Article
Fisheries
Tchalondawa Kisekelwa, Jos Snoeks, Armel Ibala Zamba, Gaston Sefu Amzati, Mwapu Isumbisho, Pascal Mulungula Masilya, Pieter Lemmens, Emmanuel Vreven
Summary: The study investigated the habitat use and distribution of Labeobarbus species in the Albertine Highlands of Uganda, revealing significant associations between different species and mouth morphologies with environmental variables. The findings provide valuable insights for guiding effective local preservation and conservation measures for these Labeobarbus species.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Sebastian Steibl, Christian Laforsch
Summary: The ground-associated invertebrate community is compartmentalized into four distinct clusters, with crustacean and gastropod taxa in one cluster on the beach, and hexapods and spider taxa in three inland clusters associated with grassland, open forest, and dense forest habitats. Co-occurrence pattern analysis revealed few negative interactions between taxa, indicating that ecosystem resilience may be increased through compartmentalization of niche space.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Anna R. Staudenmaier, Lisa A. Shipley, Andris J. Bibelnieks, Meghan J. Camp, Daniel H. Thornton
Summary: Through a study in the Colville National Forest, it was found that mule deer and white-tailed deer exhibit geographical habitat segregation in areas of sympatry, with mule deer preferring steep slopes and higher elevations, and white-tailed deer favoring shallower slopes and lower elevations. The different habitat selections by the two deer species reduce the potential for current interspecies interactions, but no evidence of ongoing agonistic interactions was found in this study system.
Article
Ecology
Seiya Okamoto, Masaki Takenaka, Koji Tojo
Summary: Niche differentiation between closely related species leads to differentiation of their habitats, allowing more species to coexist in the same geographic space. A study on sister species in Japanese river systems revealed that habitat preference and seasonal changes in distribution patterns play important roles in their coexistence.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rongliang Zhang, Hui Liu, Qianqian Zhang, Hua Zhang, Jianmin Zhao
Summary: This study assessed the function of artificial reefs as alternative habitats for two common reef-associated predatory fishes. The results suggested that artificial reefs have strong ecological adaptability for predatory fishes, but prey availability differs from natural reefs, leading to different degrees of resource partitioning between the two reef types.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Annette L. Fayet, Cheryl Sanchez, Jennifer Appoo, Jessica Constance, Gemma Clucas, Lindsay A. Turnbull, Nancy Bunbury
Summary: This study tracks the foraging movements of two sympatric seabird species, white-tailed and red-tailed tropicbirds, to investigate how they achieve niche segregation during breeding. The findings reveal that the two species have similar behavior at sea but are completely spatially segregated. The study also highlights the importance of protecting waters around tropical seabird colonies and eradicating rat predators to conserve these species.
Article
Ecology
Annette L. Fayet, Cheryl Sanchez, Jennifer Appoo, Jessica Constance, Gemma Clucas, Lindsay A. Turnbull, Nancy Bunbury
Summary: This study tracks the foraging movements of two closely-related sympatric seabirds and finds that they have similar behaviors at sea but are completely spatially segregated. Red-tailed tropicbirds fly further to feed and use different feeding areas than white-tailed tropicbirds. The low breeding success of both species is caused by high nest predation, with native avian predators targeting red-tailed tropicbird nests and invasive rats attacking white-tailed tropicbird nests.
Article
Biology
Kristian J. Bell, Tim S. Doherty, Don A. Driscoll
Summary: Foundation species interact strongly with other species, influencing communities by providing food, refuge, and beneficial microclimates. Temperature attenuation by a foundation species can drive niche use by ectothermic animals, impacting the ecosystem balance. Individual variability in microhabitat use among species can also play a role in shaping community dynamics.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Thomas Bessy, Adrian Candelas, Benoit Souquet, Khansa Saadallah, Alexandre Schaeffer, Benoit Vianay, Damien Cuvelier, Samy Gobaa, Cecilia Nakid-Cordero, Julien Lion, Jean-Christophe Bories, Nuala Mooney, Thierry Jaffredo, Jerome Larghero, Laurent Blanchoin, Lionel Faivre, Stephane Brunet, Manuel Thery
Summary: The study reveals that the interaction between HSPCs and bone marrow stromal cells can induce polarization of HSPCs, leading to changes in cytoskeleton architecture, specifically the centrosome positioning. This polarization is specific and involves receptors ICAM, VCAM, and SDF1, with SDF1 being capable of independently inducing centrosome-microtubule network polarization.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cara-Paige Green, Norman Ratcliffe, Thomas Mattern, David Thompson, Mary-Anne Lea, Simon Wotherspoon, Pablo Garcia Borboroglu, Ursula Ellenberg, Kyle W. Morrison, Klemens Puetz, Paul M. Sagar, Philip J. Seddon, Leigh G. Torres, Mark A. Hindell
Summary: The study found that allochrony plays a significant role in influencing the segregation of foraging distribution and ecology between Snares and Fiordland penguins during the non-breeding season. The difference in migration phenology between the two species results in them utilizing different areas during their core non-breeding periods.
Article
Ecology
Shan Huang, Juha J. Saarinen, Alison Eyres, Jussi T. Eronen, Susanne A. Fritz
Summary: This study explores the potential indirect effect of regional habitat changes on the evolution of body size in mammals during the Neogene period in Europe and North America. The results indicate that the combined effect of diet and continent influences the frequency distribution of body size, with the shared energetic advantage of larger bodies in colder climates not being the dominant mechanism of body size evolution. Instead, the specific dynamics of diet on each continent suggest that climate change indirectly impacts mammalian evolution through changes in habitat availability and the resource landscape. The study highlights the complexity of climatic influence on biodiversity and suggests that intensified habitat modification poses a greater threat than climate change itself to living mammals and endotherms.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Ingmar R. Staude, Gerhard E. Overbeck, Carla Suertegaray Fontana, Glayson A. Bencke, Thaiane Weinert da Silva, Anne Mimet, Henrique M. Pereira
Summary: The ideal free distribution theory predicts that habitat specialists will move to remnants of their specialized habitats when they are converted elsewhere, while generalists will gradually disappear in remnants to avoid competition with specialists. Land-use change affects species distribution, with specialists favoring patches with native habitat and generalists diminishing in remnants.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Li Yang, Tao Chen, Lu Zhang, Pengfei Fan
Summary: Stable habitat is crucial for the long-term persistence of species, providing sufficient food and acting as a refuge. We identified the stable habitat for the critically endangered western black crested gibbon in Mt. Wuliang, and found that their habitat is recovering. The stable habitat, mainly located at mid-elevation, plays a crucial role in protecting the gibbon population.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
M. C. Neves, M. Vannuci-Silva, G. Montanini, A. F. Azevedo, J. Lailson-Brito, T. L. Bisi
Summary: Species in sympatry can coexist by niche partitioning, as observed in the Ilha Grande Bay where four cetacean species frequently occur. Niche overlap was high for species with site fidelity, while the rough-toothed dolphin showed high segregation. The bay is a biodiversity hotspot, providing diverse resources for the studied cetacean community.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
H. Hespanhol, K. Cezon, J. Munoz, R. G. Mateo, J. Goncalves
Summary: This study aims to develop vulnerability indices for bryophyte communities to climate change and measures the vulnerability based on niche and spatial metrics. The results show that saxicolous bryophyte communities in the high mountains of the Iberian Peninsula have the highest vulnerability to climate change.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Attila Torma, Kitti Revesz, Nikolett Galle-Szpisjak, Jelena Seat, Gyozo Szel, Csaba Kutasi, Igor Malenovsky, Peter Batary, Robert Galle
Summary: Livestock grazing has significant effects on arthropod communities in alkali grasslands. Our study found that wet meadow vegetation had higher species richness and activity density of spiders and ground beetles compared to dry steppe vegetation. Grazing also influenced the community structure of arthropods, with the presence of hygrophilous species in ungrazed meadows. Additionally, the abundance and community structure of true hoppers varied depending on both vegetation type and management.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Borbala Szabo, David Koranyi, Robert Galle, Gabor L. Lovei, Gabor Bakonyi, Peter Batary
Summary: Urbanization has inconsistent effects on soil invertebrates, with an increase in abundance but a decrease in species richness. This is because a few generalist species can adapt well to the urban environment and achieve higher densities. Annulids, springtails, and snails are particularly sensitive to soil compaction and pollution, causing their species richness to decrease with advancing urbanization.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tomas Hamrik, Nikolett Galle-Szpisjak, Peter Batary, Robert Galle
Summary: Despite the importance of forest-steppes in nature conservation, there is limited information on the contribution of different habitats to arthropod conservation. We investigated the effects of habitat type and landscape heterogeneity on spider diversity in the forest-steppes, and found that grasslands, forest edges, and forest interiors each had distinct community compositions and species traits. The increasing amount of forests positively affected species richness in grasslands but negatively in forest edges and interiors.
