scholarly journals Phylogenetically informed spatial planning is required to conserve the mammalian tree of life

2017 ◽  
Vol 284 (1865) ◽  
pp. 20170627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan F. Rosauer ◽  
Laura J. Pollock ◽  
Simon Linke ◽  
Walter Jetz
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Planning ◽  
Phylogenetic Diversity ◽  
Informed Choice ◽  
Tree Of Life ◽  
Phylogenetic Information ◽  
Mammal Conservation ◽  
The Face ◽  
New Generation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Effective Conservation

In the face of the current extinction crisis and severely limited conservation resources, safeguarding the tree of life is increasingly recognized as a high priority. We conducted a first systematic global assessment of the conservation of phylogenetic diversity (PD) that uses realistic area targets and highlights the key areas for conservation of the mammalian tree of life. Our approach offers a substantially more effective conservation solution than one focused on species. In many locations, priorities for PD differ substantially from those of a species-based approach that ignores evolutionary relationships. This discrepancy increases rapidly as the amount of land available for conservation declines, as does the relative benefit for mammal conservation (for the same area protected). This benefit is equivalent to an additional 5900 Myr of distinct mammalian evolution captured simply through a better informed choice of priority areas. Our study uses area targets for PD to generate more realistic conservation scenarios, and tests the impact of phylogenetic uncertainty when selecting areas to represent diversity across a phylogeny. It demonstrates the opportunity of using rapidly growing phylogenetic information in conservation planning and the readiness for a new generation of conservation planning applications that explicitly consider the heritage of the tree of life's biodiversity.

Preserving the tree of life of the fish family Cyprinidae in Africa in the face of the ongoing extinction crisis

Genome ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 170-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariam Adeoba ◽  
Solomon G. Tesfamichael ◽  
Kowiyou Yessoufou
Keyword(s):  
Threatened Species ◽  
Phylogenetic Diversity ◽  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Phylogenetic Signal ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Tree Of Life ◽  
Fish Family ◽  
The Face ◽  
Taxonomic Confusion ◽  
Coi Sequences

Our understanding of how the phylogenetic tree of fishes might be affected by the ongoing extinction risk is poor. This is due to the unavailability of comprehensive DNA data, especially for many African lineages. In addition, the ongoing taxonomic confusion within some lineages, e.g., Cyprinidae, makes it difficult to contribute to the debate on how the fish tree of life might be shaped by extinction. Here, we combine COI sequences and taxonomic information to assemble a fully sampled phylogeny of the African Cyprinidae and investigate whether we might lose more phylogenetic diversity (PD) than expected if currently threatened species go extinct. We found evidence for phylogenetic signal in extinction risk, suggesting that some lineages might be at higher risk than others. Based on simulated extinctions, we found that the loss of all threatened species, which approximates 37% of total PD, would lead to a greater loss of PD than expected, although highly evolutionarily distinct species are not particularly at risk. Pending the reconstruction of an improved multi-gene phylogeny, our results suggest that prioritizing high-EDGE species (evolutionary distinct and globally endangered species) in conservation programmes, particularly in some geographic regions, would contribute significantly to safeguarding the tree of life of the African Cyprinidae.

Impact of number of isoenzyme loci on the robustness of intraspecific phylogenies using multilocus enzyme electrophoresis: consequences for typing of Trypanosoma cruzi

Parasitology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 127 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. F. BRENIERE ◽  
C. BARNABE ◽  
M. F. BOSSENO ◽  
M. TIBAYRENC
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Genetic Heterogeneity ◽  
Phylogenetic Diversity ◽  
Enzyme Electrophoresis ◽  
Phylogenetic Information ◽  
Bootstrap Analysis ◽  
Robust Clustering ◽  
Genetic Typing ◽  
Multilocus Enzyme Electrophoresis ◽  
The Impact

