Understanding and managing introduction pathways into protected areas in a changing climate

Biological Invasions, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 27(2)

Published: Jan. 24, 2025

Language: Английский

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Geographic and Biological Drivers Shape Anthropogenic Extinctions in the Macaronesian Vascular Flora

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 31(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Whether species extinctions have accelerated during the Anthropocene and extent to which certain are more susceptible extinction due their ecological preferences intrinsic biological traits among most pressing questions in conservation biology. Assessing rates is, however, challenging, as best exemplified by phenomenon of ‘ dark ’: loss that disappear before they even formally described. These issues particularly problematic oceanic islands, where exhibit high endemism unique but also vulnerable extinction. Here, we document plant since Linnaeus' Species Plantarum Macaronesia, a biogeographic region comprised five hyperdiverse archipelagos, identify key drivers behind these extinctions. We compiled 168 records covering 126 taxa, identifying 13 global 155 local events. Significantly higher were observed compared expected background rate. uncovered differentiated patterns along altitudinal gradients, highlighting recent coastal hotspot linked socioeconomic changes Macaronesian archipelagos from 1960s onwards. Key factors influencing include island age, elevation, introduced herbivorous mammals, human population size. Trait‐based analyses across floras Azores Canary Islands revealed endemicity, pollination vertebrates, nitrogen‐fixing capacity, woodiness, zoochory consistently tended increase risk. Our findings emphasize critical role geography traits, alongside anthropogenic impacts, shaping dynamics on islands. Enhancing our knowledge life‐history within is crucial for accurately predicting mitigating future risks, underscoring urgent need comprehensive biodiversity assessments ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Spatial Distribution Patterns, Environmental Drivers, and Hotspot Dynamics of the European Rabbit on a Mediterranean Island: Implications for Conservation and Management

Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 14(3), P. 225 - 225

Published: Feb. 20, 2025

The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) presents a significant conservation and management challenge in Greece. While it has been listed national biodiversity assessments, its population dynamics on the island of Lemnos demonstrate characteristics highly adaptable rapidly expanding species, exerting substantial ecological economic impacts. Addressing this issue requires spatially explicit understanding distribution patterns habitat preferences, particularly given extensive growth over past three decades. To end, we conducted 40 field surveys across island, documenting 1534 presence records species. We applied Kernel Density Estimation, Getis-Ord Gi *, Anselin Local Moran’s I to identify spatial hotspots. A lag model was used quantify hotspot intensity clustering dynamics, while abiotic, biotic, anthropogenic factors were analyzed assess associations. Our results revealed that hotspots are predominantly concentrated fertile lowland agroecosystems, with nearly 60% high-density areas overlapping zones. Soil conditions, grazing-supporting landscapes, arable subsidized agricultural emerged as predictors O. cuniculus presence. observed dependencies indicated intensities influenced by conditions neighboring areas, remain fundamental shaping their distribution, highlighting broader landscape-scale affecting populations. These findings underscore necessity adopting informed strategies mitigate impacts accounting for interconnected providing foundation decision-making manage populations balancing priorities.

Language: Английский

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Invasion costs, impacts, and human agency: response to Sagoff 2020

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 34(6), P. 1579 - 1582

Published: July 30, 2020

Article impact statement: In an era of profound biodiversity crisis, invasion costs, invader impacts, and human agency should not be dismissed.

Language: Английский

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Global change in microcosms: Environmental and societal predictors of land cover change on the Atlantic Ocean Islands

Anthropocene, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 30, P. 100242 - 100242

Published: April 27, 2020

Language: Английский

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Anthropogenic transitions from forested to human-dominated landscapes in southern Macaronesia

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 118(40)

Published: Sept. 27, 2021

Significance Assessing the ecological consequences of human settlement can help preserve island forests and their ecosystem services, but to understand legacy these interactions requires datasets that span centuries. We used paleoecological data (e.g. fossil pollen) show prehuman Holocene were dynamic in response climatic changes, colonization led increased incidence fire, soil erosion, grazing impacts Canary Islands Cabo Verde. Humans have driven compositional convergence within thermophilous woodland zone Verde relictual fragments laurel persist. Our long-term view highlights past which tree species restore conserve woodlands biodiversity hotspots.

