A5019457583- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
- Plant and animal studies
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Invertebrate Taxonomy and Ecology
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Fish Biology and Ecology Studies
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies
- Plant Diversity and Evolution
- Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Algal biology and biofuel production
- Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
Imperial College London
2017-2024
Zoological Society of London
2017-2024
International Union for Conservation of Nature (United Kingdom)
2023
The conservation of evolutionary history has been linked to increased benefits for humanity and can be captured by phylogenetic diversity (PD). Evolutionarily Distinct Globally Endangered (EDGE) metric has, since 2007, used prioritise threatened species practical that embody large amounts history. While there have important research advances they not adopted in practice because a lack consensus the community. Here, building from an interdisciplinary workshop update existing EDGE approach, we...
The scale of the ongoing biodiversity crisis requires both effective conservation prioritisation and urgent action. As extinction is non-random across tree life, it important to prioritise threatened species which represent large amounts evolutionary history. EDGE metric prioritises based on their Evolutionary Distinctiveness (ED), measures relative contribution a total history taxonomic group, Global Endangerment (GE), or risk. prioritisations rely adequate phylogenetic risk data generate...
Abstract Phylogenetic diversity measures are increasingly used in conservation planning to represent aspects of biodiversity beyond that captured by species richness. Here we develop two new metrics combine phylogenetic and the extent human pressure across spatial distribution — one metric valuing regions another prioritising species. We evaluate these for reptiles, which have been largely neglected previous studies, contrast results with equivalent calculations all terrestrial vertebrate...
Analysis of vertebrate’s phylogenetic endemism highlights that unique regions conservation concern face several threats.
Abstract Human-driven extinction threatens entire lineages across the Tree of Life. Here we assess conservation status jawed vertebrate evolutionary history, using three policy-relevant approaches. First, calculate an index threat to overall showing that expect lose 86–150 billion years (11–19%) history over next 50–500 years. Second, rank species by their EDGE scores identify highest priorities for species-focused finding chondrichthyans, ray-finned fish and testudines all vertebrates....
Abstract Over half of all crocodylians are threatened with extinction, many species considered to be functionally extinct throughout their historical ranges. How such losses impact crocodylian functional diversity (FD) and its conservation is poorly understood, but can investigated using measurable traits. Where information unavailable, phylogenetic (PD) has been proposed as an effective strategy capture FD, this assumption not well tested. We constructed a global trait database for 28...
In the midst of sixth mass extinction, limited resources are forcing conservationists to prioritize which species and places will receive conservation action. Evolutionary distinctiveness measures isolation a on its phylogenetic tree. Combining species' evolutionary with globally endangered status creates an EDGE score. We use scores that should be managed conserve bird history. analyzed all birds in countries important areas. examined parrots, raptors, seabirds depth because these groups...
Abstract The scale of the ongoing biodiversity crisis requires both effective conservation prioritisation and urgent action. EDGE metric, which prioritises species based on their Evolutionary Distinctiveness (ED) Global Endangerment (GE), relies adequate phylogenetic extinction risk data to generate meaningful priorities for conservation. However, comprehensive analyses large clades are extremely rare and, even when available, become quickly out-of-date due rapid rate descriptions taxonomic...
Extinction results in not only loss of species, but also the unique evolutionary history that they represent and irreplaceable features exhibit. There is broad consensus regarding necessity to optimise preservation tree life by including information conservation prioritisation, a notion endorsed major policy frameworks. However, evolutionarily-informed prioritisations are lacking for most plants, resulting taxonomic imbalance incorporated global biodiversity analyses, which has undermined...
Crayfish are an ancient clade of freshwater decapods that play vital and diverse ecological roles in the systems they inhabit. One third assessed crayfish species threatened with extinction 87% highly sensitive to climate change. However, extent which evolutionary history is threatened, especially by change, remains unclear. To address this, we produced a phylogenetically-informed prioritisation for conservation explored consequences projected change scenarios on phylogenetic diversity. We...
