Erosion Of Biodiversity Research Articles

SLAM Project - Long Term Ecological Study of the Impacts of Climate Change in the Natural Forest of Azores: III - Testing the impact of edge effects in a native forest of Terceira Island.

The data we present are part of the long-term project "SLAM Project - Long Term Ecological Study of the Impacts of Climate Change in the Natural Forest of Azores" that started in 2012, aiming to understand the impact of biodiversity erosion drivers on Azorean native forests (Azores, Macaronesia, Portugal). The data for the current study consist in an inventory of arthropods collected in three locations of a native forest fragment at Terra-Brava protected area (Terceira, Azores, Portugal) aiming to test the impact of edge effects on Azorean arthropod communities. The three locations were: (i) the edge of the forest, closer to the pastures; (ii) an intermediate area (100 m from edge); and (iii) the deepest part of the native forest fragment (more than 300 m from edge). The study was carried out between June 2014 and December 2015. A total of nine passive flight interception SLAM (Sea, Land and Air Malaise) traps were deployed (three in each of the studied locations), during 18 consecutive months. This study provides the raw data to investigate temporal and edge effect variation for the Azorean arthropod communities. The collected arthropods belong to a wide diversity of taxonomic groups of Arachnida, Diplopoda, Chilopoda and Insecta classes. We collected a total of 13,516 specimens from which it was possible to identify to species level almost all specimens (13,504). These identified specimens belong to 15 orders, 58 families (plus three with only genus or family level identification) and 97 species of arthropods. A total of 35 species are considered introduced, 34 native non-endemic and 28 endemic. Additionally, a total of 10 taxa (12 specimens) were recorded at genus, family or order level. This dataset will allow researchers to test the impact of edge effect on arthropod biodiversity and to investigate seasonal changes in Azorean arthropod native forest communities.

Ecological indicators based on quantitative eDNA metabarcoding: the case of marine reserves

In a context of marine biodiversity erosion, the need to better understand the effects of overfishing stands out. New genetic techniques such as environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding have emerged and allow the detection of a wider range of species compared to conventional methods, but still fall short of providing reliable abundance estimations and subsequent ecological indicators. In this paper, we propose a combination of metabarcoding and quantitative polymerase chain reaction to obtain the quantity of eDNA molecules per species. This method was used inside and outside six no-take Mediterranean marine reserves to measure the effect of the protection on fish species and build a new indicator. Even if the total quantity of fish eDNA molecules was not different between the inside and outside of the reserves, we detected that cryptobenthic fish eDNA was significantly associated to the outside of reserves. Based on this observation, we propose a novel ecological indicator, the Demerso-pelagic to Benthic fish eDNA Ratio (DeBRa), taking advantage of the eDNA capacity to detect cryptobenthic reef fishes which are often missed by classical surveys. The DeBRa was significantly higher inside reserves, reflecting a higher relative quantity of eDNA molecules belonging to pelagic and demersal fishes under protection against fishing, therefore it appears to be a reliable eDNA-based indicator of human pressure. Furthermore, the DeBRa was not sensitive to habitat or environmental variations and does not require a complete reference database of eDNA sequences since it can rely on sequences assigned at the genus or family scale if possible and necessary.

Spatially structured freshwater fish population dynamics at the River Basin District scale: Implication for environmental management and fish conservation

European Union environmental policy has created a unique regulatory framework to favour aquatic ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation across European countries. Identifying the spatial structure of freshwater fish population dynamics is crucial to define region-specific management and conservation planning. To implement evidence-driven management and conservation decisions at a regional scale we assessed spatial heterogeneity in common freshwater fish population dynamics in France with a focus on trends in River Basin Districts (RBDs).The abundance and biomass growth rates of 18 common European freshwater fish species were estimated with state-space models on 546 sites distributed across the 5 main RBDs sampled in France between 1990 and 2011. Anguilla anguilla, Rutilus rutilus, Salmo trutta fario and Esox spp. exhibited large scale decline in abundance and/or biomass in several RBDs. The other species showed spatial heterogeneity in population growth rates. The main declines were observed in the Adour-Garonne and Loire-Bretagne RBDs, where management and conservation measures are urgently needed to halt the erosion of freshwater fish populations. In each of the 5 investigated RBDs, our results highlight areas where most of the common species we studied exhibited negative population growth rates. Freshwater fish surveys provide the fundamental information necessary to inform the European environmental policies and local environmental management needed to restore freshwater biodiversity. The next steps are to identify the main drivers of freshwater biodiversity erosion in the areas where we demonstrated major declines and to define the most cost-effective restoration measures.

