Article
Environmental Sciences
Jose Gomez-Zotano, Ruben Pardo-Martinez, Jose Antonio Olmedo-Cobo
Summary: The ecological connectivity of forests and species of community interest is a conservation priority in the Natura 2000 Network. The endangered relict forests of Spanish fir in the Serrania de Ronda have suffered from forest fires throughout history, leading to local extinction. By studying charcoal remains, ancient distribution areas of Abies pinsapo have been reconstructed, and an ecological corridor linking these forests has been proposed.
ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Ecology
Uta Schirpke, Genxu Wang, Emilio Padoa-Schioppa
Summary: Mountain regions face challenges from multiple anthropogenic drivers, affecting ecosystem services provision. This Special Issue highlights the environmental and cultural significance of mountain regions, emphasizing the need for integrating local communities' needs and values into decision-making processes through interdisciplinary cooperation to enhance global ecosystem services provision.
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Guofu Liang, Hanbo Niu, Yan Li
Summary: This study aims to construct ecological networks for multiple species based on landscape connectivity and determine the restoration priority for four focal mammal species in the western mountains of Henan Province, China. The ecological networks were built using circuit theory and least-cost path models, and the restoration priority for multiple species was determined by integrating ecological corridors and key barrier areas. The results showed that the connectivity of the ecological network was closely related to the dispersal capacity of the species. It is important to consider species-specific management plans and the impacts of key ecological corridors and barrier areas dominated by cropland on species migration. Our research suggests that the methods proposed in this study can help prioritize the restoration of key ecological corridors and barrier areas, especially in areas with limited species distribution and movement data.
Rating: 8/1
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Wenyuan Jiang, Shuanglin Jiang
Summary: Facing the challenge of biodiversity conservation, China faces the major challenge of building a scientific and effective regulatory system. The evolution of protection regulations has resulted in a more comprehensive policy and legal framework, integrating protected areas and spatial planning. Suggestions for enhancing current reforms are proposed.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Shiori Takeshige, Kazuhiro Katoh
Summary: This study investigated the movements of waterbirds in central Tokyo, Japan and found that rivers can serve as movement corridors for waterbirds in urban areas. The study showed that the size of the rivers and the presence of roads adjacent to the rivers significantly influenced the abundance of moving waterbirds.
LANDSCAPE AND ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Julie E. Groce, Carly N. Cook
Summary: The text discusses the use of conservation covenants as a mechanism for protecting biodiversity on private lands in Australia. Through a study, it was found that most landholders have strong pro-environmental perspectives and continue to undertake management activities for the benefit of biodiversity. However, some landholders are dissatisfied with the covenant mechanism or provider, and there is a risk that landholders' satisfaction may decrease over time.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jinyao Lin, Chuling Huang, Youyue Wen, Xun Liu
Summary: This study introduces a novel framework (ERL) for improving protected areas, which effectively identifies ecologically important areas excluded from previously established ERL through MSPA and graph-based indicators, enhancing the quality of protected areas.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Michael Kriegl, Xochitl E. Elias Ilosvay, Christian von Dorrien, Daniel Oesterwind
Summary: Marine protected areas (MPAs) are designated parts of the ocean that restrict human activities to a certain degree. Despite being regarded as the cornerstone of global marine conservation efforts, they currently cover less than 10% of the ocean surface.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Ecology
Charlotte Gohr, Henrik von Wehrden, Felix May, Pierre L. Ibisch
Summary: Protected areas should reflect socio-ecological values such as biodiversity and habitat maintenance while considering human well-being. Research on their effectiveness through remote sensing lacks a common global framework and focuses mainly on local case studies. Establishing a multi-indicator-based framework with consistent socio-ecological indicators is recommended for a more comprehensive global analysis.
