The carbon sink of secondary and degraded humid tropical forests

Nature, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 615(7952), P. 436 - 442

Published: March 15, 2023

Language: Английский

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Relocating croplands could drastically reduce the environmental impacts of global food production

Communications Earth & Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 3(1)

Published: March 10, 2022

Abstract Agricultural production has replaced natural ecosystems across the planet, becoming a major driver of carbon emissions, biodiversity loss, and freshwater consumption. Here we combined global crop yield environmental data in ~1-million-dimensional mathematical optimisation framework to determine how optimising spatial distribution croplands could reduce impacts whilst maintaining current levels. We estimate that relocating optimal locations, allowing then-abandoned areas regenerate, simultaneously decrease carbon, biodiversity, irrigation water footprint by 71%, 87%, 100%, respectively, assuming high-input farming on newly established sites. The crops is largely similar for end-of-century climatic conditions emission scenarios. Substantial impact reductions already be achieved only small proportion worldwide production, within national borders, less intensive systems.

Language: Английский

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Feeding climate and biodiversity goals with novel plant-based meat and milk alternatives

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Sept. 12, 2023

Plant-based animal product alternatives are increasingly promoted to achieve more sustainable diets. Here, we use a global economic land model assess the food system-wide impacts of dietary shift towards these alternatives. We find substantial reduction in environmental by 2050 if globally 50% main products (pork, chicken, beef and milk) substituted-net forest natural is almost fully halted agriculture GHG emissions decline 31% compared 2020. If spared agricultural within ecosystems restored forest, climate benefits could double, reaching 92% previously estimated sector mitigation potential. Furthermore, area contribute 13-25% restoration needs under target 2 from Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework 2030, future declines ecosystem integrity would be than halved. The distribution varies across regions-the on input China outcomes Sub-Saharan Africa South America. While replacement provides largest impacts, substituting multiple synergistic.

Language: Английский

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Tree islands enhance biodiversity and functioning in oil palm landscapes

Nature, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 618(7964), P. 316 - 321

Published: May 24, 2023

Abstract In the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 1 , large knowledge gaps persist how to increase biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in cash crop-dominated tropical landscapes 2 . Here, we present findings from a large-scale, 5-year restoration experiment an oil palm landscape enriched with 52 tree islands, encompassing assessments of ten indicators 19 functioning. Overall, functioning, as well multidiversity multifunctionality, were higher islands compared conventionally managed palm. Larger led larger gains through changes vegetation structure. Furthermore, enrichment did not decrease landscape-scale yield. Our results demonstrate that enriching palm-dominated is promising ecological strategy, yet should replace protection remaining forests.

Language: Английский

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Successional theories

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 98(6), P. 2049 - 2077

Published: July 16, 2023

ABSTRACT Succession is a fundamental concept in ecology because it indicates how species populations, communities, and ecosystems change over time on new substrate or after disturbance. A mechanistic understanding of succession needed to predict will respond land‐use design effective ecosystem restoration strategies. Yet, despite century conceptual advances comprehensive successional theory lacking. Here we provide an overview 19 theories (‘models’) their key points, group them based similarity, explain development ideas suggestions move forward. Four groups models can be recognised. The first ( patch & plants ) focuses at the level consists three subgroups that originated early 20th century. One subgroup processes (dispersal, establishment, performance) operate sequentially during succession. Another emphasises individualistic responses succession, this driven by traits. last vegetation structure underlying demographic second provides more holistic view considering ecosystem, its biota, interactions, diversity, processes. third landscape considers larger spatial scale includes effect surrounding matrix as distance neighbouring patches determines potential for seed dispersal, quality abundance composition sources biotic dispersal vectors. fourth socio‐ecological systems human component focusing where management practices have long‐lasting legacies pathways regrowing vegetations deliver range services local global stakeholders. four differ (patch, landscape) organisational (plant species, system), increase scope, reflect increasingly broader perspective time. They coincide approximately with periods prevailing time, although all views still coexist. are: (from 1910 onwards) was seen through lens replacement; communities 1965 when there succession; landscapes 2000 realised strongly impact pathways, increased remote‐sensing technology allowed better quantification context; people 2015 societal drivers strong effects are important well‐being, most successful done people. Our review suggests hierarchical framework Pickett best starting point forward already several factors, flexible, enabling application different systems. mainly replacement could improved occurring scales (population, community, integrating recent developments other models: (landscape, region), temporal (ecosystem centuries, evolution), taking (landscape integrity composition, disperser community) factors (previous current intensity) into account. Such new, tested using combination empirical research, experiments, process‐based modelling novel tools. Applying seres across broadscale environmental disturbance gradients allows insight what matter under conditions.