Impact of the Anthropocene on the status of the world's small carnivores: A global macroecological perspective

AbstractAimThe continued erosion of global biodiversity resulting from Earth's sixth mass extinction event has been particularly pronounced on mammalian carnivores. Here, we evaluated the status of the world's small carnivore species (SCS) (<15 kg), examined their trending status and assessed the threats they face globally and regionally.LocationWorldwide.TaxonSmall carnivore species.MethodsUsing a global 100 km2 grid, we analysed the impact of 12 variables (anthropogenic and landscape) on general small carnivore richness (SCR), threatened species richness and the number of declining SCS. We applied simple, multiple and simultaneous regression models to explore the associations between landscape conditions and human impacts on SCR.ResultsApproximately 22% (n = 49) of SCS are classified as threatened (vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered), with the largest number occurring in the Indo‐Malayan, followed by the Afrotropical regions. The family Mustelidae had the greatest number of threatened species, followed by the Felidae, Viverridae and Eupleridae. Euplerids, however, had the highest proportion of threatened species (90%). Human accessibility had the strongest negative impact on global species richness, whereas landscape modification gradient, indigenous lands and intact forest structure, all predicted higher levels of overall and threatened SCR. Approximately 84% of SCS are threatened by illegal wildlife trafficking, with greatest proportion hailing from the Indo‐Malayan region, followed by the Afrotropical region.ConclusionsLandscape conditions play a leading role in the conservation of SCS. However, the impact of humans has dramatically modified the spatial patterns of small carnivores across the globe. We believe new incentives promoting more sustainable landscapes could facilitate coexistence between carnivores and human communities. We advocate for new policies promoting sustainable practices, which are needed to help mitigate extinction risk and facilitate coexistence with small carnivores across the planet's human‐dominated landscapes.

Improving Pasture Management

Referring to the author's comments and the results of research conducted in the article, it is stated thatexisting problems in pastures: overgrazing, biodiversity erosion, reduction of soil fertility and reduction of soil organic matter and CO2 emissions, soil salinization and alkalinization, development of erosion process, etc.), elimination of their multifunctional characteristics, pasture management. It is known that pastures are a supplier of many agricultural products, it protects soil fertility and biodiversity, protects the soil from wind and water erosion, carbon dioxide in the soil compared to arable land and forests. has good potential for storage, It has a protective effect on the restoration and regulation of groundwater levels, maintaining the quality of irrigation water and creates conditions for its leakage. Seed propagation of local species, soil softening - germination of seeds of perennial grasses and shrubs, conversion of slopes and arable lands into permanent pastures,inclusion of temporary pastures in crop rotation,feed production to support roduction - meat, milk, wool, etc. Given that pastures support agriculture and are a source of livelihood for the population.Restoration and protection of pastures (recreation, surface softening, surface and capital improvement works, creation of temporary pastures, conversion of sown areas on slopes into pastures, etc.) are of special importance;Action Plan of the “State Program approved by the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan No.

Evolutionary Wheat Populations in High-Quality Breadmaking as a Tool to Preserve Agri-Food Biodiversity.

