Identifying freshwater priority areas for cross-taxa interactions

Nogueira, Joana Garrido; Lopes‐Lima, Manuel; Beja, Pedro; Filipe, Ana Filipa; Froufe, Elsa; Gonçãlves, Duarte V.; Silva, Janine Pereira da; Sousa, Ronaldo; Teixeira, Amílcar; Varandas, Simone; Hermoso, Virgilio

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161073

Cited by 9 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Species distribution models are the most widely used tool for predicting the distribution of biodiversity worldwide (Peterson et al., 2011), and are therefore largely used as a basis for conservation planning (Bush et al., 2014; Hermoso & Filipe, 2021; Nogueira et al., 2023). However, SDMs are mostly based on species‐environment relationships and often ignore other important factors in determining species ranges, such as biotic interactions and dispersal constraints (Lee‐Yaw et al., 2022; Pearson & Dawson, 2003; Peterson et al., 2011; Sinclair et al., 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We followed the approach proposed by Nogueira et al. (2023) to incorporate biotic interactions in systematic conservation planning in all analyses. To do so, we included mussels, fish hosts, and mussel‐fish host pairs as features simultaneously in each scenario.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Freshwater mussels (hereafter mussels) are long‐lived and mostly sedentary organisms, with a limited ability to cope with environmental changes (Aldridge et al., 2023; Benson et al., 2021; Lopes‐Lima et al., 2018). Accordingly, a large body of evidence demonstrates the negative impacts of climate change on mussels at different temporal and spatial scales (e.g., Aldridge et al., 2023; Bolotov et al., 2018; da Silva et al., 2022, 2023; Lopes‐Lima et al., 2018; Modesto et al., 2018; Nogueira et al., 2023; Nogueira, Lopes‐Lima, et al., 2021; Sousa et al., 2012, 2018). This is because mussels depend on native freshwater fish to complete their life cycle, with a parasitic larvae (glochidia) needing to attach to a suitable host to metamorphose into a juvenile (Modesto et al., 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Incorporating climate change and connectivity in conservation planning is increasingly needed (e.g., Bush et al., 2014; Hermoso et al., 2011, 2018; Hermoso, Clavero, & Filipe, 2021; Hermoso, Vasconcelos, et al., 2021; Jones et al., 2016; Keeley et al., 2019; Lin et al., 2017; Magris et al., 2014; Reside et al., 2018). Recently, it has been shown that more comprehensive coverage of species' ecological requirements can be achieved by identifying areas that protect both species and their interactions (Decker et al., 2017; Nogueira et al., 2023). Nevertheless, to the best of our knowledge, no method to account for climate change, dispersal barriers and biotic interactions in a single framework has been tested.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a nutshell, the interplay between dispersal traits, barriers to dispersal, and species interactions will strongly influence where, how, and whether species will persist in the coming decades. Therefore, considering the dynamic and uncertain impacts of threatening processes such as climate change and habitat fragmentation, while accounting for species interactions, is crucial to improve conservation plans (Groves et al., 2012; Linke et al., 2019; Nogueira et al., 2023; Strange et al., 2011). Incorporating climate change and connectivity in conservation planning is increasingly needed (e.g., Bush et al., 2014; Hermoso et al., 2011, 2018; Hermoso, Clavero, & Filipe, 2021; Hermoso, Vasconcelos, et al., 2021; Jones et al., 2016; Keeley et al., 2019; Lin et al., 2017; Magris et al., 2014; Reside et al., 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The role of connectivity in conservation planning for species with obligatory interactions: Prospects for future climate scenarios

da Silva,

Hermoso,

Lopes‐Lima

et al. 2024

Global Change Biology

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Climate change may lead to range shifts, and barriers to such displacements may result in extirpations from previously suitable habitats. This may be particularly important in freshwater ecosystems that are highly fragmented by anthropogenic obstacles, such as dams and other smaller in‐stream barriers. Conservation planning in freshwaters should consider the dynamic effects of climate change and the ability of species to cope with it. In this study, we developed a framework for incorporating climate‐driven dispersal barriers into conservation planning taking into account the medium and long‐term impacts of climate change and species with obligatory interactions. Given that freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida) are a group of highly threatened organisms dependent on fish hosts to complete their larval development and dispersal, we used Marxan to prioritize areas for their joint conservation in the Iberian Peninsula as a case study. We tested two connectivity scenarios between current and future habitats, (i) unlimited dispersal capacity and (ii) dispersal constrained by artificial barriers, and also identified priority translocation areas for species that were unable to disperse. Accounting for the effects of climate change on species distributions allowed the identification of long‐term conservation areas, but disregarding artificial barriers to dispersal may lead to unrealistic solutions. Integrating the location of barriers allowed the identification of priority areas that are more likely to be colonized in the future following climatic shifts, although this resulted in an additional loss of six to eight features (~5%–7%) compared to solutions without dispersal constraints. Between 173 and 357 artificial barriers (~1.6%–3.3%) will potentially block species dispersal to irreplaceable planning units. Where removal of artificial barriers is unfeasible, conservation translocations may additionally cover up to eight additional features that do not meet conservation targets due to dispersal constraints. This study highlights the challenge of identifying protected areas to safeguard biodiversity under climate change.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The role of connectivity in conservation planning for species with obligatory interactions: Prospects for future climate scenarios

