Publications (6)10.02 Total impact
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Article: Biodiversity and ecosystem services science for a sustainable planet: the DIVERSITAS vision for 2012–20 Introduction: the unique role of DIVERSITAS for integrative biodiversity science
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ABSTRACT: 24 DIVERSITAS, the international programme on biodiversity science, is releasing a strategic vision presenting scientific challenges for the next decade of research on biodiversity and ecosystem services: ''Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Science for a Sustainable Planet''. This new vision is a response of the biodiversity and ecosystem services scientific community to the accelerating loss of the components of biodiversity, as well as to changes in the biodiversity science-policy landscape (establishment of a Biodiversity Observing Network — GEO BON, of an Intergovernmental science-policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services — IPBES, of the new Future Earth initiative; and release of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020). This article presents the vision and its core scientific challenges. Addresses 1 DIVERSITAS, c/o Musé um National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), 57, Rue Cuvier – CP 41,Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability 03/2012; · 2.44 Impact Factor -
Article: Building a global observing system for biodiversity
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ABSTRACT: The Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON) has been in formal existence for three years, following several years of design and discussion. It is the realisation of the biodiversity societal benefit area envisaged in the GEO System of Systems (GEOSS). GEO BON links together existing networks, each covering particular aspects of biodiversity or parts of the world, and takes steps to help fill important gaps in the system. GEO BON focusses on coordination and harmonisation of the existing and emerging systems; advocacy and action to sustain the observing systems and to fill the identified gaps; and understanding and servicing user needs for biodiversity observations, particularly in the policy-making domain.Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability 02/2012; 4(1):139-146. · 2.44 Impact Factor -
Article: Evolutionary biology in biodiversity science, conservation, and policy: a call to action.
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ABSTRACT: Evolutionary biologists have long endeavored to document how many species exist on Earth, to understand the processes by which biodiversity waxes and wanes, to document and interpret spatial patterns of biodiversity, and to infer evolutionary relationships. Despite the great potential of this knowledge to improve biodiversity science, conservation, and policy, evolutionary biologists have generally devoted limited attention to these broader implications. Likewise, many workers in biodiversity science have underappreciated the fundamental relevance of evolutionary biology. The aim of this article is to summarize and illustrate some ways in which evolutionary biology is directly relevant. We do so in the context of four broad areas: (1) discovering and documenting biodiversity, (2) understanding the causes of diversification, (3) evaluating evolutionary responses to human disturbances, and (4) implications for ecological communities, ecosystems, and humans. We also introduce bioGENESIS, a new project within DIVERSITAS launched to explore the potential practical contributions of evolutionary biology. In addition to fostering the integration of evolutionary thinking into biodiversity science, bioGENESIS provides practical recommendations to policy makers for incorporating evolutionary perspectives into biodiversity agendas and conservation. We solicit your involvement in developing innovative ways of using evolutionary biology to better comprehend and stem the loss of biodiversity.Evolution 05/2010; 64(5):1517-28. · 5.15 Impact Factor -
Article: Evosystem services: an evolutionary perspective on the links between biodiversity and human well-being
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ABSTRACT: A framework for exploring regional-scale trade-offs among ecosystem services and biodiversity protection has been established for some time, and it is clear that optimizing these trade-offs provides a strategy to address targets for a reduced rate of biodiversity loss. Recent trade-off studies have highlighted the need for better biodiversity measures, to complement measures of ecosystem services. Biodiversity typically has been linked in this context to existence and other non-use values. We argue that biodiversity will have a stronger role in such trade-off analyses if measures of biodiversity better reflect additional current and future services. These ‘evosystem services’ have been, and, if we are careful, can continue to be provided by the evolutionary process. Some services have been provided through evolution operating in the past, and a phylogenetic diversity measure can help us to quantify these current and potential future benefits derived from the tree of life. Furthermore, a variety of evosystem services are delivered through ongoing contemporary evolution, and value should therefore be placed on the maintenance of healthy evosystems. We argue that the concept of evosystem services could be useful as a complement to the traditional concept of ecosystem services. Together, these reflect a fuller range of the services supported by biodiversity, and thereby provide a sounder basis for conservation planning and decision-making.Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. -
Article: Genetic diversity assessments in the century of genome science
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ABSTRACT: Genetic elements determine phenotypes of organisms by interacting with environments. Despite genetic diversity within and between species being the fundamental basis of biological diversity, its contribution has been long neglected in biodiversity studies. This situation is rapidly changing as quantification of genetic diversity, from intraspecific up to the ecosystem level, has become more accessible owing to the development of next-generation sequencing technologies (NGSTs). Whole-genome sequencing techniques provide two specific approaches for accessing genetic diversity at large scales: metagenomics (environmental genomics) and EST (Expressed Sequence Tag) comparisons. The former has been applied successfully in the profiling of different microbial biomes, and it is particularly interesting in understanding their ecosystem structure and function. The latter is particularly useful in the studies of adaptation and the assessment of functional traits. Unquestionably, advances in the genomic sciences combined with a new generation of ecological and evolutionary science will boost new approaches to global and local assessments of biodiversity changes, and more importantly, will surely reframe the questions we are asking in biodiversity science.Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. -
Article: Biodiversity targets after 2010
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ABSTRACT: The bold commitment made by the world's governments to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010 will soon be tested. On the basis of the continuing declines measured by most indicators, it now seems inevitable that the outcome will be that it has not been achieved. Here, in order to build on the momentum created by the 2010 target, we propose a shift away from a large set of static targets towards a smaller number of specific targets. Specifically, we present three categories of targets (red, green and blue) with examples of each. These relate respectively to (1) those biodiversity outcomes that must be avoided to avert situations that are deleterious for people, (2) the highly valued biodiversity conservation priorities, and (3) an improved scientific understanding necessary for adaptive management now and into the future.Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability.
