A global meta-analysis reveals multilevel and context-dependent effects of climate change on subterranean ecosystems

One Earth, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 6(11), P. 1510 - 1522

Published: Sept. 29, 2023

Subterranean ecosystems (e.g., caves, groundwaters, fissure systems) are often overlooked in global climate change and conservation agendas. This contrasts with their widespread distribution, rich biodiversity, importance to humans as providers of multiple ecosystem services. Worryingly, evidence is accumulating regarding diverse biological alterations subterranean under exposure. Yet, we lack quantification the magnitude these impacts across scales components. Here, assembled a dataset covering 347 measurements impact at organismal physiology, behavior, population/community, habitat levels. Through meta-analysis, showed that effects act gene community levels varying strength direction depending on habitat, taxa, degree specialization. By building nuanced understanding multilevel ecosystems, our analysis underscores vulnerability different components, providing supported rationale for incorporation into agendas through targeted measures.

Language: Английский

---

Perspectives and pitfalls in preserving subterranean biodiversity through protected areas

npj Biodiversity, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 3(1)

Published: Jan. 16, 2024

Subterranean ecosystems (comprising terrestrial, semi-aquatic, and aquatic components) are increasingly threatened by human activities; however, the current network of surface-protected areas is inadequate to safeguard subterranean biodiversity. Establishing protected for challenging. First, there technical obstacles in mapping three-dimensional with uncertain boundaries. Second, rarity endemism organisms, combined a scarcity taxonomists, delays accumulation essential biodiversity knowledge. Third, establishing agreements preserve requires collaboration among multiple actors often competing interests. This perspective addresses challenges preserving through areas. Even face uncertainties, we suggest it both timely critical assess general criteria protection implement them based on precautionary principles. To this end, examine status European discuss solutions improve their coverage ecosystems.

Language: Английский

---

A review on the global spread of the non-native spider Howaia mogera (Yaginuma, 1972) (Araneae: Nesticidae), with first records for the Iberian Peninsula

Arachnology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(1)

Published: March 25, 2025

Language: Английский

---

Systematic and highly resolved modelling of biodiversity in inherently rare groundwater amphipods

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 51(11), P. 2094 - 2108

Published: July 2, 2024

Abstract Aim Groundwater ecosystems harbour a unique biodiversity, but remain poorly studied, mainly due to difficulties in accessibility and imperfect species detection. Consequently, knowledge on the state change of groundwater biodiversity remains highly deficient. In context global warming excessive extraction, understanding from an ecosystem‐perspective, including organism diversity distribution, is essential. This study presents largest ever systematic assessment amphipods, which are key component European biodiversity. Location Switzerland (41,285 km 2 ), data 906 sampling sites. Taxon genera Niphargus Crangonyx (Crustacea, Amphipoda). Methods We applied standardized citizen science approach collect repeated fauna samples collaboration with municipal drinking water providers. Using detection–nondetection genetically identified amphipod species, we assessed overall both rare common species. The distribution commonly found was predicted using multispecies occupancy modelling. Results retrieved 3882 sites, yielding 2350 individuals. remarkable diversity, comprising few many rarely Considering distinct ranges, low local richness predominance negative co‐occurrences. contrast, major portion were (generally at just one or two sites each), distributed uniformly throughout area unrelated species' recognized hotspots. Many these not yet formally described. Main Conclusions Our results give robust emphasis occurrence narrow dwellers. amphipods suggest that rarity particularly prominent inherent organisms. emphasize need integrate assessments, especially times change.

Language: Английский

---

Functional convergence underground? The scale‐dependency of community assembly processes in European cave spiders

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 33(6)

Published: March 29, 2024

Abstract Aim Quantifying the relative contribution of environmental filtering versus limiting similarity in shaping communities is challenging because these processes often act simultaneously and their effect scale‐dependent. Focusing on caves, island‐like natural laboratories with limited variability species diversity, we tested: (i) determining community assembly caves; (ii) how driving forces changes along gradients. Location Europe. Time period Present. Major taxa studied Subterranean spiders. Methods We used data distribution traits for European cave spiders ( n = 475 communities). estimated trait space each using probabilistic hypervolumes, obtained estimations functional richness independent via null modelling. model diversity change gradients generalized dissimilarity Results Sixty‐three percent subterranean spider exhibited a prevalence underdispersion. However, most displayed dispersion that did not depart significantly from random, suggesting were both exerting equally weak or strong, yet opposing influences. Overdispersed primarily concentrated southern latitudes, particularly Dinaric karst, where there greater habitat availability. Pairwise comparisons across caves revealed effects to be strongly scale‐dependent, largely varying development, elevation, precipitation, entrance size annual temperature range. Conversely, geographical distance weakly affected composition, convergence among are far apart. Main conclusions Even systems stringent conditions maintain potential differentiation, especially areas Yet, influence scale, clear The interplay may explain species‐poor displaying high specialization.

