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Svenning JC, McGeoch MA, Normand S, Ordonez A, Riede F. Navigating ecological novelty towards planetary stewardship: challenges and opportunities in biodiversity dynamics in a transforming biosphere. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230008. [PMID: 38583480 PMCID: PMC10999270 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Human-induced global changes, including anthropogenic climate change, biotic globalization, trophic downgrading and pervasive land-use intensification, are transforming Earth's biosphere, placing biodiversity and ecosystems at the forefront of unprecedented challenges. The Anthropocene, characterized by the importance of Homo sapiens in shaping the Earth system, necessitates a re-evaluation of our understanding and stewardship of ecosystems. This theme issue delves into the multifaceted challenges posed by the ongoing ecological planetary transformation and explores potential solutions across four key subthemes. Firstly, it investigates the functioning and stewardship of emerging novel ecosystems, emphasizing the urgent need to comprehend the dynamics of ecosystems under uncharted conditions. The second subtheme focuses on biodiversity projections under global change, recognizing the necessity of predicting ecological shifts in the Anthropocene. Importantly, the inherent uncertainties and the complexity of ecological responses to environmental stressors pose challenges for societal responses and for accurate projections of ecological change. The RAD framework (resist-accept-direct) is highlighted as a flexible yet nuanced decision-making tool that recognizes the need for adaptive approaches, providing insights for directing and adapting to Anthropocene dynamics while minimizing negative impacts. The imperative to extend our temporal perspective beyond 2100 is emphasized, given the irreversible changes already set in motion. Advancing methods to study ecosystem dynamics under rising biosphere novelty is the subject of the third subtheme. The fourth subtheme emphasizes the importance of integrating human perspectives into understanding, forecasting and managing novel ecosystems. Cultural diversity and biological diversity are intertwined, and the evolving relationship between humans and ecosystems offers lessons for future stewardship. Achieving planetary stewardship in the Anthropocene demands collaboration across scales and integration of ecological and societal perspectives, scalable approaches fit to changing, novel ecological conditions, as well as cultural innovation. This article is part of the theme issue 'Ecological novelty and planetary stewardship: biodiversity dynamics in a transforming biosphere'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens-Christian Svenning
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Center for Sustainable Landscapes under Global Change (SustainScapes), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Melodie A. McGeoch
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia
| | - Signe Normand
- Center for Sustainable Landscapes under Global Change (SustainScapes), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Center for Landscape Research in Sustainable Agricultural Futures (Land-CRAFT), Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Alejandro Ordonez
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Center for Sustainable Landscapes under Global Change (SustainScapes), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Felix Riede
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, Aarhus University, Moesgård Allé 20, 8270 Højbjerg, Denmark
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Lin Q, Zhang K, Giguet-Covex C, Arnaud F, McGowan S, Gielly L, Capo E, Huang S, Ficetola GF, Shen J, Dearing JA, Meadows ME. Transient social-ecological dynamics reveal signals of decoupling in a highly disturbed Anthropocene landscape. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2321303121. [PMID: 38640342 PMCID: PMC11046650 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2321303121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the transient dynamics of interlinked social-ecological systems (SES) is imperative for assessing sustainability in the Anthropocene. However, how to identify critical transitions in real-world SES remains a formidable challenge. In this study, we present an evolutionary framework to characterize these dynamics over an extended historical timeline. Our approach leverages multidecadal rates of change in socioeconomic data, paleoenvironmental, and cutting-edge sedimentary ancient DNA records from China's Yangtze River Delta, one of the most densely populated and intensively modified landscapes on Earth. Our analysis reveals two significant social-ecological transitions characterized by contrasting interactions and feedback spanning several centuries. Initially, the regional SES exhibited a loosely connected and ecologically sustainable regime. Nevertheless, starting in the 1950s, an increasingly interconnected regime emerged, ultimately resulting in the crossing of tipping points and an unprecedented acceleration in soil erosion, water eutrophication, and ecosystem degradation. Remarkably, the second transition occurring around the 2000s, featured a notable decoupling of socioeconomic development from ecoenvironmental degradation. This decoupling phenomenon signifies a more desirable reconfiguration of the regional SES, furnishing essential insights not only for the Yangtze River Basin but also for regions worldwide grappling with similar sustainability challenges. Our extensive multidecadal empirical investigation underscores the value of coevolutionary approaches in understanding and addressing social-ecological system dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Lin
- Key Laboratory of Lake and Watershed Science for Water Security, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing210008, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Lake and Watershed Science for Water Security, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing210008, People’s Republic of China
| | - Charline Giguet-Covex
- Laboratoire Environnements, Dyamiques et Teritoires de la Montagne, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, Chambéry73000, France
| | - Fabien Arnaud
- Laboratoire Environnements, Dyamiques et Teritoires de la Montagne, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, Chambéry73000, France
| | - Suzanne McGowan
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology, Wageningen6708PB, Netherlands
| | - Ludovic Gielly
- Laboratoire d’Écologie Alpine, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, GrenobleF-38000, France
| | - Eric Capo
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå University, UmeåSE-90187, Sweden
| | - Shixin Huang
- Key Laboratory of Lake and Watershed Science for Water Security, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing210008, People’s Republic of China
| | - Gentile Francesco Ficetola
- Laboratoire d’Écologie Alpine, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, GrenobleF-38000, France
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan20133, Italy
| | - Ji Shen
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, People’s Republic of China
| | - John A. Dearing
- School of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton, SouthamptonSO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Michael E. Meadows
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Environmental & Geographical Science, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch7701, South Africa
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3
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Suzuki LA, Caso TJ, Yucel A, Asad A, Kokaze H. Contextualizing Positionality, Intersectionality, and Intelligence in the Anthropocene. J Intell 2024; 12:45. [PMID: 38667712 DOI: 10.3390/jintelligence12040045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The geological epoch of the Anthropocene has challenged traditional definitions of what intellectual abilities are necessary to creatively problem-solve, understand, and address contemporary societal and environmental crises. If we hope to make meaningful changes to how our society addresses these complex issues and pave the way for a better future for generations to come, we must advance traditional theories and measures of higher-order abilities to reflect equity and inclusion. To this end, we must address global issues by integrating the complexities of intersectional identities as they impact our understanding of what constitutes intelligence in individuals, groups, and diverse communities. This re-envisioning of intelligence presents new complexities for understanding and challenges for our field beyond the boundaries of what has been previously touted by many disciplines, including psychology. It is an opportunity to re-envision what it means to be intelligent in a diverse global context while also honoring and recognizing the value of difference, positionality, and other ways of knowing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A Suzuki
- Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Taymy J Caso
- Educational Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Aysegul Yucel
- Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY 10019, USA
| | - Ahad Asad
- Educational Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Haruka Kokaze
- Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
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Ridley FA, Rushton SP, Hickinbotham EJ, Suggitt AJ, McGowan PJK, Mair L. Global mismatches between threat mapping research effort and the potential of threat abatement actions to reduce extinction risk. Conserv Biol 2024:e14271. [PMID: 38623873 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Threat mapping is a necessary tool for identifying and abating direct threats to species in the ongoing extinction crisis. There are known gaps in the threat mapping literature for particular threats and geographic locations, and it remains unclear if the distribution of research effort is appropriately targeted relative to conservation need. We aimed to determine the drivers of threat mapping research effort and to quantify gaps that, if filled, could inform actions with the highest potential to reduce species' extinction risk. We used a negative binomial generalized linear model to analyze research effort as a function of threat abatement potential (quantified as the potential reduction in species extinction risk from abating threats), species richness, land area, and human pressure. The model showed that threat mapping research effort increased by 1.1 to 1.2 times per standardized unit change in threat abatement potential. However, species richness and land area were stronger predictors of research effort overall. The greatest areas of mismatch between research effort and threat abatement potential, receiving disproportionately low research effort, were related to the threats to species of agriculture, aquaculture, and biological resource use across the tropical regions of the Americas, Asia, and Madagascar. Conversely, the threat of linear infrastructure (e.g., roads and rails) across regions, the threat of biological resource use (e.g., hunting or collection) in sub-Saharan Africa, and overall threats in North America and Europe all received disproportionately high research effort. We discuss the range of methodological and sociopolitical factors that may be behind the overall trends and specific areas of mismatch we found. We urge a stronger emphasis on targeting research effort toward those threats and geographic locations where threat abatement activities could make the greatest contribution to reducing global species extinction risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca A Ridley
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Stephen P Rushton
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Emily J Hickinbotham
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Andrew J Suggitt
- Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Philip J K McGowan
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Louise Mair
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Roberts LR, Kersting DK, Zinke J, Rose NL. First recorded presence of anthropogenic fly-ash particles in coral skeletons. Sci Total Environ 2024; 921:170665. [PMID: 38311084 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Fly-ash particles formed during industrial fossil-fuel combustion show a globally observed rapid increase in concentration within natural archives post-1950 and have been proposed as a marker for the Anthropocene Epoch. Here, we present the first record of fly-ash particles incorporated into coral skeletons. Particles are present in Mediterranean corals between CE 1957 and 1992 at concentrations of 8-30 g-1 coral, mirroring the period of increased industrial activity in the area, and corroborating with spheroidal carbonaceous particle (SCP) records globally. The findings have important implications for the use of SCPs as markers in natural archives. With the exception of microplastics, this is the first evidence of particulate contamination in corals collected from natural environments. Further research is needed to understand incorporation pathways into coral skeletons, any subsequent ecotoxicological impact of contaminants, and the influence on overall coral health globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- L R Roberts
- Environmental Change Research Centre, Department of Geography, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - D K Kersting
- Instituto de Acuicultura de Torre de la Sal (IATS-CSIC), 12595 Ribera de Cabanes, Castelló, Spain
| | - J Zinke
- School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - N L Rose
- Environmental Change Research Centre, Department of Geography, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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Feng X, Peterson AT, Aguirre-López LJ, Burger JR, Chen X, Papeş M. Rethinking ecological niches and geographic distributions in face of pervasive human influence in the Anthropocene. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024. [PMID: 38597328 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Species are distributed in predictable ways in geographic spaces. The three principal factors that determine geographic distributions of species are biotic interactions (B), abiotic conditions (A), and dispersal ability or mobility (M). A species is expected to be present in areas that are accessible to it and that contain suitable sets of abiotic and biotic conditions for it to persist. A species' probability of presence can be quantified as a combination of responses to B, A, and M via ecological niche modeling (ENM; also frequently referred to as species distribution modeling or SDM). This analytical approach has been used broadly in ecology and biogeography, as well as in conservation planning and decision-making, but commonly in the context of 'natural' settings. However, it is increasingly recognized that human impacts, including changes in climate, land cover, and ecosystem function, greatly influence species' geographic ranges. In this light, historical distinctions between natural and anthropogenic factors have become blurred, and a coupled human-natural landscape is recognized as the new norm. Therefore, B, A, and M (BAM) factors need to be reconsidered to understand and quantify species' distributions in a world with a pervasive signature of human impacts. Here, we present a framework, termed human-influenced BAM (Hi-BAM, for distributional ecology that (i) conceptualizes human impacts in the form of six drivers, and (ii) synthesizes previous studies to show how each driver modifies the natural BAM and species' distributions. Given the importance and prevalence of human impacts on species distributions globally, we also discuss implications of this framework for ENM/SDM methods, and explore strategies by which to incorporate increasing human impacts in the methodology. Human impacts are redefining biogeographic patterns; as such, future studies should incorporate signals of human impacts integrally in modeling and forecasting species' distributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Feng
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | | | | | - Joseph R Burger
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40502, USA
| | - Xin Chen
- Appalachian Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Frostburg, MD, 21532, USA
| | - Monica Papeş
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
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Chen M, Neupane B, Zhan X, Liu T, Lin Z, Gao C, Zaccone C, Bao K. Three thousand years of Hg pollution recorded in mangrove wetland sediments from South China. Environ Res 2024; 252:118866. [PMID: 38580002 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is known to affect aquatic, terrestrial ecosystems as well as human health, through biomagnification. Mangrove wetlands are potential Hg sinks because of their low tidal velocity, fast sedimentation rate, strong reducing condition and high organic matter content. The spatial and temporal distribution of Hg has been a hot topic of recent studies in mangrove wetlands. In this study, we investigated Hg concentration, accumulation rate and isotopes to reconstruct the Hg pollution history and to differentiate its potential sources in the Gaoqiao mangrove wetland (Guangdong province), which is part of the largest mangrove area in China. We reconstructed a first, continuous, high-resolution Hg pollution history over the last 3000 years in South China. Our findings show that mangrove wetland sediments are more enriched in Hg than the adjacent grasslands. The increased Hg concentration and δ202Hg in recent sediments mirror the enhanced anthropogenic impacts; Hg concentrations in areas with high levels of anthropogenic disturbance are up to 5× higher than the average background value (9.9 ± 1.2 μg kg-1). Compared to mangroves in coastal areas of South China and around the world, the Hg concentration in Gaoqiao is much lower. The significant increase of Hg since the 1950s and the major Hg peak since the 1980s were the evidence of the human activities influences and indicated the possible start date of Anthropocene. After 2007 CE, a decline in Hg pollution occurs due to the effective implementation of the mangrove protection policy. Three potential sources were identified by the Hg isotope traces including urban gaseous Hg, industrial Hg, and regional soil and leaf litter Hg input.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minqi Chen
- School of Geography, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Bigyan Neupane
- School of Geography, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China; Institute of Fundamental Research and Studies (InFeRS), Kathmandu, 44600, Nepal
| | - Xuan Zhan
- Eco-Environmental Monitoring and Research Center, Pearl River Valley and South China Sea Ecology and Environment Administration, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510611, China
| | - Ting Liu
- School of Geography, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Zhanyi Lin
- School of Geography, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Changjun Gao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection and Utilization, Guangdong Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, 510520, China
| | - Claudio Zaccone
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, Verona, 37134, Italy.
