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Zhou X, Wang C, Kattel G, Zhang J, Xu M. Hydrodynamic and trophic variations reshape macroinvertebrate food webs in urban ecosystems. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 22:100478. [PMID: 39280593 PMCID: PMC11402169 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2024.100478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024]
Abstract
Urbanization is modifying aquatic ecosystems, with hydrodynamic and trophic variations altering biotic assemblages in rapidly expanding cities worldwide. Despite the fundamental bioenergetic role of food webs within these assemblages, their responding mechanism to the hydrodynamic and trophic variations remains largely unknown. Here we show that hydrodynamic and trophic loss, coupled with the weakening of cascade controls by key trophic guilds, leads to a significant decline in the structure, function and stability of macroinvertebrate food webs. Utilizing the allometric diet breadth model and biomass balance model, we established representative food webs for macroinvertebrate groups under varying hydrodynamic and trophic stresses. We found that such losses have reduced ∼75% trophic guild richness, ∼85% biomass flux, and ∼80% biomass storage. These reductions promote trophic guild specialization, further destabilizing food web, eroding interactive strength asymmetry, and diminishing the control of trophic guilds. Furthermore, macroinvertebrate food webs show divergent stability responses under similar stress levels, mainly driven by differences in the cascade controls exerted by key trophic guilds. Our results underscore the critical role of hydrodynamic and trophic variations in shaping urban aquatic ecosystems and highlight the significance of both external environmental revitalization and internal food web dynamics enhancement in restoring the ecological stability in urban settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiongdong Zhou
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
- State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Congcong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Giri Kattel
- State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Department of Infrastructure Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- School of Geographical Sciences, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China
| | - Jiahao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- National Inland Waterway Regulation Engineering Research Center, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China
| | - Mengzhen Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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Zhou XH, He WM. Warming, nitrogen deposition, and provenance shift above-belowground insect interactions and host compensatory growth. Ecology 2024:e4445. [PMID: 39376114 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 10/09/2024]
Abstract
Above-belowground insect herbivore interactions and plant compensatory growth are crucial for reshaping the fitness of invasive plants, and it is likely that climate warming, nitrogen (N) deposition, and plant provenance influence this interaction and growth in a complex way. We performed an experiment with Solidago canadensis from home and introduced ranges, leaf-chewing Spodoptera litura, and root-feeding Protaetia brevitarsis under climate warming and N deposition, and addressed how these abiotic stressors and plant provenance jointly shaped the reciprocal effects between S. litura and P. brevitarsis and the compensatory growth of S. canadensis after herbivory. Under ambient conditions, S. litura and P. brevitarsis inhibited each other on the basis of growth; warming, N addition or warming plus N addition shifted or even reversed this competition depending on provenance. While the survival-based above-belowground interactions differed from growth-based ones, warming or warming plus N addition also shifted or even reversed the neutralism or amensalism detected under ambient conditions depending on provenance. S. canadensis from its home range was more tolerant of herbivory than from its introduced range under ambient conditions; warming, N addition or warming plus N addition decreased the plant compensatory growth of native S. canadensis, but increased that of invasive S. canadensis relative to ambient conditions. These findings suggest that climate warming and N deposition could enhance positive above-belowground insect interactions, increasing insect pressures on S. canadensis, and that plant provenance might be important in mediating climate change effects on insect interactions and host compensatory growth under plant invasions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Hui Zhou
- College of Forestry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
- Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Ecology and Environment, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei-Ming He
- College of Forestry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
- Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Hebei Urban Forest Health Technology Innovation Center, Baoding, China
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3
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Rodrigues FB, Alexandre RJR, Pena SA, Correia LL, Vieira TB. Conservation gaps for Brazilian bats, limited protection across conservation units and the importance of the indigenous lands. Sci Rep 2024; 14:23183. [PMID: 39369163 PMCID: PMC11455905 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-74369-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 09/25/2024] [Indexed: 10/07/2024] Open
Abstract
In Brazil, there is 13% of the world's bat diversity, is the second most diverse group of mammals, playing a crucial role in providing ecosystem services that benefit humans. However, anthropogenic disturbances exacerbate processes of species extinction, shifts in geographic distributions, and phenological changes, despite efforts to safeguard biodiversity through the creation of Conservation Units and Indigenous Lands. Moreover, gaps in taxonomic knowledge and challenges related to species distribution hinder the effective implementation of conservation strategies in protected areas. This study assesses the contribution of Brazilian Conservation Units (both Full Protection and Sustainable Use) and Indigenous Lands to the conservation of bat species and their ecosystem services. It also presents maps illustrating species richness by trophic guilds and threat classification according to IUCN, including species listed as Data Deficient. The findings reveal low percentages of potential bat distribution areas within these protected regions, especially for insectivorous, nectarivorous, and frugivorous bats in the Cerrado biome, which are classified as Near Threatened. Additionally, the highest bat species richness was observed in the Amazon and Atlantic Forest biomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Baia Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Ecologia, Faculdade de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Altamira, PA, 68371970, Brasil
| | | | - Simone Almeida Pena
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Terra Firme, Campus Guamá, Av. Perimetral, Belém, PA, CEP 190166017-970, Brasil
| | - Letícia Lima Correia
- Laboratório de Ecologia, Faculdade de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Altamira, PA, 68371970, Brasil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Terra Firme, Campus Guamá, Av. Perimetral, Belém, PA, CEP 190166017-970, Brasil.
| | - Thiago Bernardi Vieira
- Laboratório de Ecologia, Faculdade de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Altamira, PA, 68371970, Brasil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Rua Augusto Corrêa, 01 - Guamá, Belém, PA, 66075-110, Brasil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Terra Firme, Campus Guamá, Av. Perimetral, Belém, PA, CEP 190166017-970, Brasil
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4
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Oliveira FMP, Silva CHF, Moir ML, Leal IR, Andersen AN. Fire and ant interactions mediated by honeydew and extrafloral nectar in an australian tropical savanna. Oecologia 2024:10.1007/s00442-024-05628-6. [PMID: 39369081 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-024-05628-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 09/23/2024] [Indexed: 10/07/2024]
Abstract
Fire is a major disturbance affecting ecosystems globally, but its impact on mutualisms has received minimal attention. Here, we use a long-term field experiment to investigate the impact of different fire regimes on globally important ant-honeydew and ant-extrafloral nectar (EFN) mutualistic interactions in an Australian tropical savanna. These interactions provide ants with a key energy source, while their plant and hemipteran hosts receive protection services. We examined ant interactions on species of Eucalyptus (lacking EFNs) and Acacia (with EFNs) in three replicate plots each of burning every 2 and 3 years early in the dry season, burning late in the dry season every 2 years, and unburnt for > 25 years. The proportions of plants with ant-honeydew interactions in Acacia (44.6%) and Eucalyptus (36.3%) were double those of Acacia plants with ant-EFN interactions (18.9%). The most common ants, representing 85% of all interactions, were behaviourally dominant species of Oecophylla, Iridomyrmex and Papyrius. Fire promoted the incidence of ant interactions, especially those involving EFNs on Acacia, which occurred on only 3% of plants in unburnt plots compared with 24% in frequently burnt plots. Fire also promoted the relative incidence of behaviourally dominant ants, which are considered the highest quality mutualists. Contrary to expectations, frequent fire did not result in a switching of behaviourally dominant ant partners from forest-adapted Oecophylla to arid-adapted Iridomyrmex. Our findings that frequent fire increases ant interactions mediated by honeydew and extrafloral nectar, and promotes the quality of ant mutualists, have important implications for protective services provided by ants in highly fire-prone ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda M P Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - Carlos H F Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - Melinda L Moir
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, South Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Inara R Leal
- Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - Alan N Andersen
- Research School for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.
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5
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MacDougall AS, Esch E, Chen Q, Carroll O, Bonner C, Ohlert T, Siewert M, Sulik J, Schweiger AK, Borer ET, Naidu D, Bagchi S, Hautier Y, Wilfahrt P, Larson K, Olofsson J, Cleland E, Muthukrishnan R, O'Halloran L, Alberti J, Anderson TM, Arnillas CA, Bakker JD, Barrio IC, Biederman L, Boughton EH, Brudvig LA, Bruschetti M, Buckley Y, Bugalho MN, Cadotte MW, Caldeira MC, Catford JA, D'Antonio C, Davies K, Daleo P, Dickman CR, Donohue I, DuPre ME, Elgersma K, Eisenhauer N, Eskelinen A, Estrada C, Fay PA, Feng Y, Gruner DS, Hagenah N, Haider S, Harpole WS, Hersch-Green E, Jentsch A, Kirkman K, Knops JMH, Laanisto L, Lannes LS, Laungani R, Lkhagva A, Macek P, Martina JP, McCulley RL, Melbourne B, Mitchell R, Moore JL, Morgan JW, Muraina TO, Niu Y, Pärtel M, Peri PL, Power SA, Price JN, Prober SM, Ren Z, Risch AC, Smith NG, Sonnier G, Standish RJ, Stevens CJ, Tedder M, Tognetti P, Veen GFC, Virtanen R, Wardle GM, Waring E, Wolf AA, Yahdjian L, Seabloom EW. Widening global variability in grassland biomass since the 1980s. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:1877-1888. [PMID: 39103674 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-024-02500-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Global change is associated with variable shifts in the annual production of aboveground plant biomass, suggesting localized sensitivities with unclear causal origins. Combining remotely sensed normalized difference vegetation index data since the 1980s with contemporary field data from 84 grasslands on 6 continents, we show a widening divergence in site-level biomass ranging from +51% to -34% globally. Biomass generally increased in warmer, wetter and species-rich sites with longer growing seasons and declined in species-poor arid areas. Phenological changes were widespread, revealing substantive transitions in grassland seasonal cycling. Grazing, nitrogen deposition and plant invasion were prevalent in some regions but did not predict overall trends. Grasslands are undergoing sizable changes in production, with implications for food security, biodiversity and carbon storage especially in arid regions where declines are accelerating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S MacDougall
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Ellen Esch
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Qingqing Chen
- Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Science, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Oliver Carroll
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Colin Bonner
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Timothy Ohlert
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Matthias Siewert
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - John Sulik
- Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anna K Schweiger
- Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Elizabeth T Borer
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA
| | - Dilip Naidu
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Sumanta Bagchi
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Yann Hautier
- Ecology and Biodiversity Group, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Wilfahrt
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA
| | - Keith Larson
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Johan Olofsson
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Elsa Cleland
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Lydia O'Halloran
- Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Juan Alberti
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC) FCEyN, UNMdP-CONICET, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | | | - Carlos A Arnillas
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto-Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathan D Bakker
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Isabel C Barrio
- Faculty of Environmental and Forest Sciences, Agricultural University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Lori Biederman
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | | | - Lars A Brudvig
- Department of Plant Biology and Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Martin Bruschetti
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC) FCEyN, UNMdP-CONICET, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Yvonne Buckley
- Department of Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Miguel N Bugalho
- Centre for Applied Ecology, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marc W Cadotte
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto-Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria C Caldeira
- Forest Research Centre, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jane A Catford
- Department of Geography, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Carla D'Antonio
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Kendi Davies
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Pedro Daleo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC) FCEyN, UNMdP-CONICET, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Christopher R Dickman
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ian Donohue
- Department of Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | - Nico Eisenhauer
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anu Eskelinen
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Physiological Diversity, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | | | - Philip A Fay
- USDA-ARS Grassland Soil, and Water Research Laboratory, Temple, TX, USA
| | - Yanhao Feng
- College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Daniel S Gruner
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Nicole Hagenah
- Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sylvia Haider
- Institute of Ecology, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Lüneburg, Germany
| | - W Stanley Harpole
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Physiological Diversity, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
- Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Erika Hersch-Green
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
| | - Anke Jentsch
- Department of Disturbance Ecology, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Kevin Kirkman
- School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Johannes M H Knops
- Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Jiatong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
| | - Lauri Laanisto
- Chair of Biodiversity and Nature Tourism, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Lucíola S Lannes
- Department of Biology and Animal Sciences, Sao Paulo State University UNESP, Ilha Solteira, Brazil
| | - Ramesh Laungani
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY, USA
| | | | - Petr Macek
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Biology Centre of Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jason P Martina
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
| | - Rebecca L McCulley
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Brett Melbourne
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Rachel Mitchell
- School of Earth and Sustainability, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Joslin L Moore
- Arthur Rylah Institute for Environment Research, Department of Energy Environment and Climate Action, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - John W Morgan
- Department of Environment and Genetics, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Taofeek O Muraina
- Department of Animal Health and Production, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igbo-Ora, Nigeria
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
