Article
Ecology
Cody K. Porter, Jimena Golcher-Benavides, Craig W. Benkman
Summary: Dietary partitioning plays a central role in biological communities and its extent varies over time, possibly due to food availability and seasonality. The study found that dietary partitioning is greatest when food abundance is low, implying competition for limited food resources. The extent of dietary partitioning in birds and mammals is also related to seasonal changes in primary productivity.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jiahuan Lu, Rui Xiong, Jinpeng Tian, Chenxu Wang, Fengchun Sun
Summary: This article presents a deep-learning framework that enables accurate estimation of battery state of health without the need for target battery labels. The framework utilizes deep neural networks with domain adaptation to produce accurate results.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Nicholas J. Balfour, Kyle Shackleton, Natalie A. Arscott, Kimberley Roll-Baldwin, Anthony Bracuti, Gioelle Toselli, Francis L. W. Ratnieks
Summary: Revitalizing our understanding of species distributions and assembly in community ecology requires greater use of functional approaches based on quantifiable factors such as energetics. The study on niche partitioning between bumble and honey bees emphasized the importance of energetics in understanding community ecology and bee foraging niche, highlighting the energetic balance maintained by foraging bees.
Article
Ecology
Nicole E. Saavedra, Scott A. Rush, Jill A. Olin, Gordon Paterson
Summary: This study investigates resource partitioning among prey fish species in Lake Ontario by using trophic tracers, pollutants, and bioenergetic modelling. The results demonstrate that the trophic relationships among species can be confirmed by carbon and nitrogen isotopes, and the PCBs concentration is highly correlated with temperature occupancy predictions. The three-dimensional niche modelling suggests that species behavioural thermoregulation is likely the direct cause of ecological tracer assimilation.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oceanography
Raquel Garcia-Vernet, Asuncion Borrell, Gisli Vikingsson, Sverrir D. Halldorsson, Alex Aguilar
Summary: The highly productive waters off Iceland are an important feeding ground for baleen whales, and during the summer feeding season, five balaenopterid species coexist by segregating their food sources to avoid competition, except for blue and fin whales, they all show clear ecological niche partitioning.
PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Roberto Reyes-Maldonado, Bruno Marie, Alonso Ramirez
Summary: The study describes a rearing method for the Chironomus sp. Florida obtained through three years of observations, and discusses the life cycle, as well as the effects of temperature and feeding on development. The species has a short life cycle and its developmental times are influenced by temperature and food concentrations.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hongwei Sun, Hui Zhang, Wenyan Shi, Peng Zhang, Hao Yang, Yucan Liu, Shijian Ge, Wei Zhang
Summary: Nitrobacter is an important nitrite-oxidizing bacteria with different kinetic characteristics at different temperatures. The study found that N. winogradskyi and N. hamburgensis lost the ability to oxidize nitrite at 35 degrees C and 25 degrees C respectively.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jing Wang, Ri-Jin Jiang, Yi Xiao, Rui Yin, Feng Chen, Yong-dong Zhou, Han-Xiang Xu
Summary: This study investigates the ecological niche differences and resource sharing among five Sciaenid fish species in the waters of the Zhoushan Archipelago. The results show significant differences in carbon and nitrogen isotopic values in the muscle tissues of these fish species. Zooplankton is a key food resource for all species, and some species also feed on benthos organisms. Differences in trophic niche width and overlap are observed among the species.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Sophie E. Weides, Tomas Hajek, Pierre Liancourt, Maximiliane M. Herberich, Rosa E. Kramp, Sara Tomiolo, L. Camila Pacheco-Riano, Katja Tielboerger, Maria Majekova
Summary: Belowground niche partitioning is a crucial mechanism for maintaining species coexistence and diversity. Despite the shift to shallower soil layers under climate change, co-occurring species with different water-uptake depths still maintain belowground niche partitioning. The coexistence of contrasting strategies may contribute to stabilizing species coexistence under extreme drought.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andrea Schreiber, Melanie Rosen, Katja Waetzig, Kristian Nikolowski, Nikolas Schiffmann, Hartmut Wiggers, Michael Kuepers, Dina Fattakhova-Rohlfing, Wilhelm Kuckshinrichs, Olivier Guillon, Martin Finsterbusch
