The ecological importance of crocodylians: towards evidence-based justification for their conservation.

Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society
Ruchira SomaweeraBruce L Webber

Abstract

Large-bodied predators are well represented among the world's threatened and endangered species. A significant body of literature shows that in terrestrial and marine ecosystems large predators can play important roles in ecosystem structure and functioning. By contrast, the ecological roles and importance of large predators within freshwater ecosystems are poorly understood, constraining the design and implementation of optimal conservation strategies for freshwater ecosystems. Conservationists and environmentalists frequently promulgate ecological roles that crocodylians are assumed to fulfil, but often with limited evidence supporting those claims. Here, we review the available information on the ecological importance of crocodylians, a widely distributed group of predominantly freshwater-dwelling, large-bodied predators. We synthesise information regarding the role of crocodylians under five criteria within the context of modern ecological concepts: as indicators of ecological health, as ecosystem engineers, apex predators, keystone species, and as contributors to nutrient and energy translocation across ecosystems. Some crocodylians play a role as indicators of ecosystem health, but this is largely untested across the orde...Continue Reading

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Citations

Dec 19, 2020·Ecology·J Sean DoodySimon Clulow
Mar 25, 2021·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Thomas L StubbsMichael J Benton
Apr 27, 2021·Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology·Jérémy LemairePaco Bustamante
Aug 28, 2021·Environmental Pollution·Jérémy LemaireFrançois Brischoux

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