Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
14(1)
Published: March 28, 2023
The
Anthropocene
is
tightly
associated
with
a
drastic
loss
of
species
worldwide
and
the
disappearance
their
key
ecosystem
functions.
orders
Testudines
(turtles
tortoises)
Crocodilia
(crocodiles,
alligators,
gharials)
contain
numerous
threatened,
long-lived
for
which
functional
diversity
potential
erosion
by
anthropogenic
impacts
remains
unknown.
Here,
we
examine
259
(69%)
existing
375
Crocodilia,
quantifying
life
history
strategies
(i.e.,
trade-offs
in
survival,
development,
reproduction)
from
open-access
data
on
demography,
ancestry,
threats.
We
find
that
simulated
extinction
scenarios
threatened
greater
than
expected
chance.
Moreover,
effects
unsustainable
local
consumption,
diseases,
pollution
are
strategies.
In
contrast,
climate
change,
habitat
disturbance,
global
trade
affect
independent
strategy.
Importantly,
degradation
twice
all
other
Our
findings
highlight
importance
conservation
programmes
focused
preserving
jointly
phylogenetic
representativity
these
highly
groups.
Functional Ecology,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
35(9), P. 1869 - 1885
Published: July 16, 2021
Abstract
The
use
of
functional
diversity
analyses
in
ecology
has
grown
exponentially
over
the
past
two
decades,
broadening
our
understanding
biological
and
its
change
across
space
time.
Virtually
all
ecological
sub‐disciplines
recognise
critical
value
looking
at
species
communities
from
a
perspective,
this
led
to
proliferation
methods
for
estimating
contrasting
dimensions
diversity.
Differences
between
these
their
development
generated
terminological
inconsistencies
confusion
about
selection
most
appropriate
approach
addressing
any
particular
question,
hampering
potential
comparative
studies,
simulation
exercises
meta‐analyses.
Two
general
mathematical
frameworks
are
prevailing:
those
based
on
dissimilarity
matrices
(e.g.
Rao
entropy,
dendrograms)
relying
multidimensional
spaces,
constructed
as
either
convex
hulls
or
probabilistic
hypervolumes.
We
review
frameworks,
discuss
strengths
weaknesses
provide
an
overview
main
R
packages
performing
calculations.
In
parallel,
we
propose
way
organising
metrics
unified
scheme
quantify
richness,
divergence
regularity
individuals
under
each
framework.
This
offers
roadmap
confidently
approaching
both
theoretically
practically.
A
free
Plain
Language
Summary
can
be
found
within
Supporting
Information
article.
Annual Review of Environment and Resources,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
47(1), P. 31 - 63
Published: Sept. 2, 2022
Biodiversity,
a
term
now
widely
employed
in
science,
policy,
and
wider
society,
has
burgeoning
associated
literature.
We
synthesize
aspects
of
this
literature,
focusing
on
several
key
concepts,
debates,
patterns,
trends,
drivers.
review
the
history
multiple
dimensions
values
biodiversity,
we
explore
what
is
known
not
about
global
patterns
biodiversity.
then
changes
biodiversity
from
early
human
times
to
modern
era,
examining
rates
extinction
direct
drivers
change
also
highlighting
some
less-well-studied
Finally,
turn
attention
indirect
loss,
notably
humanity's
increasing
consumption
footprint,
might
be
required
reverse
ongoing
decline
fabric
life
Earth.
Functional Ecology,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
37(1), P. 4 - 12
Published: Jan. 1, 2023
Abstract
Functional
traits
and
associated
trait‐based
concepts
have
driven
rapid
innovation
in
ecology
over
recent
years,
with
most
progress
based
on
insights
from
plants.
However,
plants
are
almost
entirely
restricted
to
a
single
trophic
level,
an
over‐reliance
plant
therefore
neglects
the
complexity
importance
of
biotic
interactions
across
levels.
The
need
expand
focus
account
for
has
led
upsurge
attention
animal
functional
emergence
new
relevant
community
ecology,
macroecology
ecosystem
science.
Recent
compilation
global
trait
datasets
some
taxa
opened
up
possibilities
testing
ecological
theory.
In
this
Special
Focus,
we
explore
how
can
scope
investigation
multiple
levels,
these
investigations
be
used
upscale
understanding
local
communities
biogeographical
patterns
ultimately
help
predict
impacts
change
functions.
To
address
key
questions,
showcase
studies
diverse
ranging
size
springtails
crocodiles
spanning
levels
primary
consumers
apex
predators.
