Article
Ecology
Maria Riaz, Dan Warren, Claudia Wittwer, Berardino Cocchiararo, Inga Hundertmark, Tobias Erik Reiners, Sven Klimpel, Markus Pfenninger, Imran Khaliq, Carsten Nowak
Summary: Invasive predatory species can have significant impacts on population dynamics and ecosystems. This study demonstrates the use of environmental DNA analysis to assess predator-prey interactions and confirms the role of invasive fishes in declining amphibian populations.
Article
Biology
Mark K. L. Wong, Roger H. Lee, Chi-Man Leong, Owen T. Lewis, Benoit Guenard
Summary: The differences in species' traits can reflect their competitive abilities instead of their niches, which is crucial in inferring processes of biological invasions. This study demonstrates that both the similarity or dissimilarity of traits between invaders and residents, as well as trait-mediated hierarchical competition, can explain invasions by fire ants on ant assemblages.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Guilherme Casas Goncalves, Priyanga Amarasekare
Summary: The study investigates the persistence of tri-trophic food chains in seasonal environments, revealing that upper trophic level species being more cold-adapted enhances the interaction's persistence, while also leading to a conflict of interest between intermediate consumers and top predators. Furthermore, differential sensitivity to thermally varying environments provides a mechanistic explanation for species' divergence in their thermal optima and interactions within the food chain.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Tongchu Deng, Zhili He, Meiying Xu, Meijun Dong, Jun Guo, Guoping Sun, Haobin Huang
Summary: This study demonstrates how species' functional traits and interactions determine microbial community structure and functions, further revealing the mechanisms governing the assembly and functions of nitrate-mediated sulfur oxidation microbiomes. It also has important implications for designing and constructing microbiomes with expected functions.
Article
Ecology
Laura R. R. Prugh
Summary: This research highlights the significant impact of human activity on predator-prey spatiotemporal overlap. The authors propose a framework that categorizes predator-prey interactions based on their response to human activity, providing insights into conflicting results from previous studies. Through a meta-analysis of camera trap studies, the researchers validate their framework and raise important questions for further investigation, contributing to the understanding of species interactions in the Anthropocene.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
George R. Wheeler, Chad E. Brassil, Johannes M. H. Knops
Summary: The study found that functional traits of grassland plants may vary significantly between years, primarily influenced by rainfall. Additionally, nitrogen addition treatment and sampling year can also interactively affect plant functional traits, especially in high rainfall years.
Article
Ecology
Radek Michalko, Ondrej Kosulic, Prasit Wongprom, Chaowalit Songsangchote, Venus Saksongmuang, Yongyut Trisurat
Summary: The study found that different forest types can complexly affect predator-prey interactions in forest understories, including impacting spider density and specific prey capture efficiency. However, reforestation has not restored natural predator-prey relationships, suggesting conservation management in tropical regions should focus on establishing protected areas rather than relying on reforestation. Additionally, food-web models need to consider predator hunting strategies, not just body sizes, to improve predictive abilities.
Article
Biology
Joshua P. Twining, Chris Sutherland, Neil Reid, David G. Tosh
Summary: The recovery of native predators can have significant implications for species interactions, and this study shows that these interactions are mediated by habitat. The expansion of the native pine marten was not influenced by human habitat modification, but its effect on the red squirrel was dependent on habitat type. These findings highlight the importance of habitat in shaping the interactions between predators and prey.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ross N. N. Cuthbert, Elizabeta Briski
Summary: Environmental gradients may alter the ecological impacts of invasive alien species. In the western Baltic Sea, the functional response of Harris mud crab towards prey was influenced by salinity variation, but there were no significant differences observed across different salinity regimes.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ross N. Cuthbert, Elizabeta Briski
Summary: Invasive species are a growing ecological and socioeconomic problem worldwide, and future climate change may exacerbate their impacts on ecosystems. This study found that increasing temperature significantly affects the feeding rates of a non-native invasive species, indicating that climate warming could worsen the ecological impact of invasive species.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Nicholas J. Foster, Richard F. Maloney, Philip J. Seddon, Mariano Rodriguez-Recio, Yolanda van Heezik
Summary: This study aims to assess whether high-elevation landforms can limit the movements of invasive small mammals and improve the success of eradication programs. Based on species' distributions and spatial predictions, the researchers identified landforms that can act as dispersal barriers. The findings suggest that high-elevation landforms have the potential to significantly enhance the effectiveness of eradication programs by restricting the movement of target species.
