More than 17,000 tree species are at risk from rapid global change

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 2, 2024

Abstract Trees are pivotal to global biodiversity and nature’s contributions people, yet accelerating changes threaten tree diversity, making accurate species extinction risk assessments necessary. To identify that require expert-based re-evaluation, we assess exposure change in six anthropogenic threats over the last two decades for 32,090 species. We estimated half (54.2%) of assessed have been exposed increasing threats. Only 8.7% these considered threatened by IUCN Red List, whereas they include more than Data Deficient (57.8%). These findings suggest a substantial underestimation associated current assessments. also map hotspots rapidly changing around world. Our data-driven approach can strengthen efforts going into List facilitating prioritization among allowing efficient conservation efforts.

Language: Английский

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World scientists’ warning: The behavioural crisis driving ecological overshoot

Science Progress, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 106(3)

Published: July 1, 2023

Previously, anthropogenic ecological overshoot has been identified as a fundamental cause of the myriad symptoms we see around globe today from biodiversity loss and ocean acidification to disturbing rise in novel entities climate change. In present paper, have examined this more deeply, explore behavioural drivers overshoot, providing evidence that is itself symptom deeper, subversive modern crisis human behaviour. We work name frame 'the Human Behavioural Crisis' propose be recognised globally critical intervention point for tackling overshoot. demonstrate how current interventions are largely physical, resource intensive, slow-moving focused on addressing (such change) rather than distal (maladaptive behaviours). argue even best-case scenarios, symptom-level unlikely avoid catastrophe or achieve ephemeral progress. three depth: economic growth; marketing; pronatalism. These directly impact 'levers' overshoot: consumption, waste population. maladaptive behaviours stemming these catalysed perpetuated by intentional exploitation previously adaptive impulses. final sections an interdisciplinary emergency response by, amongst other things, shifting social norms relating reproduction, consumption waste. seek highlight disconnect ongoing societal gulf communication between those know such scientists working within limits growth, members citizenry, influenced industry, must act.

Language: Английский

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Global shortfalls in threat assessments for endemic flora by country

Plants People Planet, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 5(6), P. 885 - 898

Published: April 20, 2023

Societal Impact Statement Plants are fundamental to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems key human livelihoods. To protect plant diversity, systematic approaches conservation assessment needed. Many nations have legislation or other policy instruments that seek biodiversity (including plants), species‐level assessments essential for identifying the most threatened species require special immediate protection measures. Some plants occur in only one place (for instance, a single country) here we estimated how many of these ‘endemic’ had their threats assessed each country close country‐equivalent worldwide. We show level completion is weakly related income countries likely threat face. Summary The Global Strategy Plant Conservation ambitiously called an status all recognised taxa by 2020. This target was not met short term. Nevertheless, need remains urgent as go extinct face increasing from impacts on biosphere. Here, completeness endemic flora 179 equivalents assessed. do so, distribution information World Checklist Vascular combined with collated ThreatSearch database. expected be associated objective affluence (measured using inequality‐adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI)) and/or exposure Modification index (GHM)). number per also hypothesised influence assessments. Overall, 58% country‐based examined no (127,643 species). Countries' progress toward could confidently predicted IHDI, GHM richness flora. shortfall identified restricts national regulation actions which imperil species, particular consequences subject local laws. high IHDI scores (i.e. wealthier nations) systematically assessing extinction risk species. Scarce funding should directed global hotspots endemism few available resources assessment.

Language: Английский

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TreeGOER: A database with globally observed environmental ranges for 48,129 tree species

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 29(22), P. 6303 - 6318

Published: Aug. 21, 2023

The TreeGOER (Tree Globally Observed Environmental Ranges) database provides information for most known tree species of their environmental ranges 38 bioclimatic, eight soil and three topographic variables. It is based on distribution modelling analyses more than 44 million occurrences. can be accessed from https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7922927. Statistics that include 5% 95% quantiles were estimated a cleaned taxonomically standardized occurrence data set with different methods outlier detection, estimates roughly 45% being 20 or observation records. Where sufficient representative observations are available, the provide useful preliminary suitable conditions particularly lesser-known under climate change. Inferred core bioclimatic along global temperature moisture index gradients across continents follow diversity such as its highest levels in moist tropical forests 'odd man out' pattern lower Africa. To demonstrate how large numbers easily done R TreeGOER, here I present two case studies. first study investigated latitudinal trends vulnerability compared these previous results obtained urban trees. second focused areas, longitudinal zones patterns index. expected to benefit researchers conducting biogeographical change research wide range at variety spatial temporal scales.

Language: Английский

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Climate change and land use threaten global hotspots of phylogenetic endemism for trees

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Oct. 31, 2023

Across the globe, tree species are under high anthropogenic pressure. Risks of extinction notably more severe for with restricted ranges and distinct evolutionary histories. Here, we use a global dataset covering 41,835 (65.1% known species) to assess spatial pattern species' phylogenetic endemism, its macroecological drivers, how future pressures may affect conservation status identified hotspots. We found that low-to-mid latitudes host most endemism hotspots, current climate being strongest driver, climatic stability across thousands millions years back in time as major co-determinant. These hotspots mostly located outside protected areas face relatively land-use change Our study highlights risk from diversity necessity strengthen restoration actions trees avoid losses diversity.

