Article
Ecology
Julie L. M. Campana, Allan Raffard, Alexis S. Chaine, Michele Huet, Delphine Legrand, Staffan Jacob
Summary: Dispersal plasticity, which refers to the ability of organisms to adjust their dispersal decisions according to the environment, plays a significant role in ecological and evolutionary dynamics. This study investigates the relationship between dispersal plasticity and fitness sensitivity to environmental gradients in five species of the genus Tetrahymena using microcosm experiments. The results show that dispersal plasticity is generally related to fitness sensitivity, with higher plasticity observed when fitness is more influenced by environmental gradients.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jose Martin Pujolar, Mozes P. K. Blom, Andrew Hart Reeve, Jonathan D. Kennedy, Petter Zahl Marki, Thorfinn S. Korneliussen, Benjamin G. Freeman, Katerina Sam, Ethan Linck, Tri Haryoko, Bulisa Iova, Bonny Koane, Gibson Maiah, Luda Paul, Martin Irestedt, Knud Andreas Jonsson
Summary: Using genomic data and demographic models, the authors show that populations in high elevations become isolated, while montane populations maintain gene flow for further colonization. Tropical mountains are important for Earth's biodiversity, with montane species typically inhabiting multiple mountainous regions. Pleistocene climate oscillations have had a significant impact on species demographics.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Mark A. Kirk, Frank J. Rahel, Daniel C. Laughlin
Summary: The study aimed to identify drivers of historical freshwater fish community assembly by testing for interactions between functional traits and two climatic gradients, namely elevation and latitude. The results showed that life-history strategies are the main factor influencing the assembly of freshwater fish communities, with environmental filters at high elevations and latitudes likely due to cold stress.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Qing Shi Zhou, Yang Gao, Zong Cheng Ma, Long Tang
Summary: The study found that the probability of species dispersing into their respective available spaces follows a unimodal distribution, and that the probability of population extinction increases with increasing heterogeneity in the environment.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shailee S. Shah, Dustin R. Rubenstein
Summary: Animal societies often evolve due to limited natal dispersal and kin clustering, but some species form cooperative groups with low kin structure. This study investigates the causes and consequences of dispersal decisions in male cooperatively breeding superb starlings, showing that an individual's tactic is related to the prenatal environment its parents experience. Mixed-kin societies are stabilized by climate-driven oscillating selection despite potential social conflict.
Article
Ecology
Wolfgang Willner, Johannes Wessely, Andreas Gattringer, Dietmar Moser, Eliska Zaveska, Stefan Dullinger, Peter Schoenswetter, Karl Huelber
Summary: This study used spatio-temporally explicit modeling to reconstruct the post-glacial range dynamics of five understorey herbs in European beech forests. It found that the narrow and fragmented distribution patterns of these species may be due to their narrow ecological tolerances and dispersal limitations. Additionally, rare long-distance dispersal events contribute to the variation in distribution patterns.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Alexander G. Linan, Jonathan A. Myers, Christine E. Edwards, Amy E. Zanne, Stephen A. Smith, Gabriel Arellano, Leslie Cayola, William Farfan-Rios, Alfredo F. Fuentes, Karina Garcia-Cabrera, Sebastian Gonzalez-Caro, M. Isabel Loza, Manuel J. Macia, Yadvinder Malhi, Beatriz Nieto-Ariza, Norma Salinas, Miles Silman, J. Sebastian Tello
Summary: The study found that on the elevational gradient of the Andes, species turnover is primarily driven by the replacement of clades that originated before the uplift of the mountains, indicating that immigration and sorting of clades pre-adapted to montane habitats are the main mechanisms shaping tree communities across elevational gradients.
Article
Ecology
Carmen G. Montana, Friedrich W. Keppeler, Clay P. Laughrey, Christopher M. Schalk
Summary: The study investigated community structure and diversity in pond microhabitats over an annual cycle, finding that spatial and environmental variables influenced local species organization at both annual and seasonal scales, with high beta diversity among microhabitats attributed to species turnover rather than richness differences.
Review
Ecology
Adriana Alzate, Renske E. Onstein
Summary: The drivers of variability in species range sizes, especially the relationship between dispersal and range size, remain a puzzle in ecology. A meta-analysis of 86 studies on plants and animals in various environments found that dispersal positively affects range size, but the effect is influenced by the taxonomic group and the method of measuring dispersal. The study highlights the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying the dispersal-range size relationship.
