Prominent role of invasive species in avian biodiversity loss

AbstractExperiments showed that biodiversity increases grassland productivity and nutrient exploitation, potentially reducing fertiliser needs. Enhancing biodiversity could improve P-use efficiency of grasslands, which is beneficial given that rock-derived P fertilisers are expected to become scarce in the future. Here, we show in a biodiversity experiment that more diverse plant communities were able to exploit P resources more completely than less diverse ones. In the agricultural grasslands that we studied, management effects either overruled or modified the driving role of plant diversity observed in the biodiversity experiment. Nevertheless, we show that greater above- (plants) and belowground (mycorrhizal fungi) biodiversity contributed to tightening the P cycle in agricultural grasslands, as reduced management intensity and the associated increased biodiversity fostered the exploitation of P resources. Our results demonstrate that promoting a high above- and belowground biodiversity has ecological (biodiversity protection) and economical (fertiliser savings) benefits. Such win-win situations for farmers and biodiversity are crucial to convince farmers of the benefits of biodiversity and thus counteract global biodiversity loss.

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Towards a mechanistic understanding of competence: a missing link in diversity–disease research

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182020000943 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 147 (11) ◽

pp. 1159-1170 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Tara E. Stewart Merrill ◽

Pieter T. J. Johnson

Keyword(s):

Infectious Disease ◽

Community Ecology ◽

Dilution Effect ◽

Biodiversity Loss ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Clear Understanding ◽

Future Directions ◽

Disease Research ◽

Mechanistic Understanding

AbstractBiodiversity loss may increase the risk of infectious disease in a phenomenon known as the dilution effect. Circumstances that increase the likelihood of disease dilution are: (i) when hosts vary in their competence, and (ii) when communities disassemble predictably, such that the least competent hosts are the most likely to go extinct. Despite the central role of competence in diversity–disease theory, we lack a clear understanding of the factors underlying competence, as well as the drivers and extent of its variation. Our perspective piece encourages a mechanistic understanding of competence and a deeper consideration of its role in diversity–disease relationships. We outline current evidence, emerging questions and future directions regarding the basis of competence, its definition and measurement, the roots of its variation and its role in the community ecology of infectious disease.

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New Zealand’s Assistance with Invasive Species Management in the Pacific

10.26686/wgtn.16992301 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Simon Lovatt

Keyword(s):

Invasive Species ◽

New Zealand ◽

International Development ◽

Biodiversity Loss ◽

Well Being ◽

Leadership Role ◽

Invasive Species Management ◽

The Pacific ◽

Species Management ◽

Critical Leadership

<p>Invasive species are one of the biggest threats to development and well-being in the Pacific. They have wide-ranging impacts on economies, the environment, and societies; in addition to causing USD $1.4 trillion of losses each year. Invasive species are also the primary cause of biodiversity loss on islands which could significantly affect the ecosystem services which Pacific Islanders depend on. Every year New Zealand spends NZD $500 million on biosecurity, and Australia has spent AUD $175 million on a single eradication project. In comparison, in the Pacific there are only six people working fulltime on invasive species issues at a regional level and there is limited funding available. This thesis assesses the role of four New Zealand agencies that assist with invasive species management in the Pacific: the International Development Group of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Biosecurity New Zealand division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Department of Conservation, and Landcare Research. Together these agencies provide funding, build capacity, offer technical advice, and occasionally implement projects. While there are important gains to New Zealand in assisting the Pacific with invasive species management, such as a reduced biosecurity threat and learning opportunities for staff, the desire to help the region for its own sake is a major driver. Suggestions for future improvement include having more information on the economic impacts of invasive species in the Pacific, increased coordination between donors, and including invasive species measures in regional trade agreements. It is hoped that New Zealand will continue to play its critical leadership role in invasive species management in the region.</p>

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The role of anglers in preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes region

Journal of Great Lakes Research ◽

10.1016/j.jglr.2016.03.016 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 42 (3) ◽

pp. 703-707 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Nancy A. Connelly ◽

T. Bruce Lauber ◽

Richard C. Stedman ◽

Barbara A. Knuth

Keyword(s):

Invasive Species ◽

Great Lakes ◽

Aquatic Invasive Species ◽

Great Lakes Region

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Biodiversity Loss Through Tropical Deforestation: The Role of Timber Production and Trade1

Biodiversity Conservation: Problems and Policies - Ecology, Economy & Environment ◽

10.1007/978-94-011-1006-8_13 ◽

1994 ◽

pp. 226-244

Author(s):

Joanne C. Burgess

Keyword(s):

Biodiversity Loss ◽

Tropical Deforestation ◽

Timber Production

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Biodiversity–ecosystem function

