Article
Soil Science
Justine Lejoly, Sylvie Quideau, Jerome Laganiere
Summary: The presence of invading earthworms has a significant impact on soil morphological features and carbon stocks in boreal forests, resulting in a decrease in forest floor carbon stocks while potentially increasing mineral soil carbon stocks. Further research is needed to understand the long-term implications of earthworm invasion on boreal soil carbon stocks.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Catarina Jakovac, Katarzyna A. Korys, Aline F. Rodrigues, Amanda Ronix, Fernanda Tubenchlak, Lara M. Monteiro, Luisa Lemgruber, Herlle Souza Santos, Maiara Mendes, Andre B. Junqueira, Renato Crouzeilles, Veronica Maioli, Agnieszka E. Latawiec
Summary: Ecosystem restoration strategies vary in techniques and ecological contexts. Success in restoring plants, animals, and soils varies, as well as across ecological indicators. Assisted natural regeneration has higher success compared to other strategies, but restoring converted and degraded areas poses challenges.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Paivi Merila, Antti-Jussi Lindroos, Helja-Sisko Helmisaari, Sari Hilli, Tiina M. Nieminen, Pekka Nojd, Pasi Rautio, Maija Salemaa, Boris Tupek, Liisa Ukonmaanaho
Summary: This study quantified the differences in forest carbon cycle components in boreal ecosystems along latitudinal and fertility gradients. It found that spruce sites had 40% more carbon than pine sites, and most compartments had higher carbon storage on spruce than on pine sites. Northern sites had 58% less carbon than southern sites, except for the humus layer which showed no latitudinal trends. Many carbon storage compartments were significantly correlated with litterfall carbon transfer components.
Article
Soil Science
Jaakko Heikkinen, Riikka Keskinen, Kristiina Regina, Henri Honkanen, Visa Nuutinen
Summary: The study found that boreal agricultural mineral soils in Finland are rich in SOC, with cultivation of perennial crops enriching carbon near the soil surface compared to annual crops. When converting SOM to SOC, soil clay content should be taken into account to avoid overestimation of SOC content. The sample size required to verify SOC stock changes for C trading is extremely high.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Zilong Ma, Si Chen, Chander Shahi, Han Y. H. Chen, Hao Chen
Summary: The study found a trade-off relationship between economic gains and total ecosystem C, with increased economic gains potentially leading to a decrease in total ecosystem C. By sacrificing some economic gains, the goal of maximizing total ecosystem C can be achieved.
Article
Plant Sciences
Sean M. P. Cahoon, Patrick F. Sullivan, Andrew N. Gray
Summary: Boreal forest soils in Alaska contain large carbon stocks that may be affected by climate change and disturbance, which could potentially contribute to rising atmospheric CO2 concentration. The study examines the factors influencing soil and live tree carbon stocks across boreal Alaska and emphasizes the importance of wildfire, landscape position, and forest type in shaping future carbon stocks in the region.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Ange-Marie Botroh, David Par, Xavier Cavard, Nicole Fenton, Osvaldo Valeria, Philippe Marchand, Yves Bergeron
Summary: Silvicultural treatments can increase tree growth and carbon storage, but also accelerate decomposition of soil organic matter. The study found that mechanical site preparation can accelerate moss decomposition but has limited impact on total soil carbon stocks.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Ry M. Patton, Diane H. Kiernan, Julia I. Burton, John E. Drake
Summary: This study investigates the management of forest carbon within the central Adirondacks and examines the trade-offs between aboveground live tree carbon, forest structural complexity, and biological complexity. The findings show that as management intensity increases, the carbon stocks in aboveground live trees decrease but carbon sequestration rates increase. The study also reveals a correlation between management intensity and decreased structural complexity.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Uttam Kumar Sahoo, Om Prakash Tripathi, Arun Jyoti Nath, Sourabh Deb, Dhruba Jyoti Das, Asha Gupta, N. Bijayalaxmi Devi, Shiva Shankar Charturvedi, Soibam Lanabir Singh, Amit Kumar, Brajesh Kumar Tiwari
Summary: This study estimated the biomass and carbon storage potential of different land uses in Northeast India, finding that temperate forests had the highest vegetation carbon stock, while tropical forests had the highest soil organic carbon stock. There is a strong relationship between tree basal area and biomass carbon storage, and land-use transformation can increase vegetation carbon and soil organic carbon stocks. The results provide baseline information for developing appropriate land-use change policies in the region.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tarit Kumar Baul, Tajkera Akhter Peuly, Rajasree Nandi, Lars Holger Schmidt, Shyamal Karmakar
