Article
Ecology
Frank J. Shaughnessy, Susannah L. Ferson, Adam J. Frimodig, Daniel C. Barton, Mathew Hurst, Jeffrey M. Black
Summary: Seagrasses benefit from moderate grazing and fecal pellet addition, which promotes shoot growth and increases reproductive shoot density. Moderate intensity grazing by Brant Geese also enhances shoot density, leaf extension rates, and productivity of eelgrass.
Article
Ecology
Maria Laura Zoffoli, Pierre Gernez, Simon Oiry, Laurent Godet, Sebastien Dalloyau, Bede Ffinian Rowe Davies, Laurent Barille
Summary: Considering trophic relationships in seagrass meadows is crucial for explaining and predicting their temporal trajectories, as well as implementing conservation policies. In this study, the reciprocal links between an intertidal seagrass species and a herbivorous bird were investigated using Earth Observation and bird census data. The results showed a mutual relationship between seagrass and the bird species, with positive effects on both populations.
REMOTE SENSING IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Emily L. Weiser, Paul L. Flint, Dennis K. Marks, Brad S. Shults, Heather M. Wilson, Sarah J. Thompson, Julian B. Fischer
Summary: Ocular aerial surveys allow efficient coverage of large areas, but uncertainty in population estimates is large due to difficulty in visually identifying and counting animals. Photographic aerial surveys can mitigate these challenges by allowing flight at higher altitudes and incorporating automated photo capture and processing.
WILDLIFE SOCIETY BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Sean Obrochta, Maria Luisa Savo Sardaro, Katherine R. Amato, Maureen H. Murray
Summary: Microbiome analysis presents an opportunity to understand how urban environments affect avian physiology. In this study, the researchers aimed to investigate the gut microbiome of Canada geese living in urban areas compared to migrants. The findings show that urban resident geese have higher gut microbial diversity than migrants, along with increased inter-individual variation in microbiome composition. The results suggest that reduced migration for urban-adapted wildlife species may have important consequences for physiology and health.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
J. Boomer Malanchuk, Beth E. Ross, David A. Haukos, Thomas F. Bidrowski, Richard Schultheis
Summary: Kansas successfully reintroduced temperate-breeding or resident Canada geese for viewing and hunting, with a management strategy of translocating nuisance geese from urban areas to rural reservoirs. Research shows that translocation can effectively reduce survival rates and increase recovery probabilities of urban nuisance geese.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Beatrice C. Downing, Matthew J. Silk, Richard J. Delahay, Stuart Bearhop, Nick J. Royle
Summary: The management interventions of culling did not significantly increase individual social connectivity in a resident Canada goose population. Instead, the surviving geese responded by strengthening existing social relationships and forming new, compensatory relationships with local birds. However, the establishment of new associations was limited and occurred locally.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Justus Jobe, Cairn Krafft, Mikaila Milton, Keryn Gedan
Summary: The experimental results demonstrate that geese have strong effects on plant cover and species diversity in restored urban wetlands. The presence of geese inhibits plant establishment and suppresses plant diversity, particularly of annual species. Therefore, protecting wetlands from goose disturbance is a crucial management activity that determines the composition and long-term persistence of vegetation. The reduction of non-migratory goose populations supports greater wetland plant diversity.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Heinz Duettmann, Helmut Kruckenberg, Rolf Buente, Julia Delingat, Dieter Emke, Mona Garlichs, Pius Korner, Christine Kowallik, Gerhard Lauenstein, Peter Suedbeck, Franz Bairlein
Summary: A long-term study in northern Germany was conducted to address escalating conflicts between grassland farming and wintering geese. The study quantified changes in yield loss and herbage quality and conducted exclosure experiments to analyze the impact of different species of geese. The findings highlight a significant increase in goose-related grassland yield losses and emphasize the need for a fair compensation system for affected farmers.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Paul D. Curtis, Lynn A. Braband
Summary: Conflicts with Canada geese have been on the rise in the past three decades, causing issues such as feces contamination, accidents on athletic fields, overgrazing, and disruption near nesting sites. Managing these geese requires site-specific approaches and community-wide efforts.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Thomas K. Lameris, Adriaan M. Dokter, Henk P. van der Jeugd, Willem Bouten, Jasper Koster, Stefan H. H. Sand, Coen Westerduin, Bart A. Nolet
Summary: Barnacle geese forage extensively at night during winter, especially during moonlit nights, to balance energy budgets, while in spring, they extend foraging time during the day to build up body stores. The model suggests that by continuing nighttime foraging throughout spring, geese may be able to advance and increase fueling rate, potentially reaching departure body mass 4 days earlier.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Laurence J. Belcher, Anna E. Dewar, Melanie Ghoul, Stuart A. West
