1
|
Courtenay AP, Moonlight PW, Toby Pennington R, Lehmann CER. Underground trees inhabit varied environmental extremes across the Afrotropics. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2024; 133:757-772. [PMID: 37642263 PMCID: PMC11082510 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcad124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Geoxyles, a distinctive feature of Afrotropical savannas and grasslands, survive recurrent disturbances by resprouting subshrub branches from large below-ground woody structures. Underground trees are a type of geoxyle that independently evolved within woody genera of at least 40 plant families in Africa. The environmental limits and determinants of underground tree biogeography are poorly understood, with the relative influence of frost and fire debated in particular. We aim to quantify variability in the niche of underground tree species relative to their taller, woody tree/shrub congeners. METHODS Using occurrence records of four Afrotropical genera, Parinari (Chrysobalanaceae), Ozoroa (Anacardiaceae), Syzygium (Myrtaceae) and Lannea (Anacardiaceae), and environmental data of nine climate and disturbance variables, the biogeography and niche of underground trees are compared with their open and closed ecosystem congeners. KEY RESULTS Along multiple environmental gradients and in a multidimensional environmental space, underground trees inhabit significantly distinct and extreme environments relative to open and closed ecosystem congeners. Niche overlap is low among underground trees and their congeners, and also among underground trees of the four genera. Of the study taxa, Parinari underground trees inhabit hotter, drier and more seasonal environments where herbivory pressure is greatest. Ozoroa underground trees occupy relatively more fire-prone environments, while Syzygium underground trees sustain the highest frost frequency and occur in relatively wetter conditions with seasonal waterlogging. Lannea underground trees are associated with the lowest temperatures, highest precipitation, and varying exposure to disturbance. CONCLUSIONS While underground trees exhibit repeated convergent evolution, varied environments shape the ecology and biogeography of this iconic plant functional group. The multiplicity of extreme environments related to fire, frost, herbivory and waterlogging that different underground tree taxa occupy, and the distinctiveness of these environments, should be recognized in the management of African grassy ecosystems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anya P Courtenay
- GeoSciences, Crew Building, The King’s Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH3 5LR, UK
| | - Peter W Moonlight
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH3 5LR, UK
- Botany Department, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - R Toby Pennington
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH3 5LR, UK
- Geography, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4RJ, UK
| | - Caroline E R Lehmann
- GeoSciences, Crew Building, The King’s Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH3 5LR, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Parr CL, Te Beest M, Stevens N. Conflation of reforestation with restoration is widespread. Science 2024; 383:698-701. [PMID: 38359128 DOI: 10.1126/science.adj0899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Across Africa, vast areas of nonforest are threatened by inappropriate restoration in the form of tree planting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine L Parr
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Centre for African Ecology, School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mariska Te Beest
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa
- South African Environmental Observation Network, G-F-W Node, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Nicola Stevens
- Centre for African Ecology, School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lewis K, Barros FDV, Moonlight PW, Hill TC, Oliveira RS, Schmidt IB, Sampaio AB, Pennington RT, Rowland L. Identifying hotspots for ecosystem restoration across heterogeneous tropical savannah-dominated regions. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20210075. [PMID: 36373925 PMCID: PMC9661949 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There is high potential for ecosystem restoration across tropical savannah-dominated regions, but the benefits that could be gained from this restoration are rarely assessed. This study focuses on the Brazilian Cerrado, a highly species-rich savannah-dominated region, as an exemplar to review potential restoration benefits using three metrics: net biomass gains, plant species richness and ability to connect restored and native vegetation. Localized estimates of the most appropriate restoration vegetation type (grassland, savannah, woodland/forest) for pasturelands are produced. Carbon sequestration potential is significant for savannah and woodland/forest restoration in the seasonally dry tropics (net biomass gains of 58.2 ± 37.7 and 130.0 ± 69.4 Mg ha-1). Modelled restoration species richness gains were highest in the central and south-east of the Cerrado for savannahs and grasslands, and in the west and north-west for woodlands/forests. The potential to initiate restoration projects across the whole of the Cerrado is high and four hotspot areas are identified. We demonstrate that landscape restoration across all vegetation types within heterogeneous tropical savannah-dominated regions can maximize biodiversity and carbon gains. However, conservation of existing vegetation is essential to minimizing the cost and improving the chances of restoration success. This article is part of the theme issue 'Understanding forest landscape restoration: reinforcing scientific foundations for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kennedy Lewis
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QE, UK
| | - Fernanda de V. Barros
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QE, UK
| | - Peter W. Moonlight
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QE, UK
- Tropical Diversity Section, Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH3 5LR, UK
| | - Timothy C. Hill
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QE, UK
| | - Rafael S. Oliveira
