Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jingyi Ding, David J. Eldridge
Summary: The study reveals that increasing aridity leads to higher spatial variation in soil multifunctionality, but overall multifunctionality remains stable. Different vegetation patch types respond differently to aridity, with climate, soil factors, and variation in plant size being key drivers of soil multifunctionality. The study provides empirical evidence of the regulation of nutrient cycling and soil stability to maintain an average level of soil multifunctionality across a climatic gradient, and highlights the potential increase in spatial variation in soil multifunctionality and the importance of biocrusts in stabilizing soils under drier global climates.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yuan Chen, Meixia Lin, Tao Lin, Junmao Zhang, Laurence Jones, Xia Yao, Hongkai Geng, Yuqin Liu, Guoqin Zhang, Xin Cao, Hong Ye, Yulin Zhan
Summary: Vegetation phenology changes caused by urbanization could lead to shifts in ecosystem services in urban areas and impact on human health. The characteristics of urbanization affect vegetation phenology need to be emphasized, especially in China with a complex natural environment and rapid urbanization background. In this study, we used remote sensing-based phenological data (MODIS MCD12Q2) to analyze the spatial heterogeneity of vegetation phenology caused by urbanization between urban and non-urban areas in 320 cities across China. We found a significant difference between vegetation phenology in urban and its corresponding non-urban area at national and the regional scale.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Zhang, Xiaohong Liu, Wenzhe Jiao, Xiuchen Wu, Xiaomin Zeng, Liangju Zhao, Lixin Wang, Jiaqi Guo, Xiaoyu Xing, Yixue Hong
Summary: This study examined the changes in vegetation resilience in China's Loess Plateau and Qinling Mountains. The results showed that drought had a greater impact on gross primary productivity compared to leaf area index, indicating that productivity takes more time to recover from drought. The resilience changes in different regions were mainly influenced by the Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index and vapor pressure deficit.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xinyao Xie, Jing M. Chen, Peng Gong, Ainong Li
Summary: A spatial scaling algorithm integrating vegetation and surface topography information was proposed to correct errors in gross primary productivity estimates at coarse resolutions. Results showed significant improvements in GPP estimates after correction at coarse resolutions, with five specific factors identified as particularly important in the spatial scaling process.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yixuan Liu, Shiliang Liu, Yongxiu Sun, Mingqi Li, Yi An, Fangning Shi
Summary: This study used grey relational degree analysis, geographical detector method, and geographically weighted regression model to reveal the close relationships between NPP, NDVI, and influencing factors in grasslands on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The interactions between factors and NPP/NDVI varied with grassland type, showing bivariate and nonlinear enhancements. Primary influencing factors of spatial heterogeneity in NPP were grazing intensity and PAR, while precipitation and PAR were key factors for NDVI distribution.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lin Huang, Rong-Yi Chen, Wei Xue, Fei-Hai Yu
Summary: This study investigates the influence of spatial heterogeneity in plant-soil feedbacks (PSFs) on plant growth and finds that patch size and contrast of PSF heterogeneity can influence plant growth. Different types of heterogeneous soils have different effects on the growth of different plants, possibly due to differences in root growth under different soil conditions. The results demonstrate the significance of PSF heterogeneity in plant growth.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Theophilus Atio Abalori, Wenxia Cao, Conrad Atogi-Akwoa Weobong, Wen Li, Shilin Wang, Xiuxia Deng
Summary: Grasslands globally are affected by climate change and unsustainable management practices, leading to transitions from stable to degraded and eventually desertification. Understanding the relationships between grassland vegetation and its environment, particularly topographic conditions and soil properties, is crucial for vegetation restoration projects in alpine grasslands.
Article
Geography, Physical
Camilla Crifo, Caroline A. E. Stromberg
Summary: The study aims to improve paleoenvironmental reconstruction by analyzing soil phytolith samples collected along vegetation transects in rainforest and dry forest in Central and South America. Results show that phytolith samples can distinguish between rainforest and dry forest vegetation and help reconstruct important structural and compositional aspects of the vegetation.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Minchao Wu, Benjamin Smith, Guy Schurgers, Anders Ahlstroem, Markku Rummukainen
Summary: The study used a regional Earth system model to quantify changes in Amazonian ecosystems under climate change, finding that increased atmospheric CO2 concentration and future climate change are likely to expand the transition zone, leading to a larger spatial gradient and potentially impacting ecosystem stability and carbon storage.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lilin Zheng, Xiaolong Wang, Dahui Li, Guoyu Xu, Yufei Guo
Summary: The study in Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China, reveals that vegetation extent of different wetland types has shown varying growth trends in recent years, influenced by hydrological variables. However, prolonged floods and extreme droughts, natural and anthropogenic factors, may pose a risk of degradation to the wetland ecosystem.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Shuang Li, Feili Wei, Zheng Wang, Jiashu Shen, Ze Liang, Huan Wang, Shuangcheng Li
Summary: This study analyzed the impact of extreme climate on vegetation in China, finding spatial heterogeneities in the effects of different extreme climate indices on vegetation. These impacts varied at different scales and revealed a complex relationship between extreme climate and vegetation.
