The global human impact on biodiversity

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

Published: March 26, 2025

Abstract Human activities drive a wide range of environmental pressures, including habitat change, pollution and climate resulting in unprecedented effects on biodiversity 1,2 . However, despite decades research, generalizations the dimensions extent human impacts remain ambiguous. Mixed views persist trajectory at local scale 3 even more so biotic homogenization across space 4,5 We compiled 2,133 publications covering 97,783 impacted reference sites, creating an unparallelled dataset 3,667 independent comparisons all main organismal groups, habitats five most predominant pressures 1,6 For comparisons, we quantified three key measures to assess how these shifts composition biological communities changes diversity, respectively. show that distinctly shift community decrease diversity terrestrial, freshwater marine ecosystems. Yet, contrary long-standing expectations, there is no clear general communities. Critically, direction magnitude vary organisms scales which they are studied. Our exhaustive global analysis reveals impact mediating factors can benchmark conservation strategies.

Language: Английский

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Economic factors underlying biodiversity loss

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 378(1881)

Published: May 29, 2023

Contemporary economic thinking does not acknowledge that the human economy is embedded in Nature; it instead treats humanity as a customer draws on Nature. In this paper, we present grammar for reasoning built error. The based comparison between our demand Nature's maintenance and regulating services her ability to supply them sustainable basis. then used show measuring well-being, national statistical offices should estimate an inclusive measure of their economies' wealth its distribution, GDP distribution. concept 'inclusive wealth' identify policy instruments ought be manage such global public goods open seas tropical rainforests. Trade liberalization without heed paid fate local ecosystems from which primary products are drawn exported by developing countries leads transfer there rich importing countries. Humanity's embeddedness Nature has far-reaching implications way view activities-in households, communities, nations world. This article part theme issue 'Detecting attributing causes biodiversity change: needs, gaps solutions'.

Language: Английский

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A concept for international societally relevant microbiology education and microbiology knowledge promulgation in society

Microbial Biotechnology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 17(5)

Published: May 1, 2024

Executive summary Microbes are all pervasive in their distribution and influence on the functioning well‐being of humans, life general planet. Microbially‐based technologies contribute hugely to supply important goods services we depend upon, such as provision food, medicines clean water. They also offer mechanisms strategies mitigate solve a wide range problems crises facing humanity at levels, including those encapsulated sustainable development goals (SDGs) formulated by United Nations. For example, microbial can multiple ways decarbonisation hence confronting global warming, provide sanitation water billions people lacking them, improve soil fertility food production develop vaccines other reduce some cases eliminate deadly infections. foundation biotechnology, an increasingly growing business sector source employment, centre bioeconomy , Green Deal etc. But, because microbes largely invisible, they not familiar most people, so opportunities effectively prevent often missed decision‐makers, with negative consequences this entrains. To correct lack vital knowledge, International Microbiology Literacy Initiative–the IMiLI–is recruiting from microbiology community making freely available, teaching resources for curriculum societally relevant that be used levels learning. Its goal is society literate and, consequence, able take full advantage potential minimise activities. In addition about microbes, almost every lesson discusses have sustainability SDGs ability pressing societal inequalities. The thus teaches sustainability, needs citizenship. lessons reveal impacts activities our daily lives personal, family, community, national relevance decisions levels. And, effective, evidence‐based require only information but critical systems thinking, teach these key generic aspects deliberation. IMiLI learner‐centric, academic microbiology‐centric deal everyday issues. These span topics diverse owning caring companion animal, vast foods produced via processes, impressive geological formations created childhood illnesses how managed waste pollution. leverage exceptional excitement exploration discovery typifies much progress capture interest, inspire motivate educators learners alike. establishing Regional Centres translate into regional languages adapt them cultures, promote use assist employing them. Two now operational. constitute interface between resource creators educators–learners. As such, will collect analyse feedback end‐users transmit materials improved refined, new added response demand: thereby directly involved evolution resources. interactions educators–learners mediated establish dynamic synergistic relationships–a education ecosystem–in which become learners, optimised players/stakeholders empowered motivation increased. concept embraces principle embedded wider context societal, biosphere planetary needs, inequalities, confront us need decisioning, should ultimately lead better citizenship more resilient. Abstract planet Earth world: reactor countless microbially driven chemical transformations energy transfers push pull many geochemical cycling elements life, or amplify climate change (e.g., Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2019, 17, 569) impact organisms, humans. both ancestors chemistry allowed evolve Life's engines: How made earth habitable, 2023). understand functions, humans its live sustainably organisms sharing it, microbes. recent editorial (Environmental 21, 1513), advocated literacy society. Our based knowledge subject microbiology, multitude component topics, plus number additional disciplines vitally current microbiology. Rather it focused us–individuals/communities/nations/the human world–and reaching informed issues regularly us, ranging personal importance. words, understanding essential adulthood transition must acquired early school. 2019 Editorial marked launch Initiative, IMiLI. Here, present may achieved rationale underpinning it; type being realise framing treated responsibilities decision‐making; role local languages, according cultural serve hubs networks. featuring learner‐centric been selected inherent relevance, interest excite engage. Importantly, coherently integrate emphasise overarching stewardship thinking interdependencies processes. More broadly, emphasises multifarious applications leveraged human/animal, plant, environmental health, social equity, alleviate humanitarian deficits causes conflicts among peoples increase (Microbial Biotechnology, 2023, 16(6), 1091–1111). although primary target available (CC BY‐NC 4.0) schoolchildren educators, philosophy intended ages, abilities spectra worldwide: university education, lifelong learning, curiosity‐driven, web‐based acquisition public outreach. aim ecosystem democratises knowledge.

