The underestimated biodiversity of tropical grassy biomes

Murphy, Brett P.; Andersen, Alan N.; Parr, Catherine L.

doi:10.1098/rstb.2015.0319

Cited by 136 publications

(114 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…We could not find differences based on the level of threat, and only estimates from Madagascan or savanna species were significantly less correlated between data sources. The fact that only very few rodent species are present in Madagascar, and that savannas’ biodiversity tended to be historically neglected (Murphy, Andersen, & Parr, ), may explain why more uncertainty exists in these regions. We observed that correlations were generally lower for elevation than for climatic variables, especially for lowland species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High correlation between species‐level environmental data estimates extracted from IUCN expert range maps and from GBIF occurrence data

Alhajeri

Fourcade

2019

Journal of Biogeography

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Aim The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) expert range maps and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) species occurrence data are commonly used to estimate species’ geographic range. Macroecological studies often cross‐reference geographic range data with a climate dataset, to extract the mean environmental conditions encountered by a species within its geographic range. We aimed to assess the consistency of the environmental data estimates derived from IUCN versus GBIF geographic range data, and to test whether such differences may affect estimates of ecogeographical relationships, such as Bergmann's rule. Location Worldwide. Time period Around 2000. Taxa Rodents (Rodentia). Methods We first assessed the correlation between environmental data estimates (19 bioclimatic variables and elevation) derived from IUCN versus GBIF geographic range data of 1,315 rodent species, comparing how range size, conservation status, habitat, zoogeographic realm or elevation changed these correlations. Then, we compared the association between body mass and climate (mean temperature and precipitation) when the latter are derived from IUCN or GBIF data. Results There was high correlation between environmental data estimates derived from IUCN versus GBIF data, especially when excluding GBIF occurrences outside of IUCN polygons. Species’ characteristics, or using the mean or median, did not change the consistency between estimates. Overall, GBIF occurrence data and IUCN range maps produced similar patterns of body mass—climate correlations. Main conclusions At the large spatial and taxonomic scale employed in this study, there does not seem to be any considerable differences in the average environmental data estimates derived from IUCN versus GBIF geographic range data. This result indicates that both sources of geographic range data could be used independently or in concert for macroecological inferences that involve summarizing species’ niches by a single estimate of the average of their used environments.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High correlation between species‐level environmental data estimates extracted from IUCN expert range maps and from GBIF occurrence data

Alhajeri

Fourcade

2019

Journal of Biogeography

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“…Monitoring natural regeneration until some of the secondary savanna characteristics reach old‐growth savanna values and subsequently removing trees to avoid the thickening of the vegetation (Brudvig, ) may be the most adequate restoration strategy because it has relatively low costs and at least maintains the old‐growth savanna structure and part of its animal and plant diversity, which requires an open habitat to survive (Abreu et al., ; Durigan & Ratter, ; Murphy, Andersen, & Parr, ; Veldman et al., ). The reintroduction of fire to secondary Neotropical savannas may be equally effective to avoid vegetation thickening, but further studies are needed to optimize this management practice because exotic grasses change fire behaviour (Gorgone‐Barbosa et al., ) and may have undesirable effects on secondary savannas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abandoned pastures cannot spontaneously recover the attributes of old‐growth savannas