Article
Plant Sciences
Asha Paudel, Scott H. Markwith
Summary: Prolonged fire suppression in conifer forests has resulted in dense and layered forests, increasing the risk of stand-replacing fires. This study aims to understand the effects of fire severity, size, and frequency on landscape-scale heterogeneity and postfire patch dynamics in conifer forests. The results show that high-severity fire reduces heterogeneity at the patch scale, while mixed-severity fire increases heterogeneity at the landscape scale. Fragmentation indexes confirm the creation of larger shrub patches and fragmented conifer patches due to fire.
JOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Katherine Markham, Amy E. Frazier, Kunwar K. Singh, Marguerite Madden
Summary: This article reviews methods for scaling remotely sensed data, focusing on spatial pattern analysis and categorizing the approaches based on data type. The results show that upscaling and downscaling methods can pose challenges for spatial pattern analysis, and object-based and neighborhood approaches may be more suitable. Overall, further integration of these methods into spatial pattern analysis is needed.
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Weicheng Zhao, Wenyi Fan
Summary: This study focuses on the quantitative representation of spatial heterogeneity in remote sensing scaling research and introduces a spatial heterogeneity coefficient (C-sh) to correct scaling errors, which is validated to be effective. Results show a high linear positive correlation between parameters at different scales, achieving excellent correction of errors.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qingqing Chen, Christian Smit, Ido Pen, Han Olff
Summary: This study investigates the impact of small vertebrate herbivores on intraspecific trait variation of a dominant clonal plant in a Dutch saltmarsh. The results show that small herbivores significantly promoted trait variation in height and flowering at the early successional stage, while marginally promoting trait variation in height at the intermediate successional stage. Direct effects of herbivores played a major role in promoting trait variation.
Article
Biology
Shenglai Yin, Henrik J. de Knegt, Mart C. M. de Jong, Yali Si, Herbert H. T. Prins, Zheng Y. X. Huang, Willem F. de Boer
JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL BIOLOGY
(2020)
Review
Environmental Sciences
L. Croijmans, J. F. De Jong, H. H. T. Prins
Summary: Although oxygen and temperature have effects on lotic biodiversity, research shows that dissolved oxygen concentration is positively correlated with taxonomic richness, while temperature is negatively correlated with it.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Benson Okita-Ouma, Frank van Langevelde, Ignas M. A. Heitkonig, Peter Maina, Sip E. van Wieren, Herbert H. T. Prins
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between the reproductive performance of the Eastern black rhinoceros and plant available moisture, plant available nutrients, and woody cover in seven distinct populations in Kenya. Results showed that woody plant cover positively influenced the reproductive performance indicators of black rhinos, while plant available moisture and plant available nutrients made more subtle contributions to the selection of conservation areas.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Henrik J. de Knegt, Jasper A. J. Eikelboom, Frank van Langevelde, W. Francois Spruyt, Herbert H. T. Prins
Summary: This study proposes and tests a poacher early warning system based on the movement responses of non-targeted sentinel animals, which can accurately detect and localize human intruders, contributing to reducing wildlife crime.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Shenglai Yin, Yanjie Xu, Nyambyar Batbayar, John Y. Takekawa, Yali Si, Diann J. Prosser, Scott H. Newman, Herbert H. T. Prins, Willem F. de Boer
Summary: By comparing the migration patterns and infection records of different species, it was found that despite having fewer infection records, swan geese were more likely to come in contact with disease outbreaks, while bar-headed geese were the opposite. This may be due to swan geese having frequent contact with domestic ducks, increasing their innate immunity, or the stress of high-elevation migration reducing the immunity of bar-headed geese.