Language: Английский

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Combined effects of bird extinctions and introductions in oceanic islands: Decreased functional diversity despite increased species richness

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 31(6), P. 1172 - 1183

Published: March 30, 2022

Abstract Aim We analyse the consequences of species extinctions and introductions on functional diversity composition island bird assemblages. Specifically, we ask if introduced have compensated loss resulting from extinctions. Location Seventy‐four oceanic islands (> 100 km 2 ) in Atlantic, Pacific Indian Oceans. Time period Late Holocene. Major taxa studied Terrestrial freshwater species. Methods compiled a list per (extinct extant, native introduced), then traits used single‐trait analyses to assess effects past composition. Then, probabilistic hypervolumes trait space calculate richness evenness original versus present avifaunas each (and net change), estimate how functionally unique are extinct island. Results The were: an increase average (alpha diversity), yet decline across all (gamma diversity); prevalence most traits, evenness, associated with fact that were more (when compared extant natives) than Main conclusions Introduced offsetting even surpassing) losses terms richness, they increasing traits. However, not compensating for due Current assemblages becoming poorer, having lost being composed redundant This is likely cascading repercussions functioning ecosystems. highlight taxonomic biodiversity should be assessed simultaneously understand global impacts human activities.

Language: Английский

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Gene drives for vertebrate pest control: Realistic spatial modelling of eradication probabilities and times for island mouse populations

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 31(6), P. 1907 - 1923

Published: Jan. 24, 2022

Invasive alien species continue to threaten global biodiversity. CRISPR-based gene drives, which can theoretically spread through populations despite imparting a fitness cost, could be used suppress or eradicate pest populations. We develop an individual-based, spatially explicit, stochastic model simulate the ability of homing and X chromosome shredding drives invasive house mice (Mus muculus) from islands. Using model, we explore interactive effect efficiency drive constructs spatial ecology target population on outcome gene-drive release. also consider impact polyandrous mating sperm competition, compromise efficacy some strategies. Our results show that both strategies large mice. Whereas parameters related demography strongly influence performance, find competition following is unlikely eradication effort substantially. Assumptions regarding influenced probability time required for eradication, with short-range dispersal capacities limited mate-search areas producing 'chase' dynamics across island characterized by cycles local extinction recolonization highly efficient are not always optimal, when capabilities low. Rapid suppression around introduction sites cause loss before it entire island. conclude that, although design undoubtedly critical, accurate data critical predicting result

Language: Английский

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Island plant functional syndromes and competition with invasive species

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 50(4), P. 641 - 653

Published: Jan. 27, 2023

Abstract Island floras are diverse with exceptionally high rates of endemicity, and they also severely threatened. Invasive plants widespread on islands, but whether islands particularly susceptible to invasion or island species more vulnerable displacement, both, remains unclear. As part the “island plant syndrome,” it has been predicted that have convergently evolved conservative resource use, slow growth rates, weak competitive abilities in response moderate climates presumed absence competition communities relatively low richness. Yet, functional trait approaches provided mixed evidence support this prediction, direct tests as neighbour effects performance lacking. Considering extensive environmental heterogeneity exists within among seems likely strategies, spanning acquisitive, plants. Furthermore, assessing syndrome predictions through comparisons invasive species, which nonrandom subsets continental plants, is a flawed approach. Future studies compare strategies native versus for between local scale at occurs, consider non‐additivities other simultaneous global threats, urgently needed conserve these biodiversity hotspots.

Language: Английский

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Consequences of Multispecies Introductions on Island Ecosystems

Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 50(1), P. 169 - 190

Published: July 24, 2019

The rate of non-native species introductions continues to increase, with directionality from continents islands. It is no longer single but entire networks coevolved and newly interacting continental that are establishing on consequences multispecies the population dynamics interactions native introduced will depend form trophic limitation island ecosystems. Freed biotic constraints in their range, islands experience top-down limitation, instead becoming limited by disrupting bottom-up processes dominate resource-limited This framing ecological evolutionary relationships among one another ecosystem has important for conservation. Whereas focus conservation restoring apex must be removing animal plant restore limitation.

Language: Английский

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