What have I learned about deserts?

Slobodkin, Lawrence B.

doi:10.1016/s0140-1963(18)30917-0

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Moreover, the distribution of resources in deserts is highly patchy in space and irregular in time (Megías et al., 2011 ). Desert flora and fauna often respond to these harsh conditions with spectacular physiological and behavioral adaptations (Slobodkin, 1989 ). Because the extreme abiotic factors and their effects on desert‐dwelling organisms are evident, biotic interactions have often been assumed to be less important in explaining how desert ecosystems function and have thus received less attention (Megías et al., 2011 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invertebrate and vertebrate predation rates in a hyperarid ecosystem following an oil spill

Ferrante

Möller

et al. 2021

Ecology and Evolution

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Extreme temperatures and scarce precipitation in deserts have led to abiotic factors often being regarded as more important than biotic ones in shaping desert communities. The presumed low biological activity of deserts is also one reason why deserts are often overlooked by conservation programs. We provide the first quantification of predation intensity from a desert ecosystem using artificial sentinel prey emulating caterpillars, a standardized monitoring tool to quantify relative predation pressure by many invertebrate and vertebrate predators. The study was conducted in a protected natural area affected by oil spills in 1975 and 2014; hence, we assessed the potential effects of oil pollution on predation rates. We found that predation was mostly due to invertebrate rather than vertebrate predators, fluctuated throughout the year, was higher at the ground level than in the tree canopy, and was not negatively affected by the oil spills. The mean predation rate per day (12.9%) was within the range found in other ecosystems, suggesting that biotic interactions in deserts ought not to be neglected and that ecologists should adopt standardized tools to track ecological functions and allow for comparisons among ecosystems.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invertebrate and vertebrate predation rates in a hyperarid ecosystem following an oil spill

Ferrante

Möller

et al. 2021

Ecology and Evolution

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“…The conclusion reached was that there is nothing unique about deserts, apart from their enormous variance in almost all conceivable dimensions and scales. The organisms that inhabit them demonstrate 'elegant and unpredictable adaptations and interactions that are either not needed or completely obscured in less extravagant parts of nature' (Slobodkin 1989). The pre-adaptations and adaptations of desert scorpions, beetles and lizards clearly exceed those of all other taxa in this respect, making them conspicuously successful desert animals.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Successful Desert Animals — Scorpions, Beetles and Lizards

CIoudsley-Thompson

1993

Libyan stud.

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Whereas the reactions of animals to heat are largely behavioural, responses to water shortage are primarily physiological. These characters are exhibited in all terrestrial biomes, but are enhanced in the desert. Desert animals, in general, are either cryptically sand-coloured or else black when distasteful or poisonous. This applies to all three taxa under discussion; most beetles are black, most lizards cryptic. Scorpions, paradoxically, may be either black or cryptic. Examples of mimicry and protective resemblance are also cited. It is concluded that scorpions, beetles and lizards are especially successful desert animals, not so much on account of unique adaptations to the harsh and variable environment as to their innate qualities which have adapted them for life in hot, dry and unpredictable habitats.

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All about Deserts

Lubin

2017

Conservation Biology

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Saline water covers most of our planet and supports a rich variety of life. Whether one considers genomes, species, ecosystems, or biomes, there is seemingly inexhaustible knowledge to be gained. The Anthropocene is an era marked by novel and complex interactions between the environment and humans that present challenges to our relationship with marine biodiversity (e.g., Bornatowski et al. 2013, 2014). The extraordinary natural variability across multiple biological levels and spatiotemporal scales, with its concomitant uncertainties, blind spots, shortfalls, and abrupt community shifts, when coupled with exploitative and unsustainable practices leads to potential synergistic natural or anthropogenic effects. Current management practices rarely incorporate interactions among the different stressors on the multiple uses, traditional and new, of marine biodiversity. Humaninduced climate change and the increasing use of marine resources have clear consequences for marine environments, notably the melting of sea ice, ocean acidification, thermal-regime shifts, introduction of non-native invasive species, pollution, and overfishing, all of which affect both biodiversity and ecosystem services (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005; Reid et al. 2016). Human effects are not random. For instance, extinction threat relative to pelagic animals is powerfully linked to large body size (Payne et al. 2016). I suspect we are heading toward an overall "aquatic benthification" (Zhu et al. 2006) as a particular element of the global process of biotic simplification and homogenization. Despite all the negative effects we humans have imposed, the marine environment continues to provide pleasant surprises, such as the recent discovery of an extensive and novel type of marine reef ecosystem at the mouth of the Amazon River (Moura et al. 2016). Unfortunately, marine protected areas are few, not well planned or managed, and are just beginning to increase in number (Lanyon 2016). The Marine realm does not exist for humans to take whatever they want. This fact needs to be understood for the welfare of humanity. In this context, I trust that Hiscock and Beaugrand's books will, in many ways, help us deal with current and new challenges with respect to rapid and drastic changes in marine biodiversity and especially to avoid losing natural heritage, the extent of which is still unknown. These two monographs in the Routledge Earthscan Oceans Series have dissimilar general approaches. The first has a slightly greater emphasis on practical management and conservation, whereas the second has a more theoretical focus. Both merit attention from a wide readership, including oceanographers, marine biologists, managers, and a more general audience of academics, conservation practitioners, planners, and members of the public with interest in nature and conservation. These books provide the reader with an immense collection of solid information concerning marine biodiversity, including major ecosystem patterns, processes, and theories; human impacts; an...

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What have I learned about deserts?

Cited by 4 publications

References 10 publications

Invertebrate and vertebrate predation rates in a hyperarid ecosystem following an oil spill

Invertebrate and vertebrate predation rates in a hyperarid ecosystem following an oil spill

Successful Desert Animals — Scorpions, Beetles and Lizards

All about Deserts

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