Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christine I. B. Wallis, Yvonne C. Tiede, Erwin Beck, Katrin Boehning-Gaese, Roland Brandl, David A. Donoso, Carlos Espinosa, Andreas Fries, Jurgen Homeier, Diego Inclan, Christoph Leuschner, Mark Maraun, Katrin Mikolajewski, Eike Lena Neuschulz, Stefan Scheu, Matthias Schleuning, Juan P. Suarez, Boris A. Tinoco, Nina Farwig, Jorg Bendix
Summary: The study suggests that a compound geodiversity index is not a suitable single surrogate predictor for species diversity and ecosystem functions in tropical mountain rain forest ecosystems. Instead, the combination of environmental variables is more effective in explaining species diversity and ecosystem functions compared to a single geodiversity index.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Helon Simoes Oliveira, Luiz dos Anjos
Summary: Researchers monitored bird communities in an Atlantic Forest Protected Area in southern Brazil for 10 years, finding variations in species richness but functional redundancy between changing species. Functional erosion was observed in a group of specialist insectivorous passerines. Increases in dispersion of the entire community and functional divergence in non-passerines were also noted. The data suggest random functional structures in the communities, with taxonomic alterations possible due to random substitution but overall functional stability maintained by species redundancy. Different groups of species may have different temporal trajectories and evaluations are necessary to uncover silent alterations in their functional roles.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Buntarou Kusumoto, Yasuhiro Kubota, Andres Baselga, Carola Gomez-Rodriguez, Thomas J. Matthews, Daniel J. Murphy, Takayuki Shiono
Summary: This study found that compositional dissimilarity in angiosperm trees increases with spatial and climatic distances globally. The turnover component dominated in all biogeographical regions, while the nestedness component showed relatively high contributions in temperate regions with historically unstable climatic conditions. Changes in the turnover and nestedness components across taxonomic ranks suggest differential imprints of historical diversification over deep evolutionary time in shaping extant diversity patterns in each biogeographical region.
JOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Jesus Ballesteros-Correa, Jairo Perez-Torres
Summary: The establishment of extensive livestock systems in the Colombian Caribbean Region has historically caused a strong loss of tropical dry forest and negatively impacted biodiversity. However, the implementation of silvopastoral systems shows positive effects on the diversity of bat assemblages in these areas. Frugivorous bats are more abundant in silvopastoral systems, which contribute to greater temporal stability of bat assemblages.
AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Juliana Kuchenbecker, Flavio Camarota, Pedro Giovani da Silva, Lucas Neves Perillo, Marina do Vale Beirao, Flavio Siqueira de Castro, Geraldo Wilson Fernandes, Mario Marcos do Espirito-Santo, Natalia Correia Santos, Iaciara Georgia Silveira Cardoso, Frederico de Siqueira Neves
Summary: Recent investigations suggest a decline in insect diversity. Altimontane forest islands may serve as valuable refuges for species diversity. Our study found that fire affects the species composition changes of less vagile insect groups while having no influence on highly vagile insects. Species turnover is the primary driver of interannual variation in all insect taxa examined.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael Kalyuzhny, Jeffrey K. Lake, S. Joseph Wright, Annette M. Ostling
Summary: For species to coexist, there must be a decline in performance as conspecific density increases. In this study, it is shown that adults of tropical forest tree species exhibit strong spatial repulsion, indicating substantial niche differences between species. The results demonstrate that conspecific negative density dependence can play a significant role in stabilizing species diversity.
