Defaunation in the Anthropocene

Science, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 345(6195), P. 401 - 406

Published: July 24, 2014

We live amid a global wave of anthropogenically driven biodiversity loss: species and population extirpations and, critically, declines in local abundance. Particularly, human impacts on animal are an under-recognized form environmental change. Among terrestrial vertebrates, 322 have become extinct since 1500, populations the remaining show 25% average decline Invertebrate patterns equally dire: 67% monitored 45% mean abundance decline. Such will cascade onto ecosystem functioning well-being. Much remains unknown about this "Anthropocene defaunation"; these knowledge gaps hinder our capacity to predict limit defaunation impacts. Clearly, however, is both pervasive component planet's sixth mass extinction also major driver ecological

Language: Английский

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The biodiversity of species and their rates of extinction, distribution, and protection

Science, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 344(6187)

Published: May 29, 2014

Background A principal function of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is to “perform regular timely assessments knowledge biodiversity.” In December 2013, its second plenary session approved a program begin global assessment in 2015. The Convention Biological Diversity (CBD) five other biodiversity-related conventions have adopted IPBES as their science-policy interface, so these will be important evaluating progress toward CBD’s Aichi Targets Strategic Plan for 2011–2020. As contribution such assessment, we review biodiversity eukaryote species extinction rates, distributions, protection. We document what know, how it likely differs from do not, differences affect statistics. Interestingly, several targets explicitly mention “known species”—a strong, if implicit, statement incomplete knowledge. start by asking many are known remain undescribed. then consider much human actions inflate rates. Much depends where are, because different biomes contain numbers susceptibilities. Biomes also suffer levels damage unequal How rates change threats expand whether greater protection counters them. Advances Recent studies clarified most vulnerable live, humanity changes planet, this drives extinctions. These data increasingly accessible, bringing transparency science governance. Taxonomic catalogs plants, terrestrial vertebrates, freshwater fish, some marine taxa sufficient assess status limitations our Most undescribed, however. know best large geographical ranges often common within small ranges, however, typically newer discoveries. with very increasing quickly, even well-known taxa. They geographically concentrated disproportionately threatened or already extinct. expect unknown share characteristics. Current about 1000 times background rate extinction. higher than previously estimated still underestimated. Future depend factors poised increase. Finally, although there has been rapid developing protected areas, efforts not ecologically representative, nor they optimally protect biodiversity. Outlook Progress assessing emerge continued expansion recently created online databases, combining them new sources changing land ocean use crowdsourced species’ distributions. Examples practical conservation that follow using combined Colombia Brazil can found at www.savingspecies.org www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3zjeJW2NVk .

Language: Английский

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The performance and potential of protected areas

Nature, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 515(7525), P. 67 - 73

Published: Nov. 1, 2014

Language: Английский

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A global-level assessment of the effectiveness of protected areas at resisting anthropogenic pressures

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 116(46), P. 23209 - 23215

Published: Oct. 28, 2019

One-sixth of the global terrestrial surface now falls within protected areas (PAs), making it essential to understand how far they mitigate increasing pressures on nature which characterize Anthropocene. In by largest analysis this question date and not restricted forested PAs, we compiled data from 12,315 PAs across 152 countries investigate their ability reduce human pressure varies with socioeconomic management circumstances. While many show positive outcomes, strikingly find that compared matched unprotected areas, have average reduced a compound index change over past 15 y. Moreover, in tropical regions cropland conversion has increased inside even more than areas. However, our results also confirm previous studies forest where are increasing, but less counterfactual Our high national-level development scores experienced lower rates increase y outside area. caution against rapid establishment new without simultaneously addressing conditions needed enable success.

Language: Английский

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Lion ( Panthera leo ) populations are declining rapidly across Africa, except in intensively managed areas

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 112(48), P. 14894 - 14899

Published: Oct. 26, 2015

Significance At a regional scale, lion populations in West, Central, and East Africa are likely to suffer projected 50% decline over the next two decades, whereas only increasing southern Africa. Many either now gone or expected disappear within few decades extent that intensively managed may soon supersede iconic savannah landscapes as most successful sites for conservation. The rapid disappearance of lions suggests major trophic downgrading African ecosystems with no longer playing pivotal role apex predator.