| | - Yujie Niu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem of the Ministry of Education, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Meelis Pärtel
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Pablo L Peri
- INTA-UNPA-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia, Rìo Gallegos, Argentina
| | - Sally A Power
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jodi N Price
- Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Albury, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Suzanne M Prober
- CSIRO Environment, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Zhengwei Ren
- College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Anita C Risch
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Nicholas G Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Carly J Stevens
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Michelle Tedder
- School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Pedro Tognetti
- IFEVA Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - G F Ciska Veen
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Risto Virtanen
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Glenda M Wardle
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Waring
- Department of Natural Sciences, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK, USA
| | - Amelia A Wolf
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Laura Yahdjian
- IFEVA Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Eric W Seabloom
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA
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Gaudin M, Eveillard D, Chaffron S. Ecological associations distribution modelling of marine plankton at a global scale. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230169. [PMID: 39034696 PMCID: PMC11293856 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Marine plankton communities form intricate networks of interacting organisms at the base of the food chain, and play a central role in regulating ocean biogeochemical cycles and climate. However, predicting plankton community shifts in response to climate change remains challenging. While species distribution models are valuable tools for predicting changes in species biogeography under climate change scenarios, they generally overlook the key role of biotic interactions, which can significantly shape ecological processes and ecosystem responses. Here, we introduce a novel statistical framework, association distribution modelling (ADM), designed to model and predict ecological associations distribution in space and time. Applied on a Tara Oceans genome-resolved metagenomics dataset, the present-day biogeography of ADM-inferred marine plankton associations revealed four major biogeographic biomes organized along a latitudinal gradient. We predicted the evolution of these biome-specific communities in response to a climate change scenario, highlighting differential responses to environmental change. Finally, we explored the functional potential of impacted plankton communities, focusing on carbon fixation, outlining the predicted evolution of its geographical distribution and implications for ecosystem function.This article is part of the theme issue 'Connected interactions: enriching food web research by spatial and social interactions'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marinna Gaudin
- Nantes Université, École Centrale Nantes, CNRS, LS2N, UMR 6004, Nantes44000, France
- Research Federation for the Study of Global Ocean Systems Ecology and Evolution, FR2022/Tara Oceans GOSEE, Paris75016, France
| | - Damien Eveillard
- Nantes Université, École Centrale Nantes, CNRS, LS2N, UMR 6004, Nantes44000, France
- Research Federation for the Study of Global Ocean Systems Ecology and Evolution, FR2022/Tara Oceans GOSEE, Paris75016, France
| | - Samuel Chaffron
- Nantes Université, École Centrale Nantes, CNRS, LS2N, UMR 6004, Nantes44000, France
- Research Federation for the Study of Global Ocean Systems Ecology and Evolution, FR2022/Tara Oceans GOSEE, Paris75016, France
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7
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Filipiak ZM, Mayoral C, Mills SA, Hayward SAL, Ullah S. Elevated atmospheric CO 2 alters the multi-element stoichiometry of pollen-bearing oak flowers, with possible negative effects on bees. Oecologia 2024:10.1007/s00442-024-05610-2. [PMID: 39245757 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-024-05610-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
Increasing atmospheric CO2 levels change the elemental composition in plants, altering their nutritional quality and affecting consumers and ecosystems. Ecological stoichiometry provides a framework for investigating how CO2-driven nutrient dilution in pollen affects bees by linking changes in pollen chemical element proportions to the nutritional needs of bees. We investigated the consequences of five years of Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) in a mature oak-dominated temperate forest on the elemental composition of English oak (Quercus robur) pollen. We measured the concentrations and proportions of 12 elements (C, N, P, S, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn) in Q. robur pollen-bearing flowers collected from the Birmingham Institute for Forest Research (BIFoR) FACE facility. An elevated CO2 (eCO2) level of 150 ppm above ambient significantly reduced the S, K, and Fe levels and altered the multi-element ratio, with different elements behaving differently. This shift in pollen multi-element composition may have subsequent cascading effects on higher trophic levels. To assess the impact on bees, we calculated the stoichiometric mismatch (a measure of the discrepancy between consumer needs and food quality) for two bee species, Osmia bicornis (red mason bee) and Apis mellifera (honey bee), that consume oak pollen in nature. We observed stoichiometric mismatches for P and S, in pollen under eCO2, which could negatively affect bees. We highlight the need for a comprehensive understanding of the changes in pollen multi-element stoichiometry under eCO2, which leads to nutrient limitations under climate change with consequences for bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna M Filipiak
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Carolina Mayoral
- Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, England
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Sophie A Mills
- Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, England
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Scott A L Hayward
- Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, England
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Sami Ullah
- Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, England
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
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8
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Li J, Wang S, Liu P, Peng J, Liu X, Sun Q, Zhou B, Lei K. Environmental DNA metabarcoding reveals the influence of environmental heterogeneity on microeukaryotic plankton in the offshore waters of East China Sea. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 262:119921. [PMID: 39233035 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Revised: 08/17/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Microeukaryotic plankton are essential to marine food webs and biogeochemical cycles, with coastal seas playing a critical role in aquatic ecosystems. Understanding the diversity of microeukaryotic plankton, deciphering their community structure and succession patterns, and identifying the key factors influencing these dynamics remain central challenges in coastal ecology. In this study, we examine patterns of biodiversity, community structure, and co-occurrence using environmental DNA (eDNA)-based methods. Our results show a linear correlation between α-diversity and distance from the shore, with nutrient-related factors, especially inorganic nitrogen, being the primary determinants of the spatial distribution of plankton communities. Alternation of coastal habitat have shifted the succession patterns of coastal eukaryotic plankton communities from stochastic to deterministic processes. Additionally, our observations indicate that the topology and structure of eukaryotic plankton symbiotic patterns and networks are significantly influenced by environmental heterogeneity such as nutrients, which increase the vulnerability and decrease the stability of offshore ecological networks. Overall, our study demonstrates that the distribution of microeukaryotic plankton communities is influenced by factors related to environmental heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangnan Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266000, China; Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100000, China
| | - Shuping Wang
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100000, China
| | - Pengxia Liu
- Ecological Environment Monitoring and Scientific Research Center, Taihu Basin & East China Sea Ecological Environment Supervision and Administration Bureau, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Shanghai, 200125, China
| | - Jiayu Peng
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100000, China
| | - Xinmei Liu
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100000, China
| | - Qianhang Sun
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266000, China; Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100000, China
| | - Bo Zhou
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100000, China
| | - Kun Lei
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100000, China.
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9
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Curveira-Santos G, Marion S, Sutherland C, Beirne C, Herdman EJ, Tattersall ER, Burgar JM, Fisher JT, Burton AC. Disturbance-mediated changes to boreal mammal spatial networks in industrializing landscapes. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2024; 34:e3004. [PMID: 38925578 DOI: 10.1002/eap.3004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Compound effects of anthropogenic disturbances on wildlife emerge through a complex network of direct responses and species interactions. Land-use changes driven by energy and forestry industries are known to disrupt predator-prey dynamics in boreal ecosystems, yet how these disturbance effects propagate across mammal communities remains uncertain. Using structural equation modeling, we tested disturbance-mediated pathways governing the spatial structure of multipredator multiprey boreal mammal networks across a landscape-scale disturbance gradient within Canada's Athabasca oil sands region. Linear disturbances had pervasive direct effects, increasing site use for all focal species, except black bears and threatened caribou, in at least one landscape. Conversely, block (polygonal) disturbance effects were negative but less common. Indirect disturbance effects were widespread and mediated by caribou avoidance of wolves, tracking of primary prey by subordinate predators, and intraguild dependencies among predators and large prey. Context-dependent responses to linear disturbances were most common among prey and within the landscape with intermediate disturbance. Our research suggests that industrial disturbances directly affect a suite of boreal mammals by altering forage availability and movement, leading to indirect effects across a range of interacting predators and prey, including the keystone snowshoe hare. The complexity of network-level direct and indirect disturbance effects reinforces calls for increased investment in addressing habitat degradation as the root cause of threatened species declines and broader ecosystem change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonçalo Curveira-Santos
- Department of Forest Resources Management, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- CIBIO Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO Associated Laboratory, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Solène Marion
- Department of Forest Resources Management, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Christopher Beirne
- Department of Forest Resources Management, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - Erin R Tattersall
- Department of Forest Resources Management, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Joanna M Burgar
- Department of Forest Resources Management, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
| | - Jason T Fisher
- School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
| | - A Cole Burton
- Department of Forest Resources Management, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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10
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Carroll G, Abrahms B, Brodie S, Cimino MA. Spatial match-mismatch between predators and prey under climate change. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:1593-1601. [PMID: 38914712 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-024-02454-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Climate change is driving a rapid redistribution of life on Earth. Variability in the rates, magnitudes and directions of species' shifts can alter spatial overlap between predators and prey, with the potential to decouple trophic interactions. Although phenological mismatches between predator requirements and prey availability under climate change are well-established, 'spatial match-mismatch' dynamics remain poorly understood. We synthesize global evidence for climate-driven changes in spatial predator-prey overlap resulting from species redistribution across marine and terrestrial domains. We show that spatial mismatches can have vastly different outcomes for predator populations depending on their diet specialization and role within the wider ecosystem. We illustrate ecosystem-level consequences of climate-driven changes in spatial predator-prey overlap, from restructuring food webs to altering socio-ecological interactions. It remains unclear how predator-prey overlap at the landscape scale relates to prey encounter and consumption rates at local scales, or how the spatial reorganization of food webs affects ecosystem function. We identify key research directions necessary to resolve the scale of ecological impacts caused by species redistribution under climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Briana Abrahms
- Center for Ecosystem Sentinels, Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Stephanie Brodie
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Environment, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Megan A Cimino
- Institute of Marine Science, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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11
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Cai K, Zhu S, Jiang Z, Xu K, Sun X, Li X. Biological macromolecules mediated by environmental signals affect flowering regulation in plants: A comprehensive review. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2024; 214:108931. [PMID: 39003975 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Flowering time is a crucial developmental stage in the life cycle of plants, as it determines the reproductive success and overall fitness of the organism. The precise regulation of flowering time is influenced by various internal and external factors, including genetic, environmental, and hormonal cues. This review provided a comprehensive overview of the molecular mechanisms and regulatory pathways of biological macromolecules (e.g. proteins and phytohormone) and environmental factors (e.g. light and temperature) involved in the control of flowering time in plants. We discussed the key proteins and signaling pathways that govern the transition from vegetative growth to reproductive development, highlighting the intricate interplay between genetic networks, environmental cues, and phytohormone signaling. Additionally, we explored the impact of flowering time regulation on plant adaptation, crop productivity, and agricultural practices. Moreover, we summarized the similarities and differences of flowering mechanisms between annual and perennial plants. Understanding the mechanisms underlying flowering time control is not only essential for fundamental plant biology research but also holds great potential for crop improvement and sustainable agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kefan Cai
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Green Production of Agriculture in Mountainous Areas of Zhejiang Province, College of Horticulture Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control for Subtropical Fruit and Vegetable, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, China
| | - Siting Zhu
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Green Production of Agriculture in Mountainous Areas of Zhejiang Province, College of Horticulture Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control for Subtropical Fruit and Vegetable, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zeyu Jiang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Green Production of Agriculture in Mountainous Areas of Zhejiang Province, College of Horticulture Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control for Subtropical Fruit and Vegetable, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kai Xu
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Green Production of Agriculture in Mountainous Areas of Zhejiang Province, College of Horticulture Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control for Subtropical Fruit and Vegetable, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xuepeng Sun
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Green Production of Agriculture in Mountainous Areas of Zhejiang Province, College of Horticulture Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control for Subtropical Fruit and Vegetable, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Xiaolong Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Green Production of Agriculture in Mountainous Areas of Zhejiang Province, College of Horticulture Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control for Subtropical Fruit and Vegetable, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, China.
