Transnational conservation to anticipate future plant shifts in Europe

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 8(3), P. 454 - 466

Published: Jan. 22, 2024

Abstract To meet the COP15 biodiversity framework in European Union (EU), one target is to protect 30% of its land by 2030 through a resilient transnational conservation network. The Alps are key hub this network hosting some most extensive natural areas and hotspots Europe. Here we assess robustness current reserve safeguard Alps’ flora 2080 using semi-mechanistic simulations. We first highlight that needs strong readjustments as it does not capture patterns well our Overall, predict shift need time along latitudes, from lower higher elevations plants migrate upslope shrink their distribution. While increasing species, trait evolutionary diversity, migration could also threaten 70% resident flora. In face global changes, future will ensure elevation latitudinal connections complementarily multifaceted beyond national borders.

Language: Английский

---

Current state of plant conservation translocations across Europe: motivations, challenges and outcomes

Biodiversity and Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 22, 2025

Language: Английский

---

Bringing traits back into the equation: A roadmap to understand species redistribution

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

Published: April 1, 2024

Abstract Ecological and evolutionary theories have proposed that species traits should be important in mediating responses to contemporary climate change; yet, empirical evidence has so far provided mixed for the role of behavioral, life history, or ecological characteristics facilitating hindering range shifts. As such, utility trait‐based approaches predict redistribution under change been called into question. We develop perspective, supported by evidence, trait variation, if used carefully can high potential utility, but past analyses many cases failed identify an explanatory value not fully embracing complexity First, we discuss relevant theory linking shift processes at leading (expansion) trailing (contraction) edges distributions highlight need clarify mechanistic basis approaches. Second, provide a brief overview shift–trait studies new opportunities integration consider range‐specific intraspecific variability. Third, explore circumstances which environmental biotic context dependencies are likely affect our ability contribution processes. Finally, propose revealing shaping may require accounting methodological variation arising from estimation process as well addressing existing functional, geographical, phylogenetic biases. series considerations more effectively integrating extrinsic factors research. Together, these analytical promise stronger predictive understanding help society mitigate adapt effects on biodiversity.

Language: Английский

---

FloraVeg.EU — An online database of European vegetation, habitats and flora

Applied Vegetation Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(3)

Published: July 1, 2024

Abstract This article describes FloraVeg.EU, a new online database with open‐access information on European vegetation units (phytosociological syntaxa), vegetated habitats, and plant taxa. It consists of three modules. (1) The Vegetation module includes 149 phytosociological classes, 378 orders 1305 alliances an updated version the EuroVegChecklist modified based decisions Classification Committee. dominated by vascular plants are characterized country‐based distribution maps data dominant life forms, phenology, soil properties, relationships to regions, elevational belts azonal successional status, degree naturalness. A list diagnostic taxa is also provided for each class. (2) Habitats vascular‐plant‐dominated terrestrial, freshwater, marine habitat types from first third or fourth highest hierarchical levels EUNIS classification. Of these, 249 habitats brief description, point‐based map, diagnostic, constant, taxa, corresponding alliances. (3) Species provides 37 characteristics species some infrageneric infraspecific including functional traits (habitus growth type, leaf, flower, fruit seed traits, trophic mode), taxon origin (native vs alien), ecological (environmental relationships, Ellenberg‐type indicator values, disturbance types). Values at least variables available 36,404 species. Individual units, in these modules illustrated more than 34,000 photographs. Download section FloraVeg.EU sets spreadsheet format that can be used analyses. resource easily accessible research science, ecology, biogeography, as well education conservation applications.

Language: Английский

---

Overlooked seed‐dispersal modes and underestimated distances

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 33(6)

Published: March 26, 2024

Abstract Long‐distance seed dispersal is a crucial process determining the distribution of plant biodiversity and, therefore, major interest in biogeography and macroecology. A recent data article on Global Ecology Biogeography presented database estimated seed‐dispersal distance classes for European flora, where are defined by morphological syndrome species associated with single mode. We explain how this overlooks literature unreliable capacity syndromes predicting key modes involved long‐distance dispersal. Consequently, published does not consider possibility that individual can naturally be dispersed through multiple (polychory). Most importantly, consistently omits mediate distances several orders magnitude longer than mode predicted syndromes. This case many terrestrial aquatic plants animals, notably ungulates waterbirds, coastal sea. thus urge caution when using to model potential because underestimated species.

