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Måsviken J, Dalén L, Norén K, Dalerum F. The relative importance of abiotic and biotic environmental conditions for taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity of spiders across spatial scales. Oecologia 2023; 202:261-273. [PMID: 37261510 PMCID: PMC10307692 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05383-0] [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: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Both abiotic and biotic conditions may be important for biodiversity. However, their relative importance may vary among different diversity dimensions as well as across spatial scales. Spiders (Araneae) offer an ecologically relevant system for evaluating variation in the relative strength abiotic and biotic biodiversity regulation. We quantified the relative importance of abiotic and biotic conditions for three diversity dimensions of spider communities quantified across two spatial scales. Spiders were surveyed along elevation gradients in northern Sweden. We focused our analysis on geomorphological and climatic conditions as well as vegetation characteristics, and quantified the relative importance of these conditions for the taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity of spider communities sampled across one intermediate (500 m) and one local (25 m) scale. There were stronger relationships among diversity dimensions at the local than the intermediate scale. There were also variation in the relative influence of abiotic and biotic conditions among diversity dimensions, but this variation was not consistent across spatial scales. Across both spatial scales, vegetation was related to all diversity dimensions whereas climate was important for phylogenetic and functional diversity. Our study does not fully support stronger abiotic regulation at coarser scales, and conversely stronger abiotic regulation at more local scales. Instead, our results indicate that community assembly is shaped by interactions between abiotic constrains in species distributions and biotic conditions, and that such interactions may be both scale and context dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Måsviken
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Love Dalén
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Norén
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Dalerum
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Biodiversity Research Institute (University of Oviedo-Principality of Asturias-CSIC), Spanish National Research Council, Research Building, Mieres Campus, 33600, Mieres, Spain.
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa.
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Brandl SJ, Lefcheck JS, Bates AE, Rasher DB, Norin T. Can metabolic traits explain animal community assembly and functioning? Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:1-18. [PMID: 36054431 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
All animals on Earth compete for free energy, which is acquired, assimilated, and ultimately allocated to growth and reproduction. Competition is strongest within communities of sympatric, ecologically similar animals of roughly equal size (i.e. horizontal communities), which are often the focus of traditional community ecology. The replacement of taxonomic identities with functional traits has improved our ability to decipher the ecological dynamics that govern the assembly and functioning of animal communities. Yet, the use of low-resolution and taxonomically idiosyncratic traits in animals may have hampered progress to date. An animal's metabolic rate (MR) determines the costs of basic organismal processes and activities, thus linking major aspects of the multifaceted constructs of ecological niches (where, when, and how energy is obtained) and ecological fitness (how much energy is accumulated and passed on to future generations). We review evidence from organismal physiology to large-scale analyses across the tree of life to propose that MR gives rise to a group of meaningful functional traits - resting metabolic rate (RMR), maximum metabolic rate (MMR), and aerobic scope (AS) - that may permit an improved quantification of the energetic basis of species coexistence and, ultimately, the assembly and functioning of animal communities. Specifically, metabolic traits integrate across a variety of typical trait proxies for energy acquisition and allocation in animals (e.g. body size, diet, mobility, life history, habitat use), to yield a smaller suite of continuous quantities that: (1) can be precisely measured for individuals in a standardized fashion; and (2) apply to all animals regardless of their body plan, habitat, or taxonomic affiliation. While integrating metabolic traits into animal community ecology is neither a panacea to disentangling the nuanced effects of biological differences on animal community structure and functioning, nor without challenges, a small number of studies across different taxa suggest that MR may serve as a useful proxy for the energetic basis of competition in animals. Thus, the application of MR traits for animal communities can lead to a more general understanding of community assembly and functioning, enhance our ability to trace eco-evolutionary dynamics from genotypes to phenotypes (and vice versa), and help predict the responses of animal communities to environmental change. While trait-based ecology has improved our knowledge of animal communities to date, a more explicit energetic lens via the integration of metabolic traits may further strengthen the existing framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon J Brandl
