scholarly journals A review of the challenges and opportunities for restoring animal-mediated pollination of native plants

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel P. Cariveau ◽  
Bethanne Bruninga-Socolar ◽  
Gabriella L. Pardee
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Local Scale ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Pollen Deposition ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Restoration Success ◽  
Scale Management

Ecological restoration is increasingly implemented to reverse habitat loss and concomitant declines in biological diversity. Typically, restoration success is evaluated by measuring the abundance and/or diversity of a single taxon. However, for a restoration to be successful and persistent, critical ecosystem functions such as animal-mediated pollination must be maintained. In this review, we focus on three aspects of pollination within ecological restorations. First, we address the need to measure pollination directly in restored habitats. Proxies such as pollinator abundance and richness do not always accurately assess pollination function. Pollen supplementation experiments, pollen deposition studies, and pollen transport networks are more robust methods for assessing pollination function within restorations. Second, we highlight how local-scale management and landscape-level factors may influence pollination within restorations. Local-scale management actions such as prescribed fire and removal of non-native species can have large impacts on pollinator communities and ultimately on pollination services. In addition, landscape context including proximity and connectivity to natural habitats may be an important factor for land managers and conservation practitioners to consider to maximize restoration success. Third, as climate change is predicted to be a primary driver of future loss in biodiversity, we discuss the potential effects climate change may have on animal-mediated pollination within restorations. An increased mechanistic understanding of how climate change affects pollination and incorporation of climate change predictions will help practitioners design stable, functioning restorations into the future.

scholarly journals Effect of Urbanization on Vegetation in Riparian Area: Plant Communities in Artificial and Semi-Natural Habitats

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Cao ◽  
Yosihiro Natuhara
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Impervious Surface ◽  
Riparian Areas ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Artificial Habitats ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Impact Of Urbanization ◽  
The Impact

Riparian areas are local hot spots of biodiversity that are vulnerable and easily degraded. Comparing plant communities in habitats with different degrees of urbanization may provide valuable information for the management and restoration of these vulnerable habitats. In this study, we explored the impact of urbanization on vegetation communities between artificial and semi-natural habitats within two rivers with different levels of development. We compared species richness, types of vegetation, and composition patterns of the plants in our study. In artificial habitats, the sites with relatively high levels of urbanization had the highest species richness, while in semi-natural habitats, the highest species richness was recorded in the less urbanized sites. Furthermore, every component of urbanization that contributed to the variation of species richness was examined in the current study. In artificial habitats, the proportion of impervious surface was the strongest predictor of the variation in species richness and was associated with the richness of alien, native, and riparian species. In semi-natural habitats, most of the richness of alien and native species were associated with the distance to the city center, and the number of riparian and ruderal species was significantly related to the proportion of impervious surface. Moreover, we found that a high level of urbanization was always associated with a large abundance of alien and ruderal species in both artificial and in semi-natural habitats. We recommend the methods of pair comparison of multiple rivers to analyze the impact of urbanization on plant species in riparian areas and have suggested various management actions for maintaining biodiversity and sustainability in riparian ecosystems.

Is Canada fulfilling its obligations to sustain marine biodiversity? A summary review, conclusions, and recommendations 1This manuscript is a companion paper to Hutchings et al. (doi:10.1139/a2012-011) and VanderZwaag et al. (doi:10.1139/a2012-013) also appearing in this issue. These three papers comprise an edited version of a February 2012 Royal Society of Canada Expert Panel Report.

2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey A. Hutchings ◽  
Isabelle M. Côté ◽  
Julian J. Dodson ◽  
Ian A. Fleming ◽  
S. Jennings ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Companion Paper ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
New Research ◽  
Research Initiatives ◽  
Developed Nations

Canada has made numerous national and international commitments to sustain marine biodiversity. Given current and potential threats to biodiversity from climate change, fisheries, and aquaculture, we provide a summary review of Canada’s progress in fulfilling its obligations to protect, conserve, recover, and responsibly exploit marine biodiversity. We conclude that Canada has made little substantive progress, when compared to most developed nations, in meeting its biodiversity commitments. Much of Canada’s policy and rhetoric has not been operationalised, leaving many of the country’s national and international obligations unfulfilled in some key areas, such as the establishment of marine protected areas and incorporation of the precautionary approach to fisheries management. We conclude that regulatory conflict within Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and the absolute discretion exercised by the national Minister of Fisheries and Oceans contribute significantly to an unduly slow rate of policy and statute implementation. We recommend new approaches and measures to sustain Canadian marine biodiversity and new research initiatives to support scientific advice to decision-makers. Many recommendations focus on management actions required to meet existing commitments to biodiversity conservation. Overall, we conclude that the most effective strategy is to protect existing biological diversity and to rebuild depleted populations and species to restore natural diversity. By improving and protecting the biodiversity in Canada’s oceans, such a strategy will restore the natural resilience of Canada’s ocean ecosystems to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change and other anthropogenic activities with consequent long-term benefits for food security and social and economic well-being.