Language: Английский

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Partner or perish: tree microbiomes and climate change

Trends in Plant Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 29(9), P. 1029 - 1040

Published: April 18, 2024

Language: Английский

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Resilient trees for urban environments: The importance of intraspecific variation

Plants People Planet, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 6(6), P. 1180 - 1189

Published: July 2, 2024

Societal Impact Statement Trees in urban environments provide us with shade, heat mitigation, flood abatement, noise and pollution reduction, pollination, beauty, much more. However, many of these benefits are strongly connected to tree size vitality, larger, healthier trees providing ecosystem services more effectively, which means that selecting the right for site function is crucial order gain all from our trees. Summary play a major role Earth's biogeochemical processes, influencing soil production, hydrological, nutrient carbon cycles, global climate. They store about 50% world's terrestrial stocks, habitats wide range other species, supporting at least half known plants animals. not only found forests natural ecosystems, but also environments. Most human population concentrated cities, towns villages, so critical meet on‐going future social, economic environmental challenges. populations challenged by changing climate, outbreaks pests pathogens an development increasingly dense cities high proportion impermeable surface materials. The importance intraspecific variation needs be better acknowledged this context, since poor matching local climate growing conditions can lead extensive loss valuable By using genetic plant material challenging environments, resilient greater diversity higher capacity delivering gained. Here, we wish discuss need consider when planning how seed banks botanical garden important roles efforts improve Strategies enrich increase resilience outlined.

Language: Английский

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Distribution, ecology, and threats assessment of 11 endemic frankincense tree taxa (Boswellia) in the Socotra Archipelago (Yemen)

Plants People Planet, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 6(6), P. 1552 - 1571

Published: Aug. 15, 2024

Societal Impact Statement Conserving frankincense trees ( Boswellia ) is crucial for both ecological and socio‐economic reasons. Surveying these in the field using remote sensing unmanned aerial vehicles Socotra Archipelago, we found that Socotran are threatened by forest fragmentation, overgrazing, increasingly frequent extreme climate events. A better understanding of distribution threats important insular species will improve conservation policy local authorities benefit communities Archipelago. At same time, this work serves as a good practice example to guide efforts other culturally tree around world, therefore helping sustain livelihoods, fostering resilience, supporting stability. Summary Globally, (Burseraceae: under threat because habitat deterioration, impacts, olibanum trade. Despite harboring nearly half genus, up‐to‐date insights lacking endemic Archipelago UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific Cultural Organization) World Heritage Site (Yemen). We combined georeferencing individual with applying (UAVs) evaluate (sub)population sizes entire counted 17,253 across all 11 taxa surveyed almost 55% directly field, collecting information on health indicators. estimate current total population relatively common elongata , popoviana ameero consist few thousand mature individuals fragmented which large proportion occurs highly disjunct relictual stands, while more range‐restricted survive only through hundred nana samhaensis fewer than scopulorum ). Our data show fragmentation overgrazing resulting lack natural regeneration, combination effects events (e.g., higher frequency intensity cyclones prolonged drought) potential future infrastructure developments; less impacted resin collection. provide recommendations strategize urgent protection declining trees, update their status, an endangered status seven critically four taxa.

Language: Английский

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Integrating machine learning–based habitat suitability modeling with land use analysis for the conservation and rehabilitation of Elaeocarpus prunifolius in Meghalaya, India

Modeling Earth Systems and Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Jan. 14, 2025

Language: Английский

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Invariant Spatial Pattern Across Mediterranean Scrublands in the Iberian Pear (Pyrus bourgaeana)

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

The spatial distribution pattern of plant species is frequently driven by a combination biotic and abiotic factors that jointly influence the arrival, establishment, reproduction plants. Comparing target in different populations represents robust approach to identify underlying mechanisms. We mapped all reproductive individuals Iberian pear (Pyrus bourgaeana) five plots (1.39-8.57 km2) differing activity seed dispersers vertebrate herbivores southern Peninsula. used Thomas point process models quantify consistency level aggregation this mammal-dispersed tree among populations. tested two hypotheses: (i) because clumped defecation behavior some can lead local aggregation, denser groups fruiting trees limit dispersal attracting frugivores specific sites, we expected consistent small-scale across populations; (ii) ungulates reduce recruitment preying on seeds seedlings, hypothesize ungulate will show negative relationships with density aggregation. Our analysis revealed highly aggregated patterns populations, one critical scale low clusters high variability number per cluster. Ungulate cluster showed marginally significant correlation, suggesting areas higher activity, tend form less dense clusters. Although several processes varied greatly study relatively just quantitative nuances throughout entire region. This result has implications for success species, management strategies, ultimately long-term persistence

Language: Английский

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