Ongoing declines for the world’s amphibians in the face of emerging threats

Nature, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 622(7982), P. 308 - 314

Published: Oct. 4, 2023

Abstract Systematic assessments of species extinction risk at regular intervals are necessary for informing conservation action 1,2 . Ongoing developments in taxonomy, threatening processes and research further underscore the need reassessment 3,4 Here we report findings second Global Amphibian Assessment, evaluating 8,011 International Union Conservation Nature Red List Threatened Species. We find that amphibians most threatened vertebrate class (40.7% globally threatened). The updated Index shows status is deteriorating globally, particularly salamanders Neotropics. Disease habitat loss drove 91% deteriorations between 1980 2004. projected climate change effects now increasing concern, driving 39% since 2004, followed by (37%). Although signs recoveries incentivize immediate action, scaled-up investment urgently needed to reverse current trends.

Language: Английский

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Global Protected Areas as refuges for amphibians and reptiles under climate change

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: March 13, 2023

Abstract Protected Areas (PAs) are the cornerstone of biodiversity conservation. Here, we collated distributional data for >14,000 (~70% of) species amphibians and reptiles (herpetofauna) to perform a global assessment conservation effectiveness PAs using distribution models. Our analyses reveal that >91% herpetofauna currently distributed in PAs, this proportion will remain unaltered under future climate change. Indeed, loss species’ ranges be lower inside than outside them. Therefore, effectively protected is predicted increase. However, over 7.8% occur large spatial gaps remain, mainly across tropical subtropical moist broadleaf forests, non-high-income countries. We also predict more 300 amphibian 500 reptile may go extinct change course ongoing century. study highlights importance providing with refuge from change, suggests ways optimize better conserve worldwide.

Language: Английский

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More losers than winners: investigating Anthropocene defaunation through the diversity of population trends

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 98(5), P. 1732 - 1748

Published: May 15, 2023

The global-scale decline of animal biodiversity ('defaunation') represents one the most alarming consequences human impacts on planet. quantification this extinction crisis has traditionally relied use IUCN Red List conservation categories assigned to each assessed species. This approach reveals that a quarter world's species are currently threatened with extinction, and ~1% have been declared extinct. However, extinctions preceded by progressive population declines through time leave demographic 'footprints' can alert us about trajectories towards extinction. Therefore, an exclusive focus categories, without consideration dynamic trends, may underestimate true extent processes ongoing across nature. In fact, emerging evidence (e.g. Living Planet Report), widespread tendency for sustained (an average 69% in abundances) globally. Yet, not only declining. Many worldwide exhibit stable populations, while others even thriving. Here, using trend data >71,000 spanning all five groups vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians fishes) insects, we provide comprehensive assessment diversity trends undergoing declines, but also stability increases. We show global erosion species, 48% 49% 3% remain or increasing, respectively. Geographically, reveal intriguing pattern similar whereby tend concentrate around tropical regions, whereas increases expand temperate climates. Importantly, find classed as 'non-threatened', 33% Critically, contrast previous mass events, our shows Anthropocene is rapid imbalance, levels (a symptom extinction) greatly exceeding ecological expansion potentially evolution) groups. Our study contributes further signal indicating entering ecosystem heterogeneity functioning, persistence, well-being under increasing threat.

Language: Английский

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One-quarter of freshwater fauna threatened with extinction

Nature, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 8, 2025

Abstract Freshwater ecosystems are highly biodiverse 1 and important for livelihoods economic development 2 , but under substantial stress 3 . To date, comprehensive global assessments of extinction risk have not included any speciose groups primarily living in freshwaters. Consequently, data from predominantly terrestrial tetrapods 4,5 used to guide environmental policy 6 conservation prioritization 7 whereas recent proposals target setting freshwaters use abiotic factors 8–13 However, there is evidence 14–17 that such insufficient represent the needs freshwater species achieve biodiversity goals 18,19 Here we present results a multi-taxon fauna assessment The IUCN Red List Threatened Species covering 23,496 decapod crustaceans, fishes odonates, finding one-quarter threatened with extinction. Prevalent threats include pollution, dams water extraction, agriculture invasive species, overharvesting also driving extinctions. We examined degree surrogacy both (water nitrogen) species. good surrogates when prioritizing sites maximize rarity-weighted richness, poorer based on most range-restricted they much better than factors, which perform worse random. Thus, although priority regions identified tetrapod broadly reflective those faunas, given differences key habitats, meeting cannot be assumed sufficient conserve at local scales.