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12
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Laine AL, Tylianakis JM. The coevolutionary consequences of biodiversity change. Trends Ecol Evol 2024; 39:745-756. [PMID: 38705768 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Coevolutionary selection is a powerful process shaping species interactions and biodiversity. Anthropogenic global environmental change is reshaping planetary biodiversity, including by altering the structure and intensity of interspecific interactions. However, remarkably little is understood of how coevolutionary selection is changing in the process. Here, we outline three interrelated pathways - change in evolutionary potential, change in community composition, and shifts in interaction trait distributions - that are expected to redirect coevolutionary selection under biodiversity change. Assessing how both ecological and evolutionary rules governing species interactions are disrupted under anthropogenic global change is of paramount importance to understand the past, present, and future of Earth's biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Liisa Laine
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Viikinkaari 1 (PO Box 65), University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Jason M Tylianakis
- Bioprotection Aotearoa, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
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13
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Lai HR, Bellingham PJ, McCarthy JK, Richardson SJ, Wiser SK, Stouffer DB. Detecting Nonadditive Biotic Interactions and Assessing Their Biological Relevance among Temperate Rainforest Trees. Am Nat 2024; 204:105-120. [PMID: 39008837 DOI: 10.1086/730807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
AbstractInteractions between and within abiotic and biotic processes generate nonadditive density-dependent effects on species performance that can vary in strength or direction across environments. If ignored, nonadditivities can lead to inaccurate predictions of species responses to environmental and compositional changes. While there are increasing empirical efforts to test the constancy of pairwise biotic interactions along environmental and compositional gradients, few assess both simultaneously. Using a nationwide forest inventory that spans broad ambient temperature and moisture gradients throughout New Zealand, we address this gap by analyzing the diameter growth of six focal tree species as a function of neighbor densities and climate, as well as neighbor × climate and neighbor × neighbor statistical interactions. The most complex model featuring all interaction terms had the highest predictive accuracy. Compared with climate variables, biotic interactions typically had stronger effects on diameter growth, especially when subjected to nonadditivities from local climatic conditions and the density of intermediary species. Furthermore, statistically strong (or weak) nonadditivities could be biologically irrelevant (or significant) depending on whether a species pair typically interacted under average or more extreme conditions. Our study highlights the importance of considering both the statistical potential and the biological relevance of nonadditive biotic interactions when assessing species performance under global change.
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14
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Suding KN, Collins CG, Hallett LM, Larios L, Brigham LM, Dudney J, Farrer EC, Larson JE, Shackelford N, Spasojevic MJ. Biodiversity in changing environments: An external-driver internal-topology framework to guide intervention. Ecology 2024; 105:e4322. [PMID: 39014865 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Accompanying the climate crisis is the more enigmatic biodiversity crisis. Rapid reorganization of biodiversity due to global environmental change has defied prediction and tested the basic tenets of conservation and restoration. Conceptual and practical innovation is needed to support decision making in the face of these unprecedented shifts. Critical questions include: How can we generalize biodiversity change at the community level? When are systems able to reorganize and maintain integrity, and when does abiotic change result in collapse or restructuring? How does this understanding provide a template to guide when and how to intervene in conservation and restoration? To this end, we frame changes in community organization as the modulation of external abiotic drivers on the internal topology of species interactions, using plant-plant interactions in terrestrial communities as a starting point. We then explore how this framing can help translate available data on species abundance and trait distributions to corresponding decisions in management. Given the expectation that community response and reorganization are highly complex, the external-driver internal-topology (EDIT) framework offers a way to capture general patterns of biodiversity that can help guide resilience and adaptation in changing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine N Suding
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Courtney G Collins
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Biodiversity Research Centre, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lauren M Hallett
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Department of Biology and Environmental Studies Program, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | - Loralee Larios
- Department of Botany & Plant Sciences, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Laurel M Brigham
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Joan Dudney
- Environmental Studies Program, Santa Barbara, California, USA
- Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UC Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Emily C Farrer
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Julie E Larson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, Burns, Oregon, USA
| | - Nancy Shackelford
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Marko J Spasojevic
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
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15
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Tonos J, Papinot B, Park DS, Raelison M, Ramaroson H, Stubbs J, Razafindratsima OH. Examining the structure of plant-lemur interactions in the face of imperfect knowledge. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024:e14323. [PMID: 39045776 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Biotic interactions, such as plant-animal seed dispersal mutualisms, are essential for ecosystem function. Such interactions are threatened by the possible extinction of the animal partners. Using a data set that includes plant-lemur interactions across Madagascar, we studied the current state of knowledge of these interactions and their structure to determine which plant species are most at risk of losing dispersal services due to the loss of lemurs. We found substantial gaps in understanding of plant-lemur interactions; data were substantially skewed toward a few lemur species and locations. There was also a large gap in knowledge on the interactions of plants and small-bodied or nocturnal lemurs and lemurs outside a few highly studied locations. Of the recorded interactions, a significant portion occurred between lemurs and endemic plants, rather than native or introduced plants. We also found that lemur species tended to primarily consume closely related plant species. Such interaction patterns may indicate the threats to Malagasy endemic plants and highlight how lemur population loss or reductions could affect plant phylogenetic diversity. When examining the impacts of lemur extinction, losing critically endangered species left 164 plant species with no known lemur frugivore partners. Despite phylogenetic patterns in lemur diet, plants for which the only known lemur frugivore is critically endangered were not closely related. These results emphasize the need for further studies to complete our knowledge on these essential interactions and to inform conservation priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jadelys Tonos
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Bastien Papinot
- Tundra Ecology Lab, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Daniel S Park
- Purdue Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | | | - Herilantonirina Ramaroson
- Zootechnic, Veterinary and Fish Research Department (DRZVP), National Research Institute Applied for Rural Development (FOFIFA / CENRADERU), Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Jessica Stubbs
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Onja H Razafindratsima
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
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16
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Wang M, Li D, Frey B, Gao D, Liu X, Chen C, Sui X, Li M. Land use modified impacts of global change factors on soil microbial structure and function: A global hierarchical meta-analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 935:173286. [PMID: 38772492 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173286] [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: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Nitrogen cycling in terrestrial ecosystems is critical for biodiversity, vegetation productivity and biogeochemical cycling. However, little is known about the response of functional nitrogen cycle genes to global change factors in soils under different land uses. Here, we conducted a multiple hierarchical mixed effects meta-analyses of global change factors (GCFs) including warming (W+), mean altered precipitation (MAP+/-), elevated carbon dioxide concentrations (eCO2), and nitrogen addition (N+), using 2706 observations extracted from 200 peer-reviewed publications. The results showed that GCFs had significant and different effects on soil microbial communities under different types of land use. Under different land use types, such as Wetland, Tundra, Grassland, Forest, Desert and Agriculture, the richness and diversity of soil microbial communities will change accordingly due to differences in vegetation cover, soil management practices and environmental conditions. Notably, soil bacterial diversity is positively correlated with richness, but soil fungal diversity is negatively correlated with richness, when differences are driven by GCFs. For functional genes involved in nitrification, eCO2 in agricultural soils and the interaction of N+ with other GCFs in grassland soils stimulate an increase in the abundance of the AOA-amoA gene. In agricultural soil, MAP+ increases the abundance of nifH. W+ in agricultural soils and N+ in grassland soils decreased the abundance of nifH. The abundance of the genes nirS and nirK, involved in denitrification, was mainly negatively affected by W+ and positively affected by eCO2 in agricultural soil, but negatively affected by N+ in grassland soil. This meta-analysis was important for subsequent research related to global climate change. Considering data limitations, it is recommended to conduct multiple long-term integrated observational experiments to establish a scientific basis for addressing global changes in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyu Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Agricultural Microbiology Technology, Ministry of Education & Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ecological Restoration and Resource Utilization for Cold Region & Key Laboratory of Microbiology, College of Heilongjiang Province & School of Life Sciences, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, China
| | - Detian Li
- Griffith School of Environment and Science and the Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Beat Frey
- Forest Dynamics, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Decai Gao
- Key Laboratory of Geographical Processes and Ecological Security in Changbai Mountains, Ministry of Education, School of Geographical Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, PR China
| | - Xiangyu Liu
- Griffith School of Environment and Science and the Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Chengrong Chen
- Griffith School of Environment and Science and the Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Xin Sui
- Engineering Research Center of Agricultural Microbiology Technology, Ministry of Education & Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ecological Restoration and Resource Utilization for Cold Region & Key Laboratory of Microbiology, College of Heilongjiang Province & School of Life Sciences, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, China.
| | - Maihe Li
- Forest Dynamics, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, Birmensdorf, Switzerland; Key Laboratory of Geographical Processes and Ecological Security in Changbai Mountains, Ministry of Education, School of Geographical Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, PR China; School of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding, China.
