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Hankins DL. Climate resilience through ecocultural stewardship. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2310072121. [PMID: 39074286 PMCID: PMC11317561 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2310072121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The climate crisis has exacerbated many ecological and cultural problems including wildfire and drought vulnerability, biodiversity declines, and social justice and equity. While there are many concepts of social and ecological resilience, the exemplar practices of Indigenous stewardship are recognized in having sustained Indigenous peoples and their countries for millennia and past climate change events. California has been at the crossroads of many of these issues, and the historic and current contributions of Indigenous peoples to addressing these provide an excellent study of ecocultural stewardship and leadership by Indigenous peoples to achieve climate resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Don L. Hankins
- Department of Geography and Planning, California State University, Chico, CA95929-0425
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2
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Oakleaf J, Kennedy C, Wolff NH, Terasaki Hart DE, Ellis P, Theobald DM, Fariss B, Burkart K, Kiesecker J. Mapping global land conversion pressure to support conservation planning. Sci Data 2024; 11:830. [PMID: 39080308 PMCID: PMC11289476 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-024-03639-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Proactively identifying where land conversion might occur is critical to targeted and effective conservation planning. Previous efforts to map future habitat loss have largely focused on forested systems and have been limited in their consideration of drivers of loss. We developed a 1-km resolution, global map of land conversion pressure from multiple drivers, referred to as the conversion pressure index (CPI). The CPI combines past rates of anthropogenic change, as measured by temporal human modification maps, with suitability maps for potential future expansion by large-scale development. The CPI thus offers a new way to measure a cumulative gradient of anthropogenic pressure as opposed to categorical land cover change. We find that nearly 23% of land across 200 countries have relatively high conversion pressure, potentially impacting over 460 million ha of intact natural lands. We illustrate how this information can be used to identify areas for proactive conservation to avoid future loss and ensure that national commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity and Paris Agreement Climate Frameworks are upheld.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Oakleaf
- Global Protect Oceans, Lands and Waters, The Nature Conservancy, Fort Collins, CO, 80524, USA.
| | - Christina Kennedy
- Global Science, The Nature Conservancy, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Nicholas H Wolff
- Global Science, The Nature Conservancy, Brunswick, ME, 04011, USA
| | - Drew E Terasaki Hart
- Natural Climate Solutions Science, The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA, 22203, USA
- CSIRO Environment, Brisbane, Queensland, 4102, Australia
| | - Peter Ellis
- Natural Climate Solutions Science, The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA, 22203, USA
| | - David M Theobald
- Conservation Planning Technologies, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Brandie Fariss
- Global Protect Oceans, Lands and Waters, The Nature Conservancy, Fort Collins, CO, 80524, USA
| | | | - Joseph Kiesecker
- Global Protect Oceans, Lands and Waters, The Nature Conservancy, Fort Collins, CO, 80524, USA
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3
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McDonald G, Bone J, Costello C, Englander G, Raynor J. Global expansion of marine protected areas and the redistribution of fishing effort. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2400592121. [PMID: 38980905 PMCID: PMC11260147 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2400592121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The expansion of marine protected areas (MPAs) is a core focus of global conservation efforts, with the "30x30" initiative to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 serving as a prominent example of this trend. We consider a series of proposed MPA network expansions of various sizes, and we forecast the impact this increase in protection would have on global patterns of fishing effort. We do so by building a predictive machine learning model trained on a global dataset of satellite-based fishing vessel monitoring data, current MPA locations, and spatiotemporal environmental, geographic, political, and economic features. We then use this model to predict future fishing effort under various MPA expansion scenarios compared to a business-as-usual counterfactual scenario that includes no new MPAs. The difference between these scenarios represents the predicted change in fishing effort associated with MPA expansion. We find that regardless of the MPA network objectives or size, fishing effort would decrease inside the MPAs, though by much less than 100%. Moreover, we find that the reduction in fishing effort inside MPAs does not simply redistribute outside-rather, fishing effort outside MPAs would also decline. The overall magnitude of the predicted decrease in global fishing effort principally depends on where networks are placed in relation to existing fishing effort. MPA expansion will lead to a global redistribution of fishing effort that should be accounted for in network design, implementation, and impact evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin McDonald
- Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA93106
- Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA93106
- Environmental Markets Lab, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA93106
| | - Jennifer Bone
- Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA93106
- Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA93106
- Environmental Markets Lab, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA93106
| | - Christopher Costello
- Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA93106
- Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA93106
- Environmental Markets Lab, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA93106
| | | | - Jennifer Raynor
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI53706
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4
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Frans VF, Liu J. Gaps and opportunities in modelling human influence on species distributions in the Anthropocene. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:1365-1377. [PMID: 38867092 PMCID: PMC11239511 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-024-02435-3] [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: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Understanding species distributions is a global priority for mitigating environmental pressures from human activities. Ample studies have identified key environmental (climate and habitat) predictors and the spatial scales at which they influence species distributions. However, regarding human influence, such understandings are largely lacking. Here, to advance knowledge concerning human influence on species distributions, we systematically reviewed species distribution modelling (SDM) articles and assessed current modelling efforts. We searched 12,854 articles and found only 1,429 articles using human predictors within SDMs. Collectively, these studies of >58,000 species used 2,307 unique human predictors, suggesting that in contrast to environmental predictors, there is no 'rule of thumb' for human predictor selection in SDMs. The number of human predictors used across studies also varied (usually one to four per study). Moreover, nearly half the articles projecting to future climates held human predictors constant over time, risking false optimism about the effects of human activities compared with climate change. Advances in using human predictors in SDMs are paramount for accurately informing and advancing policy, conservation, management and ecology. We show considerable gaps in including human predictors to understand current and future species distributions in the Anthropocene, opening opportunities for new inquiries. We pose 15 questions to advance ecological theory, methods and real-world applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica F Frans
- Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
- Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
- W. K. Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, MI, USA.
| | - Jianguo Liu
- Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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5
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Han Q, Li M, Keeffe G. Can large-scale tree planting in China compensate for the loss of climate connectivity due to deforestation? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:172350. [PMID: 38608907 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Extensive deforestation has been a major reason for the loss of forest connectivity, impeding species range shifts under current climate change. Over the past decades, the Chinese government launched a series of afforestation and reforestation projects to increase forest cover, yet whether the new forests can compensate for the loss of connectivity due to deforestation-and where future tree planting would be most effective-remains largely unknown. Here, we evaluate changes in climate connectivity across China's forests between 2015 and 2019. We find that China's large-scale tree planting alleviated the negative impacts of forest loss on climate connectivity, improving the extent and probability of climate connectivity by 0-0.2 °C and 0-0.03, respectively. The improvements were particularly obvious for species with short dispersal distances (i.e., 3 km and 10 km). Nevertheless, only ~55 % of the trees planted in this period could serve as stepping stones for species movement. This indicates that focusing solely on the quantitative target of forest coverage without considering the connectivity of forests may miss opportunities in tree planting to facilitate climate-induced range shifts. More attention should be paid to the spatial arrangement of tree plantations and their potential as stepping stones. We then identify priority areas for future tree planting to create effective stepping stones. Our study highlights the potential of large-scale tree planting to facilitate range shifts. Future tree-planting efforts should incorporate the need for species range shifts to achieve more biodiversity conservation benefits under climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyao Han
- Department of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Agricultural University, China.
| | - Ming Li
- Institute of Geodesy and Photogrammetry, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Greg Keeffe
- School of Natural and Built Environment, Queen's University Belfast, UK
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Fisher J, Allen S, Yetman G, Pistolesi L. Assessing the influence of landscape conservation and protected areas on social wellbeing using random forest machine learning. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11357. [PMID: 38762670 PMCID: PMC11102467 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61924-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The urgency of interconnected social-ecological dilemmas such as rapid biodiversity loss, habitat loss and fragmentation, and the escalating climate crisis have led to increased calls for the protection of ecologically important areas of the planet. Protected areas (PA) are considered critical to address these dilemmas although growing divides in wellbeing can exacerbate conflict around PAs and undermine effectiveness. We investigate the influence of proximity to PAs on wellbeing outcomes. We develop a novel multi-dimensional index of wellbeing for households and across Africa and use Random Forest Machine Learning techniques to assess the importance score of households' proximity to protected areas on their wellbeing outcomes compared with the importance scores of an array of other social, environmental, and local and national governance factors. This study makes important contributions to the conservation literature, first by expanding the ways in which wellbeing is measured and operationalized, and second, by providing additional empirical support for recent evidence that proximity to PAs is an influential factor affecting observed wellbeing outcomes, albeit likely through different pathways than the current literature suggests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Fisher
- AC4, Columbia Climate School, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan.