Article
Forestry
Pachchara Chaithaisong, Mark Jun M. Alcantara, Liang Song, Yue-Hua Hu
Summary: Specialists and generalists in fungal communities have different impacts on the distance decay of similarity. Soil fungal co-occurrence networks vary between different fungal guilds, influencing the change in similarity distance decay. However, there are exceptions to these effects within different communities.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Carolina Blefari Batista, Isaac Passos de Lima, Rafael Arruda, Marcos Robalinho Lima
Summary: The Atlantic Forest is a crucial but endangered biodiversity hotspot, with only a small percentage of its area legally protected, highlighting the need for strengthened conservation efforts. The study identified several endemic areas for bat species, with most lacking legal protection and facing management shortcomings.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Review
Ecology
Juliano A. Bogoni, Vitor Carvalho-Rocha, Pedro Giovani da Silva
Summary: The study aimed to understand the influence of land cover variables, environmental productivity and anthropogenic features on bat diversity metrics in the largest Tropical country worldwide - Brazil. The major positive predictor for bat diversity metrics was vegetation height, while agriculture and urban cover significantly influenced bat diversity metrics throughout Brazil. This study highlights the importance of vegetation height and landscape features in predicting bat diversity at the metacommunity scale in Brazil, while also emphasizing the impacts of agriculture and urbanization on bat diversity.
Article
Ecology
Flavia Montano-Centellas, Bette A. Loiselle, Christy McCain
Summary: The study found that tropical high elevations exhibit higher species diversity, with richness component being more important, while temperate mountains show a greater importance of replacement component, indicating different patterns of functional diversity.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ana Lino, Eduardo Ferreira, Carlos Fonseca, Erich Fischer, Maria Joao Ramos Pereira
Summary: Recent theories suggest a correlation between species diversity and genetic diversity, which may vary depending on the species. Landscape variables can influence the correlations between different aspects of diversity within bat assemblages.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chunyan Qin, Yifei Ge, Jin Gao, Shengli Zhou, Jian Yu, Beixin Wang, Thibault Datry
Summary: Identifying ecological drivers and understanding their effects on metacommunity and beta diversity are crucial for bioassessment and river management. This study explored the impacts of anthropogenic influences on macroinvertebrate communities in the Yangtze River Delta, China, and found that both species sorting and dispersal shaped the communities, with their importance varying with the levels of anthropogenic impacts. Environmental variables and spatial processes should be considered for effective ecosystem management.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Manichanh Satdichanh, Gbadamassi G. O. Dossa, Kai Yan, Kyle W. Tomlinson, Kasey E. Barton, Susan E. Crow, Leigh Winowiecki, Tor-G Vagen, Jianchu Xu, Rhett D. Harrison
Summary: Soil organic matter contributes to productivity and contains more carbon than the atmosphere. Understanding SOC sequestration during forest succession is limited. Our study investigated the effects of plant diversity, functional traits, phylogenetic diversity, above-ground biomass, and environmental factors on SOC sequestration. Our results suggest that increasing functional trait diversity through a trait-based approach can enhance SOC sequestration and accelerate soil recovery.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Danial Hariz Zainal Abidin, Siti Azizah Mohd Nor, Sebastien Lavoue, Masazurah A. Rahim, Noor Adelyna Mohammed Akib
Summary: In this study, the advantages and limitations of eDNA metabarcoding survey on fish community in the Merbok Estuary were explored. The results showed that this approach detected more species compared to conventional surveys, but there were unresolved species identities, PCR primer specificity issues, and the detection of non-resident species. Community analysis revealed that fish diversity was less homogeneous downstream of the estuary. Overall, eDNA metabarcoding demonstrated practicality in assessing fish community and structure in a complex tropical environment, but some limitations need to be addressed.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Luz Maria Sil-Berra, Cornelio Sanchez-Hernandez, Maria de Lourdes Romero-Almaraz, Victor Hugo Reynoso
