Understanding megafaunal links between terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems (MEGALINKS)

Many megafaunal species, including crocodilians, turtles, beavers, hippos, tapirs, cattle, and deer, depend on terrestrial and freshwater habitats. They have a profound influence on habitat structure and other species in both ecosystems. Meanwhile, these large animals are subject to multiple threats on land and in water, including overexploitation, expanding urban and agricultural areas, pollution, and dam construction. Owing to their slow life histories such as large body size, long lifespan, and late maturity, megafaunal species are also intrinsically susceptible to anthropogenic impacts. Consequently, population declines and range contraction of megafauna have been widely documented, and many of them are considered threatened with extinction. The loss of these megafaunal species can reduce interactions between terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, leading to adverse impacts on both ecosystems. The MEGALINKS project will investigate the ecological roles of megafauna at land-water interfaces and identify priority areas for restoration and conservation. It is a collaborative research project between Conservation Biogeography Lab, Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin and the Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World, Aarhus University. The project is supported by the Postdoctoral Researchers International Mobility Experience (PRIME) program of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with funds from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).