| | - Summer Allen
- AC4, Columbia Climate School, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Greg Yetman
- CIESIN, Columbia Climate School, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Linda Pistolesi
- CIESIN, Columbia Climate School, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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7
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Xu W, Wu YH, Zhou WW, Chen HM, Zhang BL, Chen JM, Xu W, Rao DQ, Zhao H, Yan F, Yuan Z, Jiang K, Jin JQ, Hou M, Zou D, Wang LJ, Zheng Y, Li JT, Jiang J, Zeng XM, Chen Y, Liao ZY, Li C, Li XY, Gao W, Wang K, Zhang DR, Lu C, Yin T, Ding Z, Zhao GG, Chai J, Zhao WG, Zhang YP, Wiens JJ, Che J. Hidden hotspots of amphibian biodiversity in China. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2320674121. [PMID: 38684007 PMCID: PMC11098104 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2320674121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Identifying and protecting hotspots of endemism and species richness is crucial for mitigating the global biodiversity crisis. However, our understanding of spatial diversity patterns is far from complete, which severely limits our ability to conserve biodiversity hotspots. Here, we report a comprehensive analysis of amphibian species diversity in China, one of the most species-rich countries on Earth. Our study combines 20 y of field surveys with new molecular analyses of 521 described species and also identifies 100 potential cryptic species. We identify 10 hotspots of amphibian diversity in China, each with exceptional species richness and endemism and with exceptional phylogenetic diversity and phylogenetic endemism (based on a new time-calibrated, species-level phylogeny for Chinese amphibians). These 10 hotspots encompass 59.6% of China's described amphibian species, 49.0% of cryptic species, and 55.6% of species endemic to China. Only four of these 10 hotspots correspond to previously recognized biodiversity hotspots. The six new hotspots include the Nanling Mountains and other mountain ranges in South China. Among the 186 species in the six new hotspots, only 9.7% are well covered by protected areas and most (88.2%) are exposed to high human impacts. Five of the six new hotspots are under very high human pressure and are in urgent need of protection. We also find that patterns of richness in cryptic species are significantly related to those in described species but are not identical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, China
| | - Yun-He Wu
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, China
- Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw 05282, Myanmar
| | - Wei-Wei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, China
| | - Hong-Man Chen
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, China
| | - Bao-Lin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, China
| | - Jin-Min Chen
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, China
| | - Weihua Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100085, China
| | - Ding-Qi Rao
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, China
| | - Haipeng Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng475004, China
| | - Fang Yan
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, China
| | - Zhiyong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, China
| | - Ke Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, China
| | - Jie-Qiong Jin
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, China
| | - Mian Hou
- Institute of Continuing Education, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu610068, China
| | - Dahu Zou
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, China
- College of Science, Tibet University, Lhasa850000, China
| | - Li-Jun Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou571158, China
| | - Yuchi Zheng
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu610041, China
| | - Jia-Tang Li
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu610041, China
| | - Jianping Jiang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu610041, China
| | - Xiao-Mao Zeng
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu610041, China
| | - Youhua Chen
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu610041, China
| | - Zi-Yan Liao
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu610041, China
| | - Cheng Li
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu610041, China
| | - Xue-You Li
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, China
| | - Wei Gao
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, China
- Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw 05282, Myanmar
| | - Dong-Ru Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, China
| | - Chenqi Lu
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming650204, China
| | - Tingting Yin
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, China
| | - Zhaoli Ding
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, China
| | - Gui-Gang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, China
| | - Jing Chai
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, China
| | - Wen-Ge Zhao
- Department of Biology, College of Life and Environment Science, Harbin Normal University, Harbin150080, China
| | - Ya-Ping Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, China
| | - John J. Wiens
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ85721-0088
| | - Jing Che
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, China
- Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw 05282, Myanmar
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Tao Y, Hastings A, Lafferty KD, Hanski I, Ovaskainen O. Landscape fragmentation overturns classical metapopulation thinking. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2303846121. [PMID: 38709920 PMCID: PMC11098110 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2303846121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Habitat loss and isolation caused by landscape fragmentation represent a growing threat to global biodiversity. Existing theory suggests that the process will lead to a decline in metapopulation viability. However, since most metapopulation models are restricted to simple networks of discrete habitat patches, the effects of real landscape fragmentation, particularly in stochastic environments, are not well understood. To close this major gap in ecological theory, we developed a spatially explicit, individual-based model applicable to realistic landscape structures, bridging metapopulation ecology and landscape ecology. This model reproduced classical metapopulation dynamics under conventional model assumptions, but on fragmented landscapes, it uncovered general dynamics that are in stark contradiction to the prevailing views in the ecological and conservation literature. Notably, fragmentation can give rise to a series of dualities: a) positive and negative responses to environmental noise, b) relative slowdown and acceleration in density decline, and c) synchronization and desynchronization of local population dynamics. Furthermore, counter to common intuition, species that interact locally ("residents") were often more resilient to fragmentation than long-ranging "migrants." This set of findings signals a need to fundamentally reconsider our approach to ecosystem management in a noisy and fragmented world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Tao
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA93117
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, GA30602
| | - Alan Hastings
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, CA95616
- Santa Fe Institute, NM87501
| | - Kevin D. Lafferty
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, CA93106
- Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA93117
| | - Ilkka Hanski
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki00014, Finland
| | - Otso Ovaskainen
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki00014, Finland
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, JyväskyläFI-40014, Finland
- Department of Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, TrondheimN-7491, Norway
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9
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Xu X, Baydur C, Feng J, Wu C. Integrating spatial-temporal soundscape mapping with landscape indicators for effective conservation management and planning of a protected area. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 356:120555. [PMID: 38527384 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Protected areas (PAs) possess generous biodiversity, making them great potential for human and wildlife well-being. Nevertheless, rising anthropogenic sounds may pose a serious challenge and threat to the habitats. Therefore, understanding the acoustic environments of PAs and implementing proper conservation strategies are essential for maintaining species richness within the territory. In this study, we investigate the spatial-temporal variations of soundscape distribution in the Dashanbao Protected Area (DPA) of China, ultimately discussing the planning and management strategies. Firstly, to systematically analyse the spatial-temporal soundscape distribution of the reserve, we generated single and multi-acoustic source maps by classifying geographical, biological, and anthropogenic sounds. In the region, we installed 35 recording points and collected sounds using the synchronic recording method. Secondly, we conducted Spearman correlation analyses to examine the relationships between the sound sources and i) temporal variations, ii) landscape feature indicators. Thirdly, we identified the dominant sound sources in the region and their conflict areas through the cross-analysis module of Grass Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Finally, we provided sound control strategies by discussing landscape indicators and land-use management policies. The results show that even though there is conservation planning in the DPA, anthropogenic sounds dominate in certain parts of the reserve depending on diurnal and seasonal cycles. This reveals deficiencies in the DPA's current planning concerning the soundscape and highlights the effectiveness of spatial-temporal mapping. Additionally, our correlation analyses demonstrate that landscape feature indicators can represent how sound environment is affected by landscape. The patch diversity (PD), landscape shape index (LSI), Shannon's Diversity Index (SHDI), woodland, shrubland, and water distance (WD) were identified as the primary predictors for both biological and anthropogenic sounds. None of the indicators exhibited a significant positive or negative correlation with geological sounds. Consequently, to enhance and conserve the acoustic quality of the region, spatial-temporal mapping with landscape indicators can be employed in the management and planning processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Xu
- Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092 China; Key Laboratory of Spatial Intelligent Planning Technology, Ministry of Natural Resources, China.
| | - Caner Baydur
- College of Design and Innovation, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Institute of Acoustics, School of Physics Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul 34349, Turkiye.
| | - Jingjie Feng
- Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092 China.
| | - Chengzhao Wu
- Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092 China.
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Bachman SP, Brown MJM, Leão TCC, Nic Lughadha E, Walker BE. Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 242:797-808. [PMID: 38437880 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
More than 70% of all vascular plants lack conservation status assessments. We aimed to address this shortfall in knowledge of species extinction risk by using the World Checklist of Vascular Plants to generate the first comprehensive set of predictions for a large clade: angiosperms (flowering plants, c. 330 000 species). We used Bayesian Additive Regression Trees (BART) to predict the extinction risk of all angiosperms using predictors relating to range size, human footprint, climate, and evolutionary history and applied a novel approach to estimate uncertainty of individual species-level predictions. From our model predictions, we estimate 45.1% of angiosperm species are potentially threatened with a lower bound of 44.5% and upper bound of 45.7%. Our species-level predictions, with associated uncertainty estimates, do not replace full global, or regional Red List assessments, but can be used to prioritise predicted threatened species for full Red List assessment and fast-track predicted non-threatened species for Least Concern assessments. Our predictions and uncertainty estimates can also guide fieldwork, inform systematic conservation planning and support global plant conservation efforts and targets.
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11
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Siddique MT, García Molinos J. Risk from future climate change to Pakistan's protected area network: A composite analysis for hotspot identification. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 916:169948. [PMID: 38211866 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.169948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
As climate change becomes a primary driver of global ecosystem deterioration and biodiversity loss, protected areas (PAs) are posed to play a crucial conservation role. At a global scale, 17 % of land is currently covered by PAs; a figure expected to reach 30 % by 2030 under the UN post-2020 global biodiversity framework. However, focusing only on the percent coverage of PAs without assessing their efficacy may not accomplish the intended conservation goals. Here, we present the first assessment of the risk from climate change to existing PAs and non-protected lands across Pakistan by combining data on the local exposure and vulnerability of 409 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians to multidimensional changes in climate by mid (2040-2060) and late (2061-2080) century under two climate emission scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). We find that between 7 % (2050 RCP4.5) and 19 % (2080 RCP8.5) of the current network of PAs, mostly located in the eastern and southeastern parts of the country, are projected to be under future extreme risk (i.e., highly exposed areas containing highly vulnerable communities). Importantly, hotspots of risk within these PAs are projected to significantly expand over time and with increasing severity of the scenario. In contrast, PAs in the northern part of the country are projected to remain under moderate to low risk. Results are subject to variability across the country reflecting interesting differences in climate change exposure and species vulnerability between protected and non-protected lands. Importantly, significantly lower level of risks from future climate change are projected for PAs than non-protected lands across emission scenarios and periods suggesting potential candidate areas for the future expansion of the country's PA network. Our analysis provides novel insights that can help inform conservation decisions and management at a time when the country is investing in ambitious efforts to expand its network of protected areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Taimur Siddique
- Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, N10W5, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan 060-0810
| | - Jorge García Molinos
- Arctic Research Center, Hokkaido University, N21W11, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan 001-0021.
