Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fulvio Licata, Gentile Francesco Ficetola, Mattia Falaschi, Benjamin J. Muller, Franco Andreone, Rodino Fetrarijahona Harison, Karen Freeman, Antonio T. Monteiro, Sophia Rosa, Angelica Crottini
Summary: The spatial behavior of invasive toads in Madagascar's eastern coast is important for understanding their invasion dynamics. Radio-tracking 91 toads revealed their preference for habitats close to water and a likelihood of range expansion during the wet season. Although current invasion speed is slow, their capacity for long-distance movements suggests a potential increase in the future.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Fausto Henrique Vieira Araujo, Alexandre Ferreira da Silva, Rodrigo Soares Ramos, Sabrina Rodrigues Ferreira, Jose Barbosa dos Santos, Ricardo Siqueira da Silva, Farzin Shabani
Summary: This study used modeling to predict the suitable areas for Striga asiatica invasion under current and future climate change scenarios. The results showed high suitability areas in South America, Africa, and Europe. There were both agreement and disagreement between different methods in certain regions.
Article
Agronomy
Juliana dos Santos Mota, Leonardo Rodrigues Barbosa, Cesar Augusto Marchioro
Summary: This study used ecological niche models to estimate suitable areas for nine eucalyptus pests in Brazil and assessed potential ports of entry, generating invasion risk maps. The findings indicate that eucalyptus forestry in Brazil may be significantly impacted by biological invasion.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mathias Christina, Celine Gire, Mark R. Bakker, Alan Leckie, Jianming Xue, Peter W. Clinton, Zaira Negrin-Perez, Jose Ramon Arevalo Sierra, Jean-Christophe Domec, Maya Gonzalez
Summary: This study compared the effects of water regime and temperature on the growth and mortality of invasive and native populations of common gorse seedlings. The results showed that under elevated temperature and drought conditions, invasive populations exhibited higher survival rate and growth capacity compared to native populations. The study emphasizes the importance of assessing phenotypic changes within invasive species to determine climatic distribution range boundaries and identify key areas for management efforts to limit their spread.
JOURNAL OF PLANT ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Elia Lo Parrino, Mattia Falaschi, Raoul Manenti, Gentile Francesco Ficetola
Summary: Species distribution models are commonly used to predict potential distributions of invasive species. However, niche expansion in freshwater invasive species challenges the reliability of these models. This study investigates the factors influencing niche shifts using multiple sets of environmental variables and found that methodological choices strongly affect niche dynamics metrics, while biological features have a weaker influence. Inappropriate methodological choices can lead to apparent niche shifts, raising concerns about the reliability and interpretation of niche models. The high rate of niche expansion in freshwater invasive species emphasizes the need for objective criteria in selecting variables for niche assessments.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Wenqin Tu, Qinli Xiong, Xiaoping Qiu, Yongmei Zhang
Summary: This study utilized the Maximum Entropy model to simulate the distribution dynamics of four invasive plants in China under current and future climate conditions, revealing that the suitable habitat areas of these plants will significantly expand in the future, with different levels of expansion for each species. Additionally, the habitat centers of these plants will shift northward in the future.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Barbara Santos, Molly C. Bletz, Joana Sabino-Pinto, Walter Cocca, Jean Francois Solofoniaina Fidy, Karen L. M. Freeman, Sven Kuenzel, Serge Ndriantsoa, Jean Noel, Tsanta Rakotonanahary, Miguel Vences, Angelica Crottini
Summary: The study found significant differences in the skin and gut bacterial communities between the invasive Asian common toad and a native frog in Madagascar, indicating a stable community across the toad's expansion but with richer and more diverse microbial communities.
