Article
Ecology
Francesca Vannucchi, Alice Buoncristiano, Manuele Scatena, Claudia Caudai, Francesca Bretzel
Summary: Green roofs provide free spaces for living organisms and planting different plant species can enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services. Nitrogen plays a crucial role in shaping the composition and development of green roof plant communities.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Gisele P. Nighswander, James S. Sinclair, Adam G. Dale, Jiangxiao Qiu, Basil V. Iannone
Summary: The study found that in ornamental gardens, increasing vegetation clumping and volume in winter can reduce pest abundance, while increasing plant species and spatial variability of species can increase natural enemy abundance and family richness.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2021)
Article
Geology
Candela Blanco-Moreno, Cyrille Prestianni
Summary: The Lower Cretaceous plant assemblage of Bernissart in Belgium was revised and analyzed, revealing a diverse range of plant taxa including aquatic plants, ferns, and conifer organs. Study of the diversity and species richness of the specimens allowed for the identification of different plant distributions and compositions within the different lithologies at the site.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Vitalii Zemlianskii, Ksenia Ermokhina, Gabriela Schaepman-Strub, Nadezhda Matveyeva, Elena Troeva, Igor Lavrinenko, Mikhail Telyatnikov, Igor Pospelov, Natalia Koroleva, Nadezhda Leonova, Olga Khitun, Donald Walker, Amy Breen, Nikita Kadetov, Olga Lavrinenko, Tatiana Ivleva, Sergey Kholod, Nataliia Petrzhik, Yakov Gunin, Maria Kurysheva, Anna Lapina, Denis Korolev, Ekaterina Kudr, Elena Plekhanova
Summary: The goal of the Russian Arctic Vegetation Archive (AVA-RU) is to unify and harmonize data of plot-based plant species and their abundance, vegetation structure, and environmental variables from the Russian Arctic. This database can be used to assess the status of the Russian Arctic vegetation and document biodiversity changes in the future. It can also support scientific studies and inform nature protection and restoration efforts.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Horticulture
Francesca Vannucchi, Carlo Bibbiani, Claudia Caudai, Francesca Bretzel
Summary: This study investigates the effects of compost and paper sludge on water retention, substrate temperature attenuation, and plant diversity in extensive green roofs. It found that compost improves water retention and paper sludge increases species diversity. The VPC substrate is considered the best choice for temperature mitigation and plant diversity improvement.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amy Heim, Jeremy Lundholm
Summary: The study found that green roof plant communities and functional plant traits change with different substrate depth treatments, with the greatest species richness observed in the least stressful treatment (15 cm) and the greatest functional diversity and evenness observed in the most stressful treatment (5 cm). All treatments showed a decrease in functional diversity after four years, and the heterogenous substrate depth treatment supported taller species, which is associated with reduced stormwater runoff and substrate temperature. This suggests that manipulating substrate depth on green roofs can alter vegetation characteristics, but species and functional diversity showed opposite trends along the depth gradient.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ines Terwayet Bayouli, Houssem Terwayet Bayouli, Aronne Dell'Oca, Erik Meers, Jian Sun
Summary: Industrial pollution, particularly from cement dust, has a significant impact on plant species and vegetation indicators. This study identified potential indicator species for phytoremediation applications and highlighted the importance of using vegetation indicators to assess cement pollution impacts. Surveys utilizing ecological indicators and bioaccumulation/translocation factors revealed the detrimental effects of pollution on perennial species richness, vegetation cover, and species diversity. Specific plant species like Lygeum spartum and Gymnocarpos decander emerged as indicators of heavy metals pollution in the industrial area.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yongwei Gong, Xianwei Zhang, Haiyan Li, Xiaoran Zhang, Song He, Yuhong Miao
Summary: This study examined the effects of different plant species and planting methods on green roofs in terms of rainfall retention and nutrient concentration. The results showed that Sedum lineare Thunb., Sedum aizoon L., and Sedum spectabile were suitable for green roofs, as they exhibited strong rainfall retention capabilities.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Margaret A. Connor, Stephanie Tarvin, Megan Quail, Sven Peter Batke
Summary: Studies in the UK have shown that regional factors like slack area and age are more important than local factors in driving plant community composition in coastal slacks. Higher levels of management, such as active grazing and invasive species removal, are effective in increasing soil moisture levels in slacks. Similar successional processes are likely to be important in slacks in the NW of England compared to mainland Europe.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jinsil Park, Yeeun Shin, Suyeon Kim, Sang-Woo Lee, Kyungjin An
Summary: This study uses a 3D microclimate modeling program, ENVI-met, to investigate the reduction of urban heat island effect through green roofs. It provides guidelines for the design of green roofs to improve the urban thermal environment.
