Article
Biology
Bidesh K. Bera, Omer Tzuk, Jamie J. R. Bennett, Ehud Meron
Summary: Shifts to drier climates can impose stress on plant communities, potentially leading to community reassembly and threats to ecosystem services, but may also trigger spatial self-organization of biota and resources to alleviate these stresses. The relationships between community reassembly and spatial self-organization have not been widely studied. Research shows that spatial patterns can reverse shifts in species composition and diversity loss, while spatial self-organization can buffer the impact of additional stress on community structure.
Article
Ecology
Guillaume Minard, Aapo Kahilainen, Arjen Biere, Hannu Pakkanen, Johanna Mappes, Marjo Saastamoinen
Summary: Many herbivores have developed strategies to cope with plant defenses, and gut microbiota may play a role in these adaptations. This study found that the history of plant use and microbiota may interact with plant defense adaptation. The gut microbiota were significantly impacted by both larval population origin and host plant defense compound levels.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Ian R. McFadden, Agnieszka Sendek, Morgane Brosse, Peter M. Bach, Marco Baity-Jesi, Janine Bolliger, Kurt Bollmann, Eckehard G. Brockerhoff, Giulia Donati, Friederike Gebert, Shyamolina Ghosh, Hsi-Cheng Ho, Imran Khaliq, J. Jelle Lever, Ivana Logar, Helen Moor, Daniel Odermatt, Loiec Pellissier, Luiz Jardim de Queiroz, Christian Rixen, Nele Schuwirth, J. Ryan Shipley, Cornelia W. Twining, Yann Vitasse, Christoph Vorburger, Mark K. L. Wong, Niklaus E. Zimmermann, Ole Seehausen, Martin M. Gossner, Blake Matthews, Catherine H. Graham, Florian Altermatt, Anita Narwani
Summary: Human impacts such as habitat loss, climate change, and biological invasions are drastically changing biodiversity. We propose an integrative approach to explain the differences in impacts between terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems by linking them to four fundamental processes that structure communities. Through this approach, we aim to provide insights into why human impacts and responses to them may differ across ecosystem types, using a mechanistic, eco-evolutionary framework.
Article
Ecology
Jaron Adkins, Edd Hammill, Umarfarooq A. Abdulwahab, John P. Draper, J. Marshall Wolf, Catherine M. McClure, Adrian A. Gonzalez Ortiz, Emily A. Chavez, Trisha B. Atwood
Summary: Using random forest models, we identified the drivers of terrestrial mammal species richness within different trophic groups. Precipitation seasonality was the most important predictor of richness for all trophic groups. Basal-level resource availability, as represented by gross primary production, influenced the relative contribution of each trophic group to total species richness.
Review
Ecology
Heather M. Kharouba, E. M. Wolkovich
Summary: Climate change has caused widespread shifts in the timing of key life events between interacting species, which may result in negative fitness impacts (called "mismatch"). However, predicting the types of systems prone to mismatch remains a challenging task.
Article
Ecology
Cindy Perkovich, David Ward
Summary: Plant-herbivore interactions play a crucial role in the biodiversity of ecosystems. This study investigates the defensive strategies employed by swamp white oak against insects and large mammals. The results show that plant defense strategies vary spatially on individual trees, and the presence of different herbivores can affect the composition of plant defenses.