Summary: A study in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh examined 176 homestead forests at different altitudes to estimate carbon stocks and the impact of stand structure on biomass carbon. Results showed that higher altitude forests had greater tree biomass carbon stocks due to higher tree density and species diversity. In contrast, lower altitude forests had higher litter carbon stocks, likely due to the use of mulch for soil improvement.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Chuancheng Fu, Yuan Li, Lin Zeng, Haibo Zhang, Chen Tu, Qian Zhou, Kuanxu Xiong, Jiaping Wu, Carlos M. Duarte, Peter Christie, Yongming Luo
Summary: The study reveals that Chinese mangrove, salt marsh and seagrass habitats have relatively low OC stocks with burial rates, and the variability in soil OC stocks is linked to biogeographic factors but mostly impacted by sedimentary processes and anthropic activities. All habitats have experienced significant losses, resulting in estimated emissions of 94.2-395.4 Tg CO(2)e over the past 70 years. Conservation and restoration measures are seen as potential solutions to mitigate climate change and provide additional benefits.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Ninni Mikkonen, Niko Leikola, Joona Lehtomaki, Panu Halme, Atte Moilanen
Summary: The decline of forest biodiversity emphasizes the need for cost-effective and ecologically sustainable land-use planning methods. Spatial conservation prioritisation (SCP) is a useful tool for this purpose. National scale SCP analyses were conducted to identify unprotected forest areas with valuable biodiversity. The analyses included factors such as dead wood potential, negative impacts of forestry operations, connectivity between forest areas, and the presence of red-listed forest species. The results showed fragmented distribution of high conservation priority forest areas throughout Finland, indicating the inadequacy of the current protected area network to halt the decline of forest biodiversity. These analyses provide important information for decision-making on forest conservation and commercial management.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lindsay M. Dreiss, L. Mae Lacey, Theodore C. Weber, Aimee Delach, Talia E. Niederman, Jacob W. Malcom
Summary: Protecting areas for climate adaptation is crucial for species conservation. Current approaches tend to focus on existing spatial patterns, which may not be effective for future needs. The 30 x 30 initiative presents new opportunities to inform the siting of new protections globally and in the US. Based on available data, it is found that current levels of protection do not adequately cover identified climate adaptation areas. Future-minded protections can be established based on the identification of climate refugia and corridors.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
O. Janne Kjonaas, Teresa G. Barcena, Gro Hylen, Jorn-Frode Nordbakken, Tonje Okland
Summary: By comparing native birch forests with planted Norway spruce forests in Norway, it was found that the spruce forests had significantly higher C and N stocks, while the birch forests had advantages in terms of understory vegetation cover and C/N stocks. However, the impact of tree species change on soil was not significant, and there were large differences in total ecosystem C stock and C accumulation between the two forest types.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaoguang Ouyang, Fen Guo, Shing Yip Lee
Summary: This study examined carbon stocks and fluxes in mangroves and found significant variations in carbon emissions between restored mangroves and those affected by aquaculture. The findings provide important insights for future research on mangrove carbon.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Peter D. Nichols, Heidi R. Pethybridge, Bowen Zhang, Patti Virtue, Lauren Meyer, Zahirah Dhurmeea, Lara Marcus, Jessica A. Ericson, Nicole Hellessey, Sharon Every, Kathryn Wheatley, Christopher C. Parrish, Pascale Eisenmann, Alastair M. M. Baylis, Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Stacy L. Bierwagen, Jock W. Young, Lydie I. E. Couturier, Christoph A. Rohner, Jasmin Gross, Courtney Waugh, Charles F. Phleger, Christine Jackson, George Jackson, Charlie Huveneers, Susan Bengtson Nash, Mina Brock, Peter Mansour
Summary: Lipid and fatty acid datasets are widely used in assessing nutritional composition, trophic ecology, and ecosystem dynamics. This dataset includes a large number of records from various marine species in different regions, providing a solid foundation for comparative studies and a broad understanding of the distribution of marine lipids globally.
