Extent, intensity and drivers of mammal defaunation: a continental-scale analysis across the Neotropics

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 10(1)

Published: Sept. 15, 2020

Neotropical mammal diversity is currently threatened by several chronic human-induced pressures. We compiled 1,029 contemporary assemblages surveyed across the Neotropics to quantify continental-scale extent and intensity of defaunation understand their determinants based on environmental covariates. calculated a local index for all assemblages-adjusted false-absence ratio-which was examined using structural equation models. propose hunting socioenvironmental co-variables that either intensify or inhibit hunting, which we used as an additional predictor defaunation. Mammal average erased 56.5% source fauna, with ungulates comprising most ubiquitous losses. The widespread, but more incipient in hitherto relatively intact major biomes are rapidly succumbing encroaching deforestation frontiers. Assemblage-wide body mass distribution greatly reduced from historical 95th-percentile ~ 14 kg only 4 modern assemblages. Defaunation depletion large-bodied species were primarily driven pressure remaining habitat area. Our findings can inform guidelines design transnational conservation policies safeguard native vertebrates, ensure "empty ecosystem" syndrome will be deterred reaching much New World tropics.

Language: Английский

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Water quality assessment based on multivariate statistics and water quality index of a strategic river in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 10(1)

Published: Dec. 16, 2020

Abstract Fifty-four water samples were collected between July and December 2019 at nine monitoring stations fifteen parameters analysed to provide an updated diagnosis of the Piabanha River quality. Further, forty years analysed, including government data previous research projects. A georeferenced database was also built containing management data. The Water Quality Index from National Sanitation Foundation (WQI NSF ) calculated using two datasets showed improvement in overall quality, despite still presenting systematic violations Brazilian standards. Principal components analysis (PCA) most contributing quality enabled its association with main pollution sources identified geodatabase. PCA that sewage discharge is source. cluster (CA) made possible recommend network optimization, thereby enabling expansion other rivers. Finally, provided by this establishes first step towards Framing resources according their intended uses, as established Resources Policy.

Language: Английский

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Land-use changes lead to functional loss of terrestrial mammals in a Neotropical rainforest

Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 19(2), P. 161 - 170

Published: Feb. 26, 2021

Land-use changes are a main driver of modifications in tropical ecosystems, leading to the loss species and ecological traits affecting key functions. Although much attention has been given predict effects on processes, information large-scale land-use over functions is scarce. Here, we detected erosion prevalence performed by mammals response Atlantic Forest Brazil. By analyzing different (vertebrate invertebrate predation, seed dispersal, depredation, herbivory) mammal assemblages deforestation gradient, observed that vulnerable (performed sensitive species, such as browsing, medium large vertebrate predation) were positively related patch size forest cover negatively anthropogenic cover. These relationships reversed for persistent resilient grazing, small predation). Vulnerable virtually restricted remnants, while prevalent human-modified landscapes. Disturbed forests not necessarily empty but there substantial across most Forest. Five out ten lose remnants. Nonetheless, these remnants serve refuges remaining biodiversity verge functional extinction important processes. The provided compromise persistence Forest's biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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Co‐declining mammal–dung beetle faunas throughout the Atlantic Forest biome of South America

Ecography, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 42(11), P. 1803 - 1818

Published: July 25, 2019

The millennial–scale evolutionary relationships between mammals and dung beetles have been eroded due to several drivers of contemporary biodiversity loss. Although some evidence co‐decline has shown for at Neotropical sites, a biome‐scale analysis the entire Atlantic Forest South America would strengthen our understanding how relictual sets mammal species can affect beetle co‐occurrences co‐declines. We therefore collated hundreds assemblages both medium‐ large‐bodied throughout world's longest tropical forest latitudinal gradient examine what extent may exert positive influence on composition functional assembly, whether this relationship is scale dependent. also climatic other environmental variables degree which they shape mammal–dung relationships. local faunas were examined using regression models, variation partitioning, dissimilarity indices ecological networks. found clear richness across biome, indicating an ongoing process niche‐mediated co‐decline. strong taxa, in apparently track changes mammalian dissimilarity, typically 80% all cases. Co‐variables such as phytomass influenced patterns along Forest. conclude that diversity community assembly are shaped by remaining co‐occurring their traits, groups governed features. emphasize ecosystem‐wide effects population declines remain poorly understood quantitatively qualitatively, curbing large vertebrate defaunation will ensure persistence co‐dependent species.