Article
Biology
Kunhao Zhang, Duojing Qiu, Li Zhao, Chengzhi Yan, Long Jin, Wenbo Liao
Summary: This study examined the geographic variation in age and body size of Asian common toad populations. The results showed that age did not vary significantly among populations, but there was a significant positive correlation between mean age and body size. Additionally, after controlling for age effects, there was a significant positive correlation between altitude and body size, supporting Bergmann's rule.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Namsrai Jargal, Jeong-Eun Kim, Kwang-Guk An
Summary: Elucidating the responses of aquatic communities to environmental and biological disturbances is crucial for maintaining and restoring healthy ecosystems. This study investigates the interactions between environmental and biological disturbance factors and functional indicators of ecological health in a temperate river, revealing the importance of addressing multiple disturbances for the conservation of river systems.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
N. A. Aravind, Maanya Uma Shaanker, Poorna H. N. Bhat, Bipin Charles, Uma R. Shaanker, Manzoor A. Shah, G. Ravikanth
Summary: This study analyzes the niche shifts of 33 of the world's top invasive species and finds that 90% of them have largely stayed within similar habitats rather than moving to completely new ones. This indicates the potential inertia that species may face when leaving their fundamental niche and suggests that niche conservatism may play a role in dampening the rates of invasion.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rasoul Khosravi, Mahmoud-Reza Hemami, Shima Malakoutikhah, Mohammad Reza Ashrafzadeh, Samuel A. Cushman
Summary: The study found that incorporating prey availability into species distribution models significantly affects the predicted outcomes for Persian leopards, but has minimal impact on predictions for Asiatic cheetahs when considering climate change.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Yuting Zhou, Jing Tao, Jinglin Yang, Shixiang Zong, Xuezhen Ge
Summary: Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) and citrus longhorned beetle (CLB) have spread widely across the Northern Hemisphere in recent years, raising concerns about their potential distribution. However, little is known about the niche shifts of these pests during their invasion. This study employed two distinct approaches to compare the native and invaded niches of ALB and CLB, and found that their invaded niches have expanded to varying extents after the invasion.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lislie Solis-Montero, Mayumi Vega-Polanco, Monserrat Vazquez-Sanchez, Mario Ernesto Suarez-Mota
Summary: Plant species that are alien and invasive pose a significant threat to biodiversity and ecosystem function. This study focuses on Solanum rostratum, an invasive weed that relies on buzz-pollination for reproduction. By modeling the distribution of S. rostratum based on its pollinator distribution, the researchers found that the plant is more likely to establish in regions where appropriate pollinators are present. The study highlights the importance of considering both climatic factors and biological interactions, such as pollination, when studying and predicting the distribution of invasive plants.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Yu Lei, Qiang Liu
Summary: The study found niche expansion in non-native populations of the Asian openbill, primarily due to the tolerance of colder and wetter environments, with potential distribution concentrated on equatorial islands. Recommendations include considering source populations when analyzing alien species and further application of the tolerance niche concept, as well as the need for standard measurement frameworks for analyzing the tolerance niche.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Anthony E. Melton, Matthew H. Clinton, Donald N. Wasoff, Limin Lu, Haihua Hu, Zhiduan Chen, Keping Ma, Douglas E. Soltis, Pamela S. Soltis
Summary: Plant species in eastern Asia have larger climatic niche spaces compared to their counterparts in eastern North America. Congeners of eastern Asia-eastern North America disjunct genera tend to occupy similar or equivalent climatic niche spaces within their respective distributions, possibly due to their physiographic contexts.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kanchan Thapa, Sabita Malla, Samundra Ambuhang Subba, Gokarna Jung Thapa, Babu Ram Lamichhane, Naresh Subedi, Maheshwar Dhakal, Krishna Prasad Acharya, Madhuri Karki Thapa, Pramod Neupane, Shashank Poudel, Shiv Raj Bhatta, Shant Raj Jnawali, Marcella J. Kelly
Summary: This study used multi-season occupancy models to analyze the distribution of leopards in the Terai Arc Landscape of Nepal, and found negative impacts on leopard detection and occupancy rates from factors such as deforestation, roads, and co-occurrence with tigers. The study also pointed out that leopards and tigers are regulated by habitat availability and prey index when coexisting, and suggested that conservation measures should focus on preventing loss of critical habitat and promoting human-leopard coexistence.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Fidisoa Rasambainarivo, Anjarasoa Rasoanomenjanahary, Joelinotahiana Hasina Rabarison, Tanjona Ramiadantsoa, Rila Ratovoson, Rindra Randremanana, Santatriniaina Randrianarisoa, Malavika Rajeev, Bruno Masquelier, Jean Michel Heraud, C. Jessica E. Metcalf, Benjamin L. Rice
