Author comment: The late-Quaternary megafauna extinctions: Patterns, causes, ecological consequences and implications for ecosystem management in the Anthropocene — R0/PR1 DOI Creative Commons
Jens‐Christian Svenning

Published: Sept. 4, 2023

Across the last ~50,000 years (the late Quaternary) terrestrial vertebrate faunas have experienced severe losses of large species (megafauna), with most extinctions occurring in Late Pleistocene and Early to Middle Holocene. Debate on causes has been ongoing for over 200 years, intensifying from 1960s onward. Here, we outline criteria that any causal hypothesis needs account for. Importantly, this extinction event is unique relative other Cenozoic 66 million years) its strong size bias. For example, only 11 out 57 megaherbivores (body mass ≥1,000 kg) survived present. In addition mammalian megafauna, certain groups also substantial extinctions, mainly non-mammalian vertebrates smaller but megafauna-associated taxa. Further, severity dates varied among continents, severely affected all biomes, Arctic tropics. We synthesise evidence against climatic or modern human (Homo sapiens) causation, existing tenable hypotheses. Our review shows there little support major influence climate, neither global patterns nor fine-scale spatiotemporal mechanistic evidence. Conversely, increasing pressures as key driver these emerging an initial onset linked pre-sapiens hominins prior Pleistocene. Subsequently, synthesize ecosystem consequences megafauna discuss implications conservation restoration. A broad range indicates elicited profound changes structure functioning. The late-Quaternary thereby represent early, large-scale human-driven environmental transformation, constituting a progenitor Anthropocene, where humans are now player planetary Finally, conclude restoration via trophic rewilding can be expected positive effects biodiversity across Anthropocene settings.

Language: Английский

The late-Quaternary megafauna extinctions: Patterns, causes, ecological consequences and implications for ecosystem management in the Anthropocene DOI Creative Commons
Jens‐Christian Svenning, Rhys T. Lemoine, Juraj Bergman

et al.

Cambridge Prisms Extinction, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Across the last ~50,000 years (the late Quaternary) terrestrial vertebrate faunas have experienced severe losses of large species (megafauna), with most extinctions occurring in Late Pleistocene and Early to Middle Holocene. Debate on causes has been ongoing for over 200 years, intensifying from 1960s onward. Here, we outline criteria that any causal hypothesis needs account for. Importantly, this extinction event is unique relative other Cenozoic 66 million years) its strong size bias. For example, only 11 out 57 megaherbivores (body mass ≥1,000 kg) survived present. In addition mammalian megafauna, certain groups also substantial extinctions, mainly non-mammalian vertebrates smaller but megafauna-associated taxa. Further, severity dates varied among continents, severely affected all biomes, Arctic tropics. We synthesise evidence against climatic or modern human (Homo sapiens) causation, existing tenable hypotheses. Our review shows there little support major influence climate, neither global patterns nor fine-scale spatiotemporal mechanistic evidence. Conversely, increasing pressures as key driver these emerging an initial onset linked pre-sapiens hominins prior Pleistocene. Subsequently, synthesize ecosystem consequences megafauna discuss implications conservation restoration. A broad range indicates elicited profound changes structure functioning. The late-Quaternary thereby represent early, large-scale human-driven environmental transformation, constituting a progenitor Anthropocene, where humans are now player planetary Finally, conclude restoration via trophic rewilding can be expected positive effects biodiversity across Anthropocene settings.

Language: Английский

Citations

35
Tree planting is no climate solution at northern high latitudes DOI
J. A. Kristensen, Laura Barbero-Palacios, Isabel C. Barrio

et al.

Nature Geoscience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 17(11), P. 1087 - 1092

Published: Nov. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

5
US Beef Cattle Inventory Trends With Implications for Land Use and Rangelands DOI Creative Commons

Hana Fancher,

Amy M. Nagler,

John P. Ritten

et al.

Rangeland Ecology & Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Transforming forest management through rewilding: Enhancing biodiversity, resilience, and biosphere sustainability under global change DOI Creative Commons
Lanhui Wang, Fangli Wei, Torbern Tagesson

et al.

