Biology ETDs

Publication Date

Fall 11-15-2024

Abstract

Humans have fundamentally altered the planet’s biodiversity. It is critical to characterize these changes, but also to understand how they impact the structure and function of modern ecosystems. This dissertation investigates how anthropogenically mediated species losses and/or introductions influence ecological function and community structure in mammals across multiple temporal and spatial scales. We found that selective loss of large-bodied mammals over the Late Quaternary has led to severe losses in functional diversity in modern ecosystems, suggesting megafaunal mammals contribute distinct ecological functions. These changes to mammal diversity and distribution over millennia have altered both global patterns in functional diversity and their fundamental relationship to underlying environmental drivers. However, introduced large mammals may be able to restore some lost ecological function in modern environments. We found that introduced oryx (Oryx gazella) occupy a largely vacated grazing niche in southern New Mexico, with important implications for wildlife management and broader rewilding efforts.

Language

English

Keywords

megafauna, functional diversity, fecal DNA metabarcoding, macroecology

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Biology

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

UNM Biology Department

First Committee Member (Chair)

Felisa A. Smith

Second Committee Member

Scott L. Collins

Third Committee Member

S. Kathleen Lyons

Fourth Committee Member

Tyler R. Kartzinel

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