Summary: Research quantitatively estimated the impact of measles outbreak and potential COVID-19 prevalence on mortality using detailed mortality notification data from Antananarivo. Results showed a significant increase in mortality rate among children during the measles outbreak, providing a baseline for assessing the impact of COVID-19 on mortality.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Daniel Gorczynski, Chia Hsieh, Jadelys Tonos Luciano, Jorge Ahumada, Santiago Espinosa, Steig Johnson, Francesco Rovero, Fernanda Santos, Mahandry Hugues Andrianarisoa, Johanna Hurtado Astaiza, Patrick A. Jansen, Charles Kayijamahe, Marcela Guimaraes Moreira Lima, Julia Salvador, Lydia Beaudrot
Summary: This study utilizes the TEAM Network to assess the functional diversity of tropical mammal communities using camera trap data. It reveals a significant positive correlation between functional dispersion and primary productivity, indicating that unique functional traits may be more beneficial in productive ecosystems. Additionally, human-induced local extinctions have a negative impact on functional richness in tropical mammal communities.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
James Hawkins, Gabriel Yesuf, Mink Zijlstra, George C. Schoneveld, Mariana C. Rufino
Summary: The study assesses the impact of improved feeding practices and increased yields of feed crops on milk productivity and GHG emissions in Tanzania's southern highlands region using LCA and simulation modelling. Results show that better feeding practices can significantly increase milk yields and reduce emissions intensities, with avoided land use change being the main driver for reducing GHG emissions.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Devin M. Chen, Pamela R. Narvaez-Torres, Olivia Tiafinjaka, Zach J. Farris, Solofonirina Rasoloharijaona, Edward E. Louis, Steig E. Johnson
Summary: The study utilized arboreal camera traps and occupancy modeling techniques to evaluate and investigate the occupancy and detection probabilities of threatened lemur species in Kianjavato, Madagascar. The findings highlighted important predictors for lemur occupancy and detection, with tree diameter, elevation, distance to village, and canopy connectivity playing significant roles. Arboreal cameras were shown to record higher species richness compared to ground cameras, suggesting their potential for efficient monitoring of elusive lemur species.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gabriel U. Yesuf, Kerry A. Brown, Nigel S. Walford, Solofo E. Rakotoarisoa, Mariana C. Rufino
Summary: This study assessed future range shifts for critically endangered plants in Madagascar, showing that habitat connectivity can limit range shifts due to contractions and increase shifts due to expansions for many plants. However, some plants are still expected to experience range contractions, indicating that even with habitat connectivity, the range of some species may still be affected. Including connectivity in range shift models is crucial for developing relevant conservation plans in the face of future climate change and land-cover change.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gabriel U. Yesuf, George C. Schoneveld, Mink Zijlstra, James Hawkins, Esther M. Kihoro, Vera Vernooij, Mariana C. Rufino
Summary: This study investigated the effects of three intensification scenarios on milk yield and emission intensities in Kenya and Tanzania using mixed methods. The results suggest that interventions that consider local priorities and preferences can enhance productivity and reduce the climatic footprint of the dairy sector.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
James Hawkins, Gabriel Yesuf, Mink Zijlstra, George C. Schoneveld, Mariana C. Rufino
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Cortni Borgerson, Steig E. Johnson, Emma Hall, Kerry A. Brown, Pamela R. Narvaez-Torres, Be Jean Rodolph Rasolofoniaina, Be Noel Razafindrapaoly, Samuel D. Merson, Katharine E. T. Thompson, Sheila M. Holmes, Edward E. Louis, Christopher D. Golden
Summary: This study analyzed the annual rates of household-level lemur hunting near ten protected areas in Madagascar, revealing that lemurs are commonly hunted across the country, with the highest hunting pressure observed in the northeastern rainforest region.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Esperanza Beltrami, Nicolas Galvez, Christian Osorio, Marcella J. Kelly, David Morales-Moraga, Cristian Bonacic
Summary: The Chilean Mediterranean ecosystem is under threat due to human activities, including intensive agriculture and urban sprawl, and abandoned dogs and cats pose challenges for the conservation of native wildcat species. Research suggests that free-ranging dogs negatively affect the detection of wildcats and there are distinct differences in the temporal activity patterns between wildcats and free-ranging cats.
