{"title":"The ecology of plant extinctions.","authors":"Richard T Corlett","doi":"10.1016/j.tree.2024.11.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tree.2024.11.007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Extinctions occur when enough individual plants die without replacement to extirpate a population, and all populations are extirpated. While the ultimate drivers of plant extinctions are known, the proximate mechanisms at individual and population level are not. The fossil record supports climate change as the major driver until recently, with land-use change dominating in recent millennia. Climate change may regain its leading role later this century. Documented recent extinctions have been few and concentrated among narrow-range species, but population extirpations are frequent. Predictions for future extinctions often use flawed methods, but more than half of all plants could be threatened by the end of this century. We need targeted interventions tailored to the needs of each threatened species.</p>","PeriodicalId":23274,"journal":{"name":"Trends in ecology & evolution","volume":" ","pages":"286-295"},"PeriodicalIF":16.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142795222","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Language barriers in conservation: consequences and solutions.","authors":"Tatsuya Amano, Violeta Berdejo-Espinola","doi":"10.1016/j.tree.2024.11.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tree.2024.11.003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Language barriers can severely hinder the advance of conservation science and its contribution to addressing the biodiversity crisis. We build a framework for understanding how language barriers can impede the evidence-based conservation of biodiversity in three ways: barriers to (i) the generation of evidence by non-native English speakers; (ii) the global synthesis of evidence scattered across different languages; and (iii) the application of English-language evidence to local decision making. We provide evidence, building on a growing body of literature, that quantifies the three consequences of language barriers in conservation. We also propose a checklist of solutions for reducing language barriers in conservation by addressing language disparities among scientists, promoting linguistic diversity in conservation, and making conservation science and its communication multilingual.</p>","PeriodicalId":23274,"journal":{"name":"Trends in ecology & evolution","volume":" ","pages":"273-285"},"PeriodicalIF":16.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142872854","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mark A F Gillingham, Hanna Prüter, B Karina Montero, Bart Kempenaers
{"title":"The costs and benefits of a dynamic host microbiome.","authors":"Mark A F Gillingham, Hanna Prüter, B Karina Montero, Bart Kempenaers","doi":"10.1016/j.tree.2024.11.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tree.2024.11.008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>All species host a rich community of microbes. This microbiome is dynamic, and displays seasonal, daily, and even hourly changes, but also needs to be resilient to fulfill important roles for the host. In evolutionary ecology, the focus of microbiome dynamism has been on how it can facilitate host adaptation to novel environments. However, an hitherto largely overlooked issue is that the host needs to keep its microbiome in check, which is costly and leads to trade-offs with investing in other fitness-related traits. Investigating these trade-offs in natural vertebrate systems by collecting longitudinal data will lead to deeper insight into the evolutionary mechanisms that shape host-microbiome interactions.</p>","PeriodicalId":23274,"journal":{"name":"Trends in ecology & evolution","volume":" ","pages":"255-272"},"PeriodicalIF":16.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142847710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ecosystem ecology needs an ecology of molecules.","authors":"Erika C Freeman, Tianna Peller, Florian Altermatt","doi":"10.1016/j.tree.2024.12.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tree.2024.12.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ecosystem ecology needs a framework that explicitly considers the roles of organic compounds. The ecology of molecules integrates compound identity, diversity, and interactions to understand ecosystem processes, such as nutrient and carbon cycling. This approach leverages advances in analytical chemistry and molecular biology to unravel the complex chemical interplay within ecosystems.</p>","PeriodicalId":23274,"journal":{"name":"Trends in ecology & evolution","volume":" ","pages":"219-223"},"PeriodicalIF":16.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143075539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Disability in ecology and evolution.","authors":"Richard Mankin, Savanna Brown","doi":"10.1016/j.tree.2025.01.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tree.2025.01.001","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23274,"journal":{"name":"Trends in ecology & evolution","volume":" ","pages":"209-211"},"PeriodicalIF":16.