Move it or lose it? The ecological ethics of relocating species under climate change

Minteer, Ben A.; Collins, James P.

doi:10.1890/10-0318.1

Cited by 152 publications

(122 citation statements)

References 25 publications

(19 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

114

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Proposals to establish disease-free populations of Tasmanian devils on offshore islands have proved surprisingly controversial [87], it appears because of a deep-seated reluctance to undertake ex situ translocations. This is despite the success of similar strategies in protecting the related northern quoll from cane toads in Australia's Northern Territory [89] and increasing suggestions that ex situ translocations may be necessary to preserve species from climate change threats [90][91][92].…”

Section: (A) Isolating Infected Populationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disease and the dynamics of extinction

McCallum

2012

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

132

122

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Invading infectious diseases can, in theory, lead to the extinction of host populations, particularly if reservoir species are present or if disease transmission is frequency-dependent. The number of historic or prehistoric extinctions that can unequivocally be attributed to infectious disease is relatively small, but gathering firm evidence in retrospect is extremely difficult. Amphibian chytridiomycosis and Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) are two very different infectious diseases that are currently threatening to cause extinctions in Australia. These provide an unusual opportunity to investigate the processes of disease-induced extinction and possible management strategies. Both diseases are apparently recent in origin. Tasmanian DFTD is entirely host-specific but potentially able to cause extinction because transmission depends weakly, if at all, on host density. Amphibian chytridiomycosis has a broad host range but is highly pathogenic only to some populations of some species. At present, both diseases can only be managed by attempting to isolate individuals or populations from disease. Management options to accelerate the process of evolution of host resistance or tolerance are being investigated in both cases. Anthropogenic changes including movement of diseases and hosts, habitat destruction and fragmentation and climate change are likely to increase emerging disease threats to biodiversity and it is critical to further develop strategies to manage these threats.

show abstract

Section: (A) Isolating Infected Populationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disease and the dynamics of extinction

McCallum

2012

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

132

122

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Along with ex situ options, moving threatened species to new locations, i.e., translocation, managed relocation, or assisted colonization, is increasingly proposed despite associated costs and risks (Hoegh-Guldberg et al 2008, Ricciardi andSimberloff 2009). As Minteer andCollins (2010:1804) noted: "we have a rapidly shrinking set of options for saving many species threatened by a warming world. The biological stakes are high.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disturbance and distributions: avoiding exclusion in a warming world

Sheil¹

2016

E&S

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ABSTRACT. I highlight how disturbance determines species distributions and the implications for conservation practice. In particular, I describe opportunities to mitigate some of the threats to species resulting from climate change. Ecological theory shows that disturbance processes can often slow or prevent the exclusion of species by competitors and that different disturbance regimes result in different realized niches. There is much evidence of disturbance influencing where species occur. For example, disturbance can lower the high elevation treeline, thus expanding the area for high elevation vegetation that cannot otherwise persist under tree cover. The role of disturbance in influencing interspecific competition and resulting species persistence and distributions appears unjustly neglected. I identify various implications, including opportunities to achieve in situ conservation by expanding plant species ranges and reducing species vulnerability to competitive exclusion. Suitable frequencies, scales, intensities, spatial configurations, and timings of the right forms of disturbance can improve the persistence of targeted species in a wide range of contexts. Such options could reduce the extinctions likely to be associated with climate change. More generally, these mechanisms and the resulting realizable niche also offer novel insights to understanding and manipulating species distributions.

show abstract

“…Hoegh-Guldberg et al 2008;Dawson et al 2011). Although potentially necessary to ensure survival of individual species, extensive movement of threatened species may jeopardise the local diversity and ecosystem function of recipient regions (Davidson and Simkanin 2008;Minteer and Collins 2010). Concerns have been raised as to why, when, where, what and how such actions may be undertaken Minteer and Collins 2010).…”

Section: Adapting To Climate Changementioning

confidence: 99%

Climate change and Australian marine and freshwater environments, fishes and fisheries: synthesis and options for adaptation

Koehn¹,

Hobday²,

Pratchett³

et al. 2011

Mar. Freshwater Res.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Anthropogenic climate change is already apparent and will have significant, ongoing impacts on Australian fishes and their habitats. Even with immediate actions to reduce greenhouse gases, there will be sustained environmental changes. Therefore, it is necessary to consider appropriate adaptations to minimise detrimental impacts for both fishes and the human populations that utilise them. Climate change will have a range of direct effects on the physiology, fitness, and survivorship of Australia's marine, estuarine and freshwater fishes, but also indirect effects via habitat degradation and changes to ecosystems. Effects will differ across populations, species and ecosystems, with some impacts being complex and causing unexpected outcomes. The range of adaptation options and necessary levels of intervention to maintain populations and ecosystem function will largely depend on the vulnerability of species and habitats. Climate change will also have an impact on people who depend on fishes for food or livelihoods; adapting to a new climate regime will mean trade-offs between biological assets and socioeconomic drivers. Models can be used to help predict trends and set priorities; however, they must be based on the best available science and data, and include fisheries, environmental, socioeconomic and political layers to support management actions for adaptation.

show abstract

Move it or lose it? The ecological ethics of relocating species under climate change

Cited by 152 publications

References 25 publications

Disease and the dynamics of extinction

Disease and the dynamics of extinction

Disturbance and distributions: avoiding exclusion in a warming world

Climate change and Australian marine and freshwater environments, fishes and fisheries: synthesis and options for adaptation

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About