Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Georgina Wood, Ezequiel M. Marzinelli, Alexandra H. Campbell, Peter D. Steinberg, Adriana Verges, Melinda A. Coleman
Summary: Research on a dominant forest-forming seaweed, Phyllospora comosa, revealed high genetic connectivity in its central range but lower genetic diversity in edge populations, suggesting potential challenges for adaptability. Predictions indicate that edge populations may harbor beneficial adaptations to marginal conditions, but overall adaptability of the species could be compromised by their loss.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Marina Frietsch, Jacqueline Loos, Katharina Loehr, Stefan Sieber, Joern Fischer
Summary: This Perspective piece provides potential approaches to support future ecosystem restoration projects. The challenges of social-ecological ecosystem restoration include climate change, resource overexploitation, and political instability. To prepare for these challenges, the authors synthesized restoration and social-ecological systems literature and identified three guiding themes: work with the existing system, create self-sustaining, adaptive systems, and foster diversity and participation. A two-step approach is proposed, with an example from Rwanda illustrating the application of these principles. While site-specific activities should be customized by local practitioners, this synthesis can guide forward-thinking restoration practice.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Alexandra Baekelandt, Vandasue L. R. Saltenis, Philippe Nacry, Aleksandra Malyska, Marc Cornelissen, Amrit Kaur Nanda, Abhishek Nair, Peter Rogowsky, Laurens Pauwels, Bertrand Muller, Jonas Collen, Jonas Blomme, Mathias Pribil, Lars B. Scharff, Jessica Davies, Ralf Wilhelm, Norbert Rolland, Jeremy Harbinson, Wout Boerjan, Erik H. Murchie, Alexandra J. Burgess, Jean-Pierre Cohan, Philippe Debaeke, Sebastien Thomine, Dirk Inze, Rene Klein Lankhorst, Martin A. J. Parry
Summary: In order to meet the increasing global demand for food and other plant-derived products, it is necessary to improve crop productivity. The CropBooster-P project is developing a roadmap for plant research to enhance the future of European agriculture by increasing crop yield, quality, value, and sustainability. Future socio-economic, technological, and global developments need to be taken into account when prioritizing crop trait improvement methods.
FOOD AND ENERGY SECURITY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Catia Lucio Pereira, Zeynep Ersoy, M. Thomas P. Gilbert, Dominique Gravel, Miguel B. Araujo, Miguel G. Matias
Summary: Food webs represent interactions between organisms in ecosystems. Matching traits of consumers and resources can help understand these interactions better. However, using environmental DNA (eDNA) for trait matching studies is challenging due to the lack of abundance estimates and trait descriptions. This paper synthesizes recent literature on using eDNA and trait matching to infer trophic interactions, identifying challenges and opportunities for coupled eDNA-trait recording schemes. The case study presented demonstrates that combining eDNA and trait data collection improves the characterization of food webs on various scales. To future-proof eDNA data, it is important to collect new traits or compile existing trait data at relevant spatiotemporal scales.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Martin Springer, Dirk C. Jordan, Teresa M. Barnes
Summary: Solar energy, especially photovoltaics, is crucial in the global energy transition, but faces challenges in reliability research to meet high expectations and rapid technological advancements.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tessa Mazor, Rebecca K. Runting, Megan I. Saunders, Danwei Huang, Daniel A. Friess, Nhung T. H. Nguyen, Ryan J. Lowe, James P. Gilmour, Peter A. Todd, Catherine E. Lovelock
Summary: Decision makers are seeking actionable science to protect coastal ecosystems from future sea level rise impacts. A study in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia, found that current conservation planning may not effectively capture future priorities, with financial consequences. Priority conservation areas in Moreton Bay are poorly aligned with current protected areas, indicating the need for a multi-ecosystem approach and improved management systems to address sea level rise challenges.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matthew J. Lott, Belinda R. Wright, Linda E. Neaves, Greta J. Frankham, Siobhan Dennison, Mark D. B. Eldridge, Sally Potter, David E. Alquezar-Planas, Carolyn J. Hogg, Katherine Belov, Rebecca N. Johnson
Summary: This study used genetic analysis to investigate the population structure and adaptive variation in koala. The results showed that there are five major genetic clusters of koala on a continental scale, and their divergence was associated with a major climatic reorganization. The study also suggested that geographically isolated refugia played a significant role in the survival of koala during the Pleistocene glaciation. Therefore, the conservation of genetic variation and protection of core habitat are crucial for the resilience of vulnerable koala populations.
