scholarly journals Counting complete? Finalising the plant inventory of a global biodiversity hotspot

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e2984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Treurnicht ◽  
Jonathan F. Colville ◽  
Lucas N. Joppa ◽  
Onno Huyser ◽  
John Manning
Keyword(s):  
Growth Form ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Cape Floristic Region ◽  
Species Discovery ◽  
Strategic Plans ◽  
Steady Rate ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Global Biodiversity ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
Species Descriptions

The Cape Floristic Region—the world’s smallest and third richest botanical hotspot—has benefited from sustained levels of taxonomic effort and exploration for almost three centuries, but how close is this to resulting in a near-complete plant species inventory? We analyse a core component of this flora over a 250-year period for trends in taxonomic effort and species discovery linked to ecological and conservation attributes. We show that >40% of the current total of species was described within the first 100 years of exploration, followed by a continued steady rate of description. We propose that <1% of the flora is still to be described. We document a relatively constant cohort of taxonomists, working over 250 years at what we interpret to be their ‘taxonomic maximum.’ Rates of description of new species were independent of plant growth-form but narrow-range taxa have constituted a significantly greater proportion of species discoveries since 1950. This suggests that the fraction of undiscovered species predominantly comprises localised endemics that are thus of high conservation concern. Our analysis provides important real-world insights for other hotspots in the context of global strategic plans for biodiversity in informing considerations of the likely effort required in attaining set targets of comprehensive plant inventories. In a time of unprecedented biodiversity loss, we argue for a focused research agenda across disciplines to increase the rate of species descriptions in global biodiversity hotspots.

scholarly journals Counting complete? Finalising the plant inventory of a global biodiversity hotspot

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Treurnicht ◽  
Jonathan F Colville ◽  
Lucas N Joppa ◽  
Onno Huyser ◽  
John Manning
Keyword(s):  
Growth Form ◽  
Narrow Range ◽  
Cape Floristic Region ◽  
Biodiversity Hotspot ◽  
Core Component ◽  
Species Discovery ◽  
Strategic Plans ◽  
Steady Rate ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Global Biodiversity

The Cape Floristic Region – the world’s smallest, but third richest hotspot – experienced sustained levels of taxonomic effort and exploration for almost three centuries resulting in a near-complete plant species inventory. Here we analyse, for a core component of this flora, trends over a 250 year period in taxonomic effort and species discovery linked to ecological and conservation attributes. We show that >40% of species were described within the initial 100 years, followed by a steady rate of description, culminating in <1% of the flora estimated still to be described. A relatively constant cohort of taxonomists working at their ‘taxonomic maximum’ was seen across 250 years, while rates of description remained independent of plant growth-form. Since 1950, narrow-range taxa constituted significantly greater proportions of species discoveries, highlighting the fraction of undiscovered species which exist as localised endemics and thus of high conservation value. In the context of initiated global strategic plans for biodiversity, our dataset provides real world insights for other hotspots to consider the effort required for attaining set targets of comprehensive plant inventories.

scholarly journals Counting complete? Finalising the plant inventory of a global biodiversity hotspot

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Treurnicht ◽  
Jonathan F Colville ◽  
Lucas N Joppa ◽  
Onno Huyser ◽  
John Manning
Keyword(s):  
Growth Form ◽  
Narrow Range ◽  
Cape Floristic Region ◽  
Biodiversity Hotspot ◽  
Core Component ◽  
Species Discovery ◽  
Strategic Plans ◽  
Steady Rate ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Global Biodiversity

The Cape Floristic Region – the world’s smallest, but third richest hotspot – experienced sustained levels of taxonomic effort and exploration for almost three centuries resulting in a near-complete plant species inventory. Here we analyse, for a core component of this flora, trends over a 250 year period in taxonomic effort and species discovery linked to ecological and conservation attributes. We show that >40% of species were described within the initial 100 years, followed by a steady rate of description, culminating in <1% of the flora estimated still to be described. A relatively constant cohort of taxonomists working at their ‘taxonomic maximum’ was seen across 250 years, while rates of description remained independent of plant growth-form. Since 1950, narrow-range taxa constituted significantly greater proportions of species discoveries, highlighting the fraction of undiscovered species which exist as localised endemics and thus of high conservation value. In the context of initiated global strategic plans for biodiversity, our dataset provides real world insights for other hotspots to consider the effort required for attaining set targets of comprehensive plant inventories.

