Article
Entomology
Angelos Mouratidis, Ada Leman, Erik H. Poelman, Gerben Messelink
Summary: The introduction of heterospecific Dicyphus species can effectively suppress the population growth of Nesidiocoris tenuis in tomato crops, which is significant for the prevention of damage to tomato crops.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Rochelle Sturtevant, El Lower, Austin Bartos, Ashley Elgin
Summary: The Laurentian Great Lakes in North America are home to a diverse range of native and nonindigenous aquatic plant species, with concerns surrounding the competition and impacts on ecological value. Despite a wealth of information on nonindigenous species, much remains unknown about their competitive effects. Adaptations giving nonindigenous plants a competitive edge were common in the majority of species studied.
Article
Parasitology
V. Sarabeev, J. A. Balbuena, A. Jarosiewicz, N. Voronova, R. A. Sueiro, J. M. Leiro, M. Ovcharenko
Summary: The dispersal of alien species is a global problem that poses a threat to native biodiversity. The introduction of non-native parasites and pathogens exacerbates this threat, but this indirect impact has received less attention. In this study, we examined the symbiotic communities of gammarids in different habitats along the Baltic coast of Poland to understand the factors influencing the richness of microorganisms in native and invasive host species.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Outi Heikinheimo, Timo J. Marjomaki, Mikko Olin, Pekka Rusanen
Summary: This study estimated the annual predation mortality of perch by great cormorants in the coastal waters of the northern Baltic Sea. The results showed that the annual predation mortality ranged from 4-10% depending on the sea area, with 80% likelihood limits ranging from 3% to 21%. The estimates of cormorant-induced mortality were lower compared to a recent perch tagging study in the Quark.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Helenna Mihailou, Dale G. Nimmo, Melanie Massaro
Summary: When exotic species are introduced to new environments, they often have a competitive advantage over native species. In northern Australia, feral populations of pigs, cattle, and water buffalo have established themselves and compete with native wildlife for access to water sources. A study was conducted to investigate the preferences and behavior of native macropods (kangaroos and wallabies) at waterholes, and the potential impact of water scarcity on herbivore visitation and dingo presence. The results showed that macropods did not preferentially visit fenced waterholes over unfenced ones, and their activity declined when competition with cattle was high. While all ungulates visited waterholes more during a drought, there was no corresponding increase in dingo presence. This study highlights the importance of understanding the behavioral interactions between invasive and native species and their impact on wildlife conservation in an unpredictable environment.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Jaime M. Anaya-Rojas, Ronald D. Bassar, Tomos Potter, Allison Blanchette, Shay Callahan, Nick Framstead, David Reznick, Joseph Travis
Summary: Theory suggests that competing species can coexist in a community when intraspecific competition is stronger than interspecific competition. This study found that the evolution of species- and size-dependent competitive asymmetries increased the likelihood of coexistence between interacting species. Furthermore, the research highlights the importance of integrating evolution and trait-based interactions into studies on species coexistence.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Yifei Song, Xianming Yang, Haowen Zhang, Dandan Zhang, Wei He, Kris A. G. Wyckhuys, Kongming Wu
Summary: Interspecific interactions, including competition and predation, play a significant role in the evolution and distribution of insect populations. The invasive fall armyworm exhibits a clear competitive advantage over native lepidopterans, leading to displacement and high mortality rates of the latter. Despite overlapping ecological niches, individual maize plants do not mediate interactions between these herbivorous insects.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Entomology
Emma Jeavons, Cecile Le Lann, Joan van Baaren
Summary: Interspecific interactions play a significant role in shaping ecological communities, but understanding their impact on ecosystem functioning remains a challenge. In the context of agricultural biodiversity loss, sustaining populations of organisms that provide essential ecosystem services is crucial. This review emphasizes the importance of studying the effects of interactions among natural enemies and pollinators on their effectiveness in controlling pests and providing pollination services in agricultural settings.
