Overview
My research focuses on the timing and ecological consequences of the late Quaternary megafaunal extinctions in trhe Neotropics. I use spores of coprophilous fungi (SCF), including Sporormiella-type, to reconstruct Late Pleistocene and Holocene megafaunal abundance. My previous work includes determining the timing of extinction within the high Andean forests of Colombia.
Megafauna are ecological keystone species, thus, I adopt multiproxy microfossil investigations using pollen, charcoal and micronutrients to understand the potential consequences of extinction in the ecosystems they inhabited. Together, these integrated datasets can provide valuable information on the timing and ecological consequences of megafaunal extinctions in the underesearched tropics of Latin America.
Today, global environmental change is driving biodiversity loss and threatening contemporary fauna with extinction. This research is therefore crucial to estimate the potential repercussions of extinctions and inform management and conservation efforts.
Broad Research Specialisms
Palynology; Palaeoecology; Spores of coprophilous fungi (SCF); Megafaunal extinctions; Sporormiella; Microfossils.
Qualifications
University of Exeter, UK
2023 Master of Science by Research in Physical Geography
2020 BSc Geography, First Class Honours
Career
University of Exeter, UK
2022-2023 Laboratory technician in Physical Geography
2021-2023 Palaeoecological Research Technician
2021-Present Postgraduate Teaching Assistant | 6 modules
Links
Research group links
Research
Research interests
Using spores of coprophilous fungi (SCF), pollen and charcoal records to understand the timing and ecological consequences of megafaunal extinctions in the Neotropics across the late Quaternary.
- Palynology: Spores of coprophilous fungi, pollen, charcoal
- Megafauna and ecosystem functioning
- Extinction events
- Tropical palaeoecology
- Fire activity
- Anthropogenic impacts
- Rewilding and resotration
Research projects
Using spores of coprophilous fungi (SCF) as reference material for megafauna.
Research grants
- 2023 PalAss
Postgraduate Travel Fund for the support of participation at the International Union for Quaternary Research congress.
- 2022 NERC CDT
NERC funded ECORISC Summer Scholarship
Training Scheme.
Links
Publications
Key publications | Publications by category | Publications by year
Key publications
Pym F, Franco-Gaviria F, Garcia Espinoza I, Urrego D (2023). The timing and ecological consequences of Pleistocene megafaunal decline in the eastern Andes of Colombia.
Quaternary Research, 1-17.
Abstract:
The timing and ecological consequences of Pleistocene megafaunal decline in the eastern Andes of Colombia
Examining the ecological consequences of the late Quaternary megafaunal extinctions within biodiversity hotspots is crucial for our understanding of the potential consequences of contemporary extinctions. We present the first multi-species record of spores of coprophilous fungi (SCF) from Monquentiva and the high-Andean forests of Colombia to reconstruct Late Pleistocene and Holocene megafaunal abundance. Fossilised pollen and charcoal are used to examine the consequences of megafaunal declines on the surrounding vegetation and fire activity. Our SCF record indicates the presence of Pleistocene megafauna at least since 30,290 BP, with two waves of megafaunal decline at ca. 22,900 BP and 10,990 BP. At Monquentiva, megafaunal decline in the Early Holocene resulted in transitional non-analogue vegetation, loss of some herbivore-dispersed plant taxa, an encroachment of palatable and woody flora, and a rise in fire activity. Differences with other published South-American records suggest that ecological consequences of megafaunal declines were habitat-specific. Overall, we show that ecosystems in the eastern Colombian Cordillera were highly sensitive to the decline of megafaunal populations. Under the current biodiversity crisis, management and conservation efforts must account for the effects of local herbivore declines on plant dispersal, on fire activity, and the potential loss of ecosystem services.
Abstract.
Publications by category
Journal articles
Pym F, Franco-Gaviria F, Garcia Espinoza I, Urrego D (2023). The timing and ecological consequences of Pleistocene megafaunal decline in the eastern Andes of Colombia.
Quaternary Research, 1-17.
Abstract:
The timing and ecological consequences of Pleistocene megafaunal decline in the eastern Andes of Colombia
Examining the ecological consequences of the late Quaternary megafaunal extinctions within biodiversity hotspots is crucial for our understanding of the potential consequences of contemporary extinctions. We present the first multi-species record of spores of coprophilous fungi (SCF) from Monquentiva and the high-Andean forests of Colombia to reconstruct Late Pleistocene and Holocene megafaunal abundance. Fossilised pollen and charcoal are used to examine the consequences of megafaunal declines on the surrounding vegetation and fire activity. Our SCF record indicates the presence of Pleistocene megafauna at least since 30,290 BP, with two waves of megafaunal decline at ca. 22,900 BP and 10,990 BP. At Monquentiva, megafaunal decline in the Early Holocene resulted in transitional non-analogue vegetation, loss of some herbivore-dispersed plant taxa, an encroachment of palatable and woody flora, and a rise in fire activity. Differences with other published South-American records suggest that ecological consequences of megafaunal declines were habitat-specific. Overall, we show that ecosystems in the eastern Colombian Cordillera were highly sensitive to the decline of megafaunal populations. Under the current biodiversity crisis, management and conservation efforts must account for the effects of local herbivore declines on plant dispersal, on fire activity, and the potential loss of ecosystem services.
Abstract.
Publications by year
2023
Pym F, Franco-Gaviria F, Garcia Espinoza I, Urrego D (2023). The timing and ecological consequences of Pleistocene megafaunal decline in the eastern Andes of Colombia.
Quaternary Research, 1-17.
Abstract:
The timing and ecological consequences of Pleistocene megafaunal decline in the eastern Andes of Colombia
Examining the ecological consequences of the late Quaternary megafaunal extinctions within biodiversity hotspots is crucial for our understanding of the potential consequences of contemporary extinctions. We present the first multi-species record of spores of coprophilous fungi (SCF) from Monquentiva and the high-Andean forests of Colombia to reconstruct Late Pleistocene and Holocene megafaunal abundance. Fossilised pollen and charcoal are used to examine the consequences of megafaunal declines on the surrounding vegetation and fire activity. Our SCF record indicates the presence of Pleistocene megafauna at least since 30,290 BP, with two waves of megafaunal decline at ca. 22,900 BP and 10,990 BP. At Monquentiva, megafaunal decline in the Early Holocene resulted in transitional non-analogue vegetation, loss of some herbivore-dispersed plant taxa, an encroachment of palatable and woody flora, and a rise in fire activity. Differences with other published South-American records suggest that ecological consequences of megafaunal declines were habitat-specific. Overall, we show that ecosystems in the eastern Colombian Cordillera were highly sensitive to the decline of megafaunal populations. Under the current biodiversity crisis, management and conservation efforts must account for the effects of local herbivore declines on plant dispersal, on fire activity, and the potential loss of ecosystem services.
Abstract.
Felix_Pym Details from cache as at 2023-12-05 17:55:45
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