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17
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Rybak M, Rosińska J, Wejnerowski Ł, Rodrigo MA, Joniak T. Submerged macrophyte self-recovery potential behind restoration treatments: sources of failure. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1421448. [PMID: 39081521 PMCID: PMC11286398 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1421448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
When exploring the challenges of restoring degraded lakes, we often do not observe the expected results despite executing all planned activities. Our study elucidates the reasons that impede the recovery of submerged macrophytes despite ameliorated light conditions. When prolonged lake degradation occurs, subsequent efforts to increase light availability often prove insufficient, resulting in a persistent turbid water state. In this study, we attempted to determine the reasons for these failures through a germination test and propagule bank analysis conducted in bottom sediments from a severely degraded lake, which underwent restoration. Although the bottom sediments indicate relative potential in the number of oospores and seeds, their germination efficacy remained dismally low. Based on the germination test results and factors affecting the development of submerged macrophytes (physical and chemical parameters, lake morphology), we stated that improvement of light conditions in the lake could be insufficient to recover the vegetation, especially when the potential to renew diverse plant communities from sediments naturally is low. Our findings advocate for a paradigmatic shift in lake restoration strategies. A holistic approach that includes propagule bank assessments before embarking on restoration initiatives and enabling the identification of macrophyte resurgence potentials is recommended. We also advocate for a multifaceted restoration framework, emphasizing the indispensability of augmenting natural recovery mechanisms with targeted interventions. Consequently, in some cases, macrophyte reintroduction could be the only solution. By reintroducing autochthonic species to site-specific ecological dynamics, we anticipate an increased success rate in restituting submerged vegetation, thus catalyzing ecological regeneration within degraded lake ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Rybak
- Department of Water Protection, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Joanna Rosińska
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Łukasz Wejnerowski
- Department of Hydrobiology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Maria A. Rodrigo
- Integrative Ecology Group, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of València, Paterna, Spain
| | - Tomasz Joniak
- Department of Water Protection, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
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18
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Wang S, Gu S, Zhang Y, Deng Y, Qiu W, Sun Q, Zhang T, Wang P, Yan Z. Microeukaryotic plankton community dynamics under ecological water replenishment: Insights from eDNA metabarcoding. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 20:100409. [PMID: 38572085 PMCID: PMC10987827 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2024.100409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Ecological water replenishment (EWR) is an important strategy for river restoration globally, but timely evaluation of its ecological effects at a large spatiotemporal scale to further adjust the EWR schemes is of great challenge. Here, we examine the impact of EWR on microeukaryotic plankton communities in three distinct river ecosystems through environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding. The three ecosystems include a long-term cut-off river, a short-term connected river after EWR, and long-term connected rivers. We analyzed community stability by investigating species composition, stochastic and deterministic dynamics interplay, and ecological network robustness. We found that EWR markedly reduced the diversity and complexity of microeukaryotic plankton, altered their community dynamics, and lessened the variation within the community. Moreover, EWR disrupted the deterministic patterns of community organization, favoring dispersal constraints, and aligning with trends observed in naturally connected rivers. The shift from an isolated to a temporarily connected river appeared to transition community structuring mechanisms from deterministic to stochastic dominance, whereas, in permanently connected rivers, both forces concurrently influenced community assembly. The ecological network in temporarily connected rivers post-EWR demonstrated significantly greater stability and intricacy compared to other river systems. This shift markedly bolstered the resilience of the ecological network. The eDNA metabarcoding insights offer a novel understanding of ecosystem resilience under EWR interventions, which could be critical in assessing the effects of river restoration projects throughout their life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Songsong Gu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Yaqun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing, 100141, China
| | - Ye Deng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Wenhui Qiu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Qianhang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Tianxu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Pengyuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Zhenguang Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
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Lagassé BJ, Breed GA. Warming sea surface temperatures are linked to lower shorebird migratory fuel loads. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:240324. [PMID: 39021777 PMCID: PMC11252674 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.240324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Warming sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are altering the biological structure of intertidal wetlands at a global scale, with potentially serious physiological and demographic consequences for migratory shorebird populations that depend on intertidal sites. The effects of mediating factors, such as age-related foraging skill, in shaping the consequences of warming SSTs on shorebird populations, however, remain largely unknown. Using morphological measurements of Dunlin fuelling for a >3000 km transoceanic migration, we assessed the influence of climatic conditions and age on individuals' migratory fuel loads and performance. We found that juveniles were often at risk of exhausting their fuel loads en route to primary wintering grounds, especially following high June SSTs in the previous year; the lagged nature of which suggests SSTs acted on juvenile loads by altering the availability of critical prey. Up to 45% fewer juveniles may have reached wintering grounds via a non-stop flight under recent high SSTs compared to the long-term trend. Adults, by contrast, were highly capable of reaching wintering grounds in non-stop flight across years. Our findings suggest that juveniles were disproportionately impacted by apparent SST-related declines in critical prey, and illustrate a general mechanism by which climate change may shape migratory shorebird populations worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J. Lagassé
- Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA
| | - Greg A. Breed
- Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA
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20
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López-Vázquez K, Lara C, Corcuera P, Castillo-Guevara C, Cuautle M. The human touch: a meta-analysis of anthropogenic effects on plant-pollinator interaction networks. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17647. [PMID: 38948210 PMCID: PMC11214738 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Anthropogenic activities significantly impact natural ecosystems, leading to alterations in plant and pollinator diversity and abundance. These changes often result in shifts within interacting communities, potentially reshaping the structure of plant-pollinator interaction networks. Given the escalating human footprint on habitats, evaluating the response of these networks to anthropization is critical for devising effective conservation and management strategies. Methods We conducted a comprehensive review of the plant-pollinator network literature to assess the impact of anthropization on network structure. We assessed network metrics such as nestedness measure based on overlap and decreasing fills (NODF), network specialization (H2'), connectance (C), and modularity (Q) to understand structural changes. Employing a meta-analytical approach, we examined how anthropization activities, such as deforestation, urbanization, habitat fragmentation, agriculture, intentional fires and livestock farming, affect both plant and pollinator richness. Results We generated a dataset for various metrics of network structure and 36 effect sizes for the meta-analysis, from 38 articles published between 2010 and 2023. Studies assessing the impact of agriculture and fragmentation were well-represented, comprising 68.4% of all studies, with networks involving interacting insects being the most studied taxa. Agriculture and fragmentation reduce nestedness and increase specialization in plant-pollinator networks, while modularity and connectance are mostly not affected. Although our meta-analysis suggests that anthropization decreases richness for both plants and pollinators, there was substantial heterogeneity in this regard among the evaluated studies. The meta-regression analyses helped us determine that the habitat fragment size where the studies were conducted was the primary variable contributing to such heterogeneity. Conclusions The analysis of human impacts on plant-pollinator networks showed varied effects worldwide. Responses differed among network metrics, signaling nuanced impacts on structure. Activities like agriculture and fragmentation significantly changed ecosystems, reducing species richness in both pollinators and plants, highlighting network vulnerability. Regional differences stressed the need for tailored conservation. Despite insights, more research is crucial for a complete understanding of these ecological relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla López-Vázquez
- Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Iztapalapa, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Carlos Lara
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, San Felipe Ixtacuixtla, Tlaxcala, Mexico
| | - Pablo Corcuera
- Departamento de Biología, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Iztapalapa, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Citlalli Castillo-Guevara
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, San Felipe Ixtacuixtla, Tlaxcala, Mexico
| | - Mariana Cuautle
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, San Felipe Ixtacuixtla, Tlaxcala, Mexico
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21
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Wu H, Gao T, Dini-Andreote F, Xiao N, Zhang L, Kimirei IA, Wang J. Biotic and abiotic factors interplay in structuring the dynamics of microbial co-occurrence patterns in tropical mountainsides. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 250:118517. [PMID: 38401680 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118517] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Ecological interactions are important for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Particularly in stream biofilms, little is known about the distributional patterns of different taxonomic groups and their potential interactions along elevational gradients. Here, we investigated the bacterial and fungal community structures of stream biofilms across elevational gradients on Mount Kilimanjaro, and explored patterns of their distribution, diversity, community structures, and taxa co-occurrence. We found that fungal and bacterial richness were more convergent at higher elevations, while their community structures became significantly more divergent. Inferred network complexity and stability significantly decreased with increasing elevation for fungi, while an opposite trend was observed for bacteria. Further quantitative analyses showed that network structures of bacteria and fungi were more divergent as elevation increased. This pattern was strongly associated with shifts in abiotic factors, such as mean annual temperatures, water PO43--P, and stream width. By constructing bipartite networks, we showed the fungal-bacterial network to be less redundant, more clustering, and unstable with increasing elevation. Abiotic factors (e.g., temperatures and stream width) and microbial community properties (i.e., structure and composition) significantly explained the dynamic changes in fungal-bacterial network properties. Taken together, this study provides evidence for the interplay of biotic and abiotic factors structuring potential microbial interactions in stream biofilms along a mountainside elevational gradient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wu
- College of Oceanography, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China; State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Tianheng Gao
- College of Oceanography, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China; State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; College of Marine Science and Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210023, China.
| | - Francisco Dini-Andreote
- Department of Plant Science & Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA; The One Health Microbiome Center, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Nengwen Xiao
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Ismael Aaron Kimirei
- Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, Headquarter, Dar Es Salaam, P.O. Box 9750, Tanzania
| | - Jianjun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China.
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22
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Stahl L, Johansson F. Effects of temperature and resource level on interspecific interactions in two species of Odonata larvae. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11502. [PMID: 38873022 PMCID: PMC11170025 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Identifying how temperature and food resources affect interactions between species is important for understanding how climate change will shape community structure in the future. Here, we tested how temperature and resource density affect survival and growth in the larval stage of two coexisting odonates: the damselfly Lestes sponsa and the dragonfly Sympetrum vulgatum. We performed a laboratory experiment at two temperatures (21 and 24°C) with two resource densities. We estimated the timing of egg hatching of individual egg clutches and thereafter the larval growth rate-, survival- and size-mediated priority effects under interspecific conditions. Eggs of both species hatched slightly faster at 24°C, and S. vulgatum eggs started hatching approximately 1 day earlier than L. sponsa eggs. However, this earlier hatching did not result in a size-mediated priority effect, that is, a higher predation on the later hatching L. sponsa. Nevertheless, L. sponsa larvae were significantly larger than S. vulgatum at hatching. Growth rate and survival were significantly higher: (1) at 24°C compared with 21°C, (2) at high compared with low-resource density and (3) in L. sponsa compared with S. vulgatum. Several significant interaction effects between resource density and temperature and between temperature and species were found. At high temperature, L. sponsa had a higher growth rate than S. vulgatum, but no difference in growth rate between species was found at low temperature. Additionally, a high-resource density resulted in a higher growth rate in both species, but only under high temperature. There was a negative relationship between growth rate and survival in both species, suggesting that the higher growth rate of larvae was to some degree driven by intraguild predation and/or cannibalism. Our results imply that resource levels interact with temperature to affect interactions between the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Stahl
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Animal Ecology ProgramUppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
| | - Frank Johansson
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Animal Ecology ProgramUppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
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23
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Delmas CEL, Bancal MO, Leyronas C, Robin MH, Vidal T, Launay M. Monitoring the phenology of plant pathogenic fungi: why and how? Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:1075-1084. [PMID: 38287495 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Phenology is a key adaptive trait of organisms, shaping biotic interactions in response to the environment. It has emerged as a critical topic with implications for societal and economic concerns due to the effects of climate change on species' phenological patterns. Fungi play essential roles in ecosystems, and plant pathogenic fungi have significant impacts on global food security. However, the phenology of plant pathogenic fungi, which form a huge and diverse clade of organisms, has received limited attention in the literature. This diversity may have limited the use of a common language for comparisons and the integration of phenological data for these taxonomic groups. Here, we delve into the concept of 'phenology' as applied to plant pathogenic fungi and explore the potential drivers of their phenology, including environmental factors and the host plant. We present the PhenoFun scale, a phenological scoring system suitable for use with all fungi and fungus-like plant pathogens. It offers a standardised and common tool for scientists studying the presence, absence, or predominance of a particular phase, the speed of phenological phase succession, and the synchronism shift between pathogenic fungi and their host plants, across a wide range of environments and ecosystems. The application of the concept of 'phenology' to plant pathogenic fungi and the use of a phenological scoring system involves focusing on the interacting processes between the pathogenic fungi, their hosts, and their biological, physical, and chemical environment, occurring during the life cycle of the pathogen. The goal is to deconstruct the processes involved according to a pattern orchestrated by the fungus's phenology. Such an approach will improve our understanding of the ecology and evolution of such organisms, help to understand and anticipate plant disease epidemics and their future evolution, and make it possible to optimise management models, and to encourage the adoption of cropping practices designed from this phenological perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marie-Odile Bancal
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR Ecosys, Palaiseau, 91120, France
| | | | - Marie-Hélène Robin
- INRAE, INPT, ENSAT, EI Purpan, University of Toulouse, UMR AGIR, Castanet Tolosan, F-31326, France
| | - Tiphaine Vidal
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UR Bioger, Palaiseau, 91120, France
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24
