA, Fondation pour la Recherche sur la Biodiversité, 195 rue Saint Jacques, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Fiona A Lickorish
- UK Research and Consultancy Services (RCS) Ltd, Valletts Cottage, Westhope, Hereford HR4 8BU, UK
| | - Luke Maggs
- Natural Resources Wales, Cambria House, 29 Newport Road, Cardiff CF24 0TP, UK
| | - James E Palardy
- The Pew Charitable Trusts, 901 E St NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA
| | - Lloyd S Peck
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
| | - Nathalie Pettorelli
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Jules Pretty
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Mark D Spalding
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK; The Nature Conservancy, Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Pian dei Mantellini, Siena 53100, Italy
| | | | - Matt Walpole
- Fauna and Flora International, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK
| | - James E M Watson
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia; Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460, USA
| | - Jonathan Wentworth
- Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, 14 Tothill Street, Westminster, London SW1H 9NB, UK
| | - Ann Thornton
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK
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13
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Valencia JB, Mesa J, León JG, Madriñán S, Cortés AJ. Climate Vulnerability Assessment of the Espeletia Complex on Páramo Sky Islands in the Northern Andes. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.565708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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