Plant biodiversity preservation is one of the most important priorities of today’s agriculture. Wheat (Triticum spp. L.) is widely cultivated worldwide, mostly under a conventional and monovarietal farming method, leading to progressive biodiversity erosion. On the contrary, the evolutionary population (EP) cultivation technique is characterized by mixing and sowing together as many wheat genotypes as possible to allow the crop to genetically adapt over the years in relation to specific pedoclimatic conditions. The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional, chemical and sensory qualities of three different breads obtained using different organic EP flours, produced following a traditional sourdough process and compared to a commercial wheat cultivar bread. Technological parameters, B-complex vitamins, microelements, dietary fibre and phenolic acids were determined in raw materials and final products. Flours obtained by EPs showed similar characteristics to the commercial wheat cultivar flour. However, significant differences on grain technological quality were found. The breads were comparable with respect to chemical and nutritional qualities. Overall, the sensory panellists rated the tasted breads positively assigning the highest score to those produced with EPs flours (6.75–7.02) as compared to commercial wheat cultivar-produced bread (cv. Bologna, 6.36).

The Erosion of Biodiversity and Culture

The decimation of biodiversity at the species, genetic, and ecosystem levels as a direct consequence of the industrial resource use mode is well documented in human ecology and conservation literature. Not only wild biota but also domesticated crop landraces have been pushed to extinction by industrial land-use systems. The process of biodiversity erosion impinges on, and is augmented by, the decimation of local cultural elements, such as food cultures, the vocabularies of local languages, house architecture, and an inchoate appreciation of the non-use value of biodiversity, i.e., beyond its instrumental value. This process of biocultural erosion is evident in the district of Bankura, West Bengal, India, and this article collates evidence from over two decades of my research on the biodiversity and cultural elements of the region. The replacement of a traditional eco-centric ethic with an industrial ethic, and its consequent impacts on biodiversity and local cultural traditions in this region, is illustrative of the global process of biodiversity loss.

The Influence of Periodic Fires on the High Guinean Savannas and the Carbon Stock in Cameroun

The influence of periodic fires in the high Guinean savannas of Cameroon on woody plants and carbon stock is poorly documented. To fill this gap, work was carried out in the high Guinean savannas of Cameroon with the aim of contributing to the assessment of the effects of periodic fires on the woody cover and the carbon stock. The methodology used consists of carrying out semi-structured household surveys and floristic inventories in the Arrondissement of Ngaoundéré III and Ngan’ha, in the Department of Vina. A total of 50 households were interviewed at a rate of 25 per Borough according to a questionnaire prepared beforehand. For the botanical inventories, 02 types of savannah were selected: regularly burnt savannas (shrub savannas, wooded savannas) and those not burned for at least 10 years (shrub savannas, tree savannas). The choice of control savannas was made according to the indications of the peasants. In each of them, the 1km x 20m transects were covered and the diameter at breast height (dbh) of the woody plants was measured using a dbh meter at 1.3 m from the ground for large trees. and at 30 or 50 cm from the ground for shrubs and shrubs. The results show that climate change is palpable in the area. The rains are increasingly rare, the drought has become severe and the agricultural calendar is no longer respected. The specific diversity has become relatively low with 51 species having been inventoried, divided into 46 genera and 23 families. Savannahs that are not burnt produce more biomass than those that are burnt. The perfect illustration is given by the non-burnt tree savannah of Ngaoundere III with an above-ground and root biomass of 102.23 t/ha and 20.70 t/ha respectively. <i>Annona senegalensis</i> (1.27 tC/ha) is the species contributing massively to carbon sequestration in the high savannas of the Vina. Thus, by acting on the availability of plant biomass, fires contribute to the erosion of biodiversity. Adequate measures are urgently needed to limit bushfires.