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Srednick G, Swearer SE. Effects of protection and temperature variation on temporal stability in a marine reserve network. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024; 38:e14220. [PMID: 37937466 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the drivers of ecosystem stability has been a key focus of modern ecology as the impacts of the Anthropocene become more prevalent and extreme. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are tools used globally to promote biodiversity and mediate anthropogenic impacts. However, assessing the stability of natural ecosystems and responses to management actions is inherently challenging due to the complex dynamics of communities with many interdependent taxa. Using a 12-year time series of subtidal community structure in an MPA network in the Channel Islands (United States), we estimated species interaction strength (competition and predation), prey species synchrony, and temporal stability in trophic networks, as well as temporal variation in sea surface temperature to explore the causal drivers of temporal stability at community and metacommunity scales. At the community scale, only trophic networks in MPAs at Santa Rosa Island showed greater temporal stability than reference sites, likely driven by reduced prey synchrony. Across islands, competition was sometimes greater and predation always greater in MPAs compared with reference sites. Increases in interaction strength resulted in lower temporal stability of trophic networks. Although MPAs reduced prey synchrony at the metacommunity scale, reductions were insufficient to stabilize trophic networks. In contrast, temporal variation in sea surface temperature had strong positive direct effects on stability at the regional scale and indirect effects at the local scale through reductions in species interaction strength. Although MPAs can be effective management strategies for protecting certain species or locations, our findings for this MPA network suggest that temperature variation has a stronger influence on metacommunity temporal stability by mediating species interactions and promoting a mosaic of spatiotemporal variation in community structure of trophic networks. By capturing the full spectrum of environmental variation in network planning, MPAs will have the greatest capacity to promote ecosystem stability in response to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Griffin Srednick
- National Centre for Coasts and Climate, School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephen E Swearer
- National Centre for Coasts and Climate, School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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25
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Ali M, Rice CA, Byrne AW, Paré PE, Beauvais W. Modelling dynamics between free-living amoebae and bacteria. Environ Microbiol 2024; 26:e16623. [PMID: 38715450 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) serve as hosts for a variety of endosymbionts, which are microorganisms that reside and multiply within the FLA. Some of these endosymbionts pose a pathogenic threat to humans, animals, or both. The symbiotic relationship with FLA not only offers these microorganisms protection but also enhances their survival outside their hosts and assists in their dispersal across diverse habitats, thereby escalating disease transmission. This review is intended to offer an exhaustive overview of the existing mathematical models that have been applied to understand the dynamics of FLA, especially concerning their interactions with bacteria. An extensive literature review was conducted across Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus databases to identify mathematical models that describe the dynamics of interactions between FLA and bacteria, as published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The literature search revealed several FLA-bacteria model systems, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pasteurella multocida, and Legionella spp. Although the published mathematical models account for significant system dynamics such as predator-prey relationships and non-linear growth rates, they generally overlook spatial and temporal heterogeneity in environmental conditions, such as temperature, and population diversity. Future mathematical models will need to incorporate these factors to enhance our understanding of FLA-bacteria dynamics and to provide valuable insights for future risk assessment and disease control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Ali
- Comparative Pathobiology Department, Purdue Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Christopher A Rice
- Comparative Pathobiology Department, Purdue Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery (PIDD), Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease (PI4D), Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering (RHCE), Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Andrew W Byrne
- One Health Scientific Support Unit, National Disease Control Centre, Agriculture House, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Philip E Paré
- Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Wendy Beauvais
- Comparative Pathobiology Department, Purdue Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease (PI4D), Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
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26
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Shortall CR, Cook SM, Mauchline AL, Bell JR. Long-term trends in migrating Brassicogethes aeneus in the UK. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:2294-2305. [PMID: 37035871 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pollen beetle (Brassicogethes aeneus) causes significant yield loss in oilseed rape (Brassica napus). Predicting population changes remains a scientific challenge, especially since its phenology and abundance varies dramatically over space and time. We used generalized additive models to investigate the long-term trends in pollen beetle annual, seasonal and monthly counts from Rothamsted 12.2 m suction-traps. We hypothesised that the beetle's abundance is positively related to the area of oilseed rape at a national and regional level. We used random forest models to investigate the inter-generational relationship within years. RESULTS Although Brassicogethes aeneus annual counts and area of oilseed rape grown in the UK both increased by 162% and 113%, respectively, over the time period studied, they were not significantly related. The size of the immigrating pollen beetle population (up to 1 June) can be explained both by the size of the population in the previous summer and prevailing winter temperatures, indicating a positive feedback mechanism. CONCLUSION Currently, pollen beetle numbers continue to increase in the UK, meaning that control issues may persist. However the relationship between counts in spring, during the susceptible phase of the crop, and counts in the previous summer indicates that it may be possible to forecast the counts of the spring migration of Brassicogethes aeneus a few months in advance using suction-trap samples, which could aid decisions on control options. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris R Shortall
- Rothamsted Insect Survey, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK
- Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK
| | - Samantha M Cook
- Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK
| | - Alice L Mauchline
- School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - James R Bell
- Rothamsted Insect Survey, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK
- Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK
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27
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Vild O, Chudomelová M, Macek M, Kopecký M, Prach J, Petřík P, Halas P, Juříček M, Smyčková M, Šebesta J, Vojík M, Hédl R. Long-term shift towards shady and nutrient-rich habitats in Central European temperate forests. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 242:1018-1028. [PMID: 38436203 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Biodiversity world-wide has been under increasing anthropogenic pressure in the past century. The long-term response of biotic communities has been tackled primarily by focusing on species richness, community composition and functionality. Equally important are shifts between entire communities and habitat types, which remain an unexplored level of biodiversity change. We have resurveyed > 2000 vegetation plots in temperate forests in central Europe to capture changes over an average of five decades. The plots were assigned to eight broad forest habitat types using an algorithmic classification system. We analysed transitions between the habitat types and interpreted the trend in terms of changes in environmental conditions. We identified a directional shift along the combined gradients of canopy openness and soil nutrients. Nutrient-poor open-canopy forest habitats have declined strongly in favour of fertile closed-canopy habitats. However, the shift was not uniform across the whole gradients. We conclude that the shifts in habitat types represent a century-long successional trend with significant consequences for forest biodiversity. Open forest habitats should be urgently targeted for plant diversity restoration through the implementation of active management. The approach presented here can be applied to other habitat types and at different spatio-temporal scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondřej Vild
- Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Zámek 1, 252 43, Průhonice, Czech Republic
| | - Markéta Chudomelová
- Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Zámek 1, 252 43, Průhonice, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Macek
- Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Zámek 1, 252 43, Průhonice, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kopecký
- Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Zámek 1, 252 43, Průhonice, Czech Republic
- Department of Forest Ecology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jindřich Prach
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
- Center for Theoretical Study, Charles University and the Czech Academy of Sciences, Jilská 1, 11 000, Prague 1, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Petřík
- Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Zámek 1, 252 43, Průhonice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Halas
- The Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geonics, Studentská 1768/9, 708 00, Ostrava-Poruba, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Juříček
- Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Zámek 1, 252 43, Průhonice, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Smyčková
- Department of Forest Ecology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Šebesta
- Department of Forest Botany, Dendrology and Geobiocoenology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University, Zemědělská 3, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Vojík
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21, Prague 6, Czech Republic
- Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic, Kaplanova 1931/1, 148 00, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Radim Hédl
- Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Zámek 1, 252 43, Průhonice, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany, Palacký University in Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 783 71, Olomouc, Czech Republic
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28
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Stahlschmidt ZR, Joura H, Makarem JR, Sun JL. Hot and scared: how do heatwaves and predation risk impact resource acquisition and allocation? Biol Lett 2024; 20:20240009. [PMID: 38653332 PMCID: PMC11040502 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2024.0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Heatwaves are increasingly prevalent and can constrain investment into important life-history traits. In addition to heatwaves, animals regularly encounter threats from other organisms in their environments, such as predators. The combination of these two environmental factors introduces a decision-making conflict-heat exposure requires more food intake to fuel investment into fitness-related traits, but foraging in the presence of predators increases the threat of mortality. Thus, we used female variable field crickets (Gryllus lineaticeps) to investigate the effects of heatwaves in conjunction with predation risk (exposed food and water sources, and exposure to scent from black widow spiders, Latrodectus hesperus) on resource acquisition (food intake) and allocation (investment into ovarian and somatic tissues). A simulated heatwave increased food intake and the allocation of resources to reproductive investment. Crickets exposed to high predation risk reduced food intake, but they were able to maintain reproductive investment at an expense to investment into somatic tissue. Thus, heatwaves and predation risk deprioritized investment into self-maintenance, which may impair key physiological processes. This study is an important step towards understanding the ecology of fear in a warming world.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Harnoor Joura
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, USA
| | - Jenna R. Makarem
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, USA
| | - Jodie L. Sun
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, USA
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29
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Malabet FM, Ramsay M, Chell C, Andriatsitohaina B, Radespiel U, Lehman S. Where the small things are: Modelling edge effects on mouse lemur population density and distribution in northwestern Madagascar. Am J Primatol 2024:e23621. [PMID: 38528343 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Edge effects result from the penetration to varying depths and intensities, of abiotic and biotic conditions from the surrounding non-forest matrix into the forest interior. Although 70% of the world's forests are within 1 km of a forest edge, making edge effects a dominant feature of most forest habitats, there are few empirical data on inter-site differences in edge responses in primates. We used spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) models to determine spatial patterns of density for two species of mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus and Microcebus ravelobensis) in two forest landscapes in northwestern Madagascar. The goal of our study was to determine if mouse lemurs displayed spatially variable responses to edge effects. We trapped animals using Sherman live traps in the Mariarano Classified Forest (MCF) and in the Ambanjabe Forest Fragment Site (AFFS) site within Ankarafantsika National Park. We trapped 126 M. murinus and 79 M. ravelobensis at MCF and 78 M. murinus and 308 M. ravelobensis at AFFS. For M. murinus, our top model predicted a positive edge response, where density increased towards edge habitats. In M. ravelobensis, our top model predicted a negative edge response, where density was lower near the forest edges and increased towards the forest interior. At regional and landscape-specific scales, SECR models estimated different density patterns between M. murinus and M. ravelobensis as a result of variation in edge distance. The spatial variability of our results using SECR models indicate the importance of studying the population ecology of primates at varying scales that are appropriate to the processes of interest. Our results lend further support to the theory that some lemurs exhibit a form of ecological flexibility in their responses to forest loss, forest fragmentation, and associated edge effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Malcolm Ramsay
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Coral Chell
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bertrand Andriatsitohaina
- Planet Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
- Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l'Environnement, Université de Mahajanga, Mahajanga, Madagascar
| | - Ute Radespiel
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Shawn Lehman
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Boldorini GX, Mccary MA, Romero GQ, Mills KL, Sanders NJ, Reich PB, Michalko R, Gonçalves-Souza T. Predators control pests and increase yield across crop types and climates: a meta-analysis. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20232522. [PMID: 38444337 PMCID: PMC10915543 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Pesticides have well-documented negative consequences to control crop pests, and natural predators are alternatives and can provide an ecosystem service as biological control agents. However, there remains considerable uncertainty regarding whether such biological control can be a widely applicable solution, especially given ongoing climatic variation and climate change. Here, we performed a meta-analysis focused on field studies with natural predators to explore broadly whether and how predators might control pests and in turn increase yield. We also contrasted across studies pest suppression by a single and multiple predators and how climate influence biological control. Predators reduced pest populations by 73% on average, and increased crop yield by 25% on average. Surprisingly, the impact of predators did not depend on whether there were many or a single predator species. Precipitation seasonality was a key climatic influence on biological control: as seasonality increased, the impact of predators on pest populations increased. Taken together, the positive contribution of predators in controlling pests and increasing yield, and the consistency of such responses in the face of precipitation variability, suggest that biocontrol has the potential to be an important part of pest management and increasing food supplies as the planet precipitation patterns become increasingly variable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel X. Boldorini
- Department of Biology, Ecological Synthesis and Biodiversity Conservation Lab, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Ethnobiology and Nature Conservation, Department of Biology, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | | | - Gustavo Q. Romero
- Department of Animal Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Kirby L. Mills
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nathan J. Sanders
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Peter B. Reich
- Institute for Global Change Biology, School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Radek Michalko
- Department of Forest Ecology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 3, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Thiago Gonçalves-Souza
- Department of Biology, Ecological Synthesis and Biodiversity Conservation Lab, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Ethnobiology and Nature Conservation, Department of Biology, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Institute for Global Change Biology, School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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31
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Luo X, Zhang X, Xu Y, Masanja F, Yang K, Liu Y, Zhao L. Behavioral responses of intertidal clams to compound extreme weather and climate events. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 200:116112. [PMID: 38320442 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116112] [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: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Rapidly increasing concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere not only results in global warming, but also drives increasing seawater acidification. Infaunal bivalves play critical roles in benthic-pelagic coupling, but little is known about their behavioral responses to compound climate events. Here, we tested how heatwaves and acidification affected the behavior of Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum). Under acidified conditions, the clams remained capable of burrowing into sediments. Yet, when heatwaves attacked, significant decreases in burrowing ability occurred. Following two consecutive events of heatwaves, the clams exhibited rapid behavioral acclimation. The present study showed that the behavior of R. philippinarum is more sensitive to heatwaves than acidification. Given that the behavior can act as an early and sensitive indicator of the fitness of intertidal bivalves, whether, and to what extent, behavioral acclimation can persist under scenarios of intensifying heatwaves in the context of ocean acidification deserve further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Luo
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Xingzhi Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Academy of Fisheries Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | | | - Ke Yang
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Pearl Research Institute, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Liqiang Zhao
- Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China; Guangdong Science and Technology Innovation Center of Marine Invertebrate, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Disease Control and Healthy Culture, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China.