| | - Kunshan Bao
- School of Geography, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
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Ran F, Wang S, Nie X, Xiao T, Yang C, Liu Y, Li Z. Driver-response relationships in a large shallow lake since the Anthropocene: Short-term abrupt perturbations versus long-term sustainable. Glob Chang Biol 2024; 30:e17267. [PMID: 38563471 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Lakes, as integral social-ecological systems, are hotspots for exploring climatic and anthropogenic impacts, with crucial pathways revealed by continuous sediment records. However, the response of multi-proxies in large shallow lakes to typical abrupt events and sustained drivers since the Anthropocene remains unclear. Here, we explored the driver-identification relationships between multi-proxy peaks and natural and anthropogenic events as well as the attribution of short-term perturbations and long-term pressures. To this end, sediment core records, socio-ecological data, and documented events from official records were integrated into a large shallow lake (Dongting Lake, China). Significant causal cascades and path effects (goodness-of-fit: 0.488; total effect: -1.10; p < .001) were observed among catchment environmental proxies, lake biogenic proxies, and mixed-source proxies. The peak-event identification rate (PEIR) and event-peak driving rate were proposed, and values of 28.57%-46.43% and 50%-81.25% were obtained, respectively. The incomplete accuracy of depicting event perturbations using sediment proxies was caused by various information filters both inside and outside the lake. PEIRs for compound events were 1.41 (±0.72) and 1.09 (±0.46) times greater than those for anthropogenic-dominated and natural-dominated events, respectively. Furthermore, socio-economic activity, hydrologic dynamics, land-use changes, and agriculture exerted significant and persistent pressures, cumulatively contributing 55.3%-80.9% to alterations in sediment proxies. Relatively synergistic or antagonistic trends in temporal contributions of these forces were observed after 2000, which were primarily attributed to the "Grain for Green" project and the Three Gorges Dam. This study represents one of the few investigations to distinguish the driver-response relationship of multiple proxies in large shallow lakes under typical event perturbations and long-term sustained pressures since the Anthropocene. The findings will help policymakers and managers address ecological perturbations triggered by climate change and human activities over long-term periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengwei Ran
- School of Geographic Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, P.R. China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Eco-Environmental Changes and Carbon Sequestration of the Dongting Lake Basin, Changsha, P.R. China
| | - Shilan Wang
- School of Geographic Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, P.R. China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Eco-Environmental Changes and Carbon Sequestration of the Dongting Lake Basin, Changsha, P.R. China
| | - Xiaodong Nie
- School of Geographic Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, P.R. China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Eco-Environmental Changes and Carbon Sequestration of the Dongting Lake Basin, Changsha, P.R. China
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, P.R. China
| | - Tao Xiao
- School of Geographic Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, P.R. China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Eco-Environmental Changes and Carbon Sequestration of the Dongting Lake Basin, Changsha, P.R. China
| | - Changrong Yang
- School of Geographic Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, P.R. China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Eco-Environmental Changes and Carbon Sequestration of the Dongting Lake Basin, Changsha, P.R. China
| | - Yaojun Liu
- School of Geographic Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, P.R. China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Eco-Environmental Changes and Carbon Sequestration of the Dongting Lake Basin, Changsha, P.R. China
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, P.R. China
| | - Zhongwu Li
- School of Geographic Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, P.R. China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Eco-Environmental Changes and Carbon Sequestration of the Dongting Lake Basin, Changsha, P.R. China
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, P.R. China
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Fu H, Li M, Bao K, Zhang Y, Ouyang T. Environment change recorded by lake sediment magnetism in the Songnen Plain, northeastern China. Sci Total Environ 2024; 919:170938. [PMID: 38354795 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Stratigraphic determination of the Anthropocene, the "Great Acceleration", requires more key globally synchronous stratigraphic markers which reflect the significant human impacts on Earth. Lacustrine sediment magnetic characteristics are of considerable importance in Anthropocene studies because they respond sensitively to environmental changes. There are many shallow lakes in the Songnen Plain (SNP) in northeast China, which are conducive to obtaining Anthropocene sedimentary records. This study explored magnetic materials in lacustrine sediment responses to environmental evolution impact by human activities on the SNP by measuring magnetic parameters in dated sediment cores from 5 shallow lakes in the SNP, northeast China. The results revealed that detrital magnetite and hematite dominated the magnetic minerals in lake sediments. The persistently low value of magnetic susceptibility might be caused by the low content of natural ferrimagnetic minerals in Quaternary fluvial deposits and humus-rich black soil in the catchment, and the loss of magnetic materials during the transport process. In Lake Longjiangpao (LJP), the magnetic concentrations significantly responded to regional precipitation, whereas in the other 4 lakes in the center of the plain, the parameters tended to reflect complex human activities. However, the isothermal remanent magnetization ratio (S-300), which is indicative of the ratio of hematite to magnetite, exhibited relatively consistent variations in the 5 studied lakes. After 1950, the "Great Acceleration", the increase of S-300 indicated a relative proportion of magnetite in sediments, and was positively correlated with the growth of human-activity proxies (Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and population). Thus, this proxy can be regarded as a useful indicator of the beginning of the Anthropocene in the studied region. This study provides new insights into the estimation of local human activities in history and possible evidence for the global definition of the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Fu
- School of Geography, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Mingkun Li
- School of Geography, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Kunshan Bao
- School of Geography, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Yongdong Zhang
- School of Geography, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China.
| | - Tingping Ouyang
- School of Geography, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
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10
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Acevedo MA, Fankhauser C, González L, Quigg M, Gonzalez B, Papa R. Recolonization of secondary forests by a locally extinct Caribbean anole through the lens of range expansion theory. Ecol Appl 2024; 34:e2960. [PMID: 38425089 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Disturbance and recovery dynamics are characteristic features of many ecosystems. Disturbance dynamics are widely studied in ecology and conservation biology. Still, we know less about the ecological processes that drive ecosystem recovery. The ecological processes that mediate ecosystem recovery stand at the intersection of many theoretical frameworks. Range expansion theory is one of these complementary frameworks that can provide unique insights into the population-level processes that mediate ecosystem recovery, particularly fauna recolonization. Although the biodiversity patterns that follow the fauna recolonization of recovering forests have been well described in the literature, the ecological processes at the population level that drive these patterns remain conspicuously unknown. In this study, we tested three fundamental predictions of range expansion theory during the recolonization of recovering forests in Puerto Rico by a shade specialist anole, Anolis gundlachi. Range expansion theory predicts that individuals at the early stages of recolonization (i.e., younger forests) would have a high prevalence of dispersive traits, experience less density dependence, and suffer less parasitism. To test these predictions, we conducted a chronosequence study applying space-for-time substitution where we compared phenotypic traits (i.e., body size, body condition, and relative limb size), population density, population growth rates, and Plasmodium parasitism rates among lizard populations living in young (<30 years), mid (~40-70 years), and old-growth forests (>75 years). Lizard populations in younger forests had lower densities, higher population growth rates, and lower rates of Plasmodium parasitism compared with old-growth forests. Still, while we found that individuals had larger body sizes, and longer forelimbs in young forests in one site, this result was not consistent among sites. This suggests a potential trade-off between the traits that provide a dispersal advantage during the initial stages of recolonization and those that are advantageous to establish in novel environmental conditions. Overall, our study emphasizes the suitability of range expansion theory to describe fauna recolonization but also highlights that the ecological processes that drive recolonization are time-dependent, complex, and nuanced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Acevedo
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Carly Fankhauser
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Luis González
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
| | - Marné Quigg
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Bella Gonzalez
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Riccardo Papa
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras, San Juan, Puerto Rico
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11
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Kiepek N. Occupation in the Anthropocene and Ethical Relationality. Can J Occup Ther 2024; 91:44-55. [PMID: 37072931 PMCID: PMC10903124 DOI: 10.1177/00084174231169390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
Purpose. Occupations have "implications for individuals, societies, and the earth". This article focusses on implications of occupation in relation to the earth and examines the potential to expand occupational justice beyond anthropocentric viewpoints to honour interspecies justice. Approach. A 'theory as method' approach is used to explore the literature. Transgressive decolonial hermeneutics informs analysis. Key issues. The discussion advances understandings about human occupation in relation to more-than-humans, intersections with human occupations and animals, and ethical relationality. Implications. Occupational justice includes honouring interdependence of species, engaging in occupations in ways that are sustainable, considering future generations, and refraining from occupations that have a destructive or detrimental impact on the earth and more-than-humans. The profession has a collective responsibility to honour Indigenous worldviews and Indigenous sovereignty, recognising and welcoming the potential for Western conceptualisations of occupation to be transformed.
