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Moreira X, Van den Bossche A, Moeys K, Van Meerbeek K, Thomaes A, Vázquez-González C, Abdala-Roberts L, Brunet J, Cousins SAO, Defossez E, De Pauw K, Diekmann M, Glauser G, Graae BJ, Hagenblad J, Heavyside P, Hedwall PO, Heinken T, Huang S, Lago-Núñez B, Lenoir J, Lindgren J, Lindmo S, Mazalla L, Naaf T, Orczewska A, Paulssen J, Plue J, Rasmann S, Spicher F, Vanneste T, Verschuren L, Visakorpi K, Wulf M, De Frenne P. Variation in insect herbivory across an urbanization gradient: The role of abiotic factors and leaf secondary metabolites. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2024; 215:109056. [PMID: 39186848 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.109056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
Urbanization impacts plant-herbivore interactions, which are crucial for ecosystem functions such as carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling. While some studies have reported reductions in insect herbivory in urban areas (relative to rural or natural forests), this trend is not consistent and the underlying causes for such variation remain unclear. We conducted a continental-scale study on insect herbivory along urbanization gradients for three European tree species: Quercus robur, Tilia cordata, and Fraxinus excelsior, and further investigated their biotic and abiotic correlates to get at mechanisms. To this end, we quantified insect leaf herbivory and foliar secondary metabolites (phenolics, terpenoids, alkaloids) for 176 trees across eight European cities. Additionally, we collected data on microclimate (air temperature) and soil characteristics (pH, carbon, nutrients) to test for abiotic correlates of urbanization effects directly or indirectly (through changes in plant secondary chemistry) linked to herbivory. Our results showed that urbanization was negatively associated with herbivory for Q. robur and F. excelsior, but not for T. cordata. In addition, urbanization was positively associated with secondary metabolite concentrations, but only for Q. robur. Urbanization was positively associated with air temperature for Q. robur and F. excelsior, and negatively with soil nutrients (magnesium) in the case of F. excelsior, but these abiotic variables were not associated with herbivory. Contrary to expectations, we found no evidence for indirect effects of abiotic factors via plant defences on herbivory for either Q. robur or F. excelsior. Additional biotic or abiotic drivers must therefore be accounted for to explain observed urbanization gradients in herbivory and their interspecific variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xoaquín Moreira
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado de Correos 28, 36080, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain.
| | - Astrid Van den Bossche
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Environment, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090, Melle-Gontrode, Belgium
| | - Karlien Moeys
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200E, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Koenraad Van Meerbeek
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200E, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Arno Thomaes
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Gaverstraat 4, 9500, Geraardsbergen, Belgium
| | - Carla Vázquez-González
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado de Correos 28, 36080, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
| | - Luis Abdala-Roberts
- Departamento de Ecología Tropical, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Apartado Postal 4-116, Itzimná, 97000, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Jörg Brunet
- Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 190, 234 22, Lomma, Sweden
| | - Sara A O Cousins
- Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emmanuel Defossez
- Institute of Biology, Laboratory of Functional Ecology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Karen De Pauw
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Environment, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090, Melle-Gontrode, Belgium
| | - Martin Diekmann
- Institute of Ecology, FB 2, University of Bremen, James-Watt-Straße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Gaétan Glauser
- Neuchâtel Platform of Analytical Chemistry, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Bente J Graae
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jenny Hagenblad
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 83, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Paige Heavyside
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Per-Ola Hedwall
- Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 190, 234 22, Lomma, Sweden
| | - Thilo Heinken
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Maulbeerallee 3, 14469, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Siyu Huang
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), 15374, Muencheberg, Germany
| | - Beatriz Lago-Núñez
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado de Correos 28, 36080, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
| | - Jonathan Lenoir
- UMR, CNRS 7058 'Ecologie et Dynamique des Systèmes Anthropisés' (EDYSAN), Université de Picardie Jules Verne, 1 Rue des Louvels, F-80037, Amiens, France
| | - Jessica Lindgren
- Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sigrid Lindmo
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Leonie Mazalla
- Institute of Ecology, FB 2, University of Bremen, James-Watt-Straße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Tobias Naaf
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), 15374, Muencheberg, Germany
| | - Anna Orczewska
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia, Bankowa 9, 40-007, Katowice, Poland
| | - Jolina Paulssen
- Institute of Ecology, FB 2, University of Bremen, James-Watt-Straße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Jan Plue
- Department of Urban and Rural Development, SLU Swedish Biodiversity Centre (CBM). Swedish University for Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sergio Rasmann
- Institute of Biology, Laboratory of Functional Ecology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Fabien Spicher
- UMR, CNRS 7058 'Ecologie et Dynamique des Systèmes Anthropisés' (EDYSAN), Université de Picardie Jules Verne, 1 Rue des Louvels, F-80037, Amiens, France
| | - Thomas Vanneste
