More Like this

1. One hundred research questions in conservation physiology for generating actionable evidence to inform conservation policy and practice

   https://doi.org/10.1093/conphys/coab009  

   Cooke, Steven J; Bergman, Jordanna N; Madliger, Christine L; Cramp, Rebecca L; Beardall, John; Burness, Gary; Clark, Timothy D; Dantzer, Ben; de_la_Barrera, Erick; Fangue, Nann A; et al (January 2021, Conservation Physiology)

   Haddon, Lindsay (Ed.)

   Abstract Environmental change and biodiversity loss are but two of the complex challenges facing conservation practitioners and policy makers. Relevant and robust scientific knowledge is critical for providing decision-makers with the actionable evidence needed to inform conservation decisions. In the Anthropocene, science that leads to meaningful improvements in biodiversity conservation, restoration and management is desperately needed. Conservation Physiology has emerged as a discipline that is well-positioned to identify the mechanisms underpinning population declines, predict responses to environmental change and test different in situ and ex situ conservation interventions for diverse taxa and ecosystems. Here we present a consensus list of 10 priority research themes. Within each theme we identify specific research questions (100 in total), answers to which will address conservation problems and should improve the management of biological resources. The themes frame a set of research questions related to the following: (i) adaptation and phenotypic plasticity; (ii) human–induced environmental change; (iii) human–wildlife interactions; (iv) invasive species; (v) methods, biomarkers and monitoring; (vi) policy, engagement and communication; (vii) pollution; (viii) restoration actions; (ix) threatened species; and (x) urban systems. The themes and questions will hopefully guide and inspire researchers while also helping to demonstrate to practitioners and policy makers the many ways in which physiology can help to support their decisions. 

   more » « less
2. The second warning to humanity: contributions and solutions from conservation physiology

   https://doi.org/10.1093/conphys/coab038  

   Madliger, Christine L; Franklin, Craig E; Chown, Steven L; Fuller, Andrea; Hultine, Kevin R; Costantini, David; Hopkins, William A; Peck, Myron A; Rummer, Jodie L; Sack, Lawren; et al (January 2021, Conservation Physiology)

   Seebacher, Frank (Ed.)

   Abstract In 1992, the Union of Concerned Scientists shared their ‘World Scientists’ Warning to Humanity’ with governmental leaders worldwide, calling for immediate action to halt the environmental degradation that threatens the systems that support life on Earth. A follow-up ‘Second Warning’ was released in 2017, with over 15 000 scientists as signatories, describing the lack of progress in adopting the sustainable practices necessary to safeguard the biosphere. In their ‘Second Warning’, Ripple and colleagues provided 13 ‘diverse and effective steps humanity can take to transition to sustainability.’ Here, we discuss how the field of conservation physiology can contribute to six of these goals: (i) prioritizing connected, well-managed reserves; (ii) halting the conversion of native habitats to maintain ecosystem services; (iii) restoring native plant communities; (iv) rewilding regions with native species; (v) developing policy instruments; and (vi) increasing outdoor education, societal engagement and reverence for nature. Throughout, we focus our recommendations on specific aspects of physiological function while acknowledging that the exact traits that will be useful in each context are often still being determined and refined. However, for each goal, we include a short case study to illustrate a specific physiological trait or group of traits that is already being utilized in that context. We conclude with suggestions for how conservation physiologists can broaden the impact of their science aimed at accomplishing the goals of the ‘Second Warning’. Overall, we provide an overview of how conservation physiology can contribute to addressing the grand socio-environmental challenges of our time. 

   more » « less
3. Forest and Biodiversity 2: A tree diversity experiment to understand the consequences of multiple dimensions of diversity and composition for long‐term ecosystem function and resilience

   https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.14435  

   Cavender‐Bares, Jeannine; Grossman, Jake J; Guzmán Q, J Antonio; Hobbie, Sarah E; Kaproth, Matthew A; Kothari, Shan; Lapadat, Cathleen N; Montgomery, Rebecca A; Park, Maria (October 2024, Methods in Ecology and Evolution)

