1
|
Matthews TJ, Triantis KA, Wayman JP, Martin TE, Hume JP, Cardoso P, Faurby S, Mendenhall CD, Dufour P, Rigal F, Cooke R, Whittaker RJ, Pigot AL, Thébaud C, Jørgensen MW, Benavides E, Soares FC, Ulrich W, Kubota Y, Sadler JP, Tobias JA, Sayol F. The global loss of avian functional and phylogenetic diversity from anthropogenic extinctions. Science 2024; 386:55-60. [PMID: 39361743 DOI: 10.1126/science.adk7898] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024]
Abstract
Humans have been driving a global erosion of species richness for millennia, but the consequences of past extinctions for other dimensions of biodiversity-functional and phylogenetic diversity-are poorly understood. In this work, we show that, since the Late Pleistocene, the extinction of 610 bird species has caused a disproportionate loss of the global avian functional space along with ~3 billion years of unique evolutionary history. For island endemics, proportional losses have been even greater. Projected future extinctions of more than 1000 species over the next two centuries will incur further substantial reductions in functional and phylogenetic diversity. These results highlight the severe consequences of the ongoing biodiversity crisis and the urgent need to identify the ecological functions being lost through extinction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Matthews
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES) and Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (CE3C), Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, and Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Environment, Universidade dos Açores, Angra do Heroísmo, Açores, Portugal
| | - Kostas A Triantis
- Department of Ecology and Taxonomy, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens GR-15784, Greece
| | - Joseph P Wayman
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES) and Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Thomas E Martin
- School of Natural Sciences, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
- Operation Wallacea, Wallace House, Old Bolingbroke, Lincolnshire, UK
| | - Julian P Hume
- Bird Group, Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Tring, UK
| | - Pedro Cardoso
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe), Finnish Museum of Natural History Luomus, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- CE3C, CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Søren Faurby
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Chase D Mendenhall
- Physician Assistant Studies, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA 16057, USA
| | - Paul Dufour
- Center for Functional and Evolutionary Ecology (CEFE), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE-PSL University, IRD, Montpellier, France
- Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat, Arles, France
| | - François Rigal
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (CE3C), Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, and Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Environment, Universidade dos Açores, Angra do Heroísmo, Açores, Portugal
- CNRS - Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour - E2S UPPA, Institut Des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Materiaux, UMR5254, Pau, France
| | - Rob Cooke
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Robert J Whittaker
- School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alex L Pigot
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK
| | - Christophe Thébaud
- Centre de Recherche sur la Biodiversité et l'Environnement (CRBE), UMR 5300 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université Paul Sabatier (Toulouse III), Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - Maria Wagner Jørgensen
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES) and Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Eva Benavides
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES) and Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Filipa C Soares
- CE3C, Departamento de Biologia Animal, CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Werner Ulrich
- Department of Ecology and Biogeography, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
| | - Yasuhiro Kubota
- Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Jon P Sadler
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES) and Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Joseph A Tobias
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park, Ascot, UK
| | - Ferran Sayol
- CREAF, Edifici C Campus UAB, E08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Senior RA, Bagwyn R, Leng D, Killion AK, Jetz W, Wilcove DS. Global shortfalls in documented actions to conserve biodiversity. Nature 2024; 630:387-391. [PMID: 38839953 PMCID: PMC11168922 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07498-7] [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: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Threatened species are by definition species that are in need of assistance. In the absence of suitable conservation interventions, they are likely to disappear soon1. There is limited understanding of how and where conservation interventions are applied globally, or how well they work2,3. Here, using information from the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List and other global databases, we find that for species at risk from three of the biggest drivers of biodiversity loss-habitat loss, overexploitation for international trade and invasive species4-many appear to lack the appropriate types of conservation interventions. Indeed, although there has been substantial recent expansion of the protected area network, we still find that 91% of threatened species have insufficient representation of their habitats within protected areas. Conservation interventions are not implemented uniformly across different taxa and regions and, even when present, have infrequently led to substantial improvements in the status of species. For 58% of the world's threatened terrestrial species, we find conservation interventions to be notably insufficient or absent. We cannot determine whether such species are truly neglected, or whether efforts to recover them are not included in major conservation databases. If they are indeed neglected, the outlook for many of the world's threatened species is grim without more and better targeted action.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Senior
- Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
- Conservation Ecology Group, Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, UK.