This
collection
shows
precise
measurements
morphological
or
physiological
increase
mechanistic
assembly
particularly
mechanisms
underpinning
large‐scale
biodiversity
patterns.
Furthermore,
clearer
picture
is
emerging
systematic
responses
environmental
that
shape
composition
affect
functioning.
articles
volume
highlight
move
beyond
limits
taxonomic
boundaries.
integration
data
opens
identifying
general
processes
operating
at
different
scales.
identification
their
interplay
underpin
development
whole
ecosystems,
which
could
eventually
enable
predictions
ecosystem‐level
consequences
loss.
Read
free
Plain
Language
Summary
article
Journal
blog.
Diversity and Distributions,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
30(4)
Published: Feb. 21, 2024
Abstract
Aim
Functional
trait
space
analyses
are
pivotal
to
describe
and
compare
organisms'
functional
diversity
across
the
tree
of
life.
Yet,
there
is
no
single
application
that
streamlines
many
sometimes‐troublesome
steps
needed
build
analyse
spaces.
Innovation
To
fill
this
gap,
we
propose
funspace
,
an
R
package
easily
handle
bivariate
multivariate
analyses.
The
six
functions
constitute
can
be
grouped
in
three
modules:
‘Building
exploring’,
‘Mapping’
‘Plotting’.
building
exploring
module
defines
main
features
a
(e.g.
metrics)
by
leveraging
kernel
density‐based
methods.
mapping
uses
general
additive
models
map
how
target
variable
distributes
within
space.
plotting
provides
options
for
creating
flexible
publication‐ready
figures
representing
outputs
obtained
from
previous
modules.
We
provide
worked
example
demonstrate
complete
workflow.
Main
Conclusions
will
researchers
working
with
traits
life
new
tool
explore:
(i)
any
space,
(ii)
relationship
between
other
biological
or
non‐biological
factor
might
contribute
shaping
species'
diversity.
Conservation Biology,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
36(3)
Published: Oct. 20, 2021
To
determine
the
distribution
and
causes
of
extinction
threat
across
functional
groups
terrestrial
vertebrates,
we
assembled
an
ecological
trait
data
set
for
18,016
species
vertebrates
utilized
phylogenetic
comparative
methods
to
test
which
categories
habitat
association,
mode
locomotion,
feeding
best
predicted
risk.
We
also
examined
individual
International
Union
Conservation
Nature
Red
List
drivers
(e.g.,
agriculture
logging)
threatening
each
determined
greatest
threats
four
vertebrate
groups.
then
quantified
sum
provide
a
multistressor
perspective
on
threat.
Cave
dwelling
amphibians
(p
<
0.01),
arboreal
quadrupedal
mammals
(all
are
primates)
aerial
scavenging
birds
pedal
(i.e.,
walking)
squamates
0.01)
were
all
disproportionately
threatened
with
in
comparison
other
assessed
traits.
Across
study,
most
common
risk
factors
agriculture,
4491
species,
followed
by
logging,
3187
invasive
disease,
2053
species.
Species
at
higher
simultaneously
from
greater
number
types.
If
left
unabated,
disproportionate
loss
certain
traits
increasing
anthropogenic
pressures
likely
disrupt
ecosystem
functions
globally.
A
shift
focus
species-
trait-centric
conservation
practices
will
allow
protection
at-risk
diversity
regional
global
scales.Una
Señal
Ecológica
Mundial
del
Riesgo
de
Extinción
los
Vertebrados
Terrestres
Resumen
Construimos
un
conjunto
datos
atributos
ecológicos
especies
vertebrados
terrestres
y
utilizamos
métodos
comparación
filogenética
para
analizar
cuáles
categorías
asociación
hábitat,
modo
locomoción
alimentación
predicen
mejor
manera
el
riesgo
extinción.
Lo
anterior
lo
hicimos
determinar
la
distribución
las
causas
amenazas
extinción
largo
grupos
funcionales
terrestres.
También
examinamos
individuales
factores
(p.
ej.:
agricultura,
tala
árboles)
Lista
Roja
Unión
Internacional
Conservación
Naturaleza
que
amenazan
cada
especie
determinamos
principales
uno
cuatro
Después
cuantificamos
suma
proporcionar
una
perspectiva
estresores
múltiples
sobre
amenaza.
Los
anfibios
cavernícolas
mamíferos
arbóreos
cuadrúpedos
(todos
son
aves
aéreas
carroñeras
escamados
caminantes
tuvieron
amenaza
desproporcionada
en
con
otros
analizados.
