Scientists’ warning – The outstanding biodiversity of islands is in peril

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 31, P. e01847 - e01847

Published: Sept. 28, 2021

Despite islands contributing only 6.7% of land surface area, they harbor ~20% the Earth’s biodiversity, but unfortunately also ~50% threatened species and 75% known extinctions since European expansion around globe. Due to their geological geographic history characteristics, act simultaneously as cradles evolutionary diversity museums formerly widespread lineages—elements that permit achieve an outstanding endemicity. Nevertheless, majority these endemic are inherently vulnerable due genetic demographic factors linked with way colonized. Here, we stress great variation in physical geography (area, isolation, altitude, latitude) (age, human colonization, density). We provide examples some most rich iconic insular radiations. Next, analyze natural vulnerability biota, a result founder events well typically small population sizes many island species. note that, whereas evolution toward syndromes (including size shifts, derived woodiness, altered dispersal ability, loss defense traits, reduction clutch size) might have improved ability thrive under conditions on islands, it has made biota disproportionately anthropogenic pressures such habitat loss, overexploitation, invasive species, climate change. This led documented extinction at least 800 past 500 years, addition had already gone extinct following arrival first colonists prehistoric times. Finally, summarize current scientific knowledge ongoing biodiversity worldwide express our serious concern trajectory will continue decimate unique irreplaceable heritage world’s islands. conclude drastic actions urgently needed bend curve alarming rates loss.

Language: Английский

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Macaronesia as a Fruitful Arena for Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: Nov. 5, 2021

Research in Macaronesia has led to substantial advances ecology, evolution and conservation biology. We review the scientific developments achieved this region, outline promising research avenues enhancing conservation. Some of these discoveries indicate that Macaronesian flora fauna are composed rather young lineages, not Tertiary relicts, predominantly European origin. also seems be an important source region for back-colonisation continental fringe regions on both sides Atlantic. This group archipelagos (Azores, Madeira, Selvagens, Canary Islands, Cabo Verde) been crucial learn about particularities macroecological patterns interaction networks islands, providing evidence development General Dynamic Model oceanic island biogeography subsequent updates. However, addition exceptionally high richness endemic species, is home a growing number threatened along with invasive alien plants animals. Several innovative management actions place protect its biodiversity from other drivers global change. The Islands well-suited field study ecology research, mostly due special geological layout 40 islands grouped within five differing age, climate isolation. A large amount data now available several groups organisms around many islands. continued efforts should made toward compiling new information their biodiversity, pursue various fruitful develop appropriate tools.

Language: Английский

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Rat eradication restores nutrient subsidies from seabirds across terrestrial and marine ecosystems

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 31(12), P. 2704 - 2711.e4

Published: April 21, 2021

Language: Английский

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Threatened and extinct island endemic birds of the world: Distribution, threats and functional diversity

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 49(11), P. 1920 - 1940

Published: Sept. 19, 2022

Abstract Aim The world's islands support disproportionate levels of endemic avian biodiversity despite suffering numerous extinctions. While intensive recent research has focused on island bird conservation or extinction, few global syntheses have considered these factors together from the perspective morphological trait diversity. Here, we provide a summary status and ecology extant extinct birds, threats they face implications species loss for functional Location Global. Taxon Birds. Methods We review literature threatened with particular focus studies that incorporated Alongside this, analyse IUCN Red List data in relation to distribution, taxonomy. Using null models hypervolumes, combination data, assess diversity represented by birds. Results main conclusions find almost half all birds 1500 CE are currently either majority having declining population trends. also found evidence 66 subspecies primary agriculture, biological resource use, invasive species. there is overlap between hotspots endemics some notable differences, including Philippines Indonesia, which substantial number but no recorded post‐1500 Traits associated large body mass, flightlessness, aquatic predator, omnivorous vertivorous trophic niches, marine habitat affinity, and, paradoxically, higher dispersal ability. Critically, (i) occupy distinct areas beak morphospace, (ii) represent unique overall space endemics. caution may severe effects ecological functions islands.

Language: Английский

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Climate-driven losses to Indigenous and local knowledge and cultural heritage

The Anthropocene Review, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 10(2), P. 343 - 366

Published: April 15, 2021

Anthropogenic climate change is leading to widespread losses around the world. While focus of research over last decade has largely been on economic or tangible losses, researchers have begun shift their understanding non-economic intangible dimensions loss more deeply. Loss life, biodiversity and social cohesion are some that beginning be explored, along with Indigenous local knowledge (ILK) cultural heritage. These latter two form basis this systematic review 100 studies take stock what we know about climate-driven ILK heritage, how such manifest they overcome, revealing gaps in our carving a path for future research.