One Earth, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 8(3), P. 101195 - 101195

Published: March 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
The Role of Social Inclusion in Restoring Communal Rangelands in Southern Africa: A Systematic Review of Approaches, Challenges, and Outcomes DOI Creative Commons
Mhlangabezi Slayi, Leocadia Zhou, Kgabo Humphrey Thamaga

et al.

Land, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(9), P. 1521 - 1521

Published: Sept. 19, 2024

Rangeland restoration in southern Africa faces complex challenges that require the involvement of diverse social groups to ensure both ecological and sustainability. This systematic review focuses on role inclusion rangeland across multiple countries region, specifically examining engagement marginalized such as women, youth, indigenous communities. We conducted a comprehensive search using PRISMA approach, utilizing Scopus other literature sources. Initially, we found 853 articles published between 2000 2024, which were subsequently screened down 20 studies met stringent criteria. identifies key strategies outcomes associated with efforts. Our findings reveal participatory planning, gender-inclusive strategies, engagement, capacity building are crucial for gaining community support, promoting equity, enhancing resilience. However, power dynamics, cultural norms, resource constraints often impede full realization these inclusive practices. Despite barriers, integrating local knowledge empowering significantly strengthens governance structures leads more sustainable outcomes. highlights necessity adopting holistic approaches where is not just component but central pillar successful management. It emphasizes importance communal rangelands provides insights into used, faced, achieved incorporating underscore significance collaborative efforts among communities, policymakers, stakeholders achieve Africa.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Author comment: The late-Quaternary megafauna extinctions: Patterns, causes, ecological consequences and implications for ecosystem management in the Anthropocene — R1/PR4 DOI Creative Commons
Jens‐Christian Svenning

Published: Feb. 26, 2024

Across the last ~50,000 years (the late Quaternary) terrestrial vertebrate faunas have experienced severe losses of large species (megafauna), with most extinctions occurring in Late Pleistocene and Early to Middle Holocene. Debate on causes has been ongoing for over 200 years, intensifying from 1960s onward. Here, we outline criteria that any causal hypothesis needs account for. Importantly, this extinction event is unique relative other Cenozoic 66 million years) its strong size bias. For example, only 11 out 57 megaherbivores (body mass ≥1,000 kg) survived present. In addition mammalian megafauna, certain groups also substantial extinctions, mainly non-mammalian vertebrates smaller but megafauna-associated taxa. Further, severity dates varied among continents, severely affected all biomes, Arctic tropics. We synthesise evidence against climatic or modern human (Homo sapiens) causation, existing tenable hypotheses. Our review shows there little support major influence climate, neither global patterns nor fine-scale spatiotemporal mechanistic evidence. Conversely, increasing pressures as key driver these emerging an initial onset linked pre-sapiens hominins prior Pleistocene. Subsequently, synthesize ecosystem consequences megafauna discuss implications conservation restoration. A broad range indicates elicited profound changes structure functioning. The late-Quaternary thereby represent early, large-scale human-driven environmental transformation, constituting a progenitor Anthropocene, where humans are now player planetary Finally, conclude restoration via trophic rewilding can be expected positive effects biodiversity across Anthropocene settings.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
From forage to multifunctionality: shifting perceptions of rangeland ecosystem services in the journals of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa DOI Creative Commons
Craig Morris

African Journal of Range and Forage Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 12

Published: July 7, 2024

AbstractRangelands offer various goods and ecosystem services (ES) besides providing forage for commercial livestock production. An analysis of research published in the journals Grassland Society Southern Africa from 1966 to 2023 revealed a widening focus on different consumptive non-consumptive ES. While remains primary focus, there is growing interest other provisional, regulatory, supporting, cultural ES uses rangeland. The term 'ecosystem services' started appear articles early 2000s, marking shift towards richer discourse multifarious resources rangelands can provide diverse users. A transition 'veld' 'rangeland' terminology occurred at onset 21st century, though mentioned. Recognition communal pastoral users has expanded since mid-1980s, alongside more frequent studies conservation biodiversity game Research increasingly focused understanding ecological processes supporting rangeland productivity provision ES, including carbon sequestration climate regulation. Cultural recreational values have received little attention. Overall, journals' corpus evolving reflect broader perspective valuing managing multi-functional rangelands, which alignment with global trends.Keywords: biodiversitycarbon sequestrationgrasslandmultifunctionalitypastoralismsavanna

