Article
Ecology
Montague H. C. Neate-Clegg, Samuel E. Jones, Joseph A. Tobias, William D. Newmark, Cagan H. Sekercioglu
Summary: Birds globally respond to climate change by shifting their elevational distributions, but the rate and direction of these shifts vary greatly across species. Empirical evidence suggests that elevational shift rates are associated with species traits, particularly body size, dispersal ability, and territoriality. The responses of tropical montane bird communities to climate change are complex and best predicted within the local or regional context.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Montague H. C. Neate-Clegg, Simon N. Stuart, Devolent Mtui, Cagan H. Sekercioglu, William D. Newmark
Summary: Research in the Usambara Mountains in Tanzania shows significant upslope shifts in bird species over the past forty years along a forested elevational gradient. These shifts are mainly driven by contracting lower range limits while upper range limits shift less significantly, leading to overall range contractions. The community composition of bird species has also shifted over time, resembling historically lower elevation communities.
Article
Ecology
Laura Daco, Diethart Matthies, Sylvie Hermant, Guy Colling
Summary: Using microsatellite markers, the study investigated the genetic diversity and structure of Anthyllis vulneraria populations along elevational and latitudinal gradients. The results showed a strong decline in genetic diversity and increased differentiation with latitude, supporting the predictions of the abundant centre model. However, there was no correlation between genetic diversity and elevation. This suggests that latitude has a greater impact on genetic diversity than elevation.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ornithology
Dilshod Akhrorov, Tianlong Cai, Gang Song, Ping Fan, Ahunim Fenitie Abebe, Peng He, Fumin Lei
Summary: This study is the first investigation of bird species richness patterns in the high-altitude mountain systems of Tajikistan. The results suggest that area, climate, and human influence factors are the main drivers of bird species richness patterns, with richness increasing with increasing factors.
Review
Ecology
Juliano A. Bogoni, Vitor Carvalho-Rocha, Katia M. P. M. B. Ferraz, Carlos A. Peres
Summary: This study investigates the impact of elevation and latitude on New World bat species diversity, highlighting the importance of ecological traits such as dietary level and habitat breadth. Results show that latitude plays a major role in sorting regional species, while elevation acts as an additional filter in tropical mountains, shaping montane bat assemblages.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Emily C. Hollenbeck, Dov F. Sax
Summary: The study found that approximately 50% of species have a significant negative relationship between their elevational and latitudinal occurrences, with most species tracking a relatively narrow range of mean annual temperatures across latitudes. There is a positive relationship between latitudinal and elevational extent across species, termed as 'Stevens' pattern'. While Rapoport's rule and its elevational corollary were supported, the unexpected occurrence of many species restricted to high elevations near the equator suggests a possible focus for conservation effort.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Enqing Hou, Dazhi Wen, Lifen Jiang, Xianzhen Luo, Yuanwen Kuang, Xiankai Lu, Chengrong Chen, Keanan T. Allen, Xianjin He, Xingzhao Huang, Yiqi Luo
Summary: This study examined the global-scale latitudinal pattern of terrestrial phosphorus limitation by analyzing plant production responses to phosphorus additions at various sites worldwide. The observed phosphorus-addition effect varied greatly depending on fertilization regime and production measure, but the standardised effect was consistently positive and decreased significantly with latitude. The latitudinal gradient in the standardised phosphorus-addition effect was explained by various mechanisms involving substrate age, climate, vegetation type, edaphic properties, and biochemical machinery.
Article
Ecology
Lucas Neves Perillo, Flavio Siqueira de Castro, Ricardo Solar, Frederico de Siqueira Neves
Summary: The study revealed that variation in species richness and composition across tropical mountains is closely associated with elevational gradients, which are more influenced by climatic changes than latitudinal gradients. Despite having narrow elevational ranges, the biogeographical effects of tropical mountains continue to drive high diversity.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Bo Song, Lu Sun, Spencer C. H. Barrett, Angela T. Moles, Ya-Huang Luo, W. Scott Armbruster, Yong-Qian Gao, Shuang Zhang, Zhi-Qiang Zhang, Hang Sun
Summary: This study provides a global quantification of floral longevity, showing that it is longer at higher latitudes in both hemispheres. The study also identifies temperature and pollen number as important factors affecting floral longevity, while other factors such as compatibility status, flower size, pollination mode, and growth form have no significant effects.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Robert Beyer, Andrea Manica
Summary: This study combines reconstructions of global climate and land use from 6000 BCE to 1850 CE with empirical data on the spatial distributions and habitat requirements of 16,919 mammal, bird, and amphibian species to estimate changes in their range sizes over the past millennia. It found that pre-Industrial land use and climate change had small impacts on most species, with negative effects observed across all species for land use. The study also highlights that current rates of range loss exceed previous millennia's range changes significantly prior to the Industrial period.