Article
Ecology
Benson Okita-Ouma, Richard Pettifor, Marcus Clauss, Herbert H. T. Prins
Summary: High density of eastern black rhinoceros populations may lead to intense foraging competition, but there is no significant correlation between population density and dietary quality, suggesting behavioral plasticity in adjusting diet. Plant available moisture significantly affects mineral concentrations in feces, while plant available nutrients have no effect.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yingying X. G. Wang, Kevin D. Matson, Luca Santini, Piero Visconti, Jelle P. Hilbers, Mark A. J. Huijbregts, Yanjie Xu, Herbert H. T. Prins, Toph Allen, Zheng Y. X. Huang, Willem F. de Boer
Summary: The composition of wildlife assemblages plays a crucial role in transmission dynamics of infectious diseases, impacting the risk of both density-dependent and frequency-dependent diseases. Changes in disease risk are influenced by biodiversity, climate change, and habitat loss.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Herbert Prins, Yorick Liefting, Joost de Jong
Summary: In areas where farmland borders protected areas, wild elephants cause substantial financial damage for poor farmers. Farmers near the boundary between agricultural and wilderness areas, with smaller landholdings, are more affected by elephant damage but have lower willingness to pay for insurance.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Paul Scholte, Olivier Pays, Saleh Adam, Bertrand Chardonnet, Herve Fritz, Jean-Baptiste Mamang, Herbert H. T. Prins, Pierre-Cyril Renaud, Patrick Tadjo, Mark Moritz
Summary: Analyzing multispecies surveys conducted in Central Africa's seven main savanna national parks between 1960 and 2017, it was found that populations of wild large herbivores declined, livestock numbers increased, and tourism industry collapsed. To address this issue, it is proposed to strategically retreat and focus resources on smaller areas to conserve wildlife in the Central African savannas.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Martijn J. A. Weterings, Sanne Losekoot, Henry J. Kuipers, Herbert H. T. Prins, Frank Langevelde, Sipke E. Wieren
Summary: In this study, the authors assessed the impact of multiple predators on the body condition and fecundity of European hares in 13 areas in the Netherlands. They found that the sum of the field metabolic rate of predators was negatively correlated with body condition and the number of placental scars, while it was positively related to the weight of the adrenal glands. The total number of predators did not significantly affect the investigated risk responses. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the risk effects of multiple predators on prey fitness and identify a potential factor contributing to the decline of European hare populations.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Shyam Kumar Thapa, Joost F. de Jong, Naresh Subedi, Anouschka R. Hof, Gloria Corradini, Salu Basnet, Herbert H. T. Prins
Summary: This study conducted in Bardia National Park, Nepal, found that during the hot-dry season, grazing lawns provide forage with a higher quantity and quality than tall grasslands, which can make a significant contribution to the maintenance or even growth of the grassland dependent wild ungulate population. The insights from this study will help in restoring grazing lawns for quality forage, and aid in the conservation and management of wild grazers and mixed feeders.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Zhouyuan Li, Zhuo Tang, Yanjie Xu, Yingying Wang, Zhaogang Duan, Xuehua Liu, Pengyan Wang, Jian Yang, Wei Chen, Herbert H. T. Prins
Summary: The study used infrared-triggered camera trapping in Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan, China to monitor wildlife and biodiversity, identifying temperature and vegetation as key environmental drivers affecting mammal and bird distribution and abundance. Species were categorized into cold-resistant, phyllophilic, and thermophilic types based on these factors, with bharal, Moupin pika, Himalayan marmot, snow partridge, plain mountain finch, Chinese monal, and alpine accentor being the most abundant species.
Article
Ecology
Shyam Kumar Thapa, Joost F. de Jong, Anouschka R. Hof, Naresh Subedi, Laxmi Raj Joshi, Herbert H. T. Prins
Summary: This study assessed the effects of fire on postfire regrowth quality and herbivory in the subtropical monsoon grasslands of Bardia National Park, Nepal. The findings showed significant reductions in forage quality after fire, and variations in the intensity of herbivory by deer on postfire regrowth depending on the time since fire.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Joost F. F. de Jong, Laura Iacolina, Herbert H. T. Prins, Pim van Hooft, Richard P. M. A. Crooijmans, Sip E. E. van Wieren, Joaquin Vicente Banos, Eric Baubet, Sean Cahill, Eduardo Ferreira, Carlos Fonseca, Peter M. M. Glazov, Ida Jelenko Turinek, Victor M. Lizana M. Martin, Andras Nahlik, Bostjan Pokorny, Tomasz Podgorski, Nikica Sprem, Rauno Veeroja, Ronald C. C. Ydenberg, Hendrik-Jan Megens
Summary: European wildlife has been impacted by human activities, but genetic partitioning of many species still reflects the glacial refugia. By analyzing the genetic structure of wild boar across Europe, we found population fragmentation, inbreeding, and hybridization with domestic pigs at the local scale. However, a deep genetic structure indicating a natural continental division was still present. Our findings suggest weaker evidence for glacial refugia, but support the importance of Southern France and the Balkans as recolonization routes.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mikhail Grishchenko, Ronald C. Ydenberg, Herbert H. T. Prins
Summary: Stopover sites are crucial for migratory bird species, including the greater white-fronted goose. However, extensive land cover changes in European Russia since 1990 due to agricultural abandonment may be reducing the availability and suitability of these sites. To measure the extent of land cover change, Landsat images were compiled and classified into different categories. Field visits were also conducted to assess vegetation composition and cover in identified stopover sites. The findings suggest that the land cover changes in northern European Russia are making migration more challenging for the greater white-fronted geese.
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)
