The Sixth Mass Extinction: fact, fiction or speculation?

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 97(2), P. 640 - 663

Published: Jan. 10, 2022

ABSTRACT There have been five Mass Extinction events in the history of Earth's biodiversity, all caused by dramatic but natural phenomena. It has claimed that Sixth may be underway, this time entirely humans. Although considerable evidence indicates there is a biodiversity crisis increasing extinctions and plummeting abundances, some do not accept amounts to Extinction. Often, they use IUCN Red List support their stance, arguing rate species loss does differ from background rate. However, heavily biased: almost birds mammals only minute fraction invertebrates evaluated against conservation criteria. Incorporating estimates true number invertebrate leads conclusion vastly exceeds we indeed witnessing start As an example, focus on molluscs, second largest phylum numbers known species, and, extrapolating boldly, estimate that, since around AD 1500, possibly as many 7.5–13% (150,000–260,000) ~2 million already gone extinct, orders magnitude greater than 882 (0.04%) . We review differences extinction rates according realms: marine face significant threats but, although previous mass were largely defined invertebrates, no biota reached same non‐marine biota. Island suffered far continental ones. Plants similar biases are hints lower rates. also those who deny it new trajectory evolution, because humans part world; even embrace it, with desire manipulate for human benefit. take issue these stances. Humans able Earth grand scale, allowed current happen. Despite multiple initiatives at various levels, most oriented (certain charismatic vertebrates excepted) specific actions protect every living individually simply unfeasible tyranny numbers. systematic biologists, encourage nurturing innate appreciation reaffirm message makes our world so fascinating, beautiful functional vanishing unnoticed unprecedented In mounting crisis, scientists must adopt practices preventive archaeology, collect document possible before disappear. All depends reviving venerable study taxonomy. Denying accepting doing nothing, or embracing ostensible benefit humanity, appropriate options pave way continue its sad towards

Language: Английский

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Underestimating the Challenges of Avoiding a Ghastly Future

Frontiers in Conservation Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 1

Published: Jan. 13, 2021

We report three major and confronting environmental issues that have received little attention require urgent action. First, we review the evidence future conditions will be far more dangerous than currently believed. The scale of threats to biosphere all its lifeforms — including humanity is in fact so great it difficult grasp for even well-informed experts. Second, ask what political or economic system, leadership, prepared handle predicted disasters, capable such Third, this dire situation places an extraordinary responsibility on scientists speak out candidly accurately when engaging with government, business, public. especially draw lack appreciation enormous challenges creating a sustainable future. added stresses human health, wealth, well-being perversely diminish our capacity mitigate erosion ecosystem services which society depends. science underlying these strong, but awareness weak. Without fully appreciating broadcasting problems enormity solutions required, fail achieve modest sustainability goals.

Language: Английский

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Perspectives in machine learning for wildlife conservation

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Feb. 9, 2022

Data acquisition in animal ecology is rapidly accelerating due to inexpensive and accessible sensors such as smartphones, drones, satellites, audio recorders bio-logging devices. These new technologies the data they generate hold great potential for large-scale environmental monitoring understanding, but are limited by current processing approaches which inefficient how ingest, digest, distill into relevant information. We argue that machine learning, especially deep learning approaches, can meet this analytic challenge enhance our capacity, conservation of wildlife species. Incorporating ecological workflows could improve inputs population behavior models eventually lead integrated hybrid modeling tools, with acting constraints latter providing data-supported insights. In essence, combining domain knowledge, ecologists capitalize on abundance generated modern sensor order reliably estimate abundances, study mitigate human/wildlife conflicts. To succeed, approach will require close collaboration cross-disciplinary education between computer science communities ensure quality train a generation scientists conservation.

Language: Английский

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Regenerative Agriculture: An agronomic perspective

Outlook on Agriculture, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 50(1), P. 13 - 25

Published: March 1, 2021

Agriculture is in crisis. Soil health collapsing. Biodiversity faces the sixth mass extinction. Crop yields are plateauing. Against this crisis narrative swells a clarion call for Regenerative Agriculture. But what Agriculture, and why it gaining such prominence? Which problems does solve, how? Here we address these questions from an agronomic perspective. The term has actually been use some time, but there resurgence of interest over past 5 years. It supported often considered opposite poles debate on agriculture food. promoted strongly by civil society NGOs as well many major multi-national food companies. Many practices regenerative, including crop residue retention, cover cropping reduced tillage central to canon ‘good agricultural practices’, while others contested at best niche (e.g. permaculture, holistic grazing). Worryingly, generally with little regard context. Practices most encouraged (such no tillage, pesticides or external nutrient inputs) unlikely lead benefits claimed all places. We argue that represents re-framing have be two contrasting approaches futures, namely agroecology sustainable intensification, under same banner. This more likely confuse than clarify public debate. More importantly, draws attention away fundamental challenges. conclude providing guidance research agronomists who want engage