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Environment, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090, Melle-Gontrode, Belgium
| | - Louis Verschuren
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Environment, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090, Melle-Gontrode, Belgium; UGent-Woodlab, Department of Environment, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium; Centre for X-ray Tomography, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kristiina Visakorpi
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Monika Wulf
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), 15374, Muencheberg, Germany
| | - Pieter De Frenne
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Environment, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090, Melle-Gontrode, Belgium
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González‐Ramírez I, López‐Gómez V, Cano‐Santana Z, Romero Pérez A, Hernández Cumplido J. Host-plant sex and phenology of Buddleja cordata Kunth interact to influence arthropod communities. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11555. [PMID: 38895571 PMCID: PMC11183185 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11555] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Intraspecific variation in plants is expected to have profound impacts on the arthropod communities associated with them. Because sexual dimorphism in plants is expected to provide consistent variation among individuals of the same species, researchers have often studied the effect it has on associated arthropods. Nevertheless, most studies have focused on the effect of sexual dimorphism in a single or a few herbivores, thus overlooking the potential effects on the whole arthropod community. Our main objective was to evaluate effects of Buddleja cordata's plant-sex on its associated arthropod community. We surveyed 13 pairs of male and female plants every 2 months during a year (June 2010 to April 2011). Every sampling date, we measured plant traits (water content and leaf thickness), herbivory, and the arthropod community. We did not find differences in herbivory between plant sex or through time. However, we found differences in water content through time, with leaf water-content matching the environmental seasonality. For arthropod richness, we found 68 morphospecies associated with female and 72 with male plants, from which 53 were shared by both sexes. We did not observe differences in morphospecies richness; however, we found sex-associated differences in the diversity of all species and differences on the diversity of the most abundant species with an interesting temporal component. During peak flowering season, male plants showed higher values on both parameters, but during the peak fructification season female plants showed the higher values on both diversity parameters. Our research exemplifies the interaction between plant-phenology and plant-sex as drivers of arthropod communities' diversity, even when plant sexual-dimorphism is inconspicuous, and highlighting the importance of accounting for seasonal variation. We stress the need of conducting more studies that test this time-dependent framework in other dioecious systems, as it has the potential to reconcile previous contrasting observations reported in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- I. González‐Ramírez
- Department of Integrative BiologyUniversity of California BerkeleyBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - V. López‐Gómez
- Instituto Nacional de Ecología y Cambio ClimáticoCoordinación General de Contaminación y Salud AmbientalCiudad de MéxicoMexico
| | - Z. Cano‐Santana
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos NaturalesUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoCiudad de MéxicoMexico
| | - A. Romero Pérez
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos NaturalesUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoCiudad de MéxicoMexico
| | - J. Hernández Cumplido
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos NaturalesUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoCiudad de MéxicoMexico
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Xie A, Wang Y, Xiao L, Wang Y, Liao S, Yang M, Su S, Meng S, Liu H. Plasticity in resource allocation of the invasive Phytolacca americana: Balancing growth, reproduction, and defense along urban-rural gradients. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 937:173532. [PMID: 38802014 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
In response to varying environments along urban and rural gradients, invasive plants may strategically allocate resources to enhance their invasiveness. However, how invasive plants balance their resources for growth, reproduction, and defense as responses to biotic and abiotic factors across these gradients remain unclear. We conducted field surveys on the growth, reproduction, and herbivory of the invasive species Phytolacca americana across diverse urban and rural habitats. Leaf samples were collected to analyze the nutritional content, primary and secondary metabolites. We found that plant growth rates, specific leaf area, leaf nitrogen content, and concentrations of flavonoids and saponins were higher in urban habitats, while reproduction, herbivory, and carbon-to‑nitrogen ratios were lower than those in rural habitats. We also found a trade-off between growth rate and herbivory, as well as trade-offs among defense traits associated with herbivory (e.g., leaf mass per area, the inverse of leaf nitrogen content, and carbon‑nitrogen ratio) and the production of metabolites associated with abiotic stress tolerance (e.g., soluble sugars, flavonoids, and saponins). As earlier studies showed low levels of genetic diversity within and between populations, our findings suggest that the urban-rural gradient patterns of resource allocation are primarily phenotypic plasticity in response to herbivory in rural areas and abiotic factors in urban areas. Our study sheds light on the mechanisms by which urbanization affects plant invasions and offers insights for the implementation of their management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anni Xie
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China
| | - Yajie Wang
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China
| | - Li Xiao
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China; National Engineering Laboratory of Applied Technology for Forestry & Ecology in Southern China, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China.