Language: Английский

---

Big rodents disperse small seeds and spores in Neotropical wetlands

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 112(8), P. 1743 - 1757

Published: June 12, 2024

Abstract The role of large frugivores in the dispersal tropical trees has been well‐studied, whereas importance world's largest rodents for plant previously ignored. We studied by gut passage (endozoochory) Neotropical wetlands extant rodent, capybara Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris . compared it with another 10 rodents, nutria or coypu Myocastor coypus collected 96 faecal samples (50 capybara, 46 nutria) from sites within Taim Ramsar site southern Brazil, and extracted intact propagules g subsamples. Propagules 27 taxa (24 angiosperms, three aquatic ferns) were recovered, representing 13 families. Whole Spirodela (duckweed) plants dispersed. Seeds 14 angiosperm germinated laboratory. Taxonomic composition was significantly different two mammals, but propagule size not. Capybara dispersed more terrestrial per sample, nutrias propagules. When total production taken into account, an estimated 1025 (including 133 fern spores) each day, 691 566 spores). Capybaras have larger home ranges likely over a greater distance. Synthesis : This is first demonstration that disperse pteridophytes as well flowering plants. Our results suggest capybaras play important, complementary roles dispersing variety species wetlands. study indicates herbivorous mammals vectors small seeds non‐fleshy fruits overlooked neotropics defaunation herbivores can negative consequences, manner similar to highlighted frugivores.

Language: Английский

---

A novel high-resolution eco-functional vegetation mapping of coastal dunes

Ecological Indicators, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 171, P. 113157 - 113157

Published: Jan. 29, 2025

Language: Английский

---

Secondary Dispersal of Wetland Plants by Neotropical Otters

Freshwater Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 70(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Carnivorous mammals can disperse seeds and other plant propagules through gut passage (endozoochory). Otters are semiaquatic mustelids opportunistic carnivores that prey on various vertebrates, their feeding habits lead to secondary dispersal of propagules. However, this by otters has not previously been investigated. Here, we investigated the internal plants neotropical otters, Lontra longicaudis , in southern Brazil. We collected 31 faecal samples (spraints) from at a Brazilian Ramsar site Pampa biome during wet season 2022. Intact were separated each spraint, identified, germinability tested where possible. The classes vertebrate preyed upon spraint identified. effects these mass taxonomic richness abundance associated with aquatic and/or terrestrial substrates. recorded 1206 belonging 33 taxa (one charophyte, four pteridophytes, 28 angiosperms), representing 18 families including 20 strictly macrophytes. Seeds six angiosperm germinated, low overall germination rate 2%. All spraints contained fish, while 10 also remains reptiles, amphibians, mammals. was positively correlated weight. Propagule depended both weight diversity spraint. Spraints three or larger had most Most likely dispersed “diploendozoochory” involving ingestion first then otters. Neotropical have wide home range, often travelling several kilometres daily, which promote carrying between different habitats. Synthesis: Our results suggest might play an important role wetland plants, notably ferns, potentially contributing maintenance ecosystems. rate, although low, represents opportunities for successful establishment some over longer distances than those provided otter prey, emphasising ecological importance even low‐probability events. This study underlines potential carnivorous maintaining ecosystem connectivity.

Language: Английский

---

Growing at the edge: Modelling sapling colonization, performance, and effective range of mountain birch (Betula pubescens ssp. tortuosa)

Ecological Modelling, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 503, P. 111073 - 111073

Published: March 1, 2025

Language: Английский

---

Rising Temperatures, Falling Leaves: Predicting the Fate of Cyprus’s Endemic Oak under Climate and Land Use Change

Plants, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(8), P. 1109 - 1109

Published: April 16, 2024

Endemic island species face heightened extinction risk from climate-driven shifts, yet standard models often underestimate threat levels for those like Quercus alnifolia, an iconic Cypriot oak with pre-adaptations to aridity. Through distribution modelling, we investigated the potential shifts in its under future climate and land-use change scenarios. Our approach uniquely combines dispersal constraints, detailed soil characteristics, hydrological factors, anticipated erosion data, offering a comprehensive assessment of environmental suitability. We quantified species’ sensitivity, exposure, vulnerability projected changes, conducting preliminary IUCN according Criteria A B. projections uniformly predict range reductions, median decrease 67.8% by 2070s most extreme Additionally, our research indicates alnifolia’s resilience diverse conditions preference relatively dry climates within specific annual temperature range. The designates alnifolia as Critically Endangered future, highlighting need focused conservation efforts. Climate changes are critical threats survival, emphasising importance modelling techniques urgent requirement dedicated measures safeguard this species.

Language: Английский

---