Article
Environmental Sciences
Ningyuan Huang, Pinki Mondal, Benjamin Cook, Sonali McDermid
Summary: This study examines the long-term changes in Serengeti National Park (SNP) vegetation from 1982 to 2016, finding nonlinear trends in leaf area index (LAI) driven by temperature and moisture availability. The study highlights the reversal in greening trends during the long rains and greening trends during the short rains, influenced by temperature and moisture variables. The findings demonstrate the complex interactions between vegetation and climate at different temporal and spatial scales within SNP.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Kenneth R. Young, Eyner Alata, Rodney A. Chimner, Randall B. Boone, Gillian Bowser, Laura Bourgeau-Chavez, Beatriz Fuentealba, Jessica Gilbert, Javier A. Naupari, Molly H. Polk, Sigrid C. Resh, Cecilia Turin, Melody Zarria-Samanamud
Summary: This article integrates data from a research project in Peru's Huascaran National Park to examine the land use systems affecting high-elevation ecosystems, particularly focusing on wetlands. The findings show that wet meadows are important for traditional grazing systems, while peatlands are susceptible to trampling by livestock. The study also highlights the limited ecological space for future upward relocation of land use or potential habitats for species of concern.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lev Kolinski, Krista M. Milich
Summary: The attitudes of community members living around protected areas, specifically Kibale National Park in Uganda, are crucial for effective conservation strategies. By implementing sustainable human-wildlife conflict mitigation strategies, such as digging trenches, installing beehive fences, planting tea, and growing garlic, it is possible to improve relationships between communities and wildlife while reducing crop destruction. Results showed a positive correlation between participation in the project and perceived benefits of living near the park, as well as improved attitudes towards the Uganda Wildlife Authority. This research will inform future conservation initiatives in similar areas where human-animal conflicts occur.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Michel Notelid, Anneli Ekblom
Summary: This paper discusses household vulnerability in Limpopo National Park (LNP) in relation to climate variability and the impacts of the park itself. Factors such as migrant labor, cattle production, illegal wildlife trade, and hunting bans all contribute to the vulnerability of households to climate change and other challenges. Strategies for resilience and potential avenues for transformation are explored in light of these complex issues.
Article
Forestry
Hernan J. Andrade, Milena A. Segura, Diana S. Canal-Daza
Summary: Protected areas are crucial for conserving strategic ecosystems and providing environmental services to human populations. The Santuario de Fauna y Flora Iguaque in Colombia preserves important mountain wetlands and Andean highland forests, acting as an effective strategy for mitigating climate change by storing significant amounts of atmospheric carbon.
Article
Geography, Physical
William D. Smith, Stuart A. Dunning, Neil Ross, Jon Telling, Erin K. Jensen, Dan H. Shugar, Jeffrey A. Coe, Marten Geertsema
Summary: The frequency of large supraglacial landslides in glacial environments is increasing due to climate warming and permafrost degradation. However, detection biases make it difficult to test, establish cause-effect relationships, and determine lag-times. In this study, the Google Earth Engine was used to analyze Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in Alaska, revealing an underestimation of rock avalanches (RAs) by 53% and a bias towards large area RAs. RA sources clustered spatially at high elevations and temporally between May and September, when air temperatures were high enough to initiate rock-permafrost degradation mechanisms. Understanding the global contribution of RAs to glacial sediment budgets requires further investigation in other glaciated regions.
