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JenaTron - An Experimental Approach to Study the Effects of Plant History and Soil History on Grassland Ecosystem Functioning

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Recent Anthropogenic Plant Extinctions Differ in Biodiversity Hotspots and Coldspots.

Johannes J Le Roux¹, Cang Hui², Maria L Castillo³

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.

Current Biology : CB

|August 27, 2019

Summary

Human activities are driving plant extinctions, especially in biodiversity hotspots. While overall rates are low, recent declines suggest a steady extinction rate of 1.26 species per year post-1990.

Keywords:

anthropocene biodiversity hotspot coldspot extinction debt extinction drivers extinction rate global plant extinctions plant life-form taxonomic uniqueness

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Area of Science:

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Conservation Biology
Environmental Science

Background:

Human activities in the Anthropocene are altering Earth systems, leading to habitat destruction, species invasions, and accelerated extinctions.
While extinction rates are high globally, plant extinctions have appeared low, though biodiversity distribution is uneven, potentially causing regional variations.
Debate exists on whether novel human-altered habitats and speciation can increase regional biodiversity.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze trends, causes, and temporal dynamics of plant extinctions using a comprehensive dataset.
To compare plant extinctions in biodiversity hotspots versus coldspots over more than 300 years.
To investigate the drivers and taxonomic uniqueness loss associated with plant extinctions.

Main Methods:

Compiled one of the most extensive datasets on regional and global plant extinctions.
Analyzed data from regions covering 15.3% of the Earth's surface spanning over 300 years.
Compared extinction event accrual, rates, taxonomic uniqueness loss, and extinction drivers between biodiversity hotspots and coldspots.

Main Results:

Biodiversity hotspots experienced higher absolute numbers and faster accrual of extinction events than coldspots.
Extinction rates significantly exceeded historical background rates, but recent declines were observed.
Biodiversity coldspots showed greater loss of unique taxonomic groups; agriculture, invasions, and urbanization drove extinctions in hotspots, while hydrological disturbance was key in coldspots.

Conclusions:

Plant extinctions over the last three centuries have been relatively low.
A steady recent extinction rate of 1.26 species per year has been observed since 1990.
Distinct regional patterns exist in plant extinction drivers and taxonomic uniqueness loss.