Article
Environmental Sciences
Junhong Ye, Nan Wang, Min Sun, Qinqin Liu, Ning Ding, Mingshi Li
Summary: An accurate and efficient framework for extracting the spatiotemporal characteristics of forest fires using vegetation change tracker (VCT) products and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform was proposed. The framework successfully extracted the spatial and temporal characteristics of fires in southwestern and northeastern China. The results showed high accuracy in detecting fire disturbances and classifying them from other disturbances in the study areas.
Article
Ecology
Boyd R. Wright, Boris Laffineur, Dominic Roye, Graeme Armstrong, Roderick J. Fensham
Summary: The study focused on arid Australian spinifex grasslands and found that traditional Aboriginal burning did not regulate fire size during extreme-high rainfall periods. While some observations noted small fires during periods of average or below-average rainfall, large-scale wildfires occurred during a high-rainfall period, supporting the importance of climatic factors.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Lena Gustafsson, Victor Johansson, Alexandro B. Leverkus, Joachim Strengbom, Sofie Wikberg, Gustaf Granath
Summary: The study examined the impact of increased disturbance frequency and types on successional pathways, finding that the starting point of succession is modulated by disturbance interval, with shortened intervals risking reducing development towards late-successional stages. Legacy species play a significant role in driving succession.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Natalie M. Collar, Brian A. Ebel, Samuel Saxe, Ashley J. Rust, Terri S. Hogue
Summary: Wildfires in the western United States can have varying effects on evapotranspiration (ETa) fluxes, including increases, decreases, or no detectable effect. This study analyzed ETa data and other variables at 13 burn scars to understand the impact of wildfire on hydrology and vegetation conversion. The results showed significant reductions in ETa at nine burn scars during the ten years after the fire, with recovery rates varying by ecoregion and pre-fire vegetation type. Climate and land disturbance influenced the location of runoff/recharge generation zones, and compensatory ETa pathways played a role in dampening fire effects on total basin water yield.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ian Klupar, Adrian V. Rocha, Edward B. Rastetter
Summary: After a decade of recovery from fire, tundra sites showed changes in soil nitrogen and phosphorus levels, leading to shifts in vegetation structure, composition, and function in response to fertilization treatments. Both burned and unburned tundra responded similarly to fertilizers, suggesting that post-fire regime shifts are regulated by the alleviation of nitrogen and phosphorus co-limitation.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Bruna Alberton, Swanni T. Alvarado, Ricardo da Silva Torres, Geraldo Wilson Fernandes, Leonor Patricia C. Morellato
Summary: The growing incidence of uncontrolled wildfires worldwide highlights the need for urgent monitoring, prevention, and management. This study evaluated the use of an RGB camera system to monitor and assess the post-fire recovery of a tropical mountain grassland. The results showed that the camera system was effective in identifying and analyzing fire events and vegetation recovery, providing valuable insights for fire ecology and conservation efforts.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Cameron Clay, Luke Nave, Knute Nadelhoffer, Christoph Vogel, Brooke Propson, John Den Uyl, Laura J. Hickey, Alexandra Barry, Christopher M. Gough
Summary: This study examines the impact of stand-replacing disturbances on carbon cycles in forests. It compares the growth of secondary forests with undisturbed forests and finds that they have similar trends in ecosystem carbon mass, net primary production, and net ecosystem production. However, recent climate change may threaten the future of these long-term terrestrial carbon sinks.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Cameron Clay, Luke Nave, Knute Nadelhoffer, Christoph Vogel, Brooke Propson, John Den Uyl, Laura J. Hickey, Alexandra Barry, Christopher M. Gough
Summary: Effective forest carbon management requires an understanding of how stand-replacing disturbances affect carbon pools and fluxes. The study found that the long-term effects of fire on carbon cycling in the upper Great Lakes region are poorly understood, and the compounding effects of fire and clear-cut harvesting were similar to those from clear-cut harvesting alone. While century-old secondary forests and legacy stands have been consistent carbon sinks, recent extreme temperatures may be threatening this long-term terrestrial carbon sink.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Maya A. Zomer, Paul M. Ramsay
Summary: Post-fire succession in paramo grasslands is characterized by clear shifts in plant growth form abundance, ultimately leading to (co-)dominance of upright shrubs. The long-term consequences of these changes for biodiversity and ecosystem function, especially with the widespread adoption of fire suppression policies, require careful consideration based on evidence.