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China
| | - Shuang Liao
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China
| | - Miao Yang
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China
| | - Sese Su
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China
| | - Shibo Meng
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China
| | - Hongjia Liu
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China
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Alonso‐Crespo IM, Hernández‐Agüero JA. Shedding light on trophic interactions: A field experiment on the effect of human population between latitudes on herbivory and predation patterns. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10449. [PMID: 37664505 PMCID: PMC10468994 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Interactions between species within an ecosystem (e.g. predation and herbivory) play a vital role in sustaining the ecosystem functionality, which includes aspects like pest control and nutrient cycling. Unfortunately, human activities are progressively disrupting these trophic relationships, thereby contributing to the ongoing biodiversity decline. Additionally, certain human activities like urbanization may further impact the intensity of these trophic interactions, which are already known to be influenced by latitudinal gradients. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis of whether the impact of human population, used as a proxy for human pressure, differs between latitudes. To test it, we selected 18 study sites at two latitudes (i.e. ~53°N and ~50°N) with varying human population density (HPD). We used artificial caterpillars placed on European beech branches to assess bird predation and took standardized pictures of the leaves to estimate insect herbivory. Remote sensing techniques were used to estimate human pressure. We found that the intensity of bird predation varied in response to HPD, with opposite trends observed depending on the latitude. At our upper latitude, bird predation increased with HPD, while the opposite was observed at the lower latitude. Herbivory was not affected by urbanization and we found higher levels of herbivory in the lower compared to the higher latitude. At the lower latitude, certain species may experience a disadvantage attributed to the urban heat island effect due to their sensitivity to temperature fluctuations. Conversely, at the higher latitude, where minimum temperatures can be a limitation, certain species may benefit from milder winters. Overall, this study highlights the complex and dynamic nature of trophic relationships in the face of human-driven changes to ecosystems. It also emphasizes the importance of considering both human pressure and latitudinal gradients when assessing the ecological consequences of future climate change scenarios, especially in urban environments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juan Antonio Hernández‐Agüero
- Senckenberg Gesellschaft für NaturforschungFrankfurt (am Main)Germany
- Department of Environmental GeographyVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
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Schroeder H, Grab H, Poveda K. Phenotypic clines in herbivore resistance and reproductive traits in wild plants along an agricultural gradient. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286050. [PMID: 37256895 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The conversion of natural landscapes to agriculture is a leading cause of biodiversity loss worldwide. While many studies examine how landscape modification affects species diversity, a trait-based approach can provide new insights into species responses to environmental change. Wild plants persisting in heavily modified landscapes provide a unique opportunity to examine species' responses to land use change. Trait expression within a community plays an important role in structuring species interactions, highlighting the potential implications of landscape mediated trait changes on ecosystem functioning. Here we test the effect of increasing agricultural landscape modification on defensive and reproductive traits in three commonly occurring Brassicaceae species to evaluate plant responses to landscape change. We collected seeds from populations at spatially separated sites with variation in surrounding agricultural land cover and grew them in a greenhouse common garden, measuring defensive traits through an herbivore no-choice bioassay as well as reproductive traits such as flower size and seed set. In two of the three species, plants originating from agriculturally dominant landscapes expressed a consistent reduction in flower size and herbivore leaf consumption. One species also showed reduced fitness associated with increasingly agricultural landscapes. These findings demonstrate that wild plants are responding to landscape modification, suggesting that the conversion of natural landscapes to agriculture has consequences for wild plant evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley Schroeder
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Heather Grab
- School of Integrative Plant Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Katja Poveda
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
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Qu J, Bonte D, Vandegehuchte ML. Hydrogen cyanide, a key plant defense, as a potential driver of root-associated nematode communities along urbanization gradients. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1113671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionPlant chemical defenses can influence the distribution, community composition, and abundance of soil biota. Urbanization plays a key role in shaping soil biotic communities either directly through changes in soil properties or indirectly via changes in plant characteristics such as defense traits. The effects of urbanization and plant defenses on the abundance and structure of aboveground plant-associated communities have been studied, yet their effects on belowground root-associated communities are poorly understood.MethodsHere we sampled white clover (Trifolium repens L.) leaves and roots along urban–rural gradients in the cities of Antwerp and Ghent, Belgium. We measured production of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) in leaves, a known defense trait against herbivores, and abundances of different feeding guilds of nematodes associated with the roots.ResultsWe found that HCN production decreased with increasing levels of urbanization in both cities. Urbanization was significantly correlated with shifts in root-associated nematode community structure in Antwerp but not in Ghent. Responses of nematode feeding guilds and trophic groups to urbanization were highly dependent on the clovers’ HCN production, especially in Ghent. Changes in nematode channel ratio in Antwerp indicated that urban root-associated nematode communities of white clover were more strongly dominated by fungivorous nematodes.DiscussionOur results demonstrate that urbanization is driving changes in a plant phenotypic trait and in the community structure of root-associated nematodes, as well as that both changes interact. Plant defense mechanisms could thus help elucidate the effects of urbanization on root-associated biota communities. As strong differences existed between the two studied cities, the particular properties of cities should be taken into account to better understand the direction and strength of phenotypic trait changes driven by urbanization.
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Moreira X, Abdala-Roberts L. Linking herbivory and ecosystem services in urban forests. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 28:139-141. [PMID: 36396569 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2022.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Urban forests provide important benefits for humans. Species interactions, in particular herbivory, can alter their function and ultimately threaten their ecosystem service provisioning. We call for research that identifies herbivory drivers in urban forests and tests for links between herbivory and forest services. Knowledge gained can inform management of urban ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xoaquín Moreira
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado de Correos 28, 36080 Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain.
| | - Luis Abdala-Roberts
- Departamento de Ecología Tropical, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Apartado, Postal 4-116, Itzimná, 97000 Mérida, Yucatán, México.