INFLUENCE OF FIRE ON CANOPY PLANT DIVERSITY IN THE HIGH GUINEAN SAVANNAH OF DJEREM (ADAMAOUA, CAMEROON)

Numerous anthropogenic pressures, including periodic fires, affect the current functioning and structure of tropical savannas. The objective was to contribute to the evaluation of the effects of fires on the woody cover in the high Guinean savannas of Cameroon. The work took place in the Mbakaou and Ngaoundal districts in the Djerem Division. Floristic inventories were carried out in transects 1 km long and 20 m wide. A total of 100 transects were carried out, covering an area of 30 ha. For each parameter studied, the analysis of variance was performed using XLSTAT and the Excel software was used to produce the graphs. The results show that the specific diversity is globally low with 49 species, 44 genera and 20 families. The most dominant species are Entadaafricana and Piliostigmathonningii. The families of great ecological importance are Fabaceae and Combretaceae. The demographic structure (diameters, heights, dhp) of the savannas follows an "L" shaped distribution. Thus, fires contribute to the erosion of biodiversity. It is urgent to take adequate measures to limit bush fires.

Gains and Losses of Agricultural Food Production: Implications for the Twenty-First Century.

The world food supply depends on a diminishing list of plant crops and animal livestock to not only feed the ever-growing human population but also improve its nutritional state and lower the disease burden. Over the past century or so, technological advances in agricultural and food processing have helped reduce hunger and poverty but have not adequately addressed sustainability targets. This has led to an erosion of agricultural biodiversity and balanced diets and contributed to climate change and rising rates of chronic metabolic diseases. Modern food supply chains have progressively lost dietary fiber, complex carbohydrates, micronutrients, and several classes of phytochemicals with high bioactivity and nutritional relevance. This review introduces the concept of agricultural food systems losses and focuses on improved sources of agricultural diversity, proteins with enhanced resilience, and novel monitoring, processing, and distribution technologies that are poised to improve food security, reduce food loss and waste, and improve health profiles in the near future.

The hidden legacy of megafaunal extinction: Loss of functional diversity and resilience over the Late Quaternary at Hall’s Cave

AbstractAimFunctional traits mediate the interactions of species among themselves and with their environment, providing a link between diversity and ecosystem function. Crucially, the loss of biodiversity can jeopardize the functionality of ecosystems. Much focus is on predicting the impacts of current and future species loss; however, modern ecosystems have undergone biodiversity decline throughout the Late Quaternary, starting with the Pleistocene megafaunal extinctions. Thus, the fossil record offers the opportunity to investigate the long‐term legacy of biodiversity erosion and how this is affecting modern ecosystems in a cumulative manner. We aimed to investigate changes in functional diversity and redundancy of a local mammal community at Hall’s Cave, a site with a continuous record from 21,000 years ago to the present. Additionally, we included several common introduced species in the modern community to test whether they restore some lost ecological function.LocationCentral Texas.Time periodLate Pleistocene to Present.Major taxa studiedMammals.MethodsWe used eight functional traits (mass, diet, arboreality, cursoriality, soil disturbance, group size, activity period and migration habit), which, collectively, describe the ecological role of a species and its influence on ecosystem processes, to construct a multidimensional functional space. The functional richness, range and distribution of the Hall’s Cave community and the degree of functional redundancy were characterized statistically over time.ResultsWe found that declines in functional diversity were greater than expected given the decrease in species richness, implying that lost taxa contributed higher than average distinct ecological function. Functional distances between the remaining species increased through time, leading to reduced functional redundancy in younger communities. However, recently introduced taxa increased functional diversity to levels similar to those in the Holocene and partly restored the functional space occupied by Late Pleistocene fauna.Main conclusionsOur local‐scale analysis demonstrates how prolonged biodiversity erosion not only leads to functionally depauperate communities, but, crucially, lowers ecological resilience to future disturbance.

The influence of periodic fires on the high Guinean savannas and the carbon stock in Cameroon

