Article
Ecology
Matteo Anderle, Chiara Paniccia, Mattia Brambilla, Andreas Hilpold, Stefania Volani, Erich Tasser, Julia Seeber, Ulrike Tappeiner
Summary: Understanding the impacts of landscape composition, climate, and topography on bird diversity is crucial for identifying distribution drivers, potential impacts of land use changes, and future conservation strategies. Particularly, investigating the role of land use and cover composition helps us understand how it shapes local biodiversity and bird communities.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Uta Schirpke, Erich Tasser, Stefan Borsky, Martin Braun, Josef Eitzinger, Veronika Gaube, Michael Getzner, Stephan Glatzel, Thomas Gschwantner, Mathias Kirchner, Georg Leitinger, Bano Mehdi-Schulz, Hermine Mitter, Helfried Scheifinger, Sabina Thaler, Dominik Thom, Thomas Thaler
Summary: Environmental and socio-economic developments lead to land-use changes with potential negative impacts on human well-being. This study uses the DPSIR framework to analyze the drivers, changes, impacts, and management responses of land-use in Austria from 1950 to 2100. The results show that socio-economic factors have had the greatest influence on past land-use changes, specifically in intensively used agricultural areas, and that climate change will become more significant in the future.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Marcello Verdinelli, Marco Pittarello, Maria Carmela Caria, Giovanna Piga, Pier Paolo Roggero, Gian Marco Marrosu, Stefano Arrizza, Maria Leonarda Fadda, Giampiero Lombardi, Michele Lonati, Ginevra Nota, Maria Sitzia, Simonetta Bagella
Summary: This study investigated the impact of land abandonment on biodiversity conservation in mountain areas by analyzing the reliability of plant functional groups, ant traits, and ant functional groups as indicators of land use changes. The results showed significant differences in plant and ant assemblages across sites and stages, indicating the relationship between ant and plant communities in terms of composition and functionality. Ant functional groups were found to be a good surrogate taxon for detecting land-use changes and ecosystem functioning. The findings highlight the importance of applying the functional group approach to other European ecosystems.
ECOLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thomas Schmitt, Werner Ulrich, Andjela Delic, Mike Teucher, Jan Christian Habel
Summary: Species community structures in East African drylands are highly sensitive to both natural and anthropogenic impacts, with seasonality playing a significant role in resource availability and species composition. Farmland and savannah support distinct butterfly communities, with human activities buffering the seasonal fluctuations in detectable species abundances. Strict habitat associations are weaker in the savannah region, suggesting a more generalized species distribution compared to the farmland area.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rebecca A. Senior, Brunno F. Oliveira, James Dale, Brett R. Scheffers
Summary: This study explores the conflicting roles of aesthetic value in biodiversity conservation by evaluating the aesthetics of passerines, the most speciose group of birds, using color metrics. The tropics are identified as global color hotspots, representing diverse and uniquely colored passerine assemblages. The pet trade, which currently affects 30% of passerines, targets uniquely colored species and related clusters. An additional 478 species are at risk of future trade based on their coloration and phylogenetic relationships. Modeling predicts localized losses of color diversity and uniqueness, highlighting the importance of proactive regulation of the bird trade to protect charismatic biodiversity and color hotspots.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Julia Gomez-Catasus, Margarita Reverter, Daniel Bustillo-de la Rosa, Adrian Barrero, Cristian Perez-Granados, Julia Zurdo, Juan Traba
Summary: Open semi-natural ecosystems have been affected by anthropogenic land-use, with the abandonment or intensification of activities causing detrimental landscape alterations. This study focuses on the impact of sheep grazing on arthropod biomass and space use by insectivorous birds, finding that intermediate levels of grazing lead to the highest biomass of different arthropod groups. Short-term grazing affects arthropod biomass, while long-term grazing influences vegetation structure and determines bird territory establishment. The results highlight the importance of sustained moderate grazing in conserving steppe biodiversity.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Peter Glasnovic, Sara Cernich, Jure Peros, Manja Tisler, Ziva Fiser, Bostjan Surina
Summary: Plant life history and functional characteristics are important factors in determining the invasive potential of plant species and guiding management approaches. A study on 24 alien plant taxa in a protected area found that taxa richness is influenced by the presence of built-up areas, residential areas, marshlands, and agricultural lands with semi-natural formations. The diversity of land-use within the grid cell is an important explanatory factor for the richness of different plant groups. The findings of similar studies can provide valuable insights for defining sustainable practices and conservation management in protected areas.