Summary: The frequency of high-intensity hurricanes has increased in past decades, impacting biological diversity. Bats act as ideal bioindicators in assessing these impacts, with different functional groups responding differently to disturbances like hurricanes and anthropic activities. Maintaining primary forest and secondary dry forests is crucial in mitigating the effects of major natural disturbances on biodiversity in continental regions.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Francisco Amorim, Orly Razgour, Vanessa A. Mata, Susana Lopes, Raquel Godinho, Carlos Ibanez, Javier Juste, Stephen J. Rossiter, Pedro Beja, Hugo Rebelo
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laurel R. Yohe, Kalina T. J. Davies, Nancy B. Simmons, Karen E. Sears, Elizabeth R. Dumont, Stephen J. Rossiter, Liliana M. Davalos
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2020)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Michael R. McGowen, Georgia Tsagkogeorga, Sandra Alvarez-Carretero, Mario dos Reis, Monika Struebig, Robert Deaville, Paul D. Jepson, Simon Jarman, Andrea Polanowski, Phillip A. Morin, Stephen J. Rossiter
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicolas J. Deere, Gurutzeta Guillera-Arroita, Tom Swinfield, David T. Milodowski, David A. Coomes, Henry Bernard, Glen Reynolds, Zoe G. Davies, Matthew J. Struebig
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2020)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Simon L. Mitchell, Jake E. Bicknell, David P. Edwards, Nicolas J. Deere, Henry Bernard, Zoe G. Davies, Matthew J. Struebig
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rosie Drinkwater, Tommaso Jucker, Joshua H. T. Potter, Tom Swinfield, David A. Coomes, Eleanor M. Slade, M. Thomas P. Gilbert, Owen T. Lewis, Henry Bernard, Matthew J. Struebig, Elizabeth L. Clare, Stephen J. Rossiter
Summary: The study used iDNA from blood-feeding leeches to assess mammalian diversity across a gradient of forest degradation in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Results showed higher mammal diversity in twice logged forest and lower diversity in heavily degraded forest. The study demonstrates the value of iDNA as a noninvasive biomonitoring approach in conservation assessments of human-modified tropical landscapes.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jesse F. Abrams, Rahel Sollmann, Simon L. Mitchell, Matthew J. Struebig, Andreas Wilting
Summary: Occupancy-based diversity profiles are found to reflect among-community diversity patterns accurately, but tend to overestimate within-community diversity. Applying an occupancy threshold can reduce positive bias in estimates, although it may introduce negative bias in richness estimates and slightly reduce the ability to reproduce true differences among communities. This approach offers insights into patterns of biodiversity and has the potential for further development.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
David R. Hemprich-Bennett, Victoria A. Kemp, Joshua Blackman, Matthew J. Struebig, Owen T. Lewis, Stephen J. Rossiter, Elizabeth L. Clare
Summary: The research found that bats in logged rainforests consumed a lower richness of prey, leading to less nested interaction networks with reduced network redundancy, making them more vulnerable to perturbations. Therefore, ecological interactions between old-growth and logged forests have changed significantly, potentially negatively impacting ecosystem function and network stability.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Natalie Yoh, Dave J. I. Seaman, Nicolas J. Deere, Henry Bernard, Jake E. Bicknell, Matthew J. Struebig
Summary: Logging has wide-ranging effects on tropical forests and their wildlife. This study used remote sensing data and automated classifiers to examine the impact of logging on bat activity in Southeast Asia. The results showed that logging had negligible effects on bat activity, but high-biomass forests and rugged topography were preferred by bats. Logged forests were found to support higher bat activity compared to tree plantations. The study highlights the importance of logged forests as refuges for bats in the region. Rating: 9/10
