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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Global priorities for developing higher education capacity in biodiversity conservation

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 308, P. 111221 - 111221

Published: May 8, 2025

Language: Английский

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Mercury in Neotropical birds: a synthesis and prospectus on 13 years of exposure data

Ecotoxicology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 32(8), P. 1096 - 1123

Published: Oct. 1, 2023

Environmental mercury (Hg) contamination of the global tropics outpaces our understanding its consequences for biodiversity. Knowledge gaps pollution exposure could obscure conservation threats in Neotropics: a region that supports over half world's species, but faces ongoing land-use change and Hg emission via artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM). Due to their distribution sensitivity pollution, birds provide valuable opportunity as bioindicators assess how accelerating emissions impact an ecosystem's ability support biodiversity, ultimately, health. We present largest database on Neotropical bird concentrations (n = 2316) establish baselines 322 species spanning nine countries across Central America, South West Indies. Patterns avian Neotropics broadly align with those temperate regions: consistent bioaccumulation functional groups high spatiotemporal variation. Bird occupying higher trophic positions aquatic habitats exhibited elevated have been previously associated reductions reproductive success. Notably, were four times at sites impacted by ASGM activities differed season certain niches. developed this synthesis collaborative research network, Tropical Research Avian Conservation Ecotoxicology (TRACE) Initiative, which exemplifies inclusive, equitable, international data-sharing. While findings signal urgent need sampling biases, mechanisms, tropical communities, TRACE Initiative provides meaningful framework achieve such goals. Ultimately, collective efforts inform local, scientific, government entities, including Parties United Nations Minamata Convention Mercury, we continue working together understand impacts biodiversity conservation, ecosystem function, public health tropics.

Language: Английский

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Secondary Amazon rainforest partially recovers tree cavities suitable for nesting birds in 18–34 years

Ornithological Applications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 126(3)

Published: Feb. 17, 2024

Abstract Passive restoration of secondary forests can partially offset loss biodiversity following tropical deforestation. Tree cavities, an essential resource for cavity-nesting birds, are usually associated with old forest. We investigated the time tree cavities suitable birds in forest at Biological Dynamics Forest Fragments Project (BDFFP) central Amazonian Brazil. hypothesized that cavity abundance would increase age, but more rapidly areas exposed to cutting only, compared where was cut and burned. also be lower, smaller, less variable than old-growth forest, which BDFFP is part a vast lowland no recent history human disturbance. used pole-mounted cameras tree-climbing survey 39 plots (each 200 × 40 m) across 11–34-year-old forests. generalized linear models examine how supply related age land-use (cut only vs cut-and-burn), principal components analysis compare characteristics between Cavity availability increased regardless history, oldest (31–34 years) still had fewer (mean ± SE = 9.8 2.2 ha–1) (20.5 4.2 ha–1). Moreover, lacked were high deep, large entrances—characteristics likely important many species birds. Several decades may necessary restore forests, especially largest (e.g., forest-falcons parrots > 190 g). Retention legacy trees as cleared might help maintain could allow earlier recolonization by some when abandoned. A Portuguese version this article available Supplementary Material 1.

Language: Английский

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Strategies for advancing inclusive biodiversity research through equitable practices and collective responsibility

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 38(6)

Published: Aug. 6, 2024

Abstract Biodiversity research is essential for addressing the global biodiversity crisis, necessitating diverse participation and perspectives of researchers from a wide range backgrounds. However, conservation faces significant inclusivity problem because local expertise biodiversity‐rich but economically disadvantaged regions often underrepresented. This underrepresentation driven by linguistic bias, undervalued contributions, parachute science practices, capacity constraints. Although fragmented solutions exist, unified multistakeholder approach needed to address interconnected systemic issues. We devised holistic framework collective responsibility across all participants tailored strategies that embrace diversity dismantle barriers equitable collaboration. delineates actors practices required promoting in research, assigning clear responsibilities researchers, publishers, institutions, funding bodies. Strategies include cultivating self‐awareness, expanding literature searches, fostering partnerships with experts, knowledge exchange. For we recommend establishing specialized liaison roles, implementing policies, allocating resources initiatives, enhancing support international researchers. Publishers can facilitate multilingual dissemination, remove financial barriers, establish standards, ensure representation peer review. Funders must strengthen networks, prioritize resource allocation. Implementing these stakeholder‐specific help deep‐rooted biases structural inequities catalyzing shift toward more inclusive representative model amplifies maximizes effective conservation.

Language: Английский

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A Latitudinal Gradient of Reference Genomes

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 14, 2024

ABSTRACT Global inequality rooted in legacies of colonialism and uneven development can lead to systematic biases scientific knowledge. In ecology evolutionary biology, findings, funding research effort are disproportionately concentrated at high latitudes, while biological diversity is low latitudes. This discrepancy may have a particular influence fields like phylogeography, molecular conservation genetics, where the rise genomics has increased cost technical expertise required apply state‐of‐the‐art methods. Here, we ask whether fundamental biogeographic pattern—the latitudinal gradient species richness tetrapods—is reflected available reference genomes, an important data resource for various applications tools biodiversity conservation. We also sequencing approaches differ between South North, reviewing last 5 years genetics four leading journals. find that extant genomes scarce relative latitudes reduced representation whole‐genome applied taxa North. conclude with recommendations close this gap improve international collaborations genomics.

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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Distribution, Nesting Records, and Notes on the Ecology of the White-Throated Caracara (Phalcoboenus albogularis)

Journal of Raptor Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 58(2)

Published: April 23, 2024

Endemic to Patagonia, the White-throated Caracara (Phalcoboenus albogularis) is one of least studied caracara species, with several aspects its ecology, such as breeding biology and diet, largely unexplored. Using citizen science records opportunistic observations, we obtained data on biology, nest sites, diet species in Chile Argentina. Nests were rocky outcrops cliffs, corroborated others' observations that this feeds live prey well carrion. The species' nesting season apparently begins September ends March, some regional variation. modal brood size two, many nests are used across multiple years. data, created first distribution models for Caracara, winter season. predominantly occupies highland plateaus western Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, Andes Range from around 40° south southern Tierra del Fuego. indicate a mostly consistent without significant latitudinal changes between seasons and, apparently, only limited transition lower-elevation areas east winter. In both seasons, associated primarily barren Andean sub-Andean herbaceous steppe—all open environments—rather than forested has been thought previously. This study provides new knowledge endemic yet remains poorly known raptor South America. Additional on-the-ground field research would likely produce benefits when addressing species-related conservation issues.

Language: Английский

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