Article
Ecology
Xin Wang, Jun Liu, Chenxia Liang, Zhichun Zhao, Gang Feng, Jian Zhang
Summary: Urban greenspace is crucial in mitigating the impact of urbanization on biodiversity, and research on biodiversity in these areas is essential for understanding the effects of human activities on ecosystem functioning. This study in China collected a comprehensive dataset on vascular plant and bird species in university campuses and urban parks across various cities, providing valuable information for assessing anthropogenic effects on biodiversity and advancing urban ecology research.
ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Lia Laporta, Tiago Domingos, Cristina Marta-Pedroso
Summary: Agroforestry landscapes, such as Montado in Portugal, have multiple benefits including carbon storage. This study assessed net carbon flow in Montado systems and found that maintaining the system can lead to carbon sequestration, eligible for financial rewards through a Payment for Ecosystem Services scheme.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hadassa Moreira, Koen J. J. Kuipers, Leo Posthuma, Michiel C. Zijp, Mara Hauck, Mark A. J. Huijbregts, Aafke M. Schipper
Summary: Land use is a significant driver of biodiversity loss globally, and this study estimated the global extinction threat to vascular plant species based on a novel integration of species-area model and relative endemism richness. The results showed that 11% of vascular plant species are threatened with global extinction, with the highest threat in the Neotropic and Palearctic realms due to different intensities of cropland use.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Petra B. Holden, Gina Ziervogel, M. Timm Hoffman, Mark G. New
Summary: The study investigates the causal mechanisms of land use change in a mountain catchment in South Africa, highlighting a transition from livestock agriculture to agricultural intensification and nature-based recreation. Land use change is primarily driven by socioeconomic factors, rather than concerns over land degradation or resource depletion.
Review
Ecology
C. Herrero-Jauregui, E. D. Concepcion
Summary: Counter-urbanization is a demographic trend associated with rural restructuring, particularly in the Mediterranean region. The extent and impacts of this phenomenon are largely unknown.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joao C. Campos, Julia Bernhardt, Nuria Aquilue, Lluis Brotons, Jesus Dominguez, Angela Lomba, Bruno Marcos, Fernando Martinez-Freiria, Francisco Moreira, Silvana Pais, Joao P. Honrado, Adrian Regos
Summary: Rewilding and supporting High Nature Value farmlands (HNVf) have been proposed as valuable options for biodiversity conservation in abandoned landscapes. Simulation results suggest that HNVf scenarios can provide more suppressed areas for fire suppression and benefit biodiversity conservation more compared to rewilding scenarios.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Alexander C. Lees, Lucy Haskell, Tris Allinson, Simeon B. Bezeng, Ian J. Burfield, Luis Miguel Renjifo, Kenneth Rosenberg, Ashwin Viswanathan, Stuart H. M. Butchart
Summary: The article provides an overview of the global spatiotemporal distribution of avian biodiversity, changes in our knowledge of that biodiversity, and the threats driving changes in bird species richness and abundance. It also highlights the need for increased consideration of the social context of bird conservation interventions.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Daniel Bruno, Ricardo Sorando, Begon Alavez Farziro, Clara Castellano, Vanessa Cespedes, Belinda Gallardo, Juan J. Jimenez, M. Victoria Lopez, Rocio Lopez Flores, David Moret-Ferndez, Enrique Navarro, Felix Picazo, Miguel Sevilla-Callejo, Jaume Tormo, Juan JosE-Vidal Macus, Jose Manuel Nicolou, Francisco A. Comin
Summary: The study examined how changes in demographic variables affect provisioning and regulating ecosystem services in Mediterranean rural areas, finding that depopulation leads to land abandonment and increases in regulating ecosystem services, while land-use intensification leads to boosts in provisioning ecosystem services.
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Emmeline N. Topp, Teja Tscharntke, Jacqueline Loos
Summary: The study aimed to understand the impact of fire history and landscape composition on butterfly diversity in a fragmented agricultural landscape. Butterfly species richness was found to be higher in areas with increased natural habitat in the surrounding landscape, while butterfly abundance decreased with increasing time since fire. Fire indirectly increased butterfly species richness and abundance by altering vegetation structure, particularly through the removal of shrubs and increased plant diversity. It is recommended to have a diversity of fire frequencies and burning areas every 10 years may benefit low-mobility butterfly species.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jacqueline Loos, Cindy Schroeer, Thomas Becker, Agnes Kastal, Elena Kortmann, Matthias Dolek
Summary: Biodiversity in European agricultural landscapes is threatened, with many species endangered. Research shows that the Danube Clouded Yellow butterfly prefers warmer and rainier environments, as well as flat and slightly inclined slopes near forests.
