Biological annihilation via the ongoing sixth mass extinction signaled by vertebrate population losses and declines

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Год журнала: 2017, Номер 114(30)

Опубликована: Июль 10, 2017

Significance The strong focus on species extinctions, a critical aspect of the contemporary pulse biological extinction, leads to common misimpression that Earth’s biota is not immediately threatened, just slowly entering an episode major biodiversity loss. This view overlooks current trends population declines and extinctions. Using sample 27,600 terrestrial vertebrate species, more detailed analysis 177 mammal we show extremely high degree decay in vertebrates, even “species low concern.” Dwindling sizes range shrinkages amount massive anthropogenic erosion ecosystem services essential civilization. “biological annihilation” underlines seriousness for humanity ongoing sixth mass extinction event.

Язык: Английский

---

The Anthropocene is functionally and stratigraphically distinct from the Holocene

Science, Год журнала: 2016, Номер 351(6269)

Опубликована: Янв. 7, 2016

Evidence of an Anthropocene epoch Humans are undoubtedly altering many geological processes on Earth—and have been for some time. But what is the stratigraphic evidence officially distinguishing this new human-dominated time period, termed “Anthropocene,” from preceding Holocene epoch? Waters et al. review climatic, biological, and geochemical signatures human activity in sediments ice cores. Combined with deposits materials radionuclides, as well human-caused modification sedimentary processes, stands alone stratigraphically a beginning sometime mid–20th century. Science , issue p. 10.1126/science.aad2622

Язык: Английский

---

Pervasive human-driven decline of life on Earth points to the need for transformative change

Science, Год журнала: 2019, Номер 366(6471)

Опубликована: Дек. 13, 2019

The human impact on life Earth has increased sharply since the 1970s, driven by demands of a growing population with rising average per capita income. Nature is currently supplying more materials than ever before, but this come at high cost unprecedented global declines in extent and integrity ecosystems, distinctness local ecological communities, abundance number wild species, domesticated varieties. Such changes reduce vital benefits that people receive from nature threaten quality future generations. Both an expanding economy costs reducing nature's are unequally distributed. fabric which we all depend-nature its contributions to people-is unravelling rapidly. Despite severity threats lack enough progress tackling them date, opportunities exist change trajectories through transformative action. action must begin immediately, however, address root economic, social, technological causes deterioration.

Язык: Английский

---

Is Green Growth Possible?

New Political Economy, Год журнала: 2019, Номер 25(4), С. 469 - 486

Опубликована: Апрель 17, 2019

The notion of green growth has emerged as a dominant policy response to climate change and ecological breakdown. Green theory asserts that continued economic expansion is compatible with our planet's ecology, technological substitution will allow us absolutely decouple GDP from resource use carbon emissions. This claim now assumed in national international policy, including the Sustainable Development Goals. But empirical evidence on emissions does not support theory. Examining relevant studies historical trends model-based projections, we find that: (1) there no absolute decoupling can be achieved global scale against background growth, (2) highly unlikely at rate rapid enough prevent warming over 1.5°C or 2°C, even under optimistic conditions. We conclude likely misguided objective, policymakers need look toward alternative strategies.

Язык: Английский

---

Earth beyond six of nine planetary boundaries

Science Advances, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 9(37)

Опубликована: Сен. 13, 2023

This planetary boundaries framework update finds that six of the nine are transgressed, suggesting Earth is now well outside safe operating space for humanity. Ocean acidification close to being breached, while aerosol loading regionally exceeds boundary. Stratospheric ozone levels have slightly recovered. The transgression level has increased all earlier identified as overstepped. As primary production drives system biosphere functions, human appropriation net proposed a control variable functional integrity. boundary also transgressed. modeling different climate and land change illustrates these anthropogenic impacts on must be considered in systemic context.

Язык: Английский

---

Alien species as a driver of recent extinctions

Biology Letters, Год журнала: 2016, Номер 12(2), С. 20150623 - 20150623

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2016

We assessed the prevalence of alien species as a driver recent extinctions in five major taxa (plants, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals), using data from IUCN Red List. Our results show that are second most common threat associated with have gone completely extinct these since AD 1500. Aliens three analysed, for vertebrate overall.

Язык: Английский

---

Future threats to biodiversity and pathways to their prevention

Nature, Год журнала: 2017, Номер 546(7656), С. 73 - 81

Опубликована: Май 30, 2017

Язык: Английский

---

Arthropod decline in grasslands and forests is associated with landscape-level drivers

Nature, Год журнала: 2019, Номер 574(7780), С. 671 - 674

Опубликована: Окт. 30, 2019

Язык: Английский

---

Landscapes that work for biodiversity and people

Science, Год журнала: 2018, Номер 362(6412)

Опубликована: Окт. 18, 2018

How can we manage farmlands, forests, and rangelands to respond the triple challenge of Anthropocene-biodiversity loss, climate change, unsustainable land use? When managed by using biodiversity-based techniques such as agroforestry, silvopasture, diversified farming, ecosystem-based forest management, these socioeconomic systems help maintain biodiversity provide habitat connectivity, thereby complementing protected areas providing greater resilience change. Simultaneously, use management improve yields profitability more sustainably, enhancing livelihoods food security. This approach "working lands conservation" create landscapes that work for nature people. However, many challenges impede uptake practices. Although improving voluntary incentives, market instruments, environmental regulations, governance is essential support working conservation, it community action, social movements, broad coalitions among citizens, businesses, nonprofits, government agencies have power transform how protect environment.

Язык: Английский

---

Biodiversity losses and conservation responses in the Anthropocene

Science, Год журнала: 2017, Номер 356(6335), С. 270 - 275

Опубликована: Апрель 20, 2017

Biodiversity is essential to human well-being, but people have been reducing biodiversity throughout history. Loss of species and degradation ecosystems are likely further accelerate in the coming years. Our understanding this crisis now clear, world leaders pledged avert it. Nonetheless, global goals reduce rate loss mostly not achieved. However, many examples conservation success show that losses can be halted even reversed. Building on these lessons turn tide will require bold innovative action transform historical relationships between populations nature.

Язык: Английский

---