scholarly journals Taxonomic bias and international biodiversity conservation research

FACETS ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael R. Donaldson ◽  
Nicholas J. Burnett ◽  
Douglas C. Braun ◽  
Cory D. Suski ◽  
Scott G. Hinch ◽  
...  

While greater research on threatened species alone cannot ensure their protection, understanding taxonomic bias may be helpful to address knowledge gaps in order to identify research directions and inform policy. Using data for over 10 000 animal species listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, we investigated taxonomic and geographic biodiversity conservation research trends worldwide. We found extreme bias in conservation research effort on threatened vertebrates compared with lesser-studied invertebrates in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats at a global scale. Based on an analysis of common threats affecting vertebrates and invertebrates, we suggest a path forward for narrowing the research gap between threatened vertebrates and invertebrates.

Science ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 330 (6010) ◽  
pp. 1503-1509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Hoffmann ◽  
Craig Hilton-Taylor ◽  
Ariadne Angulo ◽  
Monika Böhm ◽  
Thomas M. Brooks ◽  
...  

Using data for 25,780 species categorized on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, we present an assessment of the status of the world’s vertebrates. One-fifth of species are classified as Threatened, and we show that this figure is increasing: On average, 52 species of mammals, birds, and amphibians move one category closer to extinction each year. However, this overall pattern conceals the impact of conservation successes, and we show that the rate of deterioration would have been at least one-fifth again as much in the absence of these. Nonetheless, current conservation efforts remain insufficient to offset the main drivers of biodiversity loss in these groups: agricultural expansion, logging, overexploitation, and invasive alien species.


2016 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 542-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Mertens ◽  
J. Germer ◽  
J. A. Siqueira Filho ◽  
J. Sauerborn

Abstract Spondias tuberosa Arr., a fructiferous tree endemic to the northeast Brazilian tropical dry forest called Caatinga, accounts for numerous benefits for its ecosystem as well as for the dwellers of the Caatinga. The tree serves as feed for pollinators and dispersers as well as fodder for domestic ruminants, and is a source of additional income for local smallholders and their families. Despite its vantages, it is facing several man-made and natural threats, and it is suspected that S. tuberosa could become extinct. Literature review suggests that S. tuberosa suffers a reduced regeneration leading to population decrease. At this juncture S. tuberosa cannot be considered threatened according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List Categories and Criteria, as it has not yet been assessed and hampered generative regeneration is not considered in the IUCN assessment. The combination of threats, however, may have already caused an extinction debt for S. tuberosa. Due to the observed decline in tree density, a thorough assessment of the S. tuberosa population is recommended, as well as a threat assessment throughout the entire Caatinga.


Author(s):  
Krzysztof Wróbel ◽  
Mateusz Gil ◽  
Przemysław Krata ◽  
Karol Olszewski ◽  
Jakub Montewka

Although the safety of prospective Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships will largely depend on their ability to detect potential hazards and react to them, the contemporary scientific literature lacks the analysis of how to achieve this. This could be achieved through an application of leading safety indicators. The aim of the performed study was to identify the research directions of leading safety indicators in three safety-critical operational aspects of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships: collision avoidance, intact stability, and communication. To achieve this, literature review is performed, taking into account scientific documents including journal and conference papers. The results indicate that the need for establishing operational leading safety indicators is recognized by numerous scholars, who sometimes make suggestions of what the set of indicators shall consist of. Some leading safety indicators for autonomous vessels are readily identifiable in the scientific literature and used in current practice. However, the research effort is lacking a holistic approach to the issue.


2015 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 90-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Velasco ◽  
Marina García-Llorente ◽  
Blanca Alonso ◽  
Agustín Dolera ◽  
Ignacio Palomo ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Olley ◽  
Andrea Morales

Objective Dementia is one of the most common illnesses worldwide, and is one of the most important causes of disability in older people. Currently, dementia affects over 35 million people around the globe. It is expected that this number will increase to 65.7 million by 2030. Early detection, diagnosis and treatment to control the principal behaviour symptoms may help reduce these numbers and delay the progression to more advanced and dangerous stages of this disorder with resultant increase quality of life for those affected. The main goal of the present systematic literature review was to examine contemporary evidence relating to non-pharmacological therapy in the treatment of dementia. Methods To achieve the study goal, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement was used. Results This study identified the five most common behaviours in patients with dementia as aggression, wandering, agitation, apathy and sleep disturbances. Two non-pharmacological therapies were the most studied treatment: music therapy and aromatherapy. Ten other non-pharmacological therapies were also identified, but these lack a sufficient evidence-base. Conclusion Although all the therapies identified could be used as part of the treatment of behavioural symptoms, there is insufficient evidence relating to the indications, appropriate use and effectiveness of these therapies to apply in each behavioural treatment. Thus, the present study has demonstrated a significant research gap. What is known about the topic? Despite the widespread use of many different types of therapies, there is limited evidence regarding the efficacy of non-pharmaceutical therapies deployed in the management of behaviours of concern manifested by some people who suffer with dementia in all its forms. What does this paper add? This systematic review examines contemporary evidence from the literature to determine whether there is an evidence base available that would underpin the use of these therapies. This report on a PRISMA systematic review of the available literature demonstrates that only two therapies have some evidence to underpin the use of these non-pharmaceutical therapies and that a significant research gap is exists. What are the implications for practitioners? The implications for practitioners is that significant research effort is required to determine the efficacy of many of the therapies that are currently deployed, and thus many of the therapies used lack an evidence base at this time.