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12
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Oerther S, Manspeaker S. The Role of the School Nurse in Addressing Climate-Associated Illnesses: Air Quality. NASN Sch Nurse 2024; 39:71-74. [PMID: 38087818 DOI: 10.1177/1942602x231200024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Climate change is having an unprecedented influence on human health. Children's allergies and respiratory problems are increasing because of rising pollen levels and air pollution. School nurses are well positioned to prevent and treat allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions. Due to their consistent presence with the school setting, nurses can promote health, wellness, and academic productivity by addressing poor indoor and outdoor air quality. The purpose of this article is to increase understanding of how air quality affects the health of school-age children and to provide school nurses with primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies for ensuring clean and healthy learning environments. This is the second in a series of articles aimed at raising awareness among school nurses about climate-associated illnesses and equipping them with the resources they need to protect students' health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Oerther
- Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
| | - Sarah Manspeaker
- Rangos School of Health Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA
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13
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Jagiello Z, Dylewski Ł, Szulkin M. The plastic homes of hermit crabs in the Anthropocene. Sci Total Environ 2024; 913:168959. [PMID: 38185570 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Plastic is the most pervasive element of marine waste, with harmful impact on wildlife. By using iEcology (i.e., internet Ecology, use of online data sources as a new tool in ecological research), we report on the emergence of a novel behaviour in hermit crabs related to the use of plastic or other anthropogenic materials as protective shells. We analysed images posted on social media to identify 386 individuals with artificial shells - mainly plastic caps (85 %). We report that 10 of the world's 16 terrestrial hermit crabs use artificial shells, a behaviour observed on all of the Earth's tropical coasts. Four non-exclusive mechanisms may drive individual choice for artificial shells: sexual signaling, lightness of artificial shells, odour cues, and camouflage in a polluted environment. Further research is needed to determine the impact of this behaviour on hermit crab evolutionary trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna Jagiello
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Łukasz Dylewski
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Marta Szulkin
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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14
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Fan J, Wang Y, Cui K. Three-century climate variations recovered from Lake Heilongtan in southwest China and potential Anthropogenic evidences. Sci Total Environ 2024; 912:169094. [PMID: 38056659 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Under increasing influences of human activities on earth surface system, the concept of Anthropocene has been proposed and widely investigated to represent such a human-dominated geological epoch. To acquire further details about the Anthropocene, investigations on high-resolution continuous records are essentially necessary, especially for regions under notable human impacts. Here, a continuous sediment record covering the past three centuries was collected from Lake Heilongtan, a closed basin lake located in the Hengduan Mountains, in southwest China. High-resolution sedimentary proxies were examined to reconstruct past climate and environment changes, including grain size distribution, geochemical element composition, and organic matter content. The results indicated that water levels were relatively higher under generally warm and wet conditions between 1717 and 1800 CE, while a decline in regional moisture after 1800 CE caused serious shrinkage of the lake level. Comparisons with regional paleoclimate records revealed that solar activity played a significant role in promoting climate variations in southwest China. After 1910 CE, the sedimentary proxies revealed an out-of-phase with regional climate changes, especially the progressive increase after 1950 CE. With the expansion of regional population, the intensified human activities have possibly affected the catchment erosion and sedimentation processes, accounting for the deviation from natural climate changes. Accordingly, the reconstructed sedimentation history in Lake Heilongtan experienced a possible transition from natural-driven to human-dominant status during the past three centuries, revealing potential evidence for the Anthropocene in southwest China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Fan
- College of Resource Environment and Tourism, Capital Normal University, 100048 Beijing, PR China
| | - Yongbo Wang
- College of Resource Environment and Tourism, Capital Normal University, 100048 Beijing, PR China.
| | - Kai Cui
- College of Resource Environment and Tourism, Capital Normal University, 100048 Beijing, PR China
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15
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Bartel SL, Stephenson T, Crowder DW, Jones ME, Storfer A, Strickland MS, Lynch L. Global change influences scavenging and carrion decomposition. Trends Ecol Evol 2024; 39:152-164. [PMID: 37816662 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Carrion decomposition is fundamental to nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems because it provides a high-quality resource to diverse organisms. A conceptual framework incorporating all phases of carrion decomposition with the full community of scavengers is needed to predict the effects of global change on core ecosystem processes. Because global change can differentially impact scavenger guilds and rates of carrion decomposition, our framework explicitly incorporates complex interactions among microbial, invertebrate, and vertebrate scavenger communities across three distinct phases of carcass decomposition. We hypothesize that carrion decomposition rates will be the most impacted when global change affects carcass discovery rates and the foraging behavior of competing scavenger guilds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savannah L Bartel
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, 166 FSHN, 100 Dairy Road, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, 301 Abelson Hall, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
| | - Torrey Stephenson
- Department of Soil and Water Systems, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - David W Crowder
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, 166 FSHN, 100 Dairy Road, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Menna E Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Life Sciences Building, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Andrew Storfer
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, 301 Abelson Hall, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Michael S Strickland
- Department of Soil and Water Systems, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Laurel Lynch
- Department of Soil and Water Systems, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
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16
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Moran PA, Bosse M, Mariën J, Halfwerk W. Genomic footprints of (pre) colonialism: Population declines in urban and forest túngara frogs coincident with historical human activity. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17258. [PMID: 38153193 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Urbanisation is rapidly altering ecosystems, leading to profound biodiversity loss. To mitigate these effects, we need a better understanding of how urbanisation impacts dispersal and reproduction. Two contrasting population demographic models have been proposed that predict that urbanisation either promotes (facilitation model) or constrains (fragmentation model) gene flow and genetic diversity. Which of these models prevails likely depends on the strength of selection on specific phenotypic traits that influence dispersal, survival, or reproduction. Here, we a priori examined the genomic impact of urbanisation on the Neotropical túngara frog (Engystomops pustulosus), a species known to adapt its reproductive traits to urban selective pressures. Using whole-genome resequencing for multiple urban and forest populations we examined genomic diversity, population connectivity and demographic history. Contrary to both the fragmentation and facilitation models, urban populations did not exhibit substantial changes in genomic diversity or differentiation compared with forest populations, and genomic variation was best explained by geographic distance rather than environmental factors. Adopting an a posteriori approach, we additionally found both urban and forest populations to have undergone population declines. The timing of these declines appears to coincide with extensive human activity around the Panama Canal during the last few centuries rather than recent urbanisation. Our study highlights the long-lasting legacy of past anthropogenic disturbances in the genome and the importance of considering the historical context in urban evolution studies as anthropogenic effects may be extensive and impact nonurban areas on both recent and older timescales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A Moran
- A-LIFE, Section Ecology & Evolution, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mirte Bosse
- A-LIFE, Section Ecology & Evolution, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Janine Mariën
- A-LIFE, Section Ecology & Evolution, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter Halfwerk
- A-LIFE, Section Ecology & Evolution, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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17
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Rockström J, Kotzé L, Milutinović S, Biermann F, Brovkin V, Donges J, Ebbesson J, French D, Gupta J, Kim R, Lenton T, Lenzi D, Nakicenovic N, Neumann B, Schuppert F, Winkelmann R, Bosselmann K, Folke C, Lucht W, Schlosberg D, Richardson K, Steffen W. The planetary commons: A new paradigm for safeguarding Earth-regulating systems in the Anthropocene. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2301531121. [PMID: 38252839 PMCID: PMC10835110 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2301531121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The Anthropocene signifies the start of a no-analogue trajectory of the Earth system that is fundamentally different from the Holocene. This new trajectory is characterized by rising risks of triggering irreversible and unmanageable shifts in Earth system functioning. We urgently need a new global approach to safeguard critical Earth system regulating functions more effectively and comprehensively. The global commons framework is the closest example of an existing approach with the aim of governing biophysical systems on Earth upon which the world collectively depends. Derived during stable Holocene conditions, the global commons framework must now evolve in the light of new Anthropocene dynamics. This requires a fundamental shift from a focus only on governing shared resources beyond national jurisdiction, to one that secures critical functions of the Earth system irrespective of national boundaries. We propose a new framework-the planetary commons-which differs from the global commons framework by including not only globally shared geographic regions but also critical biophysical systems that regulate the resilience and state, and therefore livability, on Earth. The new planetary commons should articulate and create comprehensive stewardship obligations through Earth system governance aimed at restoring and strengthening planetary resilience and justice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Rockström
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Potsdam14473, Germany
- Institute for Earth and Environment, University of Potsdam, Potsdam14476, Germany
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm10691, Sweden
| | - Louis Kotzé
- Faculty of Law, North-West University, Potchefstroom2531, South Africa
- Law School, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7TS, United Kingdom
- Research Institute for Sustainability Helmholtz Center Potsdam, Potsdam14467, Germany
| | | | - Frank Biermann
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht3584 CB, The Netherlands
| | - Victor Brovkin
- Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Hamburg20146, Germany
| | - Jonathan Donges
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Potsdam14473, Germany
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm10691, Sweden
| | - Jonas Ebbesson
- Department of Law, Stockholm University, Stockholm11419, Sweden
| | - Duncan French
- College of Health and Science, University of Lincoln, LincolnLN6 7TS, United Kingdom
| | - Joyeeta Gupta
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam1012 WP, The Netherlands
- International Institute for Infrastructural Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering (IHE) Delft Institute for Water Education, Delft2611 AX, The Netherlands
| | - Rakhyun Kim
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht3584 CB, The Netherlands
| | - Timothy Lenton
- Global Systems Institute, University of Exeter, ExeterEX4 4QE, United Kingdom
| | - Dominic Lenzi
- Department of Philosophy, University of Twente, Enschede7522 NB, The Netherlands
| | - Nebojsa Nakicenovic
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, LaxenburgA-2361, Austria
- Vienna University of Technology, Vienna1040, Austria
| | - Barbara Neumann
- Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Research Institute for Sustainability Helmholtz Center Potsdam, Potsdam14467, Germany
| | | | - Ricarda Winkelmann
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Potsdam14473, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology, Jena07745, Germany
| | - Klaus Bosselmann
- Faculty of Law, University of Auckland, Auckland1142, New Zealand
| | - Carl Folke
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm10691, Sweden
- Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, StockholmSE-10405, Sweden
| | - Wolfgang Lucht
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Potsdam14473, Germany
- Department of Geography, Humboldt University, Berlin12489, Germany
| | - David Schlosberg
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Sydney Environment Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Camperdown NSW2050, Australia
| | - Katherine Richardson
- Globe Institute, Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen1172, Denmark
| | - Will Steffen
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT2601, Australia
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18