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Rivkin LR, de Andrade AC. Increased herbivory but not cyanogenesis is associated with urbanization in a tropical wildflower. AUSTRAL ECOL 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.13274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- L. Ruth Rivkin
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
- Department of Biology University of Toronto Mississauga Toronto Ontario Canada
- Centre for Urban Environments University of Toronto Mississauga Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Antonio C. de Andrade
- Universidade Federal da Paraiba Departamento de Engenharia e Meio Ambiente Rio Tinto PB Brazil
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Fröhlich A, Hawryło P, Ciach M. Urbanization filters woodpecker assemblages: Habitat specialization limits population abundance of dead wood dependent organisms in the urban landscape. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
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Miles LS, Murray‐Stoker D, Nhan VJ, Johnson MTJ. Effects of urbanization on specialist insect communities of milkweed are mediated by spatial and temporal variation. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay S. Miles
- Department of Biology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga Ontario Canada
- Centre for Urban Environments, University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga Ontario Canada
| | - David Murray‐Stoker
- Department of Biology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga Ontario Canada
- Centre for Urban Environments, University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga Ontario Canada
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Vanessa J. Nhan
- Department of Biology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga Ontario Canada
| | - Marc T. J. Johnson
- Department of Biology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga Ontario Canada
- Centre for Urban Environments, University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga Ontario Canada
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
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Korányi D, Egerer M, Rusch A, Szabó B, Batáry P. Urbanization hampers biological control of insect pests: A global meta-analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 834:155396. [PMID: 35460770 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Biological control is a major ecosystem service provided by pest natural enemies, even in densely populated areas where the use of pesticides poses severe risks to human and environmental health. However, the impact of urbanization on this service and the abundance patterns of relevant functional groups of arthropods (herbivores, predators, and parasitoids) remain contested. Here, we synthesize current evidence through three hierarchical meta-analyses and show that advancing urbanization leads to outbreaks of sap-feeding insects, declining numbers of predators with low dispersal abilities, and weakened overall biological pest control delivered by arthropods. Our results suggest that sedentary predators may have the potential to effectively regulate sap-feeders, that are one of the most important pests in urban environments. A well-connected network of structurally diverse and rich green spaces with less intensive management practices is needed to promote natural plant protection in urban landscapes and sustainable cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dávid Korányi
- Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, "Lendület" Landscape and Conservation Ecology, Alkotmány u. 2-4, 2163 Vácrátót, Hungary.
| | - Monika Egerer
- Technische Universität München, Department of Life Science Systems, School of Life Sciences, Hans Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Adrien Rusch
- INRAE, UMR 1065 Santé et Agroécologie du Vignoble, ISVV, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, Villenave d'Ornon, France
| | - Borbála Szabó
- Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, "Lendület" Landscape and Conservation Ecology, Alkotmány u. 2-4, 2163 Vácrátót, Hungary
| | - Péter Batáry
- Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, "Lendület" Landscape and Conservation Ecology, Alkotmány u. 2-4, 2163 Vácrátót, Hungary
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Theodorou P. The effects of urbanisation on ecological interactions. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 52:100922. [PMID: 35490874 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2022.100922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Cities are expanding worldwide and urbanisation is considered a global threat to biodiversity. Urban ecology has provided important insights on how urban environmental changes might affect individuals, populations, and species; however, we know little about how the ecological impacts of urbanisation alter species interactions. Species interactions are the backbone of ecological communities and play a crucial role in population and community dynamics and in the generation, maintenance and structure of biodiversity. Here, I review urban ecological studies to identify key mechanistic pathways through which urban environmental processes could alter antagonistic and mutualistic interactions among species. More specifically, I focus on insect predation, parasitoidism and herbivory, competition, insect host-pathogen interactions, and pollination. I furthermore identify important knowledge gaps that require additional research attention and I suggest future research directions that may help to shed light on the mechanisms that affect species interactions and structure insect communities and will thus aid conservation management in cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Theodorou
- General Zoology, Institute for Biology, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
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13
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Qu J, Bonte D, Vandegehuchte ML. Phenotypic and genotypic divergence of plant‐herbivore interactions along an urbanization gradient. Evol Appl 2022; 15:865-877. [PMID: 35603025 PMCID: PMC9108311 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Urban environments provide challenging conditions for species survival, including increased temperatures, drought and pollution. Species can deal with these conditions through evolution across generations or the immediate expression of phenotypic plasticity. The resulting phenotypic changes are key to the performance of species and their interactions with other species in the community. We here document patterns of herbivory in Arabidopsis thaliana along a rural–urban gradient, and tested the genetic background and ecological consequences of traits related to herbivore resistance. Aphid densities increased with urbanization levels along the gradient while plant size did not change. Offspring of urban mothers, raised under common garden conditions, were larger and had a decreased trichome density and seed set but a higher caterpillar (Pieris brassicae) tolerance. In contrast, no urban evolution was detected for defences against aphids (Myzus persicae). Aphids reduced seed set more strongly in urban offspring, but this effect disappeared in second‐generation plants. In general, urban adaptations as expressed in size and caterpillar tolerance were found, but these adaptations were associated with smaller inflorescences. The maternal effect on the response of seed set to aphid feeding demonstrates the relevance of intergenerational plasticity as a direct ecological consequence of herbivory. Our study demonstrates that the urban environment interacts with the plant's genotype and the extended phenotype as determined by ecological interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Qu
