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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Island biogeography: Taking the long view of nature’s laboratories

Science, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 357(6354)

Published: Aug. 31, 2017

Islands provide classic model biological systems. We review how growing appreciation of geoenvironmental dynamics marine islands has led to advances in island biogeographic theory accommodating both evolutionary and ecological phenomena. Recognition distinct geodynamics permits general models be developed modified account for patterns diversity, diversification, lineage development, trait evolution within across archipelagos. Emergent diversity include predictable variation species-area relationships, progression rule colonization from older younger land masses, syndromes including loss dispersability secondary woodiness herbaceous plant lineages. Further developments Earth system science, molecular biology, data hold continued promise unlocking many the unresolved questions biology biogeography.

Language: Английский

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A global-level assessment of the effectiveness of protected areas at resisting anthropogenic pressures

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 116(46), P. 23209 - 23215

Published: Oct. 28, 2019

One-sixth of the global terrestrial surface now falls within protected areas (PAs), making it essential to understand how far they mitigate increasing pressures on nature which characterize Anthropocene. In by largest analysis this question date and not restricted forested PAs, we compiled data from 12,315 PAs across 152 countries investigate their ability reduce human pressure varies with socioeconomic management circumstances. While many show positive outcomes, strikingly find that compared matched unprotected areas, have average reduced a compound index change over past 15 y. Moreover, in tropical regions cropland conversion has increased inside even more than areas. However, our results also confirm previous studies forest where are increasing, but less counterfactual Our high national-level development scores experienced lower rates increase y outside area. caution against rapid establishment new without simultaneously addressing conditions needed enable success.

Language: Английский

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Global shifts in mammalian population trends reveal key predictors of virus spillover risk

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 287(1924), P. 20192736 - 20192736

Published: April 7, 2020

Emerging infectious diseases in humans are frequently caused by pathogens originating from animal hosts, and zoonotic disease outbreaks present a major challenge to global health. To investigate drivers of virus spillover, we evaluated the number viruses mammalian species have shared with humans. We discovered that detected scales positively abundance, suggesting transmission risk has been highest increased abundance even expanded their range adapting human-dominated landscapes. Domesticated species, primates bats were identified as having more than other species. Among threatened wildlife those population reductions owing exploitation loss habitat Exploitation through hunting trade facilitates close contact between humans, our findings provide further evidence exploitation, well anthropogenic activities losses quality, opportunities for animal-human interactions facilitated transmission. Our study provides new assessing spillover highlights convergent processes whereby causes declines

Language: Английский

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Meta-analysis of multidecadal biodiversity trends in Europe

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: July 13, 2020

Abstract Local biodiversity trends over time are likely to be decoupled from global trends, as local processes may compensate or counteract change. We analyze 161 long-term biological series (15–91 years) collected across Europe, using a comprehensive dataset comprising ~6,200 marine, freshwater and terrestrial taxa. test whether (i) consistent among biogeoregions, realms taxonomic groups, (ii) changes in correlate with regional climate conditions. Our results reveal that of abundance, richness diversity differ demonstrating at scale often complex cannot easily generalized. However, we find increases abundance increasing temperature naturalness well clear spatial pattern community composition (i.e. temporal turnover) most biogeoregions Northern Eastern Europe.

Language: Английский

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Contributions of sociometabolic research to sustainability science

Nature Sustainability, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 2(3), P. 173 - 184

Published: Feb. 27, 2019

Language: Английский

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Global change biology: A primer

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 26(1), P. 3 - 30

Published: Oct. 30, 2019

Abstract Because of human action, the Earth has entered an era where profound changes in global environment are creating novel conditions that will be discernable far into future. One consequence may a large reduction Earth's biodiversity, potentially representing sixth mass extinction. With effective stewardship, change drivers threaten biota could alleviated, but this requires clear understanding drivers, their interactions, and how they impact ecological communities. This review identifies 10 anthropogenic discusses six (atmospheric CO 2 enrichment, climate change, land transformation, species exploitation, exotic invasions, eutrophication) biodiversity. Driver impacts on particular positive or negative. In either case, initiate secondary responses cascade along lines connection doing so magnify initial impact. The unique nature threat to biodiversity is not simply due magnitude each driver, speed novelty interactions. Emphasizing one notably problematic because other also degrade together stability biosphere. As main academic journal addressing effects living systems, GCB well positioned provide leadership solving challenge. If humanity cannot meet challenge, then serve as leading chronicle extinction occur planet Earth.

Language: Английский

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Ecological and evolutionary legacy of megafauna extinctions

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 93(2), P. 845 - 862

Published: Oct. 9, 2017

ABSTRACT For hundreds of millions years, large vertebrates (megafauna) have inhabited most the ecosystems on our planet. During late Quaternary, notably during Late P leistocene and early H olocene, Earth experienced a rapid extinction large, terrestrial vertebrates. While much attention has been paid to understanding causes this massive megafauna extinction, less given impacts loss other organisms with whom they interacted. In review, we discuss how disrupted reshaped ecological interactions, explore consequences ongoing decline Numerous Quaternary extinct species predators, parasites, commensals mutualistic partners were associated probably lost due their strict dependence upon them (co‐extinctions). Moreover, many extant megafauna‐adapted traits that provided evolutionary benefits under past megafauna‐rich conditions, but are now no or limited use (anachronisms). Morphological evolution behavioural changes allowed some these partially overcome absence megafauna. Although led number co‐extinction events, several likely co‐evolved established new interactions humans domestic animals. Species highly specialized in megafauna, such as commensalists (e.g. scavengers, dung beetles), could not adapt hosts prey more die out. Partners dependent persisted because plasticity by shifting dependency via domestication, facilitation pathogen spill‐over, through We argue Anthropocene will catalyse another wave co‐extinctions enormous diversity key functional roles

Language: Английский

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Ensuring effective implementation of the post-2020 global biodiversity targets

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 5(4), P. 411 - 418

Published: Jan. 25, 2021

Language: Английский

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Island Biodiversity in the Anthropocene

Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 44(1), P. 31 - 60

Published: July 26, 2019

Biodiversity on marine islands is characterized by unique biogeographic, phylogenetic and functional characteristics. Islands hold a disproportionate amount of the world's biodiversity, they have also experienced loss it. Following human contact, island biodiversity has sustained negative impacts increasing in rate magnitude as transitioned from primary through secondary to tertiary economies. On islands, habitat transformation invasive non-native species historically been major threats although these will continue new forms, such human-induced climate change sea-level rise are emerging. Island changing with some going extinct, others abundance, becoming part many ecosystems, humans shaping ecological processes. thus microcosms for emerging socioecological landscapes Anthropocene. require strategies protection restoration their including maintaining biological cultural heritage regenerative practices, mainstreaming production landscapes, engaging reality novel ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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