Institution
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Nonprofit•Dhaka, Bangladesh•
About: International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources is a nonprofit organization based out in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Biodiversity & Population. The organization has 1317 authors who have published 1870 publications receiving 97588 citations.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
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TL;DR: It is concluded that species richness depends on environmental factors while functional diversity depends on the evolutionary history of the region, which further challenges the classic notion that highly productive regions host more species because they offer a great diversity of ecological niches.
Abstract: Aim
Whether the gradients of global diversity conform to equilibrium or non-equilibrium dynamics remains an unresolved question in ecology and evolution. Here, we evaluate four prominent hypotheses which invoke either equilibrium (more individuals, niche diversity) or non-equilibrium dynamics (diversification rate, evolutionary time) to explain species richness and functional diversity of mammals worldwide.
Location
Global.
Methods
We combine structural equation modelling with simulations to examine whether species richness and functional diversity are in equilibrium with environmental conditions (climate, productivity) or whether they vary with non-equilibrium factors (diversification rates, evolutionary time). We use the newest and most inclusive phylogenetic, distributional and trait data for mammals.
Results
We find that species richness and functional diversity are decoupled across multiple regions of the world. While species richness correlates closely with environmental conditions, functional diversity depends mostly on non-equilibrium factors (evolutionary time to overcome niche conservatism). Moreover, functional diversity plateaus with species richness, such that species-rich regions (especially the Neotropics) host many species that are apparently functionally redundant.
Main conclusions
We conclude that species richness depends on environmental factors while functional diversity depends on the evolutionary history of the region. Our work further challenges the classic notion that highly productive regions host more species because they offer a great diversity of ecological niches. Instead, they suggest that productive regions offer more resources, which allow more individuals, populations and species to coexist within a region, even when the species are apparently functionally redundant (the more individuals hypothesis). Together these findings demonstrate how ecological (the total amount of resources) and evolutionary factors (time to overcome niche conservatism) might have interacted to generate the striking diversity of mammals and their life histories.
98 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a conceptual framework to analyze the effects of large-scale restoration on local livelihoods, and use it to review the scientific literature and reduce this knowledge gap.
Abstract: Forests are sources of wood, non-timber forest products and ecosystems services and goods that benefit society as a whole, and are especially important to rural livelihoods. Forest landscape restoration (FLR) has been proposed as a way to counteract deforestation and reconcile the production of ecosystem services and goods with conservation and development goals. But limited evidence indicates how large-scale forest restoration could contribute to improving local livelihoods. Here, we present a conceptual framework to analyze the effects of large-scale restoration on local livelihoods, and use it to review the scientific literature and reduce this knowledge gap. Most of the literature referred to case studies (89%), largely concentrated in China (49%). The main theme explored was income, followed by livelihoods diversification, off-farm employment opportunities, poverty reduction, equity and the provision of timber and energy as ecosystem services. Nearly 60 percent of the papers discussed the importance of governance systems to socioeconomic outcomes. The reforestation/restoration programs and policies investigated in the studies had mixed socioeconomic effects on local livelihoods depending on other variables, such as availability of off-farm jobs, household characteristics, land productivity, land tenure, and markets for forest products and ecosystem services. We conclude that the effects of large-scale restoration initiatives on local livelihoods may vary due to several factors and is still not clear for many situations; therefore, monitoring over time with clear indicators is needed.
98 citations
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University of Copenhagen1, Spanish National Research Council2, Yunnan University3, Laboratory of Molecular Biology4, University of California, San Diego5, University of Lisbon6, University of Montpellier7, Saint Petersburg State University8, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute9, University of Oslo10, University of Oxford11, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources12, University of Greenland13, Technical University of Denmark14, American Museum of Natural History15, Norwegian University of Science and Technology16
TL;DR: A dataset of 48 resequenced genomes spanning all members of the genus Canis except the black-backed and side-striped jackals, encompassing the global diversity of seven extant canid lineages, finds gene flow between the ancestors of the dhole and African hunting dog and admixture between the gray wolf, coyote, golden jackal, and African golden wolf.
