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Study finds all African carnivores at risk for range loss

https://sciencespies.com/nature/study-finds-all-african-carnivores-at-risk-for-range-loss/

Study finds all African carnivores at risk for range loss

A new Yale School of the Environment-led analysis identifying gaps in maps that help forecast range contractions for African species found that all species studied have a portion of their range at risk and small carnivores warrant more concern.

The study, published in PNAS and led by YSE Knobloch Family Associate Professor of Wildlife and Land Conservation Nyeema C. Harris, assessed 91 African carnivores to identify gaps in capacity necessary for their conservation.

Harris’s team found that contrary to current perceptions, many species that are currently classified as “least concern” on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species had high percentages of their range at risk of contraction. For example, the common slender mongoose (Herpestes sanguineus) and serval (Leptailurus serval) both have 16% of their ranges at risk of contraction while it was 70% for the Egyptian weasel (Mustela subpalmata). Harris says the most important finding of the study, which analyzed additional data not previously assessed, is that all species studied have some portion of their range at risk of contraction due to burgeoning threats, with an average of 15% of African carnivore ranges at-risk.

“There’s a growing interest in relying on geospatial data to make conservation decisions but the range maps are flawed,” says Harris. “Traditional gap analyses do not consider both threats and assets across the range that influence population persistence. We are introducing a novel approach by assessing these different variables.”

Most surprising, she says, is the amount of contractions and variations in ranges of species the team’s model was able to determine. The study reported that some large carnivores that are classified as endangered by the IUCN Red list, including the Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) and the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), had 33% and 3% of range at risk of contraction, respectively.

“We were able to get new insights about species that are largely unknown or understudied, and we identified that there are some conservation concerns because they have very small ranges comprised of more threats than assets,” says Harris. “The model is giving us a broader understanding and a different approach to anticipating biodiversity losses, especially for species with limited information classified as ‘data deficient’ by the IUCN Redlist, such as the Ethiopian Genet (Genetta abyssinica, a catlike mammal) and Pousargues’s mongoose (Dologale dybowskii), also known as African tropical savannah mongoose.”

Africa contains a third of the world’s carnivore species that persist in a landscape fraught with anthropogenic and environmental pressures, as well as rich biocultural diversity. The study examines possible assets to conservation, such as distribution of Indigenous lands and cultural diversity, and threats to carnivores, such as drought risks and exposure to urbanization or agriculture.

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It highlights some anthropic factors that are helping conservation efforts. For example, customary laws and traditional ceremonies of the Nharira community in central Zimbabwe include biodiversity protection.

“The blanket inclusion of human density as inherently and exclusively an environmental stressor is not accurate,” the authors note. “By seeking, incorporating, and respecting traditional ecological knowledge of people in places, conservation can progress to a more inclusive practice and promote species ranges under varying global change scenarios.”

Harris says more work needs to be done to fill out the full extent of variables distributed across species ranges — an idea she calls textured range maps. She notes that such efforts can complement existing frameworks such as the IUCN Red List.

She says their model will be used for a global carnivore assessment, and she hopes other researchers will apply similar approaches to study different groups of conservation interests, such as primate and amphibians around the world.

“It will allow us to set a very explicit agenda around conservation strategy,” she says.

The study was co-authored by YSE doctoral student Siria Gámez; Asia Murphy, postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz; Aalayna R. Green, doctoral student in natural resources at Cornell University; Daniel M. Mwamidi, doctoral student at the Institution of Environmental Science and Technology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona; and Gabriela C. Nunez-Mir, assistant professor of biological sciences at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

“I’m very proud of the collaborators and the partners involved in this work who bring different expertise and experiences,” says Harris, noting the team of all Black and Latina scientists. “We are helping to change the narrative of who gets to ask the questions and advance conservation science.”

#Nature

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The myths defined which god or goddess to turn to in times of need. For example, for a safe sea voyage, they would pray to the god Poseidon or the Roman God Neptune.

