Author comment: The late-Quaternary megafauna extinctions: Patterns, causes, ecological consequences and implications for ecosystem management in the Anthropocene — R0/PR1 DOI Creative Commons
Jens‐Christian Svenning

Опубликована: Сен. 4, 2023

Across the last ~50,000 years (the late Quaternary) terrestrial vertebrate faunas have experienced severe losses of large species (megafauna), with most extinctions occurring in Late Pleistocene and Early to Middle Holocene. Debate on causes has been ongoing for over 200 years, intensifying from 1960s onward. Here, we outline criteria that any causal hypothesis needs account for. Importantly, this extinction event is unique relative other Cenozoic 66 million years) its strong size bias. For example, only 11 out 57 megaherbivores (body mass ≥1,000 kg) survived present. In addition mammalian megafauna, certain groups also substantial extinctions, mainly non-mammalian vertebrates smaller but megafauna-associated taxa. Further, severity dates varied among continents, severely affected all biomes, Arctic tropics. We synthesise evidence against climatic or modern human (Homo sapiens) causation, existing tenable hypotheses. Our review shows there little support major influence climate, neither global patterns nor fine-scale spatiotemporal mechanistic evidence. Conversely, increasing pressures as key driver these emerging an initial onset linked pre-sapiens hominins prior Pleistocene. Subsequently, synthesize ecosystem consequences megafauna discuss implications conservation restoration. A broad range indicates elicited profound changes structure functioning. The late-Quaternary thereby represent early, large-scale human-driven environmental transformation, constituting a progenitor Anthropocene, where humans are now player planetary Finally, conclude restoration via trophic rewilding can be expected positive effects biodiversity across Anthropocene settings.

Язык: Английский

The late-Quaternary megafauna extinctions: Patterns, causes, ecological consequences and implications for ecosystem management in the Anthropocene DOI Creative Commons
Jens‐Christian Svenning, Rhys T. Lemoine, Juraj Bergman

и другие.

Cambridge Prisms Extinction, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 2

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2024

Across the last ~50,000 years (the late Quaternary) terrestrial vertebrate faunas have experienced severe losses of large species (megafauna), with most extinctions occurring in Late Pleistocene and Early to Middle Holocene. Debate on causes has been ongoing for over 200 years, intensifying from 1960s onward. Here, we outline criteria that any causal hypothesis needs account for. Importantly, this extinction event is unique relative other Cenozoic 66 million years) its strong size bias. For example, only 11 out 57 megaherbivores (body mass ≥1,000 kg) survived present. In addition mammalian megafauna, certain groups also substantial extinctions, mainly non-mammalian vertebrates smaller but megafauna-associated taxa. Further, severity dates varied among continents, severely affected all biomes, Arctic tropics. We synthesise evidence against climatic or modern human (Homo sapiens) causation, existing tenable hypotheses. Our review shows there little support major influence climate, neither global patterns nor fine-scale spatiotemporal mechanistic evidence. Conversely, increasing pressures as key driver these emerging an initial onset linked pre-sapiens hominins prior Pleistocene. Subsequently, synthesize ecosystem consequences megafauna discuss implications conservation restoration. A broad range indicates elicited profound changes structure functioning. The late-Quaternary thereby represent early, large-scale human-driven environmental transformation, constituting a progenitor Anthropocene, where humans are now player planetary Finally, conclude restoration via trophic rewilding can be expected positive effects biodiversity across Anthropocene settings.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

39
Trophic rewilding as a restoration approach under emerging novel biosphere conditions DOI
Jens‐Christian Svenning, Robert Buitenwerf, Elizabeth le Roux

и другие.

Current Biology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 34(9), С. R435 - R451

Опубликована: Май 1, 2024

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

34
Substantial light woodland and open vegetation characterized the temperate forest biome before Homo sapiens DOI Creative Commons
Elena A. Pearce, Florence Mazier, Signe Normand

и другие.