Cava

Pilon

Ribeiro

et al. 2017

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Active restoration strategies have been recommended to recover Neotropical savannas in abandoned lands, but no studies have investigated the trajectories and speeds of spontaneous recovery for these systems. Research into the dynamics of degraded savannas is urgently needed to guide restoration decision making. We analysed the dynamics of secondary savannas in the Brazilian Cerrado by sampling 29 abandoned pastures (time since abandonment ranging from 3 to 25 years) and applying the space‐for‐time substitution method. We modelled the temporal changes in plant community attributes and estimated the time (years) required for these attributes to match those of two reference ecosystems (three replicates each), old‐growth savanna and a forest‐type savanna, which had encroached following fire suppression (encroached savanna). We also analysed the plant community composition of the study sites. Our models showed that tree canopy cover, richness and density rapidly increased with time since pasture abandonment, easily surpassing the values of the old‐growth savanna (28 years) and reaching the values of encroached savanna 49 years after abandonment. The cover and richness of the ground layer increased at a much slower pace. Since the species in this layer, including the exotic grasses, are shade intolerant, they will be eliminated by canopy closure over time. Up to 25 years after abandonment, secondary savannas continued to lack many (37%) old‐growth savanna species, mostly from the ground layer (82% of grasses absent). This period was also not sufficient for the secondary savannas to become floristically similar to the encroached savannas, which are dominated by shade‐tolerant tree species. Synthesis and applications. Despite the reported high natural regeneration of Neotropical savanna vegetation, abandoned pastures will not spontaneously return to an old‐growth savanna state. Protected from fire and lacking the native ground layer, the end state of secondary savannas will be a low‐diversity forest. If restoration goals include the recovery of old‐growth savanna biodiversity and structure, interventions are required to prevent woody encroachment and reintroduce native grasses, forbs and shrubs. However, if the desirable endpoint is a low‐diversity forest, passive restoration (non‐intervention) and fire protection are appropriate.

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“…However, universally, the flora is shade intolerant, at least at the establishment phase, due to the open canopy overstorey [45]. While the biodiversity value of these systems to-date has been typically overshadowed by that of tropical forests [26], Murphy et al [42] illustrate the biodiversity value of TGBs, particularly of vertebrates and range-restricted species, and emphasize variation in diversity among the TGB regions (the South American region generally being the richest).…”

Section: Defining Tropical Grassy Biomesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For the first time, analyses are presented on the biogeography and potential distributions of Asian savannahs [39]. Other significant steps forward in our understanding include: methods for characterizing ancient versus derived grassy biomes [40,41], comparative data on the species diversity of TGB regions across the globe [42], an improved understanding of the complex ecology of herbivory and fire [16,43] and the context-dependent response of vegetation to global change [44], and finally, tools to examine trade-offs in biodiversity, carbon and agriculture to aid land-use planning and policy [10].…”

Section: This Issuementioning

confidence: 99%

“…the Madagascan mannikin, Lonchura nana), a suite of grazing ungulates (e.g. the critically endangered Kouprey, Bos sauveli, from Cambodia, and the chital deer, Axis axis, from India) and a high diversity of small marsupials in Australia [42]. Many of these species are endangered and threated with imminent extinction [51].…”

Section: Defining Tropical Grassy Biomesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tropical grassy biomes: linking ecology, human use and conservation

Lehmann

Parr

2016

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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Tropical grassy biomes (TGBs) are changing rapidly the world over through a coalescence of high rates of land-use change, global change and altered disturbance regimes that maintain the ecosystem structure and function of these biomes. Our theme issue brings together the latest research examining the characterization, complex ecology, drivers of change, and human use and ecosystem services of TGBs. Recent advances in ecology and evolution have facilitated a new perspective on these biomes. However, there continues to be controversies over their classification and state dynamics that demonstrate critical data and knowledge gaps in our quantitative understanding of these geographically dispersed regions. We highlight an urgent need to improve ecological understanding in order to effectively predict the sensitivity and resilience of TGBs under future scenarios of global change. With human reliance on TGBs increasing and their propensity for change, ecological and evolutionary understanding of these biomes is central to the dual goals of sustaining their ecological integrity and the diverse services these landscapes provide to millions of people. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Tropical grassy biomes: linking ecology, human use and conservation’.

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The underestimated biodiversity of tropical grassy biomes

Abstract: One contribution of 15 to a theme issue 'Tropical grassy biomes: linking ecology, human use and conservation'.

Cited by 136 publications

References 68 publications

High correlation between species‐level environmental data estimates extracted from IUCN expert range maps and from GBIF occurrence data

High correlation between species‐level environmental data estimates extracted from IUCN expert range maps and from GBIF occurrence data

Abandoned pastures cannot spontaneously recover the attributes of old‐growth savannas

Tropical grassy biomes: linking ecology, human use and conservation

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