Article
Biology
Tessa Steiniche, Shaorui Wang, Emily Chester, Richard Mutegeki, Jessica M. Rothman, Richard W. Wrangham, Colin A. Chapman, Marta Venier, Michael D. Wasserman
Summary: Through non-invasive biomonitoring, we found that 97 chemical pollutants were present in the feces of four primate species in Kibale National Park, Uganda (chimpanzees, olive baboons, red colobus, and red-tailed monkeys), and they were positively associated with fecal hormone metabolites of cortisol and estradiol. The results indicated that organochlorine pesticides and organophosphate esters were positively correlated with cortisol in adult females, and organochlorine pesticides and brominated flame retardants were positively correlated with cortisol in juveniles. These findings suggest that cumulative pesticides and flame retardants can disrupt endocrine function in these primate populations, which may have implications for their development, metabolism, and reproduction. Additionally, our study demonstrates the importance of feces as a non-invasive matrix for examining pollutant-hormone associations in wild primates and other critical wildlife populations.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xiaoping Zhang, Xinyi Wang, Zihong Hu, Juncai Xu
Summary: This study examined the changes in landscape patterns in the Nagqu Hangcuo National Wetland Park over a 25-year period and found that while the total wetland area increased, the diversity and complexity of the landscape decreased. Meadows were found to be the most sensitive landscape type, with significant correlation coefficients between wetland separation and sunshine duration. Therefore, it is important to monitor landscape pattern changes and the effects of climate change to better protect wetland parks through long-term planning and advanced technology.
Article
Environmental Studies
Olivia FitzGerald, Catherine Matilda Collins, Clive Potter
Summary: The study shows widespread enthusiasm for woodland expansion among stakeholders, with significant differences in terms of scale and approach. Stakeholders focus on topics such as biodiversity gain, climate change mitigation, while expressing caution regarding target setting and its place in the national debate.
Article
Ecology
Wren I. Edwards, Viorel D. Popescu, Nelson Guma, Hillary Agaba, Godfrey Balyesiima, Lydia Nakami, Nancy J. Stevens
Summary: Data on space-use patterns are crucial for understanding species ecology and conservation efforts. This study focuses on home range estimates for the Buraiga chimpanzees living in the largest remaining population fragment in Uganda. The analysis reveals that the home range of these chimpanzees covers an area of 15.77 km(2) (95% KDE) and 24.90 km(2) (100% MCP) and overlaps with community-managed land. Additionally, the study finds that the chimpanzees use a larger area during dry season months compared to rainy season months.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anu Valtonen, Eveliina Korkiatupa, Sille Holm, Geoffrey M. Malinga, Ryosuke Nakadai
Summary: Restoration has become a global priority, with initiatives such as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Monitoring vegetation recovery using NDVI and EVI showed non-linear patterns in forest regeneration, with an initial increase in both indices indicating successful onset of forest recovery. Differentiation between primary forests and regenerating forests was possible based on unique combinations of low mean and seasonal variation in EVI.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Emma L. Davis, Andrew J. Trant, Robert G. Way, Luise Hermanutz, Darroch Whitaker
Summary: Northern protected areas play a crucial role in safeguarding habitats and species, but their fixed spatial boundaries make them highly susceptible to environmental changes. Using satellite remote sensing and geostatistical modelling, a study focused on Torngat Mountains National Park in Canada revealed the drivers of land cover change and predicted future expansion of shrub vegetation based on biotic and topographic variables. The study anticipates a significant increase in shrub cover by 2039/43, emphasizing the importance of establishing long-term monitoring plots to validate remote sensing observations and understand the impacts on the tundra ecosystem.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Joko Prihantono, Takashi Nakamura, Kazuo Nadaoka, Anindya Wirasatriya, Novi Susetyo Adi
Summary: This study examines the impact of rainfall, land surface temperature, and tidal inundation on mangrove sustainability in Karimunjawa National Park, Indonesia. The results show that tidal inundation has a significant effect on mangrove greenness, with higher values observed in intertidal areas. Rainfall also influences mangrove greenness, with a three-month lag between high rainfall and peak greenness. Land surface temperature does not show a significant correlation with mangrove greenness.
Article
Ecology
Stephanie A. Spera, Keith R. Spangler, M. Olivia Hubert, Marc G. Gorman
Summary: This study examines the changing climate and timing of fall foliage in Acadia National Park, Maine, and predicts future changes. The results show significant increases in temperatures and precipitation, leading to a delay in the timing of peak fall foliage. Understanding the impact of climate on leaf senescence is crucial for sustainable planning in the park.