Author(s):  
Lisa Linville ◽  
Ronald Chip Brogan ◽  
Christopher Young ◽  
Katherine Anderson Aur

ABSTRACT During the development of new seismic data processing methods, the verification of potential events and associated signals can present a nontrivial obstacle to the assessment of algorithm performance, especially as detection thresholds are lowered, resulting in the inclusion of significantly more anthropogenic signals. Here, we present two 14 day seismic event catalogs, a local‐scale catalog developed using data from the University of Utah Seismograph Stations network, and a global‐scale catalog developed using data from the International Monitoring System. Each catalog was built manually to comprehensively identify events from all sources that were locatable using phase arrival timing and directional information from seismic network stations, resulting in significant increases compared to existing catalogs. The new catalogs additionally contain challenging event sequences (prolific aftershocks and small events at the detection and location threshold) and novel event types and sources (e.g., infrasound only events and long‐wall mining events) that make them useful for algorithm testing and development, as well as valuable for the unique tectonic and anthropogenic event sequences they contain.


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (14) ◽  
pp. 91-100
Author(s):  
Vera Usevich ◽  
N. Kurochkina ◽  
M. Drozd ◽  
Ol'ga Petrova

Abstract. The prevalence of coccidiosis diseases of various animal species has a global scale, so this problem has attracted the attention of veterinary specialists around the world. The purpose of this study was to study the specific features of the species composition and laboratory diagnostics of eimeriosis in young ruminants and to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment and prevention when using drugs from different groups. The material for the study was goats and calves. The research was carried out on the basis of two farms of the same agricultural holding in the Sverdlovsk region. Diagnostics was performed based on clinical and laboratory studies. Results of the study. The main pathogens in the goat breeding complex in goats of different ages were identified: the main causative agent of coccidiosis in 120-day-old goats was Eimeria arloingi, which accounted for 54 % of all detected oocysts in the samples. Eimeriosis occurred as a mixed invasion of Eimeria arloingi with Eimeria ninaekohlyakimovae (33 %) and Eimeria intracata (13 %). Eimeria arloingi (68 %), in 21-days-old goats – Eimeria ninaekohlyakimovae (32 %). Eimeriosis caused by Eimeria bovis was detected in 30-days-old calves (100 %). The article describes the results of using various anticoccidial drugs in the treatment and prevention of eimeriosis. A comparative evaluation of the therapeutic effectiveness of known coccidiostatics is given. The economic efficiency of different groups of drugs was evaluated. The scientific novelty lies in the fact that the morphological and quantitative assessment of parasitocenoses in eimeriosis in young ruminants was carried out. A comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of various traditional remedies and a new drug for the treatment of eimeriosis in calves and goats was carried out. Conclusion. Not all of the drugs used have the same therapeutic effectiveness both in terms of treatment time and the quality of elimination of the etiological factor.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1450
Author(s):  
Arnaud Mialon ◽  
Nemesio J. Rodríguez-Fernández ◽  
Maurizio Santoro ◽  
Sassan Saatchi ◽  
Stéphane Mermoz ◽  
...  

The present study evaluates the L band Vegetation Optical Depth (L-VOD) derived from the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite to monitor Above Ground Biomass (AGB) at a global scale. Although SMOS L-VOD has been shown to be a good proxy for AGB in Africa and Tropics, little is known about this relationship at large scale. In this study, we further examine this relationship at a global scale using the latest AGB maps from Saatchi et al. and GlobBiomass computed using data acquired during the SMOS period. We show that at a global scale the L-VOD from SMOS is well-correlated with the AGB estimates from Saatchi et al. and GlobBiomass with the Pearson’s correlation coefficients (R) of 0.91 and 0.94 respectively. Although AGB estimates in Africa and the Tropics are well-captured by SMOS L-VOD (R > 0.9), the relationship is less straightforward for the dense forests over the northern latitudes (R = 0.32 and 0.69 with Saatchi et al. and GlobBiomass respectively). This paper gives strong evidence in support of the sensitivity of SMOS L-VOD to AGB estimates at a globale scale, providing an interesting alternative and complement to exisiting sensors for monitoring biomass evolution. These findings can further facilitate research on biomass now that SMOS is providing more than 10 years of data.


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