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Seebacher F, Narayan E, Rummer JL, Tomlinson S, Cooke SJ. How can physiology best contribute to wildlife conservation in a warming world? CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 11:coad038. [PMID: 37287992 PMCID: PMC10243909 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coad038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Global warming is now predicted to exceed 1.5°C by 2033 and 2°C by the end of the 21st century. This level of warming and the associated environmental variability are already increasing pressure on natural and human systems. Here we emphasize the role of physiology in the light of the latest assessment of climate warming by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. We describe how physiology can contribute to contemporary conservation programmes. We focus on thermal responses of animals, but we acknowledge that the impacts of climate change are much broader phylogenetically and environmentally. A physiological contribution would encompass environmental monitoring, coupled with measuring individual sensitivities to temperature change and upscaling these to ecosystem level. The latest version of the widely accepted Conservation Standards designed by the Conservation Measures Partnership includes several explicit climate change considerations. We argue that physiology has a unique role to play in addressing these considerations. Moreover, physiology can be incorporated by institutions and organizations that range from international bodies to national governments and to local communities, and in doing so, it brings a mechanistic approach to conservation and the management of biological resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Seebacher
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences A08, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Edward Narayan
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia QLD4072, Australia
| | - Jodie L Rummer
- College of Science and Engineering and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville QLD 4810, Australia
| | - Sean Tomlinson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Steven J Cooke
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
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Wu H, Fang S, Yu L, Hu S, Chen X, Cao Y, Du Z, Shen X, Liu X, Ma K. Limited co-benefits of protected areas in southwest China under current climate change and human modification. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 330:117190. [PMID: 36603263 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.117190] [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: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
An ambitious new Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework "Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework" has been developed. However, the combined effects of climate change and human modification can undermine the potential benefits of the global post-2020 conservation efforts. The co-benefits of stabilizing the climate, conserving biodiversity, and maintaining intact wilderness areas may help to persuade the general public of the need to quickly expand existing protected areas (PAs). To maximize the co-benefits after 2020, the careful optimization of existing (PAs) network and scientific identification of conservation targets are both essential. Here, we mapped hotspots of biodiversity, climate vulnerability, and wilderness in Southwest China (SWC). By analyzing the representativeness and gaps of the existing PAs network in SWC, we devised post-2020 conservation targets and highlighted their implications for decision-makers. Our results showed that the incongruence between hotspots of different species exists, indicating that habitats suitable for one taxon may not fully harbor other taxa. According to our assessment, the five jurisdictions of SWC have warmed on average by 0.4°C-1.1 °C over the past 60 years alone. In particular, biodiversity hotspots in SWC are undergoing stark climatic changes. We uncovered prominent conservation gaps in SWC's network of PAs, especially in terms of climate vulnerability and biodiversity. Due to their insufficient number and unreasonable spatial distribution, the PAs network in SWC may be not capable of meeting its biodiversity, climate vulnerability, and wilderness conservation objectives. To rectify this, we proposed a 3-step mission: milestone 2025, milestone 2030, and goal 2050, which aims to protect 23%, 28%, and 60% of the terrestrial area in SWC, respectively. Taken together, our study derived conservation priority areas with relatively clear spatial boundaries and importance levels, thus providing detailed, timely information for decision-makers to expand the PAs network and implement conservation measures varying in strictness in post-2020 conservation practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wu
- School of Public Administration, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Shiming Fang
- School of Public Administration, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; Key Laboratory for Research on Rule of Law, Ministry of Natural Resources, Wuhan, 430074, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Emissions Trading System Co-constructed By the Province and Ministry, Hubei University of Economics, Wuhan, 430205, China
| | - Le Yu
- Department of Earth System Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Earth System Modeling, Institute for Global Change Studies, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Ministry of Education Ecological Field Station for East Asian Migratory Birds, Department of Earth System Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Shougeng Hu
- School of Public Administration, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; Key Laboratory for Research on Rule of Law, Ministry of Natural Resources, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Earth System Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Earth System Modeling, Institute for Global Change Studies, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yue Cao
- Institute for National Parks, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Zhenrong Du
- Department of Earth System Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Earth System Modeling, Institute for Global Change Studies, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xiaoli Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Xuehua Liu
- Institute for National Parks, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Keping Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
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Dando TR, Crowley SL, Young RP, Carter SP, McDonald RA. Social feasibility assessments in conservation translocations. Trends Ecol Evol 2022; 38:459-472. [PMID: 36567154 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Improving the effectiveness of conservation translocations could contribute to reversing global biodiversity loss. Although evaluations of ecological factors affecting translocation outcomes are commonplace, consideration of human social factors remains rare, hindering improvements to this conservation practice. We analysed 550 translocation case studies to explore the inclusion of social factors in project feasibility assessments. Reviewed projects often failed to assess social feasibility, and assessments, where attempted, tended to be narrow in scope. Consequently, challenges such as proactively addressing conflict often remained unaddressed. Insufficient knowledge sharing and prioritisation of ecological feasibility, to the detriment of social feasibility, remain barriers to effective planning. Successful outcomes of translocations are linked to early assessment of social feasibility and to the establishment of long-term commitments between people, places, and partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R Dando
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9EZ, Cornwall, UK.
| | - Sarah L Crowley
- Centre for Geography and Environmental Science, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9EZ, Cornwall, UK
| | - Richard P Young
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les Augrès Manor, Trinity, Jersey JE3 5BP, Channel Islands
| | - Stephen P Carter
- Vincent Wildlife Trust, 3 and 4 Bronsil Courtyard, Eastnor, Ledbury HR8 1EP, Herefordshire, UK
| | - Robbie A McDonald
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9EZ, Cornwall, UK.
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