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Denis V, Ferrier-Pagès C, Schubert N, Coppari M, Baker DM, Camp EF, Gori A, Grottoli AG, Houlbrèque F, Maier SR, Mancinelli G, Martinez S, Yalçın Özdilek Ş, Radice VZ, Ribes M, Richter C, Viladrich N, Rossi S. Heterotrophy in marine animal forests in an era of climate change. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024. [PMID: 38284299 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Marine animal forests (MAFs) are benthic ecosystems characterised by biogenic three-dimensional structures formed by suspension feeders such as corals, gorgonians, sponges and bivalves. They comprise highly diversified communities among the most productive in the world's oceans. However, MAFs are in decline due to global and local stressors that threaten the survival and growth of their foundational species and associated biodiversity. Innovative and scalable interventions are needed to address the degradation of MAFs and increase their resilience under global change. Surprisingly, few studies have considered trophic interactions and heterotrophic feeding of MAF suspension feeders as an integral component of MAF conservation. Yet, trophic interactions are important for nutrient cycling, energy flow within the food web, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and MAF stability. This comprehensive review describes trophic interactions at all levels of ecological organisation in tropical, temperate, and cold-water MAFs. It examines the strengths and weaknesses of available tools for estimating the heterotrophic capacities of the foundational species in MAFs. It then discusses the threats that climate change poses to heterotrophic processes. Finally, it presents strategies for improving trophic interactions and heterotrophy, which can help to maintain the health and resilience of MAFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vianney Denis
- Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Da'an District, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | | | - Nadine Schubert
- CCMAR-Center of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus Gambelas, Bld. 7, Faro, 8005-139, Portugal
| | - Martina Coppari
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, via Brecce Bianche snc, Ancona, 60131, Italy
| | - David M Baker
- School of Biological Sciences & Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Emma F Camp
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Andrea Gori
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, Barcelona, 08028, Spain
- Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, Barcelona, 08028, Spain
| | - Andréa G Grottoli
- School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University, 125 South Oval Mall, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Fanny Houlbrèque
- Entropie UMR 9220, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Nouméa, 98848, New Caledonia
| | - Sandra R Maier
- Greenland Climate Research Centre, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2 PO Box 570, Nuuk, 3900, Greenland
| | - Giorgio Mancinelli
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Via Monteroni s/n, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Stephane Martinez
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, 215 South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI, 02882, USA
| | - Şükran Yalçın Özdilek
- Department of Biology, Science Faculty, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale, 17100, Turkey
| | - Veronica Z Radice
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA
| | - Marta Ribes
- Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, Barcelona, 08003, Spain
| | - Claudio Richter
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Alten Hafen 26, Bremerhaven, 27568, Germany
- Department of Biology/Chemistry, University of Bremen, Leobener Str., NW 2, Bremen, 28359, Germany
| | - Nuria Viladrich
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, Barcelona, 08028, Spain
- Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, Barcelona, 08028, Spain
| | - Sergio Rossi
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Via Monteroni s/n, Lecce, 73100, Italy
- Universidade Federal do Ceara, Instituto de Ciencias do Mar (Labomar), Av. da Abolicao 3207, Fortaleza, Brazil
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19
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Sekudewicz I, Syczewski M, Rohovec J, Matoušková Š, Kowalewska U, Blukis R, Geibert W, Stimac I, Gąsiorowski M. Geochemical behavior of heavy metals and radionuclides in a pit lake affected by acid mine drainage (AMD) in the Muskau Arch (Poland). Sci Total Environ 2024; 908:168245. [PMID: 37918728 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Pit lakes in the 'anthropogenic lake district' in the Muskau Arch (western Poland; central Europe) are strongly affected by acid mine drainage (AMD). The studied acidic pit lake, ŁK-61 (pH <3), is also exposed to floods due to its location in the flood hazard area, which may significantly influence the geochemical behavior of elements. The elemental compositions of water and lake sediment samples were measured with ICP-OES and ICP-MS. The sediment profile was also examined for 137Cs and 210Po activity concentrations using gamma and alpha spectrometry, respectively. Grain size distribution, mineralogical composition, diatoms, and organic matter content in the collected core were also determined. The key factors responsible for the distribution of selected heavy metals (e.g., Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) and radioisotopes (137Cs and 210Po) in the bottom sediments of Lake ŁK-61 are their coprecipitation/precipitation with Fe and Al secondary minerals and their sorption onto authigenic and allogenic phases. These processes are likely driven by the lake tributary, which is an important source of dissolved elements. The data also showed that the physiochemical parameters of Lake ŁK-61 water changed during an episodic depositional event, i.e., the flood of the Nysa Łużycka River in the summer of 2010. The flood caused an increase in the water pH, as interpreted from the subfossil diatom studies. The down-core profiles of the studied heavy metal and radionuclide (HMRs) contents were probably affected by this depositional event, which prevented a detailed age determination of the collected lake sediments with 137Cs and 210Pb dating methods. Geochemical modeling indicates that the flood-related shift in the physicochemical parameters of the lake water could have caused the scavenging of dissolved elements by the precipitation of fresh secondary minerals. Moreover, particles contaminated with HMRs have also possibly been delivered by the river, along with the nutrients (e.g., phosphorus and nitrogen).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilona Sekudewicz
- Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, 00818 Warszawa, Twarda 51/55, Poland.
| | - Marcin Syczewski
- Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Jan Rohovec
- Institute of Geology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 16500 Praha, Rozvojová 269, Czech Republic
| | - Šárka Matoušková
- Institute of Geology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 16500 Praha, Rozvojová 269, Czech Republic
| | - Urszula Kowalewska
- Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, 00818 Warszawa, Twarda 51/55, Poland
| | - Roberts Blukis
- Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany; Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung, Max-Born-Str. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Walter Geibert
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Ingrid Stimac
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Michał Gąsiorowski
- Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, 00818 Warszawa, Twarda 51/55, Poland
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20
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Vieira TL, Barbosa-Silva RG, Acosta AL, van den Berg C. Expanding the Distribution of Prosthechea jauana (Orchidaceae) in the Pantepui and Highlighting the Urgent Need for Conservation Strategies in the Region in Face of Climate Change. Plants (Basel) 2024; 13:222. [PMID: 38256775 PMCID: PMC10820582 DOI: 10.3390/plants13020222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Prosthechea jauana has been recognized as an orchid species endemic to the Venezuelan tepui. The first record of P. jauana in Brazil is presented here, also from a tepui in the Southern phytogeographical district of Pantepui in the Serra do Aracá, at the northern border of the Amazonas state. A detailed morphological description and images of the specimen are presented, as well as an updated distribution map, preliminary conservation status assessment, and taxonomic notes about the species. In addition, we provide species' distribution models for P. jauana based on current and future bioclimatic data. Future projections suggest that the geographic distribution of P. jauana will likely be severely affected, with ~79% of its suitable habitat being reduced by 2041-2060 and ~92% by 2061-2080. Prosthechea jauana could represent a flag species and an example of how climate change may affect the endemic Pantepui flora.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago L. Vieira
- Harvard University Herbaria, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 22 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Rafael G. Barbosa-Silva
- Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, Instituto Tecnológico Vale Desenvolvimento Sustentável, Belém 66055-090, Pará, Brazil; (R.G.B.-S.); (A.L.A.)
- Coordenacão Botânica, Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém 66077-830, Pará, Brazil
| | - André L. Acosta
- Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, Instituto Tecnológico Vale Desenvolvimento Sustentável, Belém 66055-090, Pará, Brazil; (R.G.B.-S.); (A.L.A.)
| | - Cássio van den Berg
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Feira de Santana 44036-246, Bahia, Brazil;
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21
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Nguyen MK, Rakib MRJ, Nguyen HL, Lin C, Malafaia G, Idris AM. A mini-review on plasticrusts: occurrence, current trends, potential threats, and recommendations for coastal sustainability. Environ Monit Assess 2024; 196:137. [PMID: 38200343 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12318-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Plasticrusts manifest as a coating on intertidal rocks due to environmental exposure. They refer to crushed plastic debris that blankets rocks found along intertidal shorelines. This study significantly contributes to a better understanding of the occurrence of these novel plastic formations, shedding light on their potential pathways of formation during the Anthropocene era. The research provides comprehensive insights into the composition, origins, challenges, and effective management strategies for removing coastal plastic litter. The findings of this investigation offer valuable evidence regarding the formation and impact of these recently discovered plastic items in coastal regions, prompting discussions about their formation processes and their effects on the marine ecosystem. Recognizing that these newly emerged plastic litter pose a considerable threat to the marine environment is crucial. With their emergence, we face an environmental challenge, especially concerning the health of coastal ecosystems. Plasticrusts, when degraded, can release microplastics (MPs) and nanoparticles (NPs) into the surrounding environment. These micro- and nano-sized plastic particles pose significant ecological risks as they persist in ecosystems, potentially harming wildlife and entering the food chain, causing widespread environmental contamination. Significantly, it outlines strategies to minimize the impact of this emerging plastic debris and its source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh-Ky Nguyen
- Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Nong Lam University of Ho Chi Minh City, Hamlet 6, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
- Ph.D. Program in Maritime Science and Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 81157, Taiwan
| | - Md Refat Jahan Rakib
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur, Noakhali, 3814, Bangladesh.
| | - Hoang-Lam Nguyen
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Chitsan Lin
- Ph.D. Program in Maritime Science and Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 81157, Taiwan
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 81157, Taiwan
| | - Guilherme Malafaia
- Post-Graduation Program in Ecology, Conservation, and Biodiversity, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
- Post-Graduation Program in Biotechnology and Biodiversity, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
- Post-Graduation Program in Conservation of Cerrado Natural Resources, Goiano Federal Institute, Urutaí, GO, Brazil.
| | - Abubakr M Idris
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, 62529, Saudi Arabia
- Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, Abha, 62529, Saudi Arabia
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22
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Bultas MW, Oerther S. The Role of the School Nurse in Addressing Climate-Associated Illnesses: Heat. NASN Sch Nurse 2024:1942602X231223158. [PMID: 38193318 DOI: 10.1177/1942602x231223158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Extremely hot or humid days are anticipated to continue, occur more often, and intensify over time. School-age children are especially vulnerable to extreme heat. The primary acute health effects of heat on children can range from heat exhaustion to heatstroke. The purpose of this article is to raise awareness of the impact some acute heat-related illnesses have on school-age children's health and to provide school nurses with information on the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses as well as prevention tips to share with parents and school administrators. This is the fifth article in a series meant to inform school nurses about illnesses linked to the climate and provide them with the tools they need to safeguard children' health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret W Bultas
- Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
| | - Sarah Oerther
- Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
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23
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Hong H, Qian L, Wu S, Ruan L, Li H, Su M, Zhang B, Liu J, Yan C, Lu H. Centennial-scale source shift in potentially toxic metal(loid)s in Yangtze River. J Hazard Mater 2024; 461:132526. [PMID: 37741208 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Estuarine sedimentation is an important historical record of potentially toxic metal (PTM) emissions from human activities that can be used to improve environmental management. However, the contribution of different human activities to PTM deposition has not been accurately estimated, and their coupled relationship with riverine organic matter is typically not considered. In this study, we reconstruct the century-scale PTM depositional history of sediment cores from the Yangtze Grand Delta. Eight potential metal sources (PMSs) were identified using positive matrix factorization, and the results of lagged correlation determined the PMSs associated with the riverine discharge of the Yangtze River. Riverine PTMs were predominantly composed of Cr (79.0%), Ni (77.3%), and Pb (64.1%) but were deprived in Cu (34.9%). Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), which is a typical terrestrial refractory carbon, has a strong affinity for Cu, and contributed to 2.82-22.6% Cu deposition. The change in the PMS is mainly related to power generation, whereas the GRSP-bound PTM is mainly related to road construction and transportation. We advocate for responsible management of human activities in river catchments, particularly on coal-based power generation and road transportation, to maintain ecological security and promote the overall achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hualong Hong
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Lu Qian
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Shengjie Wu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China; College of Oceanography, Fujian Polytechnic Normal University, Fuqing 350300, China
| | - Liyang Ruan
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Hanyi Li
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Manling Su
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Binghuang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Jingchun Liu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Chongling Yan
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Haoliang Lu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Coastal Pollution Prevention and Control, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China.