Summary: All-solid-state batteries are a promising research topic for their high energy density and safety. However, implementing oxide ceramic electrolytes in industrial cells remains challenging. To address this, researchers proposed a target cell design combining two promising oxidic electrolytes, LLZO and LATP, and assessed their environmental impact. In-depth life cycle assessment revealed surprising similarities between oxide-based all-solid-state batteries and conventional Li-ion batteries.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Dou Wang, Yulin Wang, Lei Liu, Yiqiang Chen, Chunxiao Wang, Xiaoqing Xu, Yu Yang, Yubo Wang, Tong Zhang
Summary: This study applies metagenomics and metatranscriptomics to investigate the communities and transcriptional activities of ammonia/nitrite oxidizers in a rotating biological contactor (RBC). The results reveal that complex factors shape the niche differentiation and symbiotic associations of these oxidizers in the RBC.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Edvin Memet, Brian Farrell, L. Mahadevan
Summary: The acoustic niche hypothesis proposes that animal species structure their vocal signals to minimize interference and improve communication, with an improved test developed to detect evidence of acoustic partitioning identified in tropical bird communities.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stefan Christopher, Ute Michels, Gunter Gunkel
Summary: The study aimed to develop a new practical method for determining larvae size classes and analyzing the growth of the larvae in order to increase the understanding of macroinvertebrates in drinking water pipe management. The research found that the chironomid Paratanytarsus grimmii reproduces rapidly through parthenogenic reproduction and forms populations within drinking water distribution systems in Northern Germany. Five generations of P. grimmii were observed per year, with a maximum abundance of 6350 ind. m(-3) in 2020 and 2021. Mass accumulation occurred during the late-summer/autumn period.
Review
Oceanography
Asuncion Borrell, Manel Gazo, Alex Aguilar, Juan A. Raga, Eduard Degollada, Patricia Gozalbes, Raquel Garcia-Vernet
Summary: Ten species of cetaceans coexist in the diverse and rich Mediterranean Sea, with each species occupying different feeding habitats and niches. Most species avoid competitive exclusion through trophic or spatial segregation, except for the common and striped dolphins, which exhibit interspecific competition. The competition led to the striped dolphin displacing the common dolphin in part of their distribution range, but coexistence is still possible due to spatial segregation and high productivity in certain areas.
PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Rehab Khawaga, Mohamed Abouleish, Nabil Abdel Jabbar, Sameer Al-Asheh
Summary: This study utilized a model to analyze the most influential operating variables on breakpoint chlorination, using three input factors in experimental design to determine the response variable changes. Results indicated that contact time influences disinfection system, higher concentration of ammonia accelerates NH2Cl destruction, and the effects of ammonia and nitrite on chlorination curve vary depending on the A/N ratio.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Barbora Gajdarova, Elisa Belotti, Ludek Bufka, Martin Dul'a, Oddmund Kleven, Miroslav Kutal, Janis Ozolins, Carsten Nowak, Tobias E. Reiners, Branislav Tam, Josefa Volfova, Jarmila Krojerova-Prokesova
Summary: By using microsatellite genotyping, it was found that dispersing male Eurasian lynx can be successfully assigned to different source populations in Europe, and they have undertaken very long-distance movements in Central Europe. This highlights the importance of creating and protecting potential migratory corridors in human-dominated landscapes to facilitate the movements of these iconic predators for their conservation in Central Europe.
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Anne Jarausch, Verena Harms, Gesa Kluth, Ilka Reinhardt, Carsten Nowak
Summary: Following extensive persecution and eradication, wolf packs in Germany have successfully reestablished and demonstrated a rapid and natural population expansion process. Genetic diversity is moderate, with male-biased dispersal among packs, but inbreeding levels are maintained through high sociality, dispersal, and immigration events.