Language: Английский

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Combating ecosystem collapse from the tropics to the Antarctic

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 27(9), P. 1692 - 1703

Published: Feb. 25, 2021

Abstract Globally, collapse of ecosystems—potentially irreversible change to ecosystem structure, composition and function—imperils biodiversity, human health well‐being. We examine the current state recent trajectories 19 ecosystems, spanning 58° latitude across 7.7 M km 2 , from Australia's coral reefs terrestrial Antarctica. Pressures global climate regional impacts, occurring as chronic ‘presses’ and/or acute ‘pulses’, drive collapse. Ecosystem responses 5–17 pressures were categorised four profiles—abrupt, smooth, stepped fluctuating. The manifestation widespread is a stark warning necessity take action. present three‐step assessment management framework (3As Pathway Awareness Anticipation Action ) aid strategic effective mitigation alleviate further degradation help secure our future.

Language: Английский

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How genomics can help biodiversity conservation

Trends in Genetics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 39(7), P. 545 - 559

Published: Feb. 16, 2023

The availability of public genomic resources can greatly assist biodiversity assessment, conservation, and restoration efforts by providing evidence for scientifically informed management decisions. Here we survey the main approaches applications in conservation genomics, considering practical factors, such as cost, time, prerequisite skills, current shortcomings applications. Most perform best combination with reference genomes from target species or closely related species. We review case studies to illustrate how facilitate research across tree life. conclude that time is ripe view fundamental integrate their use a practice genomics.

Language: Английский

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Global Commitments to Conserving and Monitoring Genetic Diversity Are Now Necessary and Feasible

BioScience, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 71(9), P. 964 - 976

Published: April 13, 2021

Abstract Global conservation policy and action have largely neglected protecting monitoring genetic diversity—one of the three main pillars biodiversity. Genetic diversity (diversity within species) underlies species’ adaptation survival, ecosystem resilience, societal innovation. The low priority given to has been due knowledge gaps in key areas, including importance trends change; perceived high expense availability scattered nature data; complicated concepts information that are inaccessible policymakers. However, numerous recent advances knowledge, technology, databases, practice, capacity now set stage for better integration instruments efforts. We review these developments explore how they can support improved consideration global commitments enable countries monitor, report on, take maintain or restore diversity.

Language: Английский

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Nature and COVID-19: The pandemic, the environment, and the way ahead

AMBIO, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 50(4), P. 767 - 781

Published: Jan. 16, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought profound social, political, economic, and environmental challenges to the world. virus may have emerged from wildlife reservoirs linked disruption, was transmitted humans via trade, its spread facilitated by economic globalization. arrived at a time when wildfires, high temperatures, floods, storms amplified human suffering. These call for powerful response that addresses social development, climate change, biodiversity together, offering an opportunity bring transformational change structure functioning of global economy. This biodefense can include "One Health" approach in all relevant sectors; greener agriculture minimizes greenhouse gas emissions leads healthier diets; sustainable forms energy; more effective international agreements; post-COVID development is equitable sustainable; nature-compatible trade. Restoring enhancing protected areas as part devoting 50% planet's land environmentally sound management conserves would also support adaptation limit contact with zoonotic pathogens. essential links between health well-being, biodiversity, could inspire new generation innovators provide green solutions enable live healthy balance nature leading long-term resilient future.

Language: Английский

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The critically endangered vaquita is not doomed to extinction by inbreeding depression

Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 376(6593), P. 635 - 639

Published: May 5, 2022

In cases of severe wildlife population decline, a key question is whether recovery efforts will be impeded by genetic factors, such as inbreeding depression. Decades excess mortality from gillnet fishing have driven Mexico's vaquita porpoise (

Language: Английский

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Deep Learning and Earth Observation to Support the Sustainable Development Goals: Current approaches, open challenges, and future opportunities

IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Magazine, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 10(2), P. 172 - 200

Published: Jan. 14, 2022

The synergistic combination of deep learning (DL) models and Earth observation (EO) promises significant advances to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). New developments a plethora applications are already changing way humanity will face challenges our planet. This article reviews current DL approaches for EO data, along with their toward monitoring achieving SDGs most impacted by rapid development in EO. We systematically review case studies achieve zero hunger, create sustainable cities, deliver tenure security, mitigate adapt climate change, preserve biodiversity. Important societal, economic, environmental implications covered. Exciting times coming when algorithms data can help endeavor address crisis more development.

Language: Английский

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