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Laux M, Lv H, Entling MH, Schirmel J, Narang A, Köhler M, Saha S. Native pedunculate oaks support more biodiversity than non-native oaks, but non-native oaks are healthier than native oaks: A study on street and park trees of a city. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 853:158603. [PMID: 36089021 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Trees in cities provide multiple ecosystem services. However, simultaneously ensuring healthy trees with high habitat diversity can be challenging in a harsh urban environment. We compared health, microhabitats, and bat activities between native (Quercus robur L.) and non-native (Quercus rubra L.) oaks growing in different urban habitats (street vs. park) in Karlsruhe, southwestern Germany. We randomly selected 167 oak trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) >20 cm across the city from Urban Tree Registrar. We performed tree health assessment, dendrometric, and microhabitat inventory. We recorded the four-day bat activities on 45 native and non-native oaks with acoustic loggers installed on the trees. We found that non-native oaks were healthier than native oaks but provided less abundance and richness of microhabitats. Tree size (positive effect) and pruning (negative effect) strongly influence microhabitat richness and abundance. In addition, park trees hosted significantly more microhabitats than street trees. We recorded the activities of 9 bat species from 4 genera. Pipistrellus bats were more active in park trees than street trees. Long-eared bats (Plecotus) were more active near the native than non-native oaks. Bats are likely favored by microhabitats such as fork split, lightning scar, and woodpecker "flute" that are more common in less healthy trees. We conclude that non-native red oak can be planted alongside streets, where the conditions are harsher than in parks to better adapt to climatic changes and stay healthy with less maintenance. The preservation of native pedunculate oak trees, especially within parks, is paramount for urban biodiversity conservation because of their potential to provide microhabitats and supporting bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Laux
- Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlstraße 11, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Hailiang Lv
- Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlstraße 11, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany; Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Xinfeng Road 5, 163316 Daqing, China.
| | - Martin H Entling
- University of Koblenz-Landau, Fortstraße 7, 76829 Landau, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
| | - Jens Schirmel
- University of Koblenz-Landau, Fortstraße 7, 76829 Landau, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
| | - Aditya Narang
- University of Koblenz-Landau, Fortstraße 7, 76829 Landau, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
| | - Mario Köhler
- City Horticulture Office (Gartenbauamt), Municipality of Karlsruhe, Lammstraße 7a, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Somidh Saha
- Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlstraße 11, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany; Institute for Geography and Geoecology (IfGG), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Kaiserstraße 12, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
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Pearse IS, Wion AP, Gonzalez AD, Pesendorfer MB. Understanding mast seeding for conservation and land management. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20200383. [PMID: 34657466 PMCID: PMC8520776 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Masting, the intermittent and synchronous production of large seed crops, can have profound consequences for plant populations and the food webs that are built on their seeds. For centuries, people have recorded mast crops because of their importance in managing wildlife populations. In the past 30 years, we have begun to recognize the importance of masting in conserving and managing many other aspects of the environment: promoting the regeneration of forests following fire or other disturbance, conserving rare plants, conscientiously developing the use of edible seeds as non-timber forest products, coping with the consequences of extinctions on seed dispersal, reducing the impacts of plant invasions with biological control, suppressing zoonotic diseases and preventing depredation of endemic fauna. We summarize current instances and future possibilities of a broad set of applications of masting. By exploring in detail several case studies, we develop new perspectives on how solutions to pressing conservation and land management problems may benefit by better understanding the dynamics of seed production. A lesson common to these examples is that masting can be used to time management, and often, to do this effectively, we need models that explicitly forecast masting and the dynamics of seed-eating animals into the near-term future. This article is part of the theme issue 'The ecology and evolution of synchronized seed production in plants'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian S. Pearse
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA
| | - Andreas P. Wion
- Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1177, USA
- Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1177, USA
| | - Angela D. Gonzalez
- Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1177, USA
| | - Mario B. Pesendorfer
- Institute of Forest Ecology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna 1190, Austria
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Migratory Bird Center, Washington, DC 20013, USA
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Sun X, Li H, Zhang A, Hirka A, Csóka G, Pearse IS, Holyoak M, Xiao Z. An intercontinental comparison of insect seed predation between introduced and native oaks. Integr Zool 2021; 17:217-230. [PMID: 34796655 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Novel interactions between introduced oaks and their natural enemies across different continents provide an opportunity to test the enemy release hypothesis (ERH) at local and global scales. Based on the ERH, we assessed the impacts of native seed-feeding insects on introduced and native oaks within and among continents. We combined a common-garden experiment in China and biogeographic literature surveys to measure seed predation by insects and the proportion of acorn embryos surviving after insect infestation among 4 oak species with different geographical origins: Quercus mongolica origin from China, Q. robur and Q. petraea from Europe, and Q. rubra from North America. Mostly supporting the ERH, oaks in introduced continents escaped seed predation compared to those in native continents and compared to other native oaks in introduced continents. Common-garden comparisons showed that total acorn infestation rate of introduced Q. rubra (section Lobatae) was considerably lower than that of native oaks (section Quercus) in China and Europe, likely because of the differences in seed traits associated with different oak sections. Literature surveys showed that seed predation of introduced oaks was lower in the introduced continent than in the native continent. Embryo survival was higher in introduced Q. rubra than native oaks in China and Poland. However, insect seed predation of recently introduced Q. rubra in China was similar to that in Europe, which is not consistent with the ERH. Our results suggest that reduced acorn attack by native insects and higher embryo survival after acorn damage could increase the establishment success or invasion risk of introduced oaks in non-native continents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, 111 Jiulong Road, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Haidong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Aibing Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Anikó Hirka
