scholarly journals Impacts of hydropower on the habitat of jaguars and tigers

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Filipa Palmeirim ◽  
Luke Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Dam Construction ◽  
Apex Predators ◽  
Freshwater Biodiversity ◽  
Conservation Areas ◽  
Terrestrial Habitats ◽  
Tropical Landscapes ◽  
Total Flooding

AbstractThe rapid expansion of hydropower across tropical landscapes has caused extensive habitat loss and degradation, triggering biodiversity loss. Despite known risks to freshwater biodiversity, the flooding of terrestrial habitats caused by dam construction, and associated impacts on terrestrial biota, have been rarely considered. To help fill this knowledge gap, we quantified the habitat loss following inundation of hydropower reservoirs across the range of two iconic species, jaguars and tigers. To do so, we compiled existing and planned dams intersecting the distribution of these apex predators. We found 164 dams intersecting the jaguar range, in total flooding 25,397 km2. For tigers, we identified 421 dams, amounting to 13,750 km2. As hydropower infrastructure is projected to expand in the decades ahead, these values are expected to increase greatly, particularly within the distribution of jaguars where the number of dams will nearly quadruple (429 planned dams). Despite the relatively few dams (41) planned across the range of tigers, most will intersect priority conservation areas for this species. We recommend a more cautious pursuit of hydropower in topographically flat regions, to avoid extensive habitat flooding which has occurred in the Neotropics, and avoiding dam construction in priority conservation landscapes for tigers.

Ecosystem decay exacerbates biodiversity loss with habitat loss

Nature ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 584 (7820) ◽  
pp. 238-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan M. Chase ◽  
Shane A. Blowes ◽  
Tiffany M. Knight ◽  
Katharina Gerstner ◽  
Felix May
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Biodiversity Loss

scholarly journals The conservation status in 1982 of the Aldabra White-throated Rail Dryolimnas cuvieri aldabranus

1993 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 299-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. J. Collar
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
Terrestrial Habitats

SummaryThe Aldabra White-throated Rail Dryolimnas cuvieri aldabranus is confined to Middle Island (c. 7,700 birds), lie Polymnie (c. 270) and De aux Cèdres (c. 80) on Aldabra Atoll (now a World Heritage Site) in the Seychelles. It uses all available terrestrial habitats, but chiefly occurs in scrub cover and particularly in the densest types, where leaf-litter (and hence litter fauna) is richest. Its extinction on Assumption, Astove and Cosmoledo is attributable to widespread habitat loss and disturbance, and to human utilization as food; the extent to which rats and cats affect the form, which is flightless, is debatable.

scholarly journals Threats of future climate change and land use to vulnerable tree species native to Southern California

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
ERIN C. RIORDAN ◽  
THOMAS W. GILLESPIE ◽  
LINCOLN PITCHER ◽  
STEPHANIE S. PINCETL ◽  
G. DARREL JENERETTE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Southern California ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Intergovernmental Panel

SUMMARYClimate and land-use changes are expected to drive high rates of environmental change and biodiversity loss in Mediterranean ecosystems this century. This paper compares the relative future impacts of land use and climate change on two vulnerable tree species native to Southern California (Juglans californica and Quercus engelmannii) using species distribution models. Under the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change's A1B future scenario, high levels of both projected land use and climate change could drive considerable habitat losses on these two already heavily-impacted tree species. Under scenarios of no dispersal, projected climate change poses a greater habitat loss threat relative to projected land use for both species. Assuming unlimited dispersal, climate-driven habitat gains could offset some of the losses due to both drivers, especially in J. californica which could experience net habitat gains under combined impacts of both climate change and land use. Quercus engelmannii, in contrast, could experience net habitat losses under combined impacts, even under best-case unlimited dispersal scenarios. Similarly, projected losses and gains in protected habitat are highly sensitive to dispersal scenario, with anywhere from > 60% loss in protected habitat (no dispersal) to > 170% gain in protected habitat (unlimited dispersal). The findings underscore the importance of dispersal in moderating future habitat loss for vulnerable species.

scholarly journals Multiple drivers of decline in the global status of freshwater crayfish (Decapoda: Astacidea)

2015 ◽  
Vol 370 (1662) ◽  
pp. 20140060 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia I. Richman ◽  
Monika Böhm ◽  
Susan B. Adams ◽  
Fernando Alvarez ◽  
Elizabeth A. Bergey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Threatened Species ◽  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Freshwater Crayfish ◽  
Freshwater Biodiversity ◽  
Face Threats ◽  
Global Status ◽  
Alternative Means