Language: Английский

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The development of terrestrial ecosystems emerging after glacier retreat

Nature, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 632(8024), P. 336 - 342

Published: July 31, 2024

Language: Английский

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Human degradation of tropical moist forests is greater than previously estimated

Nature, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 631(8021), P. 570 - 576

Published: July 3, 2024

Abstract Tropical forest degradation from selective logging, fire and edge effects is a major driver of carbon biodiversity loss 1–3 , with annual rates comparable to those deforestation 4 . However, its actual extent long-term impacts remain uncertain at global tropical scale 5 Here we quantify the magnitude persistence multiple types on structure by combining satellite remote sensing data pantropical moist cover changes estimates canopy height biomass spaceborne 6 light detection ranging (LiDAR). We estimate that decreases owing logging 15% 50%, respectively, low recovery even after 20 years. Agriculture road expansion trigger 20% 30% reduction in edge, persistent being measurable up 1.5 km inside forest. Edge encroach 18% (approximately 206 Mha) remaining forests, an area more than 200% larger previously estimated 7 Finally, degraded forests 50% are significantly vulnerable subsequent deforestation. Collectively, our findings call for greater efforts prevent protect already meet conservation pledges made recent United Nations Climate Change Biodiversity conferences.

Language: Английский

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Functional Traits and Species Identity Drive Decomposition Along a Successional Gradient in Upper Andean Tropical Forests

Biotropica, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 57(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Leaf litter decomposition constitutes one of the most vital processes for maintaining productivity and carbon release in ecosystems. However, this remains least understood upper Andean tropical forests (UATF), a highly diverse ecoregion that has undergone extensive transformation over centuries. In study, we aimed to determine relationships between rates leaf litter, functional traits, microclimatic conditions along successional gradient UATF. We also tested “after‐life effect” by analyzing changes green senescent leaves. performed fully reciprocal translocation experiment with 15 representative species UATF set 14 permanent plots using 2520 litterbags distributed across 42 experimental units (three litterbeds per plot), 1.5 years, four harvesting times (3, 6, 12, 18 months). Chemical physical traits were measured leaves identify best predictors analyze effect.” found identity drive UATF, rather than succession soil moisture temperature. The relative importance was prevalent all stages decay, despite being stronger early phases. Although an decomposition, chemical composition from indicated substantial nitrogen resorption, which is limiting resource montane forests. With increasing landscape plant could have profound impacts altering rates, nutrient cycling, global storage.

Language: Английский

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Persistent Effects of Landscape Context on Recruitment Dynamics During Secondary Succession of Tropical Forests

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 31(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Large‐scale reforestation is promoted as an important strategy to mitigate climate change and biodiversity loss. A persistent challenge for efforts restore ecosystems at scale how accelerate ecological processes, particularly natural regeneration. Yet, despite being recognized barrier the recovery of diverse plant communities in tropical agricultural landscapes, impacts dispersal limitation on regeneration secondary forests—and especially this changes these forests grow older—are still poorly studied. In a region where animals have been shown be dominant seed dispersers, we evaluate proximity connected network narrow streamside strips forest (SSF) recruitment 1–40‐year‐old forests. We used 8 years annual census data from 45 sites with paired plots, one directly adjoining SSF other further uphill (henceforth “landscape context”), null model approach test effects SSFs basal area, while accounting variation soil, topography, distance between plots stand structure. general, found that landscape context affects multiple aspects recruitment, including species diversity proportion rarer less‐widely distributed among recruits. Unexpectedly, effect did not weaken over time, fast increase area diversity. This suggests development first decades succession may sufficient attract disperse tree species. Our results provide empirical evidence guide restoration initiatives landscapes regions, principally prioritizing corridor networks along streams, also highlighting knowledge gap about restoring animal dispersers

Language: Английский

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Climate change-related risks and adaptation potential in Central and South America during the 21st century

Environmental Research Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 17(3), P. 033002 - 033002

Published: Feb. 7, 2022

Abstract Climate-related risks in Central and South America have received increased attention concern science policy, but an up-to-date comprehensive review synthesis of adaptation potential is currently missing. For this paper we evaluated over 200 peer-reviewed articles grey literature documents published since 2012. We found that climate change during the 21st century may increase risk to severe levels for following topical clusters: (a) Food insecurity; (b) Floods landslides; (c) Water scarcity; (d) Epidemics vector-borne diseases; (e) Amazon Forest biome shift; (f). Coral bleaching; (g) Coastal sea level rise, storm surges erosion; (h) Systemic failure due cascading impacts hazards epidemics. Our also identified feasible measures each risk. The will be heterogeneous throughout region, with rural communities, Indigenous peoples, Afro-Latin Americans, women, disabled people, migrants as being most severely affected. refer a number options However, unabated together low adaptive capacity strictly limit options. Immediate strengthening policies building research on risk-adaptation nexus are paramount. findings might contribute guide adjustment emphasis management strategies from local national level.

Language: Английский

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