APPLIED VEGETATION SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Forestry
James B. Innes, Jeffrey J. Blackford
Summary: Forest succession can be monitored in the present, modelled for the future, and reconstructed in the past using palaeo-ecological techniques. Pollen data from longer-term records can show changes over centennial and millennial timescales, while knowledge of post-disturbance seral stages of woodland regeneration can provide insights into short-term decadal timescales.
Article
Biology
Juli G. Pausas, Jon E. Keeley
Summary: The idea of fire acting as an evolutionary force in shaping species traits was initially proposed a century ago but only recently gained recognition. The role of fire in evolutionary ecology has slowly permeated mainstream ecological and evolutionary biology, but is still rarely mentioned in textbooks. It is now widely accepted that the biodiversity of our planet cannot be understood fully without considering the evolutionary role of fire.
Article
Ecology
Brittany E. Pugh, Megan Colley, Stephen J. Dugdale, Patrick Edwards, Rebecca Flitcroft, Andres Holz, Matthew Johnson, Michela Mariani, Mickey Means-Brous, Kate Meyer, Kevan B. Moffett, Lisa Renan, Franziska Schrodt, Colin Thorne, Samuel Valman, Upekala Wijayratne, Richard Field
Summary: Historically, wildfires have significantly impacted landscape-scale disturbances and enhanced biodiversity through generating temporally and spatially heterogeneous mosaics of wildfire severity and post-burn recovery. However, river management practices have often disconnected rivers from their floodplains, reducing biodiversity and increasing the likelihood of deep, uniform burns. By focusing on floodplain re-wetting and restoration, river management can reduce wildfire intensity and enhance biodiversity, contributing to climate-change resilience.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Per Milberg, Malin Talle
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of different management methods on plant species and species richness in semi-natural grasslands. The results showed that annual mowing and grazing resulted in fewer woody plants, higher species richness, and the presence of more management-dependent, low-grown, and pollinator-attracting species. Less intense management methods did not serve as long-term alternatives to preserve the characteristics of species-rich grasslands.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Christine M. akesson, Crystal N. H. McMichael, Marco F. Raczka, Seringe N. Huisman, Mona Palmeira, Johnny Vogel, David Neill, Jason Veizaj, Mark B. Bush
Summary: The study investigated the fossil pollen, phytolith, and charcoal history of Lake Kumpak(a), Ecuador, during the last 2,415 years to assess ecological legacies resulting from pre-Columbian forest modification, disturbance, cultivation, and fire usage. The results showed that the intensity and duration of disturbance periods varied, with plant species turnover lasting for hundreds of years. Despite no evidence of persistent enrichment or depletion of intentionally altered taxa (direct legacy effects), indirect legacy effects were documented and have persisted to the modern day.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Emily B. Graham, Joseph E. Knelman
Summary: Understanding the processes of microbial community assembly is crucial for comprehending the role of microorganisms in ecosystem restoration and for optimizing management strategies. Important factors to consider when evaluating microbial community structure in the context of ecosystem recovery include: variations in community assembly processes, linkages to ecosystem function, and measurable microbial community attributes.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mario A. Giampieri, Bryce DuBois, Shorna Allred, Katherine Bunting-Howarth, Kim Fisher, Jesse Moy, Eric W. Sanderson
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Eric W. Sanderson, Jesse Moy, Courtney Rose, Kim Fisher, Bryan Jones, Deborah Balk, Peter Clyne, Dale Miquelle, Joseph Walston
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Marcia S. Meixler, Kim Fisher, Eric W. Sanderson
Editorial Material
Biodiversity Conservation
Eric W. Sanderson
