Inferring functional extinction based on sighting records

Jarić, Ivan; Geßner, Jörn; Solow, Andrew R.

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2016.04.034

Cited by 13 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 36 publications

(25 reference statements)

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“…Individuals may remain in rivers and lakes for several decades after natural reproduction has ceased (i.e., functional extinction; Jarić, Gessner, & Solow, 2016). Due to the time lag between species decline and extinction, the window of opportunity for conservation and restoration could be missed.…”

Section: The Baiji (Lipotes Vexillifer) and Chinese Paddlefish (Psephmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is particularly the case for freshwater megafauna characterized by long life span (e.g., over 50 years for many sturgeons, crocodilians, and giant turtles). Individuals may remain in rivers and lakes for several decades after natural reproduction has ceased (i.e., functional extinction; Jarić, Gessner, & Solow, ). Due to the time lag between species decline and extinction, the window of opportunity for conservation and restoration could be missed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The global decline of freshwater megafauna

Zarfl

Bremerich

et al. 2019

Global Change Biology

187

130

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Freshwater ecosystems are among the most diverse and dynamic ecosystems on Earth. At the same time, they are among the most threatened ecosystems but remain underrepresented in biodiversity research and conservation efforts. The rate of decline of vertebrate populations is much higher in freshwaters than in terrestrial or marine realms. Freshwater megafauna (i.e., freshwater animals that can reach a body mass ≥30 kg) are intrinsically prone to extinction due to their large body size, complex habitat requirements and slow life‐history strategies such as long life span and late maturity. However, population trends and distribution changes of freshwater megafauna, at continental or global scales, remain unclear. In the present study, we compiled population data of 126 freshwater megafauna species globally from the Living Planet Database and available literature, and distribution data of 44 species inhabiting Europe and the United States from literature and databases of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and NatureServe. We quantified changes in population abundance and distribution range of freshwater megafauna species. Globally, freshwater megafauna populations declined by 88% from 1970 to 2012, with the highest declines in the Indomalaya and Palearctic realms (−99% and −97%, respectively). Among taxonomic groups, mega‐fishes exhibited the greatest global decline (−94%). In addition, freshwater megafauna experienced major range contractions. For example, distribution ranges of 42% of all freshwater megafauna species in Europe contracted by more than 40% of historical areas. We highlight the various sources of uncertainty in tracking changes in populations and distributions of freshwater megafauna, such as the lack of monitoring data and taxonomic and spatial biases. The detected trends emphasize the critical plight of freshwater megafauna globally and highlight the broader need for concerted, targeted and timely conservation of freshwater biodiversity.

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Section: The Baiji (Lipotes Vexillifer) and Chinese Paddlefish (Psephmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The global decline of freshwater megafauna

Zarfl

Bremerich

et al. 2019

Global Change Biology

187

130

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The results of Jaric et al. () suggest the ship sturgeon is functionally extinct. Because the species is not truly extinct, this result points to the need for a breeding program in addition to other protective measures if the ship sturgeon is to be saved.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…In related work, Jarić et al. () tested for functional extinction of the ship sturgeon ( Acipenser nudiventris ) in the Danube River. This earlier work differed from the present one in that the timing of reproductive events was determined from the ages of captured specimens and the species was not truly extinct.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the functional extinction of the Passenger Pigeon

Roberts

Jarić

Solow

2017

Conservation Biology

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The Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) was a social breeder, and it has been suggested that the species experienced functional extinction, defined as a total reproductive failure, prior to its actual extinction in the early years of the 20th century. We applied a novel randomization test based on the relative times of the most recent egg- and skin-specimen sightings (i.e., recorded date of specimen collection) to test for functional extinction. For a total of 6 eggs and 27 skins, the observed significance level was 0.38, which indicated that the species did not become functionally extinct. Thus, proposals to reverse its rapid decline in the late 19th century could have been successful.

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“…The potamodromous ship sturgeon today is considered functionally extinct (Jarić, Gessner, & Solow, ; Reinartz & Slavcheva, ) in the Danube. The last ship sturgeon caught in the UD can be traced back to the year 1936 in the area of Vienna (Fischereiwirtschaft, ) and only very few specimens were caught within the last decades in the MD.…”

Section: Re‐introduction and Supportive Stocking Of Potamodromous Stumentioning

confidence: 99%

Sturgeon re‐introduction in the Upper and Middle Danube River Basin

2019

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All six sturgeon species naturally occurring in the Danube River from the Black Sea (BS) to the upstream reaches in Germany today are under severe pressure and classified as either vulnerable, critically endangered or already extinct in the Danube River Basin (DRB). This sharp decline of populations is the result of two major drivers: habitat alteration and unsustainable harvest. The Danube River Basin can be divided in three functionally separated sections by its hydromorphology and character: The Lower Danube (LD) and BS, now also separated ecologically from the Middle Danube (MD) by two hydropower stations at the Iron Gate gorge, 800 km from the sea, currently restricting the remaining anadromous sturgeon species (A. gueldenstaedtii, A. stellatus, Huso huso) to the LD and BS also restraining migrations of potamodromous species. The Upper Danube (UD) is nowadays disconnected from the approx.850 km long MD by Gabčikovo Dam. The UD itself, as well as many tributaries along the Danube, are fragmented by numerous barriers, leaving no more than a total of 300 km free flowing river out of 700 km. Overharvest led to disappearance of most sturgeon species in the UD already in the Middle Ages, with populations in the MD following in the subsequent centuries. Today the potamodromous sterlet (A. ruthenus) still exists in small decreasing populations in the UD and MD basins, where its occurrence is supported by stocking. Most probably the potamodromous ship sturgeon (A. nudiventris) is extirpated in the whole basin. The Danube basin comprises 19 countries, being the most international river basin in the world, rendering coordinated conservation efforts a challenge. Strategic guidelines for the conservation of the Danube sturgeons are available in form of several action plans, but implementation remains insufficient as of yet. This paper attempts an analysis of the potential for sturgeon restoration in the UD and MD basin and highlights the need for concerted approaches when it comes to ex situ actions and reintroductions. K E Y W O R D S fisheries ecology, sturgeons

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Inferring functional extinction based on sighting records

Cited by 13 publications

References 36 publications

The global decline of freshwater megafauna

The global decline of freshwater megafauna

On the functional extinction of the Passenger Pigeon

Sturgeon re‐introduction in the Upper and Middle Danube River Basin

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