En
todas
estudiamos,
más
comunes
fueron
4,491
especies,
deforestación,
3,187
especies;
le
siguen
invasoras
enfermedades,
juntas
2,053
especies.
Las
mayor
también
se
encontraban
simultáneamente
por
número
tipos
amenazas.
Si
esto
mantiene
constante,
pérdida
ciertos
creciente
presión
antropogénica
probablemente
alteren
funciones
ecosistémicas
nivel
mundial.
Un
cambio
enfoque
prácticas
conservación,
estar
centradas
atributos,
permitirá
protección
diversidad
funcional
desde
escala
hasta
global.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
12(1)
Published: Aug. 27, 2021
Abstract
Although
species
with
larger
body
size
and
slow
pace
of
life
have
a
higher
risk
extinction
at
global
scale,
it
is
unclear
whether
this
trend
will
be
consistent
across
biogeographic
realms.
Here
we
measure
the
functional
diversity
terrestrial
freshwater
vertebrates
in
six
realms
predict
their
future
changes
through
scenarios
mimicking
gradient
threatened
species.
We
show
vastly
different
effects
extinctions
on
between
taxonomic
groups
realms,
ranging
from
almost
no
decline
to
deep
losses.
The
Indo-Malay
Palearctic
are
particularly
inclined
experience
drastic
loss
reaching
29
31%,
respectively.
Birds,
mammals,
reptiles
regionally
display
loss,
while
projected
losses
amphibians
fishes
differ
More
efficient
conservation
policies
should
consider
marked
regional
world.
Global Ecology and Biogeography,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
30(12), P. 2330 - 2336
Published: Sept. 17, 2021
Abstract
Motivation
Global
freshwater
fish
biodiversity
and
the
responses
of
fishes
to
global
changes
have
been
explored
intensively
using
taxonomic
data,
whereas
functional
aspects
remain
understudied
owing
lack
knowledge
for
most
species.
To
fill
this
gap,
we
compiled
morphological
traits
related
locomotion
feeding
world
fauna
based
on
pictures
scientific
drawings
available
from
literature.
Main
types
variables
contained
The
database
includes
10
measured
8,342
species,
covering
48.69%
fauna.
Spatial
location
grain
Global.
Major
taxa
level
measurement
considers
ray‐finned
(class
Actinopterygii).
Measurements
were
made
at
species
level.
Software
format
.csv.
conclusion
FISHMORPH
provides
comprehensive
date.
It
represents
an
essential
source
information
ecologists
environmental
managers
seeking
consider
patterns
faunas
throughout
globe,
those
interested
in
current
future
impacts
human
activities
structure
assemblages.
Given
high
threat
status
environments
they
host,
believe
will
be
great
interest
studies
ecology
research
conservation.
Journal of Biogeography,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
49(11), P. 1920 - 1940
Published: Sept. 19, 2022
Abstract
Aim
The
world's
islands
support
disproportionate
levels
of
endemic
avian
biodiversity
despite
suffering
numerous
extinctions.
While
intensive
recent
research
has
focused
on
island
bird
conservation
or
extinction,
few
global
syntheses
have
considered
these
factors
together
from
the
perspective
morphological
trait
diversity.
Here,
we
provide
a
summary
status
and
ecology
extant
extinct
birds,
threats
they
face
implications
species
loss
for
functional
Location
Global.
Taxon
Birds.
Methods
We
review
literature
threatened
with
particular
focus
studies
that
incorporated
Alongside
this,
analyse
IUCN
Red
List
data
in
relation
to
distribution,
taxonomy.
Using
null
models
hypervolumes,
combination
data,
assess
diversity
represented
by
birds.
Results
main
conclusions
find
almost
half
all
birds
1500
CE
are
currently
either
majority
having
declining
population
trends.
also
found
evidence
66
subspecies
primary
agriculture,
biological
resource
use,
invasive
species.
there
is
overlap
between
hotspots
endemics
some
notable
differences,
including
Philippines
Indonesia,
which
substantial
number
but
no
recorded
post‐1500
Traits
associated
large
body
mass,
flightlessness,
aquatic
predator,
omnivorous
vertivorous
trophic
niches,
marine
habitat
affinity,
and,
paradoxically,
higher
dispersal
ability.
Critically,
(i)
occupy
distinct
areas
beak
morphospace,
(ii)
represent
unique
overall
space
endemics.
caution
may
severe
effects
ecological
functions
islands.