Global change in microcosms: Environmental and societal predictors of land cover change on the Atlantic Ocean Islands

Norder, Sietze J.; Lima, Ricardo F. de; Nascimento, Lea de; Lim, Jamien; Fernández‐Palacios, José María; Romeiras, Maria M.; Elias, Rui B.; Cabezas, Francisco; Catarino, L.; Ceríaco, Luis M. P.; Castilla‐Beltrán, Alvaro; Gabriel, Rosalina; Sequeira, Miguel Menezes de; Rijsdijk, Kenneth F.; Nogué, Sandra; Kissling, W. Daniel; Loon, E. Emiel van; Hall, Marcus; Matos, Margarida; Borges, Paulo A. V.

doi:10.1016/j.ancene.2020.100242

Cited by 44 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 89 publications

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“…These islands are better for agriculture than the others, because they have a complex variety of microclimates, ranging from more humid zones in mountain regions of Santiago (Pico da Antónia) and Santo Antão (e.g., Ribeira do Paúl), to volcanic areas in Fogo, which reaches almost 3000 m, or to lowland arid areas that experience the scourge of long-lasting droughts. During the 20th century, anthropogenic activities caused enormous damage and, particularly in humid and sub-humid areas on the North and Northeast slopes above 400 m, natural vegetation was gradually cut and destroyed and replaced by crop species [17]. Nevertheless, several conservation actions were undertaken over the last two decades by Cabo Verde authorities, in particular a system of Protected Areas (PAs) to safeguard the natural heritage of the archipelago [7,18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tackling Food Insecurity in Cabo Verde Islands: The Nutritional, Agricultural and Environmental Values of the Legume Species

Brilhante

Varela

Essoh

et al. 2021

Foods

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Legume species are important food sources to reduce hunger and deal with malnutrition; they also play a crucial role in sustainable agriculture in the tropical dry islands of Cabo Verde. To improve the knowledge of the heritage of plant genetic resources in this Middle Income Country, this study had three main goals: (i) to provide a checklist of food legumes; (ii) to investigate which species are traded in local markets and, based on field surveys, to compare species for their chemical, phenolic, antioxidant, and nutritional composition; and (iii) to discuss the agronomic value and contribution to food security in this archipelago. Our results revealed that 15 species are used as food and 5 of them are locally traded (Cajanus cajan, Lablab purpureus, Phaseolus lunatus, Phaseolus vulgaris, and Vigna unguiculata). The role of these species as sources of important minerals, antioxidants, and nutritional components for food security is highlighted, and the native ones (Lablab purpureus and Vigna unguiculata) stand-out as particularly well-adapted to the climate of these islands, which are already experiencing the adverse effects of climate change. We conclude that the sustainable use of these genetic resources can contribute to the reduction of hunger and poverty, thus meeting some challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tackling Food Insecurity in Cabo Verde Islands: The Nutritional, Agricultural and Environmental Values of the Legume Species

Brilhante

Varela

Essoh

et al. 2021

Foods

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“…The development and expansion of cities into rural and natural areas has a detrimental effect on diversity (Sattler et al 2010). Indeed, one of the main drivers of biodiversity erosion is land-use changes promoted by urbanisation (Borges et al 2019a). These land-use changes are degrading and fragmenting native habitats (including underground ecosystems, as lava tubes on volcanic areas), which negatively affect species survival.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indeed, the nine Azorean islands sustain more than 2300 species and subspecies of terrestrial arthropods, being 42% introduced, 32% native non-endemic and only 12% endemic to the archipelago (Rego et al 2015). Moreover, a large fraction of the 123 endemic arthropods recently assessed by IUCN were classified as Critically Endangered (32%), Endangered (27%) or Vulnerable (7%), with only 27% being classified in the lower conservation categories (NT, LC or DD) (Borges et al 2017c, Borges et al 2018a, Borges et al 2019b, IUCN 2020.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The native flora and fauna of the archipelago of the Azores (Portugal) have undergone profound changes and alterations since Portuguese explorers discovered and occupied these islands in the early fifteenth century ( Santos et al 2003 , Norder et al 2020 ). Despite the fact that human population in Azores is concentrated in coastal areas, the impact of deforestation on the native laurel forest has been extensive and, currently, it only covers 2-5% of its original area ( Gaspar et al 2008 , Norder et al 2020 ). In the second half of the 20th century, the loss and degradation of the native habitats is mainly driven by the adopted economic model, which relies heavily on dairy farming and fisheries ( Norder et al 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite the fact that human population in Azores is concentrated in coastal areas, the impact of deforestation on the native laurel forest has been extensive and, currently, it only covers 2-5% of its original area ( Gaspar et al 2008 , Norder et al 2020 ). In the second half of the 20th century, the loss and degradation of the native habitats is mainly driven by the adopted economic model, which relies heavily on dairy farming and fisheries ( Norder et al 2020 ). Increasing agricultural and livestock practices have led to a substantial alteration of the native flora via habitat fragmentation, changes in land use and the introduction of exotic species, which are a serious threat to the Azorean wildlife ( Martins 1993 , Silva et al 2008 , Borges et al 2017a ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Arthropod diversity in two Historic Gardens in the Azores, Portugal

