Human-provoked amphibian decline in central Italy and the efficacy of protected areas

2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (7) ◽  
pp. 547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuela D'Amen ◽  
Biancamaria Pietrangeli ◽  
Marco A. Bologna
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Multiple Stressors ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Amphibian Declines ◽  
Additive Models ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Amphibian Species

Context Today, more than 32% of amphibian species are threatened and more than 43% face a steep decline in numbers. Most species are being affected simultaneously by multiple stressors and habitat protection is often inadequate to prevent declines. Aims The main goal of the present research was to understand the consequences of alternative human land use in producing landscape disturbance for amphibians. At the same time, we also evaluated the effect of changing climatic conditions as additional potential drivers of population decline. Another goal was to determine whether and to what extent the existing nature reserves have been effective in protecting species in recent decades. Methods We used generalised additive models (GAMs) to investigate the association between the state (stable/decline) of amphibian populations in 5 × 5 km cells in central Italy and proxies of different typology of anthropogenic stressors, climatic variables and protection measures. Key results We found a significant association between anthropogenic landscape modifications and species decline. This negative relationship was revealed with agricultural predictors for the majority of the species, whereas urban fabrics had a slightly smaller impact. We found significant associations between amphibian declines and climatic variation, particularly the increasing number of dry days. Protected areas protected declines of two species only. Conclusions Our results showed that the status of amphibians in this region warrants greater attention than has been given previously. The detrimental effect of agricultural practices, combined with increasing aridity, makes amphibian populations particularly susceptible to extinction, and the conservation measures applied till now are inadequate for species protection in this region. Implications Our results should stimulate the implementation of environmental policies that focus not only on the protection of single habitats, but also on ensuring the environmental quality of the surrounding landscapes. Moreover, an adaptive management approach should be applied to take into account future modification of hydrology and climate.

scholarly journals Recent and future threats to the Endangered Cuban toad Peltophryne longinasus: potential additive impacts of climate change and habitat loss

Oryx ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 116-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlon E. Cobos ◽  
Roberto Alonso Bosch
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Original Design ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

AbstractHabitat loss and climate change are major threats to amphibian species worldwide. We combined niche modelling under various climatic scenarios with analysis of habitat loss and the appropriateness of Cuban protected areas to identify major risk zones for the Endangered Cuban toad Peltophryne longinasus. Four subspecies with disjunct distributions associated with mountain forests are recognized. Our results suggest that the western subspecies, P. longinasus longinasus and P. longinasus cajalbanensis, are at risk from global warming, habitat degradation and potential additive effects. Peltophryne longinasus dunni, in central Cuba, has the lowest threat level related to climate change and habitat loss but could become increasingly threatened by the presence of the infectious disease chytridiomycosis. The eastern subspecies, P. longinasus ramsdeni, faces moderate impacts of climate change and habitat loss; however, low opportunity of migration to new areas and population decline justify a high threatened status for this subspecies. Our results predict minor temperature increases and precipitation decreases in the future. Nevertheless, at the biological level these changes could generate variations in species physiology, vocal behaviour and prey availability, and could probably increase the risk of predation. In Cuba protected areas have contributed to avoiding excessive forest loss but the potential impact of climate change was not considered in their original design. Our findings confirm that all subspecies of P. longinasus are threatened but management measures should be tailored according to the various predicted impacts.

Protected areas and unpaved roads mediate habitat use of the giant anteater in anthropogenic landscapes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia F Versiani ◽  
Larissa L Bailey ◽  
Nielson Pasqualotto ◽  
Thiago F Rodrigues ◽  
Roberta M Paolino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Native Vegetation ◽  
Brazilian Cerrado ◽  
Anthropogenic Landscapes ◽  
Unpaved Roads ◽  
Relative Paucity ◽  
Model Average