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Abigail Rutrough, Ivy V. Widick, William T. Bean
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
H. Resit Akcakaya, Ana S. L. Rodrigues, David A. Keith, E. J. Milner-Gulland, Eric W. Sanderson, Simon Hedges, David P. Mallon, Molly K. Grace, Barney Long, Erik Meijaard, P. J. Stephenson
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2020)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Eric Sanderson, Kim Fisher, Rob Peters, Jon Beckmann, Bryan Bird, Curtis Bradley, Juan Bravo, Melissa Grigione, James Hatten, Carlos Lopez Gonzalez, Kurt Menke, Jennifer Miller, Philip Miller, Cristina Mormorunni, Michael Robinson, Robert Thomas, Sharon Wilcox
Summary: This article discusses the recovery plan for the jaguar in the USA and reviews the modeling and assessment efforts over the last 25 years. It highlights the potential suitable habitat for jaguars in the central mountain ranges of Arizona and New Mexico and emphasizes the importance of considering a larger extent of analysis in conservation plans.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Thomas Connor, Emilio Tripp, Bill Tripp, B. J. Saxon, Jessica Camarena, Asa Donahue, Daniel Sarna-Wojcicki, Luke Macaulay, Tim Bean, Adam Hanbury-Brown, Justin Brashares
Summary: The study analyzed the effects of prescribed burns informed by traditional ecological knowledge on elk winter habitat in Karuk aboriginal territory in Northern California. The results showed that burns closely resembling Karuk traditional practices had positive effects on elk winter habitat suitability, while concentrated burns solely focused on fuel reduction had negative effects. Combining fuel-reduction burns with multiple years of broadcast burns resulted in the highest increase in habitat.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Thomas Connor, Wildlife Division, Emilio Tripp, William T. Bean, B. J. Saxon, Jessica Camarena, Asa Donahue, Daniel Sarna-Wojcicki, Luke Macaulay, William Tripp, Justin Brashares
Summary: Recent developments have extended the use of spatial-capture recapture models to species that are not uniquely identifiable, and have allowed the inclusion of continuous environmental covariates. This paper presents an extension to the unmarked spatial capture recapture (uSCR) modeling framework, allowing the fitting of continuous environmental covariates to animal density. The study found that increasing forb/grass cover has a positive effect on elk density, while increasing tree cover has a negative effect.
Review
Ecology
William T. Bean, H. Scott Butterfield, Craig Fiehler, David Hacker, Jeanette K. Howard, Russell Namitz, Brandon Swanson, Thomas J. Batter
Summary: Pronghorn, a symbol of western North America, has experienced different population trajectories, with northern populations showing signs of recovery while those in the arid Southwest have struggled to persist. Precipitation is a key factor influencing pronghorn populations in the arid Southwest, but the precise mechanisms are not yet clear. Providing additional free water sources can facilitate greater movement and access to higher quality forage for pronghorn.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Adam S. Mohr, Robert Stafford, William T. Bean
Summary: Climate change can impact arid-system ungulate populations by changing the availability of water and forage resources. This study used GPS data from tule elk to understand their habitat selection behavior in response to changing resource availability. The findings suggest that water sources, forage dynamics, and drought conditions played important roles in elk selection behavior, especially during extreme drought.
CALIFORNIA FISH AND WILDLIFE JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Adam S. Mohr, Jon Ewanyk, Owen Hardy, Justin Windsor, Erin Zulliger, Carrington Hilson, Micaela Szykman Gunther, William T. Bean
Summary: This study utilized movement patterns in location data of Roosevelt elk to develop models for identifying parturition behavior accurately. The results showed that elk exhibit specific movement characteristics within 72 hours of parturition events, indicating the potential of movement-based parturition models.
