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Núñez-Regueiro MM, Siddiqui SF, Fletcher RJ. Effects of bioenergy on biodiversity arising from land-use change and crop type. Conserv Biol 2021; 35:77-87. [PMID: 31854480 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how the world's flora and fauna will respond to bioenergy expansion is critical. This issue is particularly pronounced considering bioenergy's potential role as a driver of land-use change, the variety of production crops being considered and currently used for biomass, and the diversity of ecosystems that can potentially supply land for bioenergy across the planet. We conducted 2 global meta-analyses to determine how 8 of the most commonly used bioenergy crops may affect site-level biodiversity. One search was directed at finding data on biodiversity in different production land uses and the other at extracting energy-yield estimates of potential bioenergy crops. We used linear mixed-effect models to test whether effects on biodiversity varied with different individual bioenergy crop species, estimated energy yield, first- or second-generation crops, type of reference ecosystem considered, and magnitude of vertical change in habitat structure between any given crop and the reference ecosystem. Species diversity and abundance were generally lower in crops considered for bioenergy relative to the natural ecosystems they may replace. First-generation crops, derived from oils, sugars, and starches, tended to have greater effects than second-generation crops, derived from lignocellulose, woody crops, or residues. Crop yield had nonlinear effects on abundance and, to a lesser extent, overall biodiversity; biodiversity effects were driven by negative yield effects for birds but not other taxa. Our results emphasize that replacing natural ecosystems with bioenergy crops across the planet will largely be detrimental for biodiversity, with first generation and high-yield crops having the strongest negative effects. We argue that meeting energy goals with bioenergy using existing marginal lands or biomass extraction within existing production landscapes may provide more biodiversity-friendly alternatives than conversion of natural ecosystems for biofuel production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio M Núñez-Regueiro
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, U.S.A
- Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Laboratorio de Ecologia Aplicada, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Avenida Bolivia 5150, Salta, 4400, Argentina
- Universidad Católica de Salta. Campo Castañares S/N, Salta, 4400, Argentina
| | - Sharmin F Siddiqui
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, U.S.A
| | - Robert J Fletcher
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, U.S.A
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Betts J, Young RP, Hilton‐Taylor C, Hoffmann M, Rodríguez JP, Stuart SN, Milner‐Gulland E. A framework for evaluating the impact of the IUCN Red List of threatened species. Conserv Biol 2020; 34:632-643. [PMID: 31876054 PMCID: PMC7318271 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [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: 05/18/2019] [Revised: 08/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, a species extinction risk assessment tool, has been guiding conservation efforts for over 5 decades. It is widely assumed to have been instrumental in preventing species from moving closer to extinction and driving recoveries. However, the impact of the IUCN Red List in guiding conservation has not been evaluated. We conducted, transcribed, and coded interviews with experts who use the IUCN Red List across a range of sectors to understand how the list is used in conservation. We developed a theory of change to illustrate how and why change is expected to occur along causal pathways contributing to the long-term goal of the IUCN Red List and an evaluation framework with indicators for measuring the impact of the IUCN Red List in generating scientific knowledge, raising awareness among stakeholders, designating priority conservation sites, allocating funding and resources, influencing development of legislation and policy, and guiding targeted conservation action (key themes). Red-list assessments were the primary input leading to outputs (scientific knowledge, raised awareness), outcomes (better informed priority setting, access to funding and resource availability, improved legislation and policy), and impact (implemented conservation action leading to positive change) that have resulted in achievement of IUCN Red List goals. To explore feasibility of attributing the difference made by the IUCN Red List across themes, we studied increased scientific knowledge, raised awareness, access to funding and resource allocation, and increased conservation activity. The feasibility exploration showed increased scientific knowledge over time identified through positive trends in publications referring to the IUCN Red List in the literature; raised awareness of the list following high IUCN activity identified by peaks in online search activity; an increased proportion of conservation funding bodies requesting IUCN Red List status in the application process; and, based on interviews with Amphibian Specialist Group members, red-list assessments were essential in connecting relevant stakeholders and ensuring conservation action. Although we identified the IUCN Red List as a vital tool in global conservation efforts, it was challenging to measure specific impacts because of its ubiquitous nature. We are the first to identify the influence of the IUCN Red List on conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Betts
- Silwood Park CampusImperial College LondonBuckhurst RoadBerkshireSL5 7PYU.K.
- Current address: Fauna & Flora InternationalDavid Attenborough Building, Pembroke StreetCambridgeCB2 3QZU.K.
| | - Richard P. Young
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation TrustLes Augres ManorJerseyJE3 5BPChannel Islands
| | - Craig Hilton‐Taylor
- IUCN Global Species ProgrammeDavid Attenborough BuildingPembroke StreetCambridgeCB2 3QZU.K.
| | | | - Jon Paul Rodríguez
- IUCN Species Survival CommissionInstituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas and ProvitaCaracasVenezuela
| | - Simon N. Stuart
- Synchronicity EarthThe Malthouse17‐20 Sydney BuildingsBathBA2 6BZU.K.
| | - E.J. Milner‐Gulland
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of Oxford11a Mansfield RoadOxfordOX1 3SZU.K.