| | | | - Danyan Leng
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Alexander K Killion
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Walter Jetz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - David S Wilcove
- Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gumbs R, Scott O, Bates R, Böhm M, Forest F, Gray CL, Hoffmann M, Kane D, Low C, Pearse WD, Pipins S, Tapley B, Turvey ST, Jetz W, Owen NR, Rosindell J. Global conservation status of the jawed vertebrate Tree of Life. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1101. [PMID: 38424441 PMCID: PMC10904806 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45119-z] [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: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Human-driven extinction threatens entire lineages across the Tree of Life. Here we assess the conservation status of jawed vertebrate evolutionary history, using three policy-relevant approaches. First, we calculate an index of threat to overall evolutionary history, showing that we expect to lose 86-150 billion years (11-19%) of jawed vertebrate evolutionary history over the next 50-500 years. Second, we rank jawed vertebrate species by their EDGE scores to identify the highest priorities for species-focused conservation of evolutionary history, finding that chondrichthyans, ray-finned fish and testudines rank highest of all jawed vertebrates. Third, we assess the conservation status of jawed vertebrate families. We found that species within monotypic families are more likely to be threatened and more likely to be in decline than other species. We provide a baseline for the status of families at risk of extinction to catalyse conservation action. This work continues a trend of highlighting neglected groups-such as testudines, crocodylians, amphibians and chondrichthyans-as conservation priorities from a phylogenetic perspective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rikki Gumbs
- Zoological Society of London, London, NW1 4RY, UK.
- Science and Solutions for a Changing Planet DTP, Grantham Institute, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
- Department of Life Sciences, Silwood Park Campus, Imperial College London, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, UK.
| | - Oenone Scott
- Department of Life Sciences, Silwood Park Campus, Imperial College London, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, UK
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Ryan Bates
- Zoological Society of London, London, NW1 4RY, UK
- Department of Life Sciences, Silwood Park Campus, Imperial College London, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, UK
| | - Monika Böhm
- Global Center for Species Survival, Indianapolis Zoological Society, Indianapolis, IN, 46222, USA
| | - Félix Forest
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE, UK
| | | | | | - Daniel Kane
- Zoological Society of London, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Christopher Low
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - William D Pearse
- Department of Life Sciences, Silwood Park Campus, Imperial College London, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, UK
| | - Sebastian Pipins
- Science and Solutions for a Changing Planet DTP, Grantham Institute, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE, UK
- On the Edge, London, SW3 2JJ, UK
| | | | - Samuel T Turvey
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Walter Jetz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
- Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | | | - James Rosindell
- Department of Life Sciences, Silwood Park Campus, Imperial College London, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Petrenko JA, Martin PR, Fanelli RE, Bonier F. Urban tolerance does not protect against population decline in North American birds. Biol Lett 2024; 20:20230507. [PMID: 38290550 PMCID: PMC10827415 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2023.0507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Population declines of organisms are widespread and severe, but some species' populations have remained stable, or even increased. The reasons some species are less vulnerable to population decline than others are not well understood. Species that tolerate urban environments often have a broader environmental tolerance, which, along with their ability to tolerate one of the most human-modified habitats (i.e. cities), might allow them to persist in the face of diverse anthropogenic challenges. Here, we examined the relationship between urban tolerance and annual population trajectories for 397 North American bird species. Surprisingly, we found that urban tolerance was unrelated to species' population trajectories. The lack of a relationship between urban tolerance and population trajectories may reflect other factors driving population declines independent of urban tolerance, challenges that are amplified in cities (e.g. climate warming, disease), and other human impacts (e.g. conservation efforts, broad-scale land-use changes) that have benefitted some urban-avoidant species. Overall, our results illustrate that urban tolerance does not protect species against population decline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul R. Martin
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6
| | - Rachel E. Fanelli
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - Frances Bonier
