A Science Agenda to Inform Natural Resource Management Decisions in an Era of Ecological Transformation

BioScience, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 72(1), P. 71 - 90

Published: Sept. 8, 2021

Abstract Earth is experiencing widespread ecological transformation in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems that attributable to directional environmental changes, especially intensifying climate change. To better steward facing unprecedented lasting change, a new management paradigm forming, supported by decision-oriented framework presents three distinct choices: resist, accept, or direct the trajectory. make these choices strategically, managers seek understand nature of could occur if change accepted while identifying opportunities intervene resist In this article, we inspire research agenda for science focused on social based five central questions align with resist–accept–direct (RAD) framework. Development needed apply RAD support natural resource conservation our rapidly changing planet.

Language: Английский

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Are hippos Africa's most influential megaherbivore? A review of ecosystem engineering by the semi‐aquatic common hippopotamus

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 98(5), P. 1509 - 1529

Published: April 24, 2023

Megaherbivores perform vital ecosystem engineering roles, and have their last remaining stronghold in Africa. Of Africa's megaherbivores, the common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) has received least scientific conservation attention, despite how influential activities appear to be. Given potentially crucial influence of hippos, as well mounting concerns threatening long-term persistence, a review evidence for hippos being engineers, effects engineering, is both timely necessary. In this review, we assess, (i) aspects hippo biology that underlie unique potential; (ii) evaluate ecological impacts terrestrial aquatic environments; (iii) compare other extant African megaherbivores; (iv) factors most critical engineering; (v) highlight future research directions challenges may yield new insights into role megaherbivores more broadly. We find variety key life-history traits determine hippo's influence, including semi-aquatic lifestyle, large body size, specialised gut anatomy, muzzle structure, small partially webbed feet, highly gregarious nature. On land, create grazing lawns contain distinct plant communities alter fire spatial extent, which shapes woody demographics might assist maintaining fire-sensitive riverine vegetation. water, deposit nutrient-rich dung, stimulating food chains altering water chemistry quality, impacting host different organisms. Hippo trampling wallowing alters geomorphological processes, widening riverbanks, creating river channels, forming gullies along well-utilised paths. Taken together, propose these myriad combine make megaherbivore, specifically because high diversity intensity compared with capacity transfer nutrients across boundaries, enriching ecosystems. Nonetheless, pollution extraction agriculture industry, erratic rainfall patterns human-hippo conflict, threaten persistence. Therefore, encourage greater consideration engineers when considering functional importance megafauna ecosystems, increased attention declining habitat populations, if unchecked could change way many ecosystems function.

Language: Английский

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Causes and consequences of recent degradation of the Magdalena River basin, Colombia

Limnology and Oceanography Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 7(6), P. 451 - 465

Published: July 26, 2022

Abstract The Magdalena River in Colombia is one of the world's largest (discharge = 7100 m 3 s −1 ) tropical rivers, hosting > 170 aquatic vertebrate species. However, concise synthesis current ecological and environmental status lacking. By documenting anthropogenic stressors impacting river on time scales ranging from centuries to decades, we found that system subject compounding impacts climate change, impoundment, invasive alien species (IAS), catchment deforestation, water pollution. We show a woefully understudied ecosystem relative its critical importance Colombia's economy, culture, biodiversity compared with other similarly sized rivers. emphasize need for research (1) IAS population dynamics, (2) damming links (3) land‐use changes as well identifying sources pollution strategies mitigation.