INSECT CONSERVATION AND DIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Georgia M. Daykin, Marcelo A. Aizen, Luke G. Barrett, Lewis J. Bartlett, Peter Batary, Lucas A. Garibaldi, Ali Guncan, Sridhar Gutam, Bea Maas, Jayalakshmi Mitnala, Flavia Montano-Centellas, Tarirai Muoni, Erik Ockinger, Ode Okechalu, Richard Ostler, Simon G. Potts, David C. Rose, Cairistiona F. E. Topp, Hope O. Usieta, Obaiya G. Utoblo, Christine Watson, Yi Zou, William J. Sutherland, Amelia S. C. Hood
Summary: Many publications lack sufficient background information, hindering scientific progress and the application of science to practice. Reporting guidelines, such as checklists, can improve reporting standards. This study develops a reporting checklist (AgroEcoList 1.0) for ecological and agricultural research through a community-centred approach. The checklist is well-received by the agroecological community, indicating the need for improved reporting standards in these fields. AgroEcoList 1.0 consists of 42 variables and can serve as a guide to enhance reporting standards.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Teja Tscharntke, Peter Batary
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Katalin Szitar, Csaba Tolgyesi, Balazs Deak, Robert Galle, David Koranyi, Peter Batary
Summary: Land use changes have fragmented grasslands and caused extensive biodiversity loss. Habitat fragmentation affects species colonization and extinction probability. Fragment size and landscape-scale connectivity are important factors shaping vegetation composition.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Nathalie Rodenwald, Laura M. E. Sutcliffe, Christoph Leuschner, Peter Batary
Summary: Agri-environment measures like flower strips are considered fundamental tools to reduce the loss of farmland biodiversity. However, compared to conventional field margins, flower strips have a smaller impact on biocontrol. Therefore, we recommend protecting existing permanent field margins through the EU Common Agricultural Policy as a cost-effective alternative to flower strips for promoting biocontrol services.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Balazs Deak, Adam Bede, Zoltan Radai, Iwona Dembicz, Iva Apostolova, Peter Batary, Robert Galle, Csaba Albert Toth, Jozsef Dozsai, Ivan I. Moysiyenko, Barbara Sudnik-Wojcikowska, Maria Zachwatowicz, Georgi Nekhrizov, Fedor N. Lisetskii, Zhanna A. Buryak, Szabolcs Kis, Sandor Borza, Laura Godo, Tatyana M. Bragina, Ilya Smelansky, Abel Molnar, Miklos Ban, Ferenc Bathori, Zoltan Argay, Janos Dani, Reka Kiss, Orsolya Valko
Summary: Ancient civilizations have shaped global ecosystems through the coevolution of landscapes and humans. However, the cultural legacies of these civilizations are often overlooked in the conservation of the Eurasian steppe biome. This study investigated how ancient burial mounds can contribute to grassland conservation in the Eurasian steppes. The results showed that these burial mounds played a significant role in preserving grasslands, particularly in transformed landscapes outside protected areas. The study suggests that considering cultural values in conservation efforts can lead to positive synergistic effects. Rating: 8/10.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
David Koranyi, Robert Galle, Attila Torma, Nikolett Galle-Szpisjak, Peter Batary
Summary: Grassland ecosystems are facing significant habitat loss and fragmentation due to agricultural expansion. Grassland arthropods, particularly spiders and true bugs, are sensitive to these changes. This study investigated the impact of fragment size and connectivity on the functional composition and diversity of arthropod communities. The findings demonstrate the importance of small grassland fragments in maintaining high arthropod functional diversity and highlight the potential role of well-connected fragments in promoting ecosystem functioning in human-dominated landscapes.