- Department of Marine Science, The University of Texas at Austin, Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas, TX, 78373, USA
| | - Jonathan S Lefcheck
- Tennenbaum Marine Observatories Network and MarineGEO Program, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD, 21037, USA
| | - Amanda E Bates
- Biology Department, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Douglas B Rasher
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, ME, 04544, USA
| | - Tommy Norin
- DTU Aqua: National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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Tallian A, Ordiz A, Metz MC, Zimmermann B, Wikenros C, Smith DW, Stahler DR, Wabakken P, Swenson JE, Sand H, Kindberg J. Of wolves and bears: Seasonal drivers of interference and exploitation competition between apex predators. ECOL MONOGR 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecm.1498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aimee Tallian
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research NO‐7485 Trondheim Norway
| | - Andrés Ordiz
- Grimsӧ Wildlife Research Station Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SE‐739 93 Riddarhyttan Sweden
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management Norwegian University of Life Sciences Postbox 5003, NO‐1432 Ås Norway
- Dpto. de Biodiversidad y Gestión Ambiental Área de Zoología Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales Universidad de León Campus de Vegazana s/n 24071 León Spain
| | - Matthew C. Metz
- Wildlife Biology Program Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences University of Montana Missoula Montana 59812 USA
- Yellowstone Center for Resources Yellowstone National Park Box 168, Mammoth Hot Springs WY 82190 USA
| | - Barbara Zimmermann
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences Evenstad NO‐2480 Koppang Norway
| | - Camilla Wikenros
- Grimsӧ Wildlife Research Station Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SE‐739 93 Riddarhyttan Sweden
| | - Douglas W. Smith
- Yellowstone Center for Resources Yellowstone National Park Box 168, Mammoth Hot Springs WY 82190 USA
| | - Daniel R. Stahler
- Yellowstone Center for Resources Yellowstone National Park Box 168, Mammoth Hot Springs WY 82190 USA
| | - Petter Wabakken
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences Evenstad NO‐2480 Koppang Norway
| | - Jon E. Swenson
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management Norwegian University of Life Sciences Postbox 5003, NO‐1432 Ås Norway
| | - Håkan Sand
- Grimsӧ Wildlife Research Station Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SE‐739 93 Riddarhyttan Sweden
| | - Jonas Kindberg
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research NO‐7485 Trondheim Norway
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SE‐901 83 Umeå Sweden
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Vilella M, Ferrandiz‐Rovira M, Sayol F. Coexistence of predators in time: Effects of season and prey availability on species activity within a Mediterranean carnivore guild. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:11408-11422. [PMID: 33144974 PMCID: PMC7593183 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The degree of coexistence among predators can determine the structure of ecological communities. Niche partitioning is a common strategy applied by species to enhance their coexistence. Diet, habitat, or time use can be responsible for segregation among carnivore species, the latter factor being the least studied in Mediterranean ecosystems. Terrestrial medium-sized carnivores (i.e., mesocarnivores) carry out important functions in ecosystems, and identifying their interactions is essential for their conservation.In this study, we explore the activity of a terrestrial mesocarnivore guild in order to determine seasonal differences in daily activity patterns of competitors and prey. We also investigate how the abundance of a common mesocarnivore prey in the region, small mammals, influences the activity of predators.During a year, camera trap devices (n = 18) were installed in Montseny Natural Park (Catalan Pre-Coastal Range, North-East Iberian Peninsula), a region that hosts five mesocarnivore species. Camera trapping detections were used to estimate their daily activity patterns and corresponding overlaps. We also surveyed small mammal plots (n = 5) in order to calculate prey abundance and test its effect on the relative activity of each carnivore species.Despite all target mesocarnivores are mainly nocturnal, the activity overlap among them varies according to species particularities and season. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) appears as a generalist species in terms of time use, whereas stone marten (Martes foina) and genet (Genetta genetta) show the most similar activity patterns and both of them seem to be positively influenced by small mammal abundance. Overall, the diversity found in the way mesocarnivore species use time could facilitate their coexistence.Despite activity pattern similarities among carnivore species should not be directly translated to negative interactions, they can have a strong influence in habitat and resource-limited ecosystems. Therefore, activity overlaps should be taken into account when discussing wildlife management actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Vilella
- Delegació d’Osona (GNO‐ICHN)Institució Catalana d’Història NaturalVicSpain
| | - Mariona Ferrandiz‐Rovira
- CREAFCerdanyola del VallèsCataloniaSpain
- Universitat Autònoma de BarcelonaCerdanyola del VallèsCataloniaSpain
| | - Ferran Sayol
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment ResearchDepartment of Genetics, Evolution and EnvironmentUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Department of Biological and Environmental SciencesUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity CentreGothenburgSweden
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Franke S, Brandl R, Heibl C, Mattivi A, Müller J, Pinkert S, Thorn S. Predicting regional hotspots of phylogenetic diversity across multiple species groups. DIVERS DISTRIB 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Franke
- Department of Animal Ecology Faculty of Biology Philipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Roland Brandl
- Department of Animal Ecology Faculty of Biology Philipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
| | | | - Angelina Mattivi
- Fritz & Grossmann (environmental planning) Horb am Necker Germany
| | - Jörg Müller
- Field Station Fabrikschleichach Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology (Zoology III) Julius‐Maximilians‐University Würzburg Rauhenebrach Germany
- Bavarian Forest National Park Grafenau Germany
| | - Stefan Pinkert
- Department of Animal Ecology Faculty of Biology Philipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Simon Thorn
- Field Station Fabrikschleichach Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology (Zoology III) Julius‐Maximilians‐University Würzburg Rauhenebrach Germany
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Middleton OS, Scharlemann JPW, Sandom CJ. Homogenization of carnivorous mammal ensembles caused by global range reductions of large-bodied hypercarnivores during the late Quaternary. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20200804. [PMID: 32576106 PMCID: PMC7329025 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.0804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Carnivorous mammals play crucial roles in ecosystems by influencing prey densities and behaviour, and recycling carrion. Yet, the influence of carnivores on global ecosystems has been affected by extinctions and range contractions throughout the Late Pleistocene and Holocene (approx. 130 000 years ago to the current). Large-bodied mammals were particularly affected, but how dietary strategies influenced species' susceptibility to geographical range reductions remains unknown. We investigated (i) the importance of dietary strategies in explaining range reductions of carnivorous mammals (greater than or equal to 5% vertebrate meat consumption) and (ii) differences in functional diversity of continental carnivore ensembles by comparing current, known ranges to current, expected ranges under a present-natural counterfactual scenario. The present-natural counterfactual estimates current mammal ranges had modern humans not expanded out of Africa during the Late Pleistocene and were not a main driver of extinctions and range contractions, alongside changing climates. Ranges of large-bodied hypercarnivorous mammals are currently smaller than expected, compared to smaller-bodied carnivorous mammals that consume less vertebrate meat. This resulted in consistent differences in continental functional diversity, whereby current ensembles of carnivorous mammals have undergone homogenization through structural shifts towards smaller-bodied insectivorous and herbivorous species. The magnitude of ensemble structural shifts varied among continents, with Australia experiencing the greatest difference. Weighting functional diversity by species' geographical range sizes caused a threefold greater shift in ensemble centroids than when using presence-absence alone. Conservation efforts should acknowledge current reductions in the potential geographical ranges of large-bodied hypercarnivores and aim to restore functional roles in carnivore ensembles, where possible, across continents.
