Credit of ecological interactions: A new conceptual framework to support conservation in a defaunated world.
As defaunation spreads through the world, there is an urgent need for restoring ecological interactions, thus assuring ecosystem processes. Here, we define the new concept ofcredit of ecological interactions, as the number of interactions that can be restored in a focal area by species colonization or reintroduction. We also definerewiring time, as the time span until all the links that build the credit of ecological interactions of a focal area have become functional again. We expect that the credit will be gradually cashed following refaunation in rates that are proportional to (1) the abundance of the reintroduced species (that is expected to increase in time since release), (2) the abundance of the local species that interact with them, and (3) the traits of reintroduced species. We illustrated this approach using a theoretical model and an empirical case study where the credit of ecological interactions was estimated. This new conceptual framework is useful for setting reintroduction priorities and for evaluating the success of conservation initiatives that aim to restore ecosystem services.
Departamento de Ecologia Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro RJ Brazil.
Luísa
0000-0001-7556-4562
L
Genes
Departamento de Ecologia Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro RJ Brazil.
Bruno
B
Cid
Departamento de Ecologia Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro RJ Brazil.
Fernando A S
FA
Fernandez
Departamento de Ciências Ambientais Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro Seropédica RJ Brazil.
Alexandra S
AS
Pires
conservation management; ecological interactions; ecosystem functioning; refaunation; reintroduction; rewiring