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The search for common anthropogenic impacts on biodiversity: a global network

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Abstract

We introduce an initiative to assess and compare landscape changes related to human activities on a global scale, using a single group of invertebrates. The GLOBENET programme uses common field methodology (pitfall trapping), to appraise assemblages of ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in visually-similar land-mosaics (urban-rural gradients). Carabids were selected as the focal taxon as they are sufficiently varied (both taxonomically and ecologically), abundant and sensitive to the environment. However, work on other taxa is comparable with the GLOBENET framework. The continuum of decreasing human pressure from city centres into the surrounding countryside was selected to represent human-caused disturbance for this initial stage of GLOBENET because these gradients can be found virtually all over the world. Through the broad-scale assessment envisioned in the GLOBENET programme, we seek to separate general, repeated effects on biodiversity from those that depend on local environments or particular biotic assemblages. Based on this understanding we aim to develop simple tools and protocols for assessing ecological effects of human-caused landscape changes, which could help to sustainably manage landscapes for biodiversity and for human requirements. For instance, the response of different functional groups of carabids to these landscape changes may help guide management practices. Further GLOBENET developments and information are available at our website: http://www.helsinki.fi/science/globenet/

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology and Systematics, Division of Population Biology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 17, FIN-00014, Finland

    Jari Niemelä & Johan Kotze

  2. Department of Geosciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58105–5517, USA

    Allan Ashworth

Authors
  1. Jari Niemelä
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  2. Johan Kotze
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  3. Allan Ashworth
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  4. Pietro Brandmayr
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  5. Konjev Desender
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  6. Tim New
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  7. Lyubomir Penev
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  8. Michael Samways
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  9. John Spence
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Niemelä, J., Kotze, J., Ashworth, A. et al. The search for common anthropogenic impacts on biodiversity: a global network. Journal of Insect Conservation 4, 3–9 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009655127440

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