Thirty-one stocks of Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, representative of the genetic variability of the 2 principal lineages, that subdivide T. cruzi, were selected on the basis of previous multilocus enzyme electrophoresis analysis using 21 loci. Analyses were performed with lower numbers of loci to explore the impact of the number of loci on the robustness of the phylogenies obtained, and to identify the loci that have more impact on the phylogeny. Analyses were performed with numerical (UPGMA) and cladistical (Wagner parsimony analysis) methods for all sets of loci. Robustness of the phylogenies obtained was estimated by bootstrap analysis. Low numbers of randomly selected loci (6) were sufficient to demonstrate genetic heterogeneity among the stocks studied. However, they were unable to give reliable phylogenetic information. A higher number of randomly selected loci (15 and more) were required to reach this goal. All loci did not convey equivalent information. The more variable loci detected a greater genetic heterogeneity among the stocks, whereas the least variable loci were better for robust clustering. Finally, analysis was performed with only 5 and 9 loci bearing synapomorphic allozyme characters previously identified among larger samples of stocks. A set of 9 such loci was able to uncover both genetic heterogeneity among the stocks and to build robust phylogenies. It can therefore be recommended as a minimum set of isoenzyme loci that bring maximal information for all studies aiming to explore the phylogenetic diversity of a new set of T. cruzi stocks and for any preliminary genetic typing. Moreover, our results show that bootstrap analysis, like any statistics, is highly dependent upon the information available and that absolute bootstrap figures should be cautiously interpreted.

scholarly journals Conserving Evolutionarily Distinct Species is Critical to Safeguard Human Well-Being

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Molina-Venegas
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Diversity ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Tree Of Life ◽  
Expected Number ◽  
Phylogenetic Information ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
Evolutionary Distinctiveness ◽  
Mechanistic Understanding

Abstract Although there is growing interest in safeguarding the Tree of Life to preserve the human benefits that are directly provided by biodiversity, their evolutionary distribution remains unknown, which has hampered our understanding of the potential of phylodiversity indicators to evince them. Here, I drew on a global review of plant services and comprehensive phylogenetic information to breakdown their evolutionary distribution and thereby show why the commonly used Phylogenetic Diversity and Evolutionary Distinctiveness indicators can unequivocally help to preserve these natural benefits. Beneficial species clumped within phylogenetically overdispersed genera and closely related taxa often contributed very few and redundant services, suggesting that multiple plant lineages are required to maintain a wide variety of benefits. Yet, a reduced number of species stood out as multi-beneficial and evolutionarily distinct plants relative to both the entire phylogeny and the subset of beneficial species, and they collectively contributed a higher-than-expected number of records for most types of benefits. In addition to providing a clear mechanistic understanding for the recently proved success of Phylogenetic Diversity in capturing plant benefits, these findings stress the decisive role that conservation programmes aimed at protecting evolutionarily distinct taxa will pay in safeguarding the beneficial potential of biodiversity for the future.

scholarly journals Complete, accurate, mammalian phylogenies aid conservation planning, but not much

2011 ◽  
Vol 366 (1578) ◽  
pp. 2652-2660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana S. L. Rodrigues ◽  
Richard Grenyer ◽  
Jonathan E. M. Baillie ◽  
Olaf R. P. Bininda-Emonds ◽  
John L. Gittlemann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Planning ◽  
Phylogenetic Trees ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Quality Of Data ◽  
Phylogenetic Information ◽  
Spatial Conservation Planning ◽  
The Face ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Meaningful Measure

In the face of unprecedented global biodiversity loss, conservation planning must balance between refining and deepening knowledge versus acting on current information to preserve species and communities. Phylogenetic diversity (PD), a biodiversity measure that takes into account the evolutionary relationships between species, is arguably a more meaningful measure of biodiversity than species diversity, but cannot yet be applied to conservation planning for the majority of taxa for which phylogenetic trees have not yet been developed. Here, we investigate how the quality of data on the taxonomy and/or phylogeny of species affects the results of spatial conservation planning in terms of the representation of overall mammalian PD. The results show that the better the quality of the biodiversity data the better they can serve as a basis for conservation planning. However, decisions based on incomplete data are remarkably robust across different levels of degrading quality concerning the description of new species and the availability of phylogenetic information. Thus, given the level of urgency and the need for action, conservation planning can safely make use of the best available systematic data, limited as these data may be.

scholarly journals The Effect of Phylogenetic Uncertainty and Imputation on EDGE Scores

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Bodie Weedop ◽  
Arne Ø. Mooers ◽  
Caroline M. Tucker ◽  
William D. Pearse
Keyword(s):  
Tree Of Life ◽  
Time Constraints ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Systematic Assessment ◽  
Evolutionary Distinctiveness ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Diversity Metrics