- Lushan Botanical Garden Chinese Academy of Sciences Jiujiang 332900 Jiangxi China
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit Department of Biology Ghent University Karel Lodewijk Ledeganckstraat 35 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Dries Bonte
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit Department of Biology Ghent University Karel Lodewijk Ledeganckstraat 35 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Martijn L. Vandegehuchte
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit Department of Biology Ghent University Karel Lodewijk Ledeganckstraat 35 9000 Ghent Belgium
- Department of Biology Norwegian University of Science and Technology Høgskoleringen 5 7491 Trondheim Norway
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14
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Galmán A, Vázquez‐González C, Röder G, Castagneyrol B. Interactive effects of tree species composition and water availability on growth and direct and indirect defences in
Quercus ilex. OIKOS 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.09125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Galmán
- Misión Biológica de Galicia, National Spanish Research Council (CSIC) Pontevedra Spain
- Inst. of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther Univ. Halle‐Wittenberg Germany
| | - Carla Vázquez‐González
- Misión Biológica de Galicia, National Spanish Research Council (CSIC) Pontevedra Spain
- Dept of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Univ. of California Irvine CA USA
| | - Gregory Röder
- Inst. of Biology, Univ. of Neuchâtel Neuchâtel Switzerland
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15
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Valdés‐Correcher E, Popova A, Galmán A, Prinzing A, Selikhovkin AV, Howe AG, Mrazova A, Dulaurent A, Hampe A, Tack AJM, Bouget C, Lupaștean D, Harvey D, Musolin DL, Lövei GL, Centenaro G, Halder IV, Hagge J, Dobrosavljević J, Pitkänen J, Koricheva J, Sam K, Barbaro L, Branco M, Ferrante M, Faticov M, Tahadlová M, Gossner M, Cauchoix M, Bogdziewicz M, Duduman M, Kozlov MV, Bjoern MC, Mamaev NA, Fernandez‐Conradi P, Thomas RL, Wetherbee R, Green S, Milanović S, Moreira X, Mellerin Y, Kadiri Y, Castagneyrol B. Herbivory on the pedunculate oak along an urbanization gradient in Europe: Effects of impervious surface, local tree cover, and insect feeding guild. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8709. [PMID: 35342614 PMCID: PMC8928871 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Urbanization is an important driver of the diversity and abundance of tree-associated insect herbivores, but its consequences for insect herbivory are poorly understood. A likely source of variability among studies is the insufficient consideration of intra-urban variability in forest cover. With the help of citizen scientists, we investigated the independent and interactive effects of local canopy cover and percentage of impervious surface on insect herbivory in the pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) throughout most of its geographic range in Europe. We found that the damage caused by chewing insect herbivores as well as the incidence of leaf-mining and gall-inducing herbivores consistently decreased with increasing impervious surface around focal oaks. Herbivory by chewing herbivores increased with increasing forest cover, regardless of impervious surface. In contrast, an increase in local canopy cover buffered the negative effect of impervious surface on leaf miners and strengthened its effect on gall inducers. These results show that-just like in non-urban areas-plant-herbivore interactions in cities are structured by a complex set of interacting factors. This highlights that local habitat characteristics within cities have the potential to attenuate or modify the effect of impervious surfaces on biotic interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Popova
- A. N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and EvolutionRussian Academy of SciencesMoscowRussia
| | - Andrea Galmán
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical GardenMartin Luther University Halle‐WittenbergHalleGermany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigGermany
| | - Andreas Prinzing
- Research Unit ECOBIO (Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Evolution)UMR 6553University of Rennes/Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueRennesFrance
| | - Andrey V. Selikhovkin
- Department of Forest Protection, Wood Science and Game ManagementSaint Petersburg State Forest Technical UniversitySt. PetersburgRussia
| | - Andy G. Howe
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource ManagementUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksberg CDenmark
- Forest Industries Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia
| | - Anna Mrazova
- Biology Centre of Czech Academy of SciencesEntomology InstituteCeske BudejoviceCzech Republic
- Faculty of ScienceUniversity of South BohemiaCeske BudejoviceCzech Republic
| | | | | | | | - Christophe Bouget
- Forest Ecosystems' Research UnitBiodiversity Team Domaine des BarresINRAENogent‐sur‐VernissonFrance
| | - Daniela Lupaștean
- Applied Ecology LabForestry Faculty“Ștefan cel Mare” University of SuceavaSuceavaRomania
| | - Deborah Harvey
- Department of Biological SciencesRoyal HollowayUniversity of LondonEghamUK
| | - Dmitry L. Musolin
- Department of Forest Protection, Wood Science and Game ManagementSaint Petersburg State Forest Technical UniversitySt. PetersburgRussia
| | - Gábor L. Lövei
- Department of AgroecologyFlakkebjerg Research CentreAarhus UniversitySlagelseDenmark
| | - Giada Centenaro
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant SciencesStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
| | | | - Jonas Hagge
- Forest Nature ConservationNorthwest German Forest Research InstituteHann. MündenGermany
- Forest Nature ConservationGeorg‐August‐University GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Jovan Dobrosavljević
- Department of Forest ProtectionFaculty of ForestryUniversity of BelgradeBelgradeSerbia
| | - Juha‐Matti Pitkänen
- Forest Health and BiodiversityNatural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE)HelsinkiFinland
- Spatial Foodweb Ecology GroupDepartment of Agricultural SciencesUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Julia Koricheva
- Department of Biological SciencesRoyal HollowayUniversity of LondonEghamUK
| | - Katerina Sam
- Biology Centre of Czech Academy of SciencesEntomology InstituteCeske BudejoviceCzech Republic
- Faculty of ScienceUniversity of South BohemiaCeske BudejoviceCzech Republic
| | - Luc Barbaro
- DynaforUniv. ToulouseINRAECastanet‐TolosanFrance
- CESCO, Museum national d'Histoire naturelleCNRSSorbonne‐Univ.ParisFrance
| | - Manuela Branco
- Centro de Estudos FlorestaisInstituto Superior de AgronomiaUniversidade de LisboaLisboaPortugal
| | - Marco Ferrante
- Department of AgroecologyFlakkebjerg Research CentreAarhus UniversitySlagelseDenmark
- Azorean Biodiversity GroupcE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental ChangesUniversity of the AzoresAzoresPortugal
| | - Maria Faticov
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant SciencesStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
| | - Markéta Tahadlová
- Biology Centre of Czech Academy of SciencesEntomology InstituteCeske BudejoviceCzech Republic
