Madagascar’s extraordinary biodiversity: Evolution, distribution, and use

Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 378(6623)

Published: Dec. 1, 2022

Madagascar's biota is hyperdiverse and includes exceptional levels of endemicity. We review the current state knowledge on past terrestrial freshwater biodiversity by compiling presenting comprehensive data species diversity, endemism, rates description human uses, in addition to an updated simplified map vegetation types. report a substantial increase records new science recent years; however, diversity evolution many groups remain practically unknown (e.g., fungi most invertebrates). Digitization efforts are increasing resolution richness patterns we highlight crucial role field- collections-based research for advancing identifying gaps our understanding, particularly as corresponds closely collection effort. Phylogenetic mirror that endemism analyzed groups. humid forests centers because their refugia rapid radiations. However, distinct other areas, such grassland-woodland mosaic Central Highlands spiny forest southwest, also biologically important despite lower richness. The documented uses Malagasy manifold, with much potential uncovering useful traits food, medicine, climate mitigation. presented here showcase Madagascar unique "living laboratory" understanding complex interactions between people nature. gathering analysis must continue accelerate if fully understand safeguard this subset Earth's biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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Protected areas support more species than unprotected areas in Great Britain, but lose them equally rapidly

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 278, P. 109884 - 109884

Published: Jan. 7, 2023

Protected areas are a key conservation tool, yet their effectiveness at maintaining biodiversity through time is rarely quantified. Here, we assess protected area across sampled portions of Great Britain (primarily England) using regionalized (protected vs unprotected areas) Bayesian occupancy-detection models for 1238 invertebrate species 1 km resolution, based on ~1 million occurrence records between 1990 and 2018. We quantified richness, trends, compositional change (temporal beta diversity; decomposed into losses gains). report results overall, two functional groups (pollinators predators), rare common species. Whilst found that have 15 % more average than ones, declines in occupancy similar magnitude composition has changed 27 areas, with dominating gains. Pollinators suffered particularly severe declines. Still, colonized by locally-novel pollinator suggesting they might act as 'landing pads' range-shifting pollinators. find almost double the number (although trends areas); whereas uncover disproportionately steep within areas. Our highlight strong reorganization loss both therefore call effective combination wider action, to bend curve – where provide toolkit quantify effectiveness. must grasp opportunity effectively conserve time.

Language: Английский

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Islands are key for protecting the world’s plant endemism

Nature, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 634(8035), P. 868 - 874

Published: Oct. 16, 2024

Language: Английский

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The political economy of net-zero transitions: Policy drivers, barriers, and justice benefits to decarbonization in eight carbon-neutral countries

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 347, P. 119154 - 119154

Published: Oct. 3, 2023

This study examines the political economy of decarbonization in eight countries over period 2000 to 2021/2022 that have already achieved a national net-zero transition. These are Bhutan, Suriname, Panama, Guyana, Comoros, Gabon, Madagascar, and Niue. It utilizes an analytical method rich, interdisciplinary systematized literature review integrated with thematic analysis. For each these countries, drivers motivation behind progress, including timeline events; barriers challenges had be overcome; benefits its impacts on equity justice. The main objectives broaden evidence base low-carbon transitions beyond often even overstudied Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democracies, or WEIRD offer new empirical data strategy energy policies real world, examining first achieve success modern era. finds all used similar mix nine policy interventions involving land use, renewable energy, waste management. Common included vulnerability effects extreme climate events either form natural disasters (i.e. landslides floodings) ecosystems degradation ocean acidification, coastal erosion forests loss). Despite barriers, achieving emissions positively impacted marginalized communities by providing more equitable distribution benefits, mitigating adverse health reducing social inequalities, particularly low-income areas.

Language: Английский

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Human‐modified landscapes driving the global primate extinction crisis

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 29(20), P. 5775 - 5787

Published: Aug. 14, 2023

The world's primates have been severely impacted in diverse and profound ways by anthropogenic pressures. Here, we evaluate the impact of various infrastructures human-modified landscapes on spatial patterns primate species richness, at both global regional scales. We overlaid International Union for Conservation Nature (IUCN) range maps 520 applied a 100 km2 grid. used structural equation modeling simultaneous autoregressive models to direct indirect effects six human-altered variables (i.e., human footprint [HFP], croplands [CROP], road density [ROAD], pasture lands [PAST], protected areas [PAs], Indigenous Peoples' [IPLs]) threatened non-threatened species, as well with decreasing non-decreasing populations. Two-thirds all are classified Critically Endangered, Vulnerable), ~86% experiencing population declines, ~84% domestic or international trade. found that expansion PAST, HFP, CROP, infrastructure had most negative richness. In contrast, forested habitat within IPLs PAs was positively associated safeguarding diversity globally, an even stronger effect level. Our results show play critical role conservation, helping prevent their extinction; HFP growth has dramatically worldwide. findings support predictions continued pressures natural habitats may lead significant decline likely, extirpations. advocate national policy frameworks promoting alternative/sustainable livelihoods reducing persistent help mitigate extinction risk species.

