Global impoverishment of natural vegetation revealed by dark diversity

Nature, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 2, 2025

Anthropogenic biodiversity decline threatens the functioning of ecosystems and many benefits they provide to humanity1. As well as causing species losses in directly affected locations, human influence might also reduce relatively unmodified vegetation if far-reaching anthropogenic effects trigger local extinctions hinder recolonization. Here we show that plant diversity is globally negatively related level activity surrounding region. Impoverishment natural was evident only when considered community completeness: proportion all suitable region are present at a site. To estimate completeness, compared number recorded with dark diversity-ecologically absent from site but region2. In sampled regions minimal footprint index, an average 35% were locally, less than 20% highly regions. Besides having potential uncover overlooked threats biodiversity, provides guidance for nature conservation. Species remain regionally present, their populations be restored through measures improve connectivity between fragments population persistence.

Language: Английский

---

Future Extreme Climate Events Threaten Alpine and Subalpine Woody Plants in China

Earth s Future, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract Increases in the frequency, intensity, and duration of extreme climate events (ECEs) are already impacting ecosystems, with many strongest effects associated high‐elevation areas. Most research on ecological impacts change has focused climatic averages, which might differ from ECEs. Rhododendron , a diverse genus alpine subalpine woody plant, plays crucial role ecosystem stability biodiversity hotspots Himalayas Hengduan Mountains. Here, we compared predicted average those including ECEs 189 species China for historical period (1981–2010) future (2071–2100) under two emissions scenarios (SSP2‐4.5 SSP5‐8.5). We analyzed changes suitable habitat patterns richness, weighted endemism, phylogenetic diversity, identifying areas coinciding high‐risk as priority conservation Inclusion altered projected across all an increase over 3% to decrease exceeding 10%, distribution most strongly influenced by extremes drought high temperatures. found fewer than 18% diversity loss were currently protected, mainly located Daxue, Daliang, Wumeng, Jade Dragon Snow Mountains, well Nyingchi. suggest inclusion is critical when projecting distributions effective planning change.

Language: Английский

---

Trends, Atmospheric Patterns, and Spatial Variability of Heatwaves in an Oceanic Climate Area of NW Iberia

Land, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 14(2), P. 310 - 310

Published: Feb. 2, 2025

In the Atlantic region of northern Spain, heat extremes were historically rare, but in recent decades, they have become more intense and persistent. This article characterizes events Asturias (NW Spain) between 2001 2023, focusing on their frequency, intensity, duration, as well temporal trends. Additionally, it explores synoptic patterns linked to these episodes enhance understanding occurrence evolution over study period. The research is based official meteorological records, distinguishes officially declared heatwaves (DHs) significant (SHEs) identified through regional press reports. methodology enables capture a broader spectrum heat-related impacts. During period, 17 documented (11 DHs 6 SHEs). duration significantly increased, particularly since 2016, standing last two years (2022 2023). Both SHEs progressively shifted toward early late periods astronomical summer, with some occurring during spring autumn second half period (years 2017, 2022, Three atmospheric been responsible for extreme episodes; Type 1 (warm tropical continental air masses, combined stability) 10 episodes. Furthermore, urban areas main river valleys most affected areas, while coastal regions remained largely unaffected. aims contribute how are evolving temperate climate area under influence global warming, providing insights inform improve adaptation strategies mitigating

Language: Английский

---

Technological innovations for biodiversity monitoring and the design of agri-environmental schemes

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 305, P. 111069 - 111069

Published: March 10, 2025

Language: Английский

---

Natural forest regeneration is projected to reduce local temperatures

Communications Earth & Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5(1)

Published: Oct. 10, 2024

Forest regeneration is a crucial strategy for mitigating and adapting to global warming. Yet its precise impact on local climate remains uncertain, factor that complicates decision-making when it comes prioritizing investments. Here, we developed maps illustrating how natural forest influences key drivers—land surface temperature (LST), albedo, evapotranspiration—using models fitted at 1-km spatial resolution with random classifier. We found can alter annual mean LST by 0.01 °C, −0.59 −0.50 −2.03 °C in Boreal, Mediterranean, Temperate, Tropical regions, respectively. These variations underscore the region-specific effects of regeneration. Importantly, reduces across 64% 1 billion hectares 75% 148 million potentially restorable land under different scenarios. findings improve understanding help regulate climate, supporting adaptation efforts. Natural enhance reducing temperature. regenerations reduce areas regions according an analysis combines data, machine learning, scenario analysis.