Article
Plant Sciences
Marina Pannunzio Ribeiro, Kaline de Mello, Roberta Averna Valente
Summary: In the process of urbanization, the connectivity of urban forest fragments in protected areas is insufficient to support biodiversity conservation. The current ecological network relies on neighboring forest fragments and flux dispersal in peri-urban areas. Riparian zones and anthropic grasslands play an important role in protected area connectivity.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yuhao Feng, Yupin Wang, Haojie Su, Jiamin Pan, Yuanfeng Sun, Jiangling Zhu, Jingyun Fang, Zhiyao Tang
Summary: The study examined the effectiveness of 2,975 protected areas worldwide and found that the majority were effective in maintaining plant productivity, especially in forests. However, the effectiveness in improving ecological stability was limited. Global protected areas have been playing a positive and persistent role in maintaining plant productivity. The use of a difference in differences (DID) model is recommended for future effectiveness assessments.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Fuqin Yu, Baiping Zhang, Yonghui Yao, Jing Wang, Xinghang Zhang, Junjie Liu, Jiayu Li
Summary: Mountain biodiversity is threatened by climate change and human activity. This study focuses on the Qinling-Daba Mountains in China and maps protected areas (PAs) to establish an ecological connectivity conservation network. The results indicate that a significant portion of suitable habitats lack protection, highlighting the need to prioritize the conservation of ecological connectivity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Harildon M. Ferreira, Rafael A. Magris, Sergio R. Floeter, Carlos E. L. Ferreira
Summary: This study aimed to quantify the ecological effects of Brazilian MPAs and identify factors associated with their performance. The results showed that MPAs increased species abundance, individual length, and community diversity by 17%, with fully-protected MPAs showing a 45% increase in biodiversity. Partially-protected MPAs had variable effects depending on taxonomic group and exploitation level of species.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ilaria Caliani, Stefano Cannicci, Carlo Pretti, Mariella Baratti, Ginevra Contini, Matteo Vitale, Silvia Casini, Maria Cristina Fossi, Alessio Iannucci, Sara Fratini
Summary: The establishment of marine protected areas is considered the main global strategy to halt the loss of marine biodiversity. However, contamination from human activities outside the protected areas can still affect the health of marine habitats. Therefore, innovative approaches are needed to assess the impacts of contaminant exposure on these habitats.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jason J. Scullion, Jacqueline Fahrenholz, Victor Huaytalla, Edgardo M. Rengifo, Elisabeth Lang
Summary: This study evaluated the diversity and abundance of medium and large forest mammals in a borderland sector of Peru's Ichigkat Muja Cordillera del C?ondor National Park, highlighting the importance of binational efforts for long-term conservation. Factors such as regional geography and human activities were found to drive mammal diversity and abundance in the protected study area. The research underscores the need for consistent field-based monitoring to inform management and evaluate protected area effectiveness.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
I Ahlen, G. Vigouroux, G. Destouni, J. Pietron, N. Ghajarnia, J. Anaya, J. Blanco, S. Borja, S. Chalov, K. P. Chun, N. Clerici, A. Desormeaux, P. Girard, O. Gorelits, A. Hansen, F. Jaramillo, Z. Kalantari, A. Labbaci, L. Licero-Villanueva, J. Livsey, G. Maneas, K. L. McCurley Pisarello, D. Moshir Pahani, S. Palomino-Angel, R. Price, C. Ricaurte-Villota, L. Fernanda Ricaurte, V. H. Rivera-Monroy, A. Rodriguez, E. Rodriguez, J. Salgado, B. Sannel, S. Seifollahi-Aghmiuni, M. Simard, Y. Sjoberg, P. Terskii, J. Thorslund, D. A. Zamora, J. Jarsjo
Summary: This study found that wetlandscapes in different climate zones around the world have experienced changes in precipitation and temperature over the past 40 years, with arid and cold wetlandscapes showing more significant increases in temperature. In most wetlandscapes, the decrease in runoff exceeded that of precipitation, mainly due to enhanced evapotranspiration losses caused by climate change.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Francisco J. Escobedo, Marius Bottin, Nicola Clerici, Salamanca Guibor Camargo, Alejandro Feged-Rivadeneira
Summary: Little is known about the influence of spatial literacy on mapping and decision-making in environmental management and ecosystem services. In our study, we assessed the role of spatial landscape literacy in participatory environmental management and found that it was significantly related to opinions on the environment. Education level had little impact on spatial landscape literacy.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Joseph J. Hanly, Luca Livraghi, Christa Heryanto, W. Owen McMillan, Chris D. Jiggins, Lawrence E. Gilbert, Arnaud Martin
Summary: By studying the ivory mutant in Heliconius butterflies, we identified a genetic deletion associated with the unusual pattern variant. This mutation originated from a mixed population and provides heterozygous advantage under artificial selection.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Nicol Rueda-M, Fabian C. Salgado-Roa, Carlos H. Gantiva-Q, Carolina Pardo-Diaz, Camilo Salazar
Summary: This study investigated the role of the environment in shaping distribution, richness, phylogenetic diversity, and phylogenetic endemism in Neotropical Heliconius butterflies. The researchers found that precipitation, isothermality, altitude, and certain climatic factors played key roles in influencing the distribution patterns of these insects. However, despite some species having overlapping geographic distributions, there was no evidence supporting the role of the environment in facilitating hybridization among Heliconius species.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Daiane Szczerbowski, Stephanie Ehlers, Kathy Darragh, Chris Jiggins, Stefan Schulz
Summary: A study on the neotropical butterfly species Heliconius erato found that males release a complex mixture of compounds during mating, making females unattractive to other males. Another set of compounds released from the wings of male butterflies may serve as aphrodisiacs. The structures of these compounds have been identified.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Fabian C. Salgado-Roa, Lisa Chamberland, Carolina Pardo-Diaz, Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia, Eloisa Lasso, Camilo Salazar
Summary: This study explores the effect of geographic barriers on the distribution of phenotypic and genetic variation in the spider species G. cancriformis. The researchers found five genetically differentiated populations, with distinct geographic distributions, and at least 20 different phenotypes. These findings suggest that G. cancriformis is a widely distributed species with high phenotypic variation.