WILDLIFE SOCIETY BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Michael Van Hattem, William T. Bean, Pairsa Belamaric, Holly Gamblin, Jennie Jones Scherbinski, Jennifer Olson, Alyssa Semerdjian, Katrina Smith, Ivy Widick
Summary: This study surveyed a section of the lower Mad River in Humboldt County, California, and found relatively high densities of egg masses from foothill yellow-legged frogs. The frogs tended to lay eggs in fast-flowing areas and breeding timing seemed to be influenced by changes in stream flow.
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Eric W. Sanderson, Jon P. Beckmann, Paul Beier, Bryan Bird, Juan Carlos Bravo, Kim Fisher, Melissa M. Grigione, Carlos A. Lopez Gonzalez, Jennifer R. B. Miller, Cristina Mormorunni, Laura Paulson, Rob Peters, John Polisar, Tony Povilitis, Michael J. Robinson, Sharon Wilcox
Summary: Reintroduction, defined as the return of a species to an area where it has been extirpated, is a critical pathway to conservation in the 21st century. The article makes a case for reintroducing jaguars to a unique habitat in the central mountain ranges of Arizona and New Mexico, emphasizing the philosophical rationale, historical occupancy, ecological suitability, benefits to people, and practical feasibility of the reintroduction.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Philip M. Orton, Eric W. Sanderson, Stefan A. Talke, Mario Giampieri, Kytt MacManus
NATURAL HAZARDS AND EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Florian Lecorvaisier, Dominique Pontier, Benoit Soubeyrand, David Fouchet
Summary: Research has found that the use of vaccines that do not entirely block pathogen transmission may lead to the evolution of more virulent strains. High vaccine coverage favors the emergence and prevalence of avirulent strains, and competition between strains is crucial for the eradication of toxigenic strains when these vaccines are used.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Monica E. Barros, Ana Arriagada, Hugo Arancibia, Sergio Neira
Summary: The stock biomass of carrot prawn in the south-central area of Chile has decreased in the past 12 years, mainly due to fishing mortality. Predation mortality has been less studied and quantified, so it is important to estimate and compare predation and fishing mortality to understand their effects on fishing stocks. A food web model was built to analyze the biomass changes and evaluate the relative contribution of different mortality factors. The results showed that predation mortality was the main component of total mortality for carrot prawns and yellow prawns.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Shubham Krishna, Victoria Peterson, Luisa Listmann, Jana Hinners
Summary: This study incorporated viral dynamics into an ecosystem model to investigate the effects of viruses on ecosystem dynamics under current and future climatic conditions. The results showed that the presence of viruses increased nutrient retention in the upper water column, leading to a reduction in phytoplankton biomass and transfer of biomass to higher trophic levels.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Zahra Dehghan Manshadi, Parastoo Parivar, Ahad Sotoudeh, Ali Morovati Sharifabadi
Summary: This study demonstrates the importance of strategies such as limiting built-up areas, preserving green spaces, and protecting water resources on the urban carrying capacity in arid and semi-arid regions. Implementing a combination of policies aimed at enhancing urban green spaces and regulating water demand is found to be the most effective in terms of health and urban carrying capacity.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Shay S. Keretz, Daelyn A. Woolnough, Todd J. Morris, Edward F. Roseman, David T. Zanatta
Summary: This study surveyed native freshwater mussels in the St. Clair-Detroit River system and found 14 live unionids representing 9 species. However, the model used to predict their presence in the main channels was not successful. The study also revealed characteristic differences between the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Zhengrong Zhang, Xuemei Li, Xinyu Liu, Kaixin Zhao
Summary: This study examines land use change in the Chinese Tianshan mountainous region using system dynamics and patch-generating land use simulation models. The results show an expansion in forest and construction land, a decline in grassland area, and an increase in cultivated land area from 2005 to 2020. By 2040, unused land, grassland, and water are expected to decrease while other land types increase, with construction land showing the most significant increase. The study provides insights for future ecological and environmental management in the region.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Amira Khelifa, Nadjia El Saadi
