Global South leadership towards inclusive tropical ecology and conservation

Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 21(1), P. 17 - 24

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Strengthening participation of Global South researchers in tropical ecology and conservation is a target our scientific community, but strategies for fostering increased engagement are mostly directed at North institutions researchers. Whereas such approaches crucial, there unique challenges to addressing diversity, equity inclusion (DEI) within the given its socio-economic, cultural contexts. Sustainable solutions protecting biodiversity tropics depend on leadership communities, therefore DEI improvements paramount field. Here, we propose ten key actions towards equitable international collaborations ecology, which, led by researchers, may improve institutional, national levels. At an institutional level, recommend (1) becoming role models DEI, (2) co-developing research with local stakeholders, (3) promoting transparent funding management favouring scientists. encourage (4) political scientists their countries, (5) improving policies, (6) devising that reaches society. (7) lead direct applications, (8) ensure workloads, (9) procure equal benefits among foreign collaborators. Finally, (10) efforts has most potential worldwide improvements, supporting positive long-lasting changes entire community. Supplementary materials provide this abstract 18 other languages spoken South.

Language: Английский

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Terminology in ecology and evolutionary biology disproportionately harms marginalized groups

PLoS Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 23(1), P. e3002933 - e3002933

Published: Jan. 6, 2025

The discipline of ecology and evolutionary biology (EEB) has long grappled with issues inclusivity representation, particularly for individuals systematically excluded marginalized backgrounds or identities. For example, significant representation disparities still persist that disproportionately affect women gender minorities; Black, Indigenous, People Color (BIPOC); disabilities; people who are LGBTQIA+. Recent calls action have urged the EEB community to directly address inclusion, justice, equity. One aspect this endeavor is examine use EEB’s discipline-specific language terminology, which may potential perpetuate unjust systems isolate groups. Through a mixed-methods survey, we examined how members perceive including they believe it can be harmful terms identified as problematic. Of 795 survey respondents, found almost half agreed there in many from groups responded been harmed by such terminology. Most relate race, ethnicity, immigration; sex gender; geopolitical hierarchies; historical violence. Our findings suggest an urgent need confront critically reassess its By identifying their impacts, our study represents crucial first step toward dismantling deeply rooted exclusionary structures EEB. We encourage individuals, communities, institutions these reevaluate used disciplinary research, teaching mentoring, manuscripts, professional societies. Rectifying current harms will help promote more just inclusive discipline.

Language: Английский

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Wind energy development in Latin America and the Caribbean: Risk assessment for flying vertebrates

Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 112, P. 107798 - 107798

Published: Jan. 8, 2025

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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How to include and recognize the work of ornithologists based in the Neotropics: Fourteen actions forOrnithological Applications,Ornithology, and other global-scope journals

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

Published: Feb. 3, 2023

Abstract Global-scope scientific journals have played an important role in upholding a colonial legacy of north-south inequities ornithology, and they now key to play increasing equity publishing. We explore common barriers faced by ornithologists the Neotropics (Latin America Caribbean) suggest priority actions that Ornithological Applications, Ornithology, other global-scope ornithological can take increase publication research uptake. Among most problems, we identified (1) restrictive (and north-biased) criteria for assessing “importance” “novelty,” (2) high costs Author Pay (Gold) Open Access model, (3) language hegemony, (4) under-representation from on editorial boards as lead authors invited articles, (5) lack attention ethics collaboration citation. recommend adjust their with aim publish all scientifically robust ethically rigorous ornithology submitted first based Neotropics, including negative results articles basic biology; maintain or create options free low-cost publication; offer option submission review process Spanish possibly languages future); representation (especially women those belonging marginalized groups) core teams boards; introduce structured reflexivity statements, which declare how local scientists were involved was promoted resulted manuscript. For these changes be broadly effective long term, across Global South, Indigenous, Brown, Black globally, should roles designing, implementing, effectiveness journal policies programs. Portuguese translations are available supplementary material.

Language: Английский

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Review of Conservation Challenges and Possible Solutions for Grassland Birds of the North American Great Plains

Rangeland Ecology & Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 90, P. 165 - 185

Published: Aug. 1, 2023

North America's grassland birds remain in crisis despite decades of conservation efforts. This review provides an overview factors contributing to these declines, as well strategies and resources available a diversity stakeholders help conserve bird communities with emphasis on the Great Plains—a region global ecological significance habitat stronghold for birds. Grassland declines are driven by historical continuing threats across full annual cycle including loss, agriculture intensification, woody encroachment, disruption fire grazing regimes. More recently, energy development activities, use neonicotinoid pesticides, anthropogenic climate change have emerged additional threats. While numerous often synergistic, possibilities also diverse multifaceted. Land set-aside programs, incentives voluntary practices producers, improved environmental management utility companies, policy regulation can all contribute unique species. We suggest that future research should focus poorly studied aspects cycle, such overwinter survival use, migratory period, which remains completely unexplored many Filling knowledge gaps may facilitate more sophisticated population modeling identify limiting effectively guide investment conservation.

