Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Noemie Engel, Grant McDonald, Brett K. Sandercock, Romy Rice, Rocio Moreno, Sara Ratao, Tamas Szekely
Summary: Tropical islands, including Maio in Cabo Verde, are home to a significant number of endemic species. However, increasing threats such as habitat loss, disturbance, and introduced predators have put these species at risk, making long-term demographic studies essential. A 13-year investigation of Kentish plover nests on Maio revealed that nest survival differed between habitats, with salt-extraction areas showing higher survival rates. Breeding densities and nest survival of the plovers have declined over the years, likely due to predation and human disturbance. To ensure the persistence of this population, conservation efforts should include traditional management practices and predator control on tropical islands.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Nicholas J. J. Parker, Daniel S. S. Sullins, David A. A. Haukos, Kent A. A. Fricke, Christian A. A. Hagen, Adam A. A. Ahlers
Summary: Recent studies have shown the benefits of small, prescribed fire and wildfire for grassland-dependent wildlife, but little is known about the effects of megafires on wildlife populations in fragmented grasslands. This study examines the demographic response of lesser prairie-chickens to a megafire in Kansas and finds a decline in male attendance and occupied leks post-fire. However, survival rates of adult females and chicks remained similar pre- and post-fire, suggesting some resilience to fire.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Chris J. Jolly, Chris R. Dickman, Tim S. Doherty, Lily M. Eeden, William L. Geary, Sarah M. Legge, John C. Z. Woinarski, Dale G. Nimmo
Summary: Rapidly warming climate is leading to more fire incidents, and there is a lack of research on animal mortality rates during fire, especially regarding the impacts of high severity fires.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ornithology
Christopher Anthony, Christian Hagen, Katie Dugger, R. Elmore
Summary: This study examined the influence of microclimates on Greater Sage-Grouse nest site selection and nest success in a fire-affected landscape. Results showed that nest bowls provided better thermal buffering compared to nearby microsites and the broader landscape, but burn stage had an impact on nest success.
ORNITHOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Alexandro B. Leverkus, Ines Polo, Claire Baudoux, Simon Thorn, Lena Gustafsson, Rafael Rubio de Casas
Summary: The study found that salvage logging does not have generalized detrimental effects on tree regeneration, with most effect moderators not significant. However, the effect size of salvage logging on tree density increases over time after logging, and tree density in old forests is less affected compared to young and intermediate-aged forests. Local conditions and species characteristics should be considered for potential impacts and their mitigation strategies.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Argo Orumaa, Ahto Agan, Sten Anslan, Tiia Drenkhan, Rein Drenkhan, Karin Kauer, Kajar Koster, Leho Tedersoo, Marek Metslaid
Summary: This study investigated the long-term effects of forest fires on the dynamics of soil fungal community in hemiboreal Scots pine stands. The results showed significant effects of fires on soil and fungi, with soil saprotrophs and ectomycorrhizal fungi dominating the fungal communities. Fire had a significant impact on fungal species richness and composition, and soil pH also played a role in determining fungal species composition.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cali L. Roth, Shawn T. O'Neil, Peter S. Coates, Mark A. Ricca, David A. Pyke, Cameron L. Aldridge, Julie A. Heinrichs, Shawn P. Espinosa, David J. Delehanty
Summary: Unprecedented conservation efforts for sagebrush ecosystems in the western United States have been driven by the threat of escalated wildfire activity and its impact on habitat for sagebrush-obligate species like Greater Sage-Grouse. However, post-fire restoration is challenging due to spatial variation in ecosystem processes, invasive species, and the time lag between sagebrush recovery and sage-grouse population responses. To address these challenges, a framework was developed to strategically target burned areas for restoration actions that will benefit sage-grouse populations in the long term. The framework incorporates predictions of sagebrush recovery and invasive species risk under different restoration scenarios, and integrates nest site selection and survival models to guide restoration efforts.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elle J. Bowd, Sam C. Banks, Andrew Bissett, Tom W. May, David B. Lindenmayer
Summary: Microorganisms play critical roles in terrestrial ecosystems, but disturbances can alter the composition and diversity of soil microbial communities in Mountain Ash forests.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
M. Fabiola Pulido-Chavez, James W. J. Randolph, Cassandra Zalman, Loralee Larios, Peter M. M. Homyak, Sydney I. I. Glassman
Summary: The rise in wildfire frequency and severity has increased interest in secondary succession, especially the role of soil microbial communities. However, lack of immediate post-fire measurements and high temporal resolution has hindered our understanding of microbial secondary succession. To address this gap, this study sampled soils at different time points after a California wildfire and found that fire severely reduced bacterial and fungal biomass and richness. The burned microbial communities experienced rapid succession driven by fire-loving microbes, with implications for ecosystem function.