98 citations
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TL;DR: Age estimation criteria for the southern White rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) are presented both for free-ranging live animals and for cranial material.
Abstract: Age estimation criteria for the southern White rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) are presented both for free-ranging live animals and for cranial material. These are based on: (i) size appearance and horn development of live animals; (ii) stages of tooth eruption; (iii) tooth wear classes; (iv) attrition in height of the first molar tooth; (v) counts of cementum lines visible in tooth sections. Selected measurements are presented for live animals, skulls and horns.
For live animals, eight size classes are distinguished, seven of these covering immature animals up to ten years of age. Sixteen tooth wear classes are established, based on eruption and surface wear of maxillary dentition. Chronological ages were assigned from individually known animals followed in the field, and from skulls from animals for which exact records of age were available, or which could be assigned to an age category from appearance at death. Cementum line counts corresponded approximately with age in years, despite difficulties in interpreting lines. Some variability was observed, possibly related to nutritional conditions.
The maximum cementum line count obtained indicates a longevity of at least 40 years. Full body weight and socio-sexual maturity are attained by males between 10 and 15 years of age, while females first give birth between six and eight years of age. Sequences and times of tooth eruption are similar to those reported for the Black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis).
Comparative cranial and body measurements are presented for the northern subspecies (Ceratotherium simum cottoni).
97 citations
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Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation1, Australian National University2, University of Grenoble3, University of Montana4, University of Dundee5, University College London6, Stellenbosch University7, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources8, University of Paris-Sud9
TL;DR: It is argued that reframing conservation for global change requires scientists and practitioners to implement approaches unconstrained by discipline and sectoral boundaries, geopolitical polarities, or technical problematization.
Abstract: We examine issues to consider when reframing conservation science and practice in the context of global change. New framings of the links between ecosystems and society are emerging that are changing peoples’ values and expectations of nature, resulting in plural perspectives on conservation. Reframing conservation for global change can thus be regarded as a stage in the evolving relationship between people and nature rather than some recent trend. New models of how conservation links with transformative adaptation include how decision contexts for conservation can be reframed and integrated with an adaptation pathways approach to create new options for global‐change‐ready conservation. New relationships for conservation science and governance include coproduction of knowledge that supports social learning. New processes for implementing adaptation for conservation outcomes include deliberate practices used to develop new strategies, shift world views, work with conflict, address power and intergenerational equity in decisions, and build consciousness and creativity that empower agents to act. We argue that reframing conservation for global change requires scientists and practitioners to implement approaches unconstrained by discipline and sectoral boundaries, geopolitical polarities, or technical problematization. We consider a stronger focus on inclusive creation of knowledge and the interaction of this knowledge with societal values and rules is likely to result in conservation science and practice that meets the challenges of a postnormal world.
97 citations
Authors
Showing all 1320 results
Name | H-index | Papers | Citations |
---|---|---|---|
Kevin M. Smith | 114 | 1711 | 78470 |
Ary A. Hoffmann | 113 | 907 | 55354 |
David W. Macdonald | 111 | 1109 | 51334 |
Michael R. Hoffmann | 109 | 500 | 63474 |
Fred W. Allendorf | 86 | 230 | 34738 |
Edward B. Barbier | 84 | 450 | 36753 |
James J. Yoo | 81 | 491 | 27738 |
Michael William Bruford | 80 | 369 | 23635 |
James E. M. Watson | 74 | 461 | 23362 |
Brian Huntley | 74 | 225 | 28875 |
Brian W. Bowen | 74 | 181 | 17451 |
Gordon Luikart | 72 | 193 | 37564 |
Stuart H. M. Butchart | 72 | 245 | 26585 |
Thomas M. Brooks | 71 | 215 | 33724 |
Joshua E. Cinner | 68 | 177 | 14384 |