The influence of periodic fires in the high Guinean savannas of Cameroon on woody plants and carbon stock is poorly documented. To fill this gap, work was carried out in the high Guinean savannas of Cameroon with the aim of contributing to the assessment of the effects of periodic fires on the woody cover and the carbon stock. The methodology used consists of carrying out semi-structured household surveys and floristic inventories in the Arrondissement of Ngaoundéré III and Ngan’ha, in the Department of Vina. A total of 50 households were interviewed at a rate of 25 per Borough according to a questionnaire prepared beforehand. For the botanical inventories, 02 types of savannah were selected: regularly burnt savannas (shrub savannas, wooded savannas) and those not burned for at least 10 years (shrub savannas, tree savannas). The choice of control savannas was made according to the indications of the peasants. In each of them, the 1km x 20m transects were covered and the diameter at breast height (dbh) of the woody plants was measured using a dbh meter at 1.3 m from the ground for large trees. and at 30 or 50 cm from the ground for shrubs and shrubs. The results show that climate change is palpable in the area. The rains are increasingly rare, the drought has become severe and the agricultural calendar is no longer respected. The specific diversity has become relatively low with 51 species having been inventoried, divided into 46 genera and 23 families. Savannahs that are not burnt produce more biomass than those that are burnt. The perfect illustration is given by the non-burnt tree savannah of Ngaoundere III with an above-ground and root biomass of 102.23 t / ha and 20.70 t / ha respectively. Annona senegalensis (1.27 tC / ha) is the species contributing massively to carbon sequestration in the high savannas of the Vina. Thus, by acting on the availability of plant biomass, fires contribute to the erosion of biodiversity. Adequate measures are urgently needed to limit bushfires.

Animals, environment and sustainability: Global warming reducing and inducing attributes of the farm animals

Animals, environment and sustainability are related with each other. The intricate soil-plant-animal relationship is vital for the very ecological integrity of the biosphere. Animal diversity, both inter- and intra-species, has multiple socio-economic attributes. In an agroecosystem with uncultivated land, cultivated land, livestock and households as the integral components, livestock play crucial role in transferring nutrients from ecologically more sustainable ecosystem (forest/ rangeland/ grassland) to ecologically vulnerable one (cultivated land), and in the recycling of nutrients in the cultivated lands. Draught animal power (DAP) is a key source for realizing sustainability in traditional agricultural systems which is ensured by their role in enhancing ecological processes—cropping diversification, agro-biodiversity maintenance, and soil fertility management. Farm animals also play negative role leading to environmental degradation through overgrazing and carbon emissions. Grazing animals significantly affect an ecosystem in triple ways, viz. herbivory, physical effects, and deposition. Overgrazing alters community structure as well as ecosystem functioning, including primary productivity and it has triggering effects on an ecosystem. Farm animals are key agents as well as sufferers of the on-going climate change. Their role in land degradation, water pollution, biodiversity erosion and release of GHGs contributes to exacerbate global warming.

A global perspective on the functional responses of stream communities to flow intermittence.

The current erosion of biodiversity is a major concern that threatens the ecological integrity of ecosystems and the ecosystem services they provide. Due to global change, an increasing proportion of river networks are drying and changes from perennial to non-perennial flow regimes represent dramatic ecological shifts with potentially irreversible alterations of community and ecosystem dynamics. However, there is minimal understanding of how biological communities respond functionally to drying. Here, we highlight the taxonomic and functional responses of aquatic macroinvertebrate communities to flow intermittence across river networks from three continents, to test predictions from underlying trait-based conceptual theory. We found a significant breakpoint in the relationship between taxonomic and functional richness, indicating higher functional redundancy at sites with flow intermittence higher than 28%. Multiple strands of evidence, including patterns of alpha and beta diversity and functional group membership, indicated that functional redundancy did not compensate for biodiversity loss associated with increasing intermittence, contrary to received wisdom. A specific set of functional trait modalities, including small body size, short life span and high fecundity, were selected with increasing flow intermittence. These results demonstrate the functional responses of river communities to drying and suggest that on-going biodiversity reduction due to global change in drying river networks is threatening their functional integrity. These results indicate that such patterns might be common in these ecosystems, even where drying is considered a predictable disturbance. This highlights the need for the conservation of natural drying regimes of intermittent rivers to secure their ecological integrity.

Global decline in capacity of coral reefs to provide ecosystem services

Global decline in capacity of coral reefs to provide ecosystem services

SLAM Project - Long Term Ecological Study of the Impacts of Climate Change in the natural forest of Azores: I - the spiders from native forests of Terceira and Pico Islands (2012-2019).