POSEIDON

Poseidon (Neptune) was known to be the god of the Thalasses (=seas), Seismoi (= Earthquakes), Kataigides (=Storms), and Hippous (=Horses/Equines). He was considered to be one of the most bad-tempered, moody, and greedy Olympian Gods. He was known to be vengeful when he would be insulted.

He was the son of the Titan Kronos and the Titaness Rhea and was swallowed by his father along with Hades, Demeter, Hestia, and Hera. However, in some of the myths, it is believed the Poseidon, like Zeus was not swallowed by Kronos. It was believed that his mother Rhea concealed him among a flock of lambs, and pretended to have given birth to a colt, which would end up being devoured by Kronos instead.

After the gods were defeated by the Titans, the world would be divided into three. The three brothers (Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon) drew straws in order to decide which they would rule. Zeus drew the skies, Hades the Underworld, and Poseidon the Seas.

–          Poseidon was not only notably the God of the Sea, but he was also the protector of all waters, sailors relied upon him for safe passage.

–          It stands to reason as well, that due to his influence of the waters, he would be worshipped in connection with navigation.

–          Poseidon was also worshipped as a fertility god.

–          His name means that he is also the “Husband”.

–          He wielder the Triaina (= Trident or three-pronged spear, and this image of him is reflected in art.)

–          Poseidon could strike the ground with his trident to produce an earthquake. This earned him the nickname “Earth-shaker”.

–          Poseidon was known to possess a palace that was made of gems and corals that was located on the ocean floor. He was at Mount Olympus though more often than his palace.

–          Poseidon was also moody by nature: his temperament was unstable at best, and his emotional fluctuations often resulted in violence.

–          In terms of his womanizing, he was similar to his brother Zeus, in that he liked to exert power over women, and flaunt his rugged masculinity. At times, however, his efforts were appreciated. Poseidon saved Amymone from a satyr.

–          His primary means of transportation was a chariot that was pulled by horses.

–          According to Homer’s Iliad, Poseidon assisted the Greeks in the Troikos Polemos (=Trojan War). However, Zeus commanded him to withdraw from the battlefield, and he reluctantly obeyed.

–          His grudge against Odysseus is the main theme in Homer’s Odyssey.

–          Poseidon was the husband of Amphitrite, who was a Nereid (= a nymph from the water). Their union produced Triton, who was half-human, half-fish. One of the original mermans.

  –          Poseidon also had a union with Medusa where he conceived the flying horse, Pegasus, one of the many known mythological creatures.

  –          He was also the biological father of Orion, Polyphemus, Pelias, and many other.

  –          One of his most notable dalliances involved his sister Demeter. She refused his advances by turning herself into a mare. He then transformed into a stallion and pursued her. Their relations would produce a horse, Arion.

  –          He and Athena also competed for the possession of the majestic city of Athens. To sway the people in his favor. Poseidon made it spring at the Acropolis. Athena, on the other hand, gave them the Elaiodentro (Olive Tree). With it, she won the contest.

  In order for the Greeks to have a successful hunt, they would pray to the goddess Artemis, also worshipped as the Roman Goddess Diana.

ARTEMIS : GODDESS OF THE HUNT, FORESTS AND HILLS, THE MOON, ARCHERY

Artemis is known as the goddess of the hunt, and is one of the most respected of all the ancient Greek deities. It is thought that her name, and even the goddess herself, may even be pre-Greek. She originated from Zeus, king of the Gods, and the Titaness Leto and she has a twin brother, known as the god Apollo.

Not only was she the goddess of the hunt. She was also known to be the goddess of wild animals, wilderness, childbirth, and virginity. She was the protector of young children and was known to bring and relieve disease in women.

In popular culture and art, she is depicted as a huntress carrying a bow and arrow.

Artemis was a Parthena (= Virgin). She drew the attention and interest of many gods and men. However, it was only her hunting companion, Orion, who won her heart. It is believed that he was accidentally killed by either Artemis herself or Gaia, the primordial goddess of the Earth.