Language: Английский

---

Predicting organismal response to marine heatwaves using mechanistic thermal landscape models

Published: Jan. 23, 2024

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) can cause thermal stress in marine ectotherms, experienced as a pulse against the press of anthropogenic warming. When exceeds organismal capacity to maintain homeostasis, organism survival becomes time-limited and result mass mortality events. Current methods detecting categorizing MHWs rely on statistical analysis historic climatology, do not consider biological effects basis MHW severity. The reemergence tolerance landscape models provides physiological framework for assessing lethal by accounting both magnitude duration extreme heat Here, we used simulation approach understand suite profiles probability across 1) adaptation strategies, 2) interannual temperature variation, 3) seasonal timing MHWs. We identified isoclines broadly connecting acute (low duration-high magnitude) chronic (long duration-low events with equivalent organisms. While most attention has been given events, show similar be more common but neglected spikes. Critically, fixed-baseline definition does accurately categorize mortality. By letting responses define extremeness event, build mechanistic understanding from basis. then transferred scales ecological organization better predict ecosystem shifts

Language: Английский

---

Exposure of protected areas in Central America to extreme weather events

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 38(4)

Published: March 10, 2024

Abstract Central America and the Caribbean are regularly battered by megadroughts, heavy rainfall, heat waves, tropical cyclones. Although 21st‐century climate change is expected to increase frequency, intensity, duration of these extreme weather events (EWEs), their incidence in regional protected areas (PAs) remains poorly explored. We examined historical projected EWEs across region based on 32 metrics that describe distinct dimensions (i.e., duration, frequency) cyclones, droughts, rainfall compared trends PAs with unprotected lands. From early 21st century onward, exposure increased region, were predicted be more exposed extremes than (as shown autoregressive model coefficients at p < 0.05 significance level). This was particularly true for which have a significantly higher average (tested Wilcoxon tests 0.01) intensity affected severely carbon‐intensive scenarios. also less droughts 0.01). However, could threaten connectivity between increasingly common this region. estimated approximately 65% study area will experience least one drought episode intense longer lasting previous droughts. Collectively, our results highlight new conservation strategies adapted threats associated need tailored implemented promptly. Unless urgent action taken, significant damage may inflicted unique biodiversity

Language: Английский

---

Reshuffling of Azorean Coastal Marine Biodiversity Amid Climate Change

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 51(12), P. 2546 - 2555

Published: Sept. 13, 2024

ABSTRACT Aim Climate change poses a challenge to the Azores' biodiversity, with consequences that remain unexplored. To shed light on potential impacts of climate change, we have developed large ensemble species distribution models (SDMs) for found in coastal marine environments and examined their spatiotemporal turnover stability. Location The Azorean archipelago. Taxon Coastal (mammals, fish, turtles, seabirds, kelp forest corals). Methods SDMs were fitted comprising 10 machine learning algorithms fivefold cross‐validation resampling procedure, thus yielding maximum number 50 per species. These then utilised projecting under different future scenarios. projected distributions employed assess changes stability ranges throughout entire modelled period (2030–2100) community compositions by examining alpha diversity beta over 10‐year periods. Results We show our model assumptions 12% units could lose suitable end century, this increasing up 25% high carbon emissions scenario. refugia, which are areas long‐term range stability, expected be mainly located northernmost part A substantial loss is anticipated mammals birds, likely trigger major islands Santa Maria, São Miguel, Pico Faial. For climates less pronounced. However, cause reshuffling pelagic fish assemblage, important local fisheries each island. Main Conclusions Our provide insights into how may alter species, offering guidance conservation management efforts these North Atlantic ecosystems.

Language: Английский

---

A framework to assess climate change effects on surface air temperature and soil moisture and application to Southwestern France

Climatic Change, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 177(12)

Published: Nov. 25, 2024

Language: Английский

---

climetrics: an R package to quantify multiple dimensions of climate change

Ecography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2024(8)

Published: June 25, 2024

Climate change affects biodiversity in a variety of ways, necessitating the exploration multiple climate dimensions using appropriate metrics. Despite existence several metrics tools for comparing alternative on same footing are lacking. To address this gap, we developed ‘climetrics' which is an extensible and reproducible R package to spatially quantify explore through unified procedure. Six widely used implemented, including 1) standardized local anomalies; 2) changes probabilities extremes; 3) areas analogous climates; 4) novel 5) distances 6) velocity. For velocity, three different algorithms implemented including; distanced‐based velocity (‘ dVe '); threshold‐based ve gradient‐based gVe '). The also provides additional calculate monthly mean variables over years, map temporal trend (slope) given variable at pixel level, classify Köppen‐Geiger (KG) zones. 'climetrics' integrated with 'rts' efficient handling raster time‐series data. functions designed be user‐friendly, making them suitable less‐experienced users. Detailed descriptions help pages vignettes facilitate further customization by advanced In summary, offers framework quantifying various metrics, it useful tool characterizing exploring their spatiotemporal patterns.

Language: Английский

---