Article
Ecology
Cas F. Carroll, Jacquelyn L. Gill, Caitlin McDonough MacKenzie
Summary: Identifying refugia, where species can survive during unsuitable climate, is crucial for conservation in a warming world. Conservation paleobiology combines fossil records with modeling to locate refugia and understand vulnerability to climate change. A case study in Acadia National Park demonstrates the importance of using plant macrofossils and pollen to update vulnerability assessments and locate potential future refugia.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Megan A. Schwegel, Alessandro Filazzola, Colin A. Chapman, Valerie A. M. Schoof
Summary: Resource availability is important for female reproductive success, and the timing of reproduction can affect maternal and infant survival. In this study, the researchers examined data on births, conceptions, mating seasonality, and interbirth intervals in vervet monkeys living near Lake Nabugabo, Uganda. They found that births occurred year-round but were moderately seasonal, and there was no difference in survival for infants born within or outside of birth peaks. The researchers also found that fruit availability and feeding habits did not vary seasonally, and interbirth intervals were shorter in higher-ranking females. These findings suggest that habitat differences and latitudinally-variable factors may influence the breeding seasonality and interbirth intervals in the Nabugabo vervet population.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Anna Muchwampaka Kyokuhaire, Colin A. Chapman, Patrick A. Omeja, David Mwesigye Tumusiime, Banana Yabezi Abwoli, Michael J. Lawes
Summary: In Africa, protected forests in densely populated areas experience intense human-wildlife conflict. A study in Kibale National Park, Uganda, showed that baboons and elephants were responsible for most crop raiding incidents. While the financial loss caused by both species did not differ significantly, elephants were perceived as more damaging. Guarding and trenches were identified as the most effective deterrent strategies for baboons and elephants, respectively. Factors such as distance from the park and household income influenced the likelihood of crop raiding, and households headed by women or older adults were found to be more vulnerable.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kaichong Shi, Li Yang, Lu Zhang, Colin Chapman, Pengfei Fan
Summary: China, as one of the most biodiverse countries with the longest international land borders, needs transboundary conservation efforts. This study identifies China's transboundary conservation hotspots and analyzes the potential impact of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on them, providing recommendations for conservation actions.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Clementine Durand-Bessart, Norbert J. Cordeiro, Colin A. Chapman, Katharine Abernethy, Pierre-Michel Forget, Colin Fontaine, Francois Bretagnolle
Summary: Frugivory in tropical forests plays a crucial role in ecological processes, but the underlying mechanisms of frugivore-plant networks have not been thoroughly studied. This research examines the Afrotropical frugivory network and identifies its structural properties and knowledge gaps. The study finds that species traits related to frugivory and species distribution areas are key factors in shaping the network structure of frugivores and plants.
Article
Ecology
Anke Barahukwa, Colin A. Chapman, Mary Namaganda, Gerald Eilu, Patrick A. Omeja, Michael J. Lawes
Summary: Invasive Lantana camara L. significantly reduces tree, shrub, and herb cover and diversity, and suppresses tree regeneration. Short-term management of Lantana does not promote tree establishment, and even in cleared areas, tree species recruitment is poor. To ensure the long-term recovery of the forest tree community, sustained follow-up clearing of dense secondary shrubs and herbs, as well as resprouted L. camara, is crucial.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Emmanuel A. Opito, Timo Alanko, Urs Kalbitzer, Matti Nummelin, Patrick Omeja, Anu Valtonen, Colin A. Chapman
Summary: Declines in arthropod abundance and diversity have been observed in Kibale National Park, Uganda over the past four decades, particularly in the logged forest areas. Changes in arthropod communities were found to be influenced by multiple factors, including temperature increase, mammal species shifts, and changes in forest structure. Additionally, alterations in the landscape surrounding the park, such as population growth and agricultural intensification, may also contribute to the observed declines. Therefore, long-term multi-disciplinary efforts are necessary for effective conservation planning.