Language: Английский

---

The ticking clock in the dark: Review of biological rhythms in cave invertebrates

Chronobiology International, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 41(5), P. 738 - 756

Published: May 3, 2024

Circadian clocks, internal mechanisms that generate 24-hour rhythms, play a crucial role in coordinating biological events with day-night cycles. In light-deprived environments such as caves, species, particularly isolated obligatory troglobites, may exhibit evolutionary adaptations rhythms due to light exposure. To explore rhythm expression these settings, we conducted comprehensive literature review on invertebrate chronobiology global subterranean ecosystems, analyzing 44 selected studies out of over 480 identified September 2023. These revealed significant taxonomic diversity, primarily among terrestrial species like Coleoptera, research concentrated the United States, Italy, France, Australia, and Brazil, notable gap African records. Troglobite displayed higher incidence aperiodic behavior, while troglophiles showed robust association expression. Locomotor activity was most studied aspect (>60%). However, approximately 4% lacked information periodicity or asynchrony, limited under constant conditions hindered definitive conclusions. This underscores need expand chronobiological globally, encompassing diverse geographical regions taxa, deepen our understanding species. Such insights are for preserving resilience subsurface ecosystems facing threats climate change habitat loss.

Language: Английский

---

Evaluating the overlap of surface protected areas with different facets of groundwater biodiversity: Glass half empty or half full?

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 289, P. 110392 - 110392

Published: Dec. 6, 2023

Biodiversity conservation across countries and ecosystems is traditionally based on a single species- or area-level attributes, such as endemicity taxonomic diversity. Although alternative criteria integrating multiple biodiversity aspects both have been proposed, they are only rarely considered in planning, especially data-deficient ecosystems. Among them also groundwater ecosystems, which almost exclusively protected indirectly through areas (PAs) targeted at surface Due to their interdependency, PAs can be beneficial for groundwaters, but it unclear whether what extent capture different of We addressed these questions the subterranean hotspot, Western Balkans (Europe), using amphipod family Niphargidae model system. integrated distributional, phylogenetic, functional trait data over 200 molecular operational units (MOTU). explored patterns facets identified MOTUs highest importance. evaluated how well do overlap with high-priority areas, much regional diversity extent. Over third were distributed outside PAs, while <30 % had half area overlapping PAs. Additionally, we found that 30 formally undescribed species. existing poorly covered still captured 50 each facet region. Finally, list next steps improve strategies Europe.

Language: Английский

---

Temporal consistency and spatial variability in detection: implications for monitoring of macroinvertebrates from shallow groundwater aquifers

Subterranean Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 49, P. 139 - 161

Published: Oct. 8, 2024

Implementing and optimizing biodiversity monitoring is crucial given the current, worldwide decline. Compared to other ecosystems, of lagging behind in groundwater both because sparse taxonomic knowledge methodological constraints. We here assessed temporal variation occurrence abundance macroinvertebrates collected systematically from shallow aquifers Switzerland establish general principles on seasonality repeatability assessment outcomes. found no seasonal pattern for obligate amphipods isopods, indicating consistency. In contrast, (predominantly stygophiles stygoxenes) showed pronounced their detection rate. However, we variability rates across amphipod species especially sampling sites. For communities, characterized by narrowly-distributed rare species, our results highlight need tailored extensive strategies. When setting up programs fauna, probability, autocorrelation, standardization effort should be carefully considered. Applying novel, systematic approaches, can offer promising methodologies understanding conserving ecosystems.

Language: Английский

---

Terrestrial land use signals on groundwater fauna beyond current protection buffers

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 18, 2024

Abstract Terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are tightly linked, with direct implications for applied resource management conservation. It is well known that human land use change intensification of terrestrial systems can have large impacts on surface freshwater ecosystems. Contrastingly, the study understanding such groundwater communities lagging behind. Both impact strength spatial extents at which interlinkages operating largely unknown, despite our reliance drinking water extraction as a key ecosystem service. Here, we analyzed amphipod occurrence from several hundred shallow aquifers used across region varying agricultural intensity population density in Switzerland. Despite sites being generally built locations expected minimal aboveground quality, found correlation between type within surrounding catchment area locally measured nitrate concentrations, proxy quality. Furthermore, amphipods were more likely to be higher forest coverage than crop intensive pasture coverages, clearly indicating tight connection biodiversity. Our results indicate effects most relevant pronounced scales about 400–1000 m around sampling site. Importantly, here identified scale 1.2‐ 3‐fold exceeding average extent currently defined protection zones. We postulate incorporating an perspective into strategies needed effective quality

Language: Английский

---

A cave with remarkably high subterranean diversity in Africa and its significance for biodiversity conservation

Subterranean Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 50, P. 1 - 28

Published: Nov. 1, 2024

Aziza cave, which is also known as kef or Tazouguert represents an important and large karstic system that consists of more than 3.5 km surveyed galleries, standing the fifth most extensive cave in Morocco one ten largest North Africa. This study unveils spot subterranean diversity Here, we provide first checklist fauna this with 26 taxa, comprising 22 troglobiotic 4 stygobiotic species. Of total, eight species still require further confirmation their status. The richest taxa include Coleoptera (5 species), Araneae (4 Entomobryomorpha (3 Isopoda (2 species). However, it noteworthy only around 34.6% cave-restricted found have been formally described to date. Additionally, biodiversity areas remains be discovered these need explored. Furthermore, paper highlights broader conservation challenges faced by habitats Morocco, particularly considering human-induced impacts on remarkable ecosystems. We aim draw attention crucial ecological role environments extraordinary biological diversity. By doing so, inspire increased research initiatives, not just area but across

Language: Английский

---