Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jane L. DeGabriel, Timothy L. Sutton, Jonathan T. D. Finch, James M. Cook
Summary: This study compared the composition and structure of the fig wasp community associated with Ficus rubiginosa between temperate and tropical regions in Australia. The results showed that while there were differences in taxonomic composition, the functional structure of the community did not vary significantly between regions.
INSECT CONSERVATION AND DIVERSITY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dominic Andreas Martin, Fanilo Andrianisaina, Thio Rosin Fulgence, Kristina Osen, Anjaharinony Andry Ny Aina Rakotomalala, Estelle Raveloaritiana, Marie Rolande Soazafy, Annemarie Wurz, Rouvah Andriafanomezantsoa, Harilala Andriamaniraka, Aristide Andrianarimisa, Jan Barkmann, Saskia Droege, Ingo Grass, Nathaly Guerrero-Ramirez, Hendrik Haenke, Dirk Holscher, Bakolimalala Rakouth, Hery Lisy Tiana Ranarijaona, Romual Randriamanantena, Fanomezana Mihaja Ratsoavina, Lala Harivelo Raveloson Ravaomanarivo, Dominik Schwab, Teja Tscharntke, Delphine Clara Zemp, Holger Kreft
Summary: This study emphasizes the importance of conceptualizing land systems and considering leverage points along land-use trajectories to assess trade-offs and cobenefits of land-use decisions. The case study in Madagascar highlights the simultaneous need for conservation and restoration to prevent the collapse of multifunctional mosaic landscapes.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Emma Ladouceur, Forest Isbell, Adam T. Clark, W. Stanley Harpole, Peter B. Reich, G. David Tilman, Jonathan M. Chase
Summary: Human impacts have caused significant biodiversity change, which varies depending on scale. Passive or active ecological restoration is a key method for managing these changes. Recovery of biodiversity following disturbance is often incomplete and influenced by landscape matrix and contingent factors. Inferences about recovery and biodiversity change depend on the temporal and spatial scales of measurement.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Chaonan Wang, Xiang Li, Xiaoming Lu, Yang Wang, Yongfei Bai
Summary: Grazing in grasslands can regulate functional trait composition through intraspecific trait variation and species turnover. This study examined the relative roles of these variables in controlling grazing-induced shifts in community functional composition. The results showed that aboveground traits shifted towards grazing avoidance strategies and belowground traits shifted towards conservation strategies with increasing grazing intensity. Functional tradeoffs were found between plant individual biomass and density, as well as between leaf area and density. Intraspecific trait variation predominantly governed shifts in community functional trait composition, while changes in mean trait values among plant species were mainly triggered by species turnover.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Marc William Cadotte
Summary: Community change is a constant in nature, and understanding the influence of initial conditions and priority effects is important for evaluating ecological theory and predicting restoration outcomes.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Prachi Singh, Kunal R. Jain, Jayendra Lakhmapurkar, Deepa Gavali, Chirayu Desai, Datta Madamwar
Summary: The eco-restoration of mine-tailing sites has significant effects on native microbial communities and soil physicochemical properties. A study on the microbial changes during the early stages of phytoremediation in lignite minetailing soils revealed the primary microbial succession initiated by revegetation, which improved the soil quality.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Wen Zhao, Yali Yin, Shixiong Li, Yiling Dong, Shifeng Su
Summary: This study examines the changes in soil fungal patterns, potential functions, and their responses to carbon and nitrogen applications during alpine grassland succession in the Qilian Mountain area of China. The results show significant changes in the soil fungal community during succession, with soil ammonium nitrogen and organic carbon levels having the strongest influence on the fungal community and its function.