Language: Английский

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The grassy ecosystems of Madagascar in context: Ecology, evolution, and conservation

Plants People Planet, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 6(1), P. 94 - 115

Published: Aug. 21, 2023

Societal Impact Statement Madagascar is famous for its unique forests and their fauna. Most of the island covered by flammable grassy ecosystems long considered to be human origin threatening remaining forests. Yet new studies show that many plants animals systems are restricted these open habitats. Open have markedly different management requirements from bring contributions society. We argue can benefit if understood managed wisely using expanded knowledge bases also include collaboration with locals. Summary Until recently, nearly all research interests in focused on forested To help place Madagascar's context, we provide a summary origin, development, evolution tropical, C4 elsewhere, especially those Africa; summarize similarities differences distribution C3 grasses Malagasy landscape, plant traits, inferences evolutionary legacy grasses. discuss animal communities use coevolved systems; resolve controversies over pre‐settlement extent ecosystems, suggest variety complementary geochemical, palaeobotanical, molecular genetic tools been effectively used elsewhere untangle forest/grassy ecosystem mosaics ecological processes influence them. Many should employed fully understand spatio‐temporal dynamics open, grassy, closed forest across island; as regards conservation, services provided systems, which too often ignored general, not only biome, vis‐à‐vis forests, but global importance carbon sink role they play water providing goods local villagers. conclude outlining necessary better manage without endangered ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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A hippo in the room: Predicting the persistence and dispersion of an invasive mega-vertebrate in Colombia, South America

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 253, P. 108923 - 108923

Published: Dec. 26, 2020

Language: Английский

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Rapid population growth and high management costs have created a narrow window for control of introduced hippos in Colombia

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: April 16, 2023

Abstract The introduction of hippos into the wild in Colombia has been marked by their rapid population growth and widespread dispersal on landscape, high financial costs management, conflicting social perspectives management fate. Here we use projection models to investigate effectiveness cost options under consideration for controlling introduced hippos. We estimate there are 91 middle Magdalena River basin, Colombia, hippo is growing at an estimated rate 9.6% per year. At this rate, will be 230 2032 over 1,000 2050. Applying control methods currently least 1–2 million USD sufficiently decrease achieve long-term removal, depending strategy selected, may still landscape 50–100 years. Delaying actions a single decade increase minimum factor 2.5, some become infeasible. Our approach illustrates trade-offs inherent between effort managing species, as well importance acting quickly, especially when dealing with species rates potential significant ecological impacts.

Language: Английский

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Little clams with big potential: nutrient release by invasive Corbicula fluminea can exceed co-occurring freshwater mussel (Unionidae) assemblages

Biological Invasions, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 24(8), P. 2529 - 2545

Published: April 28, 2022

Language: Английский

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Economics of rewilding

AMBIO, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: June 8, 2024

Language: Английский

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La importancia de la educación universitaria sobre la biodiversidad de Colombia: perspectivas desde la docencia y el desarrollo sostenible

Cuadernos de Biodiversidad, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 66, P. 1 - 14

Published: Jan. 30, 2024

Colombia es uno de los países con mayor diversidad biológica del planeta. Sin embargo, diferentes presiones antropogénicas amenazan su biodiversidad y por ende indispensable concientizar a la sociedad sobre importancia conservación para el bienestar humano. La mayoría esfuerzos educación ambiental se han centrado en poblaciones niños escuelas colegios, pero documentado menos experiencias población adultos jóvenes instituciones superior. En este artículo, exponen cátedra “Biodiversidad Colombia: tras las huellas naturaleza” Universidad Rosario, cual desarrolló 91 estudiantes 21 carreras entre años 2022 2023. Se realizaron cuestionarios que resolvieron voluntariamente conocer cambios percepción, aprendizajes reflexiones acerca país cuidado medio ambiente. parte resaltaron relevancia reconocer Colombia, generar concienciación ambiental, comprender mejor funcionamiento naturaleza, así como sus principales amenazas, también estimular acciones individuales sostenibles protegerla. Si bien evidencia una amplia aceptación debido metodología implementada, algunos aspectos relacionados aprendizaje experiencial pueden mejorar enseñanza. Por último, discuten retos tener cuenta, desde perspectiva docente, cuales incrementar impacto estudiantil universitaria, ya estos futuros profesionales son generación más inmediata tendrá afrontar grandes problemáticas ambientales país.

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Inundation area drives hippo group aggregation and dispersal in a seasonal floodplain system

Mammalian Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 102(5-6), P. 1811 - 1821

Published: July 26, 2022

Language: Английский

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