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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Using Plant Invasions to Compare Occurrence‐ and Abundance‐Based Calculations of Biotic Homogenisation: Are Results Complementary or Contradictory?

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 34(3)

Published: March 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Aim Beta diversity quantifies the similarity of ecological assemblages. Its increase, known as biotic homogenisation, can be a consequence biological invasions. However, species occurrence (presence/absence) and abundance‐based analyses produce contradictory assessments magnitude direction changes in beta diversity. Previous work indicates these contradictions should less frequent nature than theory, but growing number empirical studies report discrepancies between occurrence‐ approaches. Understanding if represent few isolated cases or are systematic across ecosystems would allow us to better understand general patterns, mechanisms impacts homogenisation. Location United States. Time Period 1963–2020. Major Taxa Studied Vascular plants. Methods We used dataset more 70,000 vegetation survey plots assess differences homogenisation with without invasion using both metrics estimated taxonomic by comparing invaded uninvaded classes investigated characteristics non‐native pool that influenced likelihood disagree. Results In 78% plot comparisons, calculations agreed direction, two were generally well correlated. Our results consistent previous theory. Discrepancies likely when same was at high cover compared for diversity, spatially distant. Main Conclusions about 20% cases, our revealed (homogenisation vs. differentiation) metrics, indicating not interchangeable, especially distances invader is low. When data permit, combining approaches offer insights into role invasions extirpations driving homogenisation/differentiation.

Language: Английский

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Plant diversity dynamics over space and time in a warming Arctic

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

Published: April 30, 2025

The Arctic is warming four times faster than the global average1 and plant communities are responding through shifts in species abundance, composition distribution2-4. However, direction magnitude of local changes diversity have not been quantified. Using a compilation 42,234 records 490 vascular from 2,174 plots across Arctic, here we quantified temporal richness repeat surveys between 1981 2022. We also identified geographical, climatic biotic drivers behind these changes. found greater at lower latitudes warmer sites, but no indication that, on average, had changed directionally over time. turnover was widespread, with 59% gaining and/or losing species. Proportions gains losses were where temperatures increased most. Shrub expansion, particularly erect shrubs, associated decreasing richness. Despite composition, did become more similar to each other, suggesting homogenization so far. Overall, different directions, temperature plant-plant interactions emerging as main change. Our findings demonstrate how climate can act concert alter which could precede future biodiversity that likely affect ecosystem function, wildlife habitats livelihoods peoples5,6.

Language: Английский

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Grassland Changes in the Eastern Alps Over Four Decades: Unveiling Patterns Along an Elevation Gradient

Applied Vegetation Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 28(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Aims Alpine valleys have faced escalating global changes in recent decades such as a decline of traditional management and rural expansion. Grasslands are likely the type vegetation most affected by these transformations. This study investigates multifaceted plant diversity over past four major valley Italian Eastern Alps examines whether occurred uniformly across different elevations. Location Valsugana Valley, Alps, Italy. Methods In 2022, we resurveyed 115 plots (including vascular plants, mosses, lichens) originally sampled 1986–1988. Plots were collected grasslands span along an elevation gradient 2000 m. At each time period, automatically classified using EUNIS expert system habitats. We analysed variation species richness, diversity, beta (turnover nestedness), relative proportion life form, woodiness, neophyte gradient, subdivided low‐, middle‐, high‐elevation belts. Lastly, quantified number gained, winning, stable, losing, lost species. Results found differences classification habitats elevation‐dependent community composition. Many grassland types transformed into other or forests man‐made Species richness varied time, being constant at lower elevations but markedly increasing high Temporal turnover dominated elevations, especially sites, while nestedness components increased towards Neophytes hemicryptophytes decreased low‐elevation belt, therophytes geophytes low‐ middle‐elevation many dry replaced nitrophilous woody High‐elevation witnessed replacement with loss mountain increase therophyte geophyte Conclusions undergone substantial decades. Different processes acted gradient. Nonetheless driver, impoverishment semi‐natural was observed Understanding is essential for comprehensive evaluation ecological variations time. Conservation strategies should be tailored to address biodiversity varying counteract negative trends ongoing habitat transformation Alps.