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143426326","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Climate-induced shifts in ontogenetic niches threaten ecosystem coupling.","authors":"Javier Sánchez-Hernández","doi":"10.1016/j.tree.2024.11.018","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tree.2024.11.018","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ontogenetic niche shifts are widespread and play a crucial role in ecosystems coupling. However, their interactions with climate change and the resulting impact on cross-ecosystem energy pathways should be better investigated. I address ecological and evolutionary responses of ontogenetic niche shifts to climate change.</p>","PeriodicalId":23274,"journal":{"name":"Trends in ecology & evolution","volume":" ","pages":"224-227"},"PeriodicalIF":16.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142847659","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Extinction of experience among ecologists.","authors":"Masashi Soga, Kevin J Gaston","doi":"10.1016/j.tree.2024.12.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tree.2024.12.010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fieldwork-based research and education in ecology are under multiple threats and are progressively declining. We call for greater attention to this ongoing loss of direct field experience within the ecology community, as it could have widespread consequences for science and education, ultimately hindering efforts to address the ongoing biodiversity crisis.</p>","PeriodicalId":23274,"journal":{"name":"Trends in ecology & evolution","volume":" ","pages":"212-215"},"PeriodicalIF":16.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142967057","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Roberta Gargiulo, Katharina B Budde, Myriam Heuertz
{"title":"Mind the lag: understanding genetic extinction debt for conservation.","authors":"Roberta Gargiulo, Katharina B Budde, Myriam Heuertz","doi":"10.1016/j.tree.2024.10.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tree.2024.10.008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The delay between disturbance events and genetic responses within populations is a common but surprisingly overlooked phenomenon in ecology and evolutionary and conservation genetics. If not accounted for when interpreting genetic data, this time lag problem can lead to erroneous conservation assessments. We (i) identify life-history traits related to longevity and reproductive strategies as the main determinants of time lags, (ii) evaluate potential confounding factors affecting genetic parameters during time lags, and (iii) propose approaches that allow controlling for time lags. Considering the current unprecedented rate of loss of genetic diversity and adaptive potential, we expect our novel interpretive and methodological framework for time lags to stimulate further research and discussion on the most appropriate approaches to analyse genetic diversity for conservation.</p>","PeriodicalId":23274,"journal":{"name":"Trends in ecology & evolution","volume":" ","pages":"228-237"},"PeriodicalIF":16.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142688863","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Parasitism as a potential driver of aposematism.","authors":"Jacobus C de Roode, Astrid T Groot","doi":"10.1016/j.tree.2024.11.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tree.2024.11.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Aposematic animals couple unprofitability to predators, such as toxicity, with a warning signal, such as conspicuous coloration. Although toxicity and coloration can provide effective protection against predation, these traits also play a major role in the context of parasitism. Many of the color pigments used by aposematic animals are components of anti-infection immunity. Moreover, toxic compounds are used by conspicuous animals as defenses against parasites and pathogens. Parasites and pathogens not only pose selection on coloration through immunity and toxicity, they also play a major role in sexual selection, with mate choice often depending on conspicuous coloration and anti-infection toxicity. Consequently, parasitism is likely an important component in the evolution of traits that provide predator protection through aposematism.</p>","PeriodicalId":23274,"journal":{"name":"Trends in ecology & evolution","volume":" ","pages":"238-247"},"PeriodicalIF":16.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142755696","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rose Pritchard, Sarah Sutcliffe, Kalani Santiago-Foster
{"title":"Conservation monitoring technologies and gender inequalities: recognising the risks.","authors":"Rose Pritchard, Sarah Sutcliffe, Kalani Santiago-Foster","doi":"10.1016/j.tree.2025.02.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tree.2025.02.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Conservation monitoring technologies offer valuable opportunities but can also reinforce social inequality. Simlai and Sandbrook demonstrate how conservation monitoring technologies restrict the freedoms of female forest users in India. Their study shows why mitigating the social risks of digital technologies must be part of efforts towards more equitable conservation.</p>","PeriodicalId":23274,"journal":{"name":"Trends in ecology & evolution","volume":" ","pages":"216-218"},"PeriodicalIF":16.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143477044","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}