scholarly journals A return-on-investment approach for prioritization of rigorous taxonomic research needed to inform responses to the biodiversity crisis

PLoS Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. e3001210
Author(s):  
Jane Melville ◽  
David G. Chapple ◽  
J. Scott Keogh ◽  
Joanna Sumner ◽  
Andrew Amey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Return On Investment ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
Biodiversity Crisis ◽  
Species Of Conservation Concern ◽  
Taxonomic Uncertainty ◽  
Taxonomic Research ◽  
Global Biodiversity ◽  
Conservation Concern

Global biodiversity loss is a profound consequence of human activity. Disturbingly, biodiversity loss is greater than realized because of the unknown number of undocumented species. Conservation fundamentally relies on taxonomic recognition of species, but only a fraction of biodiversity is described. Here, we provide a new quantitative approach for prioritizing rigorous taxonomic research for conservation. We implement this approach in a highly diverse vertebrate group—Australian lizards and snakes. Of 870 species assessed, we identified 282 (32.4%) with taxonomic uncertainty, of which 17.6% likely comprise undescribed species of conservation concern. We identify 24 species in need of immediate taxonomic attention to facilitate conservation. Using a broadly applicable return-on-investment framework, we demonstrate the importance of prioritizing the fundamental work of identifying species before they are lost.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORKS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO FARM-LEVEL EIA IN A GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT: A PROPOSAL FROM THE CAPE FLORISTIC REGION, SOUTH AFRICA

2008 ◽  
Vol 10 (04) ◽  
pp. 333-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHARL C. DE VILLIERS ◽  
RICHARD C. HILL
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Environmental Management ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Cape Floristic Region ◽  
Biodiversity Hotspot ◽  
Habitat Transformation ◽  
Primary Driver ◽  
Global Biodiversity ◽  
Large Scale Land

Cultivation has been the primary driver of habitat transformation in South Africa. This paper explores the effectiveness of agricultural and, latterly, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) authorisation procedures in stemming biodiversity loss resulting from cultivation in the lowlands of the Cape Floristic Region, a global biodiversity hotspot. Owing to an activity-based focus, agri-environmental regulation has been largely unable to mitigate the cumulative effects of large-scale land clearance in threatened ecosystems. Case studies in the Sandveld and Slanghoek districts are used to argue that revised EIA regulations published in 2006 partly perpetuate the structural shortcomings of activity-based EIA. An ecosystem-based strategy for agri-environmental screening in biodiversity hotspots is introduced, drawing on conservation plans, the agricultural LandCare programme and the provision for Environmental Management Frameworks (EMF) in the 2006 EIA regulations. "Agri-EMFs", as a collaborative initiative that involves government, agricultural and non-governmental representatives, may present an effective alternative to the inefficiencies of project-level EIA.

scholarly journals Above- and belowground biodiversity jointly tighten the P cycle in agricultural grasslands

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Oelmann ◽  
Markus Lange ◽  
Sophia Leimer ◽  
Christiane Roscher ◽  
Felipe Aburto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Management Intensity ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Grassland Productivity ◽  
Global Biodiversity ◽  
Diverse Plant ◽  
Management Effects ◽  
P Cycle

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.

scholarly journals Personal Assessment of Reasons for the Loss of Global Biodiversity—an Empirical Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 4277
Author(s):  
Matthias Winfried Kleespies ◽  
Paul Wilhelm Dierkes
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Connection To Nature ◽  
School Students ◽  
Teacher Trainees ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Global Biodiversity ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Personal Assessment

The UN's sustainable development goals (SDGs), which aim to solve important economic, social, and environmental problems of humanity, are to be supported by education for sustainable development (ESD). Empirical studies on the success of the implementation of the SDGs in the field of education are still pending. For this reason, using the loss of global biodiversity as an example, this study examined the extent to which high school students, teacher trainees in biology, and biology bachelor students can identify the causes of the global biodiversity loss. A new questioning tool was developed and tested on 889 participants. In addition, the relationship between connection to nature and the personal assessment about biodiversity threats was examined. The factor analysis of the scale used showed that 11 out of 16 items were assigned to the intended factor. The comparison between high school students, teacher trainees in biology, and biology bachelor students showed no significant difference in overall assessment of the reasons for global biodiversity loss. When comparing the three risk levels in which the risk factors for biodiversity could be divided, across the three student groups, only minor differences were found. Therefore, a specific education of prospective teachers is necessary, as they have to pass on the competence as multipliers to their students. No significant difference could be found when examining the relationship between connection to nature and the overall scores of the assessment scale for the reasons of biodiversity loss. However, it was found that people who felt more connected to nature were more capable of assessing the main causes of risk for global biodiversity, while people who felt less connected to nature achieved better scores for the medium factors.