Language: Английский

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Madagascar's burned area from Sentinel-2 imagery (2016–2022): Four times higher than from lower resolution sensors

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 914, P. 169929 - 169929

Published: Jan. 8, 2024

Madagascar is one of the most burned regions in world, to point that it has been called 'Isle fire' or 'Burning Island'. An accurate characterization area (BA) crucial for understanding true situation and impacts fires on this island, where there an active scientific debate how fire affects multiple environmental socioeconomic aspects, regimes should be a complex context with differing interests. Despite this, recent advances have revealed BA poorly characterised by currently available global products. In work, we present, validate, explore database at 20 m spatial resolution covering period 2016–2022. The was built based 75,010 Sentinel-2 images using two-phase detection algorithm. validation independent long-term reference units showed Dice coefficients ≥79 %, omission errors ≤24 commission ≤18 relative bias ≥ − 8 %. intercomparison other products (GABAM, FireCCI51, C3SBA11, MCD64) demonstrated our product (i) exhibits temporal consistency, (ii) represents significant accuracy improvement, as reduces underestimations about eightfold, (iii) yields estimates four times higher, (iv) shows enhanced capability detecting small fires. observed patterns were heterogeneous across 32 % grasslands burning annually, contrast land cover types such dense tropical forest <2 every year. We conclude must addressed imagery higher than MODIS Sentinel-3 (≥250 m), Landsat (16 days) deal cloudiness, rapid attenuation burn scars signals, patches.

Language: Английский

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The effect of a political crisis on performance of community forests and protected areas in Madagascar

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: April 5, 2024

Abstract Understanding the effectiveness of conservation interventions during times political instability is important given how much world’s biodiversity concentrated in politically fragile nations. Here, we investigate effect a crisis on relative performance community managed forests versus protected areas terms reducing deforestation Madagascar, hotspot. We use remotely sensed data and statistical matching within an event study design to isolate post-crisis period performance. Annual rates accelerated at end were higher than areas. After controlling for differences location other confounding variables, find no difference crisis, but community-managed performed worse years. These findings suggest that, as subsides pressures intensify, community-based may be less resilient state protection.

Language: Английский

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Integrative taxonomy clarifies the evolution of a cryptic primate clade

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 27, 2024

Abstract Global biodiversity is under accelerating threats, and species are succumbing to extinction before being described. Madagascar’s biota represents an extreme example of this scenario, with the added complication that much its endemic cryptic. Here we illustrate best practices for clarifying cryptic diversification processes by presenting integrative framework leverages multiple lines evidence taxon-informed cut-offs delimitation, while placing special emphasis on identifying patterns isolation distance. We systematically apply entire taxonomically controversial primate clade, mouse lemurs (genus Microcebus , family Cheirogaleidae). demonstrate diversity has been overestimated primarily due interpretation geographic variation as speciation, potentially biasing inference underlying evolutionary diversification. Following a revised classification, find crypsis within genus explained model morphological stasis imposed stabilizing selection neutral process niche Finally, limits defining evolutionarily significant units, provide new conservation priorities, bridging fundamental applied objectives in generalizable framework.

Language: Английский

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Spatial heterogeneity of neo- and paleo-endemism for plants in Madagascar

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 34(6), P. 1271 - 1283.e4

Published: March 1, 2024

Madagascar is a biogeographically unique island with remarkably high level of endemism. However, endemic taxa in are massively threatened due to unprecedented pressures from anthropogenic habitat modification and climate change. A comprehensive phylogeny-based biodiversity evaluation the remains lacking. Here, we identify hotspots taxonomic phylogenetic plant diversity neo- paleo-endemism by generating novel dated tree life for island. The based on sampling 3,950 species (33% total known species) 1,621 genera (93% 69% genera) Malagasy vascular plants. We find that island-endemic concentrated multiple lineages combining diversity. Integrating geographic distribution data, our results reveal taxon richness endemism northern, eastern, southeastern humid forests. Paleo-endemism centers eastern central regions, whereas neo-endemism dry spiny forests western southern Madagascar. Our statistical analysis each vegetation region supports higher proportion ancient east but recent south west. Overlaying protected areas, conservation gaps These should be incorporated into strategies aid protection facets their benefits people.

Language: Английский

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The Evolution of Threats to Protected Areas During Crises: Insights from the COVID-19 Pandemic in Madagascar

Human Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 15, 2025

Abstract The impact of global or national crises on nature conservation efficiency remains insufficiently researched. We examine how specific threats developed during the COVID-19 pandemic in Madagascar’s protected areas, which are important biodiversity hotspots, and crisis impacted actors local communities. Drawing interviews with stakeholders from country’s multifaceted network, we identify developments individual demonstrate that socio-economic impacts by no means uniform. While unsustainable activities for purpose self-sufficiency increased nationwide due to economic downturn restrictions, larger-scale areas were linked more complex factors varied across country through distinct phases pandemic. Local alternative livelihood often failed compensate pandemic-related losses, particularly those tourism instead amplified pressure their reliance natural forest resources. Furthermore, assets exacerbated as many struggled implement projects educational programs, crucial integrating population into environmental efforts. However, despite these challenges, could temporarily intensify endeavors increasing patrolling securing additional emergency funding. Our findings show adaptive management is urgently needed organizations implementing participatory approaches involving structures project planning promising crises.

Language: Английский

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