Article
Microbiology
Xingang Zhou, Muhammad Khashi U. Rahman, Junjie Liu, Fengzhi Wu
Summary: Agricultural intensification affects soil bacterial community assembly processes, primarily driven by changes in soil pH. This study found that more intensively managed lands led to soil acidification and altered the composition and assembly of soil bacterial communities.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Junfang Wang, Guodong Han, Zhaoming Wang, Jinfeng Yun, Zhongwu Wang, Zhiguo Li, Shijie Lv, Jie Qin
Summary: Ecological restoration has a positive impact on global climate change and the storage of carbon in plant-soil interactions during the restoration process varies over time. Artificial interference and natural restoration have different effects on carbon storage, and climate change and biodiversity are closely related to plant-soil carbon storage.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Keiko Ioki, Daniel James, Mui-How Phua, Satoshi Tsuyuki, Nobuo Imai
Summary: Anthropogenic pressure is increasing in tropical montane forests, posing a major threat to these ecosystems. This study compared old growth forest and secondary forests in Sabah, Malaysia, and used LTS metrics to analyze the impacts of different disturbances on tree community composition and recovery. The results suggest that LTS spectral trajectories can serve as a useful predictor for monitoring community composition change in recovering stands.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Sufeng Pan, Jin Liang, Haibing Wu, Linlin Wei, Yongli Cai
Summary: Urban greening and afforestation significantly increased the taxonomic diversity of soil microarthropods, but had no significant effect on collembola. Community composition and functional traits of both groups changed significantly. Large-bodied, well-sclerotized, K-selected, non-phoretic, and litter-feeding acari were more abundant in successfully restored habitats. Collembola showed adaptions to different habitats, with unmanaged land and newly afforested land sharing similar assemblages, urban greenspaces having higher proportion of epedaphic collembola with developed furca, leg, antenna and ocelli, while old reclaimed afforested land had the lowest proportion of epedaphic collembola. Resource-related factors (soil organic matter and plant diversity) mainly determined the taxonomic diversity and functional traits of acari, while the functional traits of collembola were mainly determined by soil water content.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Rachel Jayne Standish, Aaron David Gove, Andrew Haden Grigg, Matthew Ian Daws
Summary: The study assessed the change in functional diversity (FD) of restored assemblages of different ages after post-mine restoration efforts. It was found that functional evenness and dispersion increased with age, while functional divergence and richness decreased with age. Species richness decreased with age, but was comparable to reference forest at 25 years. Similarity between restored and reference forest was low, indicating that functional diversity takes longer to restore compared to species richness.
APPLIED VEGETATION SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Rachel Jayne Standish, Aaron David Gove, Andrew Haden Grigg, Matthew Ian Daws
Summary: This study assessed the impact of post-mine restoration on functional diversity in the Northern Jarrah Forest bioregion of southwestern Australia. Results showed that functional evenness and dispersion increased with age, while functional divergence and richness decreased with age. Species richness decreased with age, but was comparable to reference forest after 25 years.
APPLIED VEGETATION SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Hong Hanh Nguyen, Jens Kiesel, Kristin Peters, Daniel Hering, James S. Sinclair, Peter Haase
Summary: This study used 10 years of monitoring data from 14 sampling sites in Germany to investigate the spatial and temporal responses of stream macroinvertebrate communities to anthropogenic disturbance.
Article
Soil Science
Xiaohua Wan, Zaipeng Yu, Mengjuan Wang, Yu Zhang, Manuel Esteban Lucas-Borja, Zhiqun Huang
Summary: This study explored how tree species richness affects soil microbial biomass and community composition through functional trait variation and community-weighted trait means. The findings indicated that an increase in tree species richness decreased total microbial biomass in the soil, with implications on gram-positive to gram-negative bacteria ratio and fungi to bacteria ratio based on leaf nitrogen content and leaf dry matter content traits.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Kim C. Zoeller, Georgina G. Gurney, Graeme S. Cumming
Summary: This study aims to quantify the variation in cultural ecosystem service provision by birds to birders that is due to landscape-level attributes. The results show that biophysical attributes, particularly biome, vegetation type, and variance in elevation, significantly increased the percentage of variance explained in birder benefits from 57 to 65%. This demonstrates that birder benefits are derived from multi-level and multi-scale social and ecological interactions.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
R. Grantham, J. Lau, D. J. Mills, G. S. Cumming
Summary: Small-scale fisheries play a crucial role in the livelihoods and food security of millions of people in low-income countries. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding of how these fisheries contribute to ecosystem benefits. This study investigates the allocation of seafood landings by households in relation to supply and season, revealing that households shape the pathways through which seafood contributes to food security. The findings highlight the importance of considering the seasonal context and livelihood priorities in sustainable management of small-scale fisheries.