Article
Ecology
Lucie Thompson, Konstans Wells, Nuria Galiana, Miguel Lurgi
Summary: This study investigates the range shifts of birds in Great Britain and finds that geographical boundaries and species traits and environmental preferences are important factors influencing those shifts, particularly for Northern and passeriform species.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Keith Bouma-Gregson, Alexander Crits-Christoph, Mathew R. Olm, Mary E. Power, Jillian F. Banfield
Summary: The study demonstrates that in river networks, the impact of separation by distance and environment on genetic diversity of microbial populations can be investigated through genome analysis, helping to determine the driving factors behind genetic diversity.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Eliza Clark, Ellyn Bitume, Dan W. Bean, Amanda R. Stahlke, Paul A. Hohenlohe, Ruth A. Hufbauer
Summary: Evolutionary theory predicts that range expansion leads to differences in life-history and dispersal traits. In this study, we found that individuals at the edge of the population had higher fecundity and female body mass, and lower age at first reproduction, indicating the role of selection. We also observed that population density and mating status influenced male dispersal, which increased at the edge under specific conditions.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Claudia Liliana Munoz-Lopez, Carlos A. Rivera-Rondon
Summary: This study investigated the response of surface-sediment diatoms to environmental variables in high mountain lakes of Colombia's Eastern Range. The results showed significant relationships between diatom composition and variables such as pH-alkalinity gradient, trophic condition, and physical factors.
Article
Plant Sciences
Zheng Zhang, Guangyue Wen, Dexiao Bu, Guojun Sun, Sheng Qiang
Summary: Canada goldenrod is an invasive plant species that spreads rapidly through wind dispersal, traveling longer distances and in greater amounts in the downwind direction. The temperature and wind speed positively affect the dispersal amount, while relative humidity negatively affects it.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Erik Meijaard, Safwanah Ni'matullah, Rona Dennis, Julie Sherman, Onrizal, Serge A. Wich
Summary: The Tapanuli Orangutan is the most threatened great ape species in the world. Historical records show that its historical distribution was much larger than it is now. The current population is at risk of extinction due to habitat fragmentation and unsustainable hunting.
Article
Agronomy
Zbigniew Borowski, Kamil Barton, Wojciech Gil, Adam Wojcicki, Bogdan Pawlak
Summary: Proximity to unpaved roads affects deer habitat use and foraging behavior, limiting browsing pressure on regenerating forests. Low visibility and higher winter forage availability increase the probability of tree browsing. Different responses to roads were observed between two deer species: red deer avoided roads, while roe deer browsed in the vicinity of roads.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lia Montti, Santiago Jose Elias Velazco, Justin M. J. Travis, H. Ricardo Grau
Summary: The study predicted the global distribution of Ligustrum lucidum and found that regions within China and neighbouring countries are likely suitable, but not currently occupied. Biodiversity hotspots in South America are at risk of invasion, with climate change potentially increasing risks by 2080, especially in South America and Africa.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Zbigniew Borowski, Wojciech Gil, Kamil Barton, Grzegorz Zajaczkowski, Jan Lukaszewicz, Andrzej Tittenbrun, Boguslaw Radlinski
Summary: Large herbivores such as deer play a crucial role in terrestrial ecosystems, and their increasing populations can alter plant composition and hinder forest regeneration. A study found that higher deer density significantly increased browsing pressure on various tree species, with factors like sapling height, forage availability, and canopy openness affecting the intensity of browsing. The research highlights the significant impact of high ungulate density on tree regeneration and the potential changes in forest species composition.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Correction
Biology
Mark C. Urban, Justin M. J. Travis, Damaris Zurell, Patrick L. Thompson, Nicholas W. Synes, Alice Scarpa, Pedro R. Peres-Neto, Anne-Kathleen Malchow, Patrick M. A. James, Dominique Gravel, Luc De Meester, Calum Brown, Greta Bocedi, Cecile H. Albert, Andrew Gonzalez, Andrew P. Hendry
Article
Biology
Mark C. Urban, Justin M. J. Travis, Damaris Zurell, Patrick L. Thompson, Nicholas W. Synes, Alice Scarpa, Pedro R. Peres-Neto, Anne-Kathleen Malchow, Patrick M. A. James, Dominique Gravel, Luc De Meester, Calum Brown, Greta Bocedi, Cecile H. Albert, Andrew Gonzalez, Andrew P. Hendry
Summary: Time is running out to limit further devastating losses of biodiversity and nature's contributions to humans. Addressing this crisis requires accurate predictions about which species and ecosystems are most at risk to ensure efficient use of limited conservation and management resources. Existing biodiversity projection models have gaps that need to be addressed to create a universal biodiversity modeling platform.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Victoria Dominguez Almela, Stephen C. F. Palmer, Demetra Andreou, Phillipa K. Gillingham, Justin M. J. Travis, J. Robert Britton
Summary: The study found that river complexity, species traits, and introduction location have significant impacts on the dispersal and population growth rates of invasive fish species. It was revealed that introduction location and habitat quality are the most important factors influencing the dispersal and colonization rates of alien freshwater fishes.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Fiona A. Plenderleith, Valentina A. Irrazabal, David F. R. P. Burslem, Justin M. J. Travis, Priscila Ana Powell
Summary: Understanding the drivers of invasive species spread is crucial for effective management. This study investigated the spread of an invasive shrub in a dry valley in northwestern Argentina. The results showed that shrubland areas were most vulnerable to invasion and that grazing could help reduce the impact. The synergy between urban expansion and reduction in livestock density contributed to the spread of the invasive species.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Aurore Ponchon, Justin M. J. Travis
Summary: This study examines the impact of personal and public information on range expansion dynamics by extending an individual-based model. The results indicate that informed emigration leads to slower range expansions, except when individuals prospect a high number of patches or when their perceptual range is high. These findings highlight the need for further empirical and modeling studies to improve our understanding and predictive capability of species exhibiting this informed dispersal strategy.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Owen G. Osborne, Henry G. Fell, Hannah Atkins, Jan van Tol, Daniel Phillips, Leonel Herrera-Alsina, Poppy Mynard, Greta Bocedi, Cecile Gubry-Rangin, Lesley T. Lancaster, Simon Creer, Meis Nangoy, Fahri Fahri, Pungki Lupiyaningdyah, I. Made Sudiana, Berry Juliandi, Justin M. J. Travis, Alexander S. T. Papadopulos, Adam C. Algar
Summary: This study introduces an algorithm for generating simulated species occurrence points that mimic the spatial structure of real datasets, applicable to any geographic domain and any number of species. Testing reveals that many species distribution models may fit well with the data but are not significantly better than null expectations, with few cases of high niche divergence.
