Understanding global and regional patterns of termite diversity and regional functional traits

Liu, Shengjie; Xia, Shangwen; Wu, Dianming; Behm, Jocelyn E.; Meng, Yuanyuan; Yuan, Haoran; Wen, Ping; Hughes, Alice C.; Yang, Xiaodong

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2022.105538

Cited by 13 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 33 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The contribution of termites to plant litter decomposition is diversity and abundance dependent (Zanne et al., 2022). Termite diversity and abundance peak in the tropics are high in some areas of subtropics but not in temperate and northern regions (Lavelle et al., 2022; Liu et al., 2022). The Termitidae, for example, are litter‐feeders with high diversity in tropical forests (Eggleton & Tayasu, 2001), well adapted to breaking down organic matter (Bignell, 2019; Hogan et al., 1988).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global contribution of invertebrates to forest litter decomposition

Zeng,

Gao,

Wang

et al. 2024

Ecology Letters

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Forest litter decomposition is an essential component of global carbon and nutrient turnover. Invertebrates play important roles in litter decomposition, but the regional pattern of their effects is poorly understood. We examined 476 case studies across 93 sites and performed a meta‐analysis to estimate regional effects of invertebrates on forest litter decomposition. We then assessed how invertebrate diversity, climate and soil pH drive regional variations in invertebrate‐mediated decomposition. We found that (1) invertebrate contributions to litter decomposition are 1.4 times higher in tropical and subtropical forests than in forests elsewhere, with an overall contribution of 31% to global forest litter decomposition; and (2) termite diversity, together with warm, humid and acidic environments in the tropics and subtropics are positively associated with forest litter decomposition by invertebrates. Our results demonstrate the significant difference in invertebrate effects on mediating forest litter decomposition among regions. We demonstrate, also, the significance of termites in driving litter mass loss in the tropics and subtropics. These results are particularly pertinent in the tropics and subtropics where climate change and human disturbance threaten invertebrate biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global contribution of invertebrates to forest litter decomposition

Zeng,

Gao,

Wang

et al. 2024

Ecology Letters

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Interpolations provide another approach to assessing patterns of diversity when insufficient data are available for species-level assessments. In interpolations, species-level data are not required; instead, representative site-based assessments are needed to cross-reference with present species using modelling approaches i.e., [ 11 , 12 ]. In these approaches, diversity can be modelled as a baseline for prioritisation or for the targeted assessment of areas with potentially high diversity.…”

Section: Bridging the Gapsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing Biodiversity Baselines to Develop and Implement Future Conservation Targets

Hughes

2023

Plants

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

With the recent launch of the Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework (GBF), and the associated monitoring framework, understanding the framework and data needed to support it is crucial. Unfortunately, whilst the monitoring framework was meant to provide key data to monitor progress towards goals and targets, most indicators are too unclear for detection or marking progress. The most common datasets for this task, such as the IUCN redlist of species, have major spatial inaccuracies, and lack the temporal resolution to track progress, whilst point-based datasets lack data from many regions, in addition to species coverage. Utilising existing data will require the careful use of existing data, such as the use of inventories and projecting richness patterns, or filling data gaps before developing species-level models and assessments. As high-resolution data fall outside the scope of explicit indicators within the monitoring framework, using essential biodiversity variables within GEOBON (which are noted in the prelude of the monitoring framework) as a vehicle for data aggregation provides a mechanism for collating the necessary high-resolution data. Ultimately developing effective targets for conservation will require better species data, for which National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plans (NBSAPs) and novel mechanisms for data mobilisation will be necessary. Furthermore, capitalising on climate targets and climate biodiversity synergies within the GBF provides an additional means for developing meaningful targets, trying to develop urgently needed data to monitor biodiversity trends, prioritising meaningful tasks, and tracking our progress towards biodiversity targets.

show abstract

“…Given the paucity of data for most insects (and many other taxa), different approaches have been applied to circumvent issues in existing studies aiming to map richness across continents. These include interpolating richness by modelling it directly as a function of ecological drivers (termites, bees, Collembola: Liu et al, 2022;Orr et al, 2021;Potapov et al, 2023, respectively), species-level modelling within MCPs to delimit ranges, or modelling following the building of a comprehensive point based database (ants: Kass et al, 2022). Even for smaller regions, where there is high diversity, filtering suitable habitat within a polygon provides a much more targeted and realistic understanding of species ranges (Chesshire et al, 2023), and in all of these studies the impact of data biases were limited either through interpolation of richness for data poor regions, or via aggregation of further data followed by modelling, and in all of them habitat filters were applied to ensure that analyses were accurate.…”

Section: Measuring Diversity In the Face Of Biasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…If sufficient data are available either models or filtered convex polygons can be used to map species ranges. Whereas when insufficient data are available and richness is mapped (Liu et al, 2022;Orr et al, 2021;Potapov et al, 2023), inventories of species richness are used and richness itself is reprojected using models. These approaches can reproject richness patterns to a reasonable degree, if sufficient inventories have been carried out across all major environmental conditions, and assuming that biogeographic differences will not influence overall richness patterns.…”

Section: Using Data To Enable Conservation Planningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Big data-big problems? How to circumvent problems in biodiversity mapping and ensure meaningful results

Hughes,

Dorey,

Bossert

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Our knowledge of biodiversity hinges on sufficient data, reliable methods, and realistic models. Without an accurate assessment of species distributions, we cannot effectively target and stem biodiversity loss. Species range maps are the foundation of such efforts, but countless studies have failed to account for the most basic assumptions of reliable species mapping practices, undermining the credibility of their results and potentially misleading and hindering conservation and management efforts. Here, we use examples from the recent literature and broader conservation community to highlight the substantial shortfalls in current practices and their consequences for both analyses and conservation management. We detail how different decisions on data filtering impact the outcomes of analysis and provide practical recommendations and steps for more reliable analysis, whilst understanding the limits of what available data will reliably allow and what methods are most appropriate. Whilst “perfect” analyses are not possible for many taxa given limited data, and biases, ensuring we use data within reasonable limits and understanding inherent assumptions is crucial to ensure appropriate use. By embracing and enacting such best practices, we can ensure both the accuracy and improved comparability of biodiversity analyses going forward, ultimately enhancing our ability to use data to facilitate our protection of the natural world.

show abstract

Understanding global and regional patterns of termite diversity and regional functional traits

Cited by 13 publications

References 33 publications

Global contribution of invertebrates to forest litter decomposition

Global contribution of invertebrates to forest litter decomposition

Developing Biodiversity Baselines to Develop and Implement Future Conservation Targets

Big data-big problems? How to circumvent problems in biodiversity mapping and ensure meaningful results

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About