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
Ecology
Mira L. T. Sytsma, Tania Lewis, Jonathan D. D. Bakker, Laura R. R. Prugh
Summary: Disturbance plays a key role in community assembly and diversity patterns. However, postdisturbance successional patterns of wildlife communities remain poorly understood.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Diego Gallego, Jose H. Sarasola
Summary: The study tested the utility of drones in examining nesting status of endangered birds, showing that drone monitoring significantly reduced disturbance levels and was three times faster compared to traditional methods without negative effects on bird reproductive success.
REMOTE SENSING IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Ian F. Dudley, Peter S. Coates, Brian G. Prochazka, Dawn M. Davis, Scott C. Gardner, David J. Delehanty
Summary: Increased wildfire frequency and replacement of sagebrush with invasive grasses have led to declines in sage-grouse populations. This study examines the effects of a specific wildfire (Rush Fire) on sage-grouse nest survival. The results show a significant decrease in nest survival after the wildfire, particularly in the burned areas. Additionally, the study found differences in nest-site selection between burned and unburned areas, with burned areas showing lower sagebrush canopy cover but stronger selection for perennial grass height.
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Marcos Rodrigues, Maria Zuniga-Anton, Fermin Alcasena, Pere Gelabert, Cristina Vega-Garcia
Summary: This study develops a framework for wildfire management zone delineation, which can inform decision-making in fire-prone Mediterranean landscapes. The framework integrates multiple efforts to minimize wildfire occurrences and spread, and prevent losses. The results are presented in maps to assist in designing risk management plans and raising social awareness.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alejandro Corregidor-Castro, Jennifer Morinay, Susan E. McKinlay, Samuele Ramellini, Giacomo Assandri, Gaia Bazzi, Alexandra Glavaschi, Enrico L. De Capua, Alessandro Grapputo, Andrea Romano, Michelangelo Morganti, Jacopo G. Cecere, Andrea Pilastro, Diego Rubolini
Summary: Future climatic scenarios predict increases in temperature and extreme events, such as heatwaves, which can have detrimental effects on avian reproduction. A nest cooling experiment on a Mediterranean bird of prey, the lesser kestrel, showed that high nest temperatures during heatwaves led to increased hatching failure, mortality, and impaired growth in nestlings. These findings highlight the potential threats posed by rising temperatures and heatwave frequency to even warm-adapted species in the Mediterranean region and elsewhere in temperate areas.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Anastasios Bounas, Dimitris Tsaparis, Ron Efrat, Gradimir Gradev, Marco Gustin, Kresimir Mikulic, Airam Rodriguez, Maurizio Sara, Georgios Kotoulas, Konstantinos Sotiropoulos
BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anastasios Bounas, Dimitris Tsaparis, Marco Gustin, Kresimir Mikulic, Maurizio Sara, Georgios Kotoulas, Konstantinos Sotiropoulos
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2018)
Review
Zoology
L. A. Guariento, U. Devincenzo, E. Schifani, R. Russo, E. Moretto, M. Sara
EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL
(2018)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rosanna Di Maggio, Daniela Campobello, Maurizio Sara
JOURNAL FOR NATURE CONSERVATION
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniela Campobello, Spencer G. Sealy