Ecology of Coastal Marine Sediments ◽

10.1093/oso/9780198804765.003.0010 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 137-146

Author(s):

Simon F. Thrush ◽

Judi E. Hewitt ◽

Conrad A. Pilditch ◽

Alf Norkko

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Ecosystem Function ◽

Functional Performance ◽

Biodiversity Loss ◽

Soft Sediment ◽

Multiple Functions ◽

Service Relationships ◽

Biodiversity And Ecosystem Function ◽

Up Scaling

This chapter looks at the links between biodiversity and ecosystem function in soft sediments to help understand the implications of biodiversity loss on ecosystem services. The chapter contains a focus on the challenges in developing real-world tests of biodiversity–ecosystem function (BEF) relationships. The various forms of BEF relationships, their implications and the different elements of biodiversity that link to function are described. Given the multiple functions that occur in soft-sediment ecosystems, this has important implications for the assessment and implications of BEF relationships and functional performance in the up-scaling of BEF relationships. The role of BEF in underpinning many ecosystem services and the interconnections in biodiversity and ecosystem service relationships close out the chapter.

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Biodiversity and conservation of terricolous lichens and bryophytes in continental lowlands of northern Italy: the role of different dry habitat types

Biodiversity and Conservation ◽

10.1007/s10531-020-02034-1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (13) ◽

pp. 3533-3550

Author(s):

Gabriele Gheza ◽

Silvia Assini ◽

Chiara Lelli ◽

Lorenzo Marini ◽

Helmut Mayrhofer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Vegetation Dynamics ◽

Biodiversity Loss ◽

Northern Italy ◽

Environmental Drivers ◽

Dry Grasslands ◽

Species Of Conservation Concern ◽

Terricolous Lichens ◽

Landscape Scales

Abstract In dry habitats of European lowlands terricolous lichens and bryophytes are almost neglected in conservation practises, even if they may strongly contribute to biodiversity. This study aims at (a) testing the role of heathlands, acidic and calcareous dry grasslands for lichen and bryophyte diversity and conservation in lowland areas of northern Italy characterized by high human impact and habitat fragmentation; (b) detecting the effect of environmental drivers and vegetation dynamics on species richness and composition. Lichens, bryophytes, vascular plants, and environmental variables were recorded in 287 circular plots for 75 sites. Our results indicate that heathlands, acidic and calcareous dry grasslands host peculiar terricolous lichen and bryophyte communities that include several species of conservation concern. Thus, each habitat provides a complementary contribution to lichen and bryophyte diversity in continental lowland landscapes. Furthermore, in each habitat different factors drive species richness and composition with contrasting patterns between lichens and bryophytes. In terms of conservation, our results indicate that management of lowland dry habitats should act at both local and landscape scales. At local scale, vegetation dynamics should be controlled in order to avoid biodiversity loss due to vegetation dynamics and wood encroachment. At the landscape scale, patches of all the three habitats should be maintained to maximize regional diversity.

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Habitat conversion and global avian biodiversity loss

Proceedings of The Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rspb.2002.2303 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 270 (1521) ◽

pp. 1293-1300 ◽

Cited By ~ 136

Author(s):

K. J. Gaston ◽

T. M. Blackburn ◽

K. K. Goldewijk

Keyword(s):

Biodiversity Loss ◽

Habitat Conversion ◽

Avian Biodiversity

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Native turncoats and indirect facilitation of species invasions

Proceedings of The Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rspb.2017.1936 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 285 (1871) ◽

pp. 20171936 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Tobin D. Northfield ◽

Susan G. W. Laurance ◽

Margaret M. Mayfield ◽

Dean R. Paini ◽

William E. Snyder ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Invasive Species ◽

Native Species ◽

Potential Role ◽

Indirect Interactions ◽

Invasion Success ◽

Competitive Interactions ◽

Species Invasion ◽

Species Invasions ◽

Indirect Facilitation

At local scales, native species can resist invasion by feeding on and competing with would-be invasive species. However, this relationship tends to break down or reverse at larger scales. Here, we consider the role of native species as indirect facilitators of invasion and their potential role in this diversity-driven ‘invasion paradox’. We coin the term ‘native turncoats’ to describe native facilitators of non-native species and identify eight ways they may indirectly facilitate species invasion. Some are commonly documented, while others, such as indirect interactions within competitive communities, are largely undocumented in an invasion context. Therefore, we use models to evaluate the likelihood that these competitive interactions influence invasions. We find that native turncoat effects increase with the number of resources and native species. Furthermore, our findings suggest the existence, abundance and effectiveness of native turncoats in a community could greatly influence invasion success at large scales.

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