ECOSYSTEMS AND PEOPLE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Graeme S. Cumming, Dominic A. W. Henry, Chevonne Reynolds
Summary: The study found that Egyptian Geese have a strong internal navigation capacity, with long-distance migration likely triggered by internal states such as the need for moulting. Translocated geese altered their movement patterns to increase survival odds, while retaining elements of learned behaviors. These results have interesting implications for understanding the dynamics of individual populations and highlight the importance of navigation capacity for conservation biogeography.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Henry A. Bartelet, Michele L. Barnes, Graeme S. Cumming
Summary: Actors across all economic sectors in society need to adapt to the impacts of climate change. However, there is a lack of information on how microeconomic actors are adapting. Assets were identified as a key determinant of adaptation, while public policies play a crucial role in supporting adaptation processes.
REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Henry A. Bartelet, Michele L. Barnes, Graeme S. Cumming
Summary: Coral reefs are heavily impacted by climate-induced disturbances, and the loss of coral reefs has a significant effect on people who rely on the ecosystem services they provide. However, the impacts of coral loss and the ability of individuals and businesses to adapt to it are not well understood, especially in the private sector. To address this gap, a survey was conducted among Australian reef tourism operators to understand their responses to severe bleaching and cyclone impacts. The results highlight the importance of response diversity, spatial heterogeneity, and learning for social-ecological resilience.
Editorial Material
Biodiversity Conservation
Chris Sandbrook, Martin Fisher, Graeme S. S. Cumming, Karl L. L. Evans, Jenny Anne Glikman, Brendan J. J. Godley, Frith Jarrad, Nicholas Polunin, Carolina Murcia, Angel Perez-Ruzafa, Judit K. K. Szabo
Article
Political Science
Tiffany H. Morrison, Orjan Bodin, Graeme S. Cumming, Mark Lubell, Ralf Seppelt, Tim Seppelt, Christopher M. Weible
Summary: The success or failure of a polycentric system depends on complex political and social processes, such as coordination between actors and venues to solve specialized policy problems. However, there is currently no accepted method to isolate distinct coordination processes or understand how their variance affects polycentric governance performance. Researchers in Australia have developed and tested a building-blocks approach using different patterns or motifs to measure and compare coordination over time on the Great Barrier Reef. Their approach confirms that polycentric governance involves interdependent venues and actors that evolve over time, but mobilizing venues to improve issue specialization and actor participation can also fragment the overall capacity of polycentric governance to resolve conflicts and adapt to new problems. This building-blocks approach enhances understanding and practice of polycentric governance by enabling a more precise diagnosis of internal dynamics in complex environmental governance systems.
POLICY STUDIES JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Reinette (Oonsie) Biggs, Belinda Reyers, Ryan Blanchard, Hayley Clements, Jessica Cockburn, Graeme S. Cumming, Georgina Cundill, Alta de Vos, Luthando Dziba, Karen J. Esler, Christo Fabricius, Maike Hamann, Rebecka Henriksson, Karen Kotschy, Regina Lindborg, Linda Luvuno, Vanessa Masterson, Jeanne L. Nel, Patrick O'Farrell, Carolyn G. Palmer, Laura Pereira, Sharon Pollard, Rika Preiser, Dirk J. Roux, Robert J. Scholes, Odirilwe Selomane, Charlie Shackleton, Sheona Shackleton, Nadia Sitas, Jasper A. Slingsby, Marja Spierenburg, Maria Tengo
Summary: Sustainability-focused research networks and communities of practice are vital for capacity building and knowledge exchange in support of a more sustainable and equitable future. This paper reflects on the experiences of the Southern African Program on Ecosystem Change and Society (SAPECS) in building a community of practice on social-ecological systems research, with the aim of providing insights for the development of similar networks worldwide, particularly in the Global South.