STUDIES ON NEOTROPICAL FAUNA AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Juan I. Zanon Martinez, Javier Seoane, Marcella J. Kelly, Jose Hernan Sarasola, Alejandro Travaini
Summary: The study found that puma habitat use increases with abundance of large prey and proximity to protected areas, while Geoffroy's cats and skunks spatially avoid pumas. There is potential for mesopredator release at large scales, and it is suggested that promoting the creation of new protected areas may lead to increased predator and prey abundances.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Joannes Guillemot, Nicolas K. Martin-StPaul, Leticia Bulascoschi, Lourens Poorter, Xavier Morin, Bruno X. Pinho, Guerric le Maire, Paulo R. L. Bittencourt, Rafael S. Oliveira, Frans Bongers, Rens Brouwer, Luciano Pereira, German Andres Gonzalez Melo, Coline C. F. Boonman, Kerry A. Brown, Bruno E. L. Cerabolini, Ulo Niinemets, Yusuke Onoda, Julio Schneider, Serge Sheremetiev, Pedro H. S. Brancalion
Summary: Understanding how evolutionary history and trait trade-off axes shape the drought tolerance of trees is crucial for predicting forest dynamics under climate change. This study compiled traits related to drought tolerance in tropical woody species, finding that xylem resistance to embolism and leaf turgor loss point determine the risk of hydraulic failure, with leaf phosphorus concentration also playing a role. The results suggest that drought tolerance is under strong selective pressure in tropical forests and is coordinated with ecological strategies governing forest demography.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Erin L. Heller, Sarah M. Karpanty, Jonathan B. Cohen, Daniel H. Catlin, Shannon J. Ritter, Barry R. Truitt, James D. Fraser
Summary: Understanding the factors that influence the distribution and abundance of a species throughout the year is crucial for conservation efforts. This study examined the presence and population size of red knots in Virginia's barrier islands and investigated the factors affecting prey abundance. The findings revealed that red knots prefer sites with a higher abundance of prey and that prey availability is influenced by tidal patterns and water temperature.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Daniel Gorczynski, Chia Hsieh, Jorge Ahumada, Emmanuel Akampurira, Mahandry Hugues Andrianarisoa, Santiago Espinosa, Steig Johnson, Charles Kayijamahe, Marcela Guimaraes Moreira Lima, Badru Mugerwa, Francesco Rovero, Julia Salvador, Fernanda Santos, Douglas Sheil, Eustrate Uzabaho, Lydia Beaudrot
Summary: The relationship between spatial aggregation of species pairs and ecological similarity is affected by environmental conditions and anthropogenic activity. This study investigates the influences of habitat diversity, primary productivity, human population density, and functional trait similarity on spatial associations among tropical forest mammals. The results show that the association between ecological similarity and interspecific species associations depends on surrounding human density.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Daniel Gibson, Thomas Riecke, Daniel H. Catlin, Kelsi L. Hunt, Chelsea E. Weithman, David N. Koons, Sarah M. Karpanty, James D. Fraser
Summary: Understanding the environmental mechanisms that affect population change is crucial. This study combined path analysis and mark-recapture-recovery models to examine the impact of sea-surface temperature shifts on the population constraints of the Royal tern. The findings suggest that fluctuations in fish harvest, driven by variations in sea-surface temperatures, have influenced the survival of the seabird. Climate change poses a significant threat to the persistence of the Royal tern population.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)