Rates of biodiversity loss are higher in freshwater ecosystems than in most terrestrial or marine ecosystems, making freshwater conservation a priority. However, prioritization methods are impeded by insufficient knowledge on the distribution and conservation status of freshwater taxa, particularly invertebrates. We evaluated the extinction risk of the world's 590 freshwater crayfish species using the IUCN Categories and Criteria and found 32% of all species are threatened with extinction. The level of extinction risk differed between families, with proportionally more threatened species in the Parastacidae and Astacidae than in the Cambaridae. Four described species were Extinct and 21% were assessed as Data Deficient. There was geographical variation in the dominant threats affecting the main centres of crayfish diversity. The majority of threatened US and Mexican species face threats associated with urban development, pollution, damming and water management. Conversely, the majority of Australian threatened species are affected by climate change, harvesting, agriculture and invasive species. Only a small proportion of crayfish are found within the boundaries of protected areas, suggesting that alternative means of long-term protection will be required. Our study highlights many of the significant challenges yet to come for freshwater biodiversity unless conservation planning shifts from a reactive to proactive approach.

scholarly journals Animals in Our Midst: An Introduction

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Jozef Keulartz ◽  
Bernice Bovenkerk
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Landscape Degradation ◽  
The World ◽  
Habitat Loss And Fragmentation

AbstractIn this introduction we describe how the world has changed for animals in the Anthropocene—the current age, in which human activities have influenced the planet on a scale never seen before. In this era, we find many different types of animals in our midst: some—in particular livestock—are both victims of and unwittingly complicit in causing the Anthropocene. Others are forced to respond to new environmental conditions. Think of animals that due to climate change can no longer survive in their native habitats or wild animals that in response to habitat loss and fragmentation are forced to live in urban areas. Some animals are being domesticated or in contrast de-domesticated, and yet others are going extinct or in contrast are being resurrected. These changing conditions have led to new tensions between humans and other animals. How can we shape our relationships with all these different animals in a rapidly changing world in such a way that both animal welfare and species diversity are not further affected? We describe how animal ethics is changing in these trying times and illustrate the impacts of Anthropocene conditions on animals by zooming in on one country where many problems, such as biodiversity loss and landscape degradation, converge, the Netherlands. We conclude by giving an overview of the different chapters in this volume, which are organised into five parts: animal agents, domesticated animals, urban animals, wild animals and animal artefacts.

Habitat loss: Potential threat for biodiversity loss and future pandemics

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 267
Author(s):  
Sayantani Mitra ◽  
Anand K. Patel ◽  
Nabarun Nandy ◽  
Jagat Kumar Roy
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Potential Threat

scholarly journals Bending the Curve of Global Freshwater Biodiversity Loss: An Emergency Recovery Plan

BioScience ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 330-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Tickner ◽  
Jeffrey J Opperman ◽  
Robin Abell ◽  
Mike Acreman ◽  
Angela H Arthington ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Environmental Flows ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystem ◽  
Freshwater Biodiversity ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Recovery Plan ◽  
Species Invasions

Abstract Despite their limited spatial extent, freshwater ecosystems host remarkable biodiversity, including one-third of all vertebrate species. This biodiversity is declining dramatically: Globally, wetlands are vanishing three times faster than forests, and freshwater vertebrate populations have fallen more than twice as steeply as terrestrial or marine populations. Threats to freshwater biodiversity are well documented but coordinated action to reverse the decline is lacking. We present an Emergency Recovery Plan to bend the curve of freshwater biodiversity loss. Priority actions include accelerating implementation of environmental flows; improving water quality; protecting and restoring critical habitats; managing the exploitation of freshwater ecosystem resources, especially species and riverine aggregates; preventing and controlling nonnative species invasions; and safeguarding and restoring river connectivity. We recommend adjustments to targets and indicators for the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Sustainable Development Goals and roles for national and international state and nonstate actors.

Assessing replacement cost of conservation areas: How does habitat loss influence priorities?

2009 ◽  
Vol 142 (3) ◽  
pp. 575-585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atte Moilanen ◽  
Anni Arponen ◽  
Jogeir N. Stokland ◽  
Mar Cabeza
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Replacement Cost ◽  
Conservation Areas

Are small fishes more sensitive to habitat loss? A generic size-based model

2016 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 716-726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam S. van der Lee ◽  
Marten A. Koops
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Small Species ◽  
Freshwater Biodiversity ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Distinct Stage ◽  
Increased Sensitivity ◽  
Good Starting Point ◽  
Maximum Body ◽  
Maximum Body Length

Habitat loss represents the greatest threat to freshwater biodiversity. The potential for life history attributes to correlate with the risks associated with habitat loss represents a possible mechanism for more effective and rapid assessments, especially in data-limited situations. Body size correlates with many other life history attributes and is a good starting point for investigating correlates with habitat loss. Here, we use a generic stage-based matrix population model, parameterized using length-based allometries, to investigate if such a mechanism exists. Our analysis revealed that small species (shorter maximum body length) were initially more sensitive to the loss of habitat. Moreover, distinct stage-based patterns exist showing an increased sensitivity of population growth rate for small species to both habitat loss and vital rate perturbations of pre-adult stages. This indicates that the pre-adult period represents a critical stage for the continued production of small species and increased importance of the conservation of habitat used by young-of-the-year and juvenile fishes.

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