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cooke R, Sayol F, Andermann T, Blackburn TM, Steinbauer MJ, Antonelli A, Faurby S. Undiscovered bird extinctions obscure the true magnitude of human-driven extinction waves. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8116. [PMID: 38114469 PMCID: PMC10730700 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43445-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Birds are among the best-studied animal groups, but their prehistoric diversity is poorly known due to low fossilization potential. Hence, while many human-driven bird extinctions (i.e., extinctions caused directly by human activities such as hunting, as well as indirectly through human-associated impacts such as land use change, fire, and the introduction of invasive species) have been recorded, the true number is likely much larger. Here, by combining recorded extinctions with model estimates based on the completeness of the fossil record, we suggest that at least ~1300-1500 bird species (~12% of the total) have gone extinct since the Late Pleistocene, with 55% of these extinctions undiscovered (not yet discovered or left no trace). We estimate that the Pacific accounts for 61% of total bird extinctions. Bird extinction rate varied through time with an intense episode ~1300 CE, which likely represents the largest human-driven vertebrate extinction wave ever, and a rate 80 (60-95) times the background extinction rate. Thus, humans have already driven more than one in nine bird species to extinction, with likely severe, and potentially irreversible, ecological and evolutionary consequences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rob Cooke
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Maclean Building, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 8BB, UK.
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 463, SE-405 30, Göteborg, Sweden.
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Box 461, SE-405 30, Göteborg, Sweden.
| | - Ferran Sayol
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 463, SE-405 30, Göteborg, Sweden
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Box 461, SE-405 30, Göteborg, Sweden
- CREAF, E08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Catalonia, Spain
| | - Tobias Andermann
- Department of Organismal Biology, SciLifeLab, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Tim M Blackburn
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Manuel J Steinbauer
- Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER) & Bayreuth Center of Sport Science (BaySpo), University of Bayreuth, 95447, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Alexandre Antonelli
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 463, SE-405 30, Göteborg, Sweden
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Box 461, SE-405 30, Göteborg, Sweden
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE, UK
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RB, UK
| | - Søren Faurby
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 463, SE-405 30, Göteborg, Sweden
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Box 461, SE-405 30, Göteborg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Femerling G, van Oosterhout C, Feng S, Bristol RM, Zhang G, Groombridge J, P Gilbert MT, Morales HE. Genetic Load and Adaptive Potential of a Recovered Avian Species that Narrowly Avoided Extinction. Mol Biol Evol 2023; 40:msad256. [PMID: 37995319 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msad256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
High genetic diversity is a good predictor of long-term population viability, yet some species persevere despite having low genetic diversity. Here we study the genomic erosion of the Seychelles paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone corvina), a species that narrowly avoided extinction after having declined to 28 individuals in the 1960s. The species recovered unassisted to over 250 individuals in the 1990s and was downlisted from Critically Endangered to Vulnerable in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List in 2020. By comparing historical, prebottleneck (130+ years old) and modern genomes, we uncovered a 10-fold loss of genetic diversity. Highly deleterious mutations were partly purged during the bottleneck, but mildly deleterious mutations accumulated. The genome shows signs of historical inbreeding during the bottleneck in the 1960s, but low levels of recent inbreeding after demographic recovery. Computer simulations suggest that the species long-term small Ne reduced the masked genetic load and made the species more resilient to inbreeding and extinction. However, the reduction in genetic diversity due to the chronically small Ne and the severe bottleneck is likely to have reduced the species adaptive potential to face environmental change, which together with a higher load, compromises its long-term population viability. Thus, small ancestral Ne offers short-term bottleneck resilience but hampers long-term adaptability to environmental shifts. In light of rapid global rates of population decline, our work shows that species can continue to suffer the effect of their decline even after recovery, highlighting the importance of considering genomic erosion and computer modeling in conservation assessments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georgette Femerling
- Section for Hologenomics, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, México
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Shaohong Feng