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24
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Ramon-Gomez K, Ron SR, Deem SL, Pike KN, Stevens C, Izurieta JC, Nieto-Claudin A. Plastic ingestion in giant tortoises: An example of a novel anthropogenic impact for Galapagos wildlife. Environ Pollut 2024; 340:122780. [PMID: 37863249 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
The human population of Galapagos has rapidly increased in the last decades accelerating the anthropogenic pressures on the archipelago's natural resources. The growing human footprint, including inadequate management of garbage, may lead to conservation conflicts. Here, we assessed the ingestion of debris by Western Santa Cruz giant tortoises (Chelonoidis porteri) within human-modified and protected areas. Additionally, we characterized environmental debris and quantified tortoise abundance together with tortoise fecal samples. We processed a total of 6629 fecal samples along a gradient of anthropogenic disturbance based on human debris presence. We found 590 pieces of debris in samples within human-modified areas (mean of 3.97 items/kg of feces) and only two pieces in the protected area (mean of 0.08 items/kg of feces). Plastic waste was the predominant category in feces within the anthropic area (86.3%; n = 511), followed by cloth, metal, paper, synthetic rubber, construction materials, and glass. On average, the proportion of plastic was higher in feces (84%) than it was in environmental debris (67%), denoting that plastics are more readily ingested than other types of debris. We also found that green, white, and light blue plastics were consumed more often than their prevalence in the environment, suggesting color discrimination. Tortoise abundance was higher in the protected area when compared to the human-modified area; however, recapture rates were higher in anthropized landscapes which increases tortoise exposure to plastics and other human associated threats. Our results indicate that plastics are frequently consumed by tortoises in the polluted anthropic areas of western Santa Cruz, but scarce in protected areas. More research is needed to understand the negative impacts associated with plastics for Galapagos terrestrial species. We encourage local stakeholders to implement current policies limiting expansion of urban areas, plastic use, and improving waste management systems to minimize threats to human and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Ramon-Gomez
- Charles Darwin Foundation, Charles Darwin Avenue, Santa Cruz, 200350, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador; Museo de Zoología, Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Santiago R Ron
- Museo de Zoología, Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Sharon L Deem
- Charles Darwin Foundation, Charles Darwin Avenue, Santa Cruz, 200350, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador; Saint Louis Zoo Institute for Conservation Medicine, One Government Drive, Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Kyana N Pike
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, 4810, Australia
| | - Colton Stevens
- Charles Darwin Foundation, Charles Darwin Avenue, Santa Cruz, 200350, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
| | - Juan Carlos Izurieta
- Charles Darwin Foundation, Charles Darwin Avenue, Santa Cruz, 200350, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
| | - Ainoa Nieto-Claudin
- Charles Darwin Foundation, Charles Darwin Avenue, Santa Cruz, 200350, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador; Saint Louis Zoo Institute for Conservation Medicine, One Government Drive, Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA; Complutense University of Madrid, Veterinary Faculty, Puerta de Hierro Av, Madrid, 28040, Spain.
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25
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Abstract
Climate change is associated with global health emergencies. School-age children are particularly susceptible to the health effects associated with climate change. School nurses are uniquely positioned to address children's climate-associated illnesses. This article is the first in a series of articles that aims to inform existing knowledge gaps, raise awareness among school nurses, and equip school nurses with the skills they need to protect the health of school-age children. This series of articles will briefly discuss different aspects of the Impact of Climate Change on Human Health diagram, which was created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Oerther
- Assistant Professor, Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
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26
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Kemp R, van Lente H. Innovation for sustainability: how actors are myopically caught in processes of co-evolution. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220270. [PMID: 37952629 PMCID: PMC10645083 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we argue that the development, uptake and adoption of innovations resembles an evolutionary process of variation, selection and retention (within broader processes of co-evolution) in which actors are myopically caught. We do so in four steps. First, we review in what ways socio-technical evolution resembles biological evolution. Second, we argue that in socio-technical evolution so-called 'configurations that work' can be viewed as evolutionary units, which are subject to selection pressures, variation and human-made couplings between variation and selection. This explains why innovation is often cumulative, based on variation and recombination. Third, we discuss how producers, consumers, governments and scientists are myopically caught in processes of co-evolution. While humans are capable of imagining the need for system change and details of desired systems, they are less capable of accepting the concomitant higher costs and inconveniences and adopt new interpretive schemes. Fourth, in a pluralist world, steering is done by all kind of actors, including those who actively resist transformative change. Because of this, steering by government and coalitions of change can achieve little more than a modulation of ongoing dynamics, despite disturbing evidence of a run-away climate, mass extinction, pervasive ecological degradation and steady depletion of resources. A new consciousness of the Anthropocene can evoke fundamental changes in science and the economy if-and only if-they are sufficiently carried by institutional changes and new practices. This article is part of the theme issue 'Evolution and sustainability: gathering the strands for an Anthropocene synthesis'.
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Affiliation(s)
- René Kemp
- UNU-MERIT, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg 6211 AX, The Netherlands
- MSI, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg 6211 AX, The Netherlands
| | - Harro van Lente
- FASOS, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg 6211 AX, The Netherlands
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27
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Dorninger C, Menéndez LP, Caniglia G. Social-ecological niche construction for sustainability: understanding destructive processes and exploring regenerative potentials. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220431. [PMID: 37952625 PMCID: PMC10645119 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Through the exponential expansion of human activities, humanity has become the driving force of global environmental change. The consequent global sustainability crisis has been described as a result of a uniquely human form of adaptability and niche construction. In this paper, we introduce the concept of social-ecological niche construction focusing on biophysical interactions and outcomes. We use it to address destructive processes and to discuss potential regenerative ones as ways to overcome them. From a niche construction point of view, the increasing disconnections between human activities and environmental feedbacks appear as a success story in the history of human-nature coevolution because they enable humans to expand activities virtually without being limited by environmental constraints. However, it is still poorly understood how suppressed environmental feedbacks affect future generations and other species, or which lock-ins and self-destructive dynamics may unfold in the long-term. This is crucial as the observed escape from natural selection requires growing energy input and represents a temporal deferral rather than an actual liberation from material limitations. Relying on our proposal, we conclude that, instead of further taming nature, there is need to explore the potential of how to tame socio-metabolic growth and impact in niche construction processes. This article is part of the theme issue 'Evolution and sustainability: gathering the strands for an Anthropocene synthesis'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Dorninger
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Martinstraße 12, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
- Institute of Social Ecology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Schottenfeldgasse 29, Vienna 1070, Austria
| | - Lumila Paula Menéndez
- Department of Anthropology of the Americas, University of Bonn, Oxfordstraße 15, 53111 Bonn, Germany
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Guido Caniglia
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Martinstraße 12, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
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28
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Søgaard Jørgensen P, Weinberger VP, Waring TM. Evolution and sustainability: gathering the strands for an Anthropocene synthesis. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220251. [PMID: 37952619 PMCID: PMC10645096 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
How did human societies evolve to become a major force of global change? What dynamics can lead societies on a trajectory of global sustainability? The astonishing growth in human population, economic activity and environmental impact has brought these questions to the fore. This theme issue pulls together a variety of traditions that seek to address these questions using different theories and methods. In this Introduction, we review and organize the major strands of work on how the Anthropocene evolved, how evolutionary dynamics are influencing sustainability efforts today, and what principles, strategies and capacities will be important to guide us towards global sustainability in the future. We present a set of synthetic insights and highlight frontiers for future research efforts which could contribute to a consolidated synthesis. This article is part of the theme issue 'Evolution and sustainability: gathering the strands for an Anthropocene synthesis'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Søgaard Jørgensen
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Stockholm 10691, Sweden
- Global Economic Dynamics and the Biosphere, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Stockholm 10405, Sweden
- Anthropocene Laboratory, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Stockholm 10405, Sweden
| | - Vanessa P. Weinberger
- Center for Resilience, Adaptation and Mitigation (CReAM), Universidad Mayor, Temuco, 4801043, Chile
| | - Timothy M. Waring
- Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, University of Maine Orono, ME 04473, USA
- School of Economics, University of Maine Orono, ME 04473, USA
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29
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Waring TM, Wood ZT, Szathmáry E. Characteristic processes of human evolution caused the Anthropocene and may obstruct its global solutions. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220259. [PMID: 37952628 PMCID: PMC10645123 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
We propose that the global environmental crises of the Anthropocene are the outcome of a ratcheting process in long-term human evolution which has favoured groups of increased size and greater environmental exploitation. To explore this hypothesis, we review the changes in the human ecological niche. Evidence indicates the growth of the human niche has been facilitated by group-level cultural traits for environmental control. Following this logic, sustaining the biosphere under intense human use will probably require global cultural traits, including legal and technical systems. We investigate the conditions for the evolution of global cultural traits. We estimate that our species does not exhibit adequate population structure to evolve these traits. Our analysis suggests that characteristic patterns of human group-level cultural evolution created the Anthropocene and will work against global collective solutions to the environmental challenges it poses. We illustrate the implications of this theory with alternative evolutionary paths for humanity. We conclude that our species must alter longstanding patterns of cultural evolution to avoid environmental disaster and escalating between-group competition. We propose an applied research and policy programme with the goal of avoiding these outcomes. This article is part of the theme issue 'Evolution and sustainability: gathering the strands for an Anthropocene synthesis'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy M. Waring
- Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | - Zachary T. Wood
- Department of Biology, Colby College, 4000 Mayflower Hill Drive, Waterville, ME 04901, USA
| | - Eörs Szathmáry
- Institute of Evolution, Centre for Ecological Research, Budapest, Hungary
- Center for the Conceptual Foundations of Science, Parmenides Foundation, Pöcking, Germany
- Plant Systematics, Ecology and Theoretical Biology, Eötvös University, Budapest, Hungary
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30
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Zhang J, Han Y, Wei C, Bandowe BAM, Lei D, Wilcke W. Sediment record of polycyclic aromatic compounds and black carbon over the last ~400 years in Sanjiaolongwan Maar Lake, northeast China. Sci Total Environ 2024; 906:167438. [PMID: 37778557 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Fuel usage is an important catalyst for socio-economic development and human well-being. Human activities have resulted in significant increases in emissions from biomass burning (BB) and fossil fuel (FF) combustion which have significantly adversely affected human, ecosystem, and planetary health in this era of the Anthropocene. Sanjiaolongwan Maar Lake (SJLW), as a typical crater lake, uniquely receives atmospheric deposition from long-distance transport, and thus, its sediments reflect environmental change and human impacts on a broad scale. In this study, the concentrations and compositions of combustion products, including polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs, i.e., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their oxygenated (OPAHs) and nitrogen heterocyclic derivatives (AZAs)) and black carbon (BC and its constituents char and soot), in SJLW over the past 400 years were investigated. The results showed that the PACs and soot concentrations and fluxes in SJLW have rapidly increased since 1950. The concentrations of the total PACs increased ~4 times after the 1950s. Such a fast increase is consistent with the rapid industrialization after the establishment of the People's Republic of China (PRC), which has further accelerated beginning with the implementation of the reform and opening up policy of the PRC in 1978. Moreover, the variations in the compositions of PACs, as well as the decrease in the char/soot ratio, demonstrate a transition in energy usage from BB to FF combustion. The decrease in the benzo[e]pyrene/benzo[a]pyrene ratio indicated an increase in local emissions (because of increasing industrialization in northeast China). The temporal profile of perylene concentrations, fluxes, and perylene/5-ring PAHs ratios strongly suggest that perylene mainly originated from non-pyrogenic sources. The records of PACs and BC in SJLW offer valuable perspectives on human impacts and provide important references for the start of the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Loess, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yongming Han
- State Key Laboratory of Loess, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China; School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China; National Observation and Research Station of Regional Ecological Environment Change and Comprehensive Management in the Guanzhong Plain, Xi'an 710061, China.