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Charlotte J. Wright, Christopher W. J. Smith, Chris D. Jiggins
Summary: This article discusses how alternative splicing generates phenotypic diversity and contributes to adaptation and species divergence. Comparisons of splicing profiles between closely related species using new technologies have helped in understanding the evolution of alternative splicing.
NATURE REVIEWS GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Bruna Cama, Stephanie Ehlers, Daiane Szczerbowski, Jane Thomas-Oates, Chris D. Jiggins, Stefan Schulz, W. Owen McMillan, Kanchon K. Dasmahapatra
Summary: This study investigates the androconial secretions of male butterflies in the Heliconiini tribe and finds that these secretions are species-specific and may contribute to reproductive isolation. The study also shows that the diversification of these secretions is associated with the utilization of different metabolic pathways in different species. Furthermore, a positive correlation is observed between the dissimilarity of secretions and the overlap of distribution ranges in related species, suggesting the occurrence of character displacement or reinforcement. These results highlight the importance of MSP diversification in speciation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gabriela Montejo-Kovacevich, Joana Meier, Caroline N. Bacquet, Ian A. Warren, Yingguang Frank Chan, Marek Kucka, Camilo Salazar, Nicol Rueda-M, Stephen H. Montgomery, W. Owen McMillan, Krzysztof M. Kozak, Nicola J. Nadeau, Simon H. Martin, Chris D. Jiggins
Summary: Repeated evolution can help us understand the mechanisms of adaptation to novel or changing environments. This study focuses on the adaptation to altitude in two tropical butterflies and finds differentiated regions between highland and lowland populations. The study also reveals the roles of genetic variation and gene flow from other species in promoting adaptation to the environment.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Anniina L. K. Mattila, Chris D. Jiggins, Marjo Saastamoinen
Summary: Aposematic animals use bright warning coloration to indicate their toxicity or unpalatability. This study found associations between life-history traits and chemical defenses, suggesting that toxicity levels may be influenced by individual condition and age, as well as genetic background and early conditions. Additionally, individuals with higher toxicity developed faster, had higher mass as adults, and showed a tendency for increased lifespan and fecundity.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Tarryn Schuldiner-Harpaz, Richard M. Merrill, Chris D. Jiggins
Summary: Coupling of multiple barriers to gene-flow facilitates speciation. Physical linkage is a mechanism that can establish and maintain associations between divergent alleles. Our model reveals that stronger physical linkage is more likely to evolve under weaker mating preferences and selection.
JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Alexander E. E. Hausmann, Marilia Freire, Sara A. A. Alfthan, Chi-Yun Kuo, Mauricio Linares, Owen McMillan, Carolina Pardo-Diaz, Camilo Salazar, Richard M. Merrill
Summary: Why warning patterns are so diverse in Heliconius butterflies remains a puzzle. This study suggests that interlocus sexual conflict may contribute to their diversification, as male Heliconius use warning patterns as mating cues. Simulations show that sexual conflict can assist pattern diversification, but drift alone is unlikely to cause it. Furthermore, genetic architecture influences the evolution of male preferences for warning patterns.
JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
David F. Rivas-Sanchez, Lina Melo-Florez, Andrea Aragon, Carolina Pardo-Diaz, Camilo Salazar, Stephen H. Montgomery, Richard M. Merrill
Summary: Studies on butterflies adapted to high-altitude habitats show that behavior and physiology play important roles in population divergence and speciation.
Article
Microbiology
Nicolas Luna, Giovanny Herrera, Marina Munoz, Melissa Sanchez-Herrera, Anya Brown, Emily Khazan, Carolina Pardo-Diaz, Juan David Ramirez, Camilo Salazar
Summary: A study found that the microbiota of Heliconius butterflies varies with geographic and habitat variations, but is not associated with pollen feeding. The microbiota of different species is taxonomically similar but varies in abundance, with the variation associated with the Central Cordillera of Colombia.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Carolina Hernandez, Mateo Alvarado, Fabian C. Salgado-Roa, Nathalia Ballesteros, Nicol Rueda-M, Jader Oliveira, Kaio Cesar Chaboli Alevi, Joao Aristeu da Rosa, Plutarco Urbano, Camilo Salazar, Juan David Ramirez
Summary: This study investigated the evolutionary history of biodiversity in the South American seasonal dry tropical forest (SDTF) and found three genetically structured lineages within Psammolestes that diverged in absence of gene flow in the late Miocene. The results suggest that species formation in this ecosystem is driven by geographical isolation rather than by divergence in the face of gene flow associated with climatic oscillations. The study also identified the Amazon basin as a climatic barrier separating tropical and subtropical-temperate species. Each species of Psammolestes occupies different climatic niches.
BMC ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
