Situating defaunation in an operational framework to advance biodiversity conservation

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Biodiversity Science

Background:

• Anthropogenic pressures are driving significant wildlife species and population loss globally.
• This widespread wildlife loss, termed defaunation, has inconsistent definitions and evaluations, hindering conservation efforts.
• A standardized, quantitative framework is crucial for advancing biodiversity conservation and understanding ecosystem functioning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an operational and quantitative framework for defining and evaluating defaunation and related ecological concepts.
• To distinguish between defaunation and faunal degradation using clear, measurable criteria.
• To establish a basis for comparing faunal communities across different spatial and temporal scales.

Main Methods:

• Developed a conceptual framework by drawing parallels with the established concept of deforestation.
• Defined defaunation as the conversion of an ecosystem from having wild animals to not having wild animals.
• Defined faunal degradation as the process of losing animals or species from an animal community.

Main Results:

• Proposed a clear distinction between defaunation and faunal degradation.
• Emphasized the necessity of quantifying context-relevant defaunation boundaries or baselines for comparative analyses.
• Highlighted the utility of situating faunal communities on a degradation curve to track progress towards global biodiversity targets.

Conclusions:

• A cohesive, quantitative framework for defaunation is essential for effective biodiversity conservation.
• The proposed framework provides clear definitions and encourages ecologically sound measurements.
• Implementing this framework can support the achievement of global biodiversity goals, including the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity.