Recent trends in habitat conversion and their implications for anurans conservation in Brazil

• Grant number: 24/02046-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Agreement: CNPq
• Principal Investigator: Marcio Roberto Costa Martins
• Grantee: Marcio Roberto Costa Martins
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 20/12658-4 - Challenges to the conservation of amphibians and squamate reptiles, with emphasis on the Brazilian fauna: from basic information to conservation actions, AP.BTA.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/11646-3 - Recent trends in habitat conversion and their implications for anurans conservation in Brazil, BP.JD

Abstract

Among the several threats faced by biodiversity globally, habitat loss stands out as the primary concern. Brazil has a historical record of habitat loss caused by deforestation in all biomes. However, there are differences in the intensity of the pressure experienced by the biomes over time. The escalating deforestation and habitat conversion in the Brazilian context pose significant threats to anurans, as most of them are habitat specialists. Therefore, the main goal of this project is to assess, both temporally and spatially, how the dynamics of recent habitat conversion (since 1985) across the entire country have impacted anurans of conservation concern (threatened, Near Threatened, and Data Deficient). To achieve this goal, we will utilize maps from MapBiomas to: (i) quantify temporally the percentage of habitat within each species' distribution, (ii) identify land use and cover transitions within the species' distribution in different temporal windows, and (iii) identify priority areas for conservation or restoration within the species' distribution in the coming years. Here, for the first time, we will provide a detailed habitat classification for anurans of conservation concern and explore the direct effect of habitat conversion on species risk assessment. Our results will serve as a foundational resource for upcoming updates in red lists, both on a national and global scale. (AU)