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12
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Garcia-Gonzalez F, Ripple WJ, Malo AF. Scientists' warning to humanity for long-term planetary thinking on biodiversity and humankind preservation, a cosmic perspective. Bioscience 2024; 74:82-85. [PMID: 38390310 PMCID: PMC10880066 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biad108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Garcia-Gonzalez
- Department of Ecology and Evolution at Doñana Biological Station (Spanish Research Council), Seville, Spain
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences at The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - William J Ripple
- Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society at Oregon State University and with the Conservation Biology Institute, Corvallis, Oregon, United States
| | - Aurelio F Malo
- Global Change Ecology and Evolution Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida at the Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
- Department of Life Sciences at the Imperial College London, Silwood Park, Ascot, Berkshire, United Kingdom
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13
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Pironon S, Ondo I, Diazgranados M, Allkin R, Baquero AC, Cámara-Leret R, Canteiro C, Dennehy-Carr Z, Govaerts R, Hargreaves S, Hudson AJ, Lemmens R, Milliken W, Nesbitt M, Patmore K, Schmelzer G, Turner RM, van Andel TR, Ulian T, Antonelli A, Willis KJ. The global distribution of plants used by humans. Science 2024; 383:293-297. [PMID: 38236975 DOI: 10.1126/science.adg8028] [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: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Plants sustain human life. Understanding geographic patterns of the diversity of species used by people is thus essential for the sustainable management of plant resources. Here, we investigate the global distribution of 35,687 utilized plant species spanning 10 use categories (e.g., food, medicine, material). Our findings indicate general concordance between utilized and total plant diversity, supporting the potential for simultaneously conserving species diversity and its contributions to people. Although Indigenous lands across Mesoamerica, the Horn of Africa, and Southern Asia harbor a disproportionate diversity of utilized plants, the incidence of protected areas is negatively correlated with utilized species richness. Finding mechanisms to preserve areas containing concentrations of utilized plants and traditional knowledge must become a priority for the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Pironon
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK
- UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), Cambridge, UK
| | - I Ondo
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK
- UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), Cambridge, UK
| | - M Diazgranados
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK
- International Plant Science Center, New York Botanical Garden, New York, NY, USA
| | - R Allkin
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK
| | - A C Baquero
- UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), Cambridge, UK
| | - R Cámara-Leret
- Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - C Canteiro
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK
| | - Z Dennehy-Carr
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK
- Herbarium, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, UK
| | - R Govaerts
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK
| | - S Hargreaves
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK
| | - A J Hudson
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst, Ardingly, UK
- Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Richmond, UK
| | - R Lemmens
- Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - W Milliken
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst, Ardingly, UK
| | - M Nesbitt
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK
- Department of Geography, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, UK
- Institute of Archaeology, University College London, London, UK
| | - K Patmore
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK
| | - G Schmelzer
- Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - R M Turner
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK
| | - T R van Andel
- Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - T Ulian
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst, Ardingly, UK
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - A Antonelli
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - K J Willis
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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14
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Huang Q, Xu J, Wong JP, Radeloff VC, Songer M. Prioritizing global tall forests toward the 30 × 30 goals. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2023; 37:e14135. [PMID: 37377172 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The Global Deal for Nature sets an ambitious goal to protect 30% of Earth's land and ocean by 2030. The 30 × 30 initiative is a way to allocate conservation resources and extend protection to conserve vulnerable and underprotected ecosystems while reducing carbon emissions to combat climate change. However, most prioritization methods for identifying high-value conservation areas are based on thematic attributes and do not consider vertical habitat structure. Global tall forests represent a rare vertical habitat structure that harbors high species richness in various taxonomic groups and is associated with large amounts of aboveground biomass. Global tall forests should be prioritized when planning global protected areas toward reaching the 30 × 30 goals. We examined the spatial distribution of global tall forests based on the Global Canopy Height 2020 product. We defined global tall forests as areas with the average canopy height above 3 thresholds (20, 25, and 30 m). We quantified the spatial distribution and protection level of global tall forests in high-protection zones, where the 30 × 30 goals are being met or are within reach, and low-protection zones, where there is a low chance of reaching 30 × 30 goals. We quantified the protection level by computing the percentage of global tall forest area protected based on the 2017 World Database on Protected Areas. We also determined the global extent and protection level of undisturbed, mature, tall forests based on the 2020 Global Intact Forest Landscapes mask. In most cases, the percentage of protection decreased as forest height reached the top strata. In the low-protection zones, <30% of forests were protected in almost all tall forest strata. In countries such as Brazil, tall forests had a higher percentage of protection (consistently >30%) compared to forests of lower height, presenting a more effective conservation model than in countries such as the United States, where forest protection was almost uniformly <30% across height strata. Our results show an urgent need to target forest conservation in the greatest height strata, particularly in high-protection areas, where most global tall forests are found. Vegetation vertical structure can inform the decision-making process toward the 30 × 30 goals because it can be used to identify areas of high conservation value for biodiversity protection which also contribute to carbon sequestration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiongyu Huang
- Conservation Ecology Center, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, USA
| | - Jin Xu
- Conservation Ecology Center, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, USA
| | - Jesse Pan Wong
- Conservation Ecology Center, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, USA
- Department of Geography, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA
| | - Volker C Radeloff
- Forest and Wildlife Ecology Department, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Melissa Songer
- Conservation Ecology Center, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, USA
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15
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van Rees CB, Hernández-Abrams DD, Shudtz M, Lammers R, Byers J, Bledsoe BP, Bilskie MV, Calabria J, Chambers M, Dolatowski E, Ferreira S, Naslund L, Nelson DR, Nibbelink N, Suedel B, Tritinger A, Woodson CB, McKay SK, Wenger SJ. Reimagining infrastructure for a biodiverse future. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2214334120. [PMID: 37931104 PMCID: PMC10655554 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2214334120] [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] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Civil infrastructure will be essential to face the interlinked existential threats of climate change and rising resource demands while ensuring a livable Anthropocene for all. However, conventional infrastructure planning largely neglects the contributions and maintenance of Earth's ecological life support systems, which provide irreplaceable services supporting human well-being. The stability and performance of these services depend on biodiversity, but conventional infrastructure practices, narrowly focused on controlling natural capital, have inadvertently degraded biodiversity while perpetuating social inequities. Here, we envision a new infrastructure paradigm wherein biodiversity and ecosystem services are a central objective of civil engineering. In particular, we reimagine infrastructure practice such that 1) ecosystem integrity and species conservation are explicit objectives from the outset of project planning; 2) infrastructure practices integrate biodiversity into diverse project portfolios along a spectrum from conventional to nature-based solutions and natural habitats; 3) ecosystem functions reinforce and enhance the performance and lifespan of infrastructure assets; and 4) civil engineering promotes environmental justice by counteracting legacies of social inequity in infrastructure development and nature conservation. This vision calls for a fundamental rethinking of the standards, practices, and mission of infrastructure development agencies and a broadening of scope for conservation science. We critically examine the legal and professional precedents for this paradigm shift, as well as the moral and economic imperatives for manifesting equitable infrastructure planning that mainstreams biodiversity and nature's benefits to people. Finally, we set an applied research agenda for supporting this vision and highlight financial, professional, and policy pathways for achieving it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles B. van Rees
- River Basin Center, Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
- Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
| | - Darixa D. Hernández-Abrams
- Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS39180
| | - Matthew Shudtz
- Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
| | - Roderick Lammers
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI48858
| | - James Byers
- River Basin Center, Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
| | - Brian P. Bledsoe
- Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
- School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural, and Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
| | - Matthew V. Bilskie
- Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
- School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural, and Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
| | - Jon Calabria
- Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
- College of Environment and Design, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
| | - Matthew Chambers
- Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
- School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural, and Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
| | - Emily Dolatowski
- Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
- College of Environment and Design, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
| | - Susana Ferreira
- Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
- College of Agricultural Economics, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
| | - Laura Naslund
- River Basin Center, Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
| | - Donald R. Nelson
- Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
- Department of Anthropology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
| | - Nathan Nibbelink
- Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
| | - Burton Suedel
- Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS39180
| | - Amanda Tritinger
- Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS39180
| | - C. Brock Woodson
- Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
- School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural, and Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
| | - S. Kyle McKay
- Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS39180
| | - Seth J. Wenger
- River Basin Center, Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
- Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
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16
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McNicol IM, Keane A, Burgess ND, Bowers SJ, Mitchard ETA, Ryan CM. Protected areas reduce deforestation and degradation and enhance woody growth across African woodlands. COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT 2023; 4:392. [PMID: 38665189 PMCID: PMC11041809 DOI: 10.1038/s43247-023-01053-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Protected areas are increasingly promoted for their capacity to sequester carbon, alongside biodiversity benefits. However, we have limited understanding of whether they are effective at reducing deforestation and degradation, or promoting vegetation growth, and the impact that this has on changes to aboveground woody carbon stocks. Here we present a new satellite radar-based map of vegetation carbon change across southern Africa's woodlands and combine this with a matching approach to assess the effect of protected areas on carbon dynamics. We show that protection has a positive effect on aboveground carbon, with stocks increasing faster in protected areas (+0.53% per year) compared to comparable lands not under protection (+0.08% per year). The positive effect of protection reflects lower rates of deforestation (-39%) and degradation (-25%), as well as a greater prevalence of vegetation growth (+12%) inside protected lands. Areas under strict protection had similar outcomes to other types of protection after controlling for differences in location, with effect scores instead varying more by country, and the level of threat. These results highlight the potential for protected areas to sequester aboveground carbon, although we caution that in some areas this may have negative impacts on biodiversity, and human wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iain M. McNicol
- School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF UK
