Publications

2022   |   Taxon

Proposal to conserve the name Juncus acuminatus Michx. Against J. acuminatus Balb. (Juncaceae) and including the lectotypification of J. paradoxus

It was recently discovered that the sharp-fruit rush Juncus acuminatus Michx., which was described in 1803 for a common wetland plant found from southern Canada through the United States to Mexico and Honduras, was invalid as another name, Juncus acuminatus Balb., predated it by two years when published in 1801.

2022   |   Ecological Society of America

Fitness homeostasis across an experimental water gradient predicts species’ geographic range and climatic breadth

Looking at 11 species from a clade of jewelflowers, this study finds that fitness homeostasis of genotypes can be a major factor contributing to niche breadth and range size in this clade. Fitness homeostasis can buffer species from loss of genetic diversity and under changing climates and provides time for adaption to future conditions.

2022   |   Remote Sensing

Conserving Ecosystem Diversity in the Tropical Andes

This study reveals that only about 5% of ecosystems within the Tropical Andes biodiversity hotspot are adequately represented in designated protected areas. However, the number of ecosystem types adequately protected could increase to 31% if governments and civil society act to protect Key Biodiversity Areas – places that meet the internationally recognized standard for sites that contribute significantly to the global persistence of biodiversity.

2022   |   Nature

A Global Reptile Assessment Highlights Shared Conservation Needs of Tetrapods

After 15 years of research, one year of data analysis, and one year in review, the results of the Global Reptile Assessment were published in the journal Nature. The study, conducted in collaboration with IUCN, Conservation International, and with contributions from over 900 scientists, found that 21% of reptiles worldwide are threatened with extinction.

2022   |   ABQ BioPark, NatureServe, and Mt. Cuba Center

The Conservation Status of Trillium in North America

Among North American wildflowers, few are as beloved and culturally relevant as Trilliums. A new report led by the ABQ BioPark, NatureServe, and Mt. Cuba Center, analyzed risk factors to these plants and found that 32% of all North American Trillium species or varieties are threatened with extinction.

2022   |   Trends in Ecology & Evolution

Bridging the Research-Implementation Gap in IUCN Red List Assessments

This paper highlights a major research–implementation gap in the application of the wide variety of assessment methods, which could be bridged by providing users with easy access to the most relevant tools, hands-on training, and strengthening communication.

2022   |   Land

Addressing Climate Change Vulnerability in the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems—Results Demonstrated for a Cross-Section of Major Vegetation-Based Ecosystem Types in the United States

In this analysis, a new framework for assessing climate change vulnerability was applied to a cross-section of 33 upland ecosystem types in the United States. All 33 types were listed as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered, demonstrating the use of this input to the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems.

2022   |   Vegetation Classification and Survey

Integration of Vegetation Classification with Land Cover Mapping: Lessons from Regional Mapping Efforts in the Americas

This paper illustrates two examples that have bridged the gap between traditional land cover mapping and modern vegetation classification.

2022   |   Ecological Applications

Increasing Taxonomic Diversity and Spatial Resolution Clarifies Opportunities for Protecting US Imperiled Species

By building habitat suitability models for a taxonomically diverse group of 2216 imperiled plants and animals, we revealed comprehensive and detailed protection opportunities in the conterminous United States. The results provide fine-scale, taxonomically diverse inputs for local and regional priority-setting and show that although protection efforts are still widely needed on private lands, notable gains can be achieved by increasing protection status on selected federal lands.

2022   |   Conservation Science and Practice

Documenting At-risk Status of Terrestrial Ecosystems in Temperate and Tropical North America

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Ecosystems (RLE) is an emerging global standard for ecosystem risk assessment that integrates data and knowledge to document the relative risk status of ecosystem types. This analysis documents the status of all terrestrial ecosystems across temperate and tropical North America and the Caribbean.