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jessica K. Haysom, Nicolas J. Deere, Azniza Mahyudin, Matthew J. Struebig
Summary: Animal activity is influenced by environmental conditions and the physical structure of a habitat, as well as interactions with other animals. Understanding the proportion and timing of activity informs our understanding of species' ecology. In tropical rainforests, canopy-dwelling taxa make up a large portion of vertebrate assemblages, but wildlife surveys often focus on ground level sampling. This study used camera traps at both ground and canopy levels to examine mammal activity in Borneo, and found that including canopy-based sampling provides greater insights into overall rainforest mammal activity compared to terrestrial sampling alone.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ariadna Fosch, Guilherme Ferraz de Arruda, Alberto Aleta, Adria Descals, David Gaveau, Courtney Morgans, Truly Santika, Matthew J. Struebig, Erik Meijaard, Yamir Moreno
Summary: The study analyzed the impacts of oil palm plantations on Sustainable Development Goals, finding that unproductive plantations were associated with malnutrition, worsened school access, air pollution, and increased criminality. A strategy for sustainable palm oil expansion through replanting with smallholder or industrial plantations was proposed. Smallholder replanting was beneficial for multiple goals, while industrial replanting only improved a few goals.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rachel E. Sykes, Helen M. K. O'Neill, Diego Juffe-Bignoli, Kristian Metcalfe, P. J. Stephenson, Matthew J. Struebig, Piero Visconti, Neil D. Burgess, Naomi Kingston, Zoe G. Davies, Robert J. Smith
Summary: Area-based conservation is a widely used approach for maintaining biodiversity. To inform global conservation area coverage targets, it is important to know the extent and ecological representativeness of current conservation area networks. However, existing global datasets have gaps. Therefore, a complementary approach using a sample of countries and their national-scale datasets can provide more accurate metrics.
Article
Biology
Matthew Struebig, Sabhrina Aninta, Maria Beger, Alessia Bani, Henry Barus, Selina Brace, Zoe Davies, Maarten De Brauwer, Karen Diele, Cilun Djakiman, Rignolda Djamaluddin, Rosie Drinkwater, Alex Dumbrell, Darren Evans, Marco Fusi, Leonel Leonel Herrera Alsina, Jamaluddin Jompa, Berry Juliandi, Gino Limmon, Lindawati Lindawati, Michaela Lo, Pungki Lupiyaningdyah, Molly McCannon, Erik Meijaard, Simon Mitchell, Sonny Mumbunan, Darren O'Connell, Alex Papadopulos, Joeni Rahajoe, Rosaria Rosaria, Titik Rugayah, Himmah Rustiami, Ulrich Salzmann, Sheherazade Sheherazade, I. Made Sudiana, Endang Sukara, Aiyen Tjoa, Liam Trethowan, Agus Trianto, Tim Utteridge, Maria Voigt, Nurul Winarni, Zuliyanto Zakaria, Jatna Supriatna, Laurent Frantz, Owen Osborne, Djoko Iskandar, Lesley Lancaster, Justin Travis, David Edwards, Stephen Rossiter, Johny S. Tasirin
Summary: Wallacea, as a meeting point between the Asian and Australian fauna, is highly vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures. The expansion of agriculture, mining, aquaculture, and fisheries is damaging its ecosystems and threatening both endemic species and human populations. Conservation efforts require collaborative actions and innovative management approaches.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Truly Santika, Kerrie A. Wilson, Elizabeth A. Law, Freya A. St John, Kimberly M. Carlson, Holly Gibbs, Courtney L. Morgans, Marc Ancrenaz, Erik Meijaard, Matthew J. Struebig
Summary: The study suggests that palm oil eco-certification can reduce poverty in market-oriented villages but increase it in subsistence villages. It highlights the importance of additional resources to ensure socioeconomic objectives are met in certain village contexts.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Erik Meijaard, Thomas M. Brooks, Kimberly M. Carlson, Eleanor M. Slade, John Garcia-Ulloa, David L. A. Gaveau, Janice Ser Huay Lee, Truly Santika, Diego Juffe-Bignoli, Matthew J. Struebig, Serge A. Wich, Marc Ancrenaz, Lian Pin Koh, Nadine Zamira, Jesse F. Abrams, Herbert H. T. Prins, Cyriaque N. Sendashonga, Daniel Murdiyarso, Paul R. Furumo, Nicholas Macfarlane, Rachel Hoffmann, Marcos Persio, Adria Descals, Zoltan Szantoi, Douglas Sheil