| | - Aidan Keane
- School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF UK
| | - Neil D. Burgess
- United Nations Environment Programme – World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), Cambridge, CB3 0DL UK
- Centre for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, Natural History Museum, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Samuel J. Bowers
- School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF UK
| | | | - Casey M. Ryan
- School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF UK
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17
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Venier-Cambron C, Malek Ž, Verburg PH. Avoiding an unjust transition to sustainability: An equity metric for spatial conservation planning. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2216693120. [PMID: 37844239 PMCID: PMC10614950 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2216693120] [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: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The need for rapid and ambitious conservation and restoration is widely acknowledged, yet concern exists that the widespread reallocation of land to nature would disproportionately affect the world's poor. Conservation and restoration may limit nutrition and livelihood options and thus negatively affect social development objectives. Although much research looks into global-scale scenarios and planning of conservation and restoration, spatial evaluations of these trade-offs in terms of equity remain limited. We fill this gap by identifying areas where conservation or restoration under different future scenarios and prioritization maps expand nature into landscapes that likely support land-dependent communities in their local food security. By contrasting the expansion of nature into areas supporting land-dependent communities vs. places where the food system is supported by regional to global markets, we highlight the need for disaggregated indicators that reflect the diversity of human land-use needs in order to identify more equitable pathways. Conservation prioritizations were found to result in more equitable land-use outcomes than the land-use outcomes of widely used socioeconomic scenarios. Accounting for differentiated social impacts in model-based conservation and restoration planning and global scale scenario assessment can help achieve a more inclusive transition to sustainability as well as reduce barriers to meaningful change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Venier-Cambron
- Department of Environmental Geography, Instituut voor Milieuvraagstukken, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HVAmsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Žiga Malek
- Department of Environmental Geography, Instituut voor Milieuvraagstukken, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HVAmsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter H. Verburg
- Department of Environmental Geography, Instituut voor Milieuvraagstukken, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HVAmsterdam, The Netherlands
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18
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Esyunin S, Agafonova O, Ruchin A, Semishin G, Esin M, Artaev O. Spider fauna (Arachnida, Araneae) in Mordovia State Nature Reserve and National Park "Smolny" (Russia). Biodivers Data J 2023; 11:e105979. [PMID: 37901677 PMCID: PMC10612110 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.11.e105979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ecosystems in protected areas are richer in animal and plant species diversity ("biodiversity hotspots") due to more stringent conservation conditions. Of particular importance is scientific research and monitoring of this diversity in such areas. The aim of this study is to describe a set of data on Araneae occurrence in two protected areas: Mordovia State Nature Reserve and National Park "Smolny". New information About 29,000 individuals are identified to the species level. In total, 342 species were recorded for both PAs. The greatest species diversity was recorded in the families Linyphiidae (109 species; 32%), Lycosidae (38 species; 11%) Gnaphosidae (28 species; 8%), Araneidae (25 species; 7%), Salticidae (24 species; 7%), Thomisidae (23 species; 7%) and Theridiidae (22 species; 6% from total species diversity). The five species most abundant in the lower stratum (litter and moss layer) of biocenoses were Diplocephaluspicinus, Micronetaviaria, Tenuiphantestenebricola, Diplostylaconcolor and Abacoproecessaltuum and the five species most abundant in the vegetative stratum (herb, shrub and tree stems and canopy) were Linyphiatriangularis, Enoplognathaovata, Evarchafalcata, Misumenavatia and Evarchaarcuata. The dataset contains information on the occurrence of seven rare species (Centromerusnurgush, Centromeruspersimilis, Diplocephalusdentatus, Entelecaraflavipes, Metapanamomopskaestneri, Pelecopsisradicicola and Porrhommamicrocavense), three species (Agalenatearedii, Neosconaadianta, Thanatusoblongiusculus) that entered here from the steppe zone and two synanthropic species (Steatodacastanea, Tegenariadomestica).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei Esyunin
- Perm State University, Perm, RussiaPerm State UniversityPermRussia
| | - Oksana Agafonova
- Perm State University, Perm, RussiaPerm State UniversityPermRussia
| | - Alexander Ruchin
- Joint Directorate of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve and National Park «Smolny», Saransk, RussiaJoint Directorate of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve and National Park «Smolny»SaranskRussia
| | - Gennadiy Semishin
- Joint Directorate of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve and National Park «Smolny», Saransk, RussiaJoint Directorate of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve and National Park «Smolny»SaranskRussia
| | - Mikhail Esin
- Joint Directorate of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve and National Park «Smolny», Saransk, RussiaJoint Directorate of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve and National Park «Smolny»SaranskRussia
| | - Oleg Artaev
- Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters Russian Academy of Sciences, Borok, RussiaPapanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters Russian Academy of SciencesBorokRussia
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19
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Riva F, Fahrig L. Obstruction of biodiversity conservation by minimum patch size criteria. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2023; 37:e14092. [PMID: 37021385 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Minimum patch size criteria for habitat protection reflect the conservation principle that a single large (SL) patch of habitat has higher biodiversity than several small (SS) patches of the same total area (SL > SS). Nonetheless, this principle is often incorrect, and biodiversity conservation requires placing more emphasis on protection of large numbers of small patches (SS > SL). We used a global database reporting the abundances of species across hundreds of patches to assess the SL > SS principle in systems where small patches are much smaller than the typical minimum patch size criteria applied for biodiversity conservation (i.e., ∼85% of patches <100 ha). The 76 metacommunities we examined included 4401 species in 1190 patches. From each metacommunity, we resampled species-area accumulation curves to evaluate how biodiversity responded to habitat existing as a few large patches or as many small patches. Counter to the SL > SS principle and consistent with previous syntheses, species richness accumulated more rapidly when adding several small patches (45.2% SS > SL vs. 19.9% SL > SS) to reach the same cumulative area, even for the very small patches in our data set. Responses of taxa to habitat fragmentation differed, which suggests that when a given total area of habitat is to be protected, overall biodiversity conservation will be most effective if that habitat is composed of as many small patches as possible, plus a few large ones. Because minimum patch size criteria often require larger patches than the small patches we examined, our results suggest that such criteria hinder efforts to protect biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Riva
- Spatial Ecology Group, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Université de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lenore Fahrig
- Geomatics and Landscape Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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20
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Krull M. Mercury Exposure and Habitat Fragmentation Affect the Movement, Foraging Behavior, and Search Efficiency of the Marsh Periwinkle (Littorina irrorata). ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 42:1971-1981. [PMID: 36524861 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The interactions between habitat fragmentation and other stressors are considered a key knowledge gap. The present study tested the hypotheses that mercury enhances the effects of fragmentation by (1) reducing the cumulative daily movement of organisms, (2) shifting their foraging behavior, and (3) altering the vertical movement of the marsh periwinkle (Littoraria irrorata) in a field experiment. Random walk simulations were used to access how changes in movement affect the search efficiency of organisms in the long term. Eighteen 1.5 m2 plots were constructed in a salt marsh where landscapes characteristics were manipulated to reach three different levels of habitat cover. Daily movement of 12 marked control and mercury-exposed snails were measured in each plot. Bayesian models were used to analyze the data and evidence ratios were used to test the hypotheses. The results showed that the effects of fragmentation were consistent in both control and exposed treatments, with an increase in the cumulative displacement of organisms. However, mercury significantly reduced the movement of organisms in all levels of fragmentation, shifting their foraging behavior (evidence ratio > 1000). Exposed snails were more likely to be found inactive in comparison with the control treatment (evidence ratio > 1000). Fragmentation also reduced the vertical movement of organisms in both treatments. In contrast, mercury increased the vertical movement of organisms (evidence ratio > 1000). The search efficiency of organisms also increased in a highly fragmentated landscape, suggesting that changes in foraging behavior are likely due to reduced resources and consequently increase in foraging effort. The present study shows that mercury exposure can enhance the effects of habitat fragmentation by changing organisms' movement, foraging behavior, and search efficiency. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:1971-1981. © 2022 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Krull
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary, Gloucester Point, Virginia, USA
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Müncheberg, Germany
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21
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Gove JM, Williams GJ, Lecky J, Brown E, Conklin E, Counsell C, Davis G, Donovan MK, Falinski K, Kramer L, Kozar K, Li N, Maynard JA, McCutcheon A, McKenna SA, Neilson BJ, Safaie A, Teague C, Whittier R, Asner GP. Coral reefs benefit from reduced land-sea impacts under ocean warming. Nature 2023; 621:536-542. [PMID: 37558870 PMCID: PMC10511326 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06394-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Coral reef ecosystems are being fundamentally restructured by local human impacts and climate-driven marine heatwaves that trigger mass coral bleaching and mortality1. Reducing local impacts can increase reef resistance to and recovery from bleaching2. However, resource managers lack clear advice on targeted actions that best support coral reefs under climate change3 and sector-based governance means most land- and sea-based management efforts remain siloed4. Here we combine surveys of reef change with a unique 20-year time series of land-sea human impacts that encompassed an unprecedented marine heatwave in Hawai'i. Reefs with increased herbivorous fish populations and reduced land-based impacts, such as wastewater pollution and urban runoff, had positive coral cover trajectories predisturbance. These reefs also experienced a modest reduction in coral mortality following severe heat stress compared to reefs with reduced fish populations and enhanced land-based impacts. Scenario modelling indicated that simultaneously reducing land-sea human impacts results in a three- to sixfold greater probability of a reef having high reef-builder cover four years postdisturbance than if either occurred in isolation. International efforts to protect 30% of Earth's land and ocean ecosystems by 2030 are underway5. Our results reveal that integrated land-sea management could help achieve coastal ocean conservation goals and provide coral reefs with the best opportunity to persist in our changing climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamison M Gove
- Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Honolulu, HI, USA.
| | - Gareth J Williams
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, UK.
| | - Joey Lecky
- Pacific Islands Regional Office, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Eric Brown
- National Park of American Samoa, Pago Pago, American Samoa, USA
| | | | - Chelsie Counsell
- Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Gerald Davis
- Pacific Islands Regional Office, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Mary K Donovan
- Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science, Arizona State University, Hilo, HI, USA
- School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | | | | | - Kelly Kozar
- National Park Service, Pacific Island Network Inventory and Monitoring, Hawai'i National Park, HI, USA
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Ocean and Resources Engineering, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | | | - Amanda McCutcheon
- National Park Service, Pacific Island Network Inventory and Monitoring, Hawai'i National Park, HI, USA
| | - Sheila A McKenna
- National Park Service, Pacific Island Network Inventory and Monitoring, Hawai'i National Park, HI, USA
| | | | - Aryan Safaie
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI, USA
| | | | | | - Gregory P Asner
- Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science, Arizona State University, Hilo, HI, USA
- School of Ocean Futures, Arizona State University, Hilo, HI, USA
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22
