Essential Biodiversity Variables

Pereira, Henrique M.; Ferrier, Simon; Walters, Michéle; Geller, Gary N.; Jongman, R.H.G.; Scholes, Robert J.; Bruford, Michael William; Brummitt, Neil; Butchart, Stuart H. M.; Cardoso, Ana Cristina; Coops, Nicholas C.; Dulloo, Ehsan; Faith, Daniel P.; Freyhof, Jörg; Gregory, Richard D.; Heip, C.H.R.; Höft, Robert; Hurtt, George C.; Jetz, Walter; Karp, Daniel S.; McGeoch, Mélodie A.; Obura, David; Onoda, Yusuke; Pettorelli, Nathalie; Reyers, Belinda; Sayre, Roger; Scharlemann, Jörn P. W.; Stuart, Simon N.; Turak, Eren; Walpole, Matt; Wegmann, Martin

doi:10.1126/science.1229931

Cited by 1,273 publications

(1,186 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Some of the identified key functional traits are relatively easy to measure (e.g., size, leaf morphology), making them particularly useful for monitoring the effects of environmental change on ecosystem properties and the potential supply of ecosystem services. In this sense, the identification of the key functional traits can contribute to the further development of the essential biodiversity variables (EBVs; Pereira et al., 2013) within the EBV class of species traits. Further, such knowledge might be also relevant for the global and regional biodiversity and ecosystem services assessments that have been recently launched by the Intergovernmental Platform of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), because the trait‐based approach shows the importance of particular traits for mediating between direct drivers of change and the supply of “ nature's benefits to people” (Díaz et al., 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trait‐based approaches to analyze links between the drivers of change and ecosystem services: Synthesizing existing evidence and future challenges

Hevia

Martín‐López

Palomo

et al. 2017

Ecology and Evolution

100

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Understanding the responses of biodiversity to drivers of change and the effects of biodiversity on ecosystem properties and ecosystem services is a key challenge in the context of global environmental change. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the scientific literature linking direct drivers of change and ecosystem services via functional traits of three taxonomic groups (vegetation, invertebrates, and vertebrates) to: (1) uncover trends and research biases in this field; and (2) synthesize existing empirical evidence. Our results show the existence of important biases in published studies related to ecosystem types, taxonomic groups, direct drivers of change, ecosystem services, geographical range, and the spatial scale of analysis. We found multiple evidence of links between drivers and services mediated by functional traits, particularly between land‐use changes and regulating services in vegetation and invertebrates. Seventy‐five functional traits were recorded in our sample. However, few of these functional traits were repeatedly found to be associated with both the species responses to direct drivers of change (response traits) and the species effects on the provision of ecosystem services (effect traits). Our results highlight the existence of potential “key functional traits,” understood as those that have the capacity to influence the provision of multiple ecosystem services, while responding to specific drivers of change, across a variety of systems and organisms. Identifying “key functional traits” would help to develop robust indicator systems to monitor changes in biodiversity and their effects on ecosystem functioning and ecosystem services supply.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trait‐based approaches to analyze links between the drivers of change and ecosystem services: Synthesizing existing evidence and future challenges

Hevia

Martín‐López

Palomo

et al. 2017

Ecology and Evolution

100

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“…Growing evidence indicates that viable populations of native plants may be sustainable within anthromes, at least at local and regional scales , but extending the mechanisms of conservation successes to other anthromes is necessary. Yet to date, no comparative work has explored how anthromes differ in their capacities to support biodiversity at all levels, for example species richness, functional diversity, genetic diversity (Pereira et al, 2013).…”

Section: What Are Anthromes?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An increasing number of organizations prioritize conservation projects by evaluating patterns of biodiversity and threats to biodiversity at the global scale (MA, 2005;Pereira et al, 2013). In order to identify such patterns, researchers have analysed biomes -units that map differences in vegetation type associated with variation in temperature and precipitation (Whittaker, 1962) -and ecoregions -units that incorporate data on the distribution of flora and fauna to further divide biomes into 867 distinctive biological units (Olson et al, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation opportunities across the world's anthromes

Martin

Quinn

Ellis

et al. 2014

Diversity and Distributions

126

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Aim Biologists increasingly recognize the roles of humans in ecosystems. Subsequently, many have argued that biodiversity conservation must be extended to environments that humans have shaped directly. Yet popular biogeographical frameworks such as biomes do not incorporate human land use, limiting their relevance to future conservation planning. 'Anthromes' map global ecological patterns created by sustained direct human interactions with ecosystems. In this paper, we set to understand how current conservation efforts are distributed across anthromes.Location Global.Methods We analysed the global distribution of IUCN protected areas and biodiversity hotspots by anthrome. We related this information to density of native plant species and density of previous ecological studies. Potential conservation opportunities in anthromes were then identified through global analysis and two case studies.Results Protected areas and biodiversity hotspots are not distributed equally across anthromes. Less populated anthromes contain a greater proportion of protected areas. The fewest hotspots are found within densely settled anthromes and wildlands, which occur at the two extremes of human population density. Opportunities for representative protection, prioritization, study and inclusion of native species were not congruent.Main conclusions Researchers and practitioners can use the anthromes framework to analyse the distribution of conservation practices at the global and regional scale. Like biomes, anthromes could also be used to set future conservation priorities. Conservation goals in areas directly shaped by humans need not be less ambitious than those in 'natural areas'.

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“…Currently, there is no coordinated global observation system capable of providing real-time tracking of biodiversity change around the globe (Pereira et al 2013). The scientific understanding of how biodiversity is reacting to increasing N-inputs, and how this is affecting ecosystem resilience and ecosystem services remains limited.…”

Section: Terrestrial Biodiversity Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Consequence of altered nitrogen cycles in the coupled human and ecological system under changing climate: The need for long-term and site-based research

Shibata

Branquinho

McDowell

et al. 2014

AMBIO

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Anthropogenically derived nitrogen (N) has a central role in global environmental changes, including climate change, biodiversity loss, air pollution, greenhouse gas emission, water pollution, as well as food production and human health. Current understanding of the biogeochemical processes that govern the N cycle in coupled human-ecological systems around the globe is drawn largely from the long-term ecological monitoring and experimental studies. Here, we review spatial and temporal patterns and trends in reactive N emissions, and the interactions between N and other important elements that dictate their delivery from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems, and the impacts of N on biodiversity and human society. Integrated international and long-term collaborative studies covering research gaps will reduce uncertainties and promote further understanding of the nitrogen cycle in various ecosystems.

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Essential Biodiversity Variables

Abstract: A global system of harmonized observations is needed to inform scientists and policy-makers.

Cited by 1,273 publications

References 19 publications

Trait‐based approaches to analyze links between the drivers of change and ecosystem services: Synthesizing existing evidence and future challenges

Trait‐based approaches to analyze links between the drivers of change and ecosystem services: Synthesizing existing evidence and future challenges

Conservation opportunities across the world's anthromes

Consequence of altered nitrogen cycles in the coupled human and ecological system under changing climate: The need for long-term and site-based research

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