Language: Английский

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SquamBase—A database of squamate (Reptilia: Squamata) traits

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 33(4)

Published: Feb. 7, 2024

Abstract Motivation I present a database that contains information on multiple key traits for all 11,744 recognised species of squamates worldwide. The encompasses and reasonably comprehensive picture available public knowledge. description the sources rationale leading to assignment each particular trait state species. hope dataset can serve scientific community, promote research understanding group, comparisons with other taxa, assessment conservation needs. Furthermore, gaps in our knowledge squamate become readily apparent will hopefully lead further study even better Main types variables contained Morphological, ecological, life history, geographical conservation‐related traits. Spatial location Global. Time period Late Holocene recent. Major taxa level measurement Squamata, Software format xlsx.

Language: Английский

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Meta-analysis reveals global variations in plant diversity effects on productivity

Nature, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 8, 2025

Language: Английский

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Measuring trends in extinction risk: a review of two decades of development and application of the Red List Index

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 380(1917)

Published: Jan. 9, 2025

The Red List Index (RLI) is an indicator of the average extinction risk groups species and reflects trends in this through time. It calculated from number each category on IUCN Threatened Species, with influenced by moving between categories when reassessed owing to genuine improvement or deterioration status. global RLI aggregated across multiple taxonomic can be disaggregated show for subsets (e.g. migratory species), driven particular factors international trade). National RLIs have been generated either repeated assessments national country disaggregating index weighting proportion its range country. has achieved wide policy uptake, including Convention Biological Diversity United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Future priorities include expanding coverage, applying goals targets Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, incorporating uncertainty underlying assessments, integrating into impact a species’ abroad, improving analysis driving trends. This article part discussion theme issue ‘Bending curve towards nature recovery: building Georgina Mace's legacy biodiverse future’.

Language: Английский

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A global analysis of habitat fragmentation research in reptiles and amphibians: what have we done so far?

Biodiversity and Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 32(2), P. 439 - 468

Published: Jan. 8, 2023

Abstract Habitat change and fragmentation are the primary causes of biodiversity loss worldwide. Recent decades have seen a surge funding, published papers citations in field as these threats to continue rise. However, how research directions agenda evolving this remains poorly understood. In study, we examined current state on habitat (due agriculture, logging, fragmentation, urbanisation roads) pertaining two most threatened vertebrate groups, reptiles amphibians. We did so by conducting global scale review geographical taxonomical trends types, associated sampling methods response variables. Our analyses revealed number biases with existing efforts being focused three continents (e.g., North America, Europe Australia) surplus studies measuring species richness abundance. saw shift towards utilising technological advancements including genetic spatial data analyses. findings suggest important associations between prevalent variables but not types fragmentation. These agendas found homogeneously distributed across all continents. Increased investment appropriate techniques is crucial hotpots such tropics where unprecedented herpetofauna exist.

Language: Английский

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Potential effects of future climate change on global reptile distributions and diversity

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 32(4), P. 519 - 534

Published: Feb. 21, 2023

Abstract Aim Until recently, complete information on global reptile distributions has not been widely available. Here, we provide the first comprehensive climate impact assessment for reptiles a scale. Location Global, excluding Antarctica. Time period 1995, 2050 and 2080. Major taxa studied Reptiles. Methods We modelled distribution of 6296 species assessed potential realm‐specific changes in richness, change richness across space, species‐specific range extent, overlap position under future change. To assess climatic 3768 range‐restricted species, which could be modelled, compared conditions between both non‐modelled species. Results Reptile was projected to decline significantly over time, globally but also most zoogeographical realms, with greatest decreases Brazil, Australia South Africa. Species highest warm moist regions, these regions being shift further towards extremes future. Range extents were considerably future, low current ranges. Shifts centroids differed among realms taxa, dominant poleward shift. Non‐modelled stronger affected by than Main conclusions With ongoing change, is likely decrease parts world. This effect, addition considerable impacts position, visible lizards, snakes turtles alike. Together other anthropogenic impacts, such as habitat loss harvesting this cause concern. Given historical lack distributions, calls re‐assessment conservation efforts, specific focus anticipated

Language: Английский

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Optimizing protected areas to boost the conservation of key protected wildlife in China

The Innovation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 4(3), P. 100424 - 100424

Published: April 12, 2023

•From 1988 to 2021, the number of protected species almost doubled, area areas increased 2.4 times.•Over 92.8% are in areas, but some not effectively protected.•Amphibians and reptiles significant additions protection list, still least protected.•Another 10.0% China's land is needed as achieve target. To meet challenge biodiversity loss reach targets proposed Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, Chinese government updated list national key wildlife 2021 has been continually expanding (PAs). However, status PAs remains unclear. In this study, we conducted a assessment suggested an optimization plan overcome these shortcomings. From by times, covering over species. Nonetheless, have less than 10% their habitat included PAs. Despite addition amphibians latest they fewest covered compared with birds mammals. fix gaps, systematically optimized current network adding another PAs, which resulted 37.6% coverage species' habitats addition, 26 priority were identified. Our research aimed identify gaps conservation policies suggest solutions facilitate planning China. general, updating optimizing PA networks essential applicable other countries facing loss.

Language: Английский

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