Neotropical ornithology: Reckoning with historical assumptions, removing systemic barriers, and reimagining the future

Ornithological Applications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 125(1)

Published: Feb. 3, 2023

Abstract A major barrier to advancing ornithology is the systemic exclusion of professionals from Global South. recent special feature, Advances in Neotropical Ornithology, and a shortfalls analysis therein, unintentionally followed long-standing pattern highlighting individuals, knowledge, views North, while largely omitting perspectives people based within Neotropics. Here, we review current strengths opportunities practice ornithology. Further, discuss problems with assessing state through northern lens, including discovery narratives, incomplete (and biased) understanding history advances, promotion agendas that, currently popular north, may not fit needs realities research. We argue that future advances will critically depend on identifying addressing barriers hold back ornithologists who live work Neotropics: unreliable limited funding, international research leadership, restricted dissemination knowledge (e.g., language hegemony citation bias), logistical barriers. Moving forward, must examine acknowledge colonial roots our discipline, explicitly promote anti-colonial for research, training, conservation. invite colleagues beyond Neotropics join us creating new models governance establish priorities vigorous participation communities region. To include diversity perspectives, systemically address discrimination bias rooted socioeconomic class system, anti-Blackness, anti-Brownness, anti-Indigeneity, misogyny, homophobia, tokenism, ableism. Instead seeking individual excellence rewarding top-down institutions North South can collective leadership. In adopting these approaches, we, ornithologists, community researchers across academia building paradigms reconcile relationships transform science. Spanish Portuguese translations are available Supplementary Material.

Language: Английский

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Current methods and future directions in avian diet analysis

Ornithology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 139(1)

Published: Dec. 3, 2021

Abstract Identifying the composition of avian diets is a critical step in characterizing roles birds within ecosystems. However, because are diverse taxonomic group with equally dietary habits, gaining an accurate and thorough understanding diet can be difficult. In addition to overcoming inherent difficulties studying birds, field advancing rapidly, researchers challenged myriad methods study diet, task that has only become more difficult introduction laboratory techniques studies. Because methodology drives inference, it important aware capabilities limitations each method ensure results their interpreted correctly. few reviews exist which detail traditional used studies, even fewer framing these through bird-specific lens. Here, we discuss strengths morphological prey identification, DNA-based techniques, stable isotope analysis, tracing biomolecules throughout food webs. We identify areas improvement for method, provide instances combination yield most comprehensive findings, introduce potential avenues combining from technique unified framework, present recommendations future focus research.

Language: Английский

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Biological knowledge shortfalls impede conservation efforts in poorly studied taxa—A case study of Laboulbeniomycetes

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 51(1), P. 29 - 39

Published: Sept. 23, 2023

Abstract Most empirical research on biological shortfalls has focused vertebrate taxa. This is important given many species in poorly studied groups such as invertebrates, plants, and fungi are predicted to possess high conservation risk. Here, we focus Laboulbeniomycetes: a class of microfungi that understudied. We examined four shortfalls: Linnean (knowledge gaps diversity), Wallacean distributions), Latimerian persistence), the newly introduced Scottian assessments) shortfalls. The shortfall Laboulbeniomycetes hard predict due inconsistent description rates. Analysis distribution patterns indicates likely experience an extremely shortfall, with having highly disjunct known distributions. analysis shows over half (51%) have not been recorded >50 years, while group collective 100%, none 2454 described received IUCN threat assessment. suggest continued study natural history collections, expanded citizen science programmes, machine‐learning identification approaches tools for reducing knowledge both taxa more generally.

Language: Английский

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Using surrogate species and MaxEnt modeling to prioritize areas for conservation of a páramo bird community in a tropical high Andean biosphere reserve

Arctic Antarctic and Alpine Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 56(1)

Published: Jan. 22, 2024

The páramo grassland ecosystem in the high Andes requires definition of spatially explicit and large-scale priorities for bird conservation, especially lands outside protected areas. Using surrogate species such as habitat specialists (e.g., specialists), endemic species, or threatened to identify potential can support conservation decisions. We used MaxEnt generate suitability models eighteen a Andean biosphere reserve, Macizo del Cajas (MCB). areas estimated suitable range from 115,500 312,700 ha; proportion predicted inside national system MCB ranged 12 29 percent. consolidated map (i.e., coincidence pixels all species) an area 94,800 ha, with 70 percent reveal that there are large potentially occupied by these areas, along eastern flank study area. proxy facilitate recognition locations possible páramo-specialized birds therefore should be considered more formal protection.