Language: Английский

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Towards a standardized framework for AI-assisted, image-based monitoring of nocturnal insects

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 379(1904)

Published: May 5, 2024

Automated sensors have potential to standardize and expand the monitoring of insects across globe. As one most scalable fastest developing sensor technologies, we describe a framework for automated, image-based nocturnal insects—from development field deployment workflows data processing publishing. Sensors comprise light attract insects, camera collecting images computer scheduling, storage processing. Metadata is important sampling schedules that balance capture relevant ecological information against power limitations. Large volumes from automated systems necessitate effective We vision approaches detection, tracking classification including models built existing aggregations labelled insect images. Data account inherent biases. advocate explicitly correct bias in species occurrence or abundance estimates resulting imperfect detection individuals present during occasions. propose ten priorities towards step-change vital task face rapid biodiversity loss global threats. This article part theme issue ‘Towards toolkit monitoring’.

Language: Английский

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Data synthesis for biodiversity science: a database on plant diversity of the Indian Himalayan Region

Biodiversity and Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 23, 2024

Language: Английский

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Global monitoring for biodiversity: Uncertainty, risk, and power analyses to support trend change detection

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 10(7)

Published: Feb. 16, 2024

Global targets aim to reverse biodiversity declines by 2050 but require knowledge of current trends and future projections under policy intervention. First, given uncertainty in measurement trends, we propose a risk framework, considering probability magnitude decline. While only 11 198 systems analyzed (taxonomic groups country from the Living Planet Database) showed declining abundance with high certainty, 20% had 70% chance strong declines. Society needs decide acceptable risks loss. Second, calculated statistical power detect trend change using ~12,000 populations 62 currently showing Current hinders our ability assess improvements. Trend is detectable certainty 14 systems, even if thousands are sampled, conservation action reduces net zero immediately, on average. We provide potential solutions improve monitoring progress toward targets.