Article
Ecology
Oldrich Tomasek, Lukas Bobek, Tereza Kauzalova, Ondrej Kauzal, Marie Adamkova, Krystof Horak, Sampath Anandan Kumar, Judith Pouadjeu Manialeu, Pavel Munclinger, Eric Djomo Nana, Telesphore Benoit Nguelefack, Ondrej Sedlacek, Tomas Albrecht
Summary: Macrophysiological research is important for understanding global life history variation and adaptation. This study examined blood glucose variation in birds from different latitudes and elevations. The results showed that tropical birds have lower baseline blood glucose and stronger blood glucose stress response compared to temperate birds. The findings suggest a relationship between life history pace and physiological traits in birds.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jose Martin Pujolar, Mozes P. K. Blom, Andrew Hart Reeve, Jonathan D. Kennedy, Petter Zahl Marki, Thorfinn S. Korneliussen, Benjamin G. Freeman, Katerina Sam, Ethan Linck, Tri Haryoko, Bulisa Iova, Bonny Koane, Gibson Maiah, Luda Paul, Martin Irestedt, Knud Andreas Jonsson
Summary: Using genomic data and demographic models, the authors show that populations in high elevations become isolated, while montane populations maintain gene flow for further colonization. Tropical mountains are important for Earth's biodiversity, with montane species typically inhabiting multiple mountainous regions. Pleistocene climate oscillations have had a significant impact on species demographics.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Wilderson Medina, Ryan M. M. Huang, Stuart L. L. Pimm
Summary: Local studies indicate that tropical birds are shifting their distribution towards higher elevations in response to warming temperatures, but it is unclear whether this is happening across multiple species. To investigate this, researchers studied nearly 200 species in the Northern Andes region, where deforestation and extreme weather events have been increasing. The results showed that many species retreated from lower elevations, with a decline in prevalence, indicating a possible response to a warming climate.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Stephanie C. Schmiege, Kevin L. Griffin, Natalie T. Boelman, Lee A. Vierling, Sarah G. Bruner, Elizabeth Min, Andrew J. Maguire, Johanna Jensen, Jan U. H. Eitel
Summary: Light availability plays a crucial role in vertical canopy gradients. This study found differences in light availability, photosynthetic functioning, and leaf traits between trees at the northern and southern range extremes of white spruce. Unlike many other tree species, high latitude trees may not require vertical gradients to optimize photosynthetic carbon gain. The lower photosynthetic rates and higher respiratory costs could ultimately constrain the northern range limit of this boreal species.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Eduardo Fuentes-Lillo, Jonas J. Lembrechts, Agustina Barros, Valeria Aschero, Ramiro O. Bustamante, Lohengrin A. Cavieres, Jan Clavel, Ileana Herrera, Alejandra Jimenez, Paula Tecco, Philip E. Hulme, Martin A. Nunez, Ricardo Rozzi, Rafael A. Garcia, Daniel Simberloff, Ivan Nijs, Anibal Pauchard
Summary: This article evaluates the main non-native plants invading Andean ecosystems, identifies their taxonomic families, growth forms, and distribution patterns. Based on a systematic literature review, the importance of climatic and anthropogenic factors as drivers of non-native species establishment in Andean ecosystems and the main impacts of non-native plants in the region are identified. Additionally, research gaps across biogeographic regions in the Andes are identified. Finally, key elements to better tackle the problem of non-native plant invasions in Andean ecosystems are highlighted, including systematic monitoring of invasion patterns and spread and a common policy agenda across international borders.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Editorial Material
Ecology
Walter Jetz, Jennifer McGowan, D. Scott Rinnan, Hugh P. Possingham, Piero Visconti, Brian O'Donnell, Maria Cecilia Londono-Murcia
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rohan D. Simkin, Karen C. Seto, Robert McDonald, Walter Jetz
Summary: Urban land expansion is a significant driver of habitat and biodiversity loss, particularly in developing tropical regions. Strategies should be implemented to minimize the impacts of urban land and strengthen global biodiversity protection.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biology
Ignacio Quintero, Marc A. Suchard, Walter Jetz
Summary: This study characterizes the evolution of bird species' temperature and precipitation niche spaces and finds that extant birds evolved from warm, mesic climatic niches to colder and drier environments. The overall rates of niche evolution have steadily increased, with some lineages experiencing exceptionally high rates due to the colonization of new niche spaces. The findings highlight the importance of integrating comprehensive environmental and phylogenetic information in ecological and conservation studies.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Ecology
Walter Jetz, Grigori Tertitski, Roland Kays, Uschi Mueller, Martin Wikelski
Summary: Space-based tracking technology using low-cost miniature tags is providing fine-scale animal movement data at near-global scale. When combined with remotely sensed environmental data, it offers valuable insights into habitat integrity and connectivity for conservation and human health, creating a global network of animal sentinels for environmental change.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mark A. Snethlage, Jonas Geschke, Ajay Ranipeta, Walter Jetz, Nigel G. Yoccoz, Christian Korner, Eva M. Spehn, Markus Fischer, Davnah Urbach
Summary: This article introduces a global mountain range inventory developed under the auspices of the Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment, which aims to achieve standardized delineation and transparency of mountains. The inventory provides a clear definition and hierarchical structure, and can be applied in various fields such as research, education, and science communication.