- Faculty of ScienceUniversity of South BohemiaCeske BudejoviceCzech Republic
| | - Martin Gossner
- Forest EntomologySwiss Federal Research Institute WSLBirmensdorfSwitzerland
- Department of Environmental Systems ScienceInstitute of Terrestrial EcosystemsETH ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Maxime Cauchoix
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du CNRSMoulisFrance
| | - Michał Bogdziewicz
- Department of Systematic ZoologyFaculty of BiologyAdam Mickiewicz UniversityPoznanPoland
- Laboratoire EcoSystèmes et Sociétés En MontagneINRAE Univ Grenoble AlpesSaint‐Martin‐d'Hères cedexFrance
| | - Mihai‐Leonard Duduman
- Applied Ecology LabForestry Faculty“Ștefan cel Mare” University of SuceavaSuceavaRomania
| | | | - Mona C. Bjoern
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource ManagementUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksberg CDenmark
| | - Nikita A. Mamaev
- Department of Forest Protection, Wood Science and Game ManagementSaint Petersburg State Forest Technical UniversitySt. PetersburgRussia
| | | | - Rebecca L. Thomas
- Department of Biological SciencesRoyal HollowayUniversity of LondonEghamUK
| | - Ross Wetherbee
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource ManagementNorwegian University of Life SciencesAasNorway
| | - Samantha Green
- Centre for Agroecology, Water and ResilienceCoventry UniversityCoventryUK
| | - Slobodan Milanović
- Department of Forest ProtectionFaculty of ForestryUniversity of BelgradeBelgradeSerbia
- Department of Forest Protection and Wildlife ManagementFaculty of Forestry and Wood TechnologyMendel University in BrnoBrnoCzech Republic
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16
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Buenrostro JH, Hufbauer RA. Urban environments have species-specific associations with invasive insect herbivores. JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juac011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Urban forests are critically important for providing ecosystem services to rapidly expanding urban populations, but their health is threatened by invasive insect herbivores. To protect urban forests against invasive insects and support future delivery of ecosystem services, we must first understand the factors that affect insect density across urban landscapes. This study explores how a variety of environmental factors that vary across urban habitats influence density of invasive insects. Specifically, we evaluate how vegetational complexity, distance to buildings, impervious surface, canopy temperature, host availability and density of co-occurring herbivores impact three invasive pests of elm trees: the elm leaf beetle (Xanthogaleruca luteola), the elm flea weevil (Orchestes steppensis) and the elm leafminer (Fenusa ulmi). Insect responses to these factors were species-specific, and all environmental factors were associated with density of at least one pest species except for distance to buildings. Elm leafminer density decreased with higher temperatures and was influenced by an interaction between vegetational complexity and impervious surface. Elm flea weevil density increased with greater host availability, and elm leaf beetle density increased with higher temperatures. Both elm leaf beetle and elm flea weevil density decreased with greater leafminer density, suggesting that insect density is mediated by species interactions. These findings can be used to inform urban pest management and tree care efforts, making urban forests more resilient in an era when globalization and climate change make them particularly vulnerable to attack.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline H Buenrostro
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University , Fort Collins, CO 80523-1177, USA
| | - Ruth A Hufbauer
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University , Fort Collins, CO 80523-1177, USA
- Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University , Fort Collins, CO 80523-1021, USA
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17
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Marschalek DA, Deutschman DH. Differing insect communities and reduced decomposition rates suggest compromised ecosystem functioning in urban preserves of southern California. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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18
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Schmitt L, Burghardt KT. Urbanization as a disrupter and facilitator of insect herbivore behaviors and life cycles. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 45:97-105. [PMID: 33676055 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2021.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Insect herbivores require a variety of habitats across their life cycle, with behavior often mediating transitions between life stages or habitats. Human management strongly alters urban habitats, yet herbivore behavior is rarely examined in cities. We review the existing literature on several key behaviors: host finding, feeding, egg placement and pupation location, and antipredator defense. We emphasize that unapparent portions of the life cycle, such as the habitat of the overwintering stage, may influence if urbanized areas act as population sources or sinks. Here, management of the soil surface and aboveground biomass are two areas with especially pressing research gaps. Lastly, high variability in urban environments may select for more plastic behaviors or greater generalism. We encourage future research that assesses both behavior and less apparent portions of insect life cycles to determine best practices for conservation and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Schmitt
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Karin T Burghardt
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
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19
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Meyer S, Rusterholz H, Baur B. Saproxylic insects and fungi in deciduous forests along a rural-urban gradient. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:1634-1652. [PMID: 33613995 PMCID: PMC7882972 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Urbanization is increasing worldwide and is regarded a major threat to biodiversity in forests. As consequences of intensive human use, the vegetation structure of naturally growing urban forests and their amount of deadwood can be reduced. Deadwood is an essential resource for various saproxylic insects and fungi. We assessed the effects of urbanization and forest characteristics on saproxylic insects and fungi. We exposed standardized bundles consisting of each three freshly cut beech and oak branches in 25 forests along a rural-urban gradient in Basel (Switzerland). After an exposure of 8 months, we extracted the saproxylic insects for 10 months using an emergence trap for each bundle. We used drilling chips from each branch to determine fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs). In all, 193,534 insect individuals emerged from the experimental bundles. Our study showed that the abundance of total saproxylic insects, bark beetles, longhorn beetles, total flies, moths, and ichneumonid wasps decreased with increasing degree of urbanization, but not their species richness. However, the taxonomic composition of all insect groups combined was altered by wood moisture of branches and that of saproxylic beetles was influenced by the degree of urbanization. Unexpectedly, forest size and local forest characteristics had a minor effect on saproxylic insects. ITS (internal transcribed spacer of rDNA) analysis with fungal specific primers revealed a total of 97 fungal OTUs on the bundles. The number of total fungal OTUs decreased with increasing degree of urbanization and was affected by the volume of naturally occurring fine woody debris. The composition of fungal OTUs was altered by the degree of urbanization and pH of the branch wood. As a consequence of the altered compositions of saproxylics, the association between total saproxylic insects and fungi changed along the rural-urban gradient. Our study shows that urbanization can negatively impact saproxylic insects and fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro Meyer