Article
Ornithology
Ian G. Warkentin, Darin W. Brooks, David J. Lieske, Richard H. M. Espie, Paul C. James
Summary: Population-level estimates of offspring sex ratios in birds are typically close to parity, but there can be significant deviations from balanced ratios within nests. In the case of breeding Merlins in Saskatoon, the age of the breeding male and the brood size were found to influence the brood sex ratios. The population-level sex ratios of the offspring tended to be lower during a period of population growth and closer to parity during a period of population stability.
Article
Ecology
Rupert Mathwin, Skye Wassens, Matthew S. Gibbs, Jeanne Young, Qifeng Ye, Frederik Saltre, Corey J. A. Bradshaw
Summary: The regulation of river systems reduces connectivity between river channels and floodplains, leading to decreased inundation frequency and increased risk of local extinction for species reliant on floodplains for their life cycle. Through virtual reconstruction and population modeling, we found that changes in wetland inundation due to river regulation are driving declines in the threatened southern bell frog population in South Australia's Murray River floodplains. Smaller wetlands and those experiencing successive dry years are most susceptible to local extinction, while larger wetlands and those with more frequent inundation are less affected. Environmental water provision can help reduce breeding failure and local extinction, and our modeling approach can be applied to prioritize water delivery for the southern bell frog and other frog species.
Article
Zoology
D. Rex Mitchell, Stuart C. Cairns, Gerhard Koertner, Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Frederik Saltre, Vera Weisbecker
Summary: Our study reveals that the red kangaroo population outside the dingo barrier fence has fewer females and joeys and grows faster compared to the population protected by the fence. Further investigation is needed to understand the effects of different predation pressures on kangaroos and other prey. Decommissioning the dingo barrier fence in Australia has been suggested to promote the free movement of biota but its potential impacts on prey populations have not been assessed.
JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Corey J. A. M. Bradshaw, Claire Perry, Melinda A. N. Judge, Chitra M. Saraswati, Jane Heyworth, Peter N. Le Souef
Summary: Although average contraceptive use has increased globally, a large number of women still have an unmet need for family planning. The relationships between contraception, family planning, infant mortality, and fertility have not been extensively studied in low- and middle-income countries.
Article
Geography, Physical
Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Stefani A. Crabtree, Devin A. White, Sean Ulm, Michael I. Bird, Alan N. Williams, Frederik Saltre
Summary: The patterns of Homo sapiens expansion out of Africa and across the globe have been studied using demographic and travel-cost models. However, migration rates and modelled routes have a reciprocal influence on each other. In this study, movement 'superhighways' and a demographic cellular automaton were combined to predict one of the earliest peopling events in the world. The results provide new insights and a better fit to the archaeological evidence of initial human arrival in Sahul.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tarnya E. Cox, David Paine, Emma O'Dwyer-Hall, Robert Matthews, Tony Blumson, Brenton Florance, Kate Fielder, Myall Tarran, Matt Korcz, Annelise Wiebkin, Peter W. Hamnett, Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Brad Page
Summary: Helicopter-based shooting is an effective method for managing large vertebrate pest animals, but it can be challenging to visually locate animals in low-density populations and/or dense habitat. The use of thermal-imaging technology in aerial culling significantly improves detection rates in these conditions. The specific helicopter crew configuration with thermal-imaging equipment resulted in a high culling rate, zero wounding rate, and 100% incapacitation efficiency, making it an efficient and humane approach for managing feral pigs and fallow deer.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Salvador Herrando-Perez