| | - Chong Wei
- Shanghai Carbon Data Research Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Low-carbon Conversion Science and Engineering, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.
| | - Benjamin A Musa Bandowe
- Institute of Geography and Geoecology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Reinhard-Baumeister Platz 1, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Dewen Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Loess, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wolfgang Wilcke
- Institute of Geography and Geoecology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Reinhard-Baumeister Platz 1, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
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31
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Richerson PJ, Boyd RT, Efferson C. Agentic processes in cultural evolution: relevance to Anthropocene sustainability. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220252. [PMID: 37952614 PMCID: PMC10645076 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans have evolved culturally and perhaps genetically to be unsustainable. We exhibit a deep and consistent pattern of short-term resource exploitation behaviours and institutions. We distinguish agentic and naturally selective forces in cultural evolution. Agentic forces are quite important compared to the blind forces (random variation and natural selection) in cultural evolution and gene-culture coevolution. We need to use the agentic policy-making processes to evade the impact of blind natural selection. We argue that agentic forces became important during our Pleistocene history and into the Anthropocene present. Human creativity in the form of deliberate innovations and the deliberate selective diffusion of technical and social advances drove this process forward for a long time before planetary limits became a serious issue. We review models with multiple positive feedbacks that roughly fit this observed pattern. Policy changes in the case of large-scale existential threats like climate change are made by political and diplomatic agents grasping and moving levers of institutional power in order to avoid the operation of blind natural selection and agentic forces driven by narrow or short-term goals. This article is part of the theme issue 'Evolution and sustainability: gathering the strands for an Anthropocene synthesis'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J. Richerson
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, 95616, CA, USA
| | - Robert T. Boyd
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Institute of Human Origins, Arizona State University, Tempe, 85281, AZ, USA
| | - Charles Efferson
- Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Yang Y, Zhao Y, Stidham TA, Liu X, Zhu X, Li B, Zhang L, Ni X, Si X. Uncovering widespread Anthropocene dietary shifts in Chinese large mammalian herbivores. Ecol Lett 2024; 27:e14343. [PMID: 38069561 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
The Anthropocene's human-dominated habitat expansion endangers global biodiversity. However, large mammalian herbivores experienced few extinctions during the 20th century, hinting at potentially overlooked ecological responses of a group sensitive to global change. Using dental microwear as a proxy, we studied large herbivore dietary niches over a century across mainland China before (1880s-1910s) and after (1970s-1990s) the human population explosion. We uncovered widespread and significant shifts (interspecific microwear differences increased and intraspecific microwear dispersion expanded) within dietary niches linked to geographical areas with rapid industrialization and population growth in eastern China. By contrast, in western China, where human population growth was slower, we found no indications of shifts in herbivore dietary niches. Further regression analysis links the intensity of microwear changes to human land-use expansion. These analyses highlight dietary adjustments of large herbivores as a likely key factor in their adaptation across a century of large-scale human-driven changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangheshan Yang
- Zhejiang Zhoushan Archipelago Observation and Research Station, Institute of Eco-Chongming, Zhejiang Tiantong Forest Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuhao Zhao
- Zhejiang Zhoushan Archipelago Observation and Research Station, Institute of Eco-Chongming, Zhejiang Tiantong Forest Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Thomas A Stidham
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangxu Liu
- Zhejiang Zhoushan Archipelago Observation and Research Station, Institute of Eco-Chongming, Zhejiang Tiantong Forest Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xichao Zhu
- National Animal Collection Resource Center, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bicheng Li
- Shanghai Natural History Museum (Branch of Shanghai Science & Technology Museum), Shanghai, China
| | - Lixun Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Yuzhong Mountain Ecosystems Observation and Research Station, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xijun Ni
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xingfeng Si
- Zhejiang Zhoushan Archipelago Observation and Research Station, Institute of Eco-Chongming, Zhejiang Tiantong Forest Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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33
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Lenton TM, Scheffer M. Spread of the cycles: a feedback perspective on the Anthropocene. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220254. [PMID: 37952624 PMCID: PMC10645129 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
What propelled the human 'revolutions' that started the Anthropocene? and what could speed humanity out of trouble? Here, we focus on the role of reinforcing feedback cycles, often comprised of diverse, unrelated elements (e.g. fire, grass, humans), in propelling abrupt and/or irreversible, revolutionary changes. We suggest that differential 'spread of the cycles' has been critical to the past human revolutions of fire use, agriculture, rise of complex states and industrialization. For each revolution, we review and map out proposed reinforcing feedback cycles, and describe how new systems built on previous ones, propelling us into the Anthropocene. We argue that to escape a bleak Anthropocene will require abruptly shifting from existing unsustainable 'vicious cycles', to alternative sustainable 'virtuous cycles' that can outspread and outpersist them. This will need to be complemented by a revolutionary cultural shift from maximizing growth to maximizing persistence (sustainability). To achieve that we suggest that non-human elements need to be brought back into the feedback cycles underlying human cultures and associated measures of progress. This article is part of the theme issue 'Evolution and sustainability: gathering the strands for an Anthropocene synthesis'.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marten Scheffer
- Wageningen University, Wageningen NL-6700 AA, The Netherlands
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Currie TE, Borgerhoff Mulder M, Fogarty L, Schlüter M, Folke C, Haider LJ, Caniglia G, Tavoni A, Jansen REV, Jørgensen PS, Waring TM. Integrating evolutionary theory and social-ecological systems research to address the sustainability challenges of the Anthropocene. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220262. [PMID: 37952618 PMCID: PMC10645068 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid, human-induced changes in the Earth system during the Anthropocene present humanity with critical sustainability challenges. Social-ecological systems (SES) research provides multiple approaches for understanding the complex interactions between humans, social systems, and environments and how we might direct them towards healthier and more resilient futures. However, general theories of SES change have yet to be fully developed. Formal evolutionary theory has been applied as a dynamic theory of change of complex phenomena in biology and the social sciences, but rarely in SES research. In this paper, we explore the connections between both fields, hoping to foster collaboration. After sketching out the distinct intellectual traditions of SES research and evolutionary theory, we map some of their terminological and theoretical connections. We then provide examples of how evolutionary theory might be incorporated into SES research through the use of systems mapping to identify evolutionary processes in SES, the application of concepts from evolutionary developmental biology to understand the connections between systems changes and evolutionary changes, and how evolutionary thinking may help design interventions for beneficial change. Integrating evolutionary theory and SES research can lead to a better understanding of SES changes and positive interventions for a more sustainable Anthropocene. This article is part of the theme issue 'Evolution and sustainability: gathering the strands for an Anthropocene synthesis'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas E. Currie
- Human Behaviour and Cultural Evolution Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Monique Borgerhoff Mulder
- Department of Anthropology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA
- Max-Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Laurel Fogarty
- Max-Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maja Schlüter
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carl Folke
- Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - L. Jamila Haider
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Guido Caniglia
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, A-3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Alessandro Tavoni
- Department of Economics, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, London School of Economics, London WC2A 2AE, UK
| | - Raf E. V. Jansen
- Global Economic Dynamics and the Biosphere, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Søgaard Jørgensen
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Global Economic Dynamics and the Biosphere, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Timothy M. Waring
- Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions and School of Economics, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5710, USA
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Li H, Wu J, Huang Q, Lin L, Yuan B, Wang Q, Lu H, Liu J, Hong H, Yan C. Combined use of positive matrix factorization and 13C 15N stable isotopes to trace organic matter-bound potential toxic metals in the urban mangrove sediments. Sci Total Environ 2023; 904:166684. [PMID: 37652389 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Coastal sediments act as sinks of sediment organic matter (SOM) and metals because of their special land-sea location and depositional properties. However, there are few reports on the correlation between the sources of organic matter (OM) and associated potential toxic metals (PTMs). In this study, we combined CN stable isotope analysis and positive matrix factorization to identify the matter and metal sources of OM and glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) in an estuary under several decades of urbanization. The results of the positive matrix factorization (PMF) reveal a correlation between the sources of total sediment metals and the sources of OM-related metals. The sources of both SOM-bound PTMs and GRSP-bound PTMs are significantly related to the sources of total PTMs. OM sources were elucidated through 13C-15 N stable isotopes, and the potential sources of different types of OM differed. In addition, there is a significant correlation between OM-associated PTMs and organic matter sources. Interestingly, the functional groups of SOM were mainly influenced by multiple PTM sources but no OM source, while the functional groups of GRSP were regulated by a single metal source and OM source. This study deepened the understanding of the coupling between PTMs and SOM. The possibility of combined use of positive matrix factorization and 13C-15 N stable isotope tracing of metals as well as the sources of each metal fractions has been evaluated, which will provide new insights for the transportation of PTMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanyi Li
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
| | - Jiajia Wu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
| | - Qian Huang
- Institute of Geosciences, University of Mainz, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 21, Mainz 55128, Germany.
| | - Lujian Lin
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
| | - Bo Yuan
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
| | - Qiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agricultural Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China.
