Cities may save some threatened species but not their ecological functions.

摘要: Background Urbanization is one of the main causes biodiversity loss worldwide. Wildlife responses to urbanization, however, are greatly variable and, paradoxically, some threatened species may achieve much larger populations in urban than natural habitats. Urban conservation hotspots therefore help avoid regional or even global extinctions, but not conserve their often overlooked ecological functions wild. We aim draw attention this issue using two globally parrots occurring Dominican Republic: Hispaniolan amazon (Amazona ventralis) and parakeet (Psittacara chloropterus). Methods conducted a large-scale roadside survey June 2017 across country estimate relative abundance habitats, rural cities. combined with informal interviews local people collect information on past current human impacts parrot populations. also looked for foraging assess potential role as seed dispersers, an function that has been until very recently. Results Relative abundances both were negligible areas low They generally between orders magnitude lower congeneric inhabiting other Neotropical ecosystems. six times higher cities habitats case three amazon. People indicated hunting source food mitigate crop damage population declines, vigorous illegal trade (131 individuals recorded, 75% them poached recently), mostly obtained from protected where last small wild remain. observed 19 plant 11 families, dispersing fruits 14 by carrying beaks consuming distant perching trees. discarded undamaged mature seeds, germinate, 99.5% cases (n = 306), minimum dispersal distances ranged 8 155 m (median 37 m). Discussion The provided when they disappear only persist have long-term, unexpected effects Our example demonstrates how soon be refuges endemic if overharvesting continues, which dispersers would completely lost nature. functional extinction these could strongly affect vegetation communities island environment seed-dispersal naturally scarce. While plans must include species, greater efforts needed restore functions.