- Department of Plant Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, CEP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Isabel B. Schmidt
- Department of Ecology, University of Brasília, Brasília, CEP 70.910-900, Brazil
| | - Alexandre B. Sampaio
- Centro Nacional de Avaliação da Biodiversidade e de Pesquisa e Conservação do Cerrado CBC, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade – ICMBio, University of Brasília, Brasília, CEP 70.670-350, Brazil
| | - R. Toby Pennington
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QE, UK
- Tropical Diversity Section, Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH3 5LR, UK
| | - Lucy Rowland
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QE, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Growth-survival trade-offs and the restoration of non-forested open ecosystems. Glob Ecol Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
|
5
|
Campos BH, Pilon NAL, Gonçalves L, Ivanauskas NM, Durigan G. The neglected tropical grasslands: first record of campo com murundus and its plant communities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. BIOTA NEOTROPICA 2023. [DOI: 10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2022-1401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Abstract Tropical grasslands have been systematically neglected worldwide in maps, conservation policies, and ecological studies. After eradicating invasive pine trees from a Cerrado reserve in southeastern Brazil, an unprecedented grassy ecosystem arose in recent satellite images. In the field, we confirmed the first record of wet grasslands with termite mounds – locally named campo com murundus ˗ beyond 21°S in the São Paulo state. Besides reporting this occurrence, we sampled the two plant communities forming this peculiar vegetation type (the mounds and the waterlogged matrix around them) to investigate if they are floristically and functionally distinct. We also explored how these two communities relate to those of the surrounding open vegetation types (savanna, dry and wet grassland). Woody plants were recorded on the mounds but not in the matrix, although the two communities share some ground layer species. Compared to the adjacent vegetation types, the mounds were floristically distinct and functionally more balanced in growth forms, dispersal syndrome, and tolerance to waterlogging. We hope this borderline record of campo com murundus can stimulate the search for other unnoticed remnants out of their known occurrence region, triggering efforts for their conservation and studies to improve comprehension of these iconic ecosystems.
Collapse
|
6
|
Silva MC, Moonlight P, Oliveira RS, Pennington RT, Rowland L. Toward diverse seed sourcing to upscale ecological restoration in the Brazilian Cerrado. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.1045591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Seed markets are vital to scaling up ecosystem restoration in the Brazilian Cerrado, home of the world’s most species-rich grasslands and savannas. We compiled lists of species traded by four major Cerrado seed supply systems to investigate the representativeness of the species currently available for seed-based restoration. We also identified whether dominant ground-layer species are being sourced for seed production. Seeds from 263 Cerrado species can be purchased for restoration, of which 68% are trees, particularly legumes (24%). 63% of the traded species were found in only one seed supply system. The five most dominant graminoids of the Cerrado ground layer were available for sale, but two additional species uncommon in old-growth areas represented 44% of the sales of a key seed trader in Central Brazil. The expansion of Cerrado seed supply systems should be supported to further increase the number of species on the market. Sourcing seeds from a diversity of herbaceous species is central to facilitating the restoration of species-rich grasslands and savannas in the Cerrado. Recovering the diversity and functioning of old-growth open ecosystems through seeds will depend on increasing the supply and demand for species typical of Cerrado’s ground layer.
Collapse
|
7
|
Nine actions to successfully restore tropical agroecosystems. Trends Ecol Evol 2022; 37:963-975. [PMID: 35961912 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Well-designed approaches to ecological restoration can benefit nature and society. This is particularly the case in tropical agroecosystems, where restoration can provide substantial socioecological benefits at relatively low costs. To successfully restore tropical agroecosystems and maximise benefits, initiatives must begin by considering 'who' should be involved in and benefit from restoration, and 'what', 'where', and 'how' restoration should occur. Based on collective experience of restoring tropical agroecosystems worldwide, we present nine actions to guide future restoration of these systems, supported by case studies that demonstrate our actions being used successfully in practice and highlighting cases where poorly designed restoration has been damaging. We call for increased restoration activity in tropical agroecosystems during the current UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
Collapse
|
8
|
Silva SV, Andermann T, Zizka A, Kozlowski G, Silvestro D. Global Estimation and Mapping of the Conservation Status of Tree Species Using Artificial Intelligence. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:839792. [PMID: 35574125 PMCID: PMC9100559 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.839792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Trees are fundamental for Earth's biodiversity as primary producers and ecosystem engineers and are responsible for many of nature's contributions to people. Yet, many tree species at present are threatened with extinction by human activities. Accurate identification of threatened tree species is necessary to quantify the current biodiversity crisis and to prioritize conservation efforts. However, the most comprehensive dataset of tree species extinction risk-the Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN RL)-lacks assessments for a substantial number of known tree species. The RL is based on a time-consuming expert-based assessment process, which hampers the inclusion of less-known species and the continued updating of extinction risk assessments. In this study, we