In one version of the stories about Adonis, who was a late addition to Greek mythology during the Hellenistic period, Artemis send a wild boar to kill Adonis after he continued to boast that he was a far greater hunter than her.

–          It is believed that Artemis was born a day prior to Apollo. She was then served as a guardian to him, which provided a context for her desire to protect and nurture.

–          The Arktos (= bear) was sacred to her.

–          She guarded her virginity carefully. Actaeon and Orion tried to dishonor or rape her, but anyone who threatened her purity would meet a violent end.

–          When Callisto was seduced by Zeus, Artemis transformed her into a bear, and created the constellation in honor of her name.

–          She was sometimes associated with the goddess of the Selene (=Moon).

–          Artemis acted out in anger whenever her wishes were disobeyed, especially if anyone transgressed against the animals that were sacred to her.

–          She punished Agamemnon, when he killed a stag in her sacred grove.

–          Apollo and Artemis teamed up to kill the children of Niobe. Niobe bragged that she had birthed more children than Leto, who was the mother of Apollo and Artemis. The twins then hunter her children and killed them with their bows and arrows.

–          The temple of Artemis in Hallicarnassus was built in her honor, and became one of the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World”.

–          At least two festivals were celebrated in her honor of Artemis: Brauronia and the festival of Artemis Orthia.

Soldiers who warned victory in battle would pray to the Greek god Ares or the Roman god Mars.

ARES

The god of War. He is one of the Twelve Olympian Gods and the son of Zeus and Hera.

In literature, he represents the violent and physical untamed aspect of war, which in contrast to Athena, who represents military strategy and generalship as the goddess of intelligence.

Although Ares embodied the physical aggression necessary for success in war, the Greeks were ambivalent toward him because he was a dangerous, overwhelming force that was insatiable in battle.

According to legend, he is known to be the lover of Aphrodite, who was married to Hephaestus. Ares did play a limited role in literature, when he does appear in myths, he is typically facing humiliation.

In one famous story, they are exposed to be ridiculed by the gods when her husband Hephaestus traps them both naked in a bed by using a clever device he makes.

The Roman counterpart to Ares is Mars, who is known to be the Father to the Roman people. Because of this, he was a less aggressive and physical form, revealing a more calm and understanding demeanour.

Ares was also often characterized as a coward in spite of his connection to war. He responded to even the slightest injury with outrage.

Ares was never very popular – either with men or the other immortals. As a result, his worship in Greece was not substantial or widespread.

Ares originated from Thrace, home of a fierce people in the northeast of Greece. (NOTE: In later culture, Xena of Amphipolis, who was the warrior Princess originated from the same areas.)

His bird was the Gypas (= Vulture.)

The Amazons, who were a tribe of warrior women, were his daughters. Their mother was a peace-loving nymph named Harmony.

Otus and Ephialtes, who were twin giants, imprisoned Ares for a lunar year by binding him with chains of brass; he was eventually rescued by Hermes.

In Homer’s Iliad, Ares always took the side of Aphrodite in the Trojan War. He fought for Hector (a Trojan) until Achilles pierced him with a spear that was guided by Athena. He then departed the battlefield in order to complain about Athena’s violence.

Eros (Cupid) was the offspring of Ares and Aphrodite.

Tereus, was another offspring of Ares, known to have inherited his father’s abhorrent qualities.

Ares was also the biological father of at least three of Hercules’ enemies during his labors: Cycnus, Lycaon and Diomedes.

He also had a sister named Eris, who was the goddess of Discord. She was most famous for setting the Apple of Discord, during the Trojan War.

Hebe, was another sister of Areas, who was the Goddess of Neotita (= Youth).

He was also often associated with two other war deities known as Enyalius and Enyo.

In popular literature and art, he is generally depicted wearing a spear and a helmet.

THE SACRED MYTH PART 2:   3 OLYMPIANS – POSEIDON, ARTEMIS, ARES The myths defined which god or goddess to turn to in times of need. For example, for a safe sea voyage, they would pray to the god Poseidon or the Roman God Neptune.