Loss of foundation species revisited: conceptual framework with lessons learned from eastern hemlock and whitebark pine
Abstract Ecologists and conservation biologists often prioritize the study of species that are declining, threatened, or endangered over species that are abundant and ecologically important, such as foundation species (FS). Because entire ecosystems and their biodiversity depend on FS, we argue that...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2019-11-01
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| Series: | Ecosphere |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.2917 |
| _version_ | 1818501091066642432 |
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| author | Allyson L. Degrassi Steven Brantley Carrie R. Levine Jacqueline Mohan Sydne Record Diana F. Tomback Aaron M. Ellison |
| author_facet | Allyson L. Degrassi Steven Brantley Carrie R. Levine Jacqueline Mohan Sydne Record Diana F. Tomback Aaron M. Ellison |
| author_sort | Allyson L. Degrassi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Ecologists and conservation biologists often prioritize the study of species that are declining, threatened, or endangered over species that are abundant and ecologically important, such as foundation species (FS). Because entire ecosystems and their biodiversity depend on FS, we argue that they have high conservation priority. A citation analysis reveals that FS are studied, but often are characterized ambiguously. More effort is needed to identify FS before they, and the ecosystems they define, are at risk of decline or loss. We suggest a new conceptual framework that includes: informed identification of FS in ecosystems; documentation of ecosystem services provided by FS; a long‐term monitoring strategy to detect threats to FS within specified ecosystems; and, if threats are identified, a comprehensive conservation and adaptive management strategy for FS. We use two widely distributed, rapidly declining North American foundation tree species (Tsuga canadensis [eastern hemlock] and Pinus albicaulis [whitebark pine]) to illustrate this framework. These species exemplify the importance of identifying FS early and conserving or restoring them when they are threatened. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T20:51:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c02709193f0e4b2fb8eb46323c3db9ff |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2150-8925 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T20:51:28Z |
| publishDate | 2019-11-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-c02709193f0e4b2fb8eb46323c3db9ff2022-12-22T01:34:05ZengWileyEcosphere2150-89252019-11-011011n/an/a10.1002/ecs2.2917Loss of foundation species revisited: conceptual framework with lessons learned from eastern hemlock and whitebark pineAllyson L. Degrassi0Steven Brantley1Carrie R. Levine2Jacqueline Mohan3Sydne Record4Diana F. Tomback5Aaron M. Ellison6Department of Department of Environment and Society Shenandoah University 1460 University Drive Winchester Virginia 22601 USAJoseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center 3988 Jones Center Drive Newton Georgia 39870 USAConservation Science Partners, Inc. 11050 Pioneer Trail, Suite 202 Truckee California 96161 USAOdum School of Ecology University of Georgia Athens 140 E. Green Street Athens Georgia 30602 USADepartment of Biology Bryn Mawr College 101 North Merion Avenue Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania 19010 USADepartment of Integrative Biology, CB 171 University of Colorado Denver P.O. Box 173364 Denver Colorado 80217 USAHarvard Forest Harvard University 324 North Main Street Petersham Massachusetts 01366 USAAbstract Ecologists and conservation biologists often prioritize the study of species that are declining, threatened, or endangered over species that are abundant and ecologically important, such as foundation species (FS). Because entire ecosystems and their biodiversity depend on FS, we argue that they have high conservation priority. A citation analysis reveals that FS are studied, but often are characterized ambiguously. More effort is needed to identify FS before they, and the ecosystems they define, are at risk of decline or loss. We suggest a new conceptual framework that includes: informed identification of FS in ecosystems; documentation of ecosystem services provided by FS; a long‐term monitoring strategy to detect threats to FS within specified ecosystems; and, if threats are identified, a comprehensive conservation and adaptive management strategy for FS. We use two widely distributed, rapidly declining North American foundation tree species (Tsuga canadensis [eastern hemlock] and Pinus albicaulis [whitebark pine]) to illustrate this framework. These species exemplify the importance of identifying FS early and conserving or restoring them when they are threatened.https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.2917citation analysisconceptual conservation frameworkconservationnonnative speciesPinus albicaulisTsuga canadensis |
| spellingShingle | Allyson L. Degrassi Steven Brantley Carrie R. Levine Jacqueline Mohan Sydne Record Diana F. Tomback Aaron M. Ellison Loss of foundation species revisited: conceptual framework with lessons learned from eastern hemlock and whitebark pine Ecosphere citation analysis conceptual conservation framework conservation nonnative species Pinus albicaulis Tsuga canadensis |
| title | Loss of foundation species revisited: conceptual framework with lessons learned from eastern hemlock and whitebark pine |
| title_full | Loss of foundation species revisited: conceptual framework with lessons learned from eastern hemlock and whitebark pine |
| title_fullStr | Loss of foundation species revisited: conceptual framework with lessons learned from eastern hemlock and whitebark pine |
| title_full_unstemmed | Loss of foundation species revisited: conceptual framework with lessons learned from eastern hemlock and whitebark pine |
| title_short | Loss of foundation species revisited: conceptual framework with lessons learned from eastern hemlock and whitebark pine |
| title_sort | loss of foundation species revisited conceptual framework with lessons learned from eastern hemlock and whitebark pine |
| topic | citation analysis conceptual conservation framework conservation nonnative species Pinus albicaulis Tsuga canadensis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.2917 |
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