npj biodiversity最新文献

The biodiversity crisis demands computational tools to integrate and analyse complex, disparate data and models. This paper presents the concept of FAIR Digital Twins (FDTs) and, drawing on the work of the Biodiversity Digital Twin (BioDT) project (2022-2025), demonstrates how combining Digital Twins with FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) can transform biodiversity research and decision-making. We show strategies for integrating heterogeneous data, models, and computational workflows within a FAIR framework, paving the way for operational FDTs. The BioDT project developed ten prototype digital twins addressing a critical range of challenges, including grassland and forest dynamics, bird monitoring, ecosystem services, and crop wild relative genetic resources. We discuss implementation challenges such as data fragmentation, semantic interoperability, and operational complexity. Critically, we highlight the opportunities for dynamic adaptation, modular workflows, and cross-domain collaboration, detailing how tools like Research Object Crate (RO-Crate) operationalise FAIR principles for metadata packaging and standardisation. This convergence of Digital Twins with FAIR principles offers a scalable and reusable approach to advancing biodiversity modeling and simulation, providing a robust foundation for evidence-based policy decisions.

The Permian-Triassic mass extinction (PTME; c. 252 million years ago) was the most devastating extinction event of the Phanerozoic, resulting in up to 90% of marine animal species becoming extinct and profound ecological changes from Palaeozoic to Mesozoic faunas. The eruption of the Siberian Traps Large Igneous Province caused a cascade of environmental effects such as extreme warming, ocean anoxia and acidification which collapsed Permian ecosystems and delayed recovery in the Early Triassic. However, uncertainty remains regarding the temporal dynamics and nature of ecological recovery following the PTME. Models attribute a slow stepwise recovery within marine communities, from primary producers to top predators, reattaining pre-extinction levels of ecological complexity by the Middle Triassic. However, global empirical data indicates the rapid recovery of multiple trophic levels albeit in the form of top-heavy, unstable Early Triassic ecosystems. Further research promises exciting opportunities to apply community ecology models to ever improving databases of fossil ecosystems spanning multiple palaeolatitudes to test fundamental questions regarding the nature and timing of recovery and whether it really was "recovery" back to pre-extinction states; or "restructuring" to new baselines of ecosystem complexity more reflective of modern marine ecosystems.

Large datasets have allowed biologists and palaeontologists to investigate a multitude of ecological processes. They have also obfuscated the ways in which our limited knowledge of ecology can affect our results. We focus on how our biased understanding of organismal natural history and taxonomy can have significant impacts on our perspective of ecological and evolutionary processes across multiple temporal and hierarchical scales, and suggest broad structural solutions to this problem.

The emergence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5 clade 2.3.4.4b has triggered an unprecedented global panzootic in recent years. As the frequency and scale of HPAI H5 outbreaks continue to rise, understanding how wild birds contribute to shape the global virus spread across regions-affecting poultry, domestic and wild mammals-is increasingly critical. In this review, we examine ecological and evolutionary studies to map the global transmission routes of HPAI H5 viruses, identify key wild bird species involved in viral dissemination, and explore infection patterns, including mortality and survival. We also highlight major remaining knowledge gaps that hinder a full understanding of wild birds' role in viral dynamics, which must be addressed to enhance surveillance strategies and refine risk assessment models aimed at better predicting future outbreaks in wildlife and mitigating outbreaks in domestic animals to safeguard public health.

With invasions, functionally differing plant species meet. The traits of native and alien species should then be modified, affecting coexistence. We studied trait variation in four native and five alien plant species on the Iles Kerguelen along gradients of alien abundance. We measured traits related to competition and stress tolerance, and compared them along the gradients, their mean, variability, and range, at the species and the community levels, through univariate (analyses of variance) and multi-traits (hypervolume) approaches. Native and alien species occupied overlapping trait spaces, mostly because aliens are more variable than natives. Along the gradients, native and alien species showed similar mean strategies, with no variation in their trait range or variance. At the community level, a shift from convergence to divergence along the gradients was observed in most traits. Our results highlight that not only the response of aliens but also of native species should be studied under invasions.

Multifaceted biodiversity is crucial for biological conservation and ecosystem sustainability but has been largely neglected in marine biodiversity research. Here we focused on 53 goatfish species of the family Mullidae, developed species distribution models using 34,577 georeferenced occurrence records, and examined redistribution of multifaceted biodiversity patterns under climate change. Our results show that under current climate conditions, the species, phylogenetic, and functional diversity patterns of goatfishes peak in biodiversity hotspots such as the Indo-Pacific convergence zone, Coral Triangle, and Madagascar. These three facets of biodiversity are projected to undergo dramatic changes under climate change, with spatial mismatches observed across different facets. Our results suggest that future climate change might alter the biodiversity patterns of goatfishes and policymakers should account for multifaceted biodiversity when developing conservation strategies.

Urbanization and agricultural expansion are major drivers of freshwater biodiversity change, yet their effects on functional diversity remain unclear. We investigated the taxonomic and functional diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates across 121 forest, agricultural, and urban stream sites in South Korea. Macroinvertebrates were classified into 28 categories based on nine functional traits. Taxonomic richness was highest in forest streams and lowest in urban streams. Functional richness declined in disturbed streams, while functional divergence increased in urban and agricultural sites, indicating trait specialization under stress. Species such as Asellus sp. and Limnodrilus gotoi dominated in urban and agricultural sites, reflecting tolerance to pollution and sedimentation. In contrast, forest streams supported sensitive taxa with diverse life strategies. Our findings reveal how trait-based approaches complement taxonomic assessments by capturing adaptive responses to land-use changes, emphasizing the importance of incorporating functional diversity into freshwater biodiversity monitoring and conservation strategies.

Biodiversity knowledge, from genes to ecosystems, is crucial for addressing the biodiversity crisis. However, even in well-explored countries like Germany, much biodiversity remains unknown. Therefore, several research institutions are joining forces to conduct a comprehensive biodiversity inventory, combining broad taxonomic expertise with advanced technologies. By consolidating data across many organismic groups, the Unknown Germany initiative will significantly enhance conservation strategies and may serve as a model for similar efforts worldwide.