A menu of climate change adaptation actions for terrestrial wildlife management

Handler, Stephen D.; LeDee, Olivia E.; Hoving, Christopher L.; Zuckerberg, Benjamin; Swanston, Christopher W.

doi:10.1002/wsb.1331

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 135 publications

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“…This study identified the hornbill as highly vulnerable to heatwaves with extremely high exposure and high susceptibility. Species classified as being highly vulnerable should be prioritized for monitoring responses to heatwaves and for risk-mitigation actions (Foden et al, 2013;Handler et al, 2022). In contrast, exposed bird species with relatively lower susceptibility are a lower priority for risk-mitigation actions to heatwaves in the near future (Foden et al, 2013;Zhang et al, 2019) still be undertaken.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the global vulnerability of dryland birds to heatwaves

Ding,

Newbold,

Ameca

2024

Global Change Biology

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As global average surface temperature increases, extreme climatic events such as heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, which can drive biodiversity responses such as rapid population declines and/or shifts in species distributions and even local extirpations. However, the impacts of extreme climatic events are largely ignored in conservation plans. Birds are known to be susceptible to heatwaves, especially in dryland ecosystems. Understanding which birds are most vulnerable to heatwaves, and where these birds occur, can offer a scientific basis for adaptive management and conservation. We assessed the relative vulnerability of 1196 dryland bird species to heatwaves using a trait‐based approach. Among them, 888 bird species are estimated to be vulnerable to heatwaves (170 highly vulnerable, eight extremely vulnerable), of which ~91% are currently considered non‐threatened by the IUCN, which suggests that many species will likely become newly threatened with intensifying climate change. We identified the top three hotspot areas of heatwave‐vulnerable species in Australia (208 species), Southern Africa (125 species) and Eastern Africa (99 species). Populations of vulnerable species recorded in the Living Planet Database were found to be declining significantly faster than those of non‐vulnerable species (p = .048) after heatwaves occurred. In contrast, no significant difference in population trends between vulnerable and non‐vulnerable species was detected when no heatwave occurred (p = .34). This suggests that our vulnerability framework correctly identified vulnerable species and that heatwaves are already impacting the population trends of these species. Our findings will help prioritize heatwave‐vulnerable birds in dryland ecosystems in risk mitigation and adaptation management as the frequency of heatwaves accelerates in the coming decades.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the global vulnerability of dryland birds to heatwaves

Ding,

Newbold,

Ameca

2024

Global Change Biology

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“…Standardized and proactive approaches to manage wildlife disease are still relatively uncommon, despite widespread agreement that taking prevention and early action is likely more effective than triaging a large outbreak Table 1. Example adaptation strategies (from Handler et al 2022) that relate to the epidemiological triad (environment, host, and agent) and associated questions to ask during the initial planning phase of a climate adaptation project that link to the checklist of disease risk factors (presented in Figure 3).…”

Section: Anticipate Emerging Disease Threatsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disease‐smart climate adaptation for wildlife management and conservation

Thurman,

Alger,

LeDee

et al. 2024

Frontiers in Ecol & Environ

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Climate change is a well‐documented driver and threat multiplier of infectious disease in wildlife populations. However, wildlife disease management and climate‐change adaptation have largely operated in isolation. To improve conservation outcomes, we consider the role of climate adaptation in initiating or exacerbating the transmission and spread of wildlife disease and the deleterious effects thereof, as illustrated through several case studies. We offer insights into best practices for disease‐smart adaptation, including a checklist of key factors for assessing disease risks early in the climate adaptation process. By assessing risk, incorporating uncertainty, planning for change, and monitoring outcomes, natural resource managers and conservation practitioners can better prepare for and respond to wildlife disease threats in a changing climate.

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“…Habitat restoration and creation are commonly proposed adaptive management strategies to buffer the impacts of climate change on wildlife communities and populations [1]. These strategies maximize the resilience of communities and/or populations to environmental change through promoting habitat conditions that provide refugia for extant and future wildlife species [2,3]. Habitat restoration and creation are expensive activities that often require intensive management practices [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wetland Creation and Reforestation of Legacy Surface Mines in the Central Appalachian Region (USA): A Potential Climate-Adaptation Approach for Pond-Breeding Amphibians?

Sherman,

Barton,

Guzy

et al. 2024

Water

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Habitat restoration and creation within human-altered landscapes can buffer the impacts of climate change on wildlife. The Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA) is a coal surface mine reclamation practice that enhances reforestation through soil decompaction and the planting of native trees. Recently, wetland creation has been coupled with FRA to increase habitat available for wildlife, including amphibians. Our objective was to evaluate the response of pond-breeding amphibians to the FRA by comparing species occupancy, richness, and abundance across two FRA age-classes (2–5-year and 8–11-year reclaimed forests), traditionally reclaimed sites that were left to naturally regenerate after mining, and in mature, unmined forests in the Monongahela National Forest (West Virginia, USA). We found that species richness and occupancy estimates did not differ across treatment types. Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) and Eastern Newts (Notophthalmus viridescens) had the greatest estimated abundances in wetlands in the older FRA treatment. Additionally, larger wetlands had greater abundances of Eastern Newts, Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus), and Green Frogs (L. clamitans) compared to smaller wetlands. Our results suggest that wetland creation and reforestation increases the number of breeding sites and promotes microhabitat and microclimate conditions that likely maximize the resilience of pond-breeding amphibians to anticipated climate changes in the study area.

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A menu of climate change adaptation actions for terrestrial wildlife management

Cited by 5 publications

References 135 publications

Assessing the global vulnerability of dryland birds to heatwaves

Assessing the global vulnerability of dryland birds to heatwaves

Disease‐smart climate adaptation for wildlife management and conservation

Wetland Creation and Reforestation of Legacy Surface Mines in the Central Appalachian Region (USA): A Potential Climate-Adaptation Approach for Pond-Breeding Amphibians?

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