ECOSYSTEMS AND PEOPLE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Graeme S. Cumming, David R. Bellwood
Summary: Connectivity is crucial for the biodiversity and functioning of marine ecosystems, including coral reefs. However, the understanding of the importance of connectivity and the corresponding management responses in marine systems is limited. This study used long-term fish monitoring data and geographic data to investigate the influences of local and regional factors on fish communities. The results show that both local and regional factors significantly contribute to the composition of fish communities, and management measures can also have an impact.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Graeme S. Cumming, Maja Adamska, Michele L. Barnes, Jon Barnett, David R. Bellwood, Joshua E. Cinner, Philippa J. Cohen, Jennifer M. Donelson, Katharina Fabricius, R. Quentin Grafton, Alana Grech, Georgina G. Gurney, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Andrew S. Hoey, Mia O. Hoogenboom, Jacqueline Lau, Catherine E. Lovelock, Ryan Lowe, David J. Miller, Tiffany H. Morrison, Peter J. Mumby, Martin Nakata, John M. Pandolfi, Garry D. Peterson, Morgan S. Pratchett, Timothy Ravasi, Cynthia Riginos, Jodie L. Rummer, Britta Schaffelke, Thomas Wernberg, Shaun K. Wilson
Summary: SDG 14 aims to secure marine sustainability by 2030, and understanding the changing seascape, global actions, and the collaboration between science and society are vital for achieving this goal in the Asia-Pacific region. Through a horizon scan, researchers identified nine emerging research priorities that can contribute to marine sustainability, including understanding seascape evolution, drivers of change, and the costs and benefits to people. Researchers can contribute by developing interdisciplinary understandings, emphasizing equity and justice, and improving knowledge of cross-scale processes.
REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Kim C. Zoeller, Graeme S. Cumming
Summary: The global decline of ecological systems highlights the potential of ecosystem functions in conservation discourse. Understanding the relationship between ecological and cultural functions can provide insight into the correlation between cultural services and ecological functions. In South Africa, there is a clear correlation between avian cultural and ecological functional groups, indicating the strong correlation between cultural functions and ecologically relevant traits.
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Henry A. Bartelet, Michele L. Barnes, Lalu A. A. Bakti, Graeme S. Cumming
Summary: The concept of adaptive capacity is increasingly being applied to understand and predict people's ability to adapt to climate change impacts. However, the reliability of adaptive capacity as a predictor of adaptation remains unclear, with insufficient and conflicting evidence. A study of reef tourism companies in the Asia-Pacific region found that a comprehensive measurement of adaptive capacity may not reliably predict potential adaptation to climate change, as the severity of impacts on individual operators was the major determinant of adaptive action.
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE-HUMAN AND POLICY DIMENSIONS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biodiversity Conservation
Graeme S. Cumming, Zoe G. Davies, Joern Fischer, Reem Hajjar
Summary: This editorial examines the history of the conservation movement and acknowledges the ongoing influence of colonialism. It promotes a more inclusive and respectful approach to conservation that embraces traditional ecological knowledge and diverse conservation approaches. The article also emphasizes the need for theoretical advancements to guide conservation practices and bridge different areas of expertise to understand the interactions between society and nature.
CONSERVATION LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Amy L. Shurety, Orjan Bodin, Graeme S. Cumming
Summary: The dynamics and adaptive capacity of social-ecological systems heavily rely on the system structure, which is established through geography, institutions, interactions, and movement. Different views on the system structure tend to emphasize either top-down or lateral connections. The concept of a heterarchy aims to capture both top-down and lateral connections, but it has not been fully operationalized for quantifying and comparing system structures. In this study, a simple approach was developed to consistently quantify heterarchical structure across different types of networks. The results show that different networks have distinct placements on the heterarchy matrix.
ECOLOGY AND SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Henry A. Bartelet, Michele L. Barnes, Kim C. Zoeller, Graeme S. Cumming
Summary: Feedbacks between people and ecosystems are important in the study of social-ecological systems, but are not well understood. This study examined the effect of environmental change, specifically coral reef degradation, on the supply and demand of a cultural ecosystem service (CES) - recreation. The findings suggest that declines in coral cover reduced demand for recreational ecosystem services, but had no apparent effect on the benefits received from recreation. This highlights the importance of human culture and perception in understanding human responses to environmental change.