| | - Haoliang Lu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
| | - Jingchun Liu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
| | - Hualong Hong
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
| | - Chonglin Yan
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
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36
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Oerther S, Berkley A, Reangsing C. The Role of the School Nurse in Addressing Climate-Associated Illnesses: Mental Well-being. NASN Sch Nurse 2023:1942602X231214264. [PMID: 38058178 DOI: 10.1177/1942602x231214264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Human health is being impacted by anthropogenic (human-made) climate change. This article describes four ways that climate change may affect mental well-being in school-age children. First, natural disasters-such as more frequent and intense tornadoes and flash floods-may have a direct influence on mental well-being by contributing to acute anxiety and distress. Second, indirect effects of severe weather-including changes in social support systems-may affect mental well-being by increasing isolation. Third, children may suffer feelings of anxiety or depression if they perceive a sense of powerlessness to solve the challenges of a changing climate. Finally, school nurses need to be aware of the emergence of correlations-such as data that suggest increases in temperature may influence the use of inpatient mental health services and suicidal ideations-that require further scientific exploration. This article aims to increase school nurses' understanding of how climate changes may impact the mental well-being of school-age children and to provide strategies for creating a safe, healthy learning environment. This article is the fourth in a series aimed at raising awareness among school nurses about climate-associated illnesses and equipping them with the resources they need to protect school-age children's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Oerther
- Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
| | - Amy Berkley
- Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
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Fagan B, Pitchford JW, Stepney S, Thomas CD. Increased dispersal explains increasing local diversity with global biodiversity declines. Glob Chang Biol 2023; 29:6713-6726. [PMID: 37819684 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
The narrative of biodiversity decline in response to human impacts is overly simplistic because different aspects of biodiversity show different trajectories at different spatial scales. It is also debated whether human-caused biodiversity changes lead to subsequent, accelerating change (cascades) in ecological communities, or alternatively build increasingly robust community networks with decreasing extinction rates and reduced invasibility. Mechanistic approaches are needed that simultaneously reconcile different aspects of biodiversity change, and explore the robustness of communities to further change. We develop a trophically structured, mainland-archipelago metacommunity model of community assembly. Varying the parameters across model simulations shows that local alpha diversity (the number of species per island) and regional gamma diversity (the total number of species in the archipelago) depend on both the rate of extirpation per island and on the rate of dispersal between islands within the archipelago. In particular, local diversity increases with increased dispersal and heterogeneity between islands, but regional diversity declines because the islands become biotically similar and local one-island and few-island species are excluded (homogenisation, or reduced beta diversity). This mirrors changes observed empirically: real islands have gained species (increased local and island-scale community diversity) with increased human-assisted transfers of species, but global diversity has declined with the loss of endemic species. However, biological invasions may be self-limiting. High-dispersal, high local-diversity model communities become resistant to subsequent invasions, generating robust species-community networks unless dispersal is extremely high. A mixed-up world is likely to lose many species, but the resulting ecological communities may nonetheless be relatively robust.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brennen Fagan
- Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity, University of York, York, UK
- Department of Mathematics, University of York, York, UK
| | - Jon W Pitchford
- Department of Mathematics, University of York, York, UK
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - Susan Stepney
- Department of Computer Science, University of York, York, UK
| | - Chris D Thomas
- Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity, University of York, York, UK
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
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38
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Eglinton TI, Graven HD, Raymond PA, Trumbore SE, Aluwihare L, Bard E, Basu S, Friedlingstein P, Hammer S, Lester J, Sanderman J, Schuur EAG, Sierra CA, Synal HA, Turnbull JC, Wacker L. Making the case for an International Decade of Radiocarbon. Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci 2023; 381:20230081. [PMID: 37807687 PMCID: PMC10642805 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2023.0081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Radiocarbon (14C) is a critical tool for understanding the global carbon cycle. During the Anthropocene, two new processes influenced 14C in atmospheric, land and ocean carbon reservoirs. First, 14C-free carbon derived from fossil fuel burning has diluted 14C, at rates that have accelerated with time. Second, 'bomb' 14C produced by atmospheric nuclear weapon tests in the mid-twentieth century provided a global isotope tracer that is used to constrain rates of air-sea gas exchange, carbon turnover, large-scale atmospheric and ocean transport, and other key C cycle processes. As we write, the 14C/12C ratio of atmospheric CO2 is dropping below pre-industrial levels, and the rate of decline in the future will depend on global fossil fuel use and net exchange of bomb 14C between the atmosphere, ocean and land. This milestone coincides with a rapid increase in 14C measurement capacity worldwide. Leveraging future 14C measurements to understand processes and test models requires coordinated international effort-a 'decade of radiocarbon' with multiple goals: (i) filling observational gaps using archives, (ii) building and sustaining observation networks to increase measurement density across carbon reservoirs, (iii) developing databases, synthesis and modelling tools and (iv) establishing metrics for identifying and verifying changes in carbon sources and sinks. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Radiocarbon in the Anthropocene'.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Susan E. Trumbore
- Department of Biogeochemical Processes, Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena, Germany
| | - Lihini Aluwihare
- Geosciences Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Edouard Bard
- CEREGE, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, IRD, INRAE, Collège de France, Aix-en-Provence, France
| | - Sourish Basu
- Global Modeling and Assimilation Office, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
- Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Pierre Friedlingstein
- College of Engineering, Mathematics, and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Samuel Hammer
- Institut für Umweltphysik, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joanna Lester
- Department of Physics, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Edward A. G. Schuur
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Carlos A. Sierra
- Department of Biogeochemical Processes, Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Jocelyn C. Turnbull
- Rafter Radiocarbon Laboratory, GNS Science, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
- CIRES, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Lukas Wacker
- Department of Physics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Rhyner TMY, Bröder L, White ME, Mittelbach BVA, Brunmayr A, Hagedorn F, Storck FR, Passera L, Haghipour N, Zobrist J, Eglinton TI. Radiocarbon signatures of carbon phases exported by Swiss rivers in the Anthropocene. Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci 2023; 381:20220326. [PMID: 37807683 PMCID: PMC10642794 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2022.0326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Lateral carbon transport through the land-to-ocean-aquatic-continuum (LOAC) represents a key component of the global carbon cycle. This LOAC involves complex processes, many of which are prone to anthropogenic perturbation, yet the influence of natural and human-induced drivers remains poorly constrained. This study examines the radiocarbon (14C) signatures of particulate and dissolved organic carbon (POC, DOC) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) transported by Swiss rivers to assess controls on sources and cycling of carbon within their watersheds. Twenty-one rivers were selected and sampled during high-flow conditions in summer 2021, a year of exceptionally high rainfall. Δ14C values of POC range from -446‰ to -158‰, while corresponding ranges of Δ14C values for DOC and DIC are -377‰ to -43‰ and -301‰ to -40‰, respectively, indicating the prevalence of pre-aged carbon. Region-specific agricultural practices seem to have an influential effect on all three carbon phases in rivers draining the Swiss Plateau. Based on Multivariate Regression Analysis, mean basin elevation correlated negatively with Δ14C values of all three carbon phases. These contrasts between alpine terrain and the lowlands reflect the importance of overriding ecoregional controls on riverine carbon dynamics within Switzerland, despite high spatial variability in catchment properties. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Radiocarbon in the Anthropocene'.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lisa Bröder
- Geological Institute, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Frank Hagedorn
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow, and Landscape Research, 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Florian R. Storck
- Hydrology Division, Federal Office for the Environment, 3003 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lucas Passera
- Hydrology Division, Federal Office for the Environment, 3003 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Negar Haghipour
- Geological Institute, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Physics, Laboratory of Ion Beam Physics,8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Juerg Zobrist
- Emeritus Scientist, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
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40
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Eglinton TI, Graven HD, Raymond PA, Trumbore SE. A special issue preface: Radiocarbon in the Anthropocene. Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci 2023; 381:20220209. [PMID: 37807682 PMCID: PMC10560865 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2022.0209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
The Anthropocene is defined by marked acceleration in human-induced perturbations to the Earth system. Anthropogenic emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases to the atmosphere and attendant changes to the global carbon cycle are among the most profound and pervasive of these perturbations. Determining the magnitude, nature and pace of these carbon cycle changes is crucial for understanding the future climate that ecosystems and humanity will experience and need to respond to. This special issue illustrates the value of radiocarbon as a tool to shed important light on the nature, magnitude and pace of carbon cycle change. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Radiocarbon in the Anthropocene'.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Susan E. Trumbore
- Department of Biogeochemical Processes, Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena 07745, Germany
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41
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Qiao J, Cao Y, Varttic VP, Steier P. Stratigraphic records and inventories of anthropogenic 233U and 236U in Baltic Sea sediments. Sci Total Environ 2023; 901:166402. [PMID: 37598960 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jixin Qiao
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Risø Campus, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Yiyao Cao
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 310051 Hangzhou, China
| | - Vesa-Pekka Varttic
- Measurements and Environmental Monitoring, Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Finland
| | - Peter Steier
- VERA Laboratory, Faculty of Physics - Isotope Research, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 17, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
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42
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Evens R, Lathouwers M, Pradervand JN, Jechow A, Kyba CCM, Shatwell T, Jacot A, Ulenaers E, Kempenaers B, Eens M. Skyglow relieves a crepuscular bird from visual constraints on being active. Sci Total Environ 2023; 900:165760. [PMID: 37506901 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Artificial light at night significantly alters the predictability of the natural light cycles that most animals use as an essential Zeitgeber for daily activity. Direct light has well-documented local impacts on activity patterns of diurnal and nocturnal organisms. However, artificial light at night also contributes to an indirect illumination of the night sky, called skyglow, which is rapidly increasing. The consequences of this wide-spread form of artificial night light on the behaviour of animals remain poorly understood, with only a few studies performed under controlled (laboratory) conditions. Using animal-borne activity loggers, we investigated daily and seasonal flight activity of a free-living crepuscular bird species in response to nocturnal light conditions at sites differing dramatically in exposure to skyglow. We find that flight activity of European Nightjars (Caprimulgus europaeus) during moonless periods of the night is four times higher in Belgium (high skyglow exposure) than in sub-tropical Africa and two times higher than in Mongolia (near-pristine skies). Moreover, clouds darken the sky under natural conditions, but skyglow can strongly increase local sky brightness on overcast nights. As a result, we find that nightjars' response to cloud cover is reversed between Belgium and sub-tropical Africa and between Belgium and Mongolia. This supports the hypothesis that cloudy nights reduce individual flight activity in a pristine environment, but increase it when the sky is artificially lit. Our study shows that in the absence of direct light pollution, anthropogenic changes in sky brightness relieve nightjars from visual constraints on being active. Individuals adapt daily activities to artificial night-sky brightness, allowing them more time to fly than conspecifics living under natural light cycles. This modification of the nocturnal timescape likely affects behavioural processes of most crepuscular and nocturnal species, but its implications for population dynamics and interspecific interactions remain to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Evens
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology group, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Michiel Lathouwers
- Hasselt University, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Research Group: Zoology, Biodiversity and Toxicology, Agoralaan Gebouw D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; University of Namur, Department of Geography, Institute of Life, Earth and Environment (ILEE), Rue de Bruxelles 61, 5000 Namur, Belgium
| | - Jean-Nicolas Pradervand
- Swiss Ornithological Institute, Regional Office Valais, Rue du Rhône 11, 1950 Sion, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Jechow
- Community and Ecosystem Ecology, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587 Berlin
| | | | - Tom Shatwell
- Department of Lake Research, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Brückstr. 3a, 39114 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Alain Jacot
- Swiss Ornithological Institute, Regional Office Valais, Rue du Rhône 11, 1950 Sion, Switzerland
| | - Eddy Ulenaers
- Agentschap Natuur en Bos, Regio Noord-Limburg, Herman Teirlinck Havenlaan 88 bus 75, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bart Kempenaers
- Department of Ornithology, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Eberhard-Gwinner-Straße, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Marcel Eens
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology group, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
