Incorporating extinction risk and realistic biodiversity futures: implementation of trait-based extinction scenarios

Solan, Martin, Scott, Finlay, Dulvy, Nicholas K., Godbold, Jasmin A. and Parker, Ruth (2012) Incorporating extinction risk and realistic biodiversity futures: implementation of trait-based extinction scenarios. In, Solan, Martin, Aspden, Rebecca J. and Paterson, David M. (eds.) Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning: Frameworks, methodologies, and integration. Oxford. Oxford University Press. (doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199642250.003.0010).

Abstract

Many species are going extinct, mainly due to anthropogenic activities and climate forcing. The ecological significance of extinction has been linked to the sequential order of species loss and whether the extinction risk of each species is associated with the life-history traits that play an important role in ecosystem functioning. Trait-based extinction scenarios have been applied to studies on the consequences of possible biodiversity-environment futures for ecosystem functioning across a range of freshwater, terrestrial, and marine habitats, and for a variety of ecosystem functions. This chapter proposes a model code for a range of extinction scenarios and illustrates its application at local and regional scales. It explains how non-random extinction scenarios can be implemented and presents a case study that demonstrates the implications of regional biodiversity loss on carbon cycling in the shelf sea sediments of the North Sea. More specifically, it examines the per capita effect of each macrofaunal species on sediment mixing using an index of benthic bioturbation.

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Contributors

Author: Martin Solan

Author: Jasmin A. Godbold

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