Anthropogenic habitat disturbance is a strong biodiversity change driver that compromises not only the species persistence but also the ecological interactions in which they are involved. Even though seed dispersal is a key interaction involved in the recruitment of many tree species and in consequence critical for biodiversity maintenance, studies assessing the effect of different anthropogenic disturbance drivers on this interaction have not been performed under a meta-analytical framework. We assessed the way habitat fragmentation and degradation processes affect species diversity (abundance and species richness) and interaction rates (i.e., fruit removal and visitation rates) of different groups of seed-disperser species at a global scale. We obtained 163 case studies from 37 articles. Results indicate that habitat degradation had a negative effect on seed-disperser animal diversity, whereas habitat fragmentation had a negative effect on interaction rates. Birds and insects were more sensitive in terms of their diversity, whereas mammals showed a negative effect on interaction rates. Regarding habitat, both fragmentation and degradation had a negative effect on seed-disperser animal diversity only in temperate habitats, and negative effects on interaction rates in tropical and temperate habitats. Our results indicate that the impact of human disturbance on seed-disperser species and interactions is not homogeneous. On the contrary, the magnitude of effects seems to be dependent on the type of disturbance, taxonomic group under assessment, and geographical region where the human impact occurs.
The coastal areas of the Magellan ecoregion host considerable diversity of macroalgae and mollusks. Indigenous peoples, such as the Yaghan, have developed biocultural interactions with austral coastal ecosystems. This study is an interdisciplinary ecological, ethnoecological and philosophical analysis. It applies the conceptual framework of biocultural ethics to characterize the intertidal habitat within the biocultural context of the Yaghan people. This is done through the composition of inhabitants, such as macroalgae and mollusks, linked to seasonal habits of abundance. Based on this account, we suggest methods and activities of biocultural conservations. We applied the Field Environmental Philosophy approach, which was carried out in Róbalo bay, Navarino island (55°S). Ecological results showed that biomass and macroalgae diversity increased in summer and decreased over the winter. Mollusks Mytilus edulis chilensis and Perumytilus purpuratus showed no seasonal variability abundance. Ethnographic results based on the literature and observant participation showed that low seasonal variability in mollusk abundance has been crucial to the subsistence of the Yaghan people. From the perspective of contemporary environmental ethics, we identified several values in the Yaghan worldview. For example, there are instrumental values in mollusks: they have been a source of food, aesthetic decoration, development of tools and building huts. We found references to the intrinsic values in mollusks, particularly in narratives and other ethnographic sources. These Yaghan values are rooted in a profound sense of empathy for biodiversity. As a result of the combined ecological, ethnographic, and philosophical issues, we suggest communication through metaphor (the submerged forest of Cape Horn) and field activities (open your eyes, dive with an open mind) for biocultural conservation.
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