Science Advances, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 9(45)

Опубликована: Ноя. 10, 2023

The extent of vegetation openness in past European landscapes is widely debated. In particular, the temperate forest biome has traditionally been defined as dense, closed-canopy forest; however, some argue that large herbivores maintained greater or even wood-pasture conditions. Here, we address this question for Last Interglacial period (129,000-116,000 years ago), before Homo sapiens-linked megafauna declines and anthropogenic landscape transformation. We applied reconstruction method REVEALS to 96 pollen records. found light woodland open represented, on average, more than 50% cover during period. degree was highly variable only partially linked climatic factors, indicating importance natural disturbance regimes. Our results show historically heterogeneous rather uniformly which consistent with dependency much contemporary biodiversity woodland.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

32
Integrating functional traits into trophic rewilding science DOI Creative Commons
Joe Atkinson, Rachael V. Gallagher, Szymon Czyżewski

и другие.

Journal of Ecology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 112(5), С. 936 - 953

Опубликована: Апрель 6, 2024

Abstract Trophic rewilding is gaining rapid momentum as a means of restoration across the world. Advances in research are elucidating wide‐ranging effects trophic and megafauna re‐establishment on ecosystem properties processes including resilience, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, productivity plant richness. A substantial gap remains how affects frequency expression functional traits, key hypothesised avenue by which can affect biodiversity processes. Yet, there extensive literature examining mammal herbivory exclusion traits from we may infer potential reintroductions. Here, synthesise to show multifaceted ways that composition responds mammalian explore these responses modulated density identity herbivores well resource availability, historical contingency. We further interactions quantitative analysis European species. In addition, link broad patterns between invasions predict be able reduce invasive dominance, ecosystems around world transitioning towards novel states, occupied mix native introduced Expanding current herbivore (and their implications for rewilding) beyond species richness measurable help assess quantify were not previously possible. Trait approaches test mechanistic hypotheses top‐down impacts large communities reveal links properties. Synthesis . Given rapid, much‐needed expansion activities world, trait‐based ecology offers pathway generalisable predictions rewilding, particularly context both unique landscape associated with (e.g. scale spatiotemporal variability, dispersal) widely emerging ecosystems.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

12
Managed as wild, horses influence grassland vegetation differently than domestic herds DOI Creative Commons
Clémentine Mutillod, Élise Buisson, Laurent Tatin

и другие.

Biological Conservation, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 290, С. 110469 - 110469

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2024

The urgent need to preserve ecosystems over vast areas has placed rewilding with wild herbivores the forefront. However, there are still few scientific experimental field studies dealing its effects on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Since 1993, in France, a socially natural population of horses (Equus ferus przewalskii) been managed for conservation. This introduction is an opportunity compare this new management system multi-secular extensive sheep breeding more recent conventional domestic horse breeding. We sought discover if plant communities show differences depending grazers managing system. surveyed 208 plots divided into six grazed sites (two per type grazer), where all plants species their percent cover were listed within 1m2, environmental variables – such as stones cover, slope - measured 100m2. To focus grazer effects, we used subsample similar variables. study grazing choices ran analyses using plots. At both scales, our results that richness, evenness heterogeneity significantly higher than grazing. Intermediate value concerning at scale. Species richness focusing grazer; intermediate values heterogeneity. also favour dicots rather monocots. Our indicate by maintains promotes grassland diversity, especially when 'as wild' allowing them express behaviour. further needed populations patrimonial time, other taxonomical groups and/or functional diversity services test finely animal bred extensively wild'.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

8
Grazing effects on vegetation: Biodiversity, management, and restoration DOI
Péter Török, Regina Lindborg, David J. Eldridge

и другие.

Applied Vegetation Science, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 27(3)

Опубликована: Июль 1, 2024

Abstract In many regions, wild large herbivores have maintained open landscapes up to and including historic times, but, more recently, been largely replaced by domestic livestock. By employing extensive traditional grazing browsing regimes, conservation actions support biodiversity recovery in natural degraded areas. However, also plays other important ecological roles, for example, the maintenance and/or of ecosystem services, such as biomass production carbon sequestration. Understanding herbivore effects on plant composition functional diversity, functioning is essential informing theory practice. The current Special Issue highlights that vegetation are strongly context‐dependent. articles identify at least three major factors acting concert, which responsible contrasting diversity patterns subjected herbivores: (i) identity; (ii) intensity; (iii) type. Insights from this imply long‐term experiments across different habitat types underrepresented regions needed provide valuable information planning management. They demonstrate integrating indigenous knowledge, considering socio‐economic contexts, can opportunities improving sustainable

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

7
From Grasslands to Forblands: Year‐round grazing as a driver of plant diversity DOI Creative Commons
Skjold Alsted Søndergaard, Rasmus Ejrnæs, Jens‐Christian Svenning

и другие.