Article
Ecology
Maciej Szewczyk, Carsten Nowak, Pavel Hulva, Joachim Mergeay, Astrid Stronen, Barbora Cerna Bolfikova, Sylwia D. Czarnomska, Tom A. Diserens, Viktar Fenchuk, Michal Figura, Arjen de Groot, Andzelika Haidt, Michael M. Hansen, Hugh Jansman, Gesa Kluth, Iga Kwiatkowska, Karolina Lubinska, Johan R. Michaux, Natalia Niedzwiecka, Sabina Nowak, Kent Olsen, Ilka Reinhardt, Maciej Romanski, Laurent Schley, Steve Smith, Renata Spinkyte-Backaitien, Przemyslaw Stachyra, Kinga M. Stepniak, Peter Sunde, Philip F. Thomsen, Tomasz Zwijacz-Kozica, Robert W. Myslajek
Summary: The gray wolf range in central Europe is expanding, reconnecting previously isolated populations. Despite representing the same phylogeographic lineage, recent genetic findings show significant genetic structure between CE and Baltic wolf populations.
Letter
Biodiversity Conservation
Peter Sunde, Sebastian Collet, Carsten Nowak, Philip Francis Thomsen, Michael Moller Hansen, Bjoern Schulz, Jens Matzen, Frank-Uwe Michler, Christina Vedel-Smith, Kent Olsen
Summary: The study shows that large carnivores are recolonizing Europe due to legal protection, but their population expansion may be limited by increased mortality in landscapes highly impacted by humans. In the Jutland peninsula, wolves are facing high mortality rates primarily driven by cryptic causes, likely illegal killing.
CONSERVATION LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Katharina Westekemper, Annika Tiesmeyer, Katharina Steyer, Carsten Nowak, Johannes Signer, Niko Balkenhol
Summary: The study in Germany found that road density, agricultural lands, and settlements are important landscape variables influencing genetic connectivity in European wildcats. Among these, road density, particularly state roads, had the strongest impact, highlighting the need to consider different road types in conservation planning.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jenni Harmoinen, Alina von Thaden, Jouni Aspi, Laura Kvist, Berardino Cocchiararo, Anne Jarausch, Andrea Gazzola, Teodora Sin, Hannes Lohi, Marjo K. Hytonen, Ilpo Kojola, Astrid Vik Stronen, Romolo Caniglia, Federica Mattucci, Marco Galaverni, Raquel Godinho, Aritz Ruiz-Gonzalez, Ettore Randi, Violeta Munoz-Fuentes, Carsten Nowak
Summary: This study developed a panel of 96 ancestry informative markers for wolves and dogs, using a genotyping method that accurately identifies various hybrid types across Europe. The results support the hybrid identity of suspect individuals and the non-hybrid status of individuals regarded as wolves, demonstrating the efficiency of the proposed SNP panel for detecting hybrids up to the third-generation backcrosses to wolves.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Astrid Vik Stronen, Jouni Aspi, Romolo Caniglia, Elena Fabbri, Marco Galaverni, Raquel Godinho, Laura Kvist, Federica Mattucci, Carsten Nowak, Alina von Thaden, Jenni Harmoinen
Summary: Hybridisation between wild and domestic taxa raises complex questions for conservation. Social and cultural factors can influence study design and the interpretation, application, and communication of genetic advances in hybrid identification. Further integration of legal and policy perspectives, recognition of unreliable phenotypic traits for identification, and attention to human-dominated landscapes are needed for hybrid research and conservation management. Accurate genetic identification is crucial for understanding the extent of behavioral ecology differences between wild canids and hybrids.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sarah Ashley Mueller, Stefan Prost, Ole Anders, Christine Breitenmoser-Wursten, Oddmund Kleven, Peter Klinga, Marjeta Konec, Alexander Kopatz, Jarmila Krojerova-Prokesova, Tomma Lilli Middelhoff, Gabriela Obexer-Ruff, Tobias Erik Reiners, Krzysztof Schmidt, Magda Sindicic, Tomaz Skrbinsek, Branislav Tam, Alexander P. Saveljev, Galsandorj Naranbaatar, Carsten Nowak
Summary: Reintroductions of large carnivores may result in decreased genetic diversity and increased inbreeding. This study examines the genetic outcomes of reintroducing the Eurasian lynx and finds that reintroduced populations have lower genetic diversity and higher levels of inbreeding compared to natural populations. The study highlights the importance of considering genetic factors in reintroduction programs and advocates for regular genomic assessments to safeguard genetic diversity.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Johanna Leyhausen, Berardino Cocchiararo, Carsten Nowak, Hermann Ansorge, Sandro Bertolino, Sven Buchner, Joanna Fietz, Ruud Foppen, Rimvydas Juskaitis, Maurice La Haye, Johannes Lang, Johan Michaux, Goedele Verbeylen, Alina von Thaden, Sarah A. Mueller
Summary: This study conducted nGBS analysis on hazel dormouse samples and found high divergence between the Eastern and Western lineages, as well as high rates of SNP allele fixation. The results emphasize the importance of investigating both inter-lineage and within-lineage genetic composition for future conservation strategies.