ENTOMOLOGIA GENERALIS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Alexandra C. Avrin, Charles E. Pekins, Christopher C. Wilmers, Jinelle H. Sperry, Maximilian L. Allen
Summary: As keystone species, apex predators like pumas play a crucial role in shaping ecosystems, but they are highly threatened and have been eradicated from many areas. This study investigated whether mesocarnivores like coyotes can fulfill the same role as apex predators. The findings suggest that while coyotes partially fill the functional role of apex predators, their effects are weaker compared to pumas. The study highlights the importance of conserving true apex predators in maintaining ecosystem health.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Melvin A. Samson, Karin E. Limburg, Anders Nissling, Didzis Ustups, Ann-Britt Florin
Summary: Baltic Sea flounder were recently split into two species, the offshore spawner Platichthys flesus and coastal spawner Platichthys solemdali. The study investigated whether otolith chemistry could be used to differentiate flounder species. However, the results showed that otolith chemistry did not distinguish between the two flounder species in sympatric habitats, although there were differences at the sub-regional scale.
JOURNAL OF SEA RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biology
Glen Ray Hood, Devin Blankinship, Meredith M. Doellman, Jeffrey L. Feder
Summary: The study reveals that temporal resource partitioning through variation in oviposition timing can mitigate interspecific competition between insect parasitoids sharing the same host, promoting species coexistence. By adjusting oviposition timing, inferior competitors can gain a survival advantage, with larger intervals between oviposition times helping alleviate competition. These findings suggest that temporal resource partitioning plays a critical role in facilitating species coexistence and structuring diverse insect communities.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yanwen Fu, Guangcai Xu, Shang Gao, Limin Feng, Qinghua Guo, Haitao Yang
Summary: Studying interspecific relationships is important for understanding the mechanisms of biodiversity maintenance. This study used backpack laser scanning to reconstruct the three-dimensional environmental structure and simulate the predator-prey process. The results showed that predator tigers reduce visibility by changing behavior, while wild boars create better visibility by nibbling off branches to detect potential predators in advance.
Article
Forestry
Robert Reuter, Olga Ferlian, Mika Tarkka, Nico Eisenhauer, Karin Pritsch, Judy Simon
Summary: The inorganic and organic nitrogen acquisition of temperate tree species is found to be influenced more by the competitive environment and availability of specific nitrogen sources in the soil rather than the type of mycorrhizal association.
Article
Entomology
Lei Nie, Bamisope Steve Bamisile, Yuling Li, Hao Ran, Suhang Wang, Lei Wang, Yijuan Xu
Summary: The invasive species W. auropunctata has shown competitive advantages over resident ants in southern China, especially in terms of food and space resources, potentially leading to the replacement of some native ant species.
Article
Ecology
Miles Peterson, Satoshi Kitano
Summary: The study found differences in habitat use and diet composition among smallmouth bass, Japanese dace, and pale chub. Smallmouth bass used faster flowing habitat in 2018, possibly influenced by high overall fish density. In terms of diet preference, there were differences in food composition of smallmouth bass in different habitats.
ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY OF FISHES
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Melanie J. Heckwolf, Anneliis Peterson, Holger Janes, Paula Horne, Jana Kuenne, Kiran Liversage, Maurizio Sajeva, Thorsten B. H. Reusch, Jonne Kotta
Summary: The study provides a systematic synthesis of the knowledge on ecosystem services derived from seagrass, macroalgae, and mussels in the Baltic Sea. It highlights the most frequently reported ecosystem services, the pressures faced by coastal ecosystems, and the lack of knowledge on translating ecosystem services into socio-economic benefits. The research calls for a better analytical framework to directly link quantitative information about ecosystem service generation with human benefit.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Editorial Material
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Katya E. Kovalenko, Fernando M. Pelicice, Lee B. Kats, Jonne Kotta, Sidinei M. Thomaz
Summary: Research on aquatic invasive species is gaining popularity, with a surge in the number of published papers in Hydrobiologia. Analysis of search volumes for invasive species over 17 years revealed increasing public interest, especially in high-impact AIS which often exceeded search volumes for general keywords. This analysis can be used to gauge, maintain, and broaden public engagement in AIS research and management.