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De Camargo RX. Avian Diversity Responds Unimodally to Natural Landcover: Implications for Conservation Management. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2647. [PMID: 37627438 PMCID: PMC10451700 DOI: 10.3390/ani13162647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Predicting species' ecological responses to landcovers within landscapes could guide conservation practices. Current modelling efforts derived from classic species-area relationships almost always predict richness monotonically increasing as the proportion of landcovers increases. Yet evidence to explain hump-shaped richness-landcover patterns is lacking. We tested predictions related to hypothesised drivers of peaked relationships between richness and proportion of natural landcover. We estimated richness from breeding bird atlases at different spatial scales (25 to 900 km2) in New York State and Southern Ontario. We modelled richness to gradients of natural landcover, temperature, and landcover heterogeneity. We controlled models for sampling effort and regional size of the species pool. Species richness peaks as a function of the proportion of natural landcover consistently across spatial scales and geographic regions sharing similar biogeographic characteristics. Temperature plays a role, but peaked relationships are not entirely due to climate-landcover collinearities. Heterogeneity weakly explains richness variance in the models. Increased amounts of natural landcover promote species richness to a limit in landscapes with relatively little (<30%) natural cover. Higher amounts of natural cover and a certain amount of human-modified landcovers can provide habitats for species that prefer open habitats. Much of the variation in richness among landscapes must be related to variables other than natural versus human-dominated landcovers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael X. De Camargo
- Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement, UMR-CNRS 6249, Université Franche-Comté—UFC, 25030 Besançon, France;
- TRANSBIO Graduate School, Université Bourgogne Franche Comté—COMUE UBFC, 25000 Besançon, France
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23
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Borca M, Ciobica A, Iordache A. Modern Aspects of the Complex Interactions between Biodiversity and the Main Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1205. [PMID: 37626561 PMCID: PMC10452359 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13081205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The high incidence of psychopathologies recorded in today's human society, correlated with the high percentages of biodiversity loss, point to the need for an interdisciplinary approach of the scientific fields under study-neuroscience and biodiversity conservation. Thus, our approach here presents, in a synergistic manner, the significant correlation between mental health and the increased values of biodiversity in the ecosystems located in the immediate vicinity, especially those located in the middle of cities. Our approach aims to emphasize the importance of biodiversity conservation in the context of preserving mental health and general well-being. There are a series of recent experimental demonstrations that outline the influence of natural elements on the human psyche and, implicitly, the effects of nature in the prevention and reduction of stress, anxiety, and depression. And beyond the cognitive barriers of humanity in relating to the surrounding biodiversity must lie the desire to know the values of biodiversity and the absolute importance of its conservation. The sustainable relationship between humans and living nature, seen as a complex of biodiversity, is dealt with by a branch of science called human ecology. Therefore, this study emphasizes the crucial need to know and respect the connection between man and nature, based, since time immemorial, on biophilia. And with the regression of ignorance and the correlated approach of several scientific fields, some at the intersection of the humanities and natural sciences, one can observe the progress of preserving the dynamic balance within ecosystems and, implicitly, the preservation of mental health and human well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalina Borca
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, B dul Carol I, No. 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania
| | - Alin Ciobica
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, B dul Carol I, No. 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania
- Center of Biomedical Research, Romanian Academy, B dul Carol I, No. 8, 700505 Iasi, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Splaiul Independentei 54, Sector 5, 050094 Bucuresti, Romania
| | - Alin Iordache
- Department of Neurology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16, Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
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24
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Legge S, Rumpff L, Garnett ST, Woinarski JCZ. Loss of terrestrial biodiversity in Australia: Magnitude, causation, and response. Science 2023; 381:622-631. [PMID: 37561866 DOI: 10.1126/science.adg7870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Australia's biota is species rich, with high rates of endemism. This natural legacy has rapidly diminished since European colonization. The impacts of invasive species, habitat loss, altered fire regimes, and changed water flows are now compounded by climate change, particularly through extreme drought, heat, wildfire, and flooding. Extinction rates, already far exceeding the global average for mammals, are predicted to escalate across all taxa, and ecosystems are collapsing. These losses are symptomatic of shortcomings in resourcing, law, policy, and management. Informed by examples of advances in conservation practice from invasive species control, Indigenous land management, and citizen science, we describe interventions needed to enhance future resilience. Many characteristics of Australian biodiversity loss are globally relevant, with recovery requiring society to reframe its relationship with the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Legge
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, Northern Territory, Australia
- Fenner School of Society and the Environment, The Australian National University, Acton, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Libby Rumpff
- School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephen T Garnett
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - John C Z Woinarski
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, Northern Territory, Australia
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25
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Garber MD, Guidi M, Bousselot J, Benmarhnia T, Dean D, Rojas-Rueda D. Impact of native-plants policy scenarios on premature mortality in Denver: A quantitative health impact assessment. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 178:108050. [PMID: 37406368 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cities often use non-native plants such as turf grass to expand green space. Native plants, however, may require less water and maintenance and have co-benefits for local biodiversity, including pollinators. Previous studies estimating mortality averted by adding green space have not considered the provision of native plants as part of the greening policies. AIM We aim to estimate premature deaths that would be prevented by the implementation of native-plants policy scenarios in the City of Denver, Colorado, USA. METHODS After conducting interviews with local expert stakeholders, we designed four native-plants policy scenarios: (1) greening 30% of all city census-block groups to the greenness level of native plants, (2) adding 200-foot native-plants buffers around riparian areas, (3) constructing large water retention ponds landscaped with native plants, and (4) greening parking lots. We defined the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) corresponding to native plants by measuring the NDVI at locations with known native or highly diverse vegetation. Using a quantitative health-impact assessment approach, we estimated premature mortality averted under each scenario, comparing alternative NDVI with the baseline value. RESULTS In the most ambitious scenario, we estimated that 88 (95% uncertainty interval (UI): 20, 128) annual premature deaths would be prevented by greening 30% of the area of census block groups with native plants. We estimated that greening 30% of parking-lot surface with native plants would prevent 14 annual deaths (95% UI: 7, 18), adding the native buffers around riparian areas would prevent 13 annual deaths (95% UI: 2, 20), and adding the proposed stormwater retention ponds would prevent no annual deaths (95% UI: 0, 1). CONCLUSION Using native plants to increase green spaces has the potential to prevent premature deaths in the City of Denver, but results were sensitive to the definition of native plants and the policy scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Garber
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA; Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science & Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Michael Guidi
- Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Jennifer Bousselot
- Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Tarik Benmarhnia
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science & Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Dean
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - David Rojas-Rueda
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
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26
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Wu JY, Liu H, Li T, Ou-Yang Y, Zhang JH, Zhang TJ, Huang Y, Gao WL, Shao L. Evaluating the ecological vulnerability of Chongqing using deep learning. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:86365-86379. [PMID: 37407859 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28032-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
This study used deep learning to evaluate the ecological vulnerability of Chongqing, China, discuss the deep learning evaluations of ecological vulnerability, and generate vulnerability maps that support local ecological environment protection and governance decisions and provide reference for future studies. The information gain ratio was used to screen the influencing factors, selecting 16 factors that influence ecological vulnerability. Deep neural network (DNN) and convolutional neural network (CNN) methods were used for modeling, and two ecological vulnerability maps of the study area were generated. The results showed that the mean absolute error and root mean square error of the DNN and CNN models were relatively small, and the fitting accuracy was high. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the CNN model was 0.926, which was better than that of the DNN model (0.888). Random forest was applied to calculate the importance of the influencing factors in the two models. Because the main factor was geological features, the relative ecological vulnerability was mainly affected by karst topography. Through the analysis of the ecological vulnerability map, the areas with higher vulnerability are the karst mountains of Dabashan, Wushan, and Qiyaoshan in the northeast and southeast, as well as the valley between mountains and cities in the center and west of the study area. According to the investigation of these areas, the primary ecological problems are low forest quality, structural irregularities caused by self-geological factors, severe desertification, and soil erosion. Human activity is also an important factor that causes ecological vulnerability in the study area. In conclusion, deep learning, particularly CNN models, can be used for ecological vulnerability assessments. The ecological vulnerability maps conformed to the basic cognition of field surveys and can provide references for other deep learning vulnerability studies. While the overall vulnerability of the study area is not high, ecological problems that lead to its vulnerability should be addressed by future ecological protection and management measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Yi Wu
- China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100089, China
- Graduate School, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China
- Chengdu Center, China Geological Survey, Chengdu, 610081, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Chengdu Center, China Geological Survey, Chengdu, 610081, China
- College of Earth Sciences, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059, China
| | - Tong Li
- College of Earth Sciences, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059, China
| | - Yuan Ou-Yang
- Chengdu Center, China Geological Survey, Chengdu, 610081, China.
| | - Jing-Hua Zhang
- Chengdu Center, China Geological Survey, Chengdu, 610081, China
| | - Teng-Jiao Zhang
- Chengdu Center, China Geological Survey, Chengdu, 610081, China
| | - Yong Huang
- Chengdu Center, China Geological Survey, Chengdu, 610081, China
| | - Wen-Long Gao
- Chengdu Center, China Geological Survey, Chengdu, 610081, China
- China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Lu Shao
- China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100089, China
- Graduate School, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China
- Chengdu Center, China Geological Survey, Chengdu, 610081, China
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27
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Firdousi SF, Afzal A, Amir B. Nexus between FinTech, renewable energy resource consumption, and carbon emissions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:84686-84704. [PMID: 37369901 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28219-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
An increase in energy crises and environmental degradation has pushed countries to adopt more sustainable practices. In this situation, financial technology has played an important role to lower carbon emissions by integrating renewable energy resources that can help increase renewable energy resource consumption (REC) and lower carbon emissions (CE). To better understand this transmission mechanism, this study has collected a panel dataset of 26 Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) developing countries for the 2011-2021 period. Furthermore, a proxy indicator for financial technology (FinTech) was developed by extracting relevant data from CrunchBase. Pooled ordinary least square and robust fixed effects technique was adopted to analyse the influence of FinTech on renewable energy and carbon emissions for robustness. Results of the study show that FinTech development promotes renewable energy resource consumption (REC) and discourages carbon emissions (CE), moreover, economic growth positively impacts, and carbon emissions (CE). This research emphasizes the importance of adopting financial technology as an important deterrent of further environmental damage. Additionally, in line with the results of this study, policymakers should design and implement an industrial policy which promotes sustainable economic growth which can pave the path for a circular economy model in the future.