INSECT CONSERVATION AND DIVERSITY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Elena Krimmer, Emily A. Martin, Andrea Holzschuh, Jochen Krauss, Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter
Summary: Large flower fields maintained continuously for several years are recommended to enhance natural pest control in oilseed rape fields. However, the positive effects of flower fields on pollen beetle parasitism may be hindered by pesticide use.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Fabian A. Boetzl, Elena Krimmer, Andrea Holzschuh, Jochen Krauss, Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter
Summary: The diversity of arthropods in agricultural landscapes plays a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem services. Flowering fields can provide overwintering habitats for arthropods, but the effectiveness of these habitats depends on their temporal continuity and soil disturbance. Different arthropod groups have varying requirements for habitat types and temporal continuity.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ashley Lyons, Samantha Turner, Paul A. Ashton
Summary: Calcareous grasslands are important for their high species richness and diversity. This study investigates the effects of conservation grazing and cessation of grazing on bryophyte diversity in rare upland calcareous grasslands. The study found that bryophyte abundance was greater in grazed grasslands compared to ungrazed grasslands, but there was no difference in species richness, diversity or life history strategies between the management types. This suggests that the non-target group is not adversely affected by the management regime.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sebastian Koenig, Jochen Krauss, Alexander Keller, Lukas Bofinger, Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter
Summary: This study investigates the interaction between herbivores and plants in different temperature environments in Southern Germany. The results show that the specialization of herbivores is highest in warm habitats. Additionally, the study finds that the pattern of specialization is non-linear, peaking at intermediate temperatures. These findings highlight the combined importance of resource phylogeny, availability, and temperature on the specialization of herbivore assemblages.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Annemarie Wurz, Ingo Grass, David C. Lees, Anjaharinony A. N. A. Rakotomalala, Szabolcs Safian, Dominic Andreas Martin, Kristina Osen, Jacqueline Loos, Evrard Benasoavina, Theudy Alexis, Teja Tscharntke
Summary: This study assesses the differences in butterfly assemblages in different land-use types in Madagascar. It finds that land-use types with woody vegetation support more endemic and forest butterfly species, while rice paddies and herbaceous fallows are richer in open-land species. Fallow-derived vanilla agroforests host more endemic and forest species compared to herbaceous fallows. Overall, preserving small-scale land-use types is crucial for maintaining butterfly diversity in this tropical biodiversity hotspot.
INSECT CONSERVATION AND DIVERSITY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Nicholas A. Barber, Nikki Sauer, Jochen Krauss, Fabian A. Boetzl
Summary: Semi-natural grasslands are important habitats for threatened species, but they require management to maintain their characteristics. Mowing, commonly used as a substitute for grazing, can reduce the richness and proportions of endangered species in carabid beetle assemblages. Grazing intensity has little effect on carabid assemblages, and the benefits of grazing for threatened species are most apparent in small sites where habitat area is limited.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Janika M. Kerner, Jochen Krauss, Fabienne Maihoff, Lukas Bofinger, Alice Classen
Summary: Despite the codependency between insect herbivores and plants, the responses of individual taxa to climate change are often studied in isolation. This study focused on butterflies and their larval host plants to investigate the impacts of temperature changes along an elevational gradient. The results showed a severe decline in butterfly abundance and an upward shift along the gradient, while the host plants remained unchanged. Temperature and host plant richness were identified as the main drivers of butterfly richness.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jacqueline Loos, Felipe Benra, Marta Berbes-Blazquez, Leah L. Bremer, Kai M. A. Chan, Benis Egoh, Maria Felipe-Lucia, Davide Geneletti, Bonnie Keeler, Bruno Locatelli, Lasse Loft, Barbara Schroeter, Matthias Schroeter, Klara J. Winkler