Article
Biology
James E. Byers, Julie A. Blaze, Alannah C. Dodd, Hannah L. Hall, Paul E. Gribben
Summary: Non-indigenous species (NIS) and hypoxia can disturb and restructure aquatic communities. Most studies show that NIS are tolerant of hypoxia and perform better than native species under hypoxia. However, NIS are more often considered passengers associated with hypoxia, rather than drivers of it.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Geoffrey R. Smith
Summary: Species that arrive earlier may consume a limited resource, leaving fewer resources for later-arriving species, resulting in competitive effects even if they are temporally separated. A predator's presence may influence legacy effects by affecting the behavior or survivorship of the early species. This study examined whether the presence of nonnative Western Mosquitofish mediated legacy effects in the interaction between temporally separated American Toads and Bullfrogs.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Donald M. Waller, Alison K. Paulson, Jeannine H. Richards, William S. Alverson, Kathryn L. Amatangelo, Chengke Bai, Sarah E. Johnson, Daijiang Li, Gre'gory Sonnier, Rachel H. Toczydlowski
Summary: The study collected a large set of functional trait data for plant species in Wisconsin forests and grasslands, including measurements of genome size, leaf and chemical traits, and qualitative descriptions of species. These data help understand plant responses to environmental changes and the impact of traits on species diversity and ecological changes.
Article
Ecology
Jin Gao, Zhiqi Peng, Haoming Zang, Yinchang Wang, Ning Ding, Siwen He, Thibault Datry, Beixin Wang
Summary: Land-use change, particularly urbanisation, has led to a significant decline in both species and functional diversity worldwide. However, the mechanism behind the impact of species loss on functional diversity remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate this mechanism by examining the association between species sensitivity and functional uniqueness, as well as their related functional traits. The findings suggest that urbanisation has a remarkable effect on the taxonomic and functional diversity of macroinvertebrates, and the decline in functional diversity is influenced by the sensitivity and functional uniqueness of species.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Carlos P. Carmona, Irene Guerrero, Begona Peco, Manuel B. Morales, Juan J. Onate, Tomas Part, Teja Tscharntke, Jaan Liira, Tsipe Aavik, Mark C. Emmerson, Frank Berendse, Piotr Ceryngier, Vincent Bretagnolle, Wolfgang W. Weisser, Jan Bengtsson
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Marina Reyne, Myles Nolan, Henry McGuiggan, Aurelie Aubry, Mark Emmerson, Ferdia Marnell, Neil Reid
Summary: The study shows that artificial ponds created in agricultural grasslands do not directly replicate natural ponds in adjacent semi-natural habitats, but play a role in preserving high local biodiversity, albeit with a different community of species. The creation of ponds in farmland as well as in adjacent natural habitats can provide a wider range of environmental conditions and richer macroinvertebrate communities, enhancing landscape connectivity and regional biodiversity.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Lydia White, Nessa E. O'Connor, Qiang Yang, Mark C. Emmerson, Ian Donohue
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2020)
Article
Zoology
Marina Reyne, Sarah Helyar, Aurelie Aubry, Mark Emmerson, Ferdia Marnell, Neil Reid
Summary: Understanding the demographics and population trends of declining and threatened species is crucial for effective management and conservation. This study used monitoring of breeding activity and Capture-Mark-Recapture methods to estimate the population size of Natterjack toads. Population estimation methods should incorporate empirical survey data on operational sex ratios rather than relying on assumptions or literature-derived data.