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28
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Arneth A, Leadley P, Claudet J, Coll M, Rondinini C, Rounsevell MDA, Shin YJ, Alexander P, Fuchs R. Making protected areas effective for biodiversity, climate and food. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:3883-3894. [PMID: 36872638 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The spatial extent of marine and terrestrial protected areas (PAs) was among the most intensely debated issues prior to the decision about the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Positive impacts of PAs on habitats, species diversity and abundance are well documented. Yet, biodiversity loss continues unabated despite efforts to protect 17% of land and 10% of the oceans by 2020. This casts doubt on whether extending PAs to 30%, the agreed target in the Kunming-Montreal GBF, will indeed achieve meaningful biodiversity benefits. Critically, the focus on area coverage obscures the importance of PA effectiveness and overlooks concerns about the impact of PAs on other sustainability objectives. We propose a simple means of assessing and visualising the complex relationships between PA area coverage and effectiveness and their effects on biodiversity conservation, nature-based climate mitigation and food production. Our analysis illustrates how achieving a 30% PA global target could be beneficial for biodiversity and climate. It also highlights important caveats: (i) achieving lofty area coverage objectives alone will be of little benefit without concomitant improvements in effectiveness, (ii) trade-offs with food production particularly for high levels of coverage and effectiveness are likely and (iii) important differences in terrestrial and marine systems need to be recognized when setting and implementing PA targets. The CBD's call for a significant increase in PA will need to be accompanied by clear PA effectiveness goals to reduce and revert dangerous anthropogenic impacts on socio-ecological systems and biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Almut Arneth
- KIT, Department of Atmospheric Environmental Research, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
- KIT, Department of Geography and Geoecology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Paul Leadley
- ESE Laboratory, Université Paris-Saclay/CNRS/AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| | - Joachim Claudet
- National Center for Scientific Research, PSL Université Paris, CRIOBE, CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, Paris, France
| | - Marta Coll
- Institute of Marine Science (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Maritim de la Barceloneta, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlo Rondinini
- Global Mammal Assessment Program, Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Global Wildlife Conservation Center, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Mark D A Rounsevell
- KIT, Department of Atmospheric Environmental Research, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
- KIT, Department of Geography and Geoecology, Karlsruhe, Germany
- School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Yunne-Jai Shin
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Univ Montpellier, IFREMER, CNRS, MARBEC, Montpellier, France
| | - Peter Alexander
- School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Richard Fuchs
- KIT, Department of Atmospheric Environmental Research, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
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29
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Buřivalová Z, Yoh N, Butler RA, Chandra Sagar HSS, Game ET. Broadening the focus of forest conservation beyond carbon. Curr Biol 2023; 33:R621-R635. [PMID: 37279693 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Two concurrent trends are contributing towards a much broader view of forest conservation. First, the appreciation of the role of forests as a nature-based climate solution has grown rapidly, particularly among governments and the private sector. Second, the spatiotemporal resolution of forest mapping and the ease of tracking forest changes have dramatically improved. As a result, who does and who pays for forest conservation is changing: sectors and people previously considered separate from forest conservation now play an important role and need to be held accountable and motivated or forced to conserve forests. This change requires, and has stimulated, a broader range of forest conservation solutions. The need to assess the outcomes of conservation interventions has motivated the development and application of sophisticated econometric analyses, enabled by high resolution satellite data. At the same time, the focus on climate, together with the nature of available data and evaluation methods, has worked against a more comprehensive view of forest conservation. Instead, it has encouraged a focus on trees as carbon stores, often leaving out other important goals of forest conservation, such as biodiversity and human wellbeing. Even though both are intrinsically connected to climate outcomes, these areas have not kept pace with the scale and diversification of forest conservation. Finding synergies between these 'co-benefits', which play out on a local scale, with the carbon objective, related to the global amount of forests, is a major challenge and area for future advances in forest conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Buřivalová
- The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
| | - Natalie Yoh
- The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | | | - H S Sathya Chandra Sagar
- The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Edward T Game
- The Nature Conservancy, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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30
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Duncanson L, Liang M, Leitold V, Armston J, Krishna Moorthy SM, Dubayah R, Costedoat S, Enquist BJ, Fatoyinbo L, Goetz SJ, Gonzalez-Roglich M, Merow C, Roehrdanz PR, Tabor K, Zvoleff A. The effectiveness of global protected areas for climate change mitigation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2908. [PMID: 37263997 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38073-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Forests play a critical role in stabilizing Earth's climate. Establishing protected areas (PAs) represents one approach to forest conservation, but PAs were rarely created to mitigate climate change. The global impact of PAs on the carbon cycle has not previously been quantified due to a lack of accurate global-scale carbon stock maps. Here we used ~412 million lidar samples from NASA's GEDI mission to estimate a total PA aboveground carbon (C) stock of 61.43 Gt (+/- 0.31), 26% of all mapped terrestrial woody C. Of this total, 9.65 + /- 0.88 Gt of additional carbon was attributed to PA status. These higher C stocks are primarily from avoided emissions from deforestation and degradation in PAs compared to unprotected forests. This total is roughly equivalent to one year of annual global fossil fuel emissions. These results underscore the importance of conservation of high biomass forests for avoiding carbon emissions and preserving future sequestration.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Duncanson
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
| | - M Liang
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - V Leitold
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - J Armston
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - S M Krishna Moorthy
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - R Dubayah
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - S Costedoat
- Moore Center for Science, Conservation International, Arlington, VA, 22202, USA
| | - B J Enquist
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- The Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road, Santa Fe, NM, 87501, USA
| | - L Fatoyinbo
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
| | - S J Goetz
- School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | | | - C Merow
- Eversource Energy Center and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - P R Roehrdanz
- Moore Center for Science, Conservation International, Arlington, VA, 22202, USA
| | - K Tabor
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
- Department of Geography and Environmental Systems, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - A Zvoleff
- Moore Center for Science, Conservation International, Arlington, VA, 22202, USA
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31
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Zhou G, Huan Y, Wang L, Lan Y, Liang T, Shi B, Zhang Q. Linking ecosystem services and circuit theory to identify priority conservation and restoration areas from an ecological network perspective. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 873:162261. [PMID: 36801316 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The Yellow River basin has been experiencing ecosystem fragmentation, conversion, and degradation. The ecological security pattern (ESP) can provide a systematic and holistic perspective for specific action planning to maintain ecosystem structural, functional stability, and its connectivity. Thus, this study focused on Sanmenxia, one of the most representative cities of the Yellow River basin, to construct an integrated ESP to provide evidence-based support for ecological conservation and restoration. We adopted four main steps, including measuring the importance of multiple ecosystem services, identifying ecological sources, constructing the ecological resistance surface, and linking the MCR model and circuit theory to identify the optimal path, optimal width, and key nodes of ecological corridors. Overall, we identified various ecological conservation and restoration priority areas in Sanmenxia, including 3593.08 km2 of ecosystem service hotspots, 28 corridors, 105 pinch points, and 73 barriers, and we highlighted multiple priority actions. This study provides an effective starting point for the future identification of ecological priorities at the regional or river basin scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangjin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yizhong Huan
- School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Institute for Sustainable Development Goals, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Lingqing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Lan
- The Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, London, UK; Laboratory of Resource Ecology and Biological Resources, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Liang
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Biling Shi
- Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Zhangjiakou Municipal Bureau of Natural Resources and Planning, Zhangjiakou, China
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Oshun MI, Grantham TE. Leveraging species richness and ecological condition indices to guide systematic conservation planning. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 341:117970. [PMID: 37148768 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The global crises of biodiversity loss and climate change are interconnected in root cause and solutions. Targeted land conservation has emerged as a leading strategy to protect vulnerable species and buffer climate impacts, however, consistent methods to assess biodiversity and prioritize areas for protection have not yet been established. Recent landscape-scale planning initiatives in California present an opportunity to conserve biodiversity, but to enhance their effectiveness, assessment approaches should move beyond commonly used measures of terrestrial species richness. In this study, we compile publicly available datasets and explore how distinct biodiversity conservation indices - including indicators of terrestrial and aquatic species richness and of biotic and physical ecosystem condition - are represented in watersheds of the northern Sierra Nevada mountain region of California (n = 253). We also evaluate the extent to which the existing protected area network covers watersheds that support high species richness and intact ecosystems. Terrestrial and aquatic species richness showed unique spatial patterns (Spearman R = 0.27), with highest richness of aquatic species in the low-elevation watersheds of the study area and highest richness of terrestrial species in mid- and high-elevation watersheds. Watersheds with the highest ecosystem condition were concentrated in upper-elevations and were poorly correlated with those with the highest species richness (Spearman R = -0.34). We found that 28% of watersheds in the study area are conserved by the existing protected area network. Protected watersheds had higher ecosystem condition (mean rank-normalized score = 0.71) than unprotected areas (0.42), but species richness was generally lower (0.33 in protected versus 0.57 in unprotected watersheds). We illustrate how the complementary measures of species richness and ecosystem condition can be used to guide strategies for landscape-scale ecosystem management, including prioritization of watersheds for targeted protection, restoration, monitoring, and multi-benefit management. Though designed for California, application of these indices to guide conservation planning, design monitoring networks, and implement landscape-scale management interventions provides a model for other regions of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly I Oshun
- Energy & Resources Group, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
| | - Theodore E Grantham
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA; Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, Davis, CA, 95618, USA.
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Cornford R, Spooner F, McRae L, Purvis A, Freeman R. Ongoing over-exploitation and delayed responses to environmental change highlight the urgency for action to promote vertebrate recoveries by 2030. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20230464. [PMID: 37072041 PMCID: PMC10113031 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0464] [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] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
To safeguard nature, we must understand the drivers of biodiversity loss. Time-delayed biodiversity responses to environmental changes (ecological lags) are often absent from models of biodiversity change, despite their well-documented existence. We quantify how lagged responses to climate and land-use change have influenced mammal and bird populations around the world, while incorporating effects of direct exploitation and conservation interventions. Ecological lag duration varies between drivers, vertebrate classes and body size groupings-e.g. lags linked to climate-change impacts are 13 years for small birds, rising to 40 years for larger species. Past warming and land conversion generally combine to predict population declines; however, such conditions are associated with population increases for small mammals. Positive effects of management (>+4% annually for large mammals) and protected areas (>+6% annually for large birds) on population trends contrast with the negative impact of exploitation (<-7% annually for birds), highlighting the need to promote sustainable use. Model projections suggest a future with winners (e.g. large birds) and losers (e.g. medium-sized birds), with current/recent environmental change substantially influencing abundance trends to 2050. Without urgent action, including effective conservation interventions and promoting sustainable use, ambitious targets to stop declines by 2030 may already be slipping out of reach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Cornford
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London NW1 4RY, UK
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, UK