Language: Английский

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Phylogenetic and functional clustering illustrate the roles of adaptive radiation and dispersal filtering in jointly shaping late‐Quaternary mammal assemblages on oceanic islands

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 25(5), P. 1250 - 1262

Published: March 11, 2022

Islands frequently harbour unique assemblages of species, yet their ecological roles and differences are largely ignored in island biogeography studies. Here, we examine eco-evolutionary processes structuring mammal on oceanic islands worldwide, including all extant extinct late-Quaternary species. We find tend to be phylogenetically clustered (share more recent evolutionary histories), with clustering increasing area isolation. also observe that often functionally similar traits), but the strength is weak generally independent from or These findings indicate important situ speciation dispersal filtering shaping under pre-anthropogenic conditions, notably through adaptive radiation a few clades (e.g. bats, high abilities). Our study demonstrates considering functional phylogenetic axes diversity can better reveal community assembly.

Language: Английский

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Dwarfism and gigantism drive human-mediated extinctions on islands

Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 379(6636), P. 1054 - 1059

Published: March 10, 2023

Islands have long been recognized as distinctive evolutionary arenas leading to morphologically divergent species, such dwarfs and giants. We assessed how body size evolution in island mammals may exacerbated their vulnerability, well human arrival has contributed past ongoing extinctions, by integrating data on 1231 extant 350 extinct species from islands paleo worldwide spanning the 23 million years. found that likelihood of extinction endangerment are highest most extreme Extinction risk insular was compounded modern humans, which accelerated rates more than 10-fold, resulting an almost complete demise these iconic marvels evolution.

Language: Английский

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Island Biogeography

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: June 30, 2023

Abstract Island Biogeography: Geo-environmental Dynamics, Ecology, Evolution, Human Impact, and Conservation provides a synthetic review covering islands as model systems in the life sciences. It is centred on study of geographical distribution biodiversity how it changes through time, understood medium island biotas ecosystems. comprises four parts devoted turn to: environments; ecology; evolution; human impact conservation. describes origins dynamics different types key characteristics environments that shape their biotic characteristics. identifies theories ecology reviews progress towards evaluation development. sets out essential building blocks evolution emergent patterns insular endemism evolutionary syndromes animals plants. geo-environmental are crucial relevance to understanding developing improved explanatory predictive models ecological dynamics. application theory fragmented spread societies across world these subsequent colonization events environments, biotas, sustainability islands. evidence anthropogenic extinction islands, identifying drivers threats existing native species ecosystems, ways which may make particularly vulnerable certain external influences. considers distinctive conservation challenges solutions be effective

Language: Английский

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Species distribution models and island biogeography: Challenges and prospects

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 51, P. e02943 - e02943

Published: April 8, 2024

Species distribution models (SDMs) are the primary tools used to model and predict changes species' ranges, often provide a quantitative baseline for conservation measures. However, most SDM methods frameworks have been primarily designed use with species relatively large amounts of occurrence data covering broad continental ranges. Here, we undertake systematic review literature (224 published studies) assess appropriate SDMs in island biogeography, specifically focusing on marine islands. We divide into different insular categories (i.e., chorotypes: single island/archipelago endemics, non-endemic natives, non-natives) order chorotype-specific recommendations. highlight how navigate three fundamental considerations related application environments. 1) Response variables, issue small sample sizes many species. 2) Predictor including (i) selection relevant environmental predictors at spatial grains, (ii) addressing truncation extent across entire range, especially 3) Model building, particularly, context limited species, approach uncertainty choice modelling method, avoid overfitting. also examine sources studies, finding that there strong geographical biases study location. Alongside this, evaluate potential GBIF database – comprehensive global occurrences research. find has potentially underutilised studies so far, represents useful resource filling gaps several taxa going forward. Based insights obtained from our review, propose set recommendations tailored

Language: Английский

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On the path to extinction: Helix godetiana Kobelt, 1878, the only threatened Helix species in Greece

Nature Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 58, P. 1 - 10

Published: Jan. 16, 2025

Land snails and the Aegean Archipelago offer an intriguing combination for studying biodiversity, biogeography ecology. A region with high environmental temporal heterogeneity a tri-continental biotic influence group of organisms low active dispersal abilities, endemism, as well particularity to leave shells traces past presence, set ideal stage testing biodiversity patterns exploring multisource threats, especially in era ongoing crisis. In this study, we examine Helix godetiana , large-sized, threatened endemic land snail central south Islands. The species has been extirpated from 22 32 islands where it was historically present. We identify potential drivers its extinction, faces several threats across current range, including competitive exclusion by Cornu aspersum continuing expansion climate change disrupting unusual breeding cycle, which occurs late spring. Our findings shed light on potentially major, yet previously unexplored, molluscs Islands, European hotspot.

Language: Английский

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