- Department of Environmental SciencesSection of Conservation BiologyUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Hans‐Peter Rusterholz
- Department of Environmental SciencesSection of Conservation BiologyUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Bruno Baur
- Department of Environmental SciencesSection of Conservation BiologyUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
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20
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Knapp S, Aronson MFJ, Carpenter E, Herrera-Montes A, Jung K, Kotze DJ, La Sorte FA, Lepczyk CA, MacGregor-Fors I, MacIvor JS, Moretti M, Nilon CH, Piana MR, Rega-Brodsky CC, Salisbury A, Threlfall CG, Trisos C, Williams NSG, Hahs AK. A Research Agenda for Urban Biodiversity in the Global Extinction Crisis. Bioscience 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biaa141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Rapid urbanization and the global loss of biodiversity necessitate the development of a research agenda that addresses knowledge gaps in urban ecology that will inform policy, management, and conservation. To advance this goal, we present six topics to pursue in urban biodiversity research: the socioeconomic and social–ecological drivers of biodiversity loss versus gain of biodiversity; the response of biodiversity to technological change; biodiversity–ecosystem service relationships; urban areas as refugia for biodiversity; spatiotemporal dynamics of species, community changes, and underlying processes; and ecological networks. We discuss overarching considerations and offer a set of questions to inspire and support urban biodiversity research. In parallel, we advocate for communication and collaboration across many fields and disciplines in order to build capacity for urban biodiversity research, education, and practice. Taken together we note that urban areas will play an important role in addressing the global extinction crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Knapp
- Department of Community Ecology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ and formerly with the Institute of Ecology, Technische Universität, Berlin, Germany
| | - Myla F J Aronson
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, Rutgers University, Brunswick, New Jersey
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ian MacGregor-Fors
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme in Lahti, Finland
| | - J Scott MacIvor
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marco Moretti
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow, and Landscape Research, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | | | - Max R Piana
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts—Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts and the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources at Rutgers University, in Brunswick, New Jersey
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Amy K Hahs
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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21
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Abstract
With the process of urbanization, cities are expanding, while forests are declining. Many conditions in the urban habitats are modified compared to those in the rural ones, so the organisms present reactions to these changes. To determine to what extent the habitat type influences insects, we tested the differences in the pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) leaf-mining insect community between urban and rural habitats in Serbia. Lower species richness, abundance, and diversity were determined on trees in the urban environment. Due to the differences in the habitat types, many of the species disappeared, while most of the remaining species declined. The seasonal dynamics of species richness, abundance, and diversity differed between the habitat types. Both rural and urban populations started with low values in May. Subsequently, rural populations gained higher species richness, abundance, and diversity. As about 60% of the leaf miners’ species present in the rural habitats survive on the trees in urban areas, those trees are of great importance as a species reservoir. This is why we need to preserve and strive to improve the condition of urban areas where the pedunculate oak is present.
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22
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Pisman M, Bonte D, de la Peña E. Urbanization alters plastic responses in the common dandelion Taraxacum officinale. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:4082-4090. [PMID: 32489632 PMCID: PMC7244812 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Urban environments expose species to contrasting selection pressures relative to rural areas due to altered microclimatic conditions, habitat fragmentation, and changes in species interactions. To improve our understanding on how urbanization impacts selection through biotic interactions, we assessed differences in plant defense and tolerance, dispersal, and flowering phenology of a common plant species (Taraxacum officinale) along an urbanization gradient and their reaction norms in response to a biotic stressor (i.e., herbivory). We raised plants from 45 lines collected along an urbanization gradient under common garden conditions and assessed the impact of herbivory on plant growth (i.e., aboveground biomass), dispersal capacity (i.e., seed morphology), and plant phenology (i.e., early seed production) by exposing half of our plants to two events of herbivory (i.e., grazing by locusts). Independent from their genetic background, all plants consistently increased their resistance to herbivores by which the second exposure to locusts resulted in lower levels of damage suffered. Herbivory had consistent effects on seed pappus length, with seeds showing a longer pappus (and, hence, increased dispersal capacities) regardless of urbanization level. Aboveground plant biomass was neither affected by urbanization nor herbivore presence. In contrast to consistent responses in plant defenses and pappus length, plant fitness did vary between lines. Urban lines had a reduced early seed production following herbivory while rural and suburban lines did not show any plastic response. Our results show that herbivory affects plant phenotypes but more importantly that differences in herbivory reaction norms exist between urban and rural populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matti Pisman
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit (TEREC)Department of BiologyGhent UniversityGentBelgium
| | - Dries Bonte
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit (TEREC)Department of BiologyGhent UniversityGentBelgium
| | - Eduardo de la Peña
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit (TEREC)Department of BiologyGhent UniversityGentBelgium
