Shifting taxonomic and functional community composition of rivers under land use change

Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 104(11)

Published: Aug. 23, 2023

Land use intensification has led to conspicuous changes in plant and animal communities across the world. Shifts trait-based functional composition have recently been hypothesized manifest at lower levels of environmental change when compared species-based taxonomic composition; however, little is known about commonalities these responses groups geographic regions. We investigated this hypothesis by testing for similarities riverine fish insect gradients land major hydrological regions conterminous United States. analyzed an extensive data set representing 556 species 33 trait modalities from 8023 1434 taxa 50 5197 aquatic communities. Our results demonstrate abrupt threshold both community due conversion. Functional consistently demonstrated (urban p = 0.069; agriculture 0.029) 0.095; 0.043) according gradient forest models. found significantly thresholds urban versus agricultural fishes (taxonomic < 0.001) insects 0.001; 0.033). further revealed that were more geographically consistent than change. Traits contributing most overall differed along conformed predicted ecological mechanisms underpinning This study points reliable early-warning accurately forecast compositional shifts conversion, highlight importance considering indicators inform large-scale management strategies policies.

Language: Английский

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Accounting for the neglected: Invertebrate species and the 2019–2020 Australian megafires

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 31(10), P. 2120 - 2130

Published: May 31, 2022

Abstract Aim Invertebrates make up the vast majority of fauna species but are often overlooked in impact assessment and conservation response. The extent to which 2019–2020 Australian megafires overlapped with range vertebrate has been well documented; consequently, substantial resourcing directed towards their recovery. Here, we attempt document overlap these invertebrate species. In doing so, seek demonstrate that it is possible worthwhile assess effect a catastrophic event on large number poorly known Location Temperate subtropical Australia. Time period 2019–2020. Major taxa invertebrates. Methods We adapted published analytical pathway for distributional fire Overlaps 32,163 were determined using point records polygons. Results found 13,581 had part burnt megafires. Of these, 382 whole burnt, further 405 50–99.9% burnt. Five examples described. Main conclusions Poorly groups biodiversity can be impacted significantly by major disturbance events, such overlooked. This oversight consequences under‐estimating magnitude impacts potential failure direct responses those most need them. Our analysis demonstrates ≥50% nearly 800 taxa, tally far higher than vertebrates (19 taxa). Assessment real (i.e., beyond simply fire) requires more consideration susceptibility and/or post‐fire survey monitoring. justifies response less biased iconic

Language: Английский

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The AusTraits plant dictionary

Scientific Data, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: May 25, 2024

Traits with intuitive names, a clear scope and explicit description are essential for all trait databases. The lack of unified, comprehensive, machine-readable plant definitions limits the utility databases, including reanalysis data from single database, or analyses that integrate across multiple Both can only occur if researchers confident concepts consistent within sources. Here we describe AusTraits Plant Dictionary (APD), new source terms extends included in recent AusTraits. development process APD three steps: review formalisation each accompanying description; addition metadata; publication both human forms. Trait include keywords, references, links to related other enabling integration will improve usability foster global regional

Language: Английский

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Continental risk assessment for understudied taxa post‐catastrophic wildfire indicates severe impacts on the Australian bee fauna

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 27(24), P. 6551 - 6567

Published: Sept. 30, 2021

Abstract The 2019–2020 Australian Black Summer wildfires demonstrated that single events can have widespread and catastrophic impacts on biodiversity, causing a sudden marked reduction in population size for many species. In such circumstances, there is need conservation managers to respond rapidly implement priority remedial management actions the most‐affected species help prevent extinctions. To date, responses been biased towards high‐profile taxa with substantial information bases. Here, we demonstrate sufficient data are available model extinction risk less well‐known species, which could inform much broader more effective ecological disaster responses. Using publicly collection GIS datasets, combined life‐history data, modelled from 553 native bee (33% of all described taxa). We suggest two now eligible listing as Endangered nine Vulnerable under IUCN criteria, basis fire overlap, intensity, frequency, traits: this tally far exceeds three listed threatened prior wildfire. how undertake wide‐scale assessment wildfire impact poorly understood group focus surveys recovery efforts. also provide methods script required make similar assessments other or regions.

Language: Английский

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A workflow to create trait databases from collections of textual taxonomic descriptions

Ecological Informatics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 78, P. 102312 - 102312

Published: Sept. 28, 2023

Language: Английский

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