Article
Forestry
Bo Fan, Kangning Xiong, Ziqi Liu
Summary: Subtropical forests in southwestern karst areas require ecosystem restoration, as understanding water absorption strategies of major plants is crucial for species distribution and coexistence in seasonal subtropical forests. This study used stable isotopes to assess water use patterns and hydrological niche separations of dominant tree species, providing insights for ecosystem restoration in karst forest vegetation habitats.
Article
Ecology
Bau-Show Lin, Ting-Wen Chen
Summary: This study conducted a year-round survey on eight rooftop farms and revealed the composition and diversity of plant and faunal species, as well as the effects of site and seasons on rooftop farms. The study found that plant species and blooming species on rooftop farms are significantly influenced by seasons, with generalist species dominating.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Mauro Fois, Luca Murgia, Gianluigi Bacchetta
Summary: The 'metalliferous ring' of Iglesiente in Italy, which was once the most important mining district for centuries, has faced a decline in mining activities. Alternative management strategies were proposed to address issues of unemployment and environmental pollution. The study focused on the coastal section of the mining district and evaluated the vegetation development and conservation value of the area. The analysis of 96 vegetation samples revealed three main plant assemblages with 227 vascular plant species and 18 endemics. Herbivory was found to be the most influential variable affecting species composition, negatively impacting species richness and diversity while positively affecting evenness. Elevation and debris/rock flow degree were also influential variables. Other factors influencing vegetation included soil grain size and years of mining inactivity. The identified plant communities, especially those with perennial herbs and small shrubs, can be used for phytostabilization and remediation, providing surrogate habitats for endemic plants.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Enrico V. Perrino, Francesca Valerio, Ahmed Gannouchi, Antonio Trani, Giuseppe Mezzapesa
Summary: The study showed that the ecological context can influence the composition of essential oils in officinal wild plant species, highlighting the importance of understanding these aspects for optimal production of biologically active compounds in essential oils.
Article
Plant Sciences
Kohei Suzuki, Radnaakhand Tungalag, Amartuvshin Narantsetseg, Tsagaanbandi Tsendeekhuu, Masato Shinoda, Norikazu Yamanaka, Takashi Kamijo
Summary: Overgrazing and degradation of rangelands are significant issues in Mongolia. This study aimed to develop a vegetation classification of Mongolian rangeland communities and determine their spatial distributions and environmental drivers. Vegetation surveys were conducted in 278 plots across different regions of Mongolia, and the data were analyzed using modified TWINSPAN. The results revealed three cluster groups corresponding to different zonal vegetation types, with the aridity index identified as a key driver of distribution.
