Biodiversity: In a mite-y bit of trouble

Date:
September 2, 2020
Source:
University of Queensland
Summary:
Mite extinctions are occurring at least 1,000 times the 'natural'
rate - a finding a researcher says is another warning that global
biodiversity is in deep trouble. The 1.25 million mite species
around the planet occupy an enormous variety of terrestrial and
freshwater ecosystems, from the equator, to polar regions and high
altitude areas.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
Mite extinctions are occurring at least 1,000 times the 'natural' rate --
a finding a University of Queensland researcher says is another warning
that global biodiversity is in deep trouble.


==========================================================================
The 1.25 million mite species around the planet occupy an enormous
variety of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, from the equator,
to polar regions and high altitude areas.

In the first global study on mite biodiversity, UQ's Dr Greg Sullivan
and colleague Dr Sebahat K. Ozman-Sullivan compiled data that showed
the ongoing extinction of an alarming number of species.

"Mites are critical to ecosystems all over the planet -- some provide
essential ecosystem services such as the incorporation of organic matter
into the soil," Dr Sullivan said.

"These services underpin the survival of innumerable species, and act
as a proxy for environmental health.

"However, the humble mite is in trouble, as the majority of mite species
are assumed to be in the tropical rainforests, where 50 per cent have
been destroyed or severely degraded," he said.



==========================================================================
"And based on estimates of overall biodiversity loss, around 15 per cent
of mite species were likely to have become extinct by 2000.

"Losses are currently expected to increase by between 0.6 per cent and
six per cent by 2060." The researchers said humans are responsible for
the erosion of mite diversity.

"Habitat destruction and degradation continue on an enormous scale, with increasing global population and resource consumption the overarching
drivers of extinction," Dr Sullivan said.

"The maintenance of mite biodiversity is highly dependent on the
maintenance of plant diversity, habitat complexity and insect diversity.

"This means we urgently need to minimise the rate of destruction
and degradation of habitat, especially in subtropical and tropical
regions, and protect representative natural areas, especially the global biodiversity hotspots, like the Forests of East Australia biodiversity hotspot." In addition, he said climate change was likely worsening the
effects of the other drivers at an increasing rate.

"We need a rapid global implementation of technologies that decrease
greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration, including
the widespread regeneration of degraded forests with local species.

"This, coupled with an effectively executed international climate
agreement, will play a critical role in determining the fate of a
substantial proportion of the remaining global biodiversity -- including
the small, but mighty, mite."

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Queensland. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Gregory T. Sullivan, Sebahat K. Ozman‐Sullivan. Alarming
evidence
of widespread mite extinctions in the shadows of plant, insect and
vertebrate extinctions. Austral Ecology, 2020 DOI: 10.1111/aec.12932 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200902095132.htm

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