Article
Ecology
Ana Payo-Payo, Paul Acker, Greta Bocedi, Justin M. J. Travis, Sarah J. Burthe, Michael P. Harris, Sarah Wanless, Mark Newell, Francis Daunt, Jane M. Reid
Summary: Variation in expression of seasonal migration versus residence, both among-individual and within-individual, is common in nature and can greatly impact the dynamics of partially migratory metapopulations. However, this variation is rarely incorporated into metapopulation dynamic models. Thus, a general framework is needed to identify the role of variable seasonal movements and associated vital rates in controlling system persistence.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Calum Anderson, Justin M. J. Travis, Stephen C. F. Palmer, Humphrey Q. P. Crick, Lesley T. Lancaster
Summary: The width and spatial orientations of linear landscape elements play a crucial role in determining connectivity across landscapes. Increasing connecting-edges improves connectivity whereas increasing transecting-edges reduces it, potentially limiting animals' movement and navigation abilities.
Article
Ecology
Leonel Herrera-Alsina, Adam C. Algar, Lesley T. Lancaster, Juan Francisco Ornelas, Greta Bocedi, Alexander S. T. Papadopulos, Cecile Gubry-Rangin, Owen G. Osborne, Poppy Mynard, I. Made Sudiana, Pungki Lupiyaningdyah, Berry Juliandi, Justin M. J. Travis
Summary: In the field of ancestral range estimation, accounting for extinct species and their geographic distribution is important for accurate reconstruction. This study presents a method that models the geographic distribution of extinct species and examines the potential inaccuracy in ancestral range estimation when extinction rates are above zero. The developed method improves reconstructions of ancestral distributions, especially in scenarios with high rates of vicariant speciation and extinction.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Fiona A. Plenderleith, Stephen C. F. Palmer, Justin M. J. Travis, Lesley T. Lancaster, Jenni A. Stockan, Ruth J. Mitchell
Summary: Trees outside woodlands play an important role in facilitating dispersal of woodland invertebrates. The loss of ash trees to disease or pre-emptive felling could result in an increase in dispersal mortality and the isolation of woodlands. The consequences of tree loss for woodland connectivity depend on the species dispersal traits and the arrangement of trees within the landscape.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Poppy Mynard, Adam C. Algar, Lesley T. Lancaster, Greta Bocedi, Fahri Fahri, Cecile Gubry-Rangin, Pungki Lupiyaningdyah, Meis Nangoy, Owen G. Osborne, Alexander S. T. Papadopulos, I. Made Sudiana, Berry Juliandi, Justin M. J. Travis, Leonel Herrera-Alsina
Summary: Understanding the factors that drive diversification and the impact of incomplete or biased sampling on speciation-extinction models is crucial in evolutionary biology. This study evaluates the effects of sampling fraction mis-specification and phylogenetic tree completeness on model selection and parameter estimation using simulated phylogenetic trees. The results show that lower sampling fractions and imbalanced sampling across sub-clades can lead to reduced accuracy in model selection and parameter estimation. Mis-specification of sampling fraction can severely affect the accuracy of parameter estimates.
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Teresa Berezowska-Cnota, Maciej K. Konopinski, Kamil Barton, Carlos Bautista, Eloy Revilla, Javier Naves, Aleksandra Biedrzycka, Hubert Fedyn, Nestor Fernandez, Tomasz Jastrzebski, Bartosz Pirga, Maria Viota, Zenon Wojtas, Nuria Selva
Summary: Effective management is crucial for the coexistence of people and wildlife. This study found evidence of individual differences in conflict behavior among brown bears and highlighted the importance of considering the whole population when addressing conflicts.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)