A new study led from the University of Southampton has shown that threatened birds and mammals are often ecologically distinct and irreplaceable in their environment.
A new study led from the University of Southampton has shown that threatened birds and mammals are often ecologically distinct and irreplaceable in their environment.
Mammals such as the Asian Elephant and the Sumatran Rhinoceros, and birds such as the Great Indian Bustard, Amsterdam Albatross and the Somali Ostrich are both highly threatened and ecologically distinct. The extinction of these species could therefore lead to the loss of unique ecological roles. The findings also highlight that the most distinct species are often charismatic, such as Emperor Penguins, Wolves, Sea-eagles and Leopards.
The research was led by Dr Robert Cooke, visiting researcher at the University of Southampton and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Gothenburg. He said: “The most ecologically distinct species often have unique roles in their environment but they are not directly prioritised in current conservation plans. This blind spot means that ecologically important species may be lost.”
The roles that ecologically distinct species have in the ecosystems they inhabit are wide ranging. Herbivores such as Elephants and Hippopotamus can impact vegetation structure and nutrient cycling, while predators, such as White-tailed Sea-eagle, Leopard, Grey Wolf and Puma can prevent overgrazing, enhance productivity and limit the spread of disease.
Read more at University of Southampton
Photo Credit: Wildfaces via Pixabay
