New Study Highlights Urgent Threats to Azorean Arthropods and Calls for Conservation Efforts
- August 30th, 2024
- Biodiversity
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A groundbreaking study by The Azorean Biodiversity Group (GBA) of University of Azores, has been published in the prestigious journal Ecography (doi.org/10.1111/ecog.07457), shedding light on the severe threats facing arthropod populations in the Azores. The research provides compelling evidence of the rapid decline in endemic arthropod species due to human activities, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted conservation measures.
Key Findings:
- Overview of Abundance Trends: The study reveals that body size, verticality, and habitat occupancy are key predictors of arthropod abundance changes, reflecting the complex interactions between species traits and their population dynamics on islands, contributing to the broader understanding of arthropod decline.
- Human-Induced Habitat Loss: The study reveals that land-use changes have drastically reduced native forest cover, exacerbating habitat fragmentation and loss, further threatening the survival of endemic species.
- Endemic vs. Exotic Species Dynamics: While large-bodied exotic arthropods have shown increased abundance, small-bodied arthropods are declining, particularly in natural habitats. Exotic species now constitute over 50% of arthropod diversity in the Azores, and may be outcompeting endemic species, leading to further biodiversity loss.
The implications for conservation of Azorean Biodiversity are several. Guilherme Oyarzabal the lead author highlights the fact that “This study underscores the critical need for a multifaceted conservation approach, emphasizing habitat protection, invasive species management, and the restoration of native forests”.
Moreover, Paulo A. V. Borges, the leader of the Project MACRISK-Trait-based prediction of extinction risk and invasiveness for Northern Macaronesian arthropods (FCT-PTDC/BIA-CBI/0625/2021) that funded this study, informs that based on this research there is the need to “Identify and safeguard areas of high ecological value, such as refugia for endemic species, alongside enhancing habitat connectivity, are essential for supporting species movement and adaptation to changing environmental conditions”
The findings of this study provide vital insights for policymakers, conservationists, and the scientific community, highlighting the necessity of proactive measures, including increased monitoring and restoration programs, to preserve the Azores' unique biodiversity and ensure the long-term survival of its endemic arthropod species
Reference:
Oyarzabal, G., Cardoso, P., Rigal, F., Boieiro, M., Amorim, I.R., Santos, A.M.C., Malumbres-Olarte, J., Costa, R., Lhoumeau, S., Pozsgai, G., Gabriel, R. & Borges, P.A.V. (2024). Arthropod traits as proxies for abundance trends in the Azorean Islands. Ecography, Issue 2024: e07457. DOI: 10.1111/ecog.07457
https://nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ecog.07457
Contact Information:
For more information about the study or to arrange an interview with the research team, please contact:
Prof. Dr. Paulo Borges
Leader of Island Biodiversity, Biogeography & Conservation (IBBC)
University of Azores
Email: paulo.av.borges@uac.pt
Phone: 295 402 200