Article
Ecology
K. Liversage, J. Kotta, I Kuprijanov, M. Ratsep, K. Noomaa
Summary: In a simulated experiment in the Baltic Sea, it was found that multiple invasive predators had significant impacts on the coastal community, with P. elegans potentially causing a trophic cascade and R. harrisii affecting plant growth. However, the effects of the predators were not interactive. This highlights the challenges of predator invasions for ecological management.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mihhail Fetissov, Robert Aps, Floris Goerlandt, Holger Janes, Jonne Kotta, Pentti Kujala, Robert Szava-Kovats
Summary: This paper introduces the Next-Generation Smart Response Web (NG-SRW), a web-based application designed to assist decision makers in making decisions regarding oil spill response. By integrating the analysis and visualization of dynamic spill features with the sensitivity of environmental elements and human uses, this tool aims to help develop appropriate response strategies.
Article
Environmental Studies
Ibon Galparsoro, Kemal Pinarbasi, Elena Gissi, Fiona Culhane, Jordan Gacutan, Jonne Kotta, David Cabana, Sonja Wanke, Robert Aps, Daniel Bazzucchi, Giacomo Cozzolino, Marco Custodio, Mihhail Fetissov, Miguel Inacio, Susanna Jernberg, Alessandro Piazzi, Keshav Prasad Paudel, Alex Ziemba, Daniel Depellegrin
Summary: Marine spatial planning (MSP) aims to ensure efficient and sustainable human activities at sea, with the ecosystem service (ES) concept emerging as a potential supporting framework. However, due to the complexity of the marine realm, mapping and assessment of ES is still in its early stages and further development and agreement is needed to support MSP.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Simonetta Fraschetti, Chris McOwen, Loredana Papa, Nadia Papadopoulou, Meri Bilan, Christoffer Bostroem, Pol Capdevila, Marina Carreiro-Silva, Laura Carugati, Emma Cebrian, Marta Coll, Thanos Dailianis, Roberto Danovaro, Francesco De Leo, Dario Fiorentino, Karine Gagnon, Cristina Gambi, Joaquim Garrabou, Vasilis Gerovasileiou, Bernat Hereu, Silvija Kipson, Jonne Kotta, Jean-Baptiste Ledoux, Cristina Linares, Juliette Martin, Alba Medrano, I. Montero-Serra, Telmo Morato, Antonio Pusceddu, Katerina Sevastou, Christopher J. Smith, Jana Verdura, Giuseppe Guarnieri
Summary: Restoration is considered an effective strategy for accelerating the recovery of local biological communities, but its effects in marine ecosystems remain unpredictable. The majority of restoration initiatives are concentrated in the northern hemisphere, with studies often experimental and covering small spatial and temporal scales.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Vita Rudovica, Ana Rotter, Susana P. Gaudencio, Lucie Novoveska, Fusun Akguel, Linn Kristin Akslen-Hoel, Diogo A. M. Alexandrino, Olga Anne, Lauris Arbidans, Miroslava Atanassova, Magdalena Beldowska, Jacek Beldowski, Amit Bhatnagar, Oskars Bikovens, Valdis Bisters, Maria F. Carvalho, Teresa S. Catala, Arita Dubnika, Aysegul Erdogan, Laura Ferrans, Berat Z. Haznedaroglu, Roy Hendroko Setyobudi, Bozena Graca, Inga Grinfelde, William Hogland, Efstathia Ioannou, Yahya Jani, Marija Katarzyte, Stefanos Kikionis, Katja Klun, Jonne Kotta, Mait Kriipsalu, Jalel Labidi, Lada Lukic Bilela, Marta Martinez-Sanz, Juliana Oliveira, Ruta Ozola-Davidane, Jovita Pilecka-Ulcugaceva, Kristyna Pospiskova, Celine Rebours, Vassilios Roussis, Amparo Lopez-Rubio, Ivo Safarik, Frank Schmieder, Karina Stankevica, Toomas Tamm, Deniz Tasdemir, Cristiana Torres, Giovanna Cristina Varese, Zane Vincevica-Gaile, Ivar Zekker, Juris Burlakovs