BackgroundLong-term monitoring of invertebrate communities is needed to understand the impact of key biodiversity erosion drivers (e.g. habitat fragmentation and degradation, invasive species, pollution, climatic changes) on the biodiversity of these high diverse organisms.The data we present are part of the long-term project SLAM (Long Term Ecological Study of the Impacts of Climate Change in the natural forest of Azores) that started in 2012, aiming to understand the impact of biodiversity erosion drivers on Azorean native forests (Azores, Macaronesia, Portugal). In this contribution, the design of the project, its objectives and the first available data for the spider fauna of two Islands (Pico and Terceira) are described.Passive flight interception SLAM traps (Sea, Land and Air Malaise traps) were used to sample native forest plots in several Azorean islands, with one trap being set up at each plot and samples taken every three months following the seasons.The key objectives of the SLAM project are: 1) collect long-term ecological data to evaluate species distributions and abundance at multiple spatial and temporal scales, responding to the Wallacean and Prestonian shortfalls, 2) identify biodiversity erosion drivers impacting oceanic indigenous assemblages under global change for conservation management purpose, 3) use species distribution and abundance data in model-based studies of environmental change in different islands, 4) contribute to clarifying the potential occurrence of an "insect decline" in Azores and identifying the spatial and temporal invasion patterns of exotic arthropod species, 5) contribute with temporal data to re-assess the Red-list status of Azorean endemic arthropods and 6) perform studies about the relationship between diversity (taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic) and ecosystem function.New informationThe project SLAM (Long Term Ecological Study of the Impacts of Climate Change in the natural forest of Azores) is described in detail.Seasonal distribution and abundance data of Azorean spiders, based on a long-term study undertaken between 2012 and 2019 in two Azorean Islands (Terceira and Pico), is presented. A total of 14979 specimens were collected, of which 6430 (43%) were adults. Despite the uncertainty of juvenile identification, juveniles are also included in the data presented in this paper, since the low diversity allows a relatively precise identification of this life-stage in Azores.A total of 57 species, belonging to 50 genera and 17 families, were recorded from the area, which constitutes baseline information of spiders from the studied sites for future long-term comparisons. Linyphiidae were the richest and most abundant family, with 19 (33%) species and 5973 (40%) specimens. The ten most abundant species are composed mostly of endemic or native non-endemic species and only one exotic species (Tenuiphantestenuis (Blackwall, 1852)). Those ten most abundant species include 84% of all sampled specimens and are clearly the dominant species in the Azorean native forests. Textrixcaudata L. Koch, 1872 was firstly reported from Terceira and Pico Islands, Araneusangulatus Clerck, 1757 was firstly reported from Terceira Island, Nerieneclathrata (Sundevall, 1830) and Macaroerisdiligens (Blackwall, 1867) were firstly reported from Pico Island.This publication contributes not only to a better knowledge of the arachnofauna present in native forests of Terceira and Pico, but also to understand the patterns of abundance and diversity of spider species, both seasonally and between years.

Anthropogenic Ecological Changes and Spill Over of Viruses - A Review

Biodiversity protects ecosystem against infectious diseases. Increased human contact with wild life have caused high impact diseases such as SARS, Novel Corona virus, Nipah Virus, Ebola fever and many more. Anthropogenic activities such as hunting, farming, human encroachments, wild life trade, introduction of domestic species, bush meat hunting, road building, mining and increased human wildlife contact rates have lead to massive decline in biodiversity and increased risk of spilling over of dangerous viruses from animals to humans primarily due to host shifts. Human preference to high meat diet is also on rise in many countries. Wet markets have significant contribution in amplifying epizootic virus transmission and increased human exposure. Species in the primate and bat orders harbor a number of zoonotic viruses. Our destruction of nature, loss of habitat and biodiversity possibly tend to promote viral emergence. Invasion of undisturbed places leads to more and more exposure and create habitat where viral transmission is easier. Interference with a natural environment/habitat can, therefore, worsen the health risks. The erosion of biodiversity may lead to proliferation of species that are most likely to transmit new diseases to humans. Preserving habitat, biodiversity and natural environment is therefore one of the essential issues that cannot be put at the back any more.