Abstract Following the failure to fully achieve any of 20 Aichi biodiversity targets, future rests in balance. The Convention on Biological Diversity's Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) presents opportunity preserve nature's contributions people (NCPs) for current and generations by conserving averting extinctions. There is a need safeguard tree life—the unique shared evolutionary history life Earth—to maintain benefits it bestows into future. Two indicators have been...
Phylogenetic diversity (PD)—the evolutionary history of a set species—is conceptually linked to the maintenance yet-to-be-discovered benefits from biodiversity or “option value.” We used global phylogenetic and utilization data for birds test PD option value link, under assumption that performance sets PD-maximizing species at capturing known is analogous selecting same point in human before these were realized. performed better than random utilized bird across 60% tests, with dispersion...
Abstract Genetic diversity (GD) and phylogenetic (PD) respectively represent species' evolutionary potential history, support most of the biodiversity benefits to humanity. Yet, these two facets have been overlooked in previous policies. As Parties Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) December 2022, we analyze how GD PD are considered this new framework discuss their incorporation GBF could strengthen conservation. Although...
Phylogenetic metrics are essential tools used in the study of ecology, evolution and conservation. diversity (PD) particular is one most prominent measures biodiversity based on idea that biological features accumulate along edges phylogenetic trees summed. We argue PD many other fail to capture an process we term attrition. Attrition gradual loss through causes than extinction. Here introduce "EvoHeritage", a generalization founded joint processes accumulation attrition features. while...
Abstract Despite important implications for human health, distribution, abundance and behaviour of most medically relevant snakes remain poorly understood. Such data deficiencies hamper efforts to characterise the causal pathways snakebite envenoming prioritise management options in areas at greatest risk. We estimated spatial patterns seven snake species from Sri Lanka, a hotspot, combined them with indices species' relative abundance, aggressiveness severity obtained an expert opinion...
Abstract Phylogenetic Diversity (PD) is increasingly recognised as a useful tool for prioritising species and regions conservation effort. Increased availability of spatial phylogenetic data reptiles now facilitates their inclusion in phylogenetically-informed prioritisation efforts. Geckos are highly divergent diverse clade that comprises almost 20% global reptile diversity. Their distribution coincident with numerous anthropogenic threats, making them worthy prioritisation. Here, we...
The distribution and population density of the Critically Endangered Tarzan Chameleon (Calumma tarzan) in eastern humid forests Madagascar was studied using line transect-distance sampling. Based on results from species models, eight sites were visited over a four-month period February 2020 to March 2021. In total, 46 transects 1 km investigated 23 different forest fragments understand C. tarzan. Another 28 200 m length surveyed estimate density. Among fragments, tarzan confirmed 14...
Abstract Following our failure to fully achieve any of the 20 Aichi biodiversity targets, future rests in balance. The Convention on Biological Diversity’s Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) presents us with opportunity preserve Nature’s Contributions People (NCPs) for current and generations through conserving averting extinction across Tree Life. Here we call attention need conserve Life maintain its benefits into as a key mechanism achieving intergenerational equity. We...
Abstract The global biodiversity crisis threatens the natural world and its capacity to provide benefits humans into future. conservation of evolutionary history, captured by measure phylogenetic diversity (PD), is linked maintenance these future options. Evolutionarily Distinct Globally Endangered (EDGE) metric has, since 2007, been used identify species for action that embody large amounts threatened history. In 2017, we convened a workshop update EDGE incorporate advances in field...
Abstract Phylogenetic Diversity (PD) is increasingly recognised as an important measure that can provide information on evolutionary and functional aspects of biodiversity for conservation planning are not readily captured by species diversity. Here we develop analyse two new metrics combine the effects PD human encroachment range size — one metric valuing regions another enabling prioritisation. We evaluate these reptiles, which have been largely neglected in previous studies, contrast...
A bstract Phylogenetic metrics are essential tools used in the study of ecology, evolution and conservation. diversity (PD) particular is one most prominent measures biodiversity, based on idea that biological features accumulate along edges phylogenetic trees summed. We argue PD many other biodiversity fail to capture an process we term attrition. Attrition gradual loss through causes than extinction. Here introduce ‘EvoHeritage’, a generalisation founded joint processes accumulation...