Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Paul W. Hacker, Nicholas C. Coops
Summary: Accurate and timely identification of invasive plant species is crucial for successful management practices. This study found that remotely sensed leaf functional traits can differentiate C. scoparius from other common plant species, providing new possibilities for addressing the issue of Scotch broom invasion.
Article
Plant Sciences
Zigmantas Gudzinskas, Laurynas Taura
Summary: The study did not unequivocally confirm the hypothesis that Scotch broom in the invasive range in Lithuania outperforms plants in the native range in terms of reproductive traits. While potential fecundity was significantly higher in the native range, the realised fecundity showed no significant difference between the two ranges. The pod width was greater in the invasive range, indicating a potential relationship between reproductive traits and habitat type in different geographical regions.
Article
Ecology
Robert Frederick Bode, Corrin Black
Summary: Biological invasions provide a useful experimental system for studying evolutionary processes without the constraints of natural enemies, as well as how traits evolve when antagonists are reintroduced. The evolution of increased competitive abilities can affect susceptibility to attack by antagonists, an under-researched aspect of biocontrol. Selective pressure from biocontrol can lead to the elimination of more susceptible genotypes that have evolved for competitive ability.
EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Frederick W. Rainsford, Luke T. Kelly, Steve W. J. Leonard, Andrew F. Bennett
Summary: The study in the Otway Ranges, south-eastern Australia, found that bird and plant communities in heathy woodlands are influenced by the time since the last fire. Current management strategies may not fully enhance conservation of multiple taxa.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jacqueline V. V. Sarratt, Matthew J. J. Perryman, Paul D. D. Pratt
Summary: The Scotch broom gall mite, Aceria genistae, induces localized tissue distortion in the invasive plant Cytisus scoparius (Scotch broom). However, the overall impact of these mites on the host plant's growth and reproduction has not been assessed. This study compared biomass allocation and seed production between heavily and lightly galled plants at three sites in northern California. The results showed that heavily galled plants had reduced canopy volume and fewer seeds per plant, indicating a trade-off between gall production and seed production. This research highlights the measurable effects of Aceria genistae on plant performance and the potential for its population increase and range expansion to further impact the ecosystem. Evaluating the impact of this mite is crucial for informing the biological control agent permit process.
BIOCONTROL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Shuaiwei Xu, Hongxin Su, Siyuan Ren, Jihua Hou, Yan Zhu
Summary: Exploring how traits determine demographic performance is crucial in plant community ecology. This study analyzed growth and trait data for 11 species in a temperate forest and found that individual-level trait data predict individual growth more accurately than species-level data. Additionally, considering topographical factors and seasonal differences is important in assessing the relationship between tree growth and functional traits.
Article
Ecology
Peter Meyer, Marcus Schmidt, Eike Feldmann, Juergen Willig, Robert Larkin
Summary: The study found that the mechanisms driving species richness after disturbances are more complex than suggested by the intermediate disturbance hypothesis (IDH), and these mechanisms vary with species group. Legacy effects, facilitation, habitat heterogeneity, and random saturation of the species pool are also important factors driving species richness.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chengye Hu, Yongtian Liu, Xiaolong Yang, Bonian Shui, Xiumei Zhang, Jing Wang
Summary: The effects of habitat heterogeneity on the functional trait composition and diversity of seagrass bed macrobenthos vary among different microhabitats, influenced by environmental parameters such as total organic carbon, organic matter, and grain size.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Hugo Cabral, Thais B. Guedes, Diego J. Santana
Summary: Macroecological studies investigate species distribution patterns and find that these patterns can be explained by vegetation and climatic factors, influenced by historical and current factors. The aim of this study is to identify the functional and evolutionary drivers of geographic patterns of vertical stratification. The study found a latitudinal pattern in the snake assemblies in the Chaco, with increased verticality and long-tailed species richness in areas with high stratified habitats and stable temperature. Fossoriality is mainly driven by soil conditions, and the phylogenetic regions in the Chaco show a marked latitudinal pattern.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Lauren N. Dykman, Stace E. Beaulieu, Susan W. Mills, Andrew R. Solow, Lauren S. Mullineaux
Summary: The study of invertebrate communities in deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems revealed unique succession dynamics where large, fast-growing organisms colonized rapidly, and small, asexually reproducing organisms appeared later. Changes in traits related to feeding ecology and dispersal potential over succession were consistent with expectations from other ecosystems.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ye Tao, Xiao-Bing Zhou, Yong-Gang Li, Hui-Liang Liu, Yuan-Ming Zhang
Summary: This study analyzed the effects of adding different amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and nitrogen-phosphorus on soil nutrients and plant growth traits in a nitrogen-deficient desert. The results showed that low-concentration additions were generally beneficial for soil nutrient availability and plant growth, while phosphorus addition alone reduced soil nitrogen availability and plant performance.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Fermin Rada, Lina Sarmiento, Sonia Garcia-Varela
Summary: The paramo, a high tropical Andean ecosystem, is characterized by unique climatic, floristic, and ecological features. Plant traits associated with rapid growth dominate during early succession, while drought resistance traits are not found to be dominant in late succession stages.
ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Lauren Delaney, Julian Di Stefano, Holly Sitters
Summary: This study explores how interactions between fire history, landscape context, and matrix availability influence mammal responses in human-modified landscapes, highlighting the importance of considering these factors in fire management for better conservation outcomes.
Article
Ecology
Chenling Wang, Xiaoling Lu, Tingting Yang, Yawen Zheng, Linhao Chen, Libin Liu, Jian Ni
Summary: In this study, two dominant tree species in karst evergreen and broadleaved mixed forests were selected to analyze the variations of 10 morphological traits. The suggested sampling numbers of individuals for the traits were explored, and it was found that larger sample sizes are recommended for traits with larger intraspecific variations. Therefore, more individuals should be sampled in habitat-heterogeneous karst vegetation when measuring plant functional traits.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Alex Blomfield, Rosa Menendez, Andrew Wilby
Summary: The study highlights the use of population synchrony as an indicator of dispersal and connectivity at different spatial scales in the pearl-bordered fritillary. It suggests that while local-scale population synchrony can reflect dispersal, habitat is likely to have a greater influence on population dynamics at larger scales.
Article
Entomology
Jens Schirmel, Rebekka Gerlach, Constanze Buhk
Article
Plant Sciences
Jan Thiele, Sascha Buchholz, Jens Schirmel
JOURNAL OF PLANT ECOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jan Thiele, Sascha Buchholz, Jens Schirmel
JOURNAL OF PLANT ECOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Entomology
Moritz S. Fusser, John M. Holland, Philippe Jeanneret, Sonja C. Pfister, Martin H. Entling, Jens Schirmel
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Soil Science
Jens Schirmel, Julius Albert, Markus Peter Kurtz, Katherine Munoz
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jens Schirmel, Matthias Albrecht, Philipp-Martin Bauer, Louis Sutter, Sonja C. Pfister, Martin H. Entling
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Ecology
Jan Thiele, Simon Kellner, Sascha Buchholz, Jens Schirmel
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jan Thiele, Jens Schirmel, Sascha Buchholz
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jens Schirmel
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2020)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
John M. Holland, Louis Sutter, Matthias Albrecht, Philippe Jeanneret, Sonja C. Pfister, Jens Schirmel, Martin H. Entling, Riina Kaasik, Gabriella Kovacs, Eve Veromann, Agustin M. Bartual, Simone Marini, Anna-Camilla Moonen, Mark Szalai, Herman Helsen, Karin Winkler, Marjolein E. Lof, Wopke van der Werf, Niamh M. McHugh, Barbara M. Smith, David W. Wallis, James E. Cresswell
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2020)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tobias Bauer, Daria Alison Baete, Fabian Kempfer, Jens Schirmel
Summary: Plant invasions by Himalayan balsam and American goldenrods can impact plant-dwelling spider communities in urban landscapes differently, with goldenrods potentially benefiting crab spider abundance and balsam negatively influencing certain spider groups. Management efforts to control these invaders should consider potential impacts on local spider abundance and implement compensation measures if needed.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jens Schirmel
Summary: The study found that urbanization has significant negative effects on biodiversity and ecosystem functions, especially in terms of lower numbers of ground-dwelling invertebrates and pollinating insects. Despite the limitations of online teaching and citizen science approaches, combining these methods can be an effective teaching strategy to actively engage students in scientific research.
Review
Ecology
Stephen E. Osakpolor, Mira Kattwinkel, Jens Schirmel, Alexander Feckler, Alessandro Manfrin, Ralf B. Scha
Summary: The study found that food webs in a meta-ecosystem are functionally linked and vulnerable to multiple stressors. While theoretical models and aquatic-terrestrial models have similarities, they also have distinct differences. Overall, applications of the models have shown that environmental changes cause cross-scale effects on food webs in meta-ecosystems.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Jens Schirmel, Stefan Petschner, Verena Roesch, Martin H. Entling
Summary: This study analyzed the effects of organic and conventional viticulture on carabid beetle diversity. The results showed that organic viticulture had a positive impact on carabid diversity in the simple landscape, but not in the complex landscape. The species composition of carabid beetles was also differently influenced by organic management in the two landscapes.
ANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Sebastian Stehle, Alessandro Manfrin, Alexander Feckler, Tobias Graf, Tanja J. Joschko, Jonathan Jupke, Christian Noss, Verena Roesch, Jens Schirmel, Thomas Schmidt, Jochen P. Zubrod, Ralf Schulz
Summary: This study conducted comprehensive monitoring on the development of floodplain pond mesocosms and found that all ecosystems underwent evolving development and primary succession. The results highlighted the significance of season and succession time in driving environmental changes. The study also observed an increase in biodiversity and abundance over time in both the aquatic and terrestrial parts of the ecosystems. Additionally, the study found that environmental conditions and community variations among the ponds increased over time, while litter decomposition rates slightly decreased and interpond differences converged with the development of the ecosystems.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yongcui Lan, Jinliang Wang, Qianwei Liu, Fang Liu, Lanfang Liu, Jie Li, Mengjia Luo
Summary: This study focuses on the five major plateau lake basins in central Yunnan, China, and constructs an ecological security pattern using the source-resistance surface-corridor-pinch point framework. The study simulates land use/cover change in the region and identifies early warning regions where future urban expansion poses a threat to current ecological source areas and corridors.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Pingping Huang, Feng Zhao, Bailing Zhou, Kuidong Xu
Summary: This study investigates the distribution of benthic microeukaryotes in the China Seas and finds that they can stride over the ecological barrier of 32 degrees N. The study also highlights the significant influence of depth, temperature, and latitude on communities in the China Seas.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Federico Morelli, Yanina Benedetti, Jesse Stanford, Leszek Jerzak, Piotr Tryjanowski, Paolo Perna, Riccardo Santolini
Summary: Species distribution models (SDMs) are numerical tools used for predicting species' spatial distribution. This study found that ecological characteristics, such as habitat specialization, play a role in improving the accuracy of SDMs.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Xiaoxuan Wu, Hang Liu, Wei Liu
Summary: Global climate change, urbanization, and economic development have increased the need for sustainable human development, urban ecological governance, and low-carbon energy transformation. This study analyzes the green ecological transition in Chengdu based on panel data from 2010 to 2020, exploring its spatiotemporal evolution and key factors. The results show an overall upward trend in Chengdu's green ecological development and positive spatial autocorrelation in certain districts.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Castaldi Simona, Formicola Nicola, Mastrocicco Micol, Morales Rodriguez Carmen, Morelli Raffaella, Prodorutti Daniele, Vannini Andrea, Zanzotti Roberto
Summary: Sustainable agricultural practices are increasingly important for global and national environmental policies and economy. This study compared the sustainability of grape production under integrated and organic management using multiple indicators. The results showed that organic management was more beneficial for most environmental aspects of the agroecosystem compared to integrated management, without affecting grape yield.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gaia Vaglio Laurin, Alexander Cotrina-Sanchez, Luca Belelli-Marchesini, Enrico Tomelleri, Giovanna Battipaglia, Claudia Cocozza, Francesco Niccoli, Jerzy Piotr Kabala, Damiano Gianelle, Loris Vescovo, Luca Da Ros, Riccardo Valentini
Summary: Phenology monitoring is important for understanding forest functioning and climate impacts. This research compares the phenological behavior of European beech forests using Tree-Talker (TT+) and Sentinel 2 satellite data. The study finds differences in the information derived by the two sensor types, particularly in terms of season length, phenology changepoints, and leaf period variability. TT+ with its higher temporal resolution demonstrates precision in capturing the phenological changepoints, especially when satellite image availability is limited.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Huanhuan Pan, Ziqiang Du, Zhitao Wu, Hong Zhang, Keming Ma
Summary: The land use and cover changes resulting from coal mining activities and ecological restoration have had a significant impact on ecosystem services in mining areas. This study investigates the relationship between ecosystem services and land use intensity in coal mining areas, emphasizing the importance of understanding this interdependence for balanced human-land system development. The research examines the evolving relationship across different reclamation stages in Shanxi, China, using a coupling coordination degree model. The findings suggest the need for timely and judicious reclamation of coalfields, considering the land's bearing capacity.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jingjuan He, Yijun Shi, Lihua Xu, Zhangwei Lu, Mao Feng
Summary: This study examines the spatial interplay between changes in the blue-green spatial distribution and modifications in land surface temperature grades in Shanghai. The findings reveal that the transformation of the blue-green spatial pattern differs between different sectors of the city, and the impact on the thermal environment varies spatially.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yi Xu, Di Zhang, Junqiang Lin, Qidong Peng, Xiaohui Lei, Tiantian Jin, Jia Wang, Ruifang Yuan
Summary: This study analyzed the response relationship between phytoplankton growth and water environmental parameters in the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in China using long-term monitoring data and machine learning models. The results revealed the differences between monitoring sites and identified the key parameters that affect phytoplankton growth.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)