Article
Biology
Alke Voskamp, Christian Hof, Matthias F. Biber, Katrin Boehning-Gaese, Thomas Hickler, Aidin Niamir, Stephen G. Willis, Susanne A. Fritz
Summary: This study investigates the effects of climate change on species distributions and phylogenetic diversity across non-marine birds. The findings indicate that climate change could significantly impact assemblage-level phylogenetic diversity and composition, which differ among regions.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
A. Skeels, W. Bach, O. Hagen, W. Jetz, L. Pellissier
Summary: This study uses an eco-evolutionary simulation model to test whether evolutionary speed can explain the relationship between energy and biodiversity. The results show that a model with temperature-dependent rates of speciation received the strongest support. Through process-based modeling, the study disentangles the causes behind empirical biodiversity patterns.
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lukas Gabor, Walter Jetz, Alejandra Zarzo-Arias, Kevin Winner, Scott Yanco, Stefan Pinkert, Charles J. Marsh, Matthew S. Rogan, Jussi Makinen, Duccio Rocchini, Vojtech Bartak, Marco Malavasi, Petr Balej, Vitezslav Moudry
Summary: Species distribution models are commonly used to study species-environment relationships, but the accuracy of these models can be affected by positional uncertainty in species occurrence data. This study investigated the impact of known positional errors on the recovery of species-environment relationships, and found that positional uncertainty decreased predictive model performance but had weaker effects on the interpretability of the models.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ignacio Quintero, Michael J. Landis, Walter Jetz, Helene Morlon
Summary: The difference in species abundance between the tropics and the extra tropics is a major pattern in biogeography. Understanding the processes that regulate this diversity gradient is a challenge. By using spatiotemporal phylogenetic and paleontological models, we found that both extinctions in the extra tropics and outflow of tropical species contribute to shaping biodiversity. These dynamics accurately predict present-day levels of species richness across latitudes.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Stefan Pinkert, Yanina V. Sica, Kevin Winner, Walter Jetz
Summary: This study evaluates the performance of range surrogates and recommends methods for filling knowledge gaps in species range maps. The study explores an alternative range surrogate for North American butterfly species and demonstrates its high sensitivity and performance, particularly for species with few occurrence records.
Article
Ecology
Stephen J. Murphy, Andre M. Bellve, Reymond J. Miyajima, Natalie A. Sebunia, Molly M. Lynch, Walter Jetz, Marta A. Jarzyna
Summary: This data paper presents a compilation of species-specific dietary preferences and their known intra-annual variation for over 10,000 extant bird species. The researchers obtained information on dietary preferences from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Birds of the World (BOW) online database and translated it into semi-quantitative data denoting the proportion of dietary categories utilized by each species. They found a seasonal variability in dietary attributes for 1031 bird species (approximately 10%).
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
A. Skeels, L. M. Boschman, I. R. McFadden, E. M. Joyce, O. Hagen, O. Jimenez Robles, W. Bach, V. Boussange, T. Keggin, W. Jetz, L. Pellissier
Summary: Analysis of over 20,000 vertebrate species reveals that broad precipitation tolerance and dispersal ability were crucial for species exchange across Indo-Australia. Lineages from Southeast Asia evolved in a climate similar to Wallacea, facilitating colonization of Australia. In contrast, Australian lineages predominantly evolved in drier conditions, limiting establishment in Southeast Asia and shaping faunal distinctiveness. This study demonstrates the impact of past environmental adaptation on asymmetrical colonization and global biogeographic structure.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Diego Ellis-Soto, Martin Wikelski, Walter Jetz
Summary: As climate change alters the biosphere, there is a need for more comprehensive and biologically relevant measurements. Animal-borne sensors can provide fine-grained and ecologically relevant sampling of climate conditions, potentially closing critical data gaps and serving as active environmental sentinels worldwide.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Nico Lang, Walter Jetz, Konrad Schindler, Jan Dirk Wegner
Summary: The global variation in vegetation height is crucial for the global carbon cycle and ecosystem functioning. Using a deep learning model, this study presents a global canopy height map at 10-meter resolution and finds that only 5% of the global landmass is covered by trees taller than 30 meters.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lisa Lehnen, Ugo Arbieu, Katrin Boehning-Gaese, Sandra Diaz, Jenny A. Glikman, Thomas Mueller
Summary: Recognizing the diversity in human-nature relationships is essential for equitable management of nature and designing effective strategies for encouraging sustainable human behavior. The IREN typology categorizes individual relationships with entities of nature based on attitude, behavioral preference, and behavior, providing insights into the benefits, conflicts, and alignment of behavior with conservation goals.