Article
Ecology
Xoaquin Moreira, Luis Abdala-Roberts
Summary: State of the art theory predicts weaker herbivore pressure on islands than on the mainland, leading to lower investment in plant defenses against herbivory. While early studies supported this prediction, recent research questions this paradigm, suggesting that islands may actually experience higher herbivory and plant defenses. Further research is needed to reassess predictions and investigate underlying mechanisms for observed patterns.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Karen E. van de Wolfshaar, Ute Daewel, Soifrid Saetre Hjollo, Tineke A. Troost, Markus Kreus, Johannes Paetsch, Rubao Ji, Marie Maar
Summary: The study found that fish communities are highly sensitive to spatial-temporal variations in plankton prey fields, with changes in zooplankton biomass affecting the differences in absolute fish biomass, and more zooplankton size bins resulting in lower fish biomass. However, there was a consistent response across models in the relative biomass contribution and spatial patterns of selected fish groups.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Himani Ashra, Suresh Nair
Summary: Phenotypic plasticity is an important adaptive mechanism that allows organisms to respond to environmental changes. In the context of plant-insect interactions, phenotypic plasticity plays a crucial role and can be modulated by the associations with microbial communities. Understanding the impact of phenotypic plasticity on these interactions provides insights into the co-evolution of plants and insects.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kendra A. A. Turk-Kubo, Britt A. A. Henke, Mary R. R. Gradoville, Jonathan D. D. Magasin, Matthew J. J. Church, Jonathan P. P. Zehr
Summary: In the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG), various types of microbes, including previously understudied groups, play a significant role in nitrogen fixation.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Cong van Doan, Marc Pfander, Anouk S. Guyer, Xi Zhang, Corina Maurer, Christelle A. M. Robert
Summary: This study assessed the direct impact of exposure to future climatic conditions on the performance and predation success of species from four major groups of herbivore natural enemies. The results suggest that natural enemies may be well adapted to short-term changes in climatic conditions.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Claire Duchet, Fan Hou, Cailin A. Sinclair, Zhenyu Tian, Alyssa Kraft, Vojtech Kolar, Edward P. Kolodziej, John D. Stark
Summary: Neonicotinoids, widely used insecticides, can reach high concentrations in small water bodies, causing non-target aquatic toxicity. This study focused on the impact of a mixture of three neonicotinoids on an aquatic invertebrate community, revealing a cascading effect on predators and zooplankton, leading to an increase in phytoplankton. The results highlight the complexity of mixture toxicity in the environment, often underestimated in traditional toxicological approaches.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Carlos A. Amasifuen Guerra, Kirti Patel, Piero G. Delprete, Andrea P. Spina, Juan Grados, Pedro Vasquez-Ocmin, Alice Gadea, Rosario Rojas, Jesus Guzman, Michel Sauvain
Summary: The concentration of plumericin produced by Himatanthus tarapotensis varies significantly under different soil conditions, but not influenced by precipitation. Plants growing on clay soil exhibit a higher concentration compared to white-sand soil habitat. While plumericin concentration is not related to the presence of Isognathus leachii caterpillar, it is significantly associated with the abundance of Hymenoptera (Formicidae).
Article
Ecology
Nicholas M. A. Crouch
Summary: The co-occurrence of species with closely related taxa is believed to influence species formation rate and maximum clade diversity. Research shows that allopatry promotes lineage diversification while diversification slowdowns are not significantly correlated with increased sympatry.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Da Kang, Ping Zheng, Wenji Li, Dongdong Xu, Wenda Chen, Chao Pan
Summary: This study investigates the stratification patterns of anammox granular sludge bed (GSB) and its relationship with microbial activity and community under different nitrogen loading rates (NLRs). Results show that the particle size distribution of GSB is significantly correlated with the nitrogen removal rate (NRR) of the anammox system. The microbial community tends to coverage at high NLR. Additionally, the particle size distribution patterns of GSB may serve as a potential auxiliary indicator to reflect microbial activity and community.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Zoology
T. A. Diserens, J. W. Bubnicki, E. Schutgens, K. Rokx, R. Kowalczyk, D. P. J. Kuijper, M. Churski
Summary: Fossorial species adapt their use of burrows based on perceived predation risk, with European badgers reducing sett use frequency in areas with higher wolf risk. Setts with juveniles were found in lower risk areas, suggesting a connection between risk perception and denning behavior. Food availability did not significantly impact sett use, indicating other factors play a larger role in denning behavior.
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Marcin Churski, Robert Spitzer, Eric Coissac, Pierre Taberlet, Jone Lescinskaite, Hermine A. L. van Ginkel, Dries P. J. Kuijper, Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt
Summary: The study showed that forest management influences the diet composition of both ungulate species. In areas with high wolf-use, red deer experienced significant changes in diet composition compared to bison.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mareike Kortmann, Joerg C. Mueller, Roland Baier, Claus Baessler, Joern Buse, Olga Cholewinska, Marc Foerschler, Kostadin B. Georgiev, Jacek Hilszczanski, Bogdan Jaroszewicz, Tomasz Jaworski, Stefan Kaufmann, Dries Kuijper, Janina Lorz, Annette Lotz, Anna Lubek, Marius Mayer, Simone Mayerhofer, Stefan Meyer, Jerome Moriniere, Flavius Popa, Hannah Reith, Nicolas Roth, Sebastian Seibold, Rupert Seidl, Elisa Stengel, Grzegorz J. Wolski, Simon Thorn
Summary: This study demonstrates that in Norway spruce forests, arthropod biomass and the diversity of primary producers and pollinators increase linearly with increasing bark beetle infestation severity, while overall multi-diversity remains unchanged. Restorativeness of the landscape decreases linearly with increasing disturbance severity, but even heavily disturbed forests still maintain high restorativeness, indicating that major goals of protected areas are not threatened by bark beetle disturbances.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Maria Lucena-Perez, Daniel Kleinman-Ruiz, Elena Marmesat, Alexander P. Saveljev, Krzysztof Schmidt, Jose A. Godoy
Summary: Demographic bottlenecks tend to reduce genetic diversity through genetic drift, but the overall effect varies across the genome due to randomness in drift and local factors like recombination, mutation, and selection. Bottlenecked populations show weaker correlations of genetic diversity with various genomic features compared to nonbottlenecked populations. Additionally, genomic regions under intense purifying selection and the X chromosome may exhibit increased diversity in bottlenecked populations.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Wlodzimierz Jedrzejewski, Ilad Vivas, Maria Abarca, Margarita Lampo, Luis G. Morales, Gertrudis Gamarra, Krzysztof Schmidt, Rafael Hoogesteijn, Rafael Carreno, Maria F. Puerto, Angel L. Viloria, Christine Breitenmoser, Urs Breitenmoser
Summary: Jaguars in Hato Pinero adjust their daily activity levels and patterns based on sex, age, and reproductive status, with reproductive females showing the highest activity levels and predominantly nocturnal or crepuscular activity patterns.