- Center for Evolutionary & Organismal Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
- Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, Jiashan, China
| | - Rachel M Bristol
- Mahe, Seychelles
- Division of Human and Social Sciences, Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NR, UK
| | - Guojie Zhang
- Center for Evolutionary & Organismal Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
- Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, Jiashan, China
| | - Jim Groombridge
- Division of Human and Social Sciences, Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NR, UK
| | - M Thomas P Gilbert
- Section for Hologenomics, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- University Museum, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Hernán E Morales
- Section for Hologenomics, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Smith D, Abeli T, Bruns EB, Dalrymple SE, Foster J, Gilbert TC, Hogg CJ, Lloyd NA, Meyer A, Moehrenschlager A, Murrell O, Rodriguez JP, Smith PP, Terry A, Ewen JG. Extinct in the wild: The precarious state of Earth's most threatened group of species. Science 2023; 379:eadd2889. [PMID: 36821678 DOI: 10.1126/science.add2889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Extinct in the Wild (EW) species are placed at the highest risk of extinction under the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, but the extent and variation in this risk have never been evaluated. Harnessing global databases of ex situ animal and plant holdings, we report on the perilous state of EW species. Most EW animal species-already compromised by their small number of founders-are maintained at population sizes far below the thresholds necessary to ensure demographic security. Most EW plant species depend on live propagation by a small number of botanic gardens, with a minority secured at seed bank institutions. Both extinctions and recoveries are possible fates for EW species. We urgently call for international effort to enable the latter.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donal Smith
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - Thomas Abeli
- Department of Science, University of Roma Tre, Roma, Italy
- IUCN SSC Conservation Translocation Specialist Group, Calgary, Canada
| | - Emily Beckman Bruns
- Botanic Gardens Conservation International-US, San Marino, CA, USA
- Chicago Botanic Gardens, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sarah E Dalrymple
- IUCN SSC Conservation Translocation Specialist Group, Calgary, Canada
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jeremy Foster
- Botanic Gardens Conservation International-US, San Marino, CA, USA
- Chicago Botanic Gardens, Chicago, IL, USA
- Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Tania C Gilbert
- IUCN SSC Conservation Translocation Specialist Group, Calgary, Canada
- Marwell Wildlife, Hampshire, UK
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Carolyn J Hogg
- IUCN SSC Conservation Translocation Specialist Group, Calgary, Canada
- Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Natasha A Lloyd
- IUCN SSC Conservation Translocation Specialist Group, Calgary, Canada
- Wilder Institute / Calgary Zoo, Calgary, Canada
| | - Abby Meyer
- Botanic Gardens Conservation International-US, San Marino, CA, USA
| | - Axel Moehrenschlager
- IUCN SSC Conservation Translocation Specialist Group, Calgary, Canada
- Wilder Institute / Calgary Zoo, Calgary, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Olivia Murrell
- Botanic Gardens Conservation International-US, San Marino, CA, USA
- Chicago Botanic Gardens, Chicago, IL, USA
- Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Jon Paul Rodriguez
- IUCN Species Survival Commission, Caracas, Venezuela
- Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, and Provita, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Paul P Smith
- Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Surrey, UK
| | | | - John G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
- IUCN SSC Conservation Translocation Specialist Group, Calgary, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Gumbs R, Gray CL, Böhm M, Burfield IJ, Couchman OR, Faith DP, Forest F, Hoffmann M, Isaac NJB, Jetz W, Mace GM, Mooers AO, Safi K, Scott O, Steel M, Tucker CM, Pearse WD, Owen NR, Rosindell J. The EDGE2 protocol: Advancing the prioritisation of Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered species for practical conservation action. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3001991. [PMID: 36854036 PMCID: PMC9974121 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The conservation of evolutionary history has been linked to increased benefits for humanity and can be captured by phylogenetic diversity (PD). The Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) metric has, since 2007, been used to prioritise threatened species for practical conservation that embody large amounts of evolutionary history. While there have been important research advances since 2007, they have not been adopted in practice because of a lack of consensus in the conservation community. Here, building from an interdisciplinary workshop to update the existing EDGE approach, we present an "EDGE2" protocol that draws on a decade of research and innovation to develop an improved, consistent methodology for prioritising species conservation efforts. Key advances include methods for dealing with uncertainty and accounting for the extinction risk of closely related species. We describe EDGE2 in terms of distinct components to facilitate future revisions to its constituent parts without needing to reconsider the whole. We illustrate EDGE2 by applying it to the world's mammals. As we approach a crossroads for global biodiversity policy, this Consensus View shows how collaboration between academic and applied conservation biologists can guide effective and practical priority-setting to conserve biodiversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rikki Gumbs