Article
Biology
Hanlan Fei, Miguel de Guinea, Li Yang, Paul A. Garber, Lu Zhang, Colin A. Chapman, Pengfei Fan
Summary: This study evaluated the movement patterns of skywalker gibbons from sleeping trees to breakfast trees and found that the type of food in the breakfast tree was the most important factor affecting gibbon movement patterns. The study suggests that gibbons have foraging goals in mind and plan their departure times accordingly, reflecting their ability for route-planning to exploit dispersed fruit resources in high-altitude forests.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Letter
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christina Lynggaard, Sebastien Calvignac-Spencer, Colin A. Chapman, Urs Kalbitzer, Fabian H. Leendertz, Patrick A. Omeja, Emmanuel A. Opito, Dipto Sarkar, Kristine Bohmann, Jan F. Gogarten
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carolin Mundinger, Janis M. Wolf, Jan F. Gogarten, Marcel Fierz, Alexander Scheuerlein, Gerald Kerth
Summary: Climate warming has major consequences for animal populations, as it can affect their physiology and behavior. This study found that individuals raised in heated roosts grew significantly larger than those raised in unheated conditions, suggesting that metabolic savings in warmer conditions lead to increased body size. This has potential consequences for population persistence.
Article
Zoology
Colin A. Chapman, Samuel Angedakin, Thomas M. Butynski, Jan F. Gogarten, John C. Mitani, Thomas T. Struhsaker
Summary: Anthropogenic-driven changes can have immediate negative impacts on wild primate populations, but changes like climate change may take generations to become evident. This study extends the monitoring of diurnal primates in Ngogo, Uganda, from 32.9 to 47 years and finds that the populations of black and white colobus, blue monkeys, and baboons have not significantly changed over time, while redtail monkeys and chimpanzees have marginally increased. Mangabeys and L'Hoesti monkeys have significantly increased, while red colobus encounters have dramatically decreased.
Article
Biology
Tessa Steiniche, Shaorui Wang, Emily Chester, Richard Mutegeki, Jessica M. Rothman, Richard W. Wrangham, Colin A. Chapman, Marta Venier, Michael D. Wasserman
Summary: Through non-invasive biomonitoring, we found that 97 chemical pollutants were present in the feces of four primate species in Kibale National Park, Uganda (chimpanzees, olive baboons, red colobus, and red-tailed monkeys), and they were positively associated with fecal hormone metabolites of cortisol and estradiol. The results indicated that organochlorine pesticides and organophosphate esters were positively correlated with cortisol in adult females, and organochlorine pesticides and brominated flame retardants were positively correlated with cortisol in juveniles. These findings suggest that cumulative pesticides and flame retardants can disrupt endocrine function in these primate populations, which may have implications for their development, metabolism, and reproduction. Additionally, our study demonstrates the importance of feces as a non-invasive matrix for examining pollutant-hormone associations in wild primates and other critical wildlife populations.
Article
Zoology
Colin A. Chapman, Jan F. Gogarten, Martin Golooba, Urs Kalbitzer, Patrick A. Omeja, Emmanuel A. Opito, Dipto Sarkar
Summary: Protected areas are crucial for safeguarding primate populations, but they still face threats from climate change. The population assessment of diurnal primates in Kibale National Park, Uganda, revealed overall stability with some localized declines and increases. The regeneration of forest areas has helped sustain primate populations, highlighting the importance of restoration efforts. The conservation initiatives undertaken by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and their partners have played a significant role in protecting the park and its animals.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rui Liu, Katherine Amato, Rong Hou, Andres Gomez, Derek W. Dunn, Jun Zhang, Paul A. Garber, Colin A. Chapman, Nicoletta Righini, Gang He, Gu Fang, Yuhang Li, Baoguo Li, Songtao Guo
Summary: This study investigated the fiber digestion adaptations of golden snub-nosed monkeys (GSMs) by comparing morphology, microbiome composition and function, and digestive efficiency. The results showed that both the foregut and hindgut of GSMs contribute to fiber digestion, and an enlarged colon may be an adaptation to handle high-fiber food during winter.