Language: Английский

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Regional Occupancy Is Negatively Related to Richness Across Time and Space

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 34(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Aim Biological diversity is shaped by processes occurring at different spatial and temporal scales. However, the direct influence of scale on patterns occupancy still understudied. Today, often negatively correlated with species richness, but it unknown whether this relationship dependent consistent through time. Here, we use datasets contemporary paleontological communities to explore occupancy‐richness across space time, examining how influences relationship. Location Varying extents global coverage. Time Varies from 7 mya 2021 CE. Taxa foraminifera, mammals, birds, fish, plants. Methods We gathered spanning spatial, temporal, taxonomic extents. binned each dataset into distinct time periods spatially subsampled them regional pools varying sizes. calculated richness for pool, measuring strength between two. Using linear mixed models, related size pools, overall climatic changes Results observed nearly ubiquitous negative relationships taxa, scale, The bins had no effects relationship, varied substantially among foraminifera North American pollen showing weaker than mammals birds. Changes in were not driven perturbations all pools. Conclusions Patterns are consistently independent changes. differences ecology (e.g., dispersal ability) biodiversity community composition may cause fluctuations

Language: Английский

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Bias in neotropical and reef biodiversity monitoring programs may prevent detecting changes in species diversity through time

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 303, P. 111031 - 111031

Published: Feb. 17, 2025

Language: Английский

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Temporal changes in taxonomic and functional alpha and beta diversity across tree communities in subtropical Atlantic forests

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

Published: Feb. 21, 2025

Biodiversity is changing globally, but how these changes impact the structure of local ecological communities remains uncertain and debated. Understanding whether biodiversity increases, decreases, or stable across different scales essential for predicting managing shifts. Here we assessed temporal taxonomic functional alpha beta diversity adult juvenile tree 11 sites in subtropical Brazilian Atlantic Forest to infer about trends drivers change. The were evaluated in: 1) diversity, 2) composition (beta diversity), 3) identifying potential abiotic biotic changes, considering three censuses a period 10 years. Our results revealed few little directionality evidenced directional diversity. Furthermore, rate change was slightly similar communities, both Beta decreased over time, which more pronounced than dissimilarity, suggesting homogenization within forests. findings offer important insights that help clarify mixed on trends, showing sensitive indicator community study highlights species loss gain, may influence ecosystem functioning, providing crucial information conservation management efforts. With most global time series datasets geographically skewed toward Northern Hemisphere, studies like ours are increasingly balanced understanding changes.

Language: Английский

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Aquatic macrophyte dynamics in the Danube Inland Delta over the past two decades: homogenisation or differentiation of taxonomic and functional community composition?

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 197(3)

Published: Feb. 27, 2025

Abstract Our study provides insights into the spatio-temporal dynamics of macrophyte assemblages in Danube Inland Delta, situated northwest part Pannonian lowland on Slovak-Hungarian border. A total 63 aquatic plant species were recorded at six monitored sites during years 2003–2020, including 1 endangered, 2 vulnerable, and neophyte species. Macrophyte data from long-term monitoring used to test hypothesis that hydrologically disturbed riverscape have become more taxonomically functionally similar over past 17 years. Although a decline taxonomic functional richness was observed most sites, no evident year-to-year decrease their heterogeneity noted for either aspect biodiversity. However, significant richness, as well community across entire area, period. While number represented approximately one per year, taxonomical beta diversity, its turnover component, also declined, with mean annual 0.5% 0.7%, respectively. Using abundance class data, diversity 0.6%. time-series analysis traits (growth form, dispersal unit, strategy) revealed different converged toward narrower range structure. The 0.7% based 0.3% incidence data.

Language: Английский

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Global warming triggers abrupt regime shifts in island lake ecosystems in the Azores Archipelago

Communications Earth & Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5(1)

Published: Oct. 8, 2024

Global warming significantly alters lake ecosystems worldwide. However, the effects of at a regional scale are often overlooked due to scarcity multidecadal centennial studies. Here, we examined diatom sedimentary records from five lakes on São Miguel Island (Azores archipelago) over last 170 years. Our analysis using hierarchical generalised additive models revealed an abrupt shift in island-wide community around 1982 CE, when Northern Hemisphere temperature exceeded 0.35 °C above 20th-century mean. This regime resulted 27% loss diversity across Island. Furthermore, previous anthropogenic impacts may have enhanced lakes' rapid response warming. These findings highlight vulnerability freshwater island climate and emphasise importance transitioning local assessments preserve resilience prevent irreversible damage these essential resources their biodiversity. Analyses show that (Azores) decreased by nearly 30% 1982, coinciding with communities consistently above-average Hemispheric temperatures.

Language: Английский

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Soil animal communities demonstrate simplification without homogenization along an urban gradient

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 16, 2024

Abstract Urbanization profoundly impacts biodiversity and ecosystem function, exerting an immense ecological filter on the flora fauna that inhabit it, oftentimes leading to simplistic homogenous communities. However, response of soil animal communities urbanization remains underexplored, it is unknown whether their like aboveground organisms. This study investigated influence in 40 public parks along gradient. We evaluated abundance, diversity, community composition related these measures urban characteristics at each park. The most urbanized exhibited reduced richness, Shannon diversity. These changes were influenced by many variables underscoring multifaceted Notably, contrary our expectation, did not lead homogenization; instead, acted stochastically, creating unique assemblages. suggests are concomitantly shaped deterministic stochastic processes areas. Our highlights intricate interplay between ecology, challenging notion homogenization belowground ecosystems providing insight for managing preserving

Language: Английский

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