INSECT CONSERVATION AND DIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Penelope C. Fialas, Jeremy S. P. Froidevaux, Gareth Jones, Peter Batary
Summary: The effectiveness of organic farming on biodiversity has been widely documented, but the effects of the transition period on wildlife remain poorly understood. This study found that the transition period to organic farming had detrimental effects on bat activity, and landscape complexity did not moderate these effects. Agricultural policies should consider the transition period and implement measures to mitigate negative impacts on biodiversity.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Maxime Eeraerts, Lisa W. DeVetter, Peter Batary, John J. Ternest, Rachel Mallinger, Matthew Arrington, Faye E. Benjamin, Brett R. Blaauw, Joshua W. Campbell, Pablo Cavigliasso, Jaret C. Daniels, G. Arjen de Groot, James D. Ellis, Jason Gibbs, Lauren Goldstein, George D. Hoffman, David Kleijn, Andony Melathopoulos, Sharron Z. Miller, Ana Montero-Castano, Shiala M. Naranjo, Charlie C. Nicholson, Jacquelyn A. Perkins, Sujaya Rao, Nigel E. Raine, James R. Reilly, Taylor H. Ricketts, Emma Rogers, Rufus Isaacs
Summary: Highbush blueberry production depends on insect pollination, primarily by honeybees and wild bees. Wild bees are more efficient in pollination on a single-visit basis, resulting in a higher relative contribution to pollination. Different management strategies can be adopted based on specific contexts and regions to improve blueberry pollination and yield by utilizing honeybees and wild bees.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elena Gazzea, Peter Batary, Lorenzo Marini
Summary: Animal pollination is crucial for diverse and balanced diets, improving the commercial attributes and shelf life of fruits and vegetables. However, its impact on nutritional value is limited. The meta-analysis shows that pollination plays a significant role in maintaining food quality.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Melinda Halassy, Peter Batary, Aniko Csecserits, Katalin Torok, Orsolya Valko
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of functional similarity, seeding density, and priority effect in increasing invasion resistance based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of seed-based ecological restoration experiments. The results suggest that native priority is the most promising mechanism for controlling invasion, reducing the performance of invasive species by over 50%.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Xueqing He, Peter Batary, Yi Zou, Wenwu Zhou, Guanghua Wang, Zhanyu Liu, Yaoyu Bai, Shanxing Gong, Zengrong Zhu, Josef Settele, Zhongxue Zhang, Zhijuan Qi, Zhaopu Peng, Mingyong Ma, Jin Lv, Haiyan Cen, Thomas Cherico Wanger
Summary: This study evaluates the effects of agricultural diversification on global rice production and finds that it can maintain soil fertility, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and yield. The research also shows that agricultural diversification can increase biodiversity by 40%, improve economy by 26%, and reduce crop damage by 31%.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Werner Ulrich, Peter Batary, Julia Baudry, Lea Beaumelle, Roman Bucher, Andrea Cerevkova, Enrique G. de la Riva, Maria R. Felipe-Lucia, Robert Galle, Emmanuelle Kesse-Guyot, Ewa Rembialkowska, Adrien Rusch, Dara Stanley, Klaus Birkhofer
Summary: There is ample evidence suggesting that species diversity has positive effects on ecosystem functioning and services in both natural and agricultural landscapes. However, the effects of such diversity on human well-being are less clear and have been subject to debate. This is partly due to methodological difficulties in evaluating and quantifying these effects and the lack of precise conceptual frameworks. In this article, a conceptual framework is proposed that links different aspects of diversity to ecosystem functioning, ecosystem services and disservices, and different aspects of well-being. Despite the progress, there are still shortcomings and obstacles in the current approaches and it is important to establish stricter terminology and evaluate each step in the pathways from diversity to well-being. Long-term socio-ecological research platforms are also needed to gather relevant data on ecosystem functioning and well-being.