da Silva,

Hermoso,

Lopes‐Lima

et al. 2024

Global Change Biology

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Palms predict the distributions of birds in southwestern Amazonia and are potential surrogates for land-use planning by citizen scientists

Menger,

Santorelli Junior,

Emilio

et al. 2024

Biodivers Conserv

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In the absence of high-quality biodiversity data, land-use planners and conservationists often rely on biodiversity surrogates. Many studies have proposed surrogates based on assumptions about the environmental niches of species. However, the use of such assumptions is not always useful because biological processes and ecological interactions can operate at different scales due to the non-uniform geographical distribution of environmental conditions. In such cases, compositional heterogeneity across the same region can be expected but is often hidden by broad-scale environmental data. Furthermore, these assumptions may obscure important relationships between species and their environment. To elucidate this issue, we asked whether biotic interactions between two taxonomic groups are more important than other factors in reflecting the distribution of unsampled species. To do this, we compared the relationship between the distribution of bird species and the distribution of the five most-abundant palm species which are often considered indicators of bird communities. These species include Lepidocaryum tenue, Oenocarpus bataua, Oenocarpus bacaba, Mauritiella aculeata, and Attalea speciosa. Additionally, we considered environmental factors (precipitation, water-table levels, sand and clay contents) and the ecoregions along the Purus-Madeira interfluve as drivers of bird species composition. Our results show that bird-assemblage composition was strongly correlated with changes in palm-species abundance. The presence-absence data for bird-species showed that palm-species alone explained 25% and 19% of composition of all birds and only canopy birds, respectively. These palm species are abundant and can be easily identified and monitored by non-specialists, such as citizen scientists. Citizens are often involved in data acquisition but may not have the experience to sample large assemblages consisting of hundreds of species; thus, these five most-abundant palms species could serve as a cost-effective and efficient biodiversity surrogate for birds.

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Off the conservation radar: the hidden story of Europe's tiny pea clams (Bivalvia: Sphaeriidae)

Halabowski,

Sousa,

Lopes-Lima

et al. 2024

Biodivers Conserv

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This study highlights the conservation problems faced by the tiny freshwater bivalves of the family Sphaeriidae, also known as pea, pill, or fingernail clams (or mussels) in Europe. Despite their global distribution, assumed ecological importance, and potential uses, basic knowledge about their taxonomy, biology, and ecology is very limited and much lower than for the larger freshwater bivalve taxa. Immediate scientific priorities are required to fill knowledge gaps regarding their taxonomy, genetic diversity, distribution, reproductive cycle, ecosystem functions, and population trends. Such fundamental knowledge is necessary to identify specific threats and develop appropriate conservation actions. Deploying environmental DNA analysis at a large scale could be a valuable way to fill gaps in distribution and strengthen monitoring in areas where local taxonomic knowledge is lacking. Until taxon-specific management plans can be developed, we recommend that efforts concentrate on the general protection and restoration of wetland habitats, implementing pollution control measures, and managing invasive species. These actions should be complemented by community engagement through citizen science initiatives. Additionally, prioritising data collection to fill existing knowledge gaps and updating conservation statuses (Red Lists) based on comprehensive assessments will be crucial. Implementing these actions will provide a starting point for the broader protection of freshwater ecosystems, thus benefiting pea clams and other interconnected species within these habitats.

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Identifying freshwater priority areas for cross-taxa interactions

Cited by 9 publications

References 45 publications

The role of connectivity in conservation planning for species with obligatory interactions: Prospects for future climate scenarios

The role of connectivity in conservation planning for species with obligatory interactions: Prospects for future climate scenarios

Palms predict the distributions of birds in southwestern Amazonia and are potential surrogates for land-use planning by citizen scientists

Off the conservation radar: the hidden story of Europe's tiny pea clams (Bivalvia: Sphaeriidae)

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