Abstract The drastic reduction of the Brazilian Cerrado has transformed this savanna hotspot into vast swaths of commodity-based agriculture fields, mainly soybean, sugarcane, and beef-production pasturelands. The resulting habitat loss and fragmentation are the principal factors underlying population decline of native species inhabiting the Cerrado, particularly those with a high demand for space, low population density, and specialized diet, such as the endangered giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla). Although the species has been studied in protected areas, we know much less about its ability to endure in disturbed landscapes. Here, we analyzed camera-trapping data to estimate a proxy of habitat use (ψ^; occupancy) and detection probabilities of the giant anteater, identifying environmental covariates influencing these parameters in landscapes with intensive agriculture and commercial forestry. We found this species using about half of the study area (model average ψ^ = 0.51, CI = 0.40–0.62), with two predictors strongly influencing habitat use: protected areas and unpaved roads. In turn, detection probability correlates positively with area of open Cerrado and negatively with area of settlements. The species is more likely to use unpaved roads inside protected areas (ψ^ = 0.90, CI = 0.47–0.75), compared to off road sites in the surrounding areas (ψ^ = 0.19, CI = 0.10–0.34). Our findings indicate that giant anteaters are dependent on nature reserves and native vegetation areas existing on private properties, whose protection is regulated by the Brazilian Native Vegetation Protection Law. Given the relative paucity of state-owned protected areas in the Brazilian Cerrado, increasing the adherence of rural owners to this law is, therefore, key for the conservation of the giant anteater. The intense use of unpaved roads might reflect travelling and/or foraging optimization, a behavioral response that, nevertheless, may compound this species’ susceptibility to suffer mortality from roadkill.

Are seed mass and seedling size and shape related to altitude? Evidence in Gymnocalycium monvillei (Cactaceae)

Botany ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 93 (8) ◽  
pp. 529-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Bauk ◽  
Reyes Pérez-Sánchez ◽  
Sebastián R. Zeballos ◽  
M. Laura Las Peñas ◽  
Joel Flores ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Seed Mass ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Mean Annual Temperature ◽  
Altitudinal Distribution ◽  
Seedling Morphology ◽  
Seedling Size ◽  
Size And Shape ◽  
Seedling Traits ◽  
Species Response

Several studies reported a negative relationship between altitude and seed mass. In cactus species, seed mass has been also related to seedling morphology (size and shape). Here we studied Gymnocalycium monvillei (Lem.) Pfeiff. ex Britton & Rose, a cactus species with a wide altitudinal distribution, with the main aim of analyzing how altitude affects seed mass and seedling size (height and width) and shape (globose or columnar). We collected seeds from five sites along the entire altitudinal distribution of the species in the Córdoba Mountains (sites were located between 878 and 2230 m a.s.l.), encompassing a marked climatic gradient (6 °C of mean annual temperature difference between the extreme sites). Seed mass and seedling traits were measured in the laboratory. Seedling height increased with altitude, whereas seed mass was not related to this parameter. Seedlings became more globose (reduced surface/volume ratio) with decreasing altitude. Variation in seedling shape along the altitudinal gradient may be related to the contrasting climatic conditions to which seedlings are exposed, and could account for the wide altitudinal distribution of G. monvillei. Our results highlight the importance of seedling traits in the species’ response to climatic change.

scholarly journals Sustainability of sunflower cultivation for biodiesel production in central Italy according to the Renewable Energy Directive methodology

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Duca ◽  
Giuseppe Toscano ◽  
Ester Foppa Pedretti ◽  
Giovanni Riva
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Biodiesel Production ◽  
European Level ◽  
Minimum Threshold ◽  
Irrigated Crops ◽  
Standard Value ◽  
Points Of View ◽  
Definition Of

The use of renewable energies as alternative to fossil fuels has value from different points of view and has effects at environmental, social and economic level. These aspects are often connected to each other and together define the overall sustainability of bioenergy. At European level, the Directive 2009/28/EC gives the basic criteria for the estimation of sustainability of biofuels and indicates a minimum threshold of 35% of greenhouse gas saving for a biofuel in order to be considered sustainable. The Directive gives the possibility to identify standard regional values for the cultivation steps that could be utilized for the certification. This paper aims to give a contribution to the definition of these values considering the RED methodology applied to the sunflower cropped in central Italy which is characterized by a hilly landscape and not-irrigated crops. To determine input and output of sunflower cultivation in the central Italy, the results of PROBIO project, carried out by the Authors, were used. The sustainability of biodiesel produced from sunflower grown in central Italy is variable and depends on the nitrogen input and seasonal climatic conditions that affect the yields. The greenhouse gases savings of the Italian chain is 40% in average, greater than the required 35% and would be possible to assign this value as standard to the biofuel chain <em>biodiesel from sunflower cultivated in central Italy</em>. Using an averaged regional standard value guards against the possibility of considering unsustainable harvesting in unfavourable years and seeing it overestimated in the favourable ones.