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Manninen OH, Myrsky E, Tolvanen A, Stark S. N-fertilization and disturbance exert long-lasting complex legacies on subarctic ecosystems. Oecologia 2024; 204:689-704. [PMID: 38478083 PMCID: PMC10980618 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-024-05524-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Subarctic ecosystems are subjected to increasing nitrogen (N) enrichment and disturbances that induce particularly strong effects on plant communities when occurring in combination. There is little experimental evidence on the longevity of these effects. We applied N-fertilization (40 kg urea-N ha-1 year-1 for 4 years) and disturbance (removal of vegetation and organic soil layer on one occasion) in two plant communities in a subarctic forest-tundra ecotone in northern Finland. Within the first four years, N-fertilization and disturbance increased the share of deciduous dwarf shrubs and graminoids at the expense of evergreen dwarf shrubs. Individual treatments intensified the other's effect resulting in the strongest increase in graminoids under combined N-fertilization and disturbance. The re-analysis of the plant communities 15 years after cessation of N-fertilization showed an even higher share of graminoids. 18 years after disturbance, the total vascular plant abundance was still substantially lower and the share of graminoids higher. At the same point, the plant community composition was the same under disturbance as under combined N-fertilization and disturbance, indicating that multiple perturbations no longer reinforced the other's effect. Yet, complex interactions between N-fertilization and disturbance were still detected in the soil. We found higher organic N under disturbance and lower microbial N under combined N-fertilization and disturbance, which suggests a lower bioavailability of N sources for soil microorganisms. Our findings support that the effects of enhanced nutrients and disturbance on subarctic vegetation persist over decadal timescales. However, they also highlight the complexity of plant-soil interactions that drive subarctic ecosystem responses to multiple perturbations across varying timescales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Outi H Manninen
- Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, Pohjoisranta 4, 96100, Rovaniemi, Finland.
| | - Eero Myrsky
- Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, Pohjoisranta 4, 96100, Rovaniemi, Finland
| | - Anne Tolvanen
- Natural Resource Institute Finland, Paavo Havaksen Tie 3, 90570, Oulu, Finland
| | - Sari Stark
- Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, Pohjoisranta 4, 96100, Rovaniemi, Finland
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Sasaki M, Mitchell A, Booth DJ, Nagelkerken I. Novel ecological interactions alter physiological responses of range-extending tropical and local temperate fishes under ocean warming. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 913:169413. [PMID: 38114039 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169413] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Global warming facilitates species range-expansions, leading to novel biological interactions between local and range-expanding species. Little is still known of how such novel interactions modify the performance of interacting species or how these interactions might be altered under climate change. Here, we used an aquarium experiment to investigate the novel ecological interactions between a poleward range-extending coral reef damselfish ("tropical-vagrant") and a local temperate species ("temperate-local") collected from a climate warming hotspot in SE Australia. We measured the effect of novel interactions (isolated vs. paired fish species) on energy expenditure (activity levels, oxidative stress, and antioxidant responses), energy gain (feeding rates), and growth rates of both fish species under present-day (23 °C) and future ocean temperatures (26 °C). Short-term growth rates were faster in both species under novel interactions (paired species), regardless of elevated temperature. Compared to isolated species, activity level, feeding rate and oxidative stress level were also higher in the paired temperate fish but not in the paired tropical fish. The tropical fish showed an increased feeding rate and long-term growth under elevated temperature, irrespective of novel interactions. We conclude that novel ecological interactions under climate change can be an important driver of physiological traits in sympatric tropical and temperate fishes and can mediate critical physiological performance of fishes under ocean warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minami Sasaki
- Southern Seas Ecology Laboratories, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Angus Mitchell
- Southern Seas Ecology Laboratories, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - David J Booth
- Fish Ecology Lab, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ivan Nagelkerken
- Southern Seas Ecology Laboratories, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
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Yang H, Lu J, Zhu P, Sun Y, Hu Z, Li D, Huang J. Blue Light Attracts More Spodoptera frugiperda Moths and Promotes Their Flight Speed. INSECTS 2024; 15:129. [PMID: 38392548 PMCID: PMC10889122 DOI: 10.3390/insects15020129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Light traps are a useful method for monitoring and controlling the important migratory pest, the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. Studies have shown that S. frugiperda is sensitive to blue, green, or ultraviolet (UV) light, but the conclusions are inconsistent. Furthermore, conventional black light traps are less effective for trapping S. frugiperda. To improve the trapping efficiency of this pest, it is crucial to determine the specific wavelength to which S. frugiperda is sensitive and measure its flight capability under that wavelength. This study investigated the effects of light wavelength on the phototaxis and flight performance of S. frugiperda. The results showed that blue light was the most sensitive wavelength among the three different LED lights and was unaffected by gender. The flight capability of S. frugiperda varied significantly in different light conditions, especially for flight speed. The fastest flight speed was observed in blue light, whereas the slowest was observed in UV light compared to dark conditions. During a 12 h flight period, speed declined more rapidly in blue light and more slowly in UV, whereas speed remained stable in dark conditions. Meanwhile, the proportion of fast-flying individuals was highest under blue light, which was significantly higher than under UV light. Therefore, the use of light traps equipped with blue LED lights can improve the trapping efficiency of S. frugiperda. These results also provide insights for further research on the effects of light pollution on migratory insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Yang
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471000, China
| | - Jing Lu
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471000, China
| | - Pinhong Zhu
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471000, China
| | - Yalan Sun
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471000, China
| | - Zhenjie Hu
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471000, China
| | - Dingxu Li
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471000, China
| | - Jianrong Huang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450002, China
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Rahimi E, Jung C. Global Trends in Climate Suitability of Bees: Ups and Downs in a Warming World. INSECTS 2024; 15:127. [PMID: 38392546 PMCID: PMC10889774 DOI: 10.3390/insects15020127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Bees represent vital natural assets contributing significantly to global food production and the maintenance of ecosystems. While studies on climate change effects impacting major pollinators like honeybees and bumblebees raise concerns about global diversity and crop productivity, comprehensive global-scale analyses remain limited. This study explores the repercussions of global warming on 1365 bees across seven families of bees worldwide. To compile a robust global bee occurrence dataset, we utilized the innovative 'BeeBDC' R package that amalgamated over 18.3 million bee occurrence records sourced from various repositories. Through species distribution models under the SSP585 scenario in the year 2070, we assessed how climate change influences the climate suitability of bees on a global scale, examining the impacts across continents. Our findings suggested that approximately 65% of bees are likely to witness a decrease in their distribution, with reductions averaging between 28% in Australia and 56% in Europe. Moreover, our analysis indicated that climate change's impact on bees is projected to be more severe in Africa and Europe, while North America is expected to witness a higher number (336) of bees expanding their distribution. Climate change's anticipated effects on bee distributions could potentially disrupt existing pollinator-plant networks, posing ecological challenges that emphasize the importance of pollinator diversity, synchrony between plants and bees, and the necessity for focused conservation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Rahimi
- Agricultural Science and Technology Institute, Andong National University, Andong 36729, Republic of Korea
| | - Chuleui Jung
- Agricultural Science and Technology Institute, Andong National University, Andong 36729, Republic of Korea
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong 36729, Republic of Korea
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36
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Bogan SN, Yi SV. Potential Role of DNA Methylation as a Driver of Plastic Responses to the Environment Across Cells, Organisms, and Populations. Genome Biol Evol 2024; 16:evae022. [PMID: 38324384 PMCID: PMC10899001 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evae022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
There is great interest in exploring epigenetic modifications as drivers of adaptive organismal responses to environmental change. Extending this hypothesis to populations, epigenetically driven plasticity could influence phenotypic changes across environments. The canonical model posits that epigenetic modifications alter gene regulation and subsequently impact phenotypes. We first discuss origins of epigenetic variation in nature, which may arise from genetic variation, spontaneous epimutations, epigenetic drift, or variation in epigenetic capacitors. We then review and synthesize literature addressing three facets of the aforementioned model: (i) causal effects of epigenetic modifications on phenotypic plasticity at the organismal level, (ii) divergence of epigenetic patterns in natural populations distributed across environmental gradients, and (iii) the relationship between environmentally induced epigenetic changes and gene expression at the molecular level. We focus on DNA methylation, the most extensively studied epigenetic modification. We find support for environmentally associated epigenetic structure in populations and selection on stable epigenetic variants, and that inhibition of epigenetic enzymes frequently bears causal effects on plasticity. However, there are pervasive confounding issues in the literature. Effects of chromatin-modifying enzymes on phenotype may be independent of epigenetic marks, alternatively resulting from functions and protein interactions extrinsic of epigenetics. Associations between environmentally induced changes in DNA methylation and expression are strong in plants and mammals but notably absent in invertebrates and nonmammalian vertebrates. Given these challenges, we describe emerging approaches to better investigate how epigenetic modifications affect gene regulation, phenotypic plasticity, and divergence among populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel N Bogan
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Soojin V Yi
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
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Eichenwald AJ, Fefferman NH, Reed JM. Potential extinction cascades in a desert ecosystem: Linking food web interactions to community viability. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e10930. [PMID: 38362165 PMCID: PMC10867880 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Desert communities are threatened with species loss due to climate change, and their resistance to such losses is unknown. We constructed a food web of the Mojave Desert terrestrial community (300 nodes, 4080 edges) to empirically examine the potential cascading effects of bird extinctions on this desert network, compared to losses of mammals and lizards. We focused on birds because they are already disappearing from the Mojave, and their relative thermal vulnerabilities are known. We quantified bottom-up secondary extinctions and evaluated the relative resistance of the community to losses of each vertebrate group. The impact of random bird species loss was relatively low compared to the consequences of mammal (causing the greatest number of cascading losses) or reptile loss, and birds were relatively less likely to be in trophic positions that could drive top-down effects in apparent competition and tri-tropic cascade motifs. An avian extinction cascade with year-long resident birds caused more secondary extinctions than the cascade involving all bird species for randomized ordered extinctions. Notably, we also found that relatively high interconnectivity among avian species has formed a subweb, enhancing network resistance to bird losses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nina H. Fefferman
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of TennesseeKnoxvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - J. Michael Reed
- Department of BiologyTufts UniversityMedfordMassachusettsUSA
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Zwolak R, Clement D, Sih A, Schreiber SJ. Granivore abundance shapes mutualism quality in plant-scatterhoarder interactions. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 241:1840-1850. [PMID: 38044708 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Conditional mutualisms involve costs and benefits that vary with environmental factors, but mechanisms driving these dynamics remain poorly understood. Scatterhoarder-plant interactions are a prime example of this phenomenon, as scatterhoarders can either increase or reduce plant recruitment depending on the balance between seed dispersal and predation. We explored factors that drive the magnitude of net benefits for plants in this interaction using a mathematical model, with parameter values based on European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis). We measured benefits as the percentage of germinating seeds, and examined how varying rodent survival (reflecting, e.g. changes in predation pressure), the rate of seed loss to other granivores, the abundance of alternative food resources, and changes in masting patterns affect the quality of mutualism. We found that increasing granivore abundance can degrade the quality of plant-scatterhoarder mutualism due to increased cache pilferage. Scatterhoarders are predicted to respond by increasing immediate consumption of gathered seeds, leading to higher costs and reduced benefits for plants. Thus, biotic changes that are detrimental to rodent populations can be beneficial for tree recruitment due to adaptive behavior of rodents. When scatterhoarder populations decline too drastically (< 5 individuals ha-1 ); however, tree recruitment may also suffer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Zwolak
- Department of Systematic Zoology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, Poznań, 61-614, Poland
| | - Dale Clement
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, USA
| | - Andrew Sih
- Center of Population Biology, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Sebastian J Schreiber