AbstractFaced with the challenge of saving as much diversity as possible given financial and time constraints, conservation biologists are increasingly prioritizing species on the basis of their overall contribution to evolutionary diversity. Metrics such as EDGE (Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered) have been used to set such evolutionarily-based conservation priorities for a number of taxa, such as mammals, birds, corals, amphibians, and sharks. Each application of EDGE has required some form of correction to account for species whose position within the tree of life are unknown. Perhaps the most advanced of these corrections is phylogenetic imputation, but to date there has been no systematic assessment of both the sensitivity of EDGE scores to a phylogeny missing species, and the impact of using imputation to correct for species missing from the tree. Here we perform such an assessment, by simulating phylogenies, removing some species to make the phylogeny incomplete, imputating the position of those species, and measuring (1) how robust ED scores are for the species that are not removed and (2) how accurate the ED scores are for those removed and then imputed. We find that the EDGE ranking for species on a tree is remarkably robust to missing species from that tree, but that phylogenetic imputation for missing species, while unbiased, does not accurately reconstruct species’ evolutionary distinctiveness. On the basis of these results, we provide clear guidance for EDGE scoring in the face of phylogenetic uncertainty.

Overcoming stereotypes of renewable energy

2019 ◽  
pp. 124-136
Author(s):  
Victor D. Gazman
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Empirical Analysis ◽  
Energy Generation ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Financial Instrument ◽  
Promising Direction ◽  
Investment Projects ◽  
Power Stations ◽  
New Generation ◽  
The Impact

The article considers prerequisites for the formation of a new paradigm in the energy sector. The factors that may affect the imminent change of leadership among the energy generation are analyzed. The variability of the projects of creation and functioning of power stations is examined. The focus is made on problematic aspects of the new generation, especially, storage and supply of energy, achieving a system of parity that ensures balance in pricing generations. The author substantiates the principles of forming system of parities arising when comparing traditional and new generations. The article presents the results of an empirical analysis of the 215 projects for the construction of facilities for renewable energy. The significance and direction of the impact of these factors on the growth in investment volumes of transactions are determined. The author considers leasing as an effective financial instrument for overcoming stereotypes of renewable energy and as a promising direction for accelerated implementation of investment projects.

Particularities of the independent auditor's report on reliability of accounting (financial) statements for 2019: COVID-19 as qualitatively essential information (Part 2)

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 777-799
Author(s):  
O.I. Shvyreva ◽  
Z.I. Kruglyak ◽  
A.V. Petukh
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Economic Situation ◽  
Risk Disclosure ◽  
Essential Information ◽  
Logical Method ◽  
Annual Reporting ◽  
The Face ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
The Impact

Subject. This article discusses the issues related to the practice of financial reporting in the face of uncertainties caused by the coronavirus contagion, as well as the specifics of the audit strategy and formation of an audit opinion on this reporting. Objectives. The article aims to identify the quality characteristics of financial reporting prepared in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and justify the key aspects of assurance engagement completion in an extremely uncertain epidemiological and economic situation. Methods. For the study, we used an abstract-logical method, content analysis techniques, systematization, and classification. Results. Analyzing the impact of the extremely uncertain epidemiological and economic situation on financial statements, the article clarifies aspects of disclosure of events after the reporting date and threats to business continuity in the annual reporting of economic entities. The article identifies possible alternative procedures and algorithms to obtain proper evidence when it is insufficient in the face of the inability to meet certain audit standards requirements in a remote audit environment. The article defines the impact of COVID-19 risk disclosure on the structure of the audit report and opinion. Relevance. The results of the study can be used in the practical activities of economic entities that prepare financial statements in the face of significant uncertainty, as well as auditors and audit organizations.

Safe development of business and national economy in the face of a pandemic and global recession

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1182-1198
Author(s):  
I.V. Vyakina
Keyword(s):  
Economic Security ◽  
Global Recession ◽  
Graphical Visualization ◽  
National Economic ◽  
Business Support ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
Business Entities ◽  
Visualization Techniques ◽  
The Impact

Subject. This article deals with the issues related to the national economic security of the State in today's conditions. Objectives. The article aims to develop a set of special measures for additional business support to reduce the impact of restrictions imposed against the background of quarantine and the pandemic spread, and which would help prevent collapse of business entities. Methods. For the study, I used the methods of theoretical, systems, logical, and comparative analyses, and tabular and graphical visualization techniques. Results. The article proposes possible measures to support business aimed at reducing the costs of business entities due to the restrictions caused by the pandemic, that complement and explain the activities proposed by the President and Government of the Russian Federation, taking into account the regional and municipal levels. Conclusions. The uncertain current situation requires constant adjustment and adaptation of public policy in accordance with specific circumstances. Ensuring the country's economic security and sustainability associates with creation of a business organization system that connects public administration tools and business support and development opportunities under the changed environment.