Article
Plant Sciences
Gunter G. Lehretz, Sophia Sonnewald, Nitsan Lugassi, David Granot, Uwe Sonnewald
Summary: Potato crop yield is sensitive to heatwaves and drought, which can be mitigated by co-expressing AtHXK1 and SP6A to improve water use efficiency and tuberization. This co-expression strategy enhances potato plants' tolerance to drought and heat stress, showing potential for increasing productivity under changing climatic conditions.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
S. Stetkiewicz, J. Menary, A. Nair, M. Rufino, A. R. H. Fischer, M. Cornelissen, A. Guichaoua, P. Jorasch, S. Lemarie, A. K. Nanda, R. Wilhelm, J. A. C. Davies
Summary: Crop improvement is crucial for sustainable food systems, necessitating the integration of stakeholders' needs and priorities. This study provides a multi-stakeholder perspective on the role of crop improvement in future-proofing the European food system. By engaging various stakeholders and conducting a rapid evidence synthesis, consensus was reached on priorities related to environmental sustainability, alternatives to plant breeding, minimizing trade-offs, and addressing geographical variation. Further research is urgently needed to examine downstream sustainability impacts and identify concrete targets for plant breeding innovation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Sanaz Memari, Tuba Kocaturk, Mirjana Lozanovska, Fiona Andrews, Richard Tucker
Summary: The rapid increase in rates of change, disruptive events, risk, and uncertainty pose a significant threat to the long-term utilization of hospital buildings. Future proofing, an emerging design requirement, is impeded by a lack of understanding and clarity about its objectives. This research provides a conceptualization of future proofing via a taxonomic hierarchy, based on interviews with experienced hospital architects. The findings highlight the dynamic nature of future proofing and propose a hierarchical integrated model for its implementation in practice.
ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING AND DESIGN MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Patrick Schultheiss, Sabine S. Nooten, Runxi Wang, Mark K. L. Wong, Francois Brassard, Benoit Guenard
Summary: Knowledge on the distribution and abundance of organisms is essential. However, there is currently a lack of such knowledge for insects, particularly ants. This study provides an empirical estimate of global ant abundance based on 489 studies, highlighting their significant role in terrestrial ecosystems and the gaps in our knowledge.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Jia-Yun Zou, Marc W. Cadotte, Claus Baessler, Roland Brandl, Petr Baldrian, Werner Borken, Elisa Stengel, Ya-Huang Luo, Joerg Mueller, Sebastian Seibold
Summary: This study found that both species richness and functional diversity of beetles have significant effects on wood decomposition rate, with functional diversity being linked to beetle biomass and the presence of a large-bodied species. Additionally, beetles have indirect effects on wood decomposition via bacterial diversity, fungal community composition, and fungal biomass.
Article
Management
Sebastian Brockhaus, Remko van Hoek, Steven DeNunzio
Summary: This special issue aims to support the future development of supply chain education by providing instructional methods and design to meet the needs of developing future supply chain leaders.
TRANSPORTATION JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Business
Shams Ghazy, Yu Hoe Tang, Kevin Luwemba Mugumya, Jing Ying Wong, Andy Chan
Summary: This research proposes the REBET framework to identify transportation technologies that can enhance system resilience. The framework utilizes Delphi technique and multiple linear regression to identify sources of brittleness and relevant technologies in the Malaysian setting. The study ranks 23 technologies, with ITS, Big Data, and Smart Buses as the top recommendations.
TECHNOLOGICAL FORECASTING AND SOCIAL CHANGE
(2022)
Review
Agronomy
Jan Pieter van der Berg, Lianne M. S. Bouwman, Evy Battaglia, Gijs A. Kleter
Summary: Genome editing is considered a genetic modification technique in Europe, subjecting plants obtained by this method to GMO legislation. Stakeholders in the Dutch plant breeding sector prefer future-proof legislation that also encompasses products of novel technologies. Discussions focus on potential adaptations to current legislation to align with regulation of genome edited plants in non-EU countries.