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Oerther S, Oerther DB. The Role of the School Nurse in Addressing Climate-Associated Illnesses: Water. NASN Sch Nurse 2023:1942602X231208711. [PMID: 37968840 DOI: 10.1177/1942602x231208711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is having an unprecedented influence on human health. For example, increased frequency of storms with excessive precipitation may contribute to flooding, which contributes to increased water-related dermatological, gastrointestinal, and respiratory illnesses. Some of these water-related illnesses, which can be transmitted via recreational waterborne pathways, may be seen in school-age children. The purpose of this article is to raise awareness of the impact some recreational water-related illnesses have on school-age children's health and to provide school nurses with information on the signs and symptoms of these illnesses as well as prevention tips nurses may wish to share with parents. This is the third article in a series meant to inform school nurses about illnesses linked to local changes in weather that may be arising from global changes in climate and provide them with the tools they need to safeguard children's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Oerther
- Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
| | - Daniel B Oerther
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO
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44
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Clark Barrett H, Armstrong J. Climate change adaptation and the back of the invisible hand. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220406. [PMID: 37718605 PMCID: PMC10505848 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
A good deal of contemporary work in cultural evolutionary theory focuses on the adaptive significance of culture. In this paper, we make the case that scientifically accurate and politically feasible responses to the climate crisis require a complex understanding of human cultural practices of niche construction that moves beyond the adaptive significance of culture. We develop this thesis in two related ways. First, we argue that cumulative cultural practices of niche construction can generate stable equilibria and runaway selection processes that result in long-term existential risks within and across cultural groups. We dub this the back of the invisible hand. Second, we argue that the ability of cultural groups to innovate technological solutions to environmental problems is highly constrained in ways that are exacerbated by sustained intergroup conflict, inequality and by inherently unpredictable cascades in climate change and human migration patterns. After developing these theoretical points about human cultural practices of niche construction in detail, we conclude our discussion with some tentative practical suggestions about the way that cultural evolutionary history can more fruitfully be used in efforts to remit the climate crisis and contribute to sustainable practices of human climate change adaptation. This article is part of the theme issue 'Climate change adaptation needs a science of culture'.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Clark Barrett
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1553, USA
| | - Josh Armstrong
- Department of Philosophy, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1553, USA
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45
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Angeler DG. Biological systems - "Symphonies of Life": Reviving Friedrich Cramer's general resonance theory. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2300113. [PMID: 37694600 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Understanding biological systems in terms of scientific materialism has arguably reached a frontier, leaving fundamental questions about their complexity unanswered. In 1998, Friedrich Cramer proposed a general resonance theory as a way forward. His theory builds on the extension of the quantum physical duality of matter and wave to the macroscopic world. According to Cramer' theory, agents constituting biological systems oscillate, akin to musical soundwaves, at specific eigenfrequencies. Biological system dynamics can be described as "Symphonies of Life" emerging from the resonance (and dissonance) of eigenfrequencies within the interacting collective. His theory has potential for studying biological problems of increasing complexity in a fast-changing Anthropocene from a new and transdisciplinary angle. Despite data becoming increasingly available for analyses, Cramer's theory remains ignored and therefore untested a quarter century after its publication. This paper discusses how the theory can move to quantitative assessments and application. Cramer's general resonance theory deserves revival.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G Angeler
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
- The Brain Capital Alliance, San Francisco, California, USA
- IMPACT, The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
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46
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Griffiths R. Time and the Anthropocene: Making more-than-human temporalities legible through environmental observations and creative methods. Time Soc 2023; 32:461-487. [PMID: 38021272 PMCID: PMC10663124 DOI: 10.1177/0961463x231202928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
The Anthropocene term invokes the multiple temporalities through which organisms, ecologies, and environments unfold - from the immediacy of the present moment to the sedimentary timescales of the geological record. Viewed from the perspective of anthropogenic climate change and environmental degradation, these organisms, ecologies, and environments, including the planet's human occupants, may well benefit if we took a view of time that was more-than-human in scope and scale. This paper demonstrates how design, creative practice, and technology can be used to make legible human and more-than-human timescales through local, planetary, and celestial imaginaries that are congruent with the Anthropocene term. It first considers various anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic phenomena that are used for time keeping, both human and non-human. It then discusses the design and development of a timepiece that uses observations of environmental light to imaginatively situate daily life within various temporal scales, from embodied, diurnal, circalunar, and annual to the sedimentary timescales of the geological record. Through the timepiece, the paper argues that a hybrid form of timekeeping that brings together human time standards and environmental observation could help align the temporal imaginaries of urban societies with biological, ecological, and planetary processes, while highlighting the presence of potentially damaging anthropogenic processes, such as artificial light at night. Such hybrid forms of timekeeping may help foster meaningful relationships between people and the environment, facilitate day-to-day awareness of the presence and extent of disruptive anthropogenic processes in our environments and provide an imaginative framework for thinking about urban time and life in an Anthropocene context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupert Griffiths
- Rupert Griffiths, City and Urban Design Research Laboratory, Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts (LICA), Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK.
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47
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Nakagawa-Lagisz T, Lagisz M. Shining a light on duckweed: exploring the effects of artificial light at night (ALAN) on growth and pigmentation. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16371. [PMID: 37927782 PMCID: PMC10625352 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a novel environmental stressor of global concern. Various sources of artificial light are now common in urbanized areas and have diverse negative effects on many species of animals and plants. However, ALAN has also been shown to have no effect or a positive effect on some organisms. This study investigates the impact of ALAN on the growth and leaf pigmentation of a common floating freshwater plant species. Methods We exposed wild-derived dotted duckweed (Landoltia punctata) to either darkness during the night (Control group) or to artificial light at night (ALAN group) for 49 days. We set up two large boxes of eighty samples each with 2-3 leaves of duckweed in each sample at the start of the experiment. The ALAN box had an opaque lid with a small lamp that was turned on at night. The Control box was also covered at night with an opaque lid but without a lamp. During the day, plants in both boxes were exposed to natural light. We counted the number of leaves in each sample weekly. We took photos of the samples on day 28 to measure the total leaf surface area per sample. On day 49, we took photos of the underside of the leaves for analyses of the relative levels of dark pigmentation across all samples. Results We found that ALAN-exposed plant samples had, on average, more leaves than control plants after a few weeks of exposure. They also had a more variable number of leaves per sample. The total leaf area per sample on day 28 was larger in the ALAN samples. The underside of the leaves on day 49 was, on average, darker in the ALAN plants than in the control plants. Conclusion There is a significant growth-enhancing effect from exposure to artificial light at night on Landolita punctata. However, higher variability induced by ALAN exposure indicates that ALAN is also a stressful condition for these plants. This is in line with our finding of the presence of larger amounts of dark pigments in the leaves of ALAN-exposed plants. Dark pigmentation in duckweed species could be a defence mechanism protecting tissues from stress-induced oxidative damage. Overall, both positive and negative effects of ALAN can be observed simultaneously in different traits of the same organism. Increased individual variation can facilitate population-level adaptation to stressful conditions. As such, this work contributes to our knowledge of the effects of light pollution in urban environments on common plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Totoro Nakagawa-Lagisz
- Sydney Boys High School, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Onna Junior High School, Onna, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Malgorzata Lagisz
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Theoretical Sciences Visiting Program, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa, Japan
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48
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Nukapothula S, Yunus AP, Kaushal S, Chen C, Narayana AC. Turbidity dynamics in Indian peninsular river mouths derived from K d490 reveals key anthropogenic drivers. Sci Total Environ 2023; 896:165162. [PMID: 37379919 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Large rivers, which act as natural integrators of surface processes, contribute massive volume of terrestrial materials to the coastal oceans. However, the accelerated climate warming and increasing anthropogenic activities recorded in recent years have been severely affecting the hydrologic and physical regimes of river systems. These changes have a direct impact on river discharge and runoff, some of which are occurred rapidly in the past two decades. Here, we present a quantitative analysis on the effects of changes in surface turbidity at coastal river mouths using diffuse attenuation coefficient at 490 nm (Kd490) as a proxy of turbidity for six major Indian peninsular rivers. The time series (2000-2022) trends of Kd490 obtained from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) images shows a significant decreasing trend in Kd values (p < 0.001) at the mouths of the Narmada, Tapti, Cauvery, Krishna, Godavari, and Mahanadi rivers. This is despite an increased rainfall trend observed for the six studied river basins which can likely intensifies the surface runoff and deliver more sediments, suggesting that other factors such as land use changes and increased number of dam constructions are primarily responsible for the decreased sediment load from rivers to coastal mouths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sravanthi Nukapothula
- Centre for Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500046, India; State Key Laboratory of Tropical Oceanography, Guangdong Key Lab of Ocean Remote Sensing, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China.
| | - Ali P Yunus
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Punjab 140 306, India.
| | - Sahil Kaushal
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Punjab 140 306, India
| | - Chuqun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Tropical Oceanography, Guangdong Key Lab of Ocean Remote Sensing, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China
| | - A C Narayana
- Centre for Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500046, India.
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49
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Tong S, Samet JM, Steffen W, Kinney PL, Frumkin H. Solidarity for the Anthropocene. Environ Res 2023; 235:116716. [PMID: 37481056 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Social solidarity is essential to large-scale collective action, but the need for solidarity has received little attention from scholars of Earth Systems, sustainability and public health. Now, the need for solidarity requires recognition. We have entered a new planetary epoch - the Anthropocene - in which human-induced global changes are occurring at an unprecedented scale. There are multiple health crises facing humanity - widening inequity, climate change, biodiversity loss, diminishing resources, persistent poverty, armed conflict, large-scale migration, and others. These global challenges are so far-reaching, and call for such extensive, large-scale action, that solidarity is a sine qua non for tackling these challenges. However, the heightened need for solidarity has received little attention in the context of the Anthropocene and, in particular, how it can be created and nurtured has been overlooked. In this commentary, we explore the concept of solidarity from inter-species, intra-generational and inter-generational perspectives. We also propose strategies to enhance solidarity in the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilu Tong
- National Institute of Environmental Health, China CDC, Beijing, China; School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
| | | | - Will Steffen
- The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Patrick L Kinney
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Howard Frumkin
- School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA; Trust for Public Land, Seattle, USA
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50
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Oswald JA, Smith BT, Allen JM, Guralnick RP, Steadman DW, LeFebvre MJ. Changes in parrot diversity after human arrival to the Caribbean. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2301128120. [PMID: 37748079 PMCID: PMC10576146 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2301128120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans did not arrive on most of the world's islands until relatively recently, making islands favorable places for disentangling the timing and magnitude of natural and anthropogenic impacts on species diversity and distributions. Here, we focus on Amazona parrots in the Caribbean, which have close relationships with humans (e.g., as pets as well as sources of meat and colorful feathers). Caribbean parrots also have substantial fossil and archaeological records that span the Holocene. We leverage this exemplary record to showcase how combining ancient and modern DNA, along with radiometric dating, can shed light on diversification and extinction dynamics and answer long-standing questions about the magnitude of human impacts in the region. Our results reveal a striking loss of parrot diversity, much of which took place during human occupation of the islands. The most widespread species, the Cuban Parrot, exhibits interisland divergences throughout the Pleistocene. Within this radiation, we identified an extinct, genetically distinct lineage that survived on the Turks and Caicos until Indigenous human settlement of the islands. We also found that the narrowly distributed Hispaniolan Parrot had a natural range that once included The Bahamas; it thus became "endemic" to Hispaniola during the late Holocene. The Hispaniolan Parrot also likely was introduced by Indigenous people to Grand Turk and Montserrat, two islands where it is now also extirpated. Our research demonstrates that genetic information spanning paleontological, archaeological, and modern contexts is essential to understand the role of humans in altering the diversity and distribution of biota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A. Oswald
- US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Fish and Wildlife Forensic Laboratory, Ashland, OR97520
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV89557
| | - Brian Tilston Smith
- Department of Ornithology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY10024
| | - Julie M. Allen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Robert P. Guralnick
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL32611
| | - David W. Steadman
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL32611
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