A Research Agenda for Urban Biodiversity in the Global Extinction Crisis

BioScience, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 71(3), P. 268 - 279

Published: Oct. 20, 2020

Abstract Rapid urbanization and the global loss of biodiversity necessitate development a research agenda that addresses knowledge gaps in urban ecology will inform policy, management, conservation. To advance this goal, we present six topics to pursue research: socioeconomic social–ecological drivers versus gain biodiversity; response technological change; biodiversity–ecosystem service relationships; areas as refugia for spatiotemporal dynamics species, community changes, underlying processes; ecological networks. We discuss overarching considerations offer set questions inspire support research. In parallel, advocate communication collaboration across many fields disciplines order build capacity research, education, practice. Taken together note play an important role addressing extinction crisis.

Language: Английский

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Chronobiology of interspecific interactions in a changing world

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 372(1734), P. 20160248 - 20160248

Published: Oct. 9, 2017

Animals should time activities, such as foraging, migration and reproduction, well seasonal physiological adaptation, in a way that maximizes fitness. The fitness outcome of activities depends largely on their interspecific interactions; the temporal overlap with other species determines when they be active order to maximize encounters food minimize predators, competitors parasites. To cope constantly changing, but predictable structure environment, organisms have evolved internal biological clocks, which are synchronized mainly by light, most reliable environmental cue (but can masked variables), enable them anticipate prepare for predicted changes timing interact with, top responding directly. Here, we review examples where system is used predict interactions, how these interactions affect activity patterns. We then ask plastic mechanisms are, this plasticity differs between within variability affects changing world, major synchronizer clock, no longer owing rapidly climate, use artificial light urbanization. This article part themed issue ‘Wild clocks: integrating chronobiology ecology understand timekeeping free-living animals’.

Language: Английский

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How ecological communities respond to artificial light at night

Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A Ecological and Integrative Physiology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 329(8-9), P. 394 - 400

Published: April 14, 2018

Abstract Many ecosystems worldwide are exposed to artificial light at night (ALAN), from streetlights and other sources, a wide range of organisms has been shown respond this anthropogenic pressure. This raises concerns about the consequences for major ecosystem functions their stability. However, there is limited understanding how whole ecological communities ALAN, cannot be gained simply by making predictions observed single species physiological, behavioral, or responses. Research needs include an important building block communities, namely interactions between that drive evolutionary processes in ecosystems. Here, we summarize current knowledge community responses ALAN illustrate different pathways impact on functioning We discuss documentation interaction networks trait distributions provides useful tools link changes structure functions. Finally, suggest several approaches advance research will diverse

Language: Английский

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Urbanization‐driven homogenization is more pronounced and happens at wider spatial scales in nocturnal and mobile flying insects

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 28(10), P. 1440 - 1455

Published: July 11, 2019

Abstract Aim We test whether urbanization drives biotic homogenization. hypothesize that declines in abundance and species diversity of aerial insects are exacerbated by the urbanization‐driven loss with low habitat generalism, mobility warm‐adaptedness. predict this homogenization to be more pronounced for nocturnal taxa, at wider scales mobile taxa. Location Belgium. Time period Summers 2014–2015. Major taxa studied Lepidoptera. Methods compare communities along gradients using a shared, replicated nested sampling design, which butterflies were counted within 81 grassland macro‐moths light‐trapped 12 woodland sites. quantify taxonomic functional community composition, latter via community‐weighted means variation species‐specific traits related specialization, thermophily. Using linear regression models, variables analysed relation site‐specific values quantified seven (50–3,200 m radii). At best‐fitting scales, we Results With increasing urbanization, abundance, richness Shannon severely declined, butterfly macro‐moth due local‐ versus landscape‐scale (200 vs. 800–3,200 radii, respectively). While was absent butterflies, urban displayed higher nestedness than non‐urban communities. Overall, showed mean shifts towards generalist, thermophilous species, displaying trait convergence too. These models consistently fit best local (100–200 radii) communities, landscape (200–800 Main conclusions Urban display follows linked taxon‐specific mobility. Light pollution may explain why taxon. discuss is likely impact flying insect across globe, but also impacts on their ecosystem functions services could mitigated multi‐scale implementation green infrastructure.

Language: Английский

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Cascading extinctions as a hidden driver of insect decline

Ecological Entomology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 46(4), P. 743 - 756

Published: Nov. 30, 2020

1. The decline in insect abundance and diversity observed many ecosystems is of major concern because the long‐term consequences for ecosystem function stability. 2. Species ecological communities are connected through interactions forming complex networks. Therefore, initial extinctions can cause further species losses co‐extinctions extinction cascades, where single lead to waves secondary extinctions. Such knock‐on effects multiply impact disturbances, thereby largely adding erosion biodiversity. However, our knowledge their importance current hampered challenging both detect predict. 3. In this review, we bring together theory about light main drivers decline. We evaluate potential evidence cascading different identify pathways. By providing selected examples discuss how habitat loss, pollution, invasions, climate change overexploitation argue that loss pollution particular have largest such by changing community structure, physical environment, robustness. 4. Overall, part an ecosystems' response anthropogenic but so far not explicitly measured contribution when evaluating biodiversity loss. This necessary predict find strategies buffer against devastating change.

Language: Английский

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