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Ascot SL5 7PY, UK
| | - Fiona Spooner
- Our World in Data at the Global Change Data Lab, Oxford OX2 0DP, UK
| | - Louise McRae
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Andy Purvis
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Robin Freeman
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London NW1 4RY, UK
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Currie J, Merritt W, Liang C, Sothe C, Beatty CR, Shackelford N, Hirsh‐Pearson K, Gonsamo A, Snider J. Prioritizing ecological restoration of converted lands in Canada by spatially integrating organic carbon storage and biodiversity benefits. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Currie
- World Wildlife Fund Canada 410 Adelaide Street West Toronto Ontario M5V 1S8 Canada
| | - Will Merritt
- World Wildlife Fund Canada 410 Adelaide Street West Toronto Ontario M5V 1S8 Canada
| | - Chris Liang
- World Wildlife Fund Canada 410 Adelaide Street West Toronto Ontario M5V 1S8 Canada
| | - Camile Sothe
- School of Earth, Environment and Society McMaster University 1280 Main Street West Hamilton Ontario L8S 4L8 Canada
| | - Craig R. Beatty
- World Wildlife Fund United States 1250 NW 24th Street Washington DC 20037 USA
| | - Nancy Shackelford
- School of Environmental Studies University of Victoria 3800 Finnerty Rd Victoria British Columbia V8P 5C2 Canada
| | - Kristen Hirsh‐Pearson
- Conservation Solutions Lab University of Northern British Columbia 3333 University Way Prince George British Columbia V2N 4Z9 Canada
| | - Alemu Gonsamo
- School of Earth, Environment and Society McMaster University 1280 Main Street West Hamilton Ontario L8S 4L8 Canada
| | - James Snider
- World Wildlife Fund Canada 410 Adelaide Street West Toronto Ontario M5V 1S8 Canada
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35
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Weerasena L, Shier D, Tonkyn D, McFeaters M, Collins C. A sequential approach to reserve design with compactness and contiguity considerations. Ecol Modell 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2023.110281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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36
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Luke SH, Roy HE, Thomas CD, Tilley LAN, Ward S, Watt A, Carnaghi M, Jaworski CC, Tercel MPTG, Woodrow C, Aown S, Banfield‐Zanin JA, Barnsley SL, Berger I, Brown MJF, Bull JC, Campbell H, Carter RAB, Charalambous M, Cole LJ, Ebejer MJ, Farrow RA, Fartyal RS, Grace M, Highet F, Hill JK, Hood ASC, Kent ES, Krell F, Leather SR, Leybourne DJ, Littlewood NA, Lyons A, Matthews G, Mc Namara L, Menéndez R, Merrett P, Mohammed S, Murchie AK, Noble M, Paiva M, Pannell MJ, Phon C, Port G, Powell C, Rosell S, Sconce F, Shortall CR, Slade EM, Sutherland JP, Weir JC, Williams CD, Zielonka NB, Dicks LV. Grand challenges in entomology: Priorities for action in the coming decades. INSECT CONSERVATION AND DIVERSITY 2023; 16:173-189. [PMID: 38505358 PMCID: PMC10947029 DOI: 10.1111/icad.12637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Entomology is key to understanding terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems at a time of unprecedented anthropogenic environmental change and offers substantial untapped potential to benefit humanity in a variety of ways, from improving agricultural practices to managing vector-borne diseases and inspiring technological advances.We identified high priority challenges for entomology using an inclusive, open, and democratic four-stage prioritisation approach, conducted among the membership and affiliates (hereafter 'members') of the UK-based Royal Entomological Society (RES).A list of 710 challenges was gathered from 189 RES members. Thematic analysis was used to group suggestions, followed by an online vote to determine initial priorities, which were subsequently ranked during an online workshop involving 37 participants.The outcome was a set of 61 priority challenges within four groupings of related themes: (i) 'Fundamental Research' (themes: Taxonomy, 'Blue Skies' [defined as research ideas without immediate practical application], Methods and Techniques); (ii) 'Anthropogenic Impacts and Conservation' (themes: Anthropogenic Impacts, Conservation Options); (iii) 'Uses, Ecosystem Services and Disservices' (themes: Ecosystem Benefits, Technology and Resources [use of insects as a resource, or as inspiration], Pests); (iv) 'Collaboration, Engagement and Training' (themes: Knowledge Access, Training and Collaboration, Societal Engagement).Priority challenges encompass research questions, funding objectives, new technologies, and priorities for outreach and engagement. Examples include training taxonomists, establishing a global network of insect monitoring sites, understanding the extent of insect declines, exploring roles of cultivated insects in food supply chains, and connecting professional with amateur entomologists. Responses to different challenges could be led by amateur and professional entomologists, at all career stages.Overall, the challenges provide a diverse array of options to inspire and initiate entomological activities and reveal the potential of entomology to contribute to addressing global challenges related to human health and well-being, and environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah H. Luke
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington CampusNr LoughboroughUK
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Helen E. Roy
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, MacLean BuildingCrowmarsh Gifford, WallingfordUK
| | - Chris D. Thomas
- Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity, Department of BiologyUniversity of YorkYorkUK
| | | | - Simon Ward
- Royal Entomological Society, The Mansion HouseSt AlbansUK
| | - Allan Watt
- UK Centre for Ecology & HydrologyBush EstateMidlothianUK
| | - Manuela Carnaghi
- Department of Agriculture Health and Environment, Natural Resources InstituteUniversity of Greenwich at MedwayKentUK
| | | | | | - Charlie Woodrow
- University of Lincoln, School of Life and Environmental SciencesJoseph Banks LaboratoriesLincolnUK
| | | | | | | | - Iris Berger
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Mark J. F. Brown
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the EnvironmentRoyal Holloway University of LondonEghamUK
| | | | - Heather Campbell
- Agriculture and Environment DepartmentHarper Adams UniversityNewportUK
| | | | - Magda Charalambous
- Department of Life SciencesImperial College London, South Kensington CampusLondonUK
| | - Lorna J. Cole
- Integrated Land ManagementSRUC, Auchincruive EstateAyrUK
| | | | | | - Rajendra S. Fartyal
- Department of Zoology, Birla CampusHNB Gahrwal UniveristySrinagar GarhwalUttarakhandIndia
| | - Miriam Grace
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Fiona Highet
- SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture)EdinburghUK
| | - Jane K. Hill
- University of York, Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity & Department of BiologyUniversity of YorkYorkUK
| | - Amelia S. C. Hood
- Centre for Agri‐Environmental Research, School of Agriculture, Policy and DevelopmentUniversity of ReadingReadingUK
| | - Eleanor S. Kent
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK
| | | | - Simon R. Leather
- Agriculture and Environment DepartmentHarper Adams UniversityNewportUK
| | - Daniel J. Leybourne
- Zoological Biodiversity, Institute of GeobotanyLeibniz University HannoverHannoverGermany
| | | | - Ashley Lyons
- RSPB Centre for Conservation ScienceHaweswater, Naddle Farm, BamptonCumbriaUK
| | | | - Louise Mc Namara
- Teagasc, Crop Science Department, Oak Park Crops Research CentreCarlowIreland
| | - Rosa Menéndez
- Lancaster Environment CentreLancaster UniversityLancasterUK
| | | | - Sajidha Mohammed
- Department of ZoologyM.E.S Mampad CollegeMampad, MalappuramKeralaIndia
| | - Archie K. Murchie
- Agri‐Food & Biosciences InstituteNewforge LaneBelfast, Northern IrelandUK
| | | | - Maria‐Rosa Paiva
- CENSE ‐ Center for Environmental and Sustainability Research, NOVA School of Science and TechnologyNOVA University LisbonCaparicaPortugal
| | | | - Chooi‐Khim Phon
- Entomology BranchForest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)KepongSelangorMalaysia
| | - Gordon Port
- Newcastle University, School of Natural and Environmental SciencesNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | | | | | | | | | - Eleanor M. Slade
- Asian School of the EnvironmentNanyang Technological UniversitySingapore
| | | | - Jamie C. Weir
- Institute for Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of Edinburgh Ashworth LaboratoriesEdinburghUK
| | | | | | - Lynn V. Dicks
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK
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Lawrence A, Beierkuhnlein C. Detecting low fragmented sites surrounding European protected areas - implications for expansion of the Natura 2000 network. J Nat Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2023.126398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
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38
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Global assessment of nature's contributions to people. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2023; 68:424-435. [PMID: 36732118 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2023.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Synergistically maintain or enhance the numerous beneficial contributions of nature to the quality of human life is an important but challenging question for achieving Sustainable Development Goals. However, the spatiotemporal distributions of global nature's contributions to people (NCPs) and their interactions remain unclear. We built a rapid assessment indicator framework and produced the first spatially explicit assessment of all 18 NCPs at a global scale. The 18 global NCPs in 1992 and 2018 were globally assessed in 15,204 subbasins based on two spatial indicator dimensions, including nature's potential contribution and the actual contribution to people. The results show that most of the high NCP values are highly localized. From 1992 to 2018, 6 regulating NCPs, 3 material NCPs, and 2 nonmaterial NCPs declined; 29 regulating-material NCP combinations (54 in total) dominated 76% of the terrestrial area, and the area with few NCPs accounted for 22%; and synergistic relationships were more common than tradeoff relationships, while the relationships among regulating and material NCPs generally traded-off with each other. Transitional climate areas contained few NCPs and have strong tradeoff relationships. However, the high synergistic relationship among NCPs in low latitudes could be threatened by future climate change. These findings provide a general spatiotemporal understanding of global NCP distributions and can be used to interpret the biogeographic information in a functional way to support regional coordination and achieve landscape multifunctionality for the enhancement of human well-being.
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Birnie‐Gauvin K, Lynch AJ, Franklin PA, Reid AJ, Landsman SJ, Tickner D, Dalton J, Aarestrup K, Cooke SJ. The
RACE
for freshwater biodiversity: Essential actions to create the social context for meaningful conservation. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kim Birnie‐Gauvin
- Section for Freshwater Fisheries and Ecology, National Institute for Aquatic Resources Technical University of Denmark Denmark
| | - Abigail J. Lynch
- U.S. Geological Survey National Climate Adaptation Science Center Maryland USA
| | - Paul A. Franklin
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research New Zealand
| | - Andrea J. Reid
- Centre for Indigenous Fisheries, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries University of British Columbia Canada
| | - Sean J. Landsman
- Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Sciences and Department of Biology Carleton University Ottawa Ontario Canada
| | | | - James Dalton
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Switzerland
| | - Kim Aarestrup
- Section for Freshwater Fisheries and Ecology, National Institute for Aquatic Resources Technical University of Denmark Denmark
| | - Steven J. Cooke
- Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Sciences and Department of Biology Carleton University Ottawa Ontario Canada
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40
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Diversity and Endemism of Southern African Gekkonids Linked with the Escarpment Has Implications for Conservation Priorities. DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15020306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
South Africa is recognised for its high reptile diversity and endemism, specifically among lizards. Phylogenetic diversity, endemism, and richness can have clear implications or raise important questions in a range of fields, and most urgently in conservation. Among squamate reptiles, these indices are very commonly associated with high temperatures and topographic heterogeneity. Indeed, mountainous biogeography has been a critical driver in the radiation of the family Gekkonidae within the subregion. Here, we assess the species richness, diversity, and endemism of Gekkonidae species inhabiting South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini, accounting for phylogenetic relationships. We also employ the CANAPE method to identify regions that have neo- and/or paleoendemics. Southern African gekkonids appear to be most diverse and show high levels of endemism in three regions of Southern Africa: the northwestern Richtersveld, the escarpment running west to southeast, and the northeastern escarpment in the Limpopo province. Implications for conservation priorities are discussed.
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41
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A resilient and connected network of sites to sustain biodiversity under a changing climate. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2204434119. [PMID: 36745800 PMCID: PMC9963216 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2204434119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Motivated by declines in biodiversity exacerbated by climate change, we identified a network of conservation sites designed to provide resilient habitat for species, while supporting dynamic shifts in ranges and changes in ecosystem composition. Our 12-y study involved 289 scientists in 14 study regions across the conterminous United States (CONUS), and our intent was to support local-, regional-, and national-scale conservation decisions. To ensure that the network represented all species and ecosystems, we stratified CONUS into 68 ecoregions, and, within each, we comprehensively mapped the geophysical settings associated with current ecosystem and species distributions. To identify sites most resilient to climate change, we identified the portion of each geophysical setting with the most topoclimate variability (high landscape diversity) likely to be accessible to dispersers (high local connectedness). These "resilient sites" were overlaid with conservation priority maps from 104 independent assessments to indicate current value in supporting recognized biodiversity. To identify key connectivity areas for sustaining species movement in response to climate change, we codeveloped a fine-scale representation of human modification and ran a circuit-theory-based analysis that emphasized movement potential along geographic climate gradients. Integrating areas with high values for two or more factors, we identified a representative, resilient, and connected network of biodiverse lands covering 35% of CONUS. Because the network connects climatic gradients across 250,000 biodiversity elements and multiple resilient examples of all geophysical settings in every ecoregion, it could form the spatial foundation for targeted land protection and other conservation strategies to sustain a diverse, dynamic, and adaptive world.