scholarly journals Living mulch strategy for organic cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.) production in central and southern Italy

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Canali ◽  
Gabriele Campanelli ◽  
Corrado Ciaccia ◽  
Mariangela Diacono ◽  
Fabrizio Leteo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brassica Oleracea ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
F1 Hybrid ◽  
Agronomic Practices ◽  
Burr Medic ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Sustainable Agricultural Systems

In sustainable agricultural systems, intercropping using living mulches (LM) provides many beneficial ecosystem services. The objective of these two-year field experiments was to study the suitability of different LM options of burr medic (<em>Medicago polymorpha</em> L. var. <em>anglona</em>) for organic cauliflower (<em>Brassica oleracea</em> L.) cultivation in two sites under Mediterranean conditions. In central Italy (Experiment 1) contemporary and delayed (to crop) sowings of LM were compared with a no-cover crop treatment, contrasting two local cauliflower cultivars and a F1 Hybrid. In southern Italy (Experiment 2) the sustainability of systems combining LM (anticipated and contemporary sowing compared with no-cover) and organic fertilisation strategies was assessed. The aboveground biomasses dry weights of cauliflower crop (heads and residues), burr medic and weeds were separately determined. Results suggested that in Experiment 1 the LM was not able to smother weeds establishment and growth, as a consequence of early sowing, while cauliflower yield was reduced. Moreover, the genotypes behaviour was greatly influenced by the LM sowing times. In Experiment 2, irrespective of the agronomic practices applied, climatic conditions notably influenced cauliflower cultivation and also reduced the mean yield. Therefore, the recorded differences between the two experimental sites highlighted the need to tailor the LM strategies to the different environmental conditions.

scholarly journals Status, Appropriate Sampling Scheme, and Movement in the Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) in Yellowstone National Park

2002 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 80-81
Author(s):  
Charles Peterson ◽  
Stephen Spear
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scale ◽  
Average Distance ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Amphibian Declines ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Ambystoma Tigrinum ◽  
Terrestrial Habitat ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Core Habitat ◽  
Breeding Pond

Due to the current trend of amphibian declines (Wake 1998, Alford and Richards 1999, Semlitsch 2000), the monitoring and study of amphibian populations has become increasingly necessary. To properly do such studies, we must consider several issues. Some of these include the detectability of the species at a site, current status of the population, and the spatial scale for sampling of a population. Determining the detectability of a species is important to consider because some amphibian species may have different difficulties of detection. Therefore, if a species is difficult to observe, it may occupy a greater number of sites than a survey indicates (MacKenzie et al. 2002). The appropriate spatial scale is also important for monitoring studies. For example, in a pond breeding amphibian, do one or two breeding ponds with the appropriate terrestrial habitat constitute the correct sampling area for a population, or does a population utilize multiple ponds within a larger terrestrial area? If the sampling scale is not appropriate, then any conclusions made may be inaccurate (Wiens 1989). In addition, understanding the terrestrial habitat use of pond breeding amphibians is important for both monitoring and conservation reasons. Many pond-breeding amphibians use the ponds for breeding and then utilize terrestrial zones around the pond for the rest of the year. The total area that is encompassed by these terrestrial zones is known as the terrestrial "buffer zone" or core habitat area for that population (Semlitsch 1998). To identify these core habitat areas, we must know not only the distance that the amphibians physically move from the breeding pond, but also the type of habitat that they will use. For example, short, steep slopes or rivers can serve as a barrier to amphibian movement (Laan and Verboom 1990, Storfer 1999), even if they are within the movement range of a population. Understanding individual movement may also give insights into the spatial population structure of the species. If we can identify the average distance of movement, we can then extrapolate if a breeding pond is likely to have an isolated subpopulation based on its distance from other ponds.