The Impact of Terrorism on Construction Industry in Iraq

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-84
Author(s):  
Wadhah Amer Hatem ◽  
Samiaah M. Hassen Al-Tmeemy
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Historical Data ◽  
Terrorist Attacks ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Statistical Procedures ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
Suicide Attacks ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Impact

     Suicide attacks, bombings, explosions became the part of daily life in Iraq. Consequently, the threat of terrorism put the Iraqi construction sector in the face of unique and unusual challenges that not seen on other countries. These challenges can have extensive impact on construction projects. This paper seeks to examine the impact of the terrorist attacks on construction industry and determine the extent to which the impact of terrorism on construction projects in terms of cost, schedule, and quality. This study adapted quantitative and qualitative approaches to collect data using questionnaire survey and interviews, as well as historical data. The study focused on projects that have been the target of terrorist strikes in Diyala governorate. A variety of statistical procedures were employed in data analysis. The results revealed the extent to which terrorist attacks impact construction projects in terms of cost, time, and quality. The results of this study will enhance the awareness of all construction parties to the impact of the terrorist attacks against construction projects. Eventually, this can develop a risk management assessment and assist contractors to properly protect projects and buildings to minimize injuries and fatalities in the event of terrorism.

Impact of Chatbot in Transforming the Face of Retailing- An Empirical Model of Antecedents and Outcomes

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kumari Anshu ◽  
Loveleen Gaur ◽  
Arun Solanki
Keyword(s):  
Research Work ◽  
Shopping Behavior ◽  
Model Framework ◽  
Shopping Experience ◽  
The Face ◽  
Strongly Agree ◽  
Different Characteristics ◽  
Work Done ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire

Chatbot has emerged as a significant resolution to the swiftly growing customer caredemands in recent times. Chatbot has emerged as one of the biggest technological disruption. Simply speaking, it is a software agent facilitating interaction between computers and humans in natural language. So basically, it is a simulated, intellectual dialogue agent functional in a range of consumer engagement circumstances. It is the easiest and simplest means enable interaction between the retailers and the customers. </p><p> • Purpose- Most of the research work done in this field is concerned with their technical aspects. The recent research on chatbot pay little attention to the impact it is creating on users’ experience. Through this work, author is making an effort to know the customer-oriented impact that the chatbot bear on the shoppers. The purpose of this study is to develop and empirically test a framework that identify the customer oriented attributes of chatbot and impact of these attributes on customers. </p><p> • Objectives- The study intends to bridge the gap between concepts and actual attributes and applications on the subject of Chatbot. The following research objectives can address the various aspects of Chatbot affecting the different characteristics of consumers shopping behaviors: a) Identify the various attributes of chatbot that bears an impression on consumer shopping behavior. b) Evaluate the impact of chatbot on consumer shopping behavior that leads to the development of chatbot usage and adoption among the customer. </p><p> • Design/Methodology/Approach – For the purpose of analysis, author has administered Factor analysis and Multiple regression using SPSS version 23 for identification of various attributes of Chatbot and knowing their impact on shoppers. A self-administered questionnaire from the review of literature is developed. Industry experts in the field of retailing and academician evaluate the questionnaire. Primary information from the respondents is gathered using this questionnaire. The questionnaire comprises of Likert scale on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 stands for strongly disagree and 5 stands for strongly agree. Data is collected from 126 respondents, out of which 111 respondents were finally considered for study and analysis purpose. </p><p> • Findings – The empirical results show that the study identifies various attributes of chatbot like Trust, Usefulness, Satisfaction, Readiness to Use and Accessibility. It is also found that chatbot is really influencing the customers in providing them with shopping experience, which can be very helpful to the businesses for increasing the sales and creating repurchase intention among the customers. </p><p> • Originality/value – The recent research on chatbot pay little attention to the impact it is creating on customers who are actually interacting with it on regular basis. The research paper extends information for understanding and appreciating the customer oriented attributes of artificially intelligent Chatbot. In this regard, the author has developed a model framework and proposed the attributes identified. Through the work, author is also making an effort to test empirically the impact of the identified attributes on the shoppers.

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