Arteaga¹,

Malumbres‐Olarte²,

Gabriel³

et al. 2020

BDJ

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The aim of our study was to characterise and compare the richness and composition of endemic, native (non-endemic) and introduced arthropod assemblages of two Azorean Historic Gardens with contrasting plant species composition. We hypothesised that Faial Botanic Garden would hold higher arthropod diversity and abundance of native and endemic arthropod species due to its larger native plant community. Species were collected using several arthropod standardised techniques between April 2017 and June 2018. We used the alpha diversity metrics (Hill series) and the partitioning of total beta diversity (βtotal) into its replacement (βrepl) and richness (βrich) components, to analyse the adult and total arthropod community. The orders Araneae, Coleoptera and Hemiptera were also studied separately. Our results show that the number of exotic arthropod species exceeds the number of native and/or the endemic species in both gardens, but the arthropod community of Faial Botanic Garden exhibited a higher density of endemic and native species. Despite some minor exceptions, the geographic origins of plant communities largely influenced the arthropod species sampled in each garden. This study improves our knowledge about urban arthropod diversity in the Azores and shows how well-designed urban garden management and planning contribute to the conservation of native and endemic Azorean species.

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Widespread introduced species dominate the urban tree assemblage on the endemic‐rich tropical island of São Tomé

Strauß,

de Lima,

Baker

et al. 2024

Ecology and Evolution

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The Afrotropics are experiencing some of the fastest urbanisation rates on the planet but the impact of city growth on their rich and unique biodiversity remains understudied, especially compared to natural baselines. Little is also known about how introduced species influence β‐diversity in these contexts, and how patterns coincide with native ranges of species. Here we investigated how tree assemblages of the endemic‐rich Afrotropical island of São Tomé differed between urban, rural and natural zones. These were primarily characterised by urban greenspaces, shade plantations, and old‐growth forests, respectively. Based on 81 transects, we assessed biodiversity metrics of endemic, native and introduced species. Tree abundance and species richness were highest in the natural zone, where the composition was most different from the urban zone. The tree community of the rural zone was the most uneven and had the least variation among transects, representing the lowest β‐diversity. The urban zone was dominated by introduced species (57.7%), while the natural zone hosted almost exclusively native species (93.3%), including many endemics (26.1%). The biogeographic realms that species originated from were particularly diverse in the urban zone, with few species from the Afrotropics. In contrast to native and endemic trees, introduced trees were clearly associated with urban and rural expansion, as they were much more abundant and species‐rich in these zones than in the natural zone, facilitating biotic homogenisation. These findings highlight how urban and rural environments are affecting the native tree flora of São Tomé, and the need for conservation measures geared towards globally threatened and endemic tree species. Importantly, these require the protection of natural forests, despite the rising land demands for settlements and agriculture. Ultimately, such action to conserve endemic trees will contribute to global efforts to prevent further biodiversity declines.

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Global change in microcosms: Environmental and societal predictors of land cover change on the Atlantic Ocean Islands

Cited by 44 publications

References 89 publications

Tackling Food Insecurity in Cabo Verde Islands: The Nutritional, Agricultural and Environmental Values of the Legume Species

Tackling Food Insecurity in Cabo Verde Islands: The Nutritional, Agricultural and Environmental Values of the Legume Species

Arthropod diversity in two Historic Gardens in the Azores, Portugal

Widespread introduced species dominate the urban tree assemblage on the endemic‐rich tropical island of São Tomé

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