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Marina Reyne, Natasha E. McGowan, Jason Flanagan, Paul Nolan, Aurelie Aubry, Mark Emmerson, Ferdia Marnell, Neil Reid
Summary: The global amphibian crisis is driven by various stressors, with climate change likely influencing environmental suitability, ranges, reproduction, and phenology. This study focused on characterizing the bioclimatic-habitat niche space of the Natterjack toad in Europe and assessing the impact of climate on its environmental suitability and breeding behavior. Projections suggest that future climate change may increase fecundity in Ireland, with spawning potentially commencing earlier under high greenhouse gas emission scenarios.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Robert M. W. Ferguson, Eoin J. O'Gorman, David J. McElroy, Boyd A. McKew, Ross A. Coleman, Mark C. Emmerson, Alex J. Dumbrell
Summary: The study suggests that the effects of warming and nutrient enrichment on coastal microbial communities may offset each other, while warming and top-predator population size structure have significant impacts on bacterial biofilm community composition.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Marina Reyne, Aurelie Aubry, Mark Emmerson, Ferdia Marnell, Neil Reid
Summary: Despite substantial conservation efforts, the egg string production of Natterjack toads in Ireland has declined over the years, primarily due to threats related to water quality at breeding sites and the abandonment of surrounding agricultural land. More efforts are needed to facilitate the colonization of artificial ponds and ensure the continued survival of this endangered species.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Amy Arnott, Gillian Riddell, Mark Emmerson, Tancredi Caruso, Neil Reid
Summary: The study found that the impact of agri-environment measures on soil microarthropods in upland grasslands is context-dependent and varies between different grassland types and microarthropod species. Environmental variation caused by overall management of grassland fields is a key factor influencing the responses of soil microarthropods.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Amy Arnott, Mark Emmerson, Paul Caplat, Neil Reid
Summary: The study indicates that landscape composition significantly influences the diversity and abundance of aerial invertebrate functional groups, with AES management potentially contributing to the maintenance or enhancement of ecosystem services. The responses of aerial invertebrates to landscape complexity are complex and idiosyncratic, highlighting the importance of considering multi-scale landscape effects when evaluating the impact of agricultural management.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
H. J. White, P. Caplat, M. C. Emmerson, J. M. Yearsley
Summary: Future climate change will have substantial effects on the stability of agricultural production, emphasizing the need to incorporate stability-based constructs and regional variation into future agricultural policies.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Amy Arnott, Gillian Riddell, Mark Emmerson, Neil Reid
Summary: Agri-environment schemes are effective in maintaining and enhancing terrestrial invertebrate abundance and richness associated with diverse swards in upland grasslands, suggesting their positive contribution to biodiversity conservation.
AGRONOMY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Marina Reyne, Kara Dicks, Claire McFarlane, Aurelie Aubry, Mark Emmerson, Ferdia Marnell, Neil Reid, Sarah Helyar
Summary: Molecular methods are crucial in species management and conservation, yet genetic approaches are often overlooked in recovery plans. This study focused on the Natterjack toad in Ireland, finding high genetic diversity and small effective population sizes. Significant genetic structuring was observed, with four genetic entities identified for conservation strategies.
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Hannah J. White, Willson Gaul, Lupe Leon-Sanchez, Dinara Sadykova, Mark C. Emmerson, Paul Caplat, Jon M. Yearsley
Summary: The stability of plant productivity at the landscape scale is primarily associated with climatic history, particularly a history of extreme events, outweighing any positive effects of species richness in the agricultural landscape. Past climate is a stronger driver of stability in plant productivity at the landscape scale compared to species richness at finer field scales.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Francisco de Castro, Sina M. Adl, Stefano Allesina, Richard D. Bardgett, Thomas Bolger, Johnathan J. Dalzell, Mark Emmerson, Thomas Fleming, Diego Garlaschelli, Jacopo Grilli, Silja Emilia Hannula, Franciska de Vries, Zoe Lindo, Aaron G. Maule, Maarja Opik, Matthias C. Rillig, Stavros D. Veresoglou, Diana H. Wall, Tancredi Caruso
Summary: The stability of soil food webs is largely influenced by strong correlations between interaction strengths and the nonrandom trophic structure of the web. This suggests that stability may emerge from the hierarchical structure of the functional organization of the web. Disruption of the functional structure and distribution pattern of interaction strengths in real-world soil food webs can destabilize the system, leading to species extinction and major changes in species abundances.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Willson Gaul, Dinara Sadykova, Hannah J. White, Lupe Leon-Sanchez, Paul Caplat, Mark C. Emmerson, Jon M. Yearsley
Summary: Soil arthropods are poorly represented on conservation Red Lists, and opportunistic biological records for soil invertebrates are sparse. This study tested whether spatially stratified under-sampling improved prediction performance of species distribution models for millipedes, and whether using environmental predictor variables provided additional information for predicting species distributions.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2022)