Journal article
Functionalizing ecological integrity: using functional ecology to monitor animal communities
Frontiers in ecology and the environment, Vol.23(7), pp.1-n/a
09/01/2025
DOI: 10.1002/fee.2852
Abstract
Ecological integrity-the degree to which an ecosystem supports ecological structure, composition, diversity, function, and connectivity typical of natural conditions-has been a guiding principle in ecosystem monitoring around the world. However, in terrestrial ecosystems, integrity-based monitoring often excludes animal communities, even though they are critical drivers of integrity. Methodological advances in monitoring and data science have made it easier to document animal communities. We highlight examples of these advances and how they remove barriers to adopting animal-specific integrity metrics. We then illustrate how describing animal communities in terms of functional ecology, which has also undergone substantial development over the past several decades, can provide a generalizable approach to incorporating animal communities into integrity-based monitoring across taxa and ecosystems. Incorporating animal communities into ecological integrity monitoring is a vital step toward understanding how human-driven change, restoration, and conservation shape terrestrial ecosystems worldwide.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Functionalizing ecological integrity: using functional ecology to monitor animal communities
- Creators
- Ana Miller-ter Kuile - USDA USDA Forest Serv, Rocky Mt Res Stn, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 USAJamie S. Sanderlin - Rocky Mountain Research StationJessalyn Ayars - Rocky Mountain Research StationHelen E. Chmura - Rocky Mountain Research StationMelissa Dressen - Rocky Mountain Research StationJessie D. Golding - University of ArizonaGavin M. Jones - Rocky Mountain Research StationRebecca Kirby - US Forest ServiceKari E. A. Norman - USDA Forest Serv, Rocky Mt Res Stn, Albuquerque, NM USAZachary L. Steel - Rocky Mountain Research StationValerie Stein Foster - US Forest Service
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Frontiers in ecology and the environment, Vol.23(7), pp.1-n/a
- DOI
- 10.1002/fee.2852
- ISSN
- 1540-9295
- eISSN
- 1540-9309
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 7
- Grant note
- HEC USDA Forest Service; United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); United States Forest Service 21-CS-11221635-194 / USDA Forest Service Agreement Challenge Cost Share
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/01/2025
- Academic Unit
- School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability
- Record Identifier
- 9985219303402771
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