Scientists' warning to humanity on insect extinctions

Biological Conservation, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 242, С. 108426 - 108426

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2020

Here we build on the manifesto 'World Scientists' Warning to Humanity, issued by Alliance of World Scientists. As a group conservation biologists deeply concerned about decline insect populations, here review what know drivers extinctions, their consequences, and how extinctions can negatively impact humanity. We are causing driving habitat loss, degradation, fragmentation, use polluting harmful substances, spread invasive species, global climate change, direct overexploitation, co-extinction species dependent other species. With lose much more than abundance biomass insects, diversity across space time with consequent homogenization, large parts tree life, unique ecological functions traits, fundamental extensive networks biotic interactions. Such losses lead key ecosystem services which humanity depends. From pollination decomposition, being resources for new medicines, quality indication many others, insects provide essential irreplaceable services. appeal urgent action close knowledge gaps curb extinctions. An investment in research programs that generate local, regional strategies counter this trend is essential. Solutions available implementable, but needed now match our intentions.

Язык: Английский

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

Scientific Reports, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 10(1)

Опубликована: Сен. 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.

Язык: Английский

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The ecological drivers and consequences of wildlife trade

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 98(3), С. 775 - 791

Опубликована: Дек. 26, 2022

Wildlife trade is a key driver of extinction risk, affecting at least 24% terrestrial vertebrates. The persistent removal species can have profound impacts on risk and selection within populations. We draw together the first review characteristics known to drive use - identifying with larger body sizes, greater abundance, increased rarity or certain morphological traits valued by consumers as being particularly prevalent in trade. then ecological implications this trade-driven selection, revealing direct effects natural populations for traded species, which includes against desirable traits. Additionally, there exists positive feedback loop between depleted tend easy human access points, result harvested has potential alter source-sink dynamics. Wider cascading ecosystem repercussions from trade-induced declines include altered seed dispersal networks, trophic cascades, long-term compositional changes plant communities, forest carbon stocks, introduction harmful invasive species. Because it occurs across multiple scales diverse drivers, wildlife requires multi-faceted conservation actions maintain biodiversity function, including regulatory enforcement approaches, bottom-up community-based interventions, captive breeding farming, translocations rewilding. highlight three emergent research themes intersection community ecology: (1) functional trade; (2) provisioning services; (3) prevalence trade-dispersed diseases. Outside primary objective that exploitation sustainable we must urgently incorporate consideration broader consequences other processes when quantifying sustainability.

Язык: Английский

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

Ecosystem Services, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 45, С. 101173 - 101173

Опубликована: Авг. 20, 2020

Язык: Английский

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Identifying the anthropogenic drivers of declines in tropical dung beetle communities and functions

Biological Conservation, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 256, С. 109063 - 109063

Опубликована: Март 16, 2021

Язык: Английский

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Many losers and few winners in dung beetle responses to Amazonian forest fragmentation

Biological Conservation, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 281, С. 110024 - 110024

Опубликована: Март 21, 2023

Tropical forest fragmentation is expected to result in the loss of forest-dependent species (‘losers’) and proliferation disturbance-tolerant (‘winners’). Here, we use multi-species occupancy modelling quantify effects on Amazonian dung beetles at community level. We investigate relationship between species' habitat preferences responses understand how interspecific variation translates into patterns alpha beta diversity. sampled within 21 patches 2 continuous forests. For each site, quantified three metrics (area, shape, surrounding amount) modelled their occurrence properties. Most were most likely occur large patches, while amount had a positive impact all species. Over 80 % specialists area positively correlated with level specialization. Observed species-level reflected level, greater representation larger up an 88-ha threshold, stabilizing thereafter; this threshold was met by only 1 landscape. Species richness also increased patch area, although impact. Communities structured gradient turnover from small among more isolated patches. Our findings show that beetle become ‘losers’ fragmented landscapes, particularly specialists. recommend landscape-scale planning retain connectivity including remnants.

Язык: Английский

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Community forests as beacons of conservation: Enabling local populations monitor their biodiversity

African Journal of Ecology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 62(1)

Опубликована: Июнь 10, 2023

Abstract Habitat fragmentation is one of the main threats to biodiversity in Africa. In this article, we highlight importance conserving Guinean forests West Africa, which are rich and endemism but threatened by habitat loss, degradation fragmentation. The size forest patches critical, with larger fragments containing more species than smaller ones. protection intact, dense vital for any conservation strategy improving management that already used logging hunting also essential. Community (CFs) can play a crucial role conservation, especially if there substantial network promote ecological connectivity. However, biomonitoring CFs remains challenge due inadequate resources. By developing standardised, easy‐to‐apply inexpensive methods biomonitoring, communities be involved instead relying solely on scientists expensive equipment. We present monitoring framework here where suggest local should become agents their own forests; five‐step scheme. various terms made through combination accurate, standardised face‐to‐face interviews selected persons target based RAPELD latter will implemented after specifically training ‘wise’ persons. proposing kind ‘citizen science’ scheme, applied enhance ability monitor biodiversity.

Язык: Английский

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Greenspace sites conserve taxonomic and functional diversity of dung beetles in an urbanized landscape in the Brazilian Cerrado

Urban Ecosystems, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 24(5), С. 1023 - 1034

Опубликована: Янв. 14, 2021

Язык: Английский

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Combining new technology with classic taxonomy to overcome hurdles to discovering dark taxa

Systematics and Biodiversity, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 23(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 31, 2025

With numerous perils threatening biodiversity, we must remember that most of the basic units biodiversity—species—remain unknown and therefore difficult to assess. Hordes new species continue be discovered described every year. As each requires extensive work, completing description Earth's biota could require millennia, leaving many wanting automate process via genetic barcoding artificial intelligence. Over time, lesser-known groups species, referred as 'dark taxa', will occupy an increasing proportion awaiting description. dark taxa have few barcodes or images for matching algorithms, however, I propose integrating traditional taxonomy into automated workflows by linking data verified specimens using classic taxonomic keys decision trees identifying images. The roles intelligence would thus limited until can build databases specimens. This strategy vital their scientific names so signify undiscovered which is lacking in current methods.

Язык: Английский

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Biome functioning and bioindicators

Elsevier eBooks, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 3 - 20

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

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