Biodiversity will rise as an international priority

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Political Will ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Biodiversity Crisis ◽  
Low Profile ◽  
Global Biodiversity ◽  
Climate Crisis

Significance No substantive agreements emerged. Global targets to limit biodiversity loss were agreed in 2010, but all were missed and biodiversity loss has accelerated. The 'Kunming Declaration' does indicate some political will, but any enforceable delivery plans will have to wait for the second part of COP15 next year. Impacts The global biodiversity crisis is arguably as serious and pressing as the climate crisis. The low profile of COP15 shows that the severity of the problem is not yet widely recognised. The goal of making 30% of earth's land and seas 'protected' by 2030 provides new focus; disputes will focus on what it actually means. As host, Beijing will want to demonstrate success and will put pressure on other governments. Biodiversity is difficult even to measure, making is extremely challenging to create clear structures for accountable implementation.

scholarly journals Terrestrial Vertebrate Biodiversity Loss under Future Global Land Use Change Scenarios

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 2764 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhishek Chaudhary ◽  
Arne Mooers
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Use Change ◽  
Low Income ◽  
National Development ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Climate Mitigation ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Diversity Loss ◽  
Global Biodiversity

Efficient forward-looking mitigation measures are needed to halt the global biodiversity decline. These require spatially explicit scenarios of expected changes in multiple indicators of biodiversity under future socio-economic and environmental conditions. Here, we link six future (2050 and 2100) global gridded maps (0.25° × 0.25° resolution) available from the land use harmonization (LUH) database, representing alternative concentration pathways (RCP) and shared socio-economic pathways (SSPs), with the countryside species–area relationship model to project the future land use change driven rates of species extinctions and phylogenetic diversity loss (in million years) for mammals, birds, and amphibians in each of the 804 terrestrial ecoregions and 176 countries and compare them with the current (1900–2015) and past (850–1900) rates of biodiversity loss. Future land-use changes are projected to commit an additional 209–818 endemic species and 1190–4402 million years of evolutionary history to extinction by 2100 depending upon the scenario. These estimates are driven by land use change only and would likely be higher once the direct effects of climate change on species are included. Among the three taxa, highest diversity loss is projected for amphibians. We found that the most aggressive climate mitigation scenario (RCP2.6 SSP-1), representing a world shifting towards a radically more sustainable path, including increasing crop yields, reduced meat production, and reduced tropical deforestation coupled with high trade, projects the lowest land use change driven global biodiversity loss. The results show that hotspots of future biodiversity loss differ depending upon the scenario, taxon, and metric considered. Future extinctions could potentially be reduced if habitat preservation is incorporated into national development plans, especially for biodiverse, low-income countries such as Indonesia, Madagascar, Tanzania, Philippines, and The Democratic Republic of Congo that are otherwise projected to suffer a high number of land use change driven extinctions under all scenarios.

scholarly journals Habitat Protection Indexes - new monitoring measures for the conservation of coastal and marine habitats

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joy A Kumagai ◽  
Fabio Favoretto ◽  
Sara Pruckner ◽  
Alex David Rogers ◽  
Lauren V Weatherdon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Sustainable Development Goal ◽  
Development Goal ◽  
Habitat Protection ◽  
Marine Habitats ◽  
Freshwater Habitats ◽  
National Jurisdiction ◽  
Global Biodiversity ◽  
Do So

A worldwide call to implement habitat protection aims to halt biodiversity loss. To monitor the extent of coastal and marine habitats within protected areas (PAs) in a standardized, open source, and reproducible way, we constructed the Local and the Global Habitat Protection Indexes (LHPI and GHPI, respectively). The LHPI pinpoints the jurisdictions with the greatest opportunity to expand their own PAs, while the GHPI showcases which jurisdictions contribute the most in area to the protection of these habitats globally. Jurisdictions were evaluated to understand which have the highest opportunity to contribute globally to the protection of habitats by meeting a target of 30% coverage of PAs with Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) having the greatest opportunity to do so. While we focus on marine and coastal habitats, our workflow can be extended to terrestrial and freshwater habitats. These indexes are useful to monitor aspects of Sustainable Development Goal 14 and the emerging post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, to understand the current status of international cooperation on coastal and marine habitats conservation.

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