JOURNAL OF PLANT ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Danny Croghan, Kieran Khamis, Chris Bradley, Anne F. Van Loon, Jon Sadler, David M. Hannah
Summary: Urbanization affects the quality and quantity of Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) fluxes, potentially impacting water quality and ecosystem function. Traditional sampling methods are insufficient for tracking DOM source dynamics. By integrating high-resolution precipitation data and fluorescence records from an urban stream, the relationship between precipitation heterogeneity and DOM dynamics was studied.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Mark A. Goddard, Zoe G. Davies, Solene Guenat, Mark J. Ferguson, Jessica C. Fisher, Adeniran Akanni, Teija Ahjokoski, Pippin M. L. Anderson, Fabio Angeoletto, Constantinos Antoniou, Adam J. Bates, Andrew Barkwith, Adam Berland, Christopher J. Bouch, Christine C. Rega-Brodsky, Loren B. Byrne, David Cameron, Rory Canavan, Tim Chapman, Stuart Connop, Steve Crossland, Marie C. Dade, David A. Dawson, Cynnamon Dobbs, Colleen T. Downs, Erle C. Ellis, Francisco J. Escobedo, Paul Gobster, Natalie Marie Gulsrud, Burak Guneralp, Amy K. Hahs, James D. Hale, Christopher Hassall, Marcus Hedblom, Dieter F. Hochuli, Tommi Inkinen, Ioan-Cristian Ioja, Dave Kendal, Tom Knowland, Ingo Kowarik, Simon J. Langdale, Susannah B. Lerman, Ian MacGregor-Fors, Peter Manning, Peter Massini, Stacey McLean, David D. Mkwambisi, Alessandro Ossola, Gabriel Perez Luque, Luis Perez-Urrestarazu, Katia Perini, Gad Perry, Tristan J. Pett, Kate E. Plummer, Raoufou A. Radji, Uri Roll, Simon G. Potts, Heather Rumble, Jon P. Sadler, Stevienna de Saille, Sebastian Sautter, Catherine E. Scott, Assaf Shwartz, Tracy Smith, Robbert P. H. Snep, Carl D. Soulsbury, Margaret C. Stanley, Tim Van de Voorde, Stephen J. Venn, Philip H. Warren, Carla-Leanne Washbourne, Mark Whitling, Nicholas S. G. Williams, Jun Yang, Kumelachew Yeshitela, Ken P. Yocom, Martin Dallimer
Summary: Research conducted a global horizon scan of 170 experts exploring the future challenges and potential opportunities of robotics and autonomous systems in urban ecosystems. The study found that RAS could transform land use, transport systems, and human-nature interactions, with the prioritized opportunities focusing on monitoring and managing biodiversity and ecosystems using RAS.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2021)
Review
Ecology
Kathryn Fingland, Samantha J. Ward, Adam J. Bates, Samantha Bremner-Harrison
Summary: Urban environments can support higher population densities of red squirrels compared to rural areas due to supplemental food sources. The quality and availability of urban greenspaces are crucial factors for the suitability of urban habitats for red squirrels. Despite barriers, red squirrels can disperse and maintain gene flow at the population level in urban landscapes.
Review
Entomology
Liam M. Crowley, Jonathan P. Sadler, Jeremy Pritchard, Scott A. L. Hayward
Summary: Climate change has a profound impact on pollination systems, potentially leading to mismatches in interactions between plants and pollinators and affecting pollination success. Despite some studies examining the effects of elevated CO2 on pollination interactions, there are important knowledge gaps that need to be addressed.
Article
Ecology
Joseph P. Wayman, Jonathan P. Sadler, Thomas A. M. Pugh, Thomas E. Martin, Joseph A. Tobias, Thomas J. Matthews
Summary: The aim of this study was to determine the primary drivers of compositional change in breeding bird assemblages over a 40-year period in Britain. Using morphological trait measurements and presence-absence data, the researchers calculated temporal taxonomic and functional beta diversity for each hectad, and assessed the potential drivers of beta diversity. The results showed that initial species richness and spatial autocorrelation were the most important predictors of compositional change, while climate and land-use variables had relatively low explanatory power.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
M. O. Cuthbert, G. C. Rau, M. Ekstrom, D. M. O'Carroll, A. J. Bates
Summary: Urban greening can help to mitigate both heat and flooding risks, but how these effects interact is not well known. Here, the authors provide a global analysis and show that most cities benefit from one of these two effects, but only few from both.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Aradhana J. Roberts, Liam M. Crowley, Jon P. Sadler, Tien T. T. Nguyen, Scott A. L. Hayward, Daniel B. Metcalfe
Summary: This study assesses the impact of elevated carbon dioxide on insect herbivory and the transfer of carbon and nitrogen from the canopy to the ground. The results show that leaf-level herbivory did not change significantly, but the transfer of carbon and nitrogen through herbivory increased under elevated carbon dioxide.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
William R. L. Anderegg, Chao Wu, Nezha Acil, Nuno Carvalhais, Thomas A. M. Pugh, Jon P. Sadler, Rupert Seidl
Summary: Forests on Earth are crucial for mitigating climate change and supporting biodiversity, but they are also at risk from climate change. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of climate risks for forests worldwide, using multiple approaches to model carbon, biodiversity, and disturbance risks. The findings highlight higher risks for certain forests, including southern boreal forests and those in western North America and parts of the Amazon.