Climate Change and Its Consequences for Cultural and Language Endangerment

2018 ◽  
pp. 719-738
Author(s):  
Christopher P. Dunn
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Linguistic Diversity ◽  
Civil Conflict ◽  
Language Endangerment ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Mitigation And Adaptation ◽  
Language Survival ◽  
And Migration

Climate change is arguably one of the most pressing issues facing humanity. The implications for natural ecological (terrestrial and marine) and agricultural systems are enormous. The diminishment and extinction of native species and the increase in number and impact of invasive species are well documented. As natural systems are altered, the local communities and indigenous groups that have co-evolved with, and depend on, native plants and animals are challenged to maintain their integrity and livelihoods. Thus, the erosion of biological diversity can lead directly to the erosion of cultural and, thusly, linguistic diversity. Here the ramifications of climate change with respect to cultural and language endangerment are examined, with particular emphasis on island systems, ecological calendars, civil conflict, and migration. Strong mitigation and adaptation strategies will be essential for cultural and language survival.

scholarly journals IV ALL-RUSSIAN SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE WITH INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION "SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT"

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
A.V. Gornov ◽  
◽  
A.P. Geraskina ◽  
A.S. Plotnikova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Forest Management ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Scientific Conference ◽  
Forest Protection ◽  
Russian Scientific ◽  
International Participation ◽  
The Impact

The work of the IV All-Russian scientific conference with international participation "Scientific foundations for sustainable forest management" is analyzed. Plenary and sectional reports were presented at five thematic sections and meetings of two round tables. Topical issues related to the development of forest science in the following areas were considered: monitoring and assessment of biological diversity and ecosystem functions/services of forests and their components; improvement of forestry legislation; assessment of the impact of climate change on forests, ways to mitigate the effects of climate change, adaptation to climate change; ways of solving reforestation and reproduction of forest problems; ways of solving problems of forest protection from fires and forest protection. The conference was attended by 185 forestry specialists from 50 institutions.

scholarly journals Continental vs. Global Niche-Based Modelling of Freshwater Species’ Distributions: How Big Are the Differences in the Estimated Climate Change Effects?

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 816
Author(s):  
Danijela Markovic ◽  
Jörg Freyhof ◽  
Oskar Kärcher
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Thermal Properties ◽  
Safety Margin ◽  
Thermal Response ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
Freshwater Species ◽  
Response Curves ◽  
Preferred Temperature ◽  
Continental Scale ◽  
Management Actions

Thermal response curves that depict the probability of occurrence along a thermal gradient are used to derive various species’ thermal properties and abilities to cope with warming. However, different thermal responses can be expected for different portions of a species range. We focus on differences in thermal response curves (TRCs) and thermal niche requirements for four freshwater fishes (Coregonus sardinella, Pungitius pungitius, Rutilus rutilus, Salvelinus alpinus) native to Europe at (1) the global and (2) European continental scale. European ranges captured only a portion of the global thermal range with major differences in the minimum (Tmin), maximum (Tmax) and average temperature (Tav) of the respective distributions. Further investigations of the model-derived preferred temperature (Tpref), warming tolerance (WT = Tmax − Tpref), safety margin (SM = Tpref − Tav) and the future climatic impact showed substantially differing results. All considered thermal properties either were under- or overestimated at the European level. Our results highlight that, although continental analyses have an impressive spatial extent, they might deliver misleading estimates of species thermal niches and future climate change impacts, if they do not cover the full species ranges. Studies and management actions should therefore favor whole global range distribution data for analyzing species responses to environmental gradients.

scholarly journals Methodology for classifying the ecosystem integrity of forests in Germany using quantified indicators

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Jenssen ◽  
Stefan Nickel ◽  
Winfried Schröder
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
National Park ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Specific Reference ◽  
Atmospheric Nitrogen ◽  
Complete Coverage ◽  
Ecosystem Integrity ◽  
Quantitative Indicators