Article
Ecology
Charl Deacon, Michael J. Samways, James S. Pryke
Summary: Ecological and biological traits interact to shape the geographical ranges of dragonfly species in Africa. Single traits are weak predictors of species range sizes, and investigating multiple traits simultaneously is recommended for more accurate predictions.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Review
Entomology
Charl Deacon, Michael J. Samways
Summary: The expansion of urban areas combined with climate change poses great threats to dragonflies in southern Africa, requiring effective mitigation measures for their protection. Dragonflies play a crucial role in freshwater ecosystems and serve as conservation umbrellas for other species.
Article
Ecology
Sophie Kratschmer, Baerbel Pachinger, Rene Gaigher, James S. Pryke, Julia van Schalkwyk, Michael J. Samways, Annalie Melin, Temitope Kehinde, Johann G. Zaller, Silvia Winter
Summary: Wild bees are threatened by various factors, but vineyards with vegetated inter-rows can provide important habitats. Organic vineyard management can enhance wild bee richness and functional diversity, with different associations between bee traits and floral characteristics in Austria and South Africa.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Rassim Khelifa, Hayat Mahdjoub, Affef Baaloudj, Robert A. Cannings, Michael J. Samways
Summary: There has been a rapid global expansion of agricultural areas, leading to significant changes in the physical structure, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning of natural habitats. In North Africa, many natural habitats have been transformed into agricultural lands to meet the food security and economic development needs of a growing population. Agricultural expansion has had a major impact on the distribution and habitats of an endemic damselfly species, with overlap between agriculture and species occurrence increasing more than threefold between 1992 and 2005.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
R. Gaigher, J. S. Pryke, M. J. Samways
Summary: Habitat loss threatens insect diversity globally, but complementary vegetation types in remaining habitat can increase species survival opportunities. Indigenous forest patches can moderate the impact of exotic commercial afforestation on grassland butterflies, with different butterfly groups responding differently based on habitat preference, larval diet, and mobility. This study highlights the importance of natural heterogeneity in transformed areas and the need for open areas in the broader landscape to conserve a full diversity of butterfly species.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Francisco Valente-Neto, Ana Claudia Piovezan-Borges, Gustavo Lima Urbieta, Michae J. Samways, Fabio de Oliveira Roque
Summary: The study revealed that developed countries played a dominant role in the research collaboration network on freshwater insect extinction, while there were varying levels of connectivity in the networks of status, threats, and solutions research. Collaboration in research should be increased to reduce inequalities between developed and developing countries, aiming to benefit freshwater insect conservation science and practice.
ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Julia Schalkwyk, Rene Gaigher, James S. Pryke, Michael J. Samways
Summary: Local and landscape features play a crucial role in maintaining butterfly diversity, with a focus on within-corridor heterogeneity. Functional and taxonomic diversity of butterflies are influenced by local vegetation structure and landscape variables, with a greater emphasis on within-corridor heterogeneity rather than landscape variables at coarser planning resolution.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Agronomy
Gabriella J. Kietzka, Michel Lecoq, Michael J. Samways
Summary: Locusts have been serious pests in settled agriculture for millennia, but they also play an important ecological role and can be a valuable food source for humans. Modern locust control strategies should include harvesting them and using environmentally friendly biopesticides instead of harmful organic pesticides.