Language: Английский

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Metrics in biodiversity conservation and the value-free ideal

Synthese, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 203(5)

Published: April 27, 2024

Abstract This paper examines one aspect of the legacy Value-Free Ideal in conservation science: view that measurements and metrics are value-free epistemic tools detached from ideological, ethical, social, and, generally, non-epistemic considerations. Contrary to this view, I will argue traditional measurement practices entrenched fact permeated with values. challenge received by revealing three assumptions underlying metrics: (1) a human-environment demarcation, (2) desirability people-free landscape, (3) exclusion cultural diversity biodiversity. also draw connection between arguments for retaining “scientific colonialism,” exemplified fortress model. conclude advocating abandoning myth intrinsic value-freedom embracing aligned societal scientific goals.

Language: Английский

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Detecting and attributing the causes of biodiversity change: needs, gaps and solutions

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 378(1881)

Published: May 29, 2023

This issue addresses the multifaceted problems of understanding biodiversity change to meet emerging international development and conservation goals, national economic accounting diverse community needs. Recent agreements highlight need establish monitoring assessment programmes at regional levels. We identify an opportunity for research develop methods robust detection attribution that will contribute assessments guide action. The 16 contributions this address six major aspects assessment: connecting policy science, establishing observation, improving statistical estimation, detecting change, attributing causes projecting future. These studies are led by experts in Indigenous studies, economics, ecology, conservation, statistics, computer with representations from Asia, Africa, South America, North America Europe. results place science context needs provide updated roadmap how observe a way supports action via science. article is part theme ‘Detecting change: needs, gaps solutions’

Language: Английский

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Climate‐driven shifts in the diversity of plants in the Neotropical seasonally dry forest: Evaluating the effectiveness of protected areas

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 30(4)

Published: April 1, 2024

Abstract Given the current environmental crisis, biodiversity protection is one of most urgent socio‐environmental priorities. However, effectiveness protected areas (PAs), primary strategy for safeguarding ecosystems, challenged by global climate change (GCC), with evidence showing that species are shifting their distributions into new areas, causing novel assemblages. Therefore, there a need to evaluate PAs' present and future under GCC. Here, we analyzed changes in spatiotemporal patterns taxonomic phylogenetic diversity (PD) plants associated Neotropical seasonally dry forest (NSDF) GCC scenarios. We modeled climatic niche over 1000 plant five representative families (in terms abundance, dominance, endemism) NSDF. predicted potential years (2040, 2060, 2080) based on an intermediate scenario shared socio‐economic pathways (SSP 3.70), allowing disperse sites or constrained distribution. Then, tested if PAs network represents diversities. Our results suggest could promote assemblages local responses (communities' modifications) across biome. In general, models losses diversities all distribution northern floristic groups (i.e., Antilles Mesoamerica) NSDF, PD will be stable projections. contrast, NSDF South America, some cores lose while others gain regions appeared insufficient protect diversity. Thus, assess how PA system better reconfigured warrant

Language: Английский

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Species richness in the Northeast US Continental Shelf ecosystem: Climate-driven trends and perturbations

PLOS Climate, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 4(1), P. e0000557 - e0000557

Published: Jan. 3, 2025

Climate change modifies the abundance and distribution of marine species, which can reshape patterns species richness. The Northeast US Continental Shelf (NES) is a mid-latitude ecosystem experiencing changes in its physical environment biota; these involve both lower upper trophic level organisms. In this study, richness fish macroinvertebrates was examined based on trawl survey data. Using constrained subset strata comprising overall design, we observed some 451 over period 1968–2022. Species consistently higher autumn versus spring survey. This seasonal difference mainly due to contrast vertebrate taxa as invertebrate similar between seasons. Significant trends were found when considering all surveys. rate reflected an increase 10.8 per decade 16.5 autumn. enhanced taxonomic functional groups that examined, likely resulted from longer summering phases by migratory range shifts northward multiple response greater summer temperatures duration. NES positively correlated with temperature study period; however, also biomass, suggesting not limited redistribution alone. We expect continue increase, especially autumn, but contractions further community restructuring could lead declines northern end NES.

Language: Английский

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