Defaunation impacts on the carbon balance of tropical forests DOI
Jedediah F. Brodie, Carolina Bello, Carine Emer

et al.

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

Published: Oct. 28, 2024

Abstract The urgent need to mitigate and adapt climate change necessitates a comprehensive understanding of carbon cycling dynamics. Traditionally, global cycle models have focused on vegetation, but recent research suggests that animals can play significant role in dynamics under some circumstances, potentially enhancing the effectiveness nature‐based solutions change. However, links between animals, plants, remain unclear. We explored complex interactions defaunation ecosystem Earth's most biodiverse carbon‐rich biome, tropical rainforests. Defaunation patterns seed dispersal, granivory, herbivory ways alter tree species composition and, therefore, forest above‐ belowground. Most studies we reviewed show reduces storage 0−26% Neo‐ Afrotropics, primarily via population declines large‐seeded, animal‐dispersed trees. Asian forests are not predicted experience changes because their high‐carbon trees wind dispersed. Extrapolating these local effects entire ecosystems implies losses ∼1.6 Pg CO 2 equivalent across Brazilian Atlantic Forest 4−9.2 Amazon over 100 years ∼14.7−26.3 Congo basin 250 years. In addition being hard quantify with precision, highly context dependent; outcomes varied based balance antagonist mutualist interactions, abiotic conditions, human pressure, numerous other factors. A combination experiments, large‐scale comparative studies, mechanistic could help disentangle from anthropogenic forces face incredible complexity systems. Overall, our synthesis emphasizes importance of—and inconsistent results when—integrating animal into models, which is crucial for developing mitigation strategies effective policies.

Language: Английский

Defaunation impacts on the carbon balance of tropical forests DOI
Jedediah F. Brodie, Carolina Bello, Carine Emer

et al.

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

Published: Oct. 28, 2024

Abstract The urgent need to mitigate and adapt climate change necessitates a comprehensive understanding of carbon cycling dynamics. Traditionally, global cycle models have focused on vegetation, but recent research suggests that animals can play significant role in dynamics under some circumstances, potentially enhancing the effectiveness nature‐based solutions change. However, links between animals, plants, remain unclear. We explored complex interactions defaunation ecosystem Earth's most biodiverse carbon‐rich biome, tropical rainforests. Defaunation patterns seed dispersal, granivory, herbivory ways alter tree species composition and, therefore, forest above‐ belowground. Most studies we reviewed show reduces storage 0−26% Neo‐ Afrotropics, primarily via population declines large‐seeded, animal‐dispersed trees. Asian forests are not predicted experience changes because their high‐carbon trees wind dispersed. Extrapolating these local effects entire ecosystems implies losses ∼1.6 Pg CO 2 equivalent across Brazilian Atlantic Forest 4−9.2 Amazon over 100 years ∼14.7−26.3 Congo basin 250 years. In addition being hard quantify with precision, highly context dependent; outcomes varied based balance antagonist mutualist interactions, abiotic conditions, human pressure, numerous other factors. A combination experiments, large‐scale comparative studies, mechanistic could help disentangle from anthropogenic forces face incredible complexity systems. Overall, our synthesis emphasizes importance of—and inconsistent results when—integrating animal into models, which is crucial for developing mitigation strategies effective policies.

Language: Английский

Citations

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