- Center of Population Biology, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
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Allison AZT, Conway CJ, Goldberg AR. Weather influences survival probability in two coexisting mammals directly and indirectly via competitive asymmetry. Ecology 2024; 105:e4229. [PMID: 38071700 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Ecologists have studied the role of interspecific competition in structuring ecological communities for decades. Differential weather effects on animal competitors may be a particularly important factor contributing to the outcome of competitive interactions, though few studies have tested this hypothesis in free-ranging animals. Specifically, weather might influence competitive dynamics by altering competitor densities and/or per-capita competitive effects on demographic vital rates. We used a 9-year data set of marked individuals to test for direct and interactive effects of weather and competitor density on survival probability in two coexisting mammalian congeners: Columbian ground squirrels (Urocitellus columbianus) and northern Idaho ground squirrels (Urocitellus brunneus). Ambient temperature and precipitation influenced survival probability in both species, but the effects of weather differed between the two species. Moreover, density of the larger Columbian ground squirrel negatively impacted survival probability in the smaller northern Idaho ground squirrel (but not vice versa), and the strength of the negative effect was exacerbated by precipitation. That is, cooler, wetter conditions benefited the larger competitor to the detriment of the smaller species. Our results suggest weather-driven environmental variation influences the competitive equilibrium between ecologically similar mammals of differential body size. Whether future climate change leads to the competitive exclusion of either species will likely depend on the mechanism(s) explaining the coexistence of these competing species. Divergent body size and, hence, differences in thermal tolerance and giving up densities offer potential explanations for the weather-dependent competitive asymmetry we documented, especially if the larger species competitively excludes the smaller species from habitat patches of shared preference via interference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin Z T Allison
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
| | - Courtney J Conway
- U.S. Geological Survey, Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
| | - Amanda R Goldberg
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
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Díaz-Sierra R, Rietkerk M, Verwijmeren M, Baudena M. Facilitation and competition deconstructed: a mechanistic modelling approach to the stress gradient hypothesis applied to drylands. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2205. [PMID: 38272965 PMCID: PMC10810957 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52447-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Facilitative interactions among species are key in plant communities. While experimental tests support the Stress Gradient Hypothesis (SGH) as an association between facilitation and stress, whether the shape of net effects along stress gradients can be predicted is controversial, with no available mathematical modelling approaches. We proposed a novel test, using a modification of the R* model to study how negative and positive partial effects of plant interactions in drylands combine along two common stress gradients. We modelled different interactions: competition for water and light, amelioration of soil infiltration and/or grazing protection, obtaining that intensity and importance of facilitation did not generally increase along stress gradients, being dependent on the interaction type. While along the water stress gradient net interactions became more positive, reaching a maximum and then waning again, various outcomes were observed along the grazing gradient. Shape variety was mainly driven by the various shapes of the partial positive effects. Under resource stress, additive interaction effects can be expected, whereas when including grazing, the effects were non-additive. In the context of the SGH, deconstructing the effect of positive and negative interaction in a pairwise mechanistic models of drylands does not show a unique shape along stress gradients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Díaz-Sierra
- Mathematical and Fluid Physics Department, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, UNED, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
- Section Environmental Sciences, Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Centre for Complex Systems Studies, 4th Floor Minnaert Building, Leuvenlaan 4, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Max Rietkerk
- Section Environmental Sciences, Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mart Verwijmeren
- Section Environmental Sciences, Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Mara Baudena
- Section Environmental Sciences, Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Centre for Complex Systems Studies, 4th Floor Minnaert Building, Leuvenlaan 4, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (CNR-ISAC), National Research Council of Italy, Corso Fiume 4, 10133, Torino, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133, Palermo, Italy
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Avilés JM. The evolutionary ecology of bird-ant interactions: a pervasive but under-studied connection. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20232023. [PMID: 38166423 PMCID: PMC10762437 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Birds and ants are among the most ubiquitous taxa co-occurring in terrestrial ecosystems, but how they mutually interact is almost unknown. Here, the main features of this neglected interaction are synthetized in a systematic literature review. Interaction with ants has been recorded in 1122 bird species (11.2% of extant species) belonging to 131 families widely distributed across the globe and the avian phylogeny. On the other hand, 47 genus of ants (14.4% of extant genus) belonging to eight subfamilies interact with birds. Interactions include competition, antagonism (either ant-bird mutual predation or parasitism) and living together commensally or mutualistically. Competition (48.9%) and antagonism (36.1%) were the most common reported interactions. The potential for engaging in commensalism and competition with ants has a phylogenetic structure in birds and was present in the birds' ancestor. Interaction is better studied in the tropics, in where the network is less dense and more nested than in temperate or arid biomes. This review demonstrates that ant-bird interactions are a pervasive phenomenon across ecological domains, playing a key role in ecosystem function. Future studies need to combine sensible experimentation within anthropogenic disturbance gradients in order to achieve a better understanding of this interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús M. Avilés
- Departamento de Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva, EEZA-CSIC, Almería E-04120, Spain
- Unidad Asociada (CSIC-UNEX): Ecología en el Antropoceno, Badajoz E-06006, Spain
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Lapiedra O, Morales N, Yang LH, Fernández-Bellon D, Michaelides SN, Giery ST, Piovia-Scott J, Schoener TW, Kolbe JJ, Losos JB. Predator-driven behavioural shifts in a common lizard shape resource-flow from marine to terrestrial ecosystems. Ecol Lett 2024; 27:e14335. [PMID: 37972585 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Foraging decisions shape the structure of food webs. Therefore, a behavioural shift in a single species can potentially modify resource-flow dynamics of entire ecosystems. To examine this, we conducted a field experiment to assess foraging niche dynamics of semi-arboreal brown anole lizards in the presence/absence of predatory ground-dwelling curly-tailed lizards in a replicated set of island ecosystems. One year after experimental translocation, brown anoles exposed to these predators had drastically increased perch height and reduced consumption of marine-derived food resources. This foraging niche shift altered marine-to-terrestrial resource-flow dynamics and persisted in the diets of the first-generation offspring. Furthermore, female lizards that displayed more risk-taking behaviours consumed more marine prey on islands with predators present. Our results show how predator-driven rapid behavioural shifts can alter food-web connectivity between oceanic and terrestrial ecosystems and underscore the importance of studying behaviour-mediated niche shifts to understand ecosystem functioning in rapidly changing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oriol Lapiedra
- CREAF, Edifici C Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Valles, Spain
- Museum of Comparative Zoology and Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nina Morales
- Museum of Comparative Zoology and Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Louie H Yang
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Darío Fernández-Bellon
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science (BEES), University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Sean T Giery
- Department of Biology, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, USA
| | - Jonah Piovia-Scott
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Vancouver, Washington, USA
| | - Thomas W Schoener
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Jason J Kolbe
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Jonathan B Losos
- Department of Biology, Washington University of St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Evans DM. Mitigating the impacts of street lighting on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220355. [PMID: 37899015 PMCID: PMC10613540 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Street lights are not only a major source of direct light pollution emissions, but stock has been transitioning to light-emitting diode (LED) technology in many parts of the world, resulting in increases in the blue part of the visible spectrum that is more harmful to biodiversity and human health. But LEDs can be modified more easily than conventional sodium lamps by adjusting their intensity, spectral output and other features of street light systems. In this Opinion piece, I provide an updated overview of street light mitigation strategies and contend that research in this area has been slow. I show how experimental lighting rigs that mimic real street lights can be used for mitigation testing, since invertebrate behaviour, abundances and interactions can respond quickly and measurably. I demonstrate how advances in network ecology that use species interaction data can provide much-needed assessments of the impacts of street lights on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, and ultimately provide new tools and metrics for biomonitoring. I acknowledge the limitations of measuring local, short-term responses of biodiversity and identify promising avenues for collaborating with industry and government agencies in new or existing road lighting schemes, to minimize the negative long-term impacts at marginal cost. This article is part of the theme issue 'Light pollution in complex ecological systems'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren M. Evans
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, King's Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
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Sanders D, Hirt MR, Brose U, Evans DM, Gaston KJ, Gauzens B, Ryser R. How artificial light at night may rewire ecological networks: concepts and models. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220368. [PMID: 37899020 PMCID: PMC10613535 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial light at night (ALAN) is eroding natural light cycles and thereby changing species distributions and activity patterns. Yet little is known about how ecological interaction networks respond to this global change driver. Here, we assess the scientific basis of the current understanding of community-wide ALAN impacts. Based on current knowledge, we conceptualize and review four major pathways by which ALAN may affect ecological interaction networks by (i) impacting primary production, (ii) acting as an environmental filter affecting species survival, (iii) driving the movement and distribution of species, and (iv) changing functional roles and niches by affecting activity patterns. Using an allometric-trophic network model, we then test how a shift in temporal activity patterns for diurnal, nocturnal and crepuscular species impacts food web stability. The results indicate that diel niche shifts can severely impact community persistence by altering the temporal overlap between species, which leads to changes in interaction strengths and rewiring of networks. ALAN can thereby lead to biodiversity loss through the homogenization of temporal niches. This integrative framework aims to advance a predictive understanding of community-level and ecological-network consequences of ALAN and their cascading effects on ecosystem functioning. This article is part of the theme issue 'Light pollution in complex ecological systems'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Sanders
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Myriam R. Hirt
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07737 Jena, Germany
| | - Ulrich Brose
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07737 Jena, Germany
| | - Darren M. Evans
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Kevin J. Gaston
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Benoit Gauzens
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07737 Jena, Germany
| | - Remo Ryser
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07737 Jena, Germany
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Hassan T, Gulzar R, Hamid M, Ahmad R, Waza SA, Khuroo AA. Plant phenology shifts under climate warming: a systematic review of recent scientific literature. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 196:36. [PMID: 38093150 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-12190-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Climate warming-driven temporal shifts in phenology are widely recognised as the foremost footprint of global environmental change. In this regard, concerted research efforts are being made worldwide to monitor and assess the plant phenological responses to climate warming across species, ecosystems and seasons. Here, we present a global synthesis of the recent scientific literature to assess the progress made in this area of research. To achieve this, we conducted a systematic review by following PRISMA protocol, which involved rigorous screening of 9476 studies on the topic and finally selected 215 studies for data extraction. The results revealed that woody species, natural ecosystems and plant phenological responses in spring season have been predominantly studied, with the herbaceous species, agricultural ecosystems and other seasons grossly understudied. Majority of the studies reported phenological advancement (i.e., preponement) in spring, followed by also advancement in summer but delay in autumn. Methodology-wise, nearly two -third of the studies have employed direct observational approach, followed by herbarium-based and experimental approaches, with the latter covering least temporal depth. We found a steady increase in research on the topic over the last decade with a sharp increase since 2014. The global country-wide scientific output map highlights the huge geographical gaps in this area of research, particularly in the biodiversity-rich tropical regions of the developing world. Based on the findings of this global synthesis, we identify the current knowledge gaps and suggest future directions for this emerging area of research in an increasingly warming world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabasum Hassan
- Centre for Biodiversity & Taxonomy, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India.