Abstract Background Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen and climate change can have impacts on ecological structures and functions, and thus on the integrity of ecosystems and their services. Operationalization of ecosystem integrity is still an important desideratum. Results A methodology for classifying the ecosystem integrity of forests in Germany under the influence of climate change and atmospheric nitrogen deposition is presented. The methodology was based on 14 indicators for six ecosystem functions: habitat function, net primary function, carbon sequestration, nutrient and water flux, resilience. It allows assessments of ecosystem integrity changes by comparing current or prospective ecosystem states with ecosystem-type-specific reference states as described by quantitative indicators for 61 forest ecosystem types based on data before 1990. Conclusion The method developed enables site-specific classifications of ecosystem integrity as well as classifications with complete coverage and determinations of temporal trends as shown using examples from the Thuringian Forest and the “Kellerwald-Edersee” National Park (Germany).

Adapting environmental conservation legislation for an enlarged European Union: experience from the Habitats Directive

2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
DOUGLAS EVANS ◽  
ANDRÁS DEMETER ◽  
PETER GAJDOŠ ◽  
ĽUBOŠ HALADA
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
National Level ◽  
Environmental Conservation ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Scientific Support ◽  
Union Experience ◽  
Biodiversity Governance ◽  
The Eu ◽  
Initial Base

SUMMARYThe European Union's (EU's) Habitats Directive includes annexes listing the habitats and species requiring protection. As new countries join the EU these lists need to be amended to remain pertinent. In 2004 and 2007, 12 countries, mostly in central Europe, joined the EU and were asked to propose native species or habitats that required protection; this formed an initial base for negotiations with the European Commission in consultation with the existing member states and with scientific support from the European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity. The 12 countries made 831 proposals, resulting in the addition of 191 species and 33 habitats, and geographical exemptions for eight species. Although the Directive provided definitions, these needed to be supplemented with additional criteria to permit assessments of the proposals. The process involved many actors at both European and national level. This illustrates the development of biodiversity governance and provides potential lessons for future activities, including the need for scientific guidance and the importance of involving all relevant actors.

scholarly journals Spatiotemporal climate and vegetation greenness changes and their nexus for Dhidhessa River Basin, Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gizachew Kabite Wedajo ◽  
Misgana K. Muleta ◽  
Berhan Gessesse ◽  
Sifan A. Koriche
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Trend Analysis ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation ◽  
Spatial Relationship ◽  
Local Scale ◽  
Climate Variables ◽  
Climatic Zones ◽  
Vegetation Greenness ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation Strategies

Abstract Background Understanding spatiotemporal climate and vegetation changes and their nexus is key for designing climate change adaptation strategies at a local scale. However, such a study is lacking in many basins of Ethiopia. The objectives of this study were (i) to analyze temperature, rainfall and vegetation greenness trends and (ii) determine the spatial relationship of climate variables and vegetation greenness, characterized using Normalized Difference in Vegetation Index (NDVI), for the Dhidhessa River Basin (DRB). Quality checked high spatial resolution satellite datasets were used for the study. Mann–Kendall test and Sen’s slope method were used for the trend analysis. The spatial relationship between climate change and NDVI was analyzed using geographically weighted regression (GWR) technique. Results According to the study, past and future climate trend analysis generally showed wetting and warming for the DRB where the degree of trends varies for the different time and spatial scales. A seasonal shift in rainfall was also observed for the basin. These findings informed that there will be a negative impact on rain-fed agriculture and water availability in the basin. Besides, NDVI trends analysis generally showed greening for most climatic zones for the annual and main rainy season timescales. However, no NDVI trends were observed in all timescales for cool sub-humid, tepid humid and warm humid climatic zones. The increasing NDVI trends could be attributed to agroforestry practices but do not necessarily indicate improved forest coverage for the basin. The change in NDVI was positively correlated to rainfall (r2 = 0.62) and negatively correlated to the minimum (r2 = 0.58) and maximum (r2 = 0.45) temperature. The study revealed a strong interaction between the climate variables and vegetation greenness for the basin that further influences the biophysical processes of the land surface like the hydrologic responses of a basin. Conclusion The study concluded that the trend in climate and vegetation greenness varies spatiotemporally for the DRB. Besides, the climate change and its strong relationship with vegetation greenness observed in this study will further affect the biophysical and environmental processes in the study area; mostly negatively on agricultural and water resource sectors. Thus, this study provides helpful information to device climate change adaptation strategies at a local scale.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document