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Dalerum F, Selby LOK, Pirk CWW. Relationships Between Livestock Damages and Large Carnivore Densities in Sweden. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Naud L, Måsviken J, Freire S, Angerbjörn A, Dalén L, Dalerum F. Altitude effects on spatial components of vascular plant diversity in a subarctic mountain tundra. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:4783-4795. [PMID: 31031944 PMCID: PMC6476787 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental gradients are caused by gradual changes in abiotic factors, which affect species abundances and distributions, and are important for the spatial distribution of biodiversity. One prominent environmental gradient is the altitude gradient. Understanding ecological processes associated with altitude gradients may help us to understand the possible effects climate change could have on species communities. We quantified vegetation cover, species richness, species evenness, beta diversity, and spatial patterns of community structure of vascular plants along altitude gradients in a subarctic mountain tundra in northern Sweden. Vascular plant cover and plant species richness showed unimodal relationships with altitude. However, species evenness did not change with altitude, suggesting that no individual species became dominant when species richness declined. Beta diversity also showed a unimodal relationship with altitude, but only for an intermediate spatial scale of 1 km. A lack of relationships with altitude for either patch or landscape scales suggests that any altitude effects on plant spatial heterogeneity occurred on scales larger than individual patches but were not effective across the whole landscape. We observed both nested and modular patterns of community structures, but only the modular patterns corresponded with altitude. Our observations point to biotic regulations of plant communities at high altitudes, but we found both scale dependencies and inconsistent magnitude of the effects of altitude on different diversity components. We urge for further studies evaluating how different factors influence plant communities in high altitude and high latitude environments, as well as studies identifying scale and context dependencies in any such influences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Naud
- Department of ZoologyStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
| | - Johannes Måsviken
- Department of ZoologyStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and GeneticsSwedish Museum of Natural HistoryStockholmSweden
| | - Susana Freire
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO‐CSIC‐PA)Oviedo UniversityMieresSpain
| | | | - Love Dalén
- Department of ZoologyStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and GeneticsSwedish Museum of Natural HistoryStockholmSweden
| | - Fredrik Dalerum
- Department of ZoologyStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO‐CSIC‐PA)Oviedo UniversityMieresSpain
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and EntomologyUniversity of PretoriaHatfieldSouth Africa
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Dalerum F, Miranda M, Muñiz C, Rodríguez P. Effects of scarcity, aesthetics and ecology on wildlife auction prices of large African mammals. AMBIO 2018; 47:78-85. [PMID: 28831676 PMCID: PMC5709266 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-017-0937-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
For successful integration of biological conservation into economic markets, economic processes need to capture ecological values. South African wildlife ranching is a tourist-based activity that generates unique information on the economic value of wildlife species. We used public data from South African wildlife auctions to evaluate if annual prices 1991-2012 related to species characteristics associated with scarcity, aesthetics and ecology of South African carnivores and ungulates. While none of the species characteristics influenced carnivore prices, ungulate prices were related to characteristics associated with novelty and aesthetics, which relative importance had increased over time. We raise both ecological and economic concerns for this apparent focus. Our results also suggest a potential importance of non-species-related factors, such as market and buyer characteristics. We encourage further evaluation of the relative influences of species characteristics versus factors that are intrinsically linked to economic processes on price variations in South African wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrik Dalerum
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO-CSIC-PA), University of Oviedo, Mieres Campus, 33600 Mieres, Asturias Spain
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - María Miranda
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO-CSIC-PA), University of Oviedo, Mieres Campus, 33600 Mieres, Asturias Spain
| | - Cristina Muñiz
- Department of Economics, University of Oviedo, Campus del Cristo, 33006 Oviedo, Asturias Spain
- Sports Economics Observatory Foundation (FOED), University of Oviedo, Gijon Campus, 33203 Gijon, Asturias Spain
| | - Plácido Rodríguez
- Department of Economics, University of Oviedo, Campus del Cristo, 33006 Oviedo, Asturias Spain
- Sports Economics Observatory Foundation (FOED), University of Oviedo, Gijon Campus, 33203 Gijon, Asturias Spain
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Dalerum F, Hellström P, Miranda M, Nyström J, Ekenstedt J, Angerbjörn A. Network topology of stable isotope interactions in a sub-arctic raptor guild. Oecologia 2016; 182:511-8. [PMID: 27209296 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-016-3658-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Predation is an ecologically important process, and intra-guild interactions may substantially influence the ecological effects of predator species. Despite a rapid expansion in the use of mathematical graph theory to describe trophic relations, network approaches have rarely been used to study interactions within predator assemblages. Assemblages of diurnal raptors are subject to substantial intra- and interspecific competition. Here we used the novel approach of applying analyzes based on network topology to species-specific data on the stable isotopes (13)C and (15)N in feathers to evaluate patterns of relative resource utilization within a guild of diurnal raptors in northern Sweden. Our guild consisted of the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), the gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus), the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and the rough-legged buzzard (Buteo lagopus). We found a modular trophic interaction structure within the guild, but the interactions were less nested than expected by chance. These results suggest low redundancy and hence a strong ecological importance of individual species. Our data also suggested that species were less connected through intra-guild interactions than expected by chance. We interpret our results as a convergence on specific isotope niches, and that body size and different hunting behaviour may mediate competition within these niches. We finally highlight that generalist predators could be ecologically important by linking specialist predator species with disparate dietary niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Dalerum
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO-CSIC-PA), University of Oviedo, Mieres Campus, 33600, Mieres, Spain.