Language: Английский

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Effects of mammal defaunation on natural ecosystem services and human well being throughout the entire Neotropical realm

Ecosystem Services, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 45, P. 101173 - 101173

Published: Aug. 20, 2020

Language: Английский

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Hunting Wildlife in the Tropics and Subtropics

Published: Aug. 25, 2022

The hunting of wild animals for their meat has been a crucial activity in the evolution humans. It continues to be an essential source food and generator income millions Indigenous rural communities worldwide. Conservationists rightly fear that excessive many animal species will cause demise, as already happened throughout Anthropocene. Many large mammals birds have decimated or annihilated due overhunting by If such pressures continue, other meet same fate. Equally, if use wildlife resources is continue those who depend on it, sustainable practices must implemented. These need remain become custodians within lands, own well-being well biodiversity general. This title also available via Open Access Cambridge Core.

Language: Английский

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Causes and Consequences of Large-Scale Defaunation in the Atlantic Forest

Springer eBooks, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 297 - 324

Published: Jan. 1, 2021

Language: Английский

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Identifying hotspots and priority areas for xenarthran research and conservation

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 28(12), P. 2778 - 2790

Published: Jan. 8, 2022

Abstract Aim Limited funds for conservation and research require the development of prioritization schemes. Traditionally, biodiversity metrics were used to delineate priority areas; however, a growing realization emphasizes that logistic factors should be also considered. Here, we combine species richness, past collection efforts, degree habitat loss accessibility define areas spatially orient fieldwork in cost‐effective manner xenarthrans. Location Neotropics. Methods We assessed spatial patterns richness Xenarthra identified diversity hotspots based on distribution models. Spatial biases efforts analysed using comprehensive database including 33,464 individual records 34 Xenarthra. Finally, produced area indices relating with levels (roads rivers network) highlight important but neglected areas. Results Collection concentrated small portion Neotropics (central‐western Brazil, eastern Bolivia north‐western Argentina) biased towards access routes. Only 4% can considered well sampled. Major xenarthran include Amazonian lowlands dry Chaco Paraguay Argentina. Priority varied depending metric analysed. Amazon holds high remains poorly explored. Central Argentina Brazil are given low sampling endemic species, dense road network. Main conclusions Most lack proper assessment assemblage, reflecting extensive knowledge shortfalls. Sites close roads tend better sampled, many network undersampled, being good candidates low‐cost studies. facing highest alteration least protected both conservation. Simultaneous data actions across most range stimulated.

Language: Английский

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Beyond the “empty forest”: The defaunation syndromes of Neotropical forests in the Anthropocene

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 41, P. e02362 - e02362

Published: Dec. 29, 2022

Human activities have altered the abundance and distribution of animals, reshaping ecosystems into novel generally more depauperate configurations. Whereas, overhunting habitat loss threaten numerous species, predation release subsidies from agriculture food waste benefit others. Although these impacts combined can generate multiple different outcomes, we propose that, depending on prevalence anthropogenic drivers, mammalian communities are pushed towards one three main defaunation syndromes: Herbivore-dominated, seed predator-dominated or mesopredator-dominated systems. The extirpation top predators favors herbivore-dominated assemblages, while eliminate large-bodied herbivores, resulting in dominance smaller-bodied mesopredators. Within fragmented landscapes where absent, systems emerge supported by surrounding agricultural matrix. Based a large dataset camera-trap studies, show that continuous Neotropical forests with exhibit greater balance between guilds landscape structure explain composition variation according to syndromes. guild over others has profound effects ecological processes, threatening ecosystem services human health may be dominant scenario Anthropocene.

Language: Английский

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Land use and land cover changes implications on biodiversity in the Owabi catchment of Atwima Nwabiagya North District, Ghana

Heliyon, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9(5), P. e15238 - e15238

Published: April 12, 2023

This paper examined land use and cover (LULC) change implications to biodiversity in the Owabi catchment of Atwima Nwabiagya North District Ghana from 1991 2021 using remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), with participatory methods such as interviews questionnaires a sample size 200 participants. The supervised classification maximum likelihood algorithm QGIS was employed generate LULC maps 1991, 2001, 2011, 2021. Molusce Plugin applied predict probabilities changes 10 years (2021-2031). results showed that high-density forest has disappeared while built-up increased remained most dominant 2011 There is continual decline number plant animal species around catchment. can be attributed forests study area through human actions. identified influence activities key forces loss. problem stemmed taste for housing trading Kumasi Metropolitan Area which resulted an increasing demand settlement because its closeness environs. recommends stringent preventive measures should developed enforced by various stakeholders including Forestry Commission, Water Company Limited, Environmental Protection Agency, well District/Municipal Assemblies safeguard activities. recommendation will help these agencies keep abreast communities factors during planning communities.

Language: Английский

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