Snails, forest and people: ecology and conservation of terrestrial molluscs in a tropical island

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Snails, forest and people : ecology and conservation of terrestrial molluscs in the Gulf of Guinea oceanic islands, central Africa

Publication . Panisi, Martina; Lima, Ricardo Faustino de; Nuno, Ana; Palmeirim, Jorge Manuel Mestre Marques

Anthropogenic activities are increasingly shaping ecosystems worldwide, threatening the functioning of global ecological processes that maintain life on Earth. Endemic-rich areas, such as oceanic islands, hold unique biotas and socio-ecological systems, which are particularly susceptible to habitat degradation and biological invasions. Terrestrial molluscs comprise a highly diverse taxonomic group which support critical ecosystem functions but have suffered some of the highest extinction rates. The oceanic islands of the Gulf of Guinea host a high proportion of single-island endemic terrestrial mollusc species that remain little studied. This thesis explores the links between terrestrial molluscs, their habitats, and the people living in the Gulf of Guinea oceanic islands, using a combination of techniques from social and ecological sciences. The islands hold 96 species of terrestrial mollusc, 65% of which are endemic. On the largest island, São Tomé, land-use intensification decreased native species richness and abundance, while it promoted introduced species, such as the invasive Archachatina marginata. This species was an important source of food and income, especially for vulnerable people in rural areas, where it was also widely preferred and recognized by children. Wildlife conservation preferences were mainly justified by species attractiveness or profitability, and male, poorer children from rural areas were more likely to correctly identify animal species. The endemic A. bicarinata is the only terrestrial mollusc from the islands that has been listed as threatened, and most of its genetic diversity was found on Príncipe Island. This thesis showed that habitat loss and introduced species are important threats to this malacofauna, and that maintaining the integrity of forest ecosystems is critical to preventing invasions, but also that management for conservation will have to consider the relevance of introduced species for people. Urgent in and ex situ efforts are needed to protect the valuable forests where most endemic molluscs persist.

2023-07Tese de doutoramento

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Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

Número da atribuição

PD/BD/140814/2018