Summary: Biomass, organic matter from living organisms, is a rich source of proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids for new products and processes in green industries. While industrial processes for terrestrial biomass are well established, marine sources remain untapped. Recent focus has been on developing high-value products from marine waste, which contain a wide range of biopolymers, nutrients, and functional compounds.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
T. Arula, M. Simm, K. Herkuel, J. Kotta, E. D. Houde
Summary: Exogenous anomalies induced by contemporary climate change can severely impact the dynamics of early life stages of fish, such as the Baltic spring-spawning herring. Our modeling study shows that shifting climate variables can affect the growth rate, abundance, and recruitment of herring larvae in the Parnu Bay. The changing temperature patterns in the Gulf of Riga pose a bottleneck to successful herring recruitment.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kristiina Noomaa, Jonne Kotta, Robert Szava-Kovats, Kristjan Herkul, Redik Eschbaum, Markus Vetemaa
Summary: Predators play important roles in regulating ecosystems, but their actual effects are still poorly understood. This study demonstrates the large-scale and long-term effects of predators in ecosystems by examining the impacts of an invasive species. The introduction of a novel predator substantially reduced dominant invertebrate populations and changed the food web dynamics in the study area.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Zoology
R. Wenne, M. Zbawicka, A. Pradzinska, J. Kotta, K. Herkul, J. P. A. Gardner, A. P. Apostolidis, A. Pocwierz-Kotus, O. Rouane-Hacene, A. Korrida, F. Dondero, M. Baptista, S. Reizopoulou, B. Hamer, K. K. Sundsaasen, M. Arnyasi, M. P. Kent
Summary: This study investigated the genetic differentiation of M. galloprovincialis populations in the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, and the Sea of Azov and identified four groups of populations. Seascape genetic analyses revealed site-specific genetic variation associated with environmental variables, likely reflecting the complex geological history of the Mediterranean sub-basins.
EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Liisi Lees, Krista Karro, Francisco R. Barboza, Ann Ideon, Jonne Kotta, Triin Lepland, Maili Roio, Robert Aps
Summary: Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) is a process of allocating space for human activities to support sustainable development of marine areas. Maritime cultural heritage (MCH) is often overlooked in this process, but it holds particular value for regional communities. Therefore, successful MSP requires active engagement of local communities and consideration of their maritime cultural heritage.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jonne Kotta, Brecht Stechele, Francisco R. Barboza, Ants Kaasik, Romain Lavaud
Summary: Aquaculture is seen as a potential solution to meet increasing fish demand, but it must reduce its use of wild fish in feed and minimize environmental impacts. The integrated multi-trophic aquaculture system shows promise in mitigating adverse effects. The dynamic energy budget (DEB) modelling can assist in achieving sustainable goals. This study explores the potential of mussel farming for bioremediation and sustainable fish farming in the Baltic Sea region.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jonne Kotta, Mihhail Fetissov, Ellen Kaasik, Janis Vaat, Stanislav Stokov, Ulla Pirita Tapaninen
Summary: Global, regional and national policies are incentivizing the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in ports. This study examines the current state of assessing emissions in ports and identifies efficient and reliable methodologies. The Port of Tallinn is used as a case study to test and evaluate these methodologies, and promising ways forward are suggested.
Editorial Material
Biodiversity Conservation
Jonne Kotta