Letter
Biodiversity Conservation
Magdalena Tracz, Maciej Tracz, Marcin Grzegorzek, Roksana Czerniawska, Miroslaw Ratkiewicz, Maciej Matosiuk, Stefan Jakimiuk, Krzysztof Schmidt
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Romane Darul, Alexander Gavashelishvili, Alexander P. Saveljev, Ivan Seryodkin, John D. C. Linnell, Henryk Okarma, Guna Bagrade, Aivars Ornicans, Janis Ozolins, Peep Mannil, Igor Khorozyan, Dime Melovski, Aleksandar Stojanov, Aleksander Trajce, Bledi Hoxha, Mikhail G. Dvornikov, Naranbaatar Galsandorj, Innokentiy Okhlopkov, Jimsher Mamuchadze, Yuriy A. Yarovenko, Muzigit Akkiev, Giorgi Sulamanidze, Vazha Kochiashvili, Mehmet Kursat Sahin, Sergey A. Trepet, Alim B. Pkhitikov, Mohammad S. Farhadinia, Jose A. Godoy, Tomas Jaszay, Miroslaw Ratkiewicz, Krzysztof Schmidt
Summary: The study investigated the relationship between the variability of pelage phenotypes in the Eurasian lynx and environmental conditions. Despite the impact of various environmental variables on lynx distribution and habitat suitability, the least-cost distances from locations of inferred glacial refugia during the Last Glacial Maximum were found to best explain the distribution of lynx coat patterns.
JOURNAL OF MAMMALIAN EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Marcin Churski, Tristan Charles-Dominique, Jakub W. Bubnicki, Bogumila Jedrzejewska, Dries P. J. Kuijper, Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt
Summary: Tree architectures are shaped by abiotic and biotic selection pressures. The plasticity of cage architecture in temperate forest tree species reflects adaptation to past mammalian herbivory and challenges the notion of closed-canopy forest communities being solely driven by abiotic drivers. Large herbivores play an important role in shaping the functional traits of temperate tree species.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Michal Bogdziewicz, Dries Kuijper, Rafal Zwolak, Marcin Churski, Bogumila Jedrzejewska, Emilia Wysocka-Fijorek, Anna Gazda, Stanislaw Miscicki, Tomasz Podgorski
Summary: This study finds that the combined action of African swine fever (ASF) outbreak and mast seeding has significant effects on oak regeneration. Wild boar, important consumers of acorns, have declined due to ASF, resulting in reduced predation on acorns. The results demonstrate that wildlife disease outbreaks can impact forest dynamics through food web interactions.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Johan Svensson, Jakub W. Bubnicki, Per Angelstam, Grzegorz Mikusinski, Bengt Gunnar Jonsson
Summary: Intact forest landscapes are essential for conservation, land use, and rural development. Through spatial planning, we identified protected and unprotected forests in the boreal to sub-alpine forest region of the Scandinavian Mountain range. Sustainable land-use requires increased protection, forest restoration, and continuous cover forestry.
REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tom A. Diserens, Marcin Churski, Jakub W. Bubnicki, Andrzej Zalewski, Marcin Brzezinski, Dries P. J. Kuijper
Summary: This study investigates how large carnivores shape mesocarnivore foraging behavior. The results show that large carnivores not only facilitate mesocarnivores through carrion provisioning but also suppress them via killing and instilling fear. The foraging response of mesocarnivores is influenced by wolf encounter rates, while the foraging costs of foxes are unaffected. These findings suggest that the role of large carnivores in determining mesocarnivore behavior may be subordinate and that the interactions between mesocarnivores and large carnivores may be context-dependent.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