- Conservation and Policy, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Life Sciences, Silwood Park Campus, Imperial College London, Ascot, Berkshire, United Kingdom
- IUCN SSC Phylogenetic Diversity Task Force, London, United Kingdom
- Science and Solutions for a Changing Planet DTP, Grantham Institute, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claudia L. Gray
- Conservation and Policy, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, United Kingdom
| | - Monika Böhm
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, United Kingdom
- Global Center for Species Survival, Indianapolis Zoological Society, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Ian J. Burfield
- BirdLife International, David Attenborough Building, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Olivia R. Couchman
- Conservation and Policy, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel P. Faith
- School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Félix Forest
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Hoffmann
- Conservation and Policy, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nick J. B. Isaac
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, United Kingdom
| | - Walter Jetz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Georgina M. Mace
- Department of Genetics, Evolution & Environment, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Arne O. Mooers
- Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Kamran Safi
- Max-Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Department of Migration, Radolfzell, Germany
- University of Konstanz, Department of Biology, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Oenone Scott
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
| | - Mike Steel
- Biomathematics Research Centre, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Caroline M. Tucker
- Environment, Ecology and Energy Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - William D. Pearse
- Department of Life Sciences, Silwood Park Campus, Imperial College London, Ascot, Berkshire, United Kingdom
- Department of Biology and Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, United States of America
| | - Nisha R. Owen
- Conservation and Policy, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, United Kingdom
- IUCN SSC Phylogenetic Diversity Task Force, London, United Kingdom
- On the EDGE Conservation, London, United Kingdom
| | - James Rosindell
- Department of Life Sciences, Silwood Park Campus, Imperial College London, Ascot, Berkshire, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Hu Y, Wang M, Ma T, Huang M, Huang G, Zhou W, Ping X, Lu Y, Wei F. Integrated index-based assessment reveals long-term conservation progress in implementation of Convention on Biological Diversity. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabj8093. [PMID: 34985949 PMCID: PMC8730628 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abj8093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has launched two long-term, target-based conservation Strategic Plans in the past two decades. We compiled an index-based assessment framework to evaluate target achievements of the CBD using long-term indicators. The CBD Index is steadily increasing, with the Goal Indices for biodiversity mainstreaming, protection, and supporting mechanisms all improving over time. While the State and Pressure Indices continue to deteriorate coupled with human population and economic development, their changing rates have slowed down, most likely because of the constantly growing conservation efforts as revealed by the Response Index. The first quantitative assessment of the CBD’s long-term performance may provide critical science-based evidence for continuing commitments to developing and implementing a new Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. We also call for enhanced efforts to address the emerging challenges in achieving the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity and the adoption of a rapid assessment framework to track future progress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yisi Hu
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Meng Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tianxiao Ma
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Mingpan Huang
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guangping Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Wenliang Zhou
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China
| | - Xiaoge Ping
- Endangered Species Scientific Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yonglong Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science and Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal Wetland Ecosystems, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Fuwen Wei
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zizka A, Andermann T, Silvestro D. IUCNN
– Deep learning approaches to approximate species' extinction risk. DIVERS DISTRIB 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Zizka