Article
Ecology
Sijeh A. Asuk, Thomas J. Matthews, Jonathan P. Sadler, Thomas A. M. Pugh, Vincent T. Ebu, Nzube M. Ifebueme, Nicholas Kettridge
Summary: This study assessed the differences in species diversity, patterns of relative abundance, and pairwise beta diversity between trees with edible and inedible fruits and seeds along an elevation gradient, and investigated the impact of human foraging on the forest tree communities in Oban Division of Cross River National Park, Nigeria.
Article
Ecology
Liam M. Crowley, Katharine Ivison, Abigail Enston, Dion Garrett, Jon P. Sadler, Jeremy Pritchard, A. Robert MacKenzie, Scott A. L. Hayward
Summary: This paper presents a study on arthropod diversity and abundance, and how to assess their response to climate change using diverse sampling methods and temporal resolution. The results show that temperature is the best predictor of arthropod abundance, while precipitation is not correlated with trap data. These data provide an important baseline for evaluating the future impacts of CO2 increase on arthropods.
ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Ecology
Michael N. Dawson, Ceridwen Fraser, Thomas J. Matthews, Serban Proches, Jon P. Sadler
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Amy K. Hahs, Bertrand Fournier, Myla F. J. Aronson, Charles H. Nilon, Adriana Herrera-Montes, Allyson B. Salisbury, Caragh G. Threlfall, Christine C. Rega-Brodsky, Christopher A. Lepczyk, Frank A. La Sorte, Ian MacGregor-Fors, J. Scott MacIvor, Kirsten Jung, Max R. Piana, Nicholas S. G. Williams, Sonja Knapp, Alan Vergnes, Aldemar A. Acevedo, Alison M. Gainsbury, Ana Rainho, Andrew J. Hamer, Assaf Shwartz, Christian C. Voigt, Daniel Lewanzik, David M. Lowenstein, David O'Brien, Desiree Tommasi, Eduardo Pineda, Ela Sita Carpenter, Elena Belskaya, Gabor L. Loevei, James C. Makinson, Joanna L. Coleman, Jon P. Sadler, Jordan Shroyer, Julie Teresa Shapiro, Katherine C. R. Baldock, Kelly Ksiazek-Mikenas, Kevin C. Matteson, Kyle Barrett, Lizette Siles, Luis F. Aguirre, Luis Orlando Armesto, Marcin Zalewski, Maria Isabel Herrera-Montes, Martin K. Obrist, Rebecca K. Tonietto, Sara A. Gagne, Sarah J. Hinners, Tanya Latty, Thilina D. Surasinghe, Thomas Sattler, Tibor Magura, Werner Ulrich, Zoltan Elek, Jennifer Castaneda-Oviedo, Ricardo Torrado, D. Johan Kotze, Marco Moretti
Summary: Cities can support diverse and distinct biological communities, but urbanization also leads to the loss of habitats and species. This global analysis on vertebrate and invertebrate species shows that urbanization causes taxon-specific changes in trait composition, with reproductive strategy traits showing the strongest response. Maximizing opportunities to support different urban trait syndromes is crucial for conservation and management programs in cities.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joseph P. Wayman, George Atkinson, Mohammed Jahangir, Daniel White, Thomas J. Matthews, Michail Antoniou, S. James Reynolds, Jon P. Sadler
Summary: Fireworks have a significant impact on bird activity in urban areas, causing birds to fly at higher elevations and in larger numbers during firework events. This disturbance may have implications for avian biology, especially during large public firework events in the colder seasons in the UK when birds have higher thermoregulatory costs.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Carolina Mayoral, Susanna Ioni, Estrella Luna, Liam M. Crowley, Scott A. L. Hayward, Jon P. Sadler, A. Robert Mackenzie
Summary: There is no evidence that elevated CO2 enhances natural regeneration under biotic stress for any of the species studied. The study found that elevated CO2 advanced leaf-out phenology and had a significant effect on the growth and physiological performance of potted seedlings. Potted oak seedlings experienced higher tissue loss from insect herbivory than natural seedlings. Among the studied species, hawthorn and holly were resistant to insect attack and were not affected by powdery mildew, while oak showed the highest regeneration capacity despite being defoliated the most.
FRONTIERS IN FORESTS AND GLOBAL CHANGE
(2023)