- Institute for Subtropical and Mediterranean HorticultureFinca Experimental La MayoraSpanish National Research Council (IHSM‐UMA‐CSIC)MalagaSpain
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23
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Santangelo JS, Thompson KA, Cohan B, Syed J, Ness RW, Johnson MTJ. Predicting the strength of urban-rural clines in a Mendelian polymorphism along a latitudinal gradient. Evol Lett 2020; 4:212-225. [PMID: 32547782 PMCID: PMC7293085 DOI: 10.1002/evl3.163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Cities are emerging as models for addressing the fundamental question of whether populations evolve in parallel to similar environments. Here, we examine the environmental factors that drive the evolution of parallel urban‐rural clines in a Mendelian trait—the cyanogenic antiherbivore defense of white clover (Trifolium repens). Previous work suggested urban‐rural gradients in frost and snow depth could drive the evolution of reduced hydrogen cyanide (HCN) frequencies in urban populations. Here, we sampled over 700 urban and rural clover populations across 16 cities along a latitudinal transect in eastern North America. In each population, we quantified changes in the frequency of genotypes that produce HCN, and in a subset of the cities we estimated the frequency of the alleles at the two genes (CYP79D15 and Li) that epistatically interact to produce HCN. We then tested the hypothesis that cold climatic conditions are necessary for the evolution of cyanogenesis clines by comparing the strength of clines among cities located along a latitudinal gradient of winter temperature and frost exposure. Overall, half of the cities exhibited urban‐rural clines in the frequency of HCN, whereby urban populations evolved lower HCN frequencies. Clines did not evolve in cities with the lowest temperatures and greatest snowfall, supporting the hypothesis that snow buffers plants against winter frost and constrains the formation of clines. By contrast, the strongest clines occurred in the warmest cities where snow and frost are rare, suggesting that alternative selective agents are maintaining clines in warmer cities. Some clines were driven by evolution at only CYP79D15, consistent with stronger and more consistent selection on this locus than on Li. Together, our results demonstrate that urban environments often select for similar phenotypes, but different selective agents and targets underlie the evolutionary response in different cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- James S Santangelo
- Department of Biology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga ON L5L 1C6 Canada.,Centre for Urban Environments University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga ON L5L 1C6 Canada.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto Toronto ON M5S 3B2 Canada
| | - Ken A Thompson
- Department of Zoology and Biodiversity Research Centre University of British Columbia Vancouver BC V6T 1Z4 Canada
| | - Beata Cohan
- Department of Biology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga ON L5L 1C6 Canada
| | - Jibran Syed
- Department of Biology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga ON L5L 1C6 Canada
| | - Rob W Ness
- Department of Biology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga ON L5L 1C6 Canada.,Centre for Urban Environments University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga ON L5L 1C6 Canada.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto Toronto ON M5S 3B2 Canada
| | - Marc T J Johnson
- Department of Biology University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga ON L5L 1C6 Canada.,Centre for Urban Environments University of Toronto Mississauga Mississauga ON L5L 1C6 Canada.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Toronto Toronto ON M5S 3B2 Canada
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24
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Egerer M, Liere H, Lucatero A, Philpott SM. Plant damage in urban agroecosystems varies with local and landscape factors. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Monika Egerer
- Department of Environmental Studies University of California Santa Cruz California 95060 USA
| | - Heidi Liere
- Department of Environmental Studies Seattle University Seattle Washington 98122 USA
| | - Azucena Lucatero
- Department of Environmental Studies University of California Santa Cruz California 95060 USA
| | - Stacy M. Philpott
- Department of Environmental Studies University of California Santa Cruz California 95060 USA
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25
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Galmán A, Abdala-Roberts L, Covelo F, Rasmann S, Moreira X. Parallel increases in insect herbivory and defenses with increasing elevation for both saplings and adult trees of oak (Quercus) species. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2019; 106:1558-1565. [PMID: 31724166 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.1388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE Herbivory is predicted to increase toward warmer and more stable climates found at lower elevations, and this increase should select for higher plant defenses. Still, a number of recent studies have reported either no evidence of such gradients or reverse patterns. One source of inconsistency may be that plant ontogenetic variation is usually not accounted for and may influence levels of plant defenses and herbivory. METHODS We tested for elevational gradients in insect leaf herbivory and leaf traits putatively associated with herbivore resistance across eight oak (Quercus, Fagaceae) species and compared these patterns for saplings and adult trees. To this end, we surveyed insect leaf herbivory and leaf traits (phenolic compounds, toughness and nutrients) in naturally occurring populations of each oak species at low-, mid- or high-elevation sites throughout the Iberian Peninsula. RESULTS Leaf herbivory and chemical defenses (lignins) were unexpectedly higher at mid- and high-elevation sites than at low-elevation sites. In addition, leaf chemical defenses (lignins and condensed tannins) were higher for saplings than adult trees, whereas herbivory did not significantly differ between ontogenetic stages. Overall, elevational variation in herbivory and plant chemical defenses were consistent across ontogenetic stages (i.e., elevational gradients were not contingent upon tree ontogeny), and herbivory and leaf traits were not associated across elevations. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest disassociated patterns of elevational variation in herbivory and leaf traits, which, in turn, are independent of plant ontogenetic stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Galmán
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado de correos 28, 36080, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
| | - Luis Abdala-Roberts
- Departamento de Ecología Tropical, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Apartado Postal 4-116, Itzimná, 97000, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Felisa Covelo
- Departamento de Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Carretera de Utrera km. 1, 41013, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Sergio Rasmann
- Institute of Biology, Laboratory of Functional Ecology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Xoaquín Moreira
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Apartado de correos 28, 36080, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
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