used a computational pipeline to approximate RL extinction risk assessments for more than 21,000 tree species (leading to an overall assessment of 89% of all known tree species) using a supervised learning approach trained based on available IUCN RL assessments. We harvested the occurrence data for tree species worldwide from online databases, which we used with other publicly available data to design features characterizing the species' geographic range, biome and climatic affinities, and exposure to human footprint. We trained deep neural network models to predict their conservation status, based on these features. We estimated 43% of the assessed tree species to be threatened with extinction and found taxonomic and geographic heterogeneities in the distribution of threatened species. The results are consistent with the recent estimates by the Global Tree Assessment initiative, indicating that our approach provides robust and time-efficient approximations of species' IUCN RL extinction risk assessments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandro Valerio Silva
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Interfaculty Bioinformatics Unit, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Andermann
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Global Gothenburg Biodiversity Centre, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Sweden, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Alexander Zizka
- Department of Biology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Gregor Kozlowski
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Daniele Silvestro
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Global Gothenburg Biodiversity Centre, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Sweden, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Fribourg, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
SAD but True: Species Awareness Disparity in Bees Is a Result of Bee-Less Biology Lessons in Germany. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14052604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Bee and insect mortality has recently moved to the forefront of current nature conservation debates and experiences intensive media coverage worldwide. In order to understand the complexity, it is necessary to raise awareness of the diversity of bees. This study investigated whether students are aware of the species diversity of bees. We are guided by the concept of ‘plant blindness’ and show that it cannot be assumed that people are only ’plant-blind’. Therefore, we introduce the concept of Species Awareness Disparity (SAD) in bees to describe a phenomenon which can be defined as the failure to appreciate the significance of wild bee species and the inability to distinguish between individual species of the Apidae family. A total of 421 German students in grades 5–7 participated. The majority of students did not associate a diversity of species with the term ‘wild bee’ but rather consider the honeybee as the bee. Only 2.7% (N = 421) of the students were able to correctly identify pictures of wild bees and the honeybee. This highlights the importance of educating students about the identity and nature of bees in their environment so that they become aware of their meaning from both a personal and an ecological perspective.
Collapse
|
10
|
Tölgyesi C, Buisson E, Helm A, Temperton VM, Török P. Urgent need for updating the slogan of global climate actions from “tree planting” to “restore native vegetation”. Restor Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Csaba Tölgyesi
- Department of Ecology University of Szeged Közép fasor 52, Szeged 6726 Hungary
| | - Elise Buisson
- Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Ecologie Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, Aix Marseille Université, IUT d'Avignon, Agroparc 84911 Avignon France
| | - Aveliina Helm
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences University of Tartu Lai 40, 51005 Tartu Estonia
| | - Vicky M. Temperton
- Faculty of Sustainability, Institute of Ecology Leuphana University Lüneburg Universitätsallee 1, 21335 Lüneburg Germany
| | - Péter Török
- MTA‐DE Lendület Functional and Restoration Ecology Research Group University of Debrecen Egyetem tér 1, Debrecen 4032 Hungary
- Polish Academy of Sciences Botanical Garden—Center for Biological Diversity Conservation in Powsin Prawdziwka Street 2, 02‐973 Warszawa Poland
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Silveira FAO, Ordóñez‐Parra CA, Moura LC, Schmidt IB, Andersen AN, Bond W, Buisson E, Durigan G, Fidelis A, Oliveira RS, Parr C, Rowland L, Veldman JW, Pennington RT. Biome Awareness Disparity is BAD for tropical ecosystem conservation and restoration. J Appl Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando A. O. Silveira
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution Federal University of Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte Brazil
| | - Carlos A. Ordóñez‐Parra
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution Federal University of Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte Brazil
| | - Livia C. Moura
- Institute Society, Population and Nature Brasília Brazil
| | | | - Alan N. Andersen
- Research Institute for the Environment and LivelihoodsCharles Darwin University Darwin NT Australia
| | - William Bond
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa
| | - Elise Buisson
- Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'EcologieCNRSIRDAix Marseille UniversitéAvignon UniversitéIUT d'Avignon Avignon France
| | | | - Alessandra Fidelis
- Lab of Vegetation Ecology Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Rio Claro Brazil
| | | | - Catherine Parr
- School of Environmental Sciences University of Liverpool Liverpool UK
- Department of Zoology & Entomology University of Pretoria Pretoria South Africa
- School of Animal Plant & Environmental Sciences University of the Witwatersrand Wits South Africa
| | - Lucy Rowland
- Department of Geography College of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Exeter UK
| | - Joseph W. Veldman
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology Texas A&M University College Station TX USA
| | - R. Toby Pennington
- School of Environmental Sciences University of Liverpool Liverpool UK
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Edinburgh UK
| |
Collapse
|