Summary: The mainstreaming of ecosystem service approaches is proposed as a way towards sustainable development. Critics, however, question whether these approaches can capture the diverse values of ecosystems and address issues of justice. This article highlights the need for greater guidance on incorporating justice into ecosystem services research and practice, emphasizing deep engagement with stakeholders and rights holders to enhance justice outcomes. These efforts can lead to transformative ecosystem service assessments, management, and research that promote human wellbeing and sustainable governance structures.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sarah H. Luke, Helen E. Roy, Chris D. Thomas, Luke A. N. Tilley, Simon Ward, Allan Watt, Manuela Carnaghi, Coline C. Jaworski, Maximillian P. T. G. Tercel, Charlie Woodrow, Susmita Aown, Jennifer A. Banfield-Zanin, Sarah L. Barnsley, Iris Berger, Mark J. F. Brown, James C. Bull, Heather Campbell, Ruth A. B. Carter, Magda Charalambous, Lorna J. Cole, Martin J. Ebejer, Rachel A. Farrow, Rajendra S. Fartyal, Miriam Grace, Fiona Highet, Jane K. Hill, Amelia S. C. Hood, Eleanor S. Kent, Frank-Thorsten Krell, Simon R. Leather, Daniel J. Leybourne, Nick A. Littlewood, Ashley Lyons, Graham Matthews, Louise Mc Namara, Rosa Menendez, Peter Merrett, Sajidha Mohammed, Archie K. Murchie, Michael Noble, Maria-Rosa Paiva, Michael J. Pannell, Chooi-Khim Phon, Gordon Port, Charlotte Powell, Stewart Rosell, Francisca Sconce, Chris R. Shortall, Eleanor M. Slade, Jamie P. Sutherland, Jamie C. Weir, Christopher D. Williams, Natalia B. Zielonka, Lynn V. Dicks
Summary: Entomology is crucial for understanding environmental change and has the potential to benefit humanity in various ways. Through a democratic process, the Royal Entomological Society identified 61 priority challenges in four categories: Fundamental Research, Anthropogenic Impacts and Conservation, Uses and Disservices, and Collaboration and Training. These challenges provide opportunities for entomological activities to address global challenges in human health, well-being, and environmental change.
INSECT CONSERVATION AND DIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Cassandra Vogel, Vera Mayer, Mwapi Mkandawire, Georg Kuestner, Rachel Bezner Kerr, Jochen Krauss, Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter
Summary: The conversion of woodland to farmland and subsequent management has negative impacts on biodiversity. The effects of agriculture on insect communities in tropical smallholder agricultural landscapes are understudied. The use of agroecological practices has social and agronomic benefits for smallholders, but their effects on biodiversity are missing, particularly in Africa.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Marina Frietsch, Noelia Zafra-Calvo, Arash Ghoddousi, Jacqueline Loos
Summary: Protected and conserved areas (PCAs) aim to preserve biodiversity and human well-being, but often have low levels of effectiveness. Understanding the social-ecological interactions in PCAs is crucial for understanding the reasons behind this (in)effectiveness and promoting resilient and sustainable systems. However, these interactions are commonly overlooked in effectiveness evaluations. To address this gap, we conducted a study that extracted from scientific literature the social-ecological interactions influencing the effectiveness of PCAs, developed an analytical framework, and applied it to a case study in North Luangwa, Zambia. Our findings highlight the importance of considering the relationships between people and nature when assessing conservation effectiveness.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biodiversity Conservation
Matthias Schroeter, Marta Berbes-Blazquez, Christian Albert, Rosemary Hill, Torsten Krause, Jacqueline Loos, Lelani M. Mannetti, Berta Martin-Lopez, Amrita Neelakantan, John A. Parrotta, Cristina Quintas-Soriano, David J. Abson, Rob Alkemade, Bas Amelung, Brigitte Baptiste, Edmundo Barrios, Houria Djoudi, Evangelia G. Drakou, Isabelle Durance, Marina Garcia Llorente, Davide Geneletti, Zuzana V. Harmackova, Sander Jacobs, Nina N. Kaiser, Jonathan Kingsley, Sarah Klain, Maria Jose Martinez-Harms, Ranjini Murali, Patrick O'Farrell, Ram Pandit, Laura Pereira, Sakshi Rana, Maraja Riechers, Graciela M. Rusch, Juan E. Sala, Catharina J. E. Schulp, Nadia Sitas, Suneetha M. Subramanian, Sebastian Villasante, Alexander van Oudenhoven
ECOSYSTEMS AND PEOPLE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Christian Kiffner, Richard A. Giliba, Pascal Fust, Jacqueline Loos, Matthias Waltert
Summary: In many parts of East Africa, wildlife populations have declined over the past decades. This study focuses on two areas in Tanzania, Rukwa Game Reserve and Katavi National Park, to assess the relative performance of different management strategies in conserving wildlife populations. The researchers compared densities and group sizes of large mammal populations between 2004 and 2021 and found no significant declines, suggesting a possible stabilization phase after earlier declines. This highlights the importance of considering appropriate temporal baselines and historical contexts when assessing conservation effectiveness.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)