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Alcala N, Launer AE, Westphal MF, Seymour R, Cole EM, Rosenberg NA. Use of stochastic patch occupancy models in the California red-legged frog for Bayesian inference regarding past events and future persistence. Conserv Biol 2019; 33:685-696. [PMID: 30019427 PMCID: PMC6849877 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13192] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Assessing causes of population decline is critically important to management of threatened species. Stochastic patch occupancy models (SPOMs) are popular tools for examining spatial and temporal dynamics of populations when presence-absence data in multiple habitat patches are available. We developed a Bayesian Markov chain method that extends existing SPOMs by focusing on past environmental changes that may have altered occupancy patterns prior to the beginning of data collection. Using occupancy data from 3 creeks, we applied the method to assess 2 hypothesized causes of population decline-in situ die-off and residual impact of past source population loss-in the California red-legged frog. Despite having no data for the 20-30 years between the hypothetical event leading to population decline and the first data collected, we were able to discriminate among hypotheses, finding evidence that in situ die-off increased in 2 of the creeks. Although the creeks had comparable numbers of occupied segments, owing to different extinction-colonization dynamics, our model predicted an 8-fold difference in persistence probabilities of their populations to 2030. Adding a source population led to a greater predicted persistence probability than did decreasing the in situ die-off, emphasizing that reversing the deleterious impacts of a disturbance may not be the most efficient management strategy. We expect our method will be useful for studying dynamics and evaluating management strategies of many species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Alcala
- Department of BiologyStanford University371 Serra MallStanfordCA94305‐5020U.S.A.
| | - Alan E. Launer
- Land Use and Environmental PlanningStanford University3160 Porter Drive, Suite 200Palo AltoCA94304‐8442U.S.A.
| | - Michael F. Westphal
- US Bureau of Land ManagementHollister Field Office20 Hamilton CourtHollisterCA95023U.S.A.
| | - Richard Seymour
- Stanford Conservation Program3160 Porter Drive, Suite 200Palo AltoCA94304‐8442U.S.A.
| | - Esther M. Cole
- Land Use and Environmental PlanningStanford University3160 Porter Drive, Suite 200Palo AltoCA94304‐8442U.S.A.
| | - Noah A. Rosenberg
- Department of BiologyStanford University371 Serra MallStanfordCA94305‐5020U.S.A.
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Martínez-Abraín A, Galán P. A test of the substitution-habitat hypothesis in amphibians. Conserv Biol 2018; 32:725-730. [PMID: 29218741 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 07/07/2017] [Revised: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Most examples that support the substitution-habitat hypothesis (human-made habitats act as substitutes of original habitat) deal with birds and mammals. We tested this hypothesis in 14 amphibians by using percentage occupancy as a proxy of habitat quality (i.e., higher occupancy percentages indicate higher quality). We classified water body types as original habitat (no or little human influence) depending on anatomical, behavioral, or physiological adaptations of each amphibian species. Ten species had relatively high probabilities (0.16-0.28) of occurrence in original habitat, moderate probability of occurrence in substitution habitats (0.11-0.14), and low probability of occurrence in refuge habitats (0.05-0.08). Thus, the substitution-habitat hypothesis only partially applies to amphibians because the low occupancy of refuges could be due to the negligible human persecution of this group (indicating good conservation status). However, low occupancy of refuges could also be due to low tolerance of refuge conditions, which could have led to selective extinction or colonization problems due to poor dispersal capabilities. That original habitats had the highest probabilities of occupancy suggests amphibians have a good conservation status in the region. They also appeared highly adaptable to anthropogenic substitution habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Martínez-Abraín
- Grupo de Investigación en Bioloxía Evolutiva (GIBE), Departamento de Bioloxía, Facultade de Ciencias, Universidade da Coruña, Campus da Zapateira, s/n. 15071 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Pedro Galán
- Grupo de Investigación en Bioloxía Evolutiva (GIBE), Departamento de Bioloxía, Facultade de Ciencias, Universidade da Coruña, Campus da Zapateira, s/n. 15071 A Coruña, Spain
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Trull N, Böhm M, Carr J. Patterns and biases of climate change threats in the IUCN Red List. Conserv Biol 2018; 32:135-147. [PMID: 28861903 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [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: 01/15/2017] [Revised: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessments rely on published data and expert inputs, and biases can be introduced where underlying definitions and concepts are ambiguous. Consideration of climate change threat is no exception, and recently numerous approaches to assessing the threat of climate change to species have been developed. We explored IUCN Red List assessments of amphibians and birds to determine whether species listed as threatened by climate change display distinct patterns in terms of habitat occupied and additional nonclimatic threats faced. We compared IUCN Red List data with a published data set of species' biological and ecological traits believed to infer high vulnerability to climate change and determined whether distributions of climate change-threatened species on the IUCN Red List concur with those of climate change-threatened species identified with the trait-based approach and whether species possessing these traits are more