Dr Pedro Cardoso1

1cE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

Biography:

Pedro Cardoso is an assistant researcher at the University of Lisbon. While heading the Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe), he is currently mostly interested in understanding global drivers of extinction and the distribution of species and communities across space and time. To reach such goals he is developing new statistical and computational tools to quantify extinction risk and biodiversity at all levels: taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional.

Abstract:

Biodiversity is eroding at an accelerating pace, with current species extinction rates far exceeding natural background rates. Recently, insects have garnered significant attention due to alarming research findings indicating high rates of species extinctions and population declines worldwide. The precise causes of these declines are complex and multifaceted. Factors such as habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, pollution, the spread of invasive species, climate change, overexploitation, and co-extinction of interdependent species all play a role, with the relative importance of each being taxon- and context-dependent.

In this talk, I will review the current knowledge of insect species extinctions on a global scale and highlight the substantial gaps that remain. While efforts to better understand pollinators and their ecological importance are underway, many other taxa with equally crucial roles are still neglected. Additionally, while some countries have implemented extensive research and protection programs, most still lag behind. Identifying these gaps allows us to prioritize future work using state-of-the-art methodologies.

Innovative approaches range from optimized techniques for fieldwork and data extraction, to advanced analytical methods using alternative data to predict extinctions or capable of handling large amounts of missing data. Furthermore, a growing number of projects are addressing the root causes of species losses through collaboration with diverse partners outside academia. Zoos, NGOs, and citizen scientists all contribute to species conservation in various capacities. These efforts offer hope, but the pressing question remains whether we can outpace the rapid loss of biodiversity.