The ecological importance of species and the Noah's Ark problem

Perry, Neil

doi:10.1016/j.ecolecon.2009.09.016

Cited by 34 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Both dominant species and keystone species are functionally important, but keystone species are much less abundant (Christianou & Ebenman, 2005; Hurlbert, 1997; Mouquet, Gravel, Massol, & Calcagno, 2013; Power et al., 1996). Therefore, dominant species with high abundance might contribute more to an ecosystem (Perry, 2010). Furthermore, dominance can be species‐, morphospecies‐, functional group‐, or plant life form‐based (Engemann et al., 2016; Gonmadje et al., 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are dominant plant species more susceptible to leaf‐mining insects? A case study at Saihanwula Nature Reserve, China

Dai

Long

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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Dominant species significantly affect interspecific relationships, community structure, and ecosystem function. In the field, dominant species are often identified by their high importance values. Selective foraging on dominant species is a common phenomenon in ecology. Our hypothesis is that dominant plant groups with high importance values are more susceptible to leaf‐mining insects at the regional level. Here, we used the Saihanwula National Nature Reserve as a case study to examine the presence–absence patterns of leaf‐mining insects on different plants in a forest‐grassland ecotone in Northeast China. We identified the following patterns: (1) After phylogenetic correction, plants with high importance values are more likely to host leafminers at the species, genus, or family level. (2) Other factors including phylogenetic isolation, life form, water ecotype, and phytogeographical type of plants have different influences on the relationship between plant dominance and leafminer presence. In summary, the importance value is a valid predictor of the presence of consumers, even when we consider the effects of plant phylogeny and other plant attributes. Dominant plant groups are large and susceptible targets of leaf‐mining insects. The consistent leaf‐mining distribution pattern across different countries, vegetation types, and plant taxa can be explained by the “species‐area relationship” or the “plant apparency hypothesis.”

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are dominant plant species more susceptible to leaf‐mining insects? A case study at Saihanwula Nature Reserve, China

Dai

Long

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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“…Overall, authors recommend the inclusion of other facets of biodiversity beyond traditional indices on conservation strategies, with emphasis on functional diversity. However, the number of papers that operationalise such inclusion by developing models and systems that encompass functional diversity is still low (Robinson et al, 2014;Perry, 2010;Mouillot et al, 2008;Kadoya et al, 2011;Maire et al, 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An overview of the applicability of functional diversity in Biological Conservation

Freitas

Mantovani

2017

Braz. J. Biol.

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Functional diversity is increasingly pointed as a useful approach to reach Biological Conservation goals. Here, we provide an overview of the functional diversity approach status in the Biological Conservation field. We sought for peer-reviewed papers published over a period of twenty years (from 1994 to 2014). First we used the general topic "functional diversity" and then refined our search using the key-word "conservation". We have identified the conservation strategies addressed, the organism studied, and the continent of study site in each paper. Thirteen classes of conservation strategies were identified. Plants were the most commonly studied organism group and most study-sites were located in Europe. The functional diversity approach was introduced in the Biological Conservation field in the early 2000's and its inclusion in conservation strategies is broadly advised. However, the number of papers that operationalise such inclusion by developing models and systems is still low. Functional diversity responds differently and eventually better than other measures to changes in land use and management, which suggests that this approach can potentially better predict the impacts. More studies are needed to corroborate this hypothesis. We pointed out knowledge gaps regarding identification of the responses for functional diversity about urban impacts and in research on the level of management intensity of land needed to maintain functional diversity. We recommend the use of functional diversity measures to find ecological indicators. Future studies should focus on the development of functional diversity measures of other taxa beyond plants as well as test hypothesis in tropical ecosystems.Keywords: biodiversity assessments, biodiversity measures, conservation strategies, ecosystem functioning, trait-based approach. Uma visão geral sobre a aplicabilidade da diversidade funcional na Conservação Biológica ResumoA diversidade funcional é crescentemente apontada como uma abordagem útil para alcançar os objetivos da Conservação Biológica. Neste artigo, nós mostramos uma visão geral do status desta abordagem no campo da Conservação Biológica. Nós buscamos por artigos revisados por pares publicados ao longo de vinte anos (desde 1994 até 2014) usando, primeiramente, o tópico geral "functional diversity" e em seguida, refinamos a pesquisa com a palavra-chave "conservation". Identificamos a estratégia de conservação abordada, o organismo estudado e o continente da área de estudo de cada artigo. Treze classes de estratégias de conservação foram identificadas. As plantas foram o grupo de organismos mais amplamente estudado e a maior parte das áreas de estudo estavam localizadas no continente europeu. A abordagem da diversidade funcional entrou no campo da Conservação Biológica no início dos anos 2000 e sua inclusão nas estratégias de conservação é amplamente recomendada. Entretanto, o número de artigos que operacionalizam tal inclusão ainda é pequeno. A diversidade funcional responde diferentemente e, eventualmente,...

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“…(Scott and Csuti 1997;Higgins et al 2004;Perry 2010). Different conservation schools suggest we should maximise the number of species to be protected (Wilson et al 2011), safeguard irreplaceable ecological functions (Perry 2010), or seek to maximise cost-effectiveness of conservation efforts in light of uncertainty (Salomon et al 2013). By contrast, translocations, reintroductions and assisted colonisations of focal threatened species are characterised by high costs and low chances of success.…”

Section: Raising Public Awareness and Engagementmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Particularly, risks of species' extinction often confront scientists and practitioners with a conflict known as "Noah's Arch dilemma": which species should we save first? (Scott and Csuti 1997;Higgins et al 2004;Perry 2010). Different conservation schools suggest we should maximise the number of species to be protected (Wilson et al 2011), safeguard irreplaceable ecological functions (Perry 2010), or seek to maximise cost-effectiveness of conservation efforts in light of uncertainty (Salomon et al 2013).…”

Section: Raising Public Awareness and Engagementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards a different attitude to uncertainty

Pe’er¹,

Mihoub²,

Dislich³

et al. 2014

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The ecological literature deals with uncertainty primarily from the perspective of how to reduce it to acceptable levels. However, the current rapid and ubiquitous environmental changes, as well as anticipated rates of change, pose novel conditions and complex dynamics due to which many sources of uncertainty are difficult or even impossible to reduce. These include both uncertainty in knowledge (epistemic uncertainty) and societal responses to it. Under these conditions, an increasing number of studies ask how one can deal with uncertainty as it is. Here, we explore the question how to adopt an overall alternative attitude to uncertainty, which accepts or even embraces it. First, we show that seeking to reduce uncertainty may be counterproductive under some circumstances. It may yield overconfidence, ignoring early warning signs, policy-and societal stagnation, or irresponsible behaviour if personal certainty is offered by externalization of environmental costs. We then demonstrate that uncertainty can have positive impacts by driving improvements in knowledge, promoting cautious action, contributing to keeping societies flexible and adaptable, enhancing awareness, support and involvement of the public in nature conservation, and enhancing cooperation and communication. We discuss the risks of employing a certainty paradigm on uncertain knowledge, the potential benefits of adopting an alternative attitude to uncertainty, and the need to implement such an attitude across scales -from adaptive management at the local scale, to the evolving Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) at the global level.

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The ecological importance of species and the Noah's Ark problem

Cited by 34 publications

References 21 publications

Are dominant plant species more susceptible to leaf‐mining insects? A case study at Saihanwula Nature Reserve, China

Are dominant plant species more susceptible to leaf‐mining insects? A case study at Saihanwula Nature Reserve, China

An overview of the applicability of functional diversity in Biological Conservation

Towards a different attitude to uncertainty

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