| | - Ruquia Gulzar
- Centre for Biodiversity & Taxonomy, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India
| | - Maroof Hamid
- Centre for Biodiversity & Taxonomy, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India
| | - Rameez Ahmad
- Centre for Biodiversity & Taxonomy, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India
| | - Showkat A Waza
- Mountain Crop Research Station (Sagam), SKUAST Kashmir, Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir, India
| | - Anzar Ahmad Khuroo
- Centre for Biodiversity & Taxonomy, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India
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Lovell RSL, Collins S, Martin SH, Pigot AL, Phillimore AB. Space-for-time substitutions in climate change ecology and evolution. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:2243-2270. [PMID: 37558208 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
In an epoch of rapid environmental change, understanding and predicting how biodiversity will respond to a changing climate is an urgent challenge. Since we seldom have sufficient long-term biological data to use the past to anticipate the future, spatial climate-biotic relationships are often used as a proxy for predicting biotic responses to climate change over time. These 'space-for-time substitutions' (SFTS) have become near ubiquitous in global change biology, but with different subfields largely developing methods in isolation. We review how climate-focussed SFTS are used in four subfields of ecology and evolution, each focussed on a different type of biotic variable - population phenotypes, population genotypes, species' distributions, and ecological communities. We then examine the similarities and differences between subfields in terms of methods, limitations and opportunities. While SFTS are used for a wide range of applications, two main approaches are applied across the four subfields: spatial in situ gradient methods and transplant experiments. We find that SFTS methods share common limitations relating to (i) the causality of identified spatial climate-biotic relationships and (ii) the transferability of these relationships, i.e. whether climate-biotic relationships observed over space are equivalent to those occurring over time. Moreover, despite widespread application of SFTS in climate change research, key assumptions remain largely untested. We highlight opportunities to enhance the robustness of SFTS by addressing key assumptions and limitations, with a particular emphasis on where approaches could be shared between the four subfields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca S L Lovell
- Ashworth Laboratories, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, The University of Edinburgh, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Sinead Collins
- Ashworth Laboratories, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, The University of Edinburgh, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Simon H Martin
- Ashworth Laboratories, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, The University of Edinburgh, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Alex L Pigot
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Albert B Phillimore
- Ashworth Laboratories, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, The University of Edinburgh, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
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Freitas I, Tarroso P, Zuazo Ó, Zaldívar R, Álvarez J, Meijide-Fuentes M, Meijide F, Martínez-Freiría F. Local niches explain coexistence in environmentally-distinct contact zones between Western Mediterranean vipers. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21113. [PMID: 38036614 PMCID: PMC10689498 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48204-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Species' ecological niches are frequently analysed to gain insights into how anthropogenic changes affect biodiversity. Coping with these changes often involves shifts in niche expression, which can disrupt local biotic interactions. Secondary contact zones, where competition and ecological segregation commonly occur, are ideal for studying the ecological factors influencing species' niches. In this study, we investigated the effect of climate and landscape factors on the ecological niches of two viper species, Vipera aspis and Vipera latastei, across three contact zones in northern Iberia, characterized by varying levels of landscape alteration. Using niche overlap tests, ecological niche models and spatial analyses we observed local variation in the expression of the species' niches across the three contact zones, resulting from the different abiotic and biotic conditions of each area. Rather than spatial niche segregation, we observed high niche overlap, suggesting niche convergence. A pattern of asymmetrical niche variation was identified in all contact zones, driven by species' climatic tolerances and the environmental conditions of each area. V. aspis generally exhibited a wider niche, except in the southernmost zone where the pure Mediterranean climate favored V. latastei. Human-induced landscape changes intensified niche asymmetry, by favoring the most generalist V. aspis over the specialist V. latastei, increasing habitat overlap, and likely competition. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of niche expression at range margins, anticipating a heightened impact of landscape changes in V. latastei. The methodological framework implemented here, and our findings, hold significant relevance for biodiversity management and conservation in human-impacted areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Freitas
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal.
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal.
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, 4099-002, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Pedro Tarroso
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Fernando Martínez-Freiría
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
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48
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Riddell EA, Burger IJ, Tyner-Swanson TL, Biggerstaff J, Muñoz MM, Levy O, Porter CK. Parameterizing mechanistic niche models in biophysical ecology: a review of empirical approaches. J Exp Biol 2023; 226:jeb245543. [PMID: 37955347 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.245543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Mechanistic niche models are computational tools developed using biophysical principles to address grand challenges in ecology and evolution, such as the mechanisms that shape the fundamental niche and the adaptive significance of traits. Here, we review the empirical basis of mechanistic niche models in biophysical ecology, which are used to answer a broad array of questions in ecology, evolution and global change biology. We describe the experiments and observations that are frequently used to parameterize these models and how these empirical data are then incorporated into mechanistic niche models to predict performance, growth, survival and reproduction. We focus on the physiological, behavioral and morphological traits that are frequently measured and then integrated into these models. We also review the empirical approaches used to incorporate evolutionary processes, phenotypic plasticity and biotic interactions. We discuss the importance of validation experiments and observations in verifying underlying assumptions and complex processes. Despite the reliance of mechanistic niche models on biophysical theory, empirical data have and will continue to play an essential role in their development and implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric A Riddell
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Isabella J Burger
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Tamara L Tyner-Swanson
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Justin Biggerstaff
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Martha M Muñoz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Ofir Levy
- Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Cody K Porter
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
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Becoche-Mosquera JM, Gomez-Bernal LG, Zambrano-Gonzalez G, Angulo-Ortiz D. Unraveling plant-pollinator interactions from a south-west Andean forest in Colombia. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16133. [PMID: 38025706 PMCID: PMC10640843 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Loss of biological connectivity increases the vulnerability of ecological dynamics, thereby affecting processes such as pollination. Therefore, it is important to understand the roles of the actors that participate in these interaction networks. Nonetheless, there is a significant oversight regarding the main actors in the pollination networks within the highly biodiverse forests of Colombia. Hence, the present study aims to evaluate the interaction patterns of a network of potential pollinators that inhabit an Andean Forest in Totoró, Cauca, Colombia. Methods The interactions between plants and potential pollinators were recorded through direct observation in 10 transects during six field trips conducted over the course of one year. Subsequently, an interaction matrix was developed, and network metrics such as connectance, specialization, nestedness, and asymmetry of interaction strength were evaluated by applying null models. An interpolation/extrapolation curve was calculated in order to assess the representativeness of the sample. Finally, the key species of the network were identified by considering degree (k), centrality, and betweenness centrality. Results A total of 53 plant species and 52 potential pollinator species (including insects and birds) were recorded, with a sample coverage of 88.5%. Connectance (C = 0.19) and specialization (H2' = 0.19) were low, indicating a generalist network. Freziera canescens, Gaiadendron punctatum, Persea mutisii, Bombus rubicundus, Heliangelus exortis, Chironomus sp., and Metallura tyrianthina were identified as the key species that contribute to a more cohesive network structure. Discussion The present study characterized the structure of the plant-pollinator network in a highly diverse Andean forest in Colombia. It is evident that insects are the largest group of pollinators; however, it is interesting to note that birds form a different module that specializes in pollinating a specific group of plants. On the other hand, the diversity and generality of the species found suggest that the network may be robust against chains of extinction. Nevertheless, the presence of certain introduced species, such as Apis mellifera, and the rapid changes in vegetation cover may affect the dynamics of this mutualistic network. So, it is imperative to apply restoration and conservation strategies to these ecosystems in order to enhance plant-animal interactions and prevent the loss of taxonomical and functional diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Mario Becoche-Mosquera
- Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Cauca, Colombia
- Ecology and Conservation - GECO, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Cauca, Colombia
- Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Cauca, Colombia
| | - Luis German Gomez-Bernal
- Ecology and Conservation - GECO, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Cauca, Colombia
- Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Cauca, Colombia
| | - Giselle Zambrano-Gonzalez
- Ecology and Conservation - GECO, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Cauca, Colombia
- Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Cauca, Colombia
| | - David Angulo-Ortiz
- Corporación Autónoma Regional del Valle del Cauca, Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
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50
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Xu C, Silliman BR, Chen J, Li X, Thomsen MS, Zhang Q, Lee J, Lefcheck JS, Daleo P, Hughes BB, Jones HP, Wang R, Wang S, Smith CS, Xi X, Altieri AH, van de Koppel J, Palmer TM, Liu L, Wu J, Li B, He Q. Herbivory limits success of vegetation restoration globally. Science 2023; 382:589-594. [PMID: 37917679 DOI: 10.1126/science.add2814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Restoring vegetation in degraded ecosystems is an increasingly common practice for promoting biodiversity and ecological function, but successful implementation is hampered by an incomplete understanding of the processes that limit restoration success. By synthesizing terrestrial and aquatic studies globally (2594 experimental tests from 610 articles), we reveal substantial herbivore control of vegetation under restoration. Herbivores at restoration sites reduced vegetation abundance more strongly (by 89%, on average) than those at relatively undegraded sites and suppressed, rather than fostered, plant diversity. These effects were particularly pronounced in regions with higher temperatures and lower precipitation. Excluding targeted herbivores temporarily or introducing their predators improved restoration by magnitudes similar to or greater than those achieved by managing plant competition or facilitation. Thus, managing herbivory is a promising strategy for enhancing vegetation restoration efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changlin Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Brian R Silliman
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Beaufort, NC, USA
| | - Jianshe Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xincheng Li
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mads S Thomsen
- Marine Ecology Research Group and Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Qun Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Juhyung Lee
- Marine Science Center, Northeastern University, Nahant, MA, USA
- Department of Oceanography and Marine Research Institute, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jonathan S Lefcheck
- Tennenbaum Marine Observatories Network and MarineGEO Program, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD, USA
- University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, MD, USA
| | - Pedro Daleo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), UNMdP, CONICETC, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Brent B Hughes
- Department of Biology, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA, USA
| | - Holly P Jones
- Department of Biological Sciences and Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability, and Energy, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
| | - Rong Wang
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Tiantong Forest Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaopeng Wang
- Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Carter S Smith
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Beaufort, NC, USA
| | - Xinqiang Xi
- Department of Ecology, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Andrew H Altieri
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Johan van de Koppel
- Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Yerseke, Netherlands
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Todd M Palmer
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Lingli Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jihua Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, and College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Bo Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plant Reproductive Adaptation and Evolutionary Ecology and Centre for Invasion Biology, Institute of Biodiversity, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Qiang He
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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