Low level of anthropization linked to harsh vertebrate biodiversity declines in Amazonia

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30842-2
• Publication Date: 2022-06-07T19:14:24Z
• Authors: Isabel Cantera; Opale Coutant; Céline Jézéquel; Jean-Baptiste Dec...; Tony Dejean; Amaia Iribar; Régis Vigouroux; Alice Valentini; Jérôme Murienne; Sébastien Brosse
• Keywords: Mammals; 0301 basic medicine; 570; Conservation biology; [SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio]; Science; Q; 590; Biodiversity; Forests; 15. Life on land; Tropical ecology; DNA, Environmental; Article; 03 medical and health sciences; Vertebrates; Animals; Community ecology; Ecosystem; Ecological modelling

Abstract Assessing the impact of human activity on ecosystems often links local biodiversity to disturbances measured within same locality. However, remote may also affect biodiversity. Here, we used environmental DNA metabarcoding evaluate relationships between vertebrate (fish and mammals) disturbance intensity in two Amazonian rivers. Measurements anthropic -here forest cover losses- were made from immediate vicinity sampling sites up 90 km upstream. The findings suggest that anthropization had a spatially extended Forest losses <11% areas 30 upstream linked reductions >22% taxonomic functional richness both terrestrial aquatic fauna. This underscores vulnerability even low levels. similar responses fauna indicate need for cross-ecosystem conservation plans consider effects anthropization.