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa.
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - P Hellström
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Frescativägen 40, 114 18, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - M Miranda
- Centre for African Ecology, School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3 Wits 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Economics, University of Oviedo, 33203, Oviedo, Spain
| | - J Nyström
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J Ekenstedt
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - A Angerbjörn
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
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Game auction prices are not related to biodiversity contributions of southern African ungulates and large carnivores. Sci Rep 2016; 6:21922. [PMID: 26911226 PMCID: PMC4766510 DOI: 10.1038/srep21922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need for human societies to become environmentally sustainable. Because public policy is largely driven by economic processes, quantifications of the relationship between market prices and environmental values can provide important information for developing strategies towards sustainability. Wildlife in southern Africa is often privately owned and traded at game auctions to be utilized for commercial purposes mostly related to tourism. This market offers an interesting opportunity to evaluate how market prices relate to biologically meaningful species characteristics. In this market, prices were not correlated with species contributions to either phylogenetic or functional diversity, and species contributions to phylogenetic or functional diversity did not influence the trends in prices over time for the past 20 years. Since this economic market did not seem to appreciate evolutionary or ecologically relevant characteristics, we question if the game tourism market may contribute towards biodiversity conservation in southern Africa. We suggest that market prices in general may have limited values as guides for directing conservation and environmental management. We further suggest that there is a need to evaluate what humans value in biological organisms, and how potentially necessary shifts in such values can be instigated.
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Faith DP. The PD Phylogenetic Diversity Framework: Linking Evolutionary History to Feature Diversity for Biodiversity Conservation. BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND PHYLOGENETIC SYSTEMATICS 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-22461-9_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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13
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González-Maya JF, Víquez-R LR, Arias-Alzate A, Belant JL, Ceballos G. Spatial patterns of species richness and functional diversity in Costa Rican terrestrial mammals: implications for conservation. DIVERS DISTRIB 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- José F. González-Maya
- Instituto de Ecología; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Apartado Postal 70-275 México DF 04510 Mexico
- Proyecto de Conservación de Aguas y Tierras; ProCAT Colombia/Internacional; Carrera 13 No. 96-82 Of. 205 Bogotá Colombia
| | - Luis R. Víquez-R
- Instituto de Ecología; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Apartado Postal 70-275 México DF 04510 Mexico
| | - Andrés Arias-Alzate
- Instituto de Biología; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Apartado Postal 70-275 México DF 04510 Mexico
| | - Jerrold L. Belant
- Carnivore Ecology Laboratory; Forest and Wildlife Research Center; Mississippi State University; Mississippi MS USA
| | - Gerardo Ceballos
- Instituto de Ecología; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Apartado Postal 70-275 México DF 04510 Mexico
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Hidasi-Neto J, Loyola R, Cianciaruso MV. Global and local evolutionary and ecological distinctiveness of terrestrial mammals: identifying priorities across scales. DIVERS DISTRIB 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- José Hidasi-Neto
- Departamento de Ecologia; ICB; Universidade Federal de Goiás; Goiânia Brazil
| | - Rafael Loyola
- Departamento de Ecologia; ICB; Universidade Federal de Goiás; Goiânia Brazil
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