Summary: This study used molecular population genetics to investigate the influence of kin selection on cooperative traits in natural populations of the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results provide evidence that cooperative traits are controlled by kin selection, and estimate the relatedness for social interactions in P. aeruginosa. The study demonstrates the importance of molecular population genetics in studying the evolution of cooperation in bacteria.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarah Barfield, Sarah W. Davies, Mikhail V. Matz
Summary: This study investigated the possibility of sweepstakes reproductive success (SRS) in Acropora hyacinthus at Yap Island, Micronesia. The genetic diversity of adults and juveniles at different sites was compared, and a dip in genetic diversity was observed in juveniles compared to adults at two sites. However, there was no detectable genetic structure among juveniles. Nonetheless, a pair of juvenile siblings was identified at the site with the lowest genetic diversity, suggesting the existence of SRS.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kathrin A. Otte
Summary: This article presents a new approach to genotype-environment association (GEA) studies called genomic window analysis, which combines the information of neighboring single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to enhance the detection of genomic signals of environmental adaptation. The method is proven to be superior to several established GEA approaches, especially in cases with small sample sizes, through simulations and real data analysis.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tony Kess, J. Brian Dempson, Sarah J. Lehnert, Kara K. S. Layton, Anthony Einfeldt, Paul Bentzen, Sarah J. Salisbury, Amber M. Messmer, Steven Duffy, Daniel E. Ruzzante, Cameron M. Nugent, Moira M. Ferguson, Jong S. Leong, Ben F. Koop, Michael F. O'Connell, Ian R. Bradbury
Summary: The study on Arctic Charr in Gander Lake, Newfoundland, Canada, revealed genetic divergence between deep-water and shallow-water morphs, with genes involved in gene expression, DNA repair, cardiac function, and membrane transport being highlighted as key factors in adaptation to extreme deep-water environments.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mengge Wang, Guanglin He, Shuang Gao, Fuquan Jia, Xing Zou, Jing Liu, Shouyu Wang, Ziwei Ye, Yiping Hou, Zheng Wang
Summary: The study found that modern Mongolian populations have close genetic proximity to geographically northern East Asians, while also possessing relatively less Hainan Li-related ancestry and more northern East Asian-related ancestry.
Article
Ornithology
Fraser Bell, Stuart Bearhop, Martins Briedis, Myriam El Harouchi, Sophie C. Bell, Joan Castello, Malcolm Burgess
Summary: Songbird populations are declining globally, with limited understanding of causal mechanisms. Studying the migratory behavior of European Pied Flycatchers reveals gender differences and individual variations, suggesting birds have flexible migratory behaviors to adapt to environmental changes.
Article
Ecology
Donal Smith, David O'Brien, Jeanette Hall, Chris Sergeant, Lola M. Brookes, Xavier A. Harrison, Trenton W. J. Garner, Robert Jehle
Summary: The relationship between host genetic diversity and the ability to defend against pathogens has attracted evolutionary biologists' attention. However, the relationship between susceptibility to the fungal pathogen and genetic diversity in common toad populations has not been well-studied. In this study, we conducted controlled infection experiments and genetic sequencing analysis to characterize the role of host population identity, genetic variation, and individual body mass in mediating host response to the pathogen. We found that there is significant variation in susceptibility to the fungal pathogen among common toad populations, and individual heterozygosity is negatively correlated with survival. Additionally, individual survival during infection experiments is positively related to body mass.
JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Julia L. Newth, Robbie A. McDonald, Kevin A. Wood, Eileen C. Rees, Igor Semenov, Anton Chistyakov, Galina Mikhaylova, Stuart Bearhop, Ruth L. Cromie, Anna Belousova, Petr Glazov, Ana Nuno
Summary: Illegal killing of wildlife is a critical conservation issue that requires understanding of human behavior drivers. This study adapted the theory of planned behavior to explore motivations for hunting the Endangered Bewick's swan in the European Russian Arctic. The findings showed that behavioral intention was predicted by attitude, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norms. Additionally, considering attitudes towards protective laws and descriptive norms improved the predictability of the model. Understanding attitudes towards protective laws can guide the design of conservation measures. Therefore, conservation interventions should focus on influencing hunters' attitudes, social norms, and perceived behavioral control to reduce illegal killing of wildlife.