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Recommendation: The late-Quaternary megafauna extinctions: Patterns, causes, ecological consequences and implications for ecosystem management in the Anthropocene — R1/PR5 DOI Creative Commons
Jens‐Christian Svenning, Rhys T. Lemoine, Juraj Bergman

et al.

Published: March 4, 2024

Across the last ~50,000 years (the late Quaternary) terrestrial vertebrate faunas have experienced severe losses of large species (megafauna), with most extinctions occurring in Late Pleistocene and Early to Middle Holocene. Debate on causes has been ongoing for over 200 years, intensifying from 1960s onward. Here, we outline criteria that any causal hypothesis needs account for. Importantly, this extinction event is unique relative other Cenozoic 66 million years) its strong size bias. For example, only 11 out 57 megaherbivores (body mass ≥1,000 kg) survived present. In addition mammalian megafauna, certain groups also substantial extinctions, mainly non-mammalian vertebrates smaller but megafauna-associated taxa. Further, severity dates varied among continents, severely affected all biomes, Arctic tropics. We synthesise evidence against climatic or modern human (Homo sapiens) causation, existing tenable hypotheses. Our review shows there little support major influence climate, neither global patterns nor fine-scale spatiotemporal mechanistic evidence. Conversely, increasing pressures as key driver these emerging an initial onset linked pre-sapiens hominins prior Pleistocene. Subsequently, synthesize ecosystem consequences megafauna discuss implications conservation restoration. A broad range indicates elicited profound changes structure functioning. The late-Quaternary thereby represent early, large-scale human-driven environmental transformation, constituting a progenitor Anthropocene, where humans are now player planetary Finally, conclude restoration via trophic rewilding can be expected positive effects biodiversity across Anthropocene settings.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Nearly six decades of grazing research published by the Grassland Society of Southern Africa: trends, recommendations and gaps DOI
Gina Arena, Heidi‐Jayne Hawkins

African Journal of Range and Forage Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 16

Published: Nov. 20, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Author comment: The late-Quaternary megafauna extinctions: Patterns, causes, ecological consequences and implications for ecosystem management in the Anthropocene — R0/PR1 DOI Creative Commons
Jens‐Christian Svenning

Published: Sept. 4, 2023

Across the last ~50,000 years (the late Quaternary) terrestrial vertebrate faunas have experienced severe losses of large species (megafauna), with most extinctions occurring in Late Pleistocene and Early to Middle Holocene. Debate on causes has been ongoing for over 200 years, intensifying from 1960s onward. Here, we outline criteria that any causal hypothesis needs account for. Importantly, this extinction event is unique relative other Cenozoic 66 million years) its strong size bias. For example, only 11 out 57 megaherbivores (body mass ≥1,000 kg) survived present. In addition mammalian megafauna, certain groups also substantial extinctions, mainly non-mammalian vertebrates smaller but megafauna-associated taxa. Further, severity dates varied among continents, severely affected all biomes, Arctic tropics. We synthesise evidence against climatic or modern human (Homo sapiens) causation, existing tenable hypotheses. Our review shows there little support major influence climate, neither global patterns nor fine-scale spatiotemporal mechanistic evidence. Conversely, increasing pressures as key driver these emerging an initial onset linked pre-sapiens hominins prior Pleistocene. Subsequently, synthesize ecosystem consequences megafauna discuss implications conservation restoration. A broad range indicates elicited profound changes structure functioning. The late-Quaternary thereby represent early, large-scale human-driven environmental transformation, constituting a progenitor Anthropocene, where humans are now player planetary Finally, conclude restoration via trophic rewilding can be expected positive effects biodiversity across Anthropocene settings.

Language: Английский

Citations

0