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42
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Dietz MS, Belote RT, Aplet GH. Mind the
GAP
—But make it better: Improving the U.S. Gap Analysis Project's protected‐area classification system to better reflect biodiversity conservation. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
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Fariss B, DeMello N, Powlen KA, Latimer CE, Masuda Y, Kennedy CM. Catalyzing success in community-based conservation. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2023; 37:e13973. [PMID: 35796041 PMCID: PMC10087706 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Efforts to devolve rights and engage Indigenous Peoples and local communities in conservation have increased the demand for evidence of the efficacy of community-based conservation (CBC) and insights into what enables its success. We examined the human well-being and environmental outcomes of a diverse set of 128 CBC projects. Over 80% of CBC projects had some positive human well-being or environmental outcomes, although just 32% achieved positive outcomes for both (i.e., combined success). We coded 57 total national-, community-, and project-level variables and controls from this set, performed random forest classification to identify the variables most important to combined success, and calculated accumulated local effects to describe their individual influence on the probability of achieving it. The best predictors of combined success were 17 variables suggestive of various recommendations and opportunities for conservation practitioners related to national contexts, community characteristics, and the implementation of various strategies and interventions informed by existing CBC frameworks. Specifically, CBC projects had higher probabilities of combined success when they occurred in national contexts supportive of local governance, confronted challenges to collective action, promoted economic diversification, and invested in various capacity-building efforts. Our results provide important insights into how to encourage greater success in CBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandie Fariss
- Global Protect Oceans, Lands, and Waters Program, The Nature Conservancy, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
- Global Conservation in Partnership with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Program, The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, Virginia, USA
| | - Nicole DeMello
- Global Conservation in Partnership with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Program, The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, Virginia, USA
| | - Kathryn A Powlen
- Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Christopher E Latimer
- Global Protect Oceans, Lands, and Waters Program, The Nature Conservancy, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Yuta Masuda
- Global Science, The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, Virginia, USA
| | - Christina M Kennedy
- Global Protect Oceans, Lands, and Waters Program, The Nature Conservancy, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
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Riva F, Fahrig L. Landscape-scale habitat fragmentation is positively related to biodiversity, despite patch-scale ecosystem decay. Ecol Lett 2023; 26:268-277. [PMID: 36468190 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Positive effects of habitat patch size on biodiversity are often extrapolated to infer negative effects of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity at landscape scales. However, such cross-scale extrapolations typically fail. A recent, landmark, patch-scale analysis (Chase et al., 2020, Nature 584, 238-243) demonstrates positive patch size effects on biodiversity, that is, 'ecosystem decay' in small patches. Other authors have already extrapolated this result to infer negative fragmentation effects, that is, higher biodiversity in a few large than many small patches of the same cumulative habitat area. We test whether this extrapolation is valid. We find that landscape-scale patterns are opposite to their analogous patch-scale patterns: for sets of patches with equal total habitat area, species richness and evenness decrease with increasing mean size of the patches comprising that area, even when considering only species of conservation concern. Preserving small habitat patches will, therefore, be key to sustain biodiversity amidst ongoing environmental crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Riva
- Spatial Ecology Group, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Université de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lenore Fahrig
- Geomatics and Landscape Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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45
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Tian J, Feng C, Fu G, Fan L, Wang W. Contribution of different types of terrestrial protected areas to carbon sequestration services in China: 1980–2020. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1074410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Exploring the contribution of protected areas to carbon sequestration services is meaningful to enhance the role of protected areas in climate change mitigation globally. However, less attention has been paid to the contribution of different types of protected areas to carbon sequestration services as well as their changes, which is not conducive to provide more effective solutions in the context of future climate change. Here, we identified the status and changes of carbon sequestration in different types of terrestrial protected areas in China and calculated the amount of carbon sequestration in different ecosystems in terrestrial protected areas and in different climatic zones. Our results indicated that carbon sequestration of China’s terrestrial protected areas had shown a significant increasing trend over the past 40 years (1980–2020) (R2 = 0.862, p < 0.05). Among the different types of terrestrial protected areas in China, nature reserves had the greatest carbon sequestration, accounting for 64–66% of the carbon sequestration in China’s terrestrial protected areas from 1980 to 2020. Although the carbon sequestration per unit area of forest parks was the highest among all types of protected areas, the proportion of carbon sequestration of forest parks tended to decrease significantly over the past 40 years. Carbon sequestration of protected areas in the humid zone had been mainly contributed by forest ecosystems, while grassland and desert ecosystems in terrestrial protected areas in regions with low rainfall (e.g., semi-arid and arid) had made more contribution to carbon sequestration services. Our study showed that China’s terrestrial protected areas had played an important role in carbon sequestration over the past 40 years, but there are still some gaps compared to the global level, and the planning and establishment of protected areas need to be further strengthened in the future.
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Biocultural vulnerability exposes threats of culturally important species. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2217303120. [PMID: 36595703 PMCID: PMC9926262 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2217303120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
There are growing calls for conservation frameworks that, rather than breaking the relations between people and other parts of nature, capture place-based relationships that have supported social-ecological systems over the long term. Biocultural approaches propose actions based on biological conservation priorities and cultural values aligned with local priorities, but mechanisms that allow their global uptake are missing. We propose a framework to globally assess the biocultural status of specific components of nature that matter to people and apply it to culturally important species (CIS). Drawing on a literature review and a survey, we identified 385 wild species, mostly plants, which are culturally important. CIS predominate among Indigenous peoples (57%) and ethnic groups (21%). CIS have a larger proportion of Data-Deficient species (41%) than the full set of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) species (12%), underscoring the disregard of cultural considerations in biological research. Combining information on CIS biological conservation status (IUCN threatened status) and cultural status (language vitality), we found that more CIS are culturally Vulnerable or Endangered than they are biologically and that there is a higher share of bioculturally Endangered or Vulnerable CIS than of either biologically or culturally Endangered CIS measured separately. Bioculturally Endangered or Vulnerable CIS are particularly predominant among Indigenous peoples, arguably because of the high levels of cultural loss among them. The deliberate connection between biological and cultural values, as developed in our "biocultural status" metric, provides an actionable way to guide decisions and operationalize global actions oriented to enhance place-based practices with demonstrated long-term sustainability.
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47
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Fan C, Xu H, Hou X. Spatial efficiency of protected mangrove areas in Madagascar. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 325:116568. [PMID: 36419301 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Protected Areas (PAs) are an important nature-based solution for mangrove conservation and rehabilitation. We evaluated spatial effectiveness of PAs for mangroves toward achieving Global Conservation Targets (GCTs). The hypothesis for this study was that PAs with different attributes have insignificant effects on mangrove conservation. We assessed the proportions of the most vulnerable mangroves inside PAs, and focused on a typical mangrove country (Madagascar). First, based on remote sensing technology and big data in Google Earth Engine (GEE), we identified the exposure location of mangroves, and determined the environmental factors significantly influencing mangrove distribution. Then, Vulnerability Assessment and Hot-Spot Analysis models were used to measure spatial vulnerability and hotspots of those values, respectively. Finally, we implemented the statistics for the most vulnerable mangroves inside PAs. It was found that: i. Mangroves were mainly abundant in west and east coasts with low latitudes, and the most typical environmental factor influencing mangrove distribution was elevation and; ii. PAs sheltered 486.18 km2 (22.16%) of the most vulnerable mangroves in Madagascar. Overall, PAs in Madagascar failed to match 30% of spatial requirements proposed by GCTs (A key proportion of spatial requirements used to reverse trends in biodiversity loss). This study provides a quantitative paradigm for verifying the spatial efficiency of PAs, and will inform local decision-makers on places where mangroves are facing adaption loss to optimize mangrove conservation in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Fan
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, China; Shandong Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, PR China
| | - He Xu
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, China; Shandong Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, PR China
| | - Xiyong Hou
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, China; Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, China; Shandong Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, PR China.
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48
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Finkelstein SA, Doherty C, Loder AL. Safety Net Ontario: Ontario’s outsized role in the “Global Safety Net” for climate and biodiversity. Facets (Ott) 2023. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2022-0126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Dinerstein et al. present a spatially explicit global framework for protected areas needed to reverse catastrophic biodiversity losses and stabilize climate. The Province of Ontario (Canada) stands out in this “Global Safety Net (GSN)” as a critical jurisdiction for meeting those goals, because of both the large extent of roadless lands and high carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystems. Simultaneously, pressure is increasing to develop unmanaged lands in Ontario, particularly in the Far North, for resource extraction. Here, we extract data from the GSN to identify and calculate the areal extent of target regions present in Ontario and critically review the results in terms of accuracy and implications for conservation. We show that when region-specific data are incorporated, Ontario is even more significant than what is shown in the GSN, especially in terms of carbon stocks in forested and open peatlands. Additionally, the biodiversity metrics used in the GSN only partially capture opportunities for conservation in Ontario, and the officially recognized extent of Indigenous lands vastly underestimates the role of First Nations in conservation. Despite these limitations, our analyses indicate that Ontario plays an outsized role in terms of its potential to impact the trajectories both of biodiversity and climate globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Finkelstein
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, 22 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3B1, Canada
| | - Cathal Doherty
- Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto, 100 St George Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3G3 Canada
| | - Amanda L. Loder
- Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto, 100 St George Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3G3 Canada
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Reboredo Segovia AL, Matallana C, Amaya Torres D, Meza Chavez D, Gómez Candamil JF, López Gamboa V, Nolte C. Implementing land acquisitions for watershed services in the tropical Colombian Andes produces marginal progress for advancing area‐based conservation objectives. Conserv Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Clara Matallana
- Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt BogotáCundinamarca Colombia
| | - Daniela Amaya Torres
- Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt BogotáCundinamarca Colombia
| | - Daniella Meza Chavez
- Facultad de IngenieríaUniversidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo SamborondónGuayas Ecuador
| | | | | | - Christoph Nolte
- Department of Earth and EnvironmentBoston University BostonMassachusettsUSA
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50
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Riva F, Martin CJ, Millard K, Fahrig L. Loss of the world's smallest forests. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:7164-7166. [PMID: 36189962 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
A large number of small forests typically harbor higher biodiversity than a small number of large forests totaling the same area, suggesting that small patches are disproportionately valuable for biodiversity conservation. However, policies often favor protection of large forest patches. Here we demonstrate a global trend of higher deforestation in small than large forest patches: the likelihood that a randomly selected forest plot disappeared between 1992 and 2020 increased with decreasing size of the forest patch containing that plot. Our results imply a disproportionate impact of forest loss on biodiversity relative to the total forest area removed. Achieving recent commitments of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework will require revision of current policies and increased societal awareness of the importance of small habitat patches for biodiversity protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Riva
- Geomatics and Landscape Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Spatial Ecology Group, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Université de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Caroline J Martin
- Spatial Ecology Group, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Université de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Koreen Millard
- Geomatics and Landscape Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lenore Fahrig
- Geomatics and Landscape Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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