likely to have climate change listed as a threat on the IUCN Red List. Species in some ecosystems (e.g., grassland, shrubland) and subject to particular threats (e.g., invasive species) were more likely to have climate change as a listed threat. Geographical patterns of climate change-threatened amphibians and birds on the IUCN Red List were incongruent with patterns of global species richness and patterns identified using trait-based approaches. Certain traits were linked to increases or decreases in the likelihood of a species being threatened by climate change. Broad temperature tolerance of a species was consistently related to an increased likelihood of climate change threat, indicating counterintuitive relationships in IUCN assessments. To improve the robustness of species assessments of the vulnerability or extinction risk associated with climate change, we suggest IUCN adopt a more cohesive approach whereby specific traits highlighted by our results are considered in Red List assessments. To achieve this and to strengthen the climate change-vulnerability assessments approach, it is necessary to identify and implement logical avenues for further research into traits that make species vulnerable to climate change (including population-level threats).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Monika Böhm
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, U.K
| | - Jamie Carr
- Global Species Programme, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, U.K
- Climate Change Specialist Group, Species Survival Commission, IUCN, 28 rue Mauverney, Gland CH-1196, Switzerland
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Bland LM, Bielby J, Kearney S, Orme CDL, Watson JEM, Collen B. Toward reassessing data-deficient species. Conserv Biol 2017; 31:531-539. [PMID: 27696559 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [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: 04/20/2016] [Revised: 08/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
One in 6 species (13,465 species) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List is classified as data deficient due to lack of information on their taxonomy, population status, or impact of threats. Despite the chance that many are at high risk of extinction, data-deficient species are typically excluded from global and local conservation priorities, as well as funding schemes. The number of data-deficient species will greatly increase as the IUCN Red List becomes more inclusive of poorly known and speciose groups. A strategic approach is urgently needed to enhance the conservation value of data-deficient assessments. To develop this, we reviewed 2879 data-deficient assessments in 6 animal groups and identified 8 main justifications for assigning data-deficient status (type series, few records, old records, uncertain provenance, uncertain population status or distribution, uncertain threats, taxonomic uncertainty, and new species). Assigning a consistent set of justification tags (i.e., consistent assignment to assessment justifications) to species classified as data deficient is a simple way to achieve more strategic assessments. Such tags would clarify the causes of data deficiency; facilitate the prediction of extinction risk; facilitate comparisons of data deficiency among taxonomic groups; and help prioritize species for reassessment. With renewed efforts, it could be straightforward to prevent thousands of data-deficient species slipping unnoticed toward extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie M Bland
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Jon Bielby
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, U.K
| | - Stephen Kearney
- School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - C David L Orme
- Division of Biology, Imperial College London, Silwood Park, Ascot, SL5 7PY, U.K
| | - James E M Watson
- School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Global Conservation Programs, Bronx, NY, 10460, U.S.A
| | - Ben Collen
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1 E6BT, U.K
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Hartman R, Pope K, Lawler S. Factors mediating co-occurrence of an economically valuable introduced fish and its native frog prey. Conserv Biol 2014; 28:763-772. [PMID: 24372671 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [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: 05/03/2013] [Accepted: 08/18/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Habitat characteristics mediate predator-prey coexistence in many ecological systems but are seldom considered in species introductions. When economically important introduced predators are stocked despite known negative impacts on native species, understanding the role of refuges, landscape configurations, and community interactions can inform habitat management plans. We measured these factors in basins with introduced trout (Salmonidae) and the Cascades frog (Rana cascadae) to determine, which are responsible for observed patterns of co-occurrence of this economically important predator and its native prey. Large, vegetated shallows were strongly correlated to co-occurrence, and R. cascadae larvae occur in shallower water when fish are present, presumably to escape predation. The number of nearby breeding sites of R. cascadae was also correlated to co-occurrence, but only when the western toad (Anaxyrus boreas) was present. Because A. boreas larvae are unpalatable to fish and resemble R. cascadae, they may provide protection from trout via Batesian mimicry. Although rescue-effect dispersal from nearby populations may maintain co-occurrence, within-lake factors proved more important for predicting co-occurrence. Learning which factors allow co-occurrence between economically important introduced species and their native prey enables managers to make better-informed stocking decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary Hartman
- Graduate Group in Ecology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, U.S.A..
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