Summary: Analysis of long-term trends in animal population abundance provides insights into population dynamics. Density feedbacks can affect component vital rates but may be decoupled from population growth rates estimated using abundance time series. The mechanisms responsible for this decoupling are poorly understood, questioning the validity of using logistic-growth models for inferring long-term population trends. To examine the conditions leading to decoupling, we simulated age-structured populations of long-lived vertebrates with density feedbacks on survival and quantified how stochasticity in survival rates, density-independent mortality, and variation in carrying capacity modified abundance time series. Density-independent mortality caused long-term population decline and decoupled the strength of component versus population density feedbacks. Our study suggests the use of logistic-growth models when survival rates are stochastic, carrying capacity fluctuates, and populations experience moderate catastrophic mortality.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Morgane Henry, Brian Leung, Ross N. Cuthbert, Thomas W. Bodey, Danish A. Ahmed, Elena Angulo, Paride Balzani, Elizabeta Briski, Franck Courchamp, Philip E. Hulme, Antonin Kouba, Melina Kourantidou, Chunlong Liu, Rafael L. Macedo, Francisco J. Oficialdegui, David Renault, Ismael Soto, Ali Serhan Tarkan, Anna J. Turbelin, Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Phillip J. Haubrock
Summary: Biological invasions pose a threat to ecosystems, biodiversity, and human well-being. The European Union, as a hub for cultural development and global trade, has extensive opportunities for the introduction and spread of alien species. However, there are significant gaps in knowledge regarding the costs of biological invasions in terms of taxonomy and spatio-temporal data.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES EUROPE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Andrew Doube, Annette Scanlon, Brad Page, Myall Tarran, Kate Fielder, Lindell Andrews, Steve Bourne, Mike Stevens, Penny Schulz, Tom Kloeden, Seb Drewer, Rob Matthews, Chris Findlay, Warren White, Craig Leehane, Brett Conibear, James Doube, Ted Rowley
Summary: Invasive alien deer are considered to be one of the worst emerging pest species in Australia. The Government of South Australia has launched a four-year program to reduce the populations of alien fallow deer, focusing on landscape-scale aerial culling using advanced thermal technology and a second shooter with a shotgun.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Christine Barry, Christine Legaspi, Thomas M. Clarke, Gonzalo Araujo, Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Adrian C. Gleiss, Lauren Meyer, Charlie Huveneers
Summary: Wildlife tourism, especially the feeding of animals, can have negative effects on their behavior and physiology. A study in Oslob, Philippines, found that whale sharks showed increased activity and metabolic rates during tourism operations. The research suggests that managers should focus on reducing energy expenditure through changes in operations rather than increasing food quantity.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
John Llewelyn, Giovanni Strona, Christopher R. Dickman, Aaron C. Greenville, Glenda M. Wardle, Michael S. Y. Lee, Seamus Doherty, Farzin Shabani, Frederik Saltre, Corey J. A. Bradshaw
Summary: Species interactions play a fundamental role in ecosystems, but the lack of complete data inhibits our understanding of these interactions. Machine learning, particularly random forest, has been increasingly used to predict interactions. However, the performance of random forest in inferring predator-prey interactions in terrestrial vertebrates and the impact of training data quality have not been examined.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Seamus Doherty, Frederik Saltre, John Llewelyn, Giovanni Strona, Stephen. E. E. Williams, Corey J. A. Bradshaw
Summary: The biosphere is undergoing rapid changes due to human activities. These changes have direct and indirect effects on ecological communities, making it necessary to develop accurate tools for predicting the impacts and guiding conservation strategies.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thomas Evans, Elena Angulo, Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Anna Turbelin, Franck Courchamp
Summary: The adverse impacts of alien birds are widespread and diverse, with associated costs amounting to approximately US$3.6 billion. However, these costs are likely to be underestimated and alien birds are likely to be less damaging and easier to manage compared to other alien taxa. Costs are biased towards high-income regions and damaging environmental impacts, particularly on islands. Actions to restrict alien bird invasions at mainland locations might prevent high, ongoing costs. The successful eradication of increasingly widespread species will require a coordinated, international response.
Article
Ornithology
Gabrielle Robineau-Charette, Darroch M. Whitaker, Ian G. Warkentin
Summary: Through surveying historical and recent periods, it is found that red squirrels may have adversely affected the distribution of Gray-cheeked Thrushes in Newfoundland, leading to their absence in lower elevations.
JOURNAL OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGY
(2023)