Ongoing declines for the world’s amphibians in the face of emerging threats

Nature, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 622(7982), P. 308 - 314

Published: Oct. 4, 2023

Abstract Systematic assessments of species extinction risk at regular intervals are necessary for informing conservation action 1,2 . Ongoing developments in taxonomy, threatening processes and research further underscore the need reassessment 3,4 Here we report findings second Global Amphibian Assessment, evaluating 8,011 International Union Conservation Nature Red List Threatened Species. We find that amphibians most threatened vertebrate class (40.7% globally threatened). The updated Index shows status is deteriorating globally, particularly salamanders Neotropics. Disease habitat loss drove 91% deteriorations between 1980 2004. projected climate change effects now increasing concern, driving 39% since 2004, followed by (37%). Although signs recoveries incentivize immediate action, scaled-up investment urgently needed to reverse current trends.

Language: Английский

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Prospecting the engineered environmental carbon sinks and ensuring long-term sustainability of karst areas impacted by heavy metal

Sustainable Horizons, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 14, P. 100126 - 100126

Published: Jan. 9, 2025

Language: Английский

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What factors influence the rediscovery of lost tetrapod species?

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 30(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

We created a database of lost and rediscovered tetrapod species, identified patterns in their distribution factors influencing rediscovery. Tetrapod species are being at faster rate than they rediscovered, due to slowing rates rediscovery for amphibians, birds mammals, rapid loss reptiles. Finding preventing future losses should therefore be conservation priority. By comparing the taxonomic spatial we have regions taxa with many comparison those that been rediscovered-our results may help prioritise search effort find them. identifying influence rediscovery, improved our ability broadly distinguish types likely found from not (because extinct). Some particularly small perceived uncharismatic, neglected terms effort, other hard intrinsic characteristics environments occupy (e.g. nocturnal fossorial occupying habitats more difficult survey such as wetlands). These genuinely await However, possess associated large species) also negatively islands) extinct. Our foster pragmatic protocols still exist.

Language: Английский

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Arthropod-based biotic integrity indices: A novel tool for evaluating the ecological condition of native forests in the Azores archipelago

Ecological Indicators, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 154, P. 110592 - 110592

Published: July 1, 2023

Island ecosystems are experiencing a significant decline in biodiversity, with forest biodiversity being particularly affected by several erosion drivers. This alarming situation highlights the urgent need for conservation managers to develop more accurate and efficient tools assess monitor quality status of sites. To address this issue, our study focuses on development two biological integrity indices (IBI) that utilize arthropod communities as indicators measure In accordance studies showed stratification species diversity, we developed an IBI canopy stratum (IBI-Canopy) intermediate targeting understory (IBI-SLAM). We calibrated both seven parameters comparison purpose previous epigean IBI. Percentages endemic, native non-endemic introduced richness abundance were included indices. Diplopoda IBI-Canopy percentages Saprophagous IBI-SLAM. As expected endemic negatively related disturbance selected Surprisingly, positively disturbance. The limitations single measurements detecting all types pressure sources, proposes multi-measurement system provide comprehensive understanding overall conditions. Our accessible confirmed low preservation Flores compared Terceira Pico, consistent prior empirical studies. analyses also detect earlier than stratum. methodology has successfully been tailored unique found Azores forests. While it may not be suitable random sites, can serve valuable source inspiration arthropod-based IBIs other islands world which standardized exotic could obtained. assemblages mimicked is reflected differences expressed IBIs.

Language: Английский

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Assessing the Impact of Insect Decline in Islands: Exploring the Diversity and Community Patterns of Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Arthropods in the Azores Native Forest over 10 Years

Diversity, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 15(6), P. 753 - 753

Published: June 8, 2023

The ongoing decline of insect populations highlight the need for long-term ecological monitoring. As part “SLAM—Long Term Ecological Study Impacts Climate Change on Natural Forests Azores” project, we investigated changes in arthropod diversity and community structure over a ten-year period (2012–2022) native forest island Terceira (Azores). Focused two assemblages (indigenous non-indigenous species) monitored with SLAM traps, asked if there was distinguishable pattern studied subsets pristine forest. Species richness remained relatively constant. Endemic arthropods dominated stable time, indicating forest’s stability. In contrast, assemblage non-endemic underwent changes, including increased hyperdominance decreased biomass. introduced showed more erratic dynamics driven by species turnover. Results suggested that temporal variation each subset may be due to different processes niche filtering limit establishment spread arthropods. This research contributes our understanding forests highlights conservation efforts protect these fragile ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Herpetofauna from a protected area situated in a biogeographic transition zone in Central South America