- Department of Forest Protection, NARIC Forest Research Institute, Hungary
| | - György Csóka
- Department of Forest Protection, NARIC Forest Research Institute, Hungary
| | - Ian S Pearse
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Marcel Holyoak
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Zhishu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Yi X, Guo J, Wang M, Xue C, Ju M. Inter-trophic Interaction of Gut Microbiota in a Tripartite System. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2021; 81:1075-1087. [PMID: 33190166 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-020-01640-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Gut microbiota can be transmitted either environmentally or socially and vertically at intraspecific level; however, whether gut microbiota interact along trophic levels has been largely overlooked. Here, we characterized the gut bacterial communities of weevil larvae of Curculio arakawai that infest acorns of Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica) as well as acorn-eating mammals, Siberian chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus), to test whether consumption of seed-borne larvae remodels the gut bacterial communities of T. sibiricus. Ingestion of weevil larvae of C. arakawai significantly altered the gut bacterial communities of T. sibiricus. Consequently, T. sibiricus fed larvae of C. arakawai showed higher capability to counter the negative effects of tannins, in terms of body weight maintenance, acorn consumption, N content in feces, urine pH, and blood ALT activity. Our results may first show that seed-borne insects as hidden players have a potential to alter the gut microbiota of seed predators in the tripartite system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianfeng Yi
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, 273165, China.
| | - Jiawei Guo
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, 273165, China
| | - Minghui Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, 273165, China
| | - Chao Xue
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, 273165, China
| | - Mengyao Ju
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, 273165, China
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Wróbel A, Crone EE, Zwolak R. Differential impacts of soil microbes on native and co‐occurring invasive tree species. Ecosphere 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Wróbel
- Department of Systematic Zoology Faculty of Biology Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań Poland
| | | | - Rafał Zwolak
- Department of Systematic Zoology Faculty of Biology Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań Poland
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STEELE MA, YI X, ZHANG H. Plant-animal interactions: patterns and mechanisms in terrestrial ecosystems. Integr Zool 2018; 13:225-227. [DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Xianfeng YI
- College of Life Sciences; Jiangxi Normal University; China
| | - Hongmao ZHANG
- School of Life Sciences; Central China Normal University; China
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Bartlow AW, Agosta SJ, Curtis R, Yi X, Steele MA. Acorn size and tolerance to seed predators: the multiple roles of acorns as food for seed predators, fruit for dispersal and fuel for growth. Integr Zool 2017; 13:251-266. [PMID: 29078026 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Fitness of parents and offspring is affected by offspring size. In oaks (Quercus spp.), acorns vary considerably in size across, and within, species. Seed size influences dispersal and establishment of oaks, but it is not known whether size imparts tolerance to seed predators. Here, we examine the relative extent to which cotyledon size serves as both a means for sustaining partial consumption and energy reserves for developing seedlings during early stages of establishment. Acorns of 6 oak species were damaged to simulate acorn predation by vertebrate and invertebrate seed predators. Seedling germination/emergence and growth rates were used to assess seedling performance. We predicted that if cotyledons are important for dispersal, acorns should show tolerance to partial seed consumption. Alternatively, if the cotyledon functions primarily as an energy reserve, damage should significantly influence seedling performance. Acorns of each species germinated and produced seedlings even after removing >50% of the cotyledon. Seed mass explained only some of the variation in performance. Within species, larger acorns performed better than smaller acorns when damaged. Undamaged acorns performed as well or better than damaged acorns. There was no pattern among individual species with increasing amounts of damage. In some species, simulated invertebrate damage resulted in the poorest performance, suggesting alternative strategies of oaks to sustain damage. Large cotyledons in acorns may be important for attracting seed dispersers and sustaining partial damage, while also providing energy to young seedlings. Success of oak establishment may follow from the resilience of acorns to sustain damage at an early stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew W Bartlow
- Department of Biology and The WIESS Institute for Environmental Science and Sustainability, Wilkes University, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, USA.,Present address: Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Salvatore J Agosta
- Department of Biology and The WIESS Institute for Environmental Science and Sustainability, Wilkes University, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, USA.,Present address: Center for Environmental Studies and Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Rachel Curtis
- Department of Biology and The WIESS Institute for Environmental Science and Sustainability, Wilkes University, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, USA.,Present address: Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Xianfeng Yi
- Department of Biology and The WIESS Institute for Environmental Science and Sustainability, Wilkes University, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, USA.,Present address: College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Michael A Steele
- Department of Biology and The WIESS Institute for Environmental Science and Sustainability, Wilkes University, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, USA
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