Abstract
AbstractDespite increasing awareness of global biodiversity loss, we lack quantitative data on local extinctions for many species. This is especially true for rare species, which are typically assessed on the basis of expert judgment rather than data. Revisiting previously assessed populations enables estimation of local extinction rates and the identification of species characteristics and habitats with high local extinction risk. Between 2010 and 2016, in a nationwide revisitation study, 420 volunteer botanists revisited 8,024 populations of the 713 rarest and most threatened plant species in Switzerland recorded between 1960 and 2001. Of the revisited 8,024 populations, 27% had gone locally extinct. Among critically endangered species, the local extinctions increased to 40%. Species from ruderal and freshwater habitat types showed the highest proportion of local extinctions. Our results provide compelling evidence for rapid and widespread local extinctions and suggest that current conservation measures are insufficient. Local extinctions precede and provide early warnings for global extinctions. The ongoing loss of populations suggests that we will lose species diversity unless we scale up species‐targeted conservation and restoration measures, especially in anthropogenic landscapes.
Highlights
Biodiversity is declining globally (Ceballos et al, 2015; Convention on Biological Diversity 2018; Dirzo & Raven 2003) and is changing regionally and locally due to local extinction and colonization events (Dornelas et al, 2019; Finderup Nielsen, Sand-Jensen, Dornelas, & Bruun, 2019; Hillebrand et al, 2018)
While it is likely that species which are assigned to the highest IUCN threat categories by experts are the ones showing the highest local population extinctions under ongoing global change (Gaston, 1994; Ohlemüller et al, 2008), this widely accepted assumption has rarely been tested quantitatively
We show that overall 27% of the reassessed populations had gone locally extinct within the last 10–60 years, and that recent local extinctions were highest for the most threatened plant species
Summary
Biodiversity is declining globally (Ceballos et al, 2015; Convention on Biological Diversity 2018; Dirzo & Raven 2003) and is changing regionally and locally due to local extinction and colonization events (Dornelas et al, 2019; Finderup Nielsen, Sand-Jensen, Dornelas, & Bruun, 2019; Hillebrand et al, 2018). Threatened species, that is, species with small areas of geographic distribution and declining, small, isolated, or fragmented populations, have a high local extinction risk and have a low colonization ability as they are more sensitive to environmental and demographic stochasticity (Ellstrand & Elam 1993). These species are usually Red Listed and—based on several criteria such as size and decline of geographic range and populations—are classified into different threat categories evaluating their extinction risk (IUCN, 2001). While it is likely that species which are assigned to the highest IUCN threat categories by experts are the ones showing the highest local population extinctions under ongoing global change (Gaston, 1994; Ohlemüller et al, 2008), this widely accepted assumption has rarely been tested quantitatively
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
