Emerging threats and persistent conservation challenges for freshwater biodiversity

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 94(3), P. 849 - 873

Published: Nov. 22, 2018

ABSTRACT In the 12 years since Dudgeon et al . (2006) reviewed major pressures on freshwater ecosystems, biodiversity crisis in world's lakes, reservoirs, rivers, streams and wetlands has deepened. While reservoirs rivers cover only 2.3% of Earth's surface, these ecosystems host at least 9.5% described animal species. Furthermore, using World Wide Fund for Nature's Living Planet Index, population declines (83% between 1970 2014) continue to outpace contemporaneous marine or terrestrial systems. The Anthropocene brought multiple new varied threats that disproportionately impact We document emerging are either entirely 2006 have intensified: ( i ) changing climates; ii e‐commerce invasions; iii infectious diseases; iv harmful algal blooms; v expanding hydropower; vi contaminants; vii engineered nanomaterials; viii microplastic pollution; (i x light noise; salinisation; xi declining calcium; xii cumulative stressors. Effects evidenced amphibians, fishes, invertebrates, microbes, plants, turtles waterbirds, with potential ecosystem‐level changes through bottom‐up top‐down processes. our highly uncertain future, net effects raise serious concerns ecosystems. However, we also highlight opportunities conservation gains as a result novel management tools (e.g. environmental flows, DNA) specific conservation‐oriented actions dam removal, habitat protection policies, managed relocation species) been met varying levels success. Moving forward, advocate hybrid approaches manage fresh waters crucial human life support well essential hotspots ecological function. Efforts reverse global trends degradation now depend bridging an immense gap aspirations biologists accelerating rate species endangerment.

Language: Английский

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Scientists’ warning to humanity: microorganisms and climate change

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 17(9), P. 569 - 586

Published: June 18, 2019

In the Anthropocene, in which we now live, climate change is impacting most life on Earth. Microorganisms support existence of all higher trophic forms. To understand how humans and other forms Earth (including those are yet to discover) can withstand anthropogenic change, it vital incorporate knowledge microbial 'unseen majority'. We must learn not just microorganisms affect production consumption greenhouse gases) but also they will be affected by human activities. This Consensus Statement documents central role global importance biology. It puts humanity notice that impact depend heavily responses microorganisms, essential for achieving an environmentally sustainable future. The majority with share often goes unnoticed despite underlying major biogeochemical cycles food webs, thereby taking a key change. highlights microbiology issues call action microbiologists.

Language: Английский

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Understanding the value and limits of nature-based solutions to climate change and other global challenges

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 375(1794), P. 20190120 - 20190120

Published: Jan. 27, 2020

There is growing awareness that ‘nature-based solutions' (NbS) can help to protect us from climate change impacts while slowing further warming, supporting biodiversity and securing ecosystem services. However, the potential of NbS provide intended benefits has not been rigorously assessed. are concerns over their reliability cost-effectiveness compared engineered alternatives, resilience change. Trade-offs arise if mitigation policy encourages with low value, such as afforestation non-native monocultures. This result in maladaptation, especially a rapidly changing world where biodiversity-based multi-functional landscapes key. Here, we highlight rise policy—focusing on for adaptation well mitigation—and discuss barriers evidence-based implementation. We outline major financial governance challenges implementing at scale, highlighting avenues research. As turns increasingly towards greenhouse gas removal approaches afforestation, stress urgent need natural social scientists engage makers. They must ensure achieve tackle both crisis also contributing sustainable development. will require systemic way conduct research run our institutions. article part theme issue ‘Climate ecosystems: threats, opportunities solutions’.

Language: Английский

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The exceptional value of intact forest ecosystems

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 2(4), P. 599 - 610

Published: Feb. 24, 2018

Language: Английский

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Biodiversity losses and conservation responses in the Anthropocene

Science, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 356(6335), P. 270 - 275

Published: April 20, 2017

Biodiversity is essential to human well-being, but people have been reducing biodiversity throughout history. Loss of species and degradation ecosystems are likely further accelerate in the coming years. Our understanding this crisis now clear, world leaders pledged avert it. Nonetheless, global goals reduce rate loss mostly not achieved. However, many examples conservation success show that losses can be halted even reversed. Building on these lessons turn tide will require bold innovative action transform historical relationships between populations nature.

Language: Английский

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One-third of global protected land is under intense human pressure

Science, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 360(6390), P. 788 - 791

Published: May 17, 2018

In an era of massive biodiversity loss, the greatest conservation success story has been growth protected land globally. Protected areas are primary defense against but extensive human activity within their boundaries can undermine this. Using most comprehensive global map pressure, we show that 6 million square kilometers (32.8%) is under intense pressure. For designated before Convention on Biological Diversity was ratified in 1992, 55% have since experienced pressure increases. These increases were lowest large, strict areas, showing they potentially effective, at least some nations. Transparent reporting now critical, as targets aimed efforts required to halt loss.

Language: Английский

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How much does climate change threaten European forest tree species distributions?

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 24(3), P. 1150 - 1163

Published: Oct. 9, 2017

Although numerous species distribution models have been developed, most were based on insufficient data or used older climate change scenarios. We aimed to quantify changes in projected ranges and threat level by the years 2061-2080, for 12 European forest tree under three combined from Global Biodiversity Information Facility, EUFORGEN, inventories, we developed using MaxEnt 19 bioclimatic variables. Models scenarios-optimistic (RCP2.6), moderate (RCP4.5), pessimistic (RPC8.5)-using General Circulation Models, period 2061-2080. Our study revealed different responses of change. The may be divided into groups: "winners"-mostly late-successional species: Abies alba, Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus robur, petraea; "losers"-mostly pioneer Betula pendula, Larix decidua, Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris; alien species-Pseudotsuga menziesii, rubra, Robinia pseudoacacia, which also considered as "winners." Assuming limited migration, studied would face a significant decrease suitable habitat area. was highest that currently northernmost centers. Ecological consequences range contractions serious both management nature conservation.

Language: Английский

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Scientists' warning to humanity on insect extinctions

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 242, P. 108426 - 108426

Published: Feb. 1, 2020

Here we build on the manifesto 'World Scientists' Warning to Humanity, issued by Alliance of World Scientists. As a group conservation biologists deeply concerned about decline insect populations, here review what know drivers extinctions, their consequences, and how extinctions can negatively impact humanity. We are causing driving habitat loss, degradation, fragmentation, use polluting harmful substances, spread invasive species, global climate change, direct overexploitation, co-extinction species dependent other species. With lose much more than abundance biomass insects, diversity across space time with consequent homogenization, large parts tree life, unique ecological functions traits, fundamental extensive networks biotic interactions. Such losses lead key ecosystem services which humanity depends. From pollination decomposition, being resources for new medicines, quality indication many others, insects provide essential irreplaceable services. appeal urgent action close knowledge gaps curb extinctions. An investment in research programs that generate local, regional strategies counter this trend is essential. Solutions available implementable, but needed now match our intentions.

Language: Английский

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Climate, ecosystems, and planetary futures: The challenge to predict life in Earth system models

Science, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 359(6375)

Published: Feb. 1, 2018

Many global change stresses on terrestrial and marine ecosystems affect not only ecosystem services that are essential to humankind, but also the trajectory of future climate by altering energy mass exchanges with atmosphere. Earth system models, which simulate biogeochemical cycles, offer a common framework for ecological research related processes; analyses vulnerability, impacts, adaptation; mitigation. They provide an opportunity move beyond physical descriptors atmospheric oceanic states societally relevant quantities such as wildfire risk, habitat loss, water availability, crop, fishery, timber yields. To achieve this, science prediction must be extended more multifaceted includes biosphere its resources.

Language: Английский

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Forest microclimate dynamics drive plant responses to warming

Science, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 368(6492), P. 772 - 775

Published: May 14, 2020

Local factors restrain forest warming Microclimates are key to understanding how organisms and ecosystems respond macroclimate change, yet they frequently neglected when studying biotic responses global change. Zellweger et al. provide a long-term, continental-scale assessment of the effects micro- on community composition European forests (see Perspective by Lembrechts Nijs). They show that changes in canopy cover fundamentally important for driving climate Closed canopies buffer against macroclimatic change through their cooling effect, slowing shifts composition, whereas open tend accelerate local heating effects. Science , this issue p. 772 ; see also 711

Language: Английский

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