- German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research Halle‐Jena‐Leipzig (iDiv)University of Leipzig Leipzig Germany
- Department of Biology Philipps‐University Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Tobias Andermann
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences University of Gothenburg Göteborg Sweden
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre Göteborg Sweden
| | - Daniele Silvestro
- Department of Biology University of Fribourg Fribourg Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics Lausanne Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Robuchon M, Pavoine S, Véron S, Delli G, Faith DP, Mandrici A, Pellens R, Dubois G, Leroy B. Revisiting species and areas of interest for conserving global mammalian phylogenetic diversity. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3694. [PMID: 34140481 PMCID: PMC8211746 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23861-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Various prioritisation strategies have been developed to cope with accelerating biodiversity loss and limited conservation resources. These strategies could become more engaging for decision-makers if they reflected the positive effects conservation can have on future projected biodiversity, by targeting net positive outcomes in future projected biodiversity, rather than reflecting the negative consequences of further biodiversity losses only. Hoping to inform the post-2020 biodiversity framework, we here apply this approach of targeting net positive outcomes in future projected biodiversity to phylogenetic diversity (PD) to re-identify species and areas of interest for conserving global mammalian PD. We identify priority species/areas as those whose protection would maximise gains in future projected PD. We also identify loss-significant species/areas as those whose/where extinction(s) would maximise losses in future projected PD. We show that our priority species/areas differ from loss-significant species/areas. While our priority species are mostly similar to those identified by the EDGE of Existence Programme, our priority areas generally differ from previously-identified ones for global mammal conservation. We further highlight that these newly-identified species/areas of interest currently lack protection and offer some guidance for their future management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marine Robuchon
- Centre d'Ecologie et des Sciences de la Conservation (CESCO), Muséumnational d'Histoire naturelle, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.
- Biologie des Organismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques (BOREA), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Sorbonne Université, Université Caen-Normandie, Université des Antilles, Paris, France.
- Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, Directorate for Sustainable Resources, Ispra (VA), Italy.
| | - Sandrine Pavoine
- Centre d'Ecologie et des Sciences de la Conservation (CESCO), Muséumnational d'Histoire naturelle, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Simon Véron
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Sorbonne Université, Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
| | - Giacomo Delli
- Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, Directorate for Sustainable Resources, Ispra (VA), Italy
| | | | - Andrea Mandrici
- Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, Directorate for Sustainable Resources, Ispra (VA), Italy
| | - Roseli Pellens
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Sorbonne Université, Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
| | - Grégoire Dubois
- Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, Directorate for Sustainable Resources, Ispra (VA), Italy
| | - Boris Leroy
- Biologie des Organismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques (BOREA), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Sorbonne Université, Université Caen-Normandie, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
The extinction of species before they are discovered and named (dark extinction, DE) is widely inferred as a significant part of species loss in the 'pre-taxonomic' period (approx. 1500-1800 CE) and, to some extent, in the 'taxonomic period' (approx. 1800-present) as well. The discovery of oceanic islands and other pristine habitats by European navigators and the consequent introduction of destructive mammals, such as rats and goats, started a process of anthropogenic extinction. Much ecosystem change happened before systematic scientific recording, so has led to DE. Statistical methods are available to robustly estimate DE in the 'taxonomic period'. For the 'pre-taxonomic period', simple extrapolation can be used. The application of these techniques to world birds, for example, suggests that approximately 56 DEs occurred in the 'taxonomic period' (1800-present) and approximately 180 in the 'pre-taxonomic period' (1500-1800). Targeting collection activities in extinction hotspots, to make sure organisms are represented in collections before their extinction, is one way of reducing the number of extinct species without a physical record (providing that collection efforts do not themselves contribute to species extinction).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mannfred M A Boehm
- Department of Botany, Beaty Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Quentin C B Cronk