Biota Neotropica, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 25(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract Several herpetofaunal inventories have been conducted in the Neotropical region. However, many areas remain to be investigated, and this is particularly true of transition zones between distinct ecoregions. Herein we describe richness, species composition, abundance herpetofauna from a scarcely known portion Brazilian Cerrado assess taxonomic similarities assemblages among sampled habitats neighbouring A mid-term herpetological inventory was May 2009 January 2011 at Serra das Araras Ecological Station (SAES) using pitfall traps with drift fences five forested open habitats. In these additional habitats, visual acoustic searches occasional encounters were also used access local composition herpetofauna, together literature data examination specimens deposited collections. We compared SAES on regional scale those other 29 localities previously studied nine South American documented 123 (39 amphibians 84 reptiles), 112 which recorded during field inventory. Richness highest riparian forests lowest semi-deciduous dry forest cerrado woodland. Riparian presented number exclusive species, while only one found sensu stricto parkland contained 53 40 including seven 10 respectively, showed greater similarity than comparison (including zones), home most diverse herpetofauna. This may attributed continued sampling efforts marked environmental heterogeneity resulting topographic profile confluence several Amphibian more similar nearby locality Chiquitano Dry Forest assemblages, reptile nested Cerrado. Our findings indicate that rich representative biodiversity, evidencing its transitional character.

Language: Английский

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Forest Plant Diversity Assessment Based on Remote Sensing: A Systematic Literature Review

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 11, 2025

This document presents a systematic literature review on the assessment of forest plant diversity using remote sensing techniques. Forest plays crucial role in maintaining ecosystem stability and providing essential services. However, human activities pose significant threats to biodiversity, necessitating effective monitoring conservation efforts. biodiversity provides evidence-based data for programs decision-making. Traditional methods have limitations terms cost, time, spatial coverage. Remote data, other hand, offers flexible cost-effective approach monitor species diversity, explore diversity-productivity relationships, identify hotspots. paper highlights various approaches assess with focus The benefits drawbacks are discussed, along use Earth Observation satellite images, LiDAR unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) mapping vegetation biodiversity. case studies showcasing parameters across different ecosystems sensing. It analyzes temporal trend publications, publishers, authors this field, analysis study regions. Furthermore, discusses challenges identifies research areas improving its accuracy. Overall, comprehensive overview based emphasizes importance efforts, advancements technology, future directions enhance accuracy effectiveness monitoring.

Language: Английский

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Including Funga in Brazilian environmental impact reports

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 305, P. 111095 - 111095

Published: March 15, 2025

Language: Английский

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Decoding the footsteps of the African savanna: Classifying wildlife using seismic signals and machine learning

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 17, 2025

Abstract In recent years, seismic sensors, traditionally used in geophysical studies, have been utilized to record waves generated by wildlife locomotion, providing new ways monitor non‐invasively and continuously. Given the novelty of this approach, numerous research questions, unexplored potentials, methodological challenges remain. study, we investigate signal properties African savanna species during locomotion employ machine learning techniques classify based on these footfall signals. We utilize SeisSavanna dataset, which contains over 70,000 three‐component seismograms paired with labelled images from co‐located camera traps. To create a graphical overview entire combine scattering transform uniform manifold approximation projection (UMAP). While different categories display patterns, local geological conditions known as site effects significantly alter frequency content those address issue effect, trained models data recorded various sites. For multi‐class classification task involving signals elephants, giraffes, hyenas, zebras, achieved balanced accuracy 87% at maximum animal‐sensor distance 50 m. The decreases 77% when is extended 150 m due decreasing label quality. demonstrate that can generalize stations if similar are present training data. Our results indicate potential for using monitoring conservation, complementing other existing passive sensors such traps or acoustic loggers observables about silent species. However, further advancements larger datasets essential approach become reliable tool monitoring.

Language: Английский

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Improving biodiversity resilience requires both public and private finance: A life-cycle analysis of biodiversity finance

Ecological Economics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 234, P. 108607 - 108607

Published: March 24, 2025

Language: Английский

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