Language: Английский

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Conserving large carnivores: dollars and fence

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 16(5), P. 635 - 641

Published: March 5, 2013

Abstract Conservationists often advocate for landscape approaches to wildlife management while others argue physical separation between protected species and human communities, but direct empirical comparisons of these alternatives are scarce. We relate African lion population densities trends contrasting practices across 42 sites in 11 countries. Lion populations fenced reserves significantly closer their estimated carrying capacities than unfenced populations. Whereas can maintain lions at 80% potential on annual budgets $500 km −2 , require excess $2000 attain half densities. Lions primarily limited by density dependence, highly sensitive surrounding frequently subjected density‐independent factors. Nearly the may decline near extinction over next 20–40 years.

Language: Английский

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The bushmeat trade in African savannas: Impacts, drivers, and possible solutions

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 160, P. 80 - 96

Published: Feb. 12, 2013

Language: Английский

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How to protect half of Earth to ensure it protects sufficient biodiversity

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 4(8)

Published: Aug. 3, 2018

It is theoretically possible to protect large fractions of species in relatively small regions. For plants, 85% occur entirely within just over a third the Earth's land surface, carefully optimized maximize captured. Well-known vertebrate taxa show similar patterns. Protecting half Earth might not be necessary, but would it sufficient given current trends protection? The predilection national governments areas that are "wild," is, typically remote, cold, or arid. Unfortunately, those often hold few species. Wild places likely afford easier opportunities for future expansion protected areas, with into human-dominated landscapes greater challenge. We identify regions currently protected, wild, and consider which them substantial numbers especially small-ranged assess how successful strategy protecting wilder conserving biodiversity. far from sufficient. (Protecting wild reasons other than biodiversity protection, such as carbon sequestration ecosystem services, still have importance.) Unexpectedly, we also that, despite bias establishing date, numerous biodiverse places. They at least partially significant So, while preoccupation sake getting achieve little biodiversity, there more progress high-biodiversity appreciated. Continuing prioritize right parts Earth, total area what matters

Language: Английский

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The devil is in the dispersers: predictions of landscape connectivity change with demography

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 51(5), P. 1169 - 1178

Published: May 7, 2014

Summary Concern about the effects of habitat fragmentation has led to increasing interest in dispersal and connectivity modelling. Most modern techniques for modelling have resistance surfaces as their foundation. However, animal movement are frequently estimated without considering dispersal, despite being principal natural mechanism by which organisms move between populations. We collected Global Positioning System data over 10 years from 50 A frican lions P anthera leo (11 male natal dispersers, 20 adult males 19 females) used a path level analysis parameterize demographic‐specific Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area ( KAZA ) Southern frica. Lion selection varied according demographic grouping: females were most averse risky landscapes such agro‐pastoral lands, towns, areas high human density highways. Male dispersers least‐risk suggesting they potentially prone human–lion conflict. Adults both sexes selected bushed grassland shrubland habitats avoided woodland. displayed opposite trend con‐specific avoidance and/or suboptimal use. calculate factorial least‐cost networks each surface present results that show substantial differences predicted patterns males. Synthesis applications . Resistance widely create models, promoted use conservation managers. Our suggest category may lead radically different conclusions connectivity. Failure include dispersing individuals when parameterizing intended erroneous unsound management strategies.

Language: Английский

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Efficacy of Two Lion Conservation Programs in Maasailand, Kenya

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 28(3), P. 851 - 860

Published: Feb. 13, 2014

Abstract Lion (Panthera leo) populations are in decline throughout most of Africa. The problem is particularly acute southern Kenya, where Maasai pastoralists have been spearing and poisoning lions at a rate that will ensure near term local extinction. We investigated 2 approaches for improving tolerance lions: compensation payments livestock lost to predators Guardians, which draws on cultural values knowledge mitigate livestock‐carnivore conflict monitor carnivores. To gauge the overall influence conservation intervention, we combined both programs into single treatment variable. Using 8 years lion killing data, applied Manski's partial identification approach with bounded assumptions investigate effect 4 contiguous areas. In 3 areas, was positively associated reduction killing. then generalized linear model assess relative efficacy interventions. estimated resulted an 87–91% drop number killed, whereas Guardians (operating combination alone) 99% Eficacia de Dos Programas Conservación Leones en Maasailand, Kenia

Language: Английский

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