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jacopo G. Cecere, Salvatore Bondi, Stefano Podofillini, Simona Imperio, Matteo Griggio, Egidio Fulco, Andrea Curcio, Delphine Menard, Ugo Mellone, Nicola Saino, Lorenzo Serra, Maurizio Sara, Diego Rubolini
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2018)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
J. R. Michaux, H. Hurner, B. Krystufek, M. Sara, A. Ribas, T. Ruch, V. Vekhnik, S. Renaud
BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Michelangelo Morganti, Roberto Ambrosini, Maurizio Sara
POPULATION ECOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Psychology, Biological
James F. Hare, Maurizio Sara, Alexander J. Hare, Daniela Campobello
Article
Ecology
Maurizio Sara, Salvatore Bondi, Ana Bermejo, Mathieu Bourgeois, Mathias Bouzin, Javier Bustamante, Javier de la Puente, Angelos Evangelidis, Annagrazia Frassanito, Egidio Fulco, Giuseppe Giglio, Gradimir Gradev, Matteo Griggio, Lina Lopez-Ricaurte, Panagiotis Kordopatis, Simeon Marin, Juan Martinez, Rosario Mascara, Ugo Mellone, Stefania C. Pellegrino, Philippe Pilard, Stefano Podofillini, Marta Romero, Marco Gustin, Nicolas Saulnier, Lorenzo Serra, Athanassios Sfougaris, Vicente Urios, Matteo Visceglia, Konstantinos Vlachopoulos, Laura Zanca, Jacopo G. Cecere, Diego Rubolini
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Agostino Leone, Gregory N. Puncher, Francesco Ferretti, Emilio Sperone, Sandro Tripepi, Primo Micarelli, Andrea Gambarelli, Maurizio Sara, Marco Arculeo, Giuliano Doria, Fulvio Garibaldi, Nicola Bressi, Andrea Dall'Asta, Daniela Minelli, Elisabetta Cilli, Stefano Vanni, Fabrizio Serena, Pindaro Diaz-Jaimes, Guy Baele, Alessia Cariani, Fausto Tinti
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lina Lopez-Ricaurte, Wouter M. G. Vansteelant, Jesus Hernandez-Pliego, Daniel Garcia-Silveira, Ana Bermejo-Bermejo, Susana Casado, Jacopo G. Cecere, Javier de la Puente, Fernando Garces-Toledano, Juan Martinez-Dalmau, Alfredo Ortega, Beatriz Rodriguez-Moreno, Diego Rubolini, Maurizio Sara, Javier Bustamante
Summary: Geography and tailwind are important factors in influencing the migration speed of lesser kestrels, while internal factors and season have less impact. Lesser kestrels accelerate across ecological barriers in different seasons, migrating frequently during both day and night.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Giacomo Assandri, Jacopo G. Cecere, Maurizio Sara, Carlo Catoni, Federico De Pascalis, Jennifer Morinay, Alessandro Berlusconi, Sara Cioccarelli, Alessandro Mercogliano, Aliona Pazhera, Anna Terras, Simona Imperio, Michelangelo Morganti, Diego Rubolini
Summary: Gradients of agricultural intensification can impact resource availability for predators in man-made habitats, leading to context-dependent habitat selection patterns. The study on lesser kestrels revealed that preference for grassland varied between colony-scale and individual home-range-scale, with stronger selection at the colony scale. Individual preference for grasslands increased with decreasing compositional diversity of the surrounding landscape at the colony scale, while higher cropland availability reduced individual preference for croplands at the home-range scale.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ornithology
Maurizio Sara, Roberto Firmamento, Giuseppe Cangemi, Luca Pagano, Martina Genovese, Teresa Romeo, Silvestro Greco
Summary: Birds frequently use ships as stopover sites during migration, especially in the Central Mediterranean region during the summer. This behavior may represent a modern-day strategy or an ecological trap for migratory birds.