| Title | An expert-based global assessment of threats and conservation measures for subterranean ecosystems |
| Abstract | Subterranean ecosystems host unique biodiversity and deliver important services to humans. Yet, available data for subterranean ecosystems are limited in space and/or taxonomic scope and global monitoring programs are absent, preventing practitioners to develop effective conservation and management strategies. Expert opinion may help overcome some of these knowledge gaps. We surveyed experts on a wide variety of subterranean ecosystems and taxa around the world, aiming to quantify the importance of anthropogenic threats and conservation measures for subterranean ecosystems and to provide a roadmap on how to preserve these fundamental habitats and associated species and ecosystem services. We obtained 279 responses from 155 experts in different subterranean habitats, taxa, and regions. Experts perceived surface habitat change, direct habitat destruction (e.g., pollution, damming, mining), and climate change as the most relevant threats impacting subterranean ecosystems. Legislation, land protection, and education were scored as the most effective conservation measures, whereas species-level conservation was deemed less relevant. Whenever lacking hard data, expert opinion may be an effective, largely available, yet often overlooked source of information to implement timely conservation interventions for subterranean ecosystems. |
| Source | Biological conservation 283 |
| Keywords | CaveExpert opinionGroundwaterKarstOnline surveyProtected areasSubterranean biology |
| Journal | Biological conservation |
| Editor | Elsevier,, Barking, Regno Unito |
| Year | 2023 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.biocon.2023.110136 |
| Authors | Nanni, Veronica; Piano, Elena; Cardoso, Pedro; Isaia, Marco; Mammola, Stefano |
| Text | 482536 2023 10.1016/j.biocon.2023.110136 Scopus 2 s2.0 85160658785 Cave Expert opinion Groundwater Karst Online survey Protected areas Subterranean biology An expert based global assessment of threats and conservation measures for subterranean ecosystems Nanni, Veronica; Piano, Elena; Cardoso, Pedro; Isaia, Marco; Mammola, Stefano Istituto di Ricerca sulle Acque, Italy; Luonnontieteellinen Keskusmuseo; Universita degli Studi di Torino; Universita degli Studi dell Insubria; Science Subterranean ecosystems host unique biodiversity and deliver important services to humans. Yet, available data for subterranean ecosystems are limited in space and/or taxonomic scope and global monitoring programs are absent, preventing practitioners to develop effective conservation and management strategies. Expert opinion may help overcome some of these knowledge gaps. We surveyed experts on a wide variety of subterranean ecosystems and taxa around the world, aiming to quantify the importance of anthropogenic threats and conservation measures for subterranean ecosystems and to provide a roadmap on how to preserve these fundamental habitats and associated species and ecosystem services. We obtained 279 responses from 155 experts in different subterranean habitats, taxa, and regions. Experts perceived surface habitat change, direct habitat destruction e.g., pollution, damming, mining , and climate change as the most relevant threats impacting subterranean ecosystems. Legislation, land protection, and education were scored as the most effective conservation measures, whereas species level conservation was deemed less relevant. Whenever lacking hard data, expert opinion may be an effective, largely available, yet often overlooked source of information to implement timely conservation interventions for subterranean ecosystems. 283 Published version http //www.scopus.com/record/display.url eid=2 s2.0 85160658785 origin=inward Published version 2023_NANNI ET AL Biol Cons.pdf Articolo in rivista Elsevier, 0006 3207 Biological conservation Biological conservation Biol. conserv. Biological conservation. stefano.mammola MAMMOLA STEFANO |