- Department of Botany, Beaty Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Williams BA, Watson JE, Butchart SH, Ward M, Brooks TM, Butt N, Bolam FC, Stuart SN, Mair L, McGowan PJK, Gregory R, Hilton‐Taylor C, Mallon D, Harrison I, Simmonds JS. A robust goal is needed for species in the Post‐2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. Conserv Lett 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brooke A. Williams
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland Australia
| | - James E.M. Watson
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland Australia
- Wildlife Conservation Society Global Conservation Program Bronx New York
| | - Stuart H.M. Butchart
- BirdLife International Cambridge UK
- Department of Zoology Cambridge University Cambridge UK
| | - Michelle Ward
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland Australia
| | - Thomas M. Brooks
- IUCN Gland Switzerland
- World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF) University of the Philippines Los Baños Laguna Philippines
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies University of Tasmania Hobart Australia
| | - Nathalie Butt
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland Australia
| | - Friederike C. Bolam
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne UK
| | - Simon N. Stuart
- Synchronicity Earth London UK
- A Rocha International London UK
| | - Louise Mair
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne UK
| | - Philip J. K. McGowan
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne UK
| | - Richard Gregory
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science The Lodge Sandy Bedfordshire UK
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment Centre for Biodiversity & Environment Research, University College London London UK
| | | | - David Mallon
- Division of Biology and Conservation Ecology Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester UK
| | - Ian Harrison
- IUCN Gland Switzerland
- Conservation International Arlington, Virginia
| | - Jeremy S. Simmonds
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland Australia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Bird JP, Martin R, Akçakaya HR, Gilroy J, Burfield IJ, Garnett ST, Symes A, Taylor J, Şekercioğlu ÇH, Butchart SHM. Generation lengths of the world's birds and their implications for extinction risk. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2020; 34:1252-1261. [PMID: 32058610 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Birds have been comprehensively assessed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List more times than any other taxonomic group. However, to date, generation lengths have not been systematically estimated to scale population trends when undertaking assessments, as required by the criteria of the IUCN Red List. We compiled information from major databases of published life-history and trait data for all birds and imputed missing life-history data as a function of species traits with generalized linear mixed models. Generation lengths were derived for all species, based on our modeled values of age at first breeding, maximum longevity, and annual adult survival. The resulting generation lengths varied from 1.42 to 27.87 years (median 2.99). Most species (61%) had generation lengths <3.33 years, meaning that the period of 3 generations-over which population declines are assessed under criterion A-was <10 years, which is the value used for IUCN Red List assessments of species with short generation times. For these species, our trait-informed estimates of generation length suggested that 10 years is a robust precautionary value for threat assessment. In other cases, however, for whole families, genera, or individual species, generation length had a substantial impact on their estimated extinction risk, resulting in higher extinction risk in long-lived species than in short-lived species. Although our approach effectively addressed data gaps, generation lengths for some species may have been underestimated due to a paucity of life-history data. Overall, our results will strengthen future extinction-risk assessments and augment key databases of avian life-history and trait data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy P Bird
- BirdLife International, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, U.K
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Robert Martin
- BirdLife International, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, U.K
| | - H Reşit Akçakaya
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, U.S.A
- IUCN Species Survival Commission, IUCN, Rue Mauverney 28, Gland, 1196, Switzerland
| | - James Gilroy
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, U.K
| | - Ian J Burfield
- BirdLife International, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, U.K
| | - Stephen T Garnett
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, Darwin, Northern Territory, 0909, Australia
| | - Andy Symes
- BirdLife International, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, U.K
| | - Joseph Taylor
- BirdLife International, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, U.K
| | - Çağan H Şekercioğlu
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, 257 S 1400 E, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, U.S.A
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
- KuzeyDoğa Derneği, Ortakapı Mah. Şehit Yusuf Bey Cad. No: 93 Kars, Turkey
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, U.K
| | - Stuart H M Butchart