   Abstract We introduce a new “ecosystem‐scale” experiment at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve in central Minnesota, USA to test long‐term ecosystem consequences of tree diversity and composition. The experiment—the largest of its kind in North America—was designed to provide guidance on forest restoration efforts that will advance carbon sequestration goals and contribute to biodiversity conservation and sustainability.The new Forest and Biodiversity (FAB2) experiment uses native tree species in varying levels of species richness, phylogenetic diversity and functional diversity planted in 100 m²and 400 m²plots at 1 m spacing, appropriate for testing long‐term ecosystem consequences. FAB2 was designed and established in conjunction with a prior experiment (FAB1) in which the same set of 12 species was planted in 16 m²plots at 0.5 m spacing. Both are adjacent to the BioDIV prairie‐grassland diversity experiment, enabling comparative investigations of diversity and ecosystem function relationships between experimental grasslands and forests at different planting densities and plot sizes.Within the first 6 years, mortality in 400 m²monoculture plots was higher than in 100 m²plots. The highest mortality occurred inTilia americanaandAcer negundomonocultures, but mortality for both species decreased with increasing plot diversity. These results demonstrate the importance of forest diversity in reducing mortality in some species and point to potential mechanisms, including light and drought stress, that cause tree mortality in vulnerable monocultures. The experiment highlights challenges to maintaining monoculture and low‐diversity treatments in tree mixture experiments of large extent.FAB2 provides a long‐term platform to test the mechanisms and processes that contribute to forest stability and ecosystem productivity in changing environments. Its ecosystem‐scale design, and accompanying R package, are designed to discern species and lineage effects and multiple dimensions of diversity to inform restoration of ecosystem functions and services from forests. It also provides a platform for improving remote sensing approaches, including Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with LiDAR, multispectral and hyperspectral sensors, to complement ground‐based monitoring. We aim for the experiment to contribute to international efforts to monitor and manage forests in the face of global change. 

   more » « less
4. Integrating social science into conservation planning

   https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109298  

   Niemiec, R.M. (October 2021, Biological conservation)

   A growing body of literature has highlighted the value of social science for conservation, yet the diverse approaches of the social sciences are still inconsistently incorporated in conservation initiatives. Building greater capacity for social science integration in conservation requires frameworks and case studies that provide concrete guidance and specific examples. To address this need, we have developed a framework aimed at expanding the role for social science in formal conservation planning processes. Our framework illustrates multiple ways in which social science research can contribute to four stages of such processes: 1) defining the problem and project team; 2) defining goals; 3) identifying impact pathways and designing interventions; and 4) developing and evaluating indicators of success (or failure). We then present a timely case study of wolf reintroduction in Colorado, U.S.A., to demonstrate the opportunities, challenges, and complexities of applying our framework in practice. 

   more » « less
5. Impact of a Blended Immersive and Computational Modeling Tool on Elementary Ecosystems Science Learning

   Metcalf, S.J.; Dickes, A.C.; Reilly, J.M.; Kamarainen, A.M.; Brennan, K.A.; Grotzer, T.A.; Dede, C.J. (January 2020, Annual meeting program American Educational Research Association)

   null (Ed.)

   Integrating computational thinking and scientific modeling in elementary school is challenging, but provides opportunities to meet important 21st century learning goals. Furthermore, computational modeling deepens the level of understanding of the modeling process and the phenomena being modeled, making science content more accessible. This paper presents findings from EcoMOD, a research project that blends an immersive virtual ecosystem and a 2D modeling environment to support computational modeling and ecosystem science learning in 3rd grade. As part of the study, students filled out pre- and post- surveys about science content understanding, affective measures, and scientific modeling. Findings for the overall student gains across the three dimensions of the surveys suggest that the EcoMOD curriculum was effective in learning ecosystem science content and practice, as well as developing an understanding of the value of computational modeling. 

   more » « less