CONSERVATION GENETICS RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Martin Mayer, Kent Olsen, Bjoern Schulz, Jens Matzen, Carsten Nowak, Philip Francis Thomsen, Michael Moller Hansen, Christina Vedel-Smith, Peter Sunde
Summary: Attacks by large predators on livestock drive conflicts. Understanding predator distribution, livestock depredation locations, and influencing factors can help mitigate conflicts. This study found that wolves primarily kill livestock in agricultural areas with low availability of wild ungulate prey and high livestock densities, rather than due to behavioral preferences for sheep. Improving fences in established wolf territories can reduce attacks, but livestock depredation by non-resident wolves in agricultural areas presents a greater challenge.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Goncalo Matias, Luis Miguel Rosalino, Paulo Celio Alves, Annika Tiesmeyer, Carsten Nowak, Luana Ramos, Katharina Steyer, Christos Astaras, Mareike Brix, Csaba Domokos, Rene Janssen, Andrew C. Kitchener, Xavier Mestdagh, Lionel L'Hoste, Nicolas Titeux, Despina Migli, Dionisios Youlatos, Markus Pfenninger, Sebastian Devillard, Sandrine Ruette, Stefano Anile, Pablo Ferreras, Francisco Diaz-Ruiz, Pedro Monterroso
Summary: Hybridisation between domestic and wild cats poses a threat to wildlife conservation. This study examines the effects of ecological drivers on the genetic integrity of the European wildcat, finding that different factors influence genetic introgression across different biomes. Overall, the wildcat's genetic integrity remains high, except in the Mediterranean and Temperate Insular biomes. Forest integrity is a common factor promoting genetic integrity.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Astrid Vik Stronen, Federica Mattucci, Elena Fabbri, Marco Galaverni, Berardino Cocchiararo, Carsten Nowak, Raquel Godinho, Aritz Ruiz-Gonzalez, Josip Kusak, Tomaz Skrbinsek, Ettore Randi, Albena Vlasseva, Nadia Mucci, Romolo Caniglia
Summary: This study developed a set of genetic markers for discriminating between Iberian, Italian, and Dinaric wolf populations. The markers successfully differentiated between different canid groups and identified hybrid individuals.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maria Esther Nieto-Blazquez, Dennis Schreiber, Sarah A. Mueller, Katrin Koch, Carsten Nowak, Markus Pfenninger
Summary: This study investigates the genetic structure, demographic history, population differentiation, and domestic introgression of the endangered European wildcat in Germany. The results show evidence of recent anthropogenic impact on the genetic structure, including population divergence due to persecution and potential adaptation to human-dominated environments. However, the species also shows resistance to major anthropogenic impacts such as domestic introgression and inbreeding.
Correction
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maria Esther Nieto-Blazquez, Dennis Schreiber, Sarah A. Mueller, Katrin Koch, Carsten Nowak, Markus Pfenninger
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jarmila Krojerova-Prokesova, Barbora Gajdarova, Tobias Erik Reiners, Petra Bolechova, Oddmund Kleven, Petr Koubek, Carsten Nowak, Janis Ozolins, Branislav Tam, Inna Voloshina, Peter Vallo
Summary: The aim of ex situ programmes is to provide individuals for future reintroductions or reinforcement. Genetic evaluation of captive Eurasian lynx populations showed high genetic similarity to wild populations, supporting the potential of captive individuals for genetic rescue programs.
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2023)