Article
Ecology
K. Jurie Theron, James S. Pryke, Michael J. Samways
Summary: Biodiversity conservation requires effective management of key areas, including natural grassland conservation corridors, which improve landscape connectivity and mitigate fragmentation. Grasshoppers were used as indicators, showing positive responses to historic grassland activity and the important role of habitat heterogeneity for maintaining diversity. Satellite imagery is effective for monitoring grasshopper responses to vegetation changes within corridors.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
James S. Pryke, Francois Roets, Michael J. Samways
Summary: Mammals are declining globally due to habitat loss. Human-wildlife conflicts have led to the fencing off of ranges for many large mammal species. However, the impact of this activity on the functional associations between insects and large mammals has not been well studied.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
K. Jurie Theron, James S. Pryke, Michael J. Samways
Summary: Grassland corridors within commercial timber plantations in South Africa have the potential to connect conservation areas, but the impact of the production landscape on functional connectivity has not been investigated. This study used grasshoppers as indicators and combined species distribution modelling, functional connectivity analysis, and community analysis to understand how these corridors contribute to biodiversity conservation. The results show that wide corridors with different elevations and slopes support different grasshopper assemblages and promote species turnover. Functional connectivity depends on the availability of high-quality habitat shaped by prescribed burning, with implications for range restricted species. Not all high-quality habitat is functionally connected, suggesting the need for conservation intervention.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
M. Geldenhuys, R. Gaigher, J. S. Pryke, M. J. Samways
Summary: Understanding the effects of agricultural practices on farmland biodiversity requires a landscape perspective. This study found that increasing in-crop herbaceous vegetation in vineyards can increase the species richness of overall arthropods and ubiquitous arthropods. Additionally, the interplay between the amount of natural vegetation and local-scale processes influences the composition of arthropod assemblages.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Michelle Eckert, Rene Gaigher, James S. Pryke, Charlene Janion-Scheepers, Michael J. Samways
Summary: Landscape transformation for agriculture threatens biodiversity. A study in South Africa found that large-scale timber plantations showed similar levels of biodiversity as natural vegetation for ants and springtails. The high diversity in plantations may be due to environmental variation among sites. Plantations and natural areas supported complementary assemblages.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Charl Deacon, Michael J. Samways, James S. Pryke
Summary: Landscape fragmentation affects freshwater habitats and quality, impacting aquatic insect communities. Adjacent terrestrial areas serve as important secondary habitats for amphibiotic insects. Zygopterans are more sensitive to fragmentation, while anisopterans show more resilience and habitat selectivity based on water chemistry and vegetation characteristics.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rene Gaigher, James S. Pryke, Michael J. Samways
Summary: Heterogeneity at local and landscape scales plays an important role in promoting insect diversity and mitigating insect declines caused by global change. In this study, the researchers examined the use of indigenous forest-grassland edges by butterflies. They found that forest edges supported a diverse butterfly assemblage, with forest specialists being more diverse at forest edges than in grassland. The researchers also observed more interactions and patrolling behavior at forest edges, while feeding and transient behavior were more common in grassland. The occurrence and behavioral patterns were not influenced by season, indicating that the influence of forests remains consistent under varying environmental conditions. However, certain species showed a preference for forest edges in the hot and windy season, suggesting that the shelter provided by forest edges influences butterfly habitat use. The study highlights the importance of conserving forest patches in coastal grasslands for butterfly populations in the face of global change.
JOURNAL OF INSECT CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biology
Erika Machtinger, Karen C. Poh, Risa Pesapane, Danielle M. Tufts
Summary: Vector-borne diseases, transmitted by insects, are a significant threat to global human and animal health. Their emergence is influenced by factors such as environmental changes, host characteristics, and human behavior. The One Health approach is necessary to comprehensively investigate tick-borne diseases and understand the complex interactions between environmental, animal, and human health.
CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Biology
Pablo Urbaneja-Bernat, Alejandro Tena, Joel Gonzalez-Cabrera, Cesar Rodriguez-Saona
Summary: This article reviews the potential role of plant guttation as a food source for natural enemies, discussing its nutritional value, effects on insect communities, and potential use in conservation biological control.
CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Biology
Alina A. Mikhailova, Sarah Rinke, Mark C. Harrison
Summary: The genomes of eusocial insects allow the production and regulation of highly distinct phenotypes, largely independent of genotype. Eusociality has evolved convergently in at least three insect orders, but eusocial phenotypes show remarkable similarity. Increased regulatory complexity and the adaptive evolution of chemical communication are common genomic signatures of eusociality. Colony life itself can shape genomes of divergent taxa in a similar manner.
CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Biology
Dequn Teng, Wei Zhang
Summary: Butterfly wings, with their rich phenotypic diversity and complex biological functions, serve as a crucial system for studying the genetic basis and evolution of phenotypic diversification. Recent studies have revealed the complex functions and genetic and environmental factors involved in determining wing patterns. These factors lead to inter-specific divergence, genetic polymorphism, and phenotypic plasticity, often controlled by key genes. Gene co-option has also been identified as an important mechanism for functional complexity and evolutionary novelty. However, further research is needed for a systematic and comprehensive understanding.
CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE
(2024)