Language: Английский

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Nest traits for the world's birds

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 33(2), P. 206 - 214

Published: Nov. 27, 2023

Abstract Motivation A well‐constructed nest is a key element of successful reproduction in most species birds, and morphology varies widely across the class. Macroecological macroevolutionary studies tend to group design into small number discrete categories, often based on taxonomic inference. In reality, however, many display considerable intraspecific variation their nest‐building behaviour, broad‐level categories may include several functionally distinct types. To address this imprecision literature facilitate future broad‐scale avian parental care, we here introduce detailed, global comparative database building together with preliminary correlations between these traits species‐level environmental variables. Main types variables contained We present data for structure, location, height, material composition, sex builder, time dimensions. Spatial location grain Global. Maps are presented at 1 0 × level. Time period Included generally extant, although some recently extinct taxa. The were collected 2017–2021 was drawn from secondary sources published 1992–2021. Major taxa level measurement Partial or complete trait 8601 representing 36 orders 239 243 families. Software format Data have been uploaded as Supplementary Material .csv separated by source all (Dataset , Metadata) well summarized major structure Metadata).

Language: Английский

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Distinct taxonomic practices impact patterns of bird endemism in the South American Cerrado savannas

Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 2, 2024

Abstract Identifying endemic species and the areas of endemism delimited by them is central to biogeography. However, impact distinct taxonomic approaches on these patterns often neglected. We investigated how three different bird in Cerrado. The first two (at subspecies levels) were based traditional taxonomy biological concept. third approach was a revised alternative that sought identify evolutionarily significant units (ESUs). In this approach, after identifying taxa using taxonomy, we their validity, removing biologically meaningless entities. then detected under approaches. found at level underestimated ignoring some ESUs considered subspecies. contrast, overestimated endemism, leading recognition spurious because several purported artefacts. provided more refined picture avian Cerrado, suggesting use improves results biogeographical analysis.

Language: Английский

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Shortfalls in tracking data available to inform North American migratory bird conservation

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 286, P. 110224 - 110224

Published: Sept. 4, 2023

Animal tracking has become an effective way to identify where and when migratory species encounter threats throughout their annual cycle. Yet, untracked or poorly tracked undiscoverable inaccessible data for the that have been mean gaps in knowledge of occur are still issue conservation. These movements termed "movement shortfall". Here, we quantify movement shortfall North American birds by comprehensively reviewing full cycle identifying biases how, where, what with electronic devices. We found 30 which is not feasible given body size constraints, no 291 trackable species, restricted reduced accessibility additional 59 species. Thus, despite ability track most remains a constraint informing conservation strategies 56 % bird The number increases 65 considering accessibility, further limiting access this information. Moreover, 23 stems from low precision technologies reducing implementation effectiveness actions. A lack population hinders management decisions, ultimately making inefficient use resources. encourage researchers consider these decisions about future efforts, management, archiving practices.

Language: Английский

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Dancing around a fire: unveiling the territorial strategy of ochre-breasted pipits Anthus nattereri, with insights on their habitat use

Ornithology Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 33(1)

Published: Jan. 7, 2025

Language: Английский

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Harnessing artificial intelligence to fill global shortfalls in biodiversity knowledge

Published: Feb. 20, 2025

Language: Английский

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The challenges and potential of geogenomics for biogeography and conservation in Amazonia

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 49(10), P. 1839 - 1847

Published: July 4, 2022

Abstract Amazonia has a very high, although still incompletely known, species diversity distributed over mosaic of heterogeneous habitats that are also poorly characterized. As result this multi‐faceted complexity, poses great challenge to geogenomic approaches strive find causal links between Earth's geological history and biotic diversification, including the use genomic data solve geologic problems. This is even greater because need for interdisciplinary despite difficulties working across disciplines, where misinterpretations literature in disparate research fields can produce unrealistic scenarios biotic‐geologic linkages. The exchange information joint work geologists biologists essential building stronger more realistic hypotheses about how past climate may have affected distribution connectivity among populations, evolution drainage networks influenced ecological traits interactions currently define spatial organization biodiversity, thus changed change future. heterogeneity different effects historical processes its distinct regions ecosystems be completely recognized biogeography, conservation; policymaking. In perspective, we provide examples geological, climatological; relevant studies diversification Amazonia, recent advances (and their limitations) not apparent researchers other fields. three examples, which include limitations model outputs, complicated river drainages; complex link modulated by specialization, small subsample intended illustrate urgency integrated approaches.

Language: Английский

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