scholarly journals Fungal infection, decline and persistence in the only obligate troglodytic Neotropical salamander

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9763
Author(s):  
Mizraim Olivares-Miranda ◽  
Vance T. Vredenburg ◽  
Julio C. García-Sánchez ◽  
Allison Q. Byrne ◽  
Erica B. Rosenblum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis ◽  
Infection Intensity ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Amphibian Declines ◽  
Small Range ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Extant Population ◽  
Epidemic Wave

The fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is implicated in global mass die-offs and declines in amphibians. In Mesoamerica, the Bd epidemic wave hypothesis is supported by detection of Bd in historic museum specimens collected over the last century, yet the timing and impact of the early stages of the wave remain poorly understood. Chiropterotriton magnipes, the only obligate troglodytic Neotropical salamander, was abundant in its small range in the decade following its description in 1965, but subsequently disappeared from known localities and was not seen for 34 years. Its decline is roughly coincident with that of other populations of Neotropical salamanders associated with the invasion and spread of Bd. To determine the presence and infection intensity of Bd on C. magnipes and sympatric amphibian species (which are also Bd hosts), we used a noninvasive sampling technique and qPCR assay to detect Bd on museum specimens of C. magnipes collected from 1952 to 2012, and from extant populations of C. magnipes and sympatric species of amphibians. We also tested for the presence of the recently discovered Batrachochytrium salamandivorans (Bsal), another fungal chytridiomycete pathogen of salamanders, using a similar technique specific for Bsal. We did not detect Bd in populations of C. magnipes before 1969, while Bd was detected at low to moderate prevalence just prior to and during declines. This pattern is consistent with Bd-caused epizootics followed by host declines and extirpations described in other hosts. We did not detect Bsal in any extant population of C. magnipes. We obtained one of the earliest positive records of the fungus to date in Latin America, providing additional historical evidence consistent with the Bd epidemic wave hypothesis. Genotyping results show that at least one population is currently infected with the Global Panzootic Lineage of Bd, but our genotyping of the historical positive samples was unsuccessful. The lack of large samples from some years and the difficulty in genotyping historical Bd samples illustrate some of the difficulties inherent in assigning causality to historical amphibian declines. These data also provide an important historical baseline for actions to preserve the few known remaining populations of C. magnipes.

Identifying Priority Species and Conservation Opportunities Under Future Climate Scenarios: Amphibians in a Biodiversity Hotspot

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 282-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle Barrett ◽  
Nathan P. Nibbelink ◽  
John C. Maerz
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Regional Climate Change ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Species Vulnerability ◽  
Priority Species

Abstract Climate change is driving shifts in the distribution of plants and animals, and prioritizing management actions for such shifts is a necessary but technically difficult challenge. We worked with state agencies in the southeastern United States to identify high-priority amphibian species, to model the vulnerabilities of those species to regional climate change, and to identify long-term climatic refugia within the context of existing conservation lands. Directly interfacing with state natural resource experts ensured that 1) species prioritization schemes extend beyond political boundaries and 2) our models resulted in conservation-relevant applications. We used a correlative model to project midcentury distributions of suitable climate for priority species and to evaluate each species' vulnerability to climate change. Using spatially explicit projected climate distributions, we ranked existing protected areas relative to their ability to provide climatic refugia for priority species in 2050. We identified 21 species as regional high-priority species. Fifteen of the 21 species are forecast to lose more than 85% of their climatically suitable habitat. Regions in the Appalachian Mountains, the Florida Panhandle, and the north-central region of Alabama are projected to lose the most climatic habitat for priority amphibian species. We identified many existing protected areas as midcentury climatic refugia in the Appalachians; however, our projections indicated refugia in the Southeast Coastal Plain to be exceedingly scarce. Although the topographic relief present in the Appalachians appears to provide future conservation opportunities via climatic refugia, the Coastal Plain affords fewer such opportunities and conservation of amphibians in that region is likely to be more challenging. The approach outlined here could be applied across a broad range of taxa and regions.

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