Journal of Applied Ecology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Апрель 7, 2025

Abstract Grazing by domestic herbivores is applied across Europe to combat the loss of light‐dependent, species‐rich communities due encroachment competitive woody and herbaceous plants. However, billions euros spent annually EU on grazing subsidies have failed halt species in open habitats. We hypothesized that typical agri‐environmental, seasonal fails simulate ecological effects now‐extirpated, large, wild herbivores, which coevolved with these communities. conducted a survey 30 semi‐natural sites, where was either absent, seasonal, or year‐round, spectrum abiotic conditions. recorded plant diversity cover used traits assess taxonomic functional responses. Year‐round supported higher richness forb compared no grazing. Specifically, dormant‐season (winter) pressure increased cover, superseding additional growing‐season (summer) pressure. Functional similar management types, likely trait similarity year‐round grazed sites. Our results support plays key role weakening interspecific competition among plants enabling diverse replace species‐poor grass dominance. Synthesis applications . indicate typical, may be counterproductive terms promoting diversity. found most effective strategy for conserving urge greater focus evolutionary mechanisms behind relationship between large plants, not least balance grasses forbs. advocate shift conservation strategies towards natural grazing, continued depend semi‐open, forb‐rich habitats such as grasslands, wetlands, woodlands.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

1
Temperate forest plants are associated with heterogeneous semi-open canopy conditions shaped by large herbivores DOI
Szymon Czyżewski, Jens‐Christian Svenning

Nature Plants, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Апрель 14, 2025

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

1
The Restructuring of Ecological Networks by the Pleistocene Extinction DOI
Mathias M. Pires

Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 52(1), С. 133 - 158

Опубликована: Дек. 8, 2023

Most terrestrial large mammals went extinct on different continents at the end of Pleistocene, between 50,000 and 10,000 years ago. Besides loss in species diversity truncation body mass distributions, those extinctions were even more impactful to interaction diversity. Along with each extinction, dozens ecological interactions lost, reorganizing networks, which attained species-poor configurations low functional redundancy. Extinctions most herbivores impacted energy flow rates nutrient cycling, reconfiguring ecosystem-level networks. Because have high mobility, their also shortened seed-dispersal distance reduced diffusivity, disrupting spatial This review examines recent advances understanding how types networks been restructured by megafaunal this reorganization affected ecosystem functions. ▪Megafaunal resulted multiple systems.▪Interaction reshaped including food webs networks.▪The changed ecosystems are structured function.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

14
Prioritizing conservation of terrestrial orchids: A gap analysis for Italy DOI Creative Commons
Michele Lussu, Leonardo Ancillotto, Rocco Labadessa

и другие.

Biological Conservation, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 289, С. 110385 - 110385

Опубликована: Дек. 14, 2023

Protected areas (PAs) are a strategic tool for biodiversity conservation, and conservation planning approaches used to optimize PAs capacity preserve specific target groups. Orchidaceae is one of the most threatened plant families, as species vulnerable habitat changes because their strong ecological specialization. Italy plays key role in biogeography result its geographical position hosts diverse orchid floras Mediterranean Basin. The aim this work depict degree protection granted orchids by current network across entire Italian country, testing whether distributional features affect species' representativeness, identifying priority list be further protected. We compiled dataset comprising 71,693 occurrence records, spatial representativeness was calculated percent occurrences falling within borders PAs. Generalized Linear Models were run assess differences among according preferred habitat, endemicity, chorology, Habitats Directive. produced prioritizing planning. Our findings show that emphasis needed on adopting linked primary or well mature habitats select additional with high significance. reiterate urgency targeted actions can protect prevent decline.

Язык: Английский

Процитировано

9