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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A focus on females can improve science and conservation

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

Published: Jan. 5, 2025

As a field, ecology has historically misunderstood or overlooked female organisms, assumed that they are ‘similar enough’ to males. The typical unit of study for research stops at the species level, but can be too coarse and obscure important intraspecific differences. Projecting results studies based on only half population (i.e. males) onto females misleading, if not dangerous, as birds differ from males in key aspects their biology. Birds widespread sexed more often than most other taxa; yet although it uses them model current ornithological is disproportionately male birds. We review some fields pertinent conservation highlight biases gaps. find that, counter ‘traditional’ assumptions, reproductive roles balanced between sexes across many, all, species. In addition, sing, tend dispersive males, have lower survival, use different habitats – which implications may affected by climate change differently. call ornithologists separately because lack attention these differences real‐world implications. Potential solutions include training observers recognize traits, using field methods increase detection (e.g. catching during migration season, DNA determine sex), broadening geographical regions recruiting diverse group scientists help equalize research.

Language: Английский

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Are tropical oceanic islands overlooked? Knowledge gaps regarding the vulnerability of amphibians to global anthropogenic threats

Oryx, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 10

Published: Jan. 23, 2025

Abstract Climate and land-use changes are major threats to amphibian conservation. However, amphibians on tropical oceanic islands appear have been overlooked with regards their vulnerability global anthropogenic threats. Here we examine whether there gaps in research evaluating the of island climate changes. We carried out a systematic review literature experimental studies published during 1 July 1998–30 June 2022, evaluate knowledge relation geographical scope, taxonomic representation, life stage assessment, factors affecting how species populations respond these factors. Of 327 articles change 451 change, only 18 was islands, anurans, < 20% authors were affiliated an institution. These five range families stages assessed limited. also found uneven into responses; analyses involving effect temperature expansion or contraction most common, few effects salinity. The scarcity unevenness from limit our understanding amphibians. discuss potential reasons for recommend ways address them, such as more equitable distribution resources provision training opportunities island-based biologists.

Language: Английский

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Pesticides and veterinary pharmaceuticals in neotropical avian carnivores: A scoping review

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 967, P. 178795 - 178795

Published: Feb. 12, 2025

Language: Английский

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