Article
Environmental Sciences
William F. Mills, Andres E. Ibanez, Paco Bustamante, Ana P. B. Carneiro, Stuart Bearhop, Yves Cherel, Rocio Mariano-Jelicich, Rona A. R. McGill, Diego Montalti, Stephen C. Votier, Richard A. Phillips
Summary: Antarctic marine ecosystems are often considered pristine, but wildlife may still be exposed to high levels of environmental contaminants. This study found that blood mercury concentrations increased from the Antarctic Peninsula towards the Antarctic Polar Front, with the highest contamination at Bird Island. Blood mercury concentrations also showed a weak positive correlation with delta N-15 values, likely indicating biomagnification. Males had higher mercury burdens than females, possibly due to differences in their trophic ecology.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
George J. F. Swan, Stuart Bearhop, Stephen M. Redpath, Matthew J. Silk, Daniel Padfield, Cecily E. D. Goodwin, Robbie A. McDonald
Summary: Releasing gamebirds for sport shooting may have direct or indirect effects on the abundance and distribution of native wildlife. The abundance of generalist predators is positively associated with the abundance of gamebirds, which can indirectly impact prey populations. It was found that the territory size of buzzards was weakly correlated with the abundance of gamebirds, but not with rabbits or voles. Additionally, the provisioning of rabbits, but not gamebirds or voles, influenced the number of buzzard chicks. The associations between buzzards and gamebirds may be influenced by predator management and the availability of alternative prey.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Simon R. Evans, Stuart Bearhop
Summary: Research on animal migrations has revealed diverse strategies, with some migrants showing flexibility in their phenotypes while others do not. A taxon-independent organizing framework based on energetics is proposed to address this variability.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Alba Costa, Ruben Heleno, Yanick Dufrene, Eleanor Huckle, Ronny Gabriel, Xavier Harrison, Dana G. Schabo, Nina Farwig, Christopher N. Kaiser-Bunbury
Summary: Invasive non-native species can disrupt animal-mediated seed dispersal interactions, affecting the stability of recipient communities. This study investigates the impact of plant invasions on frugivory and seed dispersal networks in a tropical island, finding that non-native plants compete with natives for dispersal services and that invasion and seasonality alter native seed dispersal. This highlights the importance of controlling plant invasions to maintain ecosystem functions and biodiversity.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anne Aagaard, Shenglin Liu, Tom Tregenza, Marie Braad Lund, Andreas Schramm, Koen J. F. Verhoeven, Jesper Bechsgaard, Trine Bilde
Summary: Understanding the role of genetic and nongenetic variants in shaping phenotypic responses to local environments is crucial for our understanding of evolutionary potential. By conducting environmental association studies, we found strong associations between genetic and nongenetic variation and environmental factors. Genetic variants were strongly correlated with average temperature, while DNA methylation variation was correlated with multiple climate parameters. Microbiome composition was mainly associated with precipitation-related climatic factors.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Caroline Palmer, Carlos Jimenez, Giovanni Bassey, Eleazar Ruiz, Tatiana Villalobos Cubero, Maria Marta Chavarria Diaz, Xavier A. Harrison, Robert Puschendorf
Summary: The study documents coral cover and composition in relation to sea surface temperature (SST) over the past 25 years in marginal reefs of Costa Rica's Eastern Tropical Pacific. A catastrophic coral die-off event occurred in 2009, driven by SST minima and likely by extreme harmful algal blooms, leading to a shift in coral composition and a lack of recovery in the subsequent decade. This highlights the need for resilience-based management and restoration strategies in the face of ongoing coral reef declines.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Aimee L. S. McIntosh, Stuart Bearhop, Geoff M. Hilton, Jessica M. Shaw, Fred A. Johnson
Summary: Arctic-breeding goose populations have increased, causing conflicts with farmers due to the damage they cause. Localized management strategies make it difficult to address the impact of control on the wider population, especially when populations move across international borders.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Aimee L. S. McIntosh, Luke Ozsanlav-Harris, Mark A. Taggart, Jessica M. Shaw, Geoff M. Hilton, Stuart Bearhop
Summary: Lead is a toxic metal that can cause death or sub-lethal effects when ingested. Recent legislation in the European Union has banned the use of lead shot in wetlands to reduce its impact on wildfowl. A study in Scotland found that strict compliance with the ban resulted in relatively low lead ingestion rates, but the potential fitness effects of chronic lead poisoning still persist.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Amanda Kuepfer, Paulo Catry, Stuart Bearhop, Richard B. Sherley, Olivia Bell, Jason Newton, Paul Brickle, Alexander Arkhipkin, Stephen C. Votier
Summary: Effective marine ecosystem monitoring is critical for sustainable management. Monitoring seabird diets can provide important information on ecosystem health and seabird-fishery interactions. This study combines stomach content analysis (SCA) and stable isotope analysis (SIA) to examine the diet of black-browed albatross chicks, with a focus on fishery discard consumption.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Kelly Atkins, Stuart Bearhop, Thomas W. W. Bodey, W. James Grecian, Keith Hamer, Jorge M. M. Pereira, Hannah Meinertzhagen, Chris Mitchell, Greg Morgan, Lisa Morgan, Jason Newton, Richard B. B. Sherley, Stephen C. C. Votier
Summary: Combining precision satellite-tracking with blood sampling, this study explores the potential of using seabird geolocators and feather sampling to validate large-scale isotopic patterns. By matching winter-grown feathers with the non-breeding location of tracked birds, the study reveals latitudinal gradients in carbon and nitrogen isotopes in neritic waters. Furthermore, the isotopic patterns are best explained by sea surface temperature, and similar gradients are found in fish muscle samples collected from local ports.
RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Luke Ozsanlav-Harris, Malcolm D. Burgess, Geoff M. Hilton, Stuart Bearhop
Summary: Understanding the suite of environmental changes impacting migratory bird distributions and their mechanisms is crucial for predicting their responses to anthropogenic change. Comprehensive year-round distributional data and biologging technology are important for observing and understanding spatial changes across multiple migratory stages.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Beatrice C. Downing, Matthew J. Silk, Richard J. Delahay, Stuart Bearhop, Nick J. Royle
Summary: The management interventions of culling did not significantly increase individual social connectivity in a resident Canada goose population. Instead, the surviving geese responded by strengthening existing social relationships and forming new, compensatory relationships with local birds. However, the establishment of new associations was limited and occurred locally.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)