- BirdLife International, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, U.K
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Andermann T, Faurby S, Turvey ST, Antonelli A, Silvestro D. The past and future human impact on mammalian diversity. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:6/36/eabb2313. [PMID: 32917612 PMCID: PMC7473673 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abb2313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
To understand the current biodiversity crisis, it is crucial to determine how humans have affected biodiversity in the past. However, the extent of human involvement in species extinctions from the Late Pleistocene onward remains contentious. Here, we apply Bayesian models to the fossil record to estimate how mammalian extinction rates have changed over the past 126,000 years, inferring specific times of rate increases. We specifically test the hypothesis of human-caused extinctions by using posterior predictive methods. We find that human population size is able to predict past extinctions with 96% accuracy. Predictors based on past climate, in contrast, perform no better than expected by chance, suggesting that climate had a negligible impact on global mammal extinctions. Based on current trends, we predict for the near future a rate escalation of unprecedented magnitude. Our results provide a comprehensive assessment of the human impact on past and predicted future extinctions of mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Andermann
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Søren Faurby
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Samuel T Turvey
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - Alexandre Antonelli
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Göteborg, Sweden
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, UK
| | - Daniele Silvestro
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Göteborg, Sweden
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Cooke SC, Balmford A, Donald PF, Newson SE, Johnston A. Roads as a contributor to landscape-scale variation in bird communities. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3125. [PMID: 32636366 PMCID: PMC7340783 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16899-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Roads and their traffic can affect wildlife over large areas and, in regions with dense road networks, may influence a high proportion of the ecological landscape. We assess the abundance of 75 bird species in relation to roads across Great Britain. Of these, 77% vary significantly in abundance with increasing road exposure, just over half negatively so. The effect distances of these negative associations average 700 m from a road, covering over 70% of Great Britain and over 40% of the total area of terrestrial protected sites. Species with smaller national populations generally have lower relative abundance with increasing road exposure, whereas the opposite is true for more common species. Smaller-bodied and migratory species are also more negatively associated with road exposure. By creating environmental conditions that benefit generally common species at the expense of others, road networks may echo other anthropogenic disturbances in bringing about large-scale simplification of avian communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophia C Cooke
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK.
| | - Andrew Balmford
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK
| | - Paul F Donald
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK
- BirdLife International, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK
| | - Stuart E Newson
- British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU, UK
| | - Alison Johnston
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Watson JEM, Keith DA, Strassburg BBN, Venter O, Williams B, Nicholson E. Set a global target for ecosystems. Nature 2020; 578:360-362. [PMID: 32071453 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-020-00446-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
18
|
Evans KL, Ewen JG, Guillera-Arroita G, Johnson JA, Penteriani V, Ryan SJ, Sollmann R, Gordon IJ. Conservation in the maelstrom of Covid-19 - a call to action to solve the challenges, exploit opportunities and prepare for the next pandemic. Anim Conserv 2020; 23:235-238. [PMID: 32837242 PMCID: PMC7267322 DOI: 10.1111/acv.12601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- K L Evans
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences University of Sheffield Sheffield UK
| | - J G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London Regent's Park UK
| | | | - J A Johnson
- Department of Biological Sciences University of North Texas Denton TX USA
| | - V Penteriani
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, CSIC-UO-PA) Mieres Spain
| | - S J Ryan
- Quantitative Disease Ecology and Conservation (QDEC) Lab Department of Geography University of Florida Gainesville FL USA.,Emerging Pathogens Institute University of Florida Gainesville FL USA.,School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu-Natal Durban South Africa
| | - R Sollmann
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, & Conservation Biology University of California Davis Davis CA USA
| | - I J Gordon
- James Hutton Institute Aberdeen UK.,Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia.,Central Queensland University Townsville QLD Australia.,Land & Water CSIRO Townsville QLD Australia
| |
Collapse
|