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Synergies among extinction drivers under global change
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-22, 02:38 authored by Barry BrookBarry Brook, Sodhi, NS, Bradshaw, CJAIf habitat destruction or overexploitation of populations is severe, species loss can occur directly and abruptly. Yet the final descent to extinction is often driven by synergistic processes (amplifying feedbacks) that can be disconnected from the original cause of decline. We review recent observational, experimental and meta-analytic work which together show that owing to interacting and self-reinforcing processes, estimates of extinction risk for most species are more severe than previously recognised. As such, conservation actions which only target single-threat drivers risk being inadequate because of the cascading effects caused by unmanaged synergies. Future work should focus on how climate change will interact with and accelerate ongoing threats to biodiversity, such as habitat degradation, overexploitation and invasive species.
History
Publication title
Trends in Ecology and EvolutionVolume
23Issue
8Pagination
453-460ISSN
0169-5347Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Elsevier Science LondonPlace of publication
84 Theobalds Rd, London, England, Wc1X 8RrRepository Status
- Restricted