Cave-adapted beetles from continental Portugal.

BackgroundThe cave biodiversity of continental Portugal faces tremendous conservation challenges, mostly linked to their direct destruction and contamination infiltrating from the surface. Beetles are the most diverse insects and one of the most diverse arthropod groups in caves of Portugal.New informationWe present the IUCN Red List profiles for the cave-adapted beetles from continental Portugal, all endemic to their respective geological units and massifs. Ground beetles (Carabidae) are the most diverse family of cave-adapted beetles in continental Portugal, followed by rove beetles (Staphylinidae). Beetles in caves of Portugal are mostly terrestrial and only one species is known to have evolved to live in groundwater. Trechus is the most diverse genus with four species, followed by Domene with three species and by Speonemadus and Iberoporus, both with one cave-adapted species. The aim of this contribution is to assess all endemic cave-adapted species of beetles from continental Portugal and to support their specific protection, to promote adequate management of surface habitats and the establishment of priority areas for conservation. The main biodiversity erosion drivers that are impacting the conservation of the studied species are pollution infiltrating from the surface, urbaniation, modifications of the natural habitat for touristic purposes and mining, quarrying and energy production infrastructures.This document can be used in spatial planning and territory management in karst, based on the current scientific knowledge.

Data Curation, Fisheries, and Ecosystem-based Management: the Case Study of the Pecheker Database

&#x0D; The scientific monitoring of the Southern Ocean French fishing industry is based on the use the Pecheker database. Pecheker is dedicated to the digital curation of the data collected on field by scientific observers and which analysis allows the scientists of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle institution to provide guidelines and advice for the regulation of the fishing activity, the protection of the fish stocks and the protection of the marine ecosystems. The template of Pecheker has been developed to make the database adapted to the ecosystem-based management concept. Considering the global context of biodiversity erosion, this modern approach of management aims to take account of the environmental background of the fisheries to ensure their sustainable development. Completeness and high quality of the raw data is a key element for an ecosystem-based management database such as Pecheker. Here, we present the development of this database as a case study of fisheries data curation to be shared with the readers. Full code to deploy a database based on the Pecheker template is provided in supplementary materials. Considering the success factors we could identify, we propose a discussion about how the community could build a global fisheries information system based on a network of small databases including interoperability standards.&#x0D;

The emergence of infectious diseases of zoonotic origin: ecological complexity and socioeconomic responsibility

The COVID-19 pandemic has its origins in a constant but rather rare biological phenomenon: the emergence of infectious diseases of zoonotic origin in human populations. The agent of an infectious animal or zoonotic disease depends for its multiplication and dispersion on a wild host species to which it has adapted over time and which constitutes the reservoir of the corresponding infectious disease. If the biotope of this initial host is sustainably modified, the associated biocenosis migrates with its pathogenic flora to a new habitat, enabling the pathogen to change animal host species. If this migration introduces it into the human environment, the infectious agent may pass to humans or to a commensal wildlife or domestic species that will serve as an intermediate host. This ecological mechanism involves multiple and complex interactions that result in a direct link between biodiversity erosion and increased frequency of these emergences in humans. Together with at-risk human socio-economic practices, it determines the distribution of the territories where these diseases emerge worldwide. Chronic diseases and psychosocial vulnerabilities in humans could potentially worsen the phenomenon. To be able to carry out a targeted action to identify and stop an outbreak of an unknown infectious disease, we need to be able to predict which pathogen is most likely to constitute a threat and in which regions of the world. It is a difficult scientific problem that requires a holistic vision of the one health type that decompartmentalizes animal health, human health, and ecosystem health, and a transdisciplinary approach focusing on the microbial ecology of infectious diseases, the biology of evolution, and the social sciences.