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Pinpointing and preventing imminent extinctions.

ABSTRACT: Slowing rates of global biodiversity loss requires preventing species extinctions. Here we pinpoint centers of imminent extinction, where highly threatened species are confined to single sites. Within five globally assessed taxa (i.e., mammals, birds, selected reptiles, amphibians, and conifers), we find 794 such species, three times the number recorded as having gone extinct since 1500. These species occur in 595 sites, concentrated in tropical forests, on islands, and in mountainous areas. Their taxonomic and geographical distribution differs significantly from that of historical extinctions, indicating an expansion of the current extinction episode beyond sensitive species and places toward the planet's most biodiverse mainland regions. Only one-third of the sites are legally protected, and most are surrounded by intense human development. These sites represent clear opportunities for urgent conservation action to prevent species loss.

SUBMITTER: Ricketts TH

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1311739 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Pinpointing and preventing imminent extinctions.

Ricketts Taylor H TH Dinerstein Eric E Boucher Tim T Brooks Thomas M TM Butchart Stuart H M SH Hoffmann Michael M Lamoreux John F JF Morrison John J Parr Mike M Pilgrim John D JD Rodrigues Ana S L AS Sechrest Wes W Wallace George E GE Berlin Ken K Bielby Jon J Burgess Neil D ND Church Don R DR Cox Neil N Knox David D Loucks Colby C Luck Gary W GW Master Lawrence L LL Moore Robin R Naidoo Robin R Ridgely Robert R Schatz George E GE Shire Gavin G Strand Holly H Wettengel Wes W Wikramanayake Eric E

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 20051212 51

Slowing rates of global biodiversity loss requires preventing species extinctions. Here we pinpoint centers of imminent extinction, where highly threatened species are confined to single sites. Within five globally assessed taxa (i.e., mammals, birds, selected reptiles, amphibians, and conifers), we find 794 such species, three times the number recorded as having gone extinct since 1500. These species occur in 595 sites, concentrated in tropical forests, on islands, and in mountainous areas. The ...[more]

PMID: 16344485

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Project description:Norfolk Island, situated between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, has a rich, narrowly endemic land snail fauna, which has suffered considerably from habitat loss and introduced predators. Eleven species (Stylommatophora, Microcystidae) are currently listed by the IUCN and/or Australia's EPBC Act 1999 as Endangered, Critically Endangered or Extinct. Based on targeted surveys undertaken since 2020, we re-assess the threat status of these taxa. For three species assessed to be at imminent risk of extinction, we report on the implementation of in-situ and ex-situ conservation actions and assess their effectiveness after a three-year period. We document current distributions and abundances of these species and describe experimental conservation methods, such as increased predator control, the erection of predator-proof exclosures, and the establishment of an ex-situ breeding population. We found that the relative abundance of one subspecies, Advena campbellii campbellii, was strongly correlated with monthly rainfalls. Trials of predator-proof exclosures that retain adults but allow juveniles to disperse indicated that snails can be successfully secured from predation. Increased efforts in predator control led to the killing of more rodents and chickens; however, the impact on the snail population is unclear. The ex-situ breeding population had high birth rates initially followed by high adult mortality. Adjustments in husbandry conditions reduced stress levels leading to sustainable birth rates and increased survivorship with the result of rapid population growth. We determined that the ovoviviparous A. campbellii campbellii matures at the age of 3-4 months and has a lifespan of 10-12 months in captivity. We conclude that focused predation studies are needed to determine the impact of introduced predators. The use of exclosures requires further refinement especially regarding feeding schedules. In-situ breeding requires significant time for establishment but can be implemented successfully. We assess three endemic species as Extinct, four as Critically Endangered and two as Vulnerable.

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Pinpointing and preventing imminent extinctions.

Publications

Pinpointing and preventing imminent extinctions.

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