Amphibian assemblages in dry forests: Multi-scale variables explain variations in species richness

Lescano, Julián N.; Bellis, Laura M.; Hoyos, Laura Emilia; Leynaud, Gerardo C.

doi:10.1016/j.actao.2015.05.002

Cited by 17 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 82 publications

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“…While these pond types favour amphibian species richness in the region (Lescano et al . ) the present results suggest that farm ponds shows high levels of functional redundancy. This result highlights the importance of these ponds in the area, since functional redundancy provides stability by acting as a buffer that ensure community resilience (Elmqvist et al .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Functional traits reveal environmental constraints on amphibian community assembly in a subtropical dry forest

2018

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The relationships between functional traits and environmental gradients are useful to identify different community assembly processes. In this work, we used an approach based on functional traits to analyse if changes in hydroperiod and tree covers of ponds are relevant for local amphibian community assembly processes. Ephemeral ponds with low vegetation cover are expected to impose constraints on different species with particular trait combinations and, therefore, to exhibit communities with lower functional diversity than more stable ponds with greater tree cover. Sampling was conducted in 39 temporary ponds located along vegetation and hydroperiod gradients in the most arid portion of the Chaco ecoregion. Seven functional traits were measured in each species present in the regional pool. Associations between these traits and environmental gradients were detected using multivariate ordination techniques and permutation test (RLQ and fourth-corner analyses respectively). Functional diversity indices were then calculated and related to variations in the environmental gradients. The results obtained allowed us to identify different sets of traits associated with hydroperiod and tree cover, suggesting that these environmental variables are relevant for structuring amphibian communities according to interspecific variations in functional traits from both, larval and adult stages. Contrary to our expectations, communities associated with more stable ponds and with greater tree cover exhibited lower functional diversity than expected by chance (and were the ponds with highest species richness). This result indicates that the reduction in relative importance of environmental restrictions imposed by a very short hydroperiod and the lack of tree cover, favours different species of the regional pool that are similar in several functional traits. Accordingly, communities associated with stable ponds with high tree cover exhibited high functional redundancy.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Functional traits reveal environmental constraints on amphibian community assembly in a subtropical dry forest

2018

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“…This highlights the great potential of identifying new high‐priority areas for conservation and providing support for conservation decisions (Di Minin et al ., ). Considering the problematic context associated with one of the highest rates of habitat loss worldwide (Zak et al ., , ; Gasparri & Grau, ; Hoyos et al ., ), and the high vulnerability of Chacoan terrestrial vertebrates to these big, rapid and continuous changes (Cardozo & Chiaraviglio, ; Periago et al ., ; Torres et al ., ; Lescano et al ., ; Núñez‐Regueiro et al ., ; Quiroga et al ., ), the need for well‐informed decisions is crucial.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most of the terrestrial vertebrate species of the Gran Chaco are greatly affected by this recent conversion process (Periago et al ., ; Torres et al ., ; Grau et al ., ; Lescano et al ., ). While the Gran Chaco is marginally inhabited by a large number of vertebrate species (most of them widely distributed at the continental scale), it also harbours an important number of species whose distributions are mostly contained within the Gran Chaco (Szumik et al ., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…For instance, among mammals, around 50% of the largest frugivores and 80% of the largest herbivores living in the argentine Gran Chaco are threatened and exhibit declining population trends (Periago et al ., ). Negative impacts of land conversion have also been observed for several other Chacoan taxa such as amphibians, birds and reptiles (Cardozo & Chiaraviglio, ; Torres et al ., ; Lescano et al ., ). Considering the great negative impact of biodiversity loss at an ecosystem level (Hooper et al ., ), the picture is even more worrying.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Protected areas and spatial conservation priorities for endemic vertebrates of the Gran Chaco, one of the most threatened ecoregions of the world

Nori

Torres

Lescano

et al. 2016

Diversity and Distributions

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Aim To evaluate the representativeness of the current network of protected areas (PAs) of one of the most threatened ecoregions in the world, the South American Gran Chaco, and determine priority conservation areas for endemic (and nearly endemic) terrestrial vertebrates of the region.Location South America.Methods We identified all those amphibians, mammals and birds whose distributions were at least 70% within the Gran Chaco. Then, we refined and corrected species' distributional ranges, first, using records from collections and expert knowledge, and second, by incorporating environmental and topographic data using a technique for range polygon refinement. Lastly, we used ZONATION, a spatial conservation prioritization software, to evaluate representativeness of the current protected areas (PAs) network of the region and to define forest remnants to strategically expand PAs while maximizing the representativeness of the selected groups and considering human activities.Results Current PAs cover 9% of the region and represent 9.1% of the total distribution of endemic species. Considering our prioritization, increasing the coverage to 17% to match the Aichi targets would substantially increase the representativeness of the PA network, covering on average more than 30% of the ranges of all endemic species and 77% of the distributions of threatened and DD endemic species.Main conclusions Our results highlight that the need for well-informed decisions in the Gran Chaco is imperative. While the current PA network in the region ensures a very poor representation of endemic terrestrial vertebrates, opportunities to efficiently expand the PAs network are really high. This emphasizes the potential of complementarity-based systematic conservation planning tools as an essential support for conservation decisions. Given the great information gaps regarding biodiversity and human activities in the region, similar studies with updated data would improve conservation planning in the Gran Chaco in the future.

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“…S6). Taking the Chaco ecoregion as an exemplar, this ecoregion is experiencing a high rate of deforestation (Vallejos et al 2015), which is negatively impacting connectivity and species persistence (Torres et al 2014, Lescano et al 2015, Piquer-Rodr ıguez et al 2015. Although an expansion of protected areas in the Chaco is necessary to meet biodiversity goals, the current distribution of protected areas suggests that conservation strategies involving protected area networks will need to be enacted across country boundaries to be truly effective, and that targeted increases in protected areas may be most beneficial when placed near international borders and with transboundary coordination (Nori et al 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and connectivity of protected areas in the Americas facilitates transboundary conservation

Thornton

Branch

Murray

2019

Ecological Applications

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Large‐scale anthropogenic changes to landscapes will cause species to move and shift their ranges against a backdrop of international political boundaries. Transboundary conservation efforts are therefore key to preserving intact and connected landscapes, particularly if such efforts can be implemented within the framework of protected area networks that provide for resiliency and persistence in the face of threats such as climate change. We studied the distribution, connectivity, and integrity of protected areas in regions near international borders within the Americas. We found that there is a greater proportion of land protected near vs. far from borders, with this effect extending approximately 125 km from the border. This trend was most pronounced when considering multiuse categories of protected areas in the analysis. We also found that there is greater connectivity of protected areas in border regions than more internally within countries, and relatively low rates of habitat loss within border‐situated and internal protected areas. Our results indicate that protected area networks are larger and more connected if considered in a transboundary context and that efforts to conserve species and mitigate effects of long‐term stressors like climate change will be most successful when planning includes neighboring countries. Despite a relative lack of attention to transboundary conservation in the Americas, our results suggest substantial opportunities for linking landscapes via a focus on international border regions and coordination across borders in protected areas management.

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Amphibian assemblages in dry forests: Multi-scale variables explain variations in species richness

Cited by 17 publications

References 82 publications

Functional traits reveal environmental constraints on amphibian community assembly in a subtropical dry forest

Functional traits reveal environmental constraints on amphibian community assembly in a subtropical dry forest

Protected areas and spatial conservation priorities for endemic vertebrates of the Gran Chaco, one of the most threatened ecoregions of the world

Distribution and connectivity of protected areas in the Americas facilitates transboundary conservation

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