Language: Английский

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More than mortality: Consequences of human activity on migrating birds extend beyond direct mortality

Ornithological Applications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 125(3)

Published: May 29, 2023

Abstract Birds must contend with an array of anthropogenic threats during their migratory journeys. Many migrants are killed due to encounters artificial light, introduced species, pollutants, and other hazards, while survivors these can suffer longer-lasting negative effects. The nonlethal effects on migrating birds less well understood than direct mortality, yet both potentially contribute population declines. For example, building collisions frequently kill birds, but the numbers that survive impaired ability fly, refuel, or navigate destination time is not understood. Though immediately fatal, such injuries lead delayed mortality and, ultimately, reduced lifetime reproductive success. Furthermore, likely encounter multiple journeys, which interact synergistically further reduce fitness. instance, light pollution attracts disorients migrants, increasing likelihood window strikes, surviving may be more vulnerable predation from predators. While considerable attention has focused lethal threats, here, we review eight types migration, interactions, pathways through they exert fitness costs. In doing so, identify knowledge gaps suggest areas for future research. absence information, propose greatest reduction in cumulative impacts hazards will achieved by addressing threat types, like at night, compound impact additional threats. Direct sources recognized as a key driver declines, full understanding human activity include interacting extend beyond immediate en route influence overall migration success

Language: Английский

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Toward a Global Science of Conservation Genomics: Coldspots in Genomic Resources Highlight a Need for Equitable Collaborations and Capacity Building

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 17, 2025

ABSTRACT Advances in genomic sequencing have magnified our understanding of ecological and evolutionary mechanisms relevant to biodiversity conservation. As a result, the field conservation genomics has grown rapidly. Genomic data can be effective guiding decisions by revealing fine‐scale patterns genetic diversity adaptation. Adaptive potential, sometimes referred as is particularly informative for due its inverse relationship with extinction risk. Yet, global coldspots resources impede progress toward goals. We undertook systematic literature review characterise distribution amphibians reptiles relative species richness, IUCN status, predicted change. classify scope available their potential applicability Finally, we examine collaborations studies. Our findings underscore current priorities expanding resources, especially those aimed at predicting adaptive future environmental results also highlight need improved research, resource sharing, capacity building Global South.

Language: Английский

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Eltonian shortfall of Neotropical brood parasitism: untapped records from museums and recent field studies

The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 15

Published: March 20, 2025

Eltonian shortfall (lack of knowledge about species interactions) is one the major limitations biodiversity knowledge. Records from museum egg collections and literature can still provide critical overlooked information on interactions between brood parasites hosts. We synthesize hosts (species known to have reared parasite young successfully) victims that received eggs in their nests) Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis), Giant oryzivorus), Striped Cuckoo (Tapera naevia), based sets deposited at museums, recent field studies Brazil, published records. For Cowbird, we show Barbados Bullfinch (Loxigilla barbadensis), Peruvian Pipit (Anthus peruvianus), Red-cowled Cardinal (Paroaria dominicana) are victims; suggest Piratic Flycatcher (Legatus leucophaius) may be an victim; contribute few records for seven additional two also found a 1905 record parasitism Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) Cuba, which might represent earlier range expansion than known. 1927 Bolivia revealed three victims: Dusky-green Oropendola (Psarocolius atrovirens), Olive bifasciatus), Southern Mountain Cacique (Cacicus chrysonotus). Cuckoo, previously publication 2015 set reinforced Rufous-capped Spinetail (Synallaxis ruficapilla) host. Some were stored more 100 years could been used considered much conservation management strategies.

Language: Английский

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Six-decade research bias towards fancy and familiar bird species

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 292(2044)

Published: April 1, 2025

Human implicit biases towards visually appealing and familiar stimuli are well documented rooted in our brains’ reward systems. For example, humans drawn to charismatic, organisms, but less is known about whether such permeate research choices among biologists, who strive for objectivity. The factors driving effort, as aesthetics, logistics species’ names, poorly understood. We report that, from 1965 2020, nearly half of the variation publication trends 293 North American male passerine near-passerine birds was explained by three subject human bias: aesthetic salience (visual appeal), range size (familiarity) number universities within ranges (accessibility). also demonstrate that endangered featured on journal covers had higher salience, with eponymous names were studied much those not named after humans. Thus, ornithological knowledge, decisions based thereon, heavily skewed fancy, species. This knowledge disparity feeds a cycle public interest, environmental policy, conservation, funding opportunities scientific narratives, shrouding potentially important information proverbial plumage drab, distant, disregarded unintended consequences biologists’ may exacerbate organismal inequalities amid biodiversity declines limit inquiry.

Language: Английский

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