Summary: This paper develops an agent-based model to study malaria disease transmission, taking into account the interactions between hosts, vectors, and aquatic habitats, as well as their geographical locations. The simulation results highlight the significant role of aquatic habitats in infection transmission and disease persistence, and demonstrate the effectiveness of eliminating these habitats in limiting disease transmission.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Guillaume Peron
Summary: The theory for movement-based coexistence between species often overlooks small-scale, station-keeping movements. However, at this scale, there are many instances where positive correlations exist between species traits that are expected to be negatively correlated based on current theory. Through simulations, the researcher presents a counter-example to demonstrate that functional tradeoffs are not a necessary condition for movement-based coexistence. This study highlights the significance of species-specific space use patterns under the time allocation tradeoff hypothesis.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Sandra Y. Mendiola, Nicole M. Gerardo, David J. Civitello
Summary: Research on the use of insect microbial symbionts as a means of controlling the spread of insect vectors and the pathogens they carry has made significant progress in the last decade. This study focused on the relative importance of simultaneous effects caused by a symbiont called Caballeronia spp. on the ability of squash bugs to transmit phytopathogenic Serratia marcescens. The researchers found that infection with Caballeronia significantly reduced pathogen titers and cleared S. marcescens in bugs, thus reducing the vectoring potential of these pests. The study also showed that maximizing symbiont prevalence in the vector population is crucial for effectively mitigating plant infections.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Shirui Hao, Dongryeol Ryu, Andrew W. Western, Eileen Perry, Heye Bogena, Harrie Jan Hendricks Franssen
Summary: This study investigates the sensitivity of model yield prediction to uncertainties in model parameters and inputs using the Sobol' method. The results show that yield is more sensitive to changes in water availability and nitrogen availability, depending on soil, management, and weather conditions.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Nitika Mundetia, Devesh Sharma, Aditya Sharma
Summary: This study focused on assessing groundwater sustainability using different modeling approaches in a river basin in Rajasthan, India. The results showed a decrease in future groundwater recharge and emphasized the need for better management and conservation practices to achieve sustainable development goals.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Sukdev Biswas, Sk Golam Mortoja, Ritesh Kumar Bera, Sabyasachi Bhattacharya
Summary: Bacteria play a crucial role in regulating the nutrient cycle of ecosystems, and maintaining a thriving bacterial population is essential for the sustainability of these environments. This study introduces the concept of cooperation as a group defense mechanism employed by bacteria and incorporates it into the functional response, offering a more comprehensive understanding of the complex tritrophic food chain dynamics. The results highlight the importance of a balance between strong group defense and moderate cooperation for bacteria sustainability and overall system stability.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
D. Z. M. Le Gouvello, S. Heye, L. R. Harris, J. Temple-Boyer, P. Gaspar, M. G. Hart-Davis, C. Louro, R. Nel
Summary: This study modeled the dispersal pathways and compared potential dispersal corridors of different sea turtle species in the Western Indian Ocean. The results showed that ocean currents play a major role in driving dispersal, with species and years exhibiting differences in dispersal patterns. Active swimming had little influence on dispersal during the first year.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2024)
Review
Ecology
Yingying Duan, Haina Rong, Gexiang Zhang, Sergey Gorbachev, Dunwu Qi, Luis Valencia-Cabrera, Mario J. Perez-Jimenez
Summary: Computing models are an effective way to study population dynamics of endangered species like giant pandas. This paper proposes a unified framework and conducts a comprehensive survey of computing models for giant panda ecosystems. Multi-factor computing models are more suitable for studying giant panda ecosystems.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Samantha Lai, Theophilus Zhi En Teo, Arief Rullyanto, Jeffery Low, Karenne Tun, Peter A. Todd, Siti Maryam Yaakub
Summary: Understanding the exchange of genetic material among populations in the marine environment is crucial for conservation efforts. Agent-based models are increasingly used to predict dispersal pathways, including for seagrasses. This study highlights the importance of considering both sexual propagules and asexual vegetative fragments when evaluating seagrass connectivity.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2024)