Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Bingxue Wang, Weinan Chen, Dashuan Tian, Zhaolei Li, Jinsong Wang, Zheng Fu, Yiqi Luo, Shilong Piao, Guirui Yu, Shuli Niu
Summary: Climate change leads to increasing temperature and more extreme hot and drought events. The ability of vegetation to cope with climate warming depends on their adjusting pace with temperature change. However, the impact of environmental stresses on such vegetation pace has not been thoroughly investigated.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Xiao-xu Li, Yue Tan, Yong-xu Sun, Jie Wang, Yun-wei Dong
Summary: The study found that the physiological sensitivity of species is related to temperature change. By measuring habitat thermal characteristics and physiological variation, a more accurate estimation of organism sensitivity to temperature change can be achieved, leading to better predictions of the impacts of climate change.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Eike Luedeling, Katja Schiffers, Till Fohrmann, Carsten Urbach
Summary: A new dormancy model named PhenoFlex was developed, which combines the Dynamic Model for chill accumulation with the Growing-Degree-Hours model for heat accumulation in a flexible manner. Compared to several benchmark models, PhenoFlex showed superior predictive performance in projecting bloom dates for apples and pears.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Eric A. Riddell, Marko Mutanen, Cameron K. Ghalambor
Summary: Species' thermal tolerances are influenced by the hydric environment. As environments become hotter and drier, reducing water loss may lead to lower thermal tolerances. The correlation between water loss rate and CTmax suggests the need for a whole-organism perspective in studying thermal tolerances. Rating: 8 out of 10.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Emma E. Ramsay, Genie M. Fleming, Peter A. Faber, S. Fiona Barker, Rohan Sweeney, Ruzka R. Taruc, Steven L. Chown, Grant A. Duffy
Summary: Informal settlement residents experience chronic heat stress conditions, with wet bulb temperatures and wet bulb globe temperatures approaching the uppermost limits of human survivability, which are underestimated by weather stations.
Review
Plant Sciences
Jeronimo Vazquez-Ramirez, Susanna E. Venn
Summary: The study synthesizes the effects of climate change on early life-history stages of high altitude and high latitude plants, highlighting potential impacts on seed germination and seedling establishment. While there is variability in methods and studied species across the literature, the analysis reveals patterns and gaps in knowledge, indicating a need for further research to understand the impacts of climate change on reproductive processes of plants in these environments.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Francisco Meza, Rebecca Darbyshire, Aidan Farrell, Alan Lakso, James Lawson, Holger Meinke, Gerald Nelson, Claudio Stockle
Summary: Temperate perennial fruit and nut trees are important for food diversity, but they are sensitive to seasonal temperatures. This study examines the effects of future temperature changes on five temperate tree fruit crops and identifies potential new suitable regions. The results show a significant restructuring of global production for these crops.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lin Meng, Yuyu Zhou, Lianhong Gu, Andrew D. Richardson, Josep Penuelas, Yongshuo Fu, Yeqiao Wang, Ghasserm R. Asrar, Hans J. De Boeck, Jiafu Mao, Yongguang Zhang, Zhuosen Wang
Summary: The study highlights the significant impact of photoperiod on spring vegetation phenology, which delays the advancement of leaf-out under climate warming. It emphasizes the importance of considering photoperiod in predicting future phenological changes and ecosystem responses to climate warming.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Isabel Hovdahl
Summary: Recent research has shown that anthropogenic forcing affects not only the overall temperature, but also the day-to-day variability. This study explores the historical impact of daily temperature variation on mortality in the US over 35 years. The findings reveal that for every 1-degree increase in daily temperature variability, there is a 0.28% increase in the average monthly mortality rate. However, evidence also suggests adaptation to temperature variability through increased income and access to air-conditioning. The study highlights the importance of considering the additional effect of temperature volatility in estimating the social cost of carbon.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lisa Bjerregaard Jorgensen, Michael Orsted, Hans Malte, Tobias Wang, Johannes Overgaard
Summary: This study found that the rate of biological processes in the permissive temperature range increases by 7% per degree Celsius, while the heat failure rate is extremely temperature sensitive within the stressful temperature range. The projected increase in the frequency and intensity of heatwaves may exacerbate heat mortality for ectothermic species.
Article
Business
Xiaoguang Chen, Xiaomeng Cui, Jing Gao
Summary: Prioritizing efforts to adapt agriculture to a warmer climate requires understanding the regional and sectoral responses in agriculture to rising temperatures. A study on Chinese counties over two decades found that temperature effects varied between different regions and sectors. Extreme temperatures had negative impacts on the cropping and livestock sectors, but benefited the forestry sector. The findings suggest the need for region and sector-specific policies and investments for agricultural adaptation to climate change.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Xing-Wen Liu, Yue-Hua Wang, Shi-Kang Shen
Summary: This study investigated the molecular mechanisms and evolutionary process of plant adaptation to altitude gradients in plateau mountain ecosystems using transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses. The results revealed the important roles of genes related to metabolism and signal transduction in altitude adaptability. High-altitude and low-altitude species showed differences in evolutionary rate and positively selected genes.
Article
Agronomy
Hsin-Wu Hsu, Kyungdahm Yun, Soo-Hyung Kim
Summary: Rising global temperatures are impacting plant phenology, with spring warming causing early flowering and winter warming potentially delaying bloom dates. Chilling temperatures during dormancy showed variability along latitudes, while forcing temperatures after dormancy exhibited consistent effects. Winter warming may offset spring warming, leading to delays in bloom dates.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Economics
Junjun Hou, Chenggang Wang, Huixia Wang, Peng Zhang
Summary: This study examines the effects of temperature exposure on mental health in a developing country using data from China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). The findings suggest that higher temperatures lead to worse mental health. However, the impact can be mitigated by the installation of air conditioning. The study also explores the mechanisms through which temperature affects mental health.
CHINA ECONOMIC REVIEW
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dariya Ordanovich, Aurelio Tobias, Diego Ramiro
Summary: This study investigates the long-term adaptation indicators in Spain and finds significant changes in mortality burden from heat and cold over time. Adaptation has improved in cold weather, while improvement in hot weather has only occurred in recent decades.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Richard J. Walters, David Berger, Wolf U. Blanckenhorn, Luc F. Bussiere, Patrick T. Rohner, Ralf Jochmann, Karin Thueler, Martin A. Schaefer
Summary: Understanding how environmental variation influences cryptic traits is crucial for clarifying the roles of selection and development in evolution and adaptation. The polymorphism of spermathecae number in female yellow dung flies is both heritable and highly plastic, varying with rearing conditions. Overexpression of spermathecae under developmental stress is not universal, and there are both costs and benefits associated with 4S phenotypes and genotypes. These findings suggest that strong environmental variation can expose hidden traits to natural selection.
EVOLUTION & DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Anton Strunov, Sina Lerch, Wolf U. Blanckenhorn, Wolfgang J. Miller, Martin Kapun
Summary: Wolbachia bacteria commonly inhabit arthropods and can manipulate host reproduction to enhance their own transmission. In the study, researchers compared the effects of two Wolbachia variants and uninfected controls on the development and adult life-history traits of wild-caught Drosophila melanogaster strains at different temperatures. They found that while Wolbachia did not affect developmental traits, it increased the lifespan and fecundity of female hosts without apparent fitness trade-offs. Interestingly, flies infected with the wMelCS variant had higher fecundity than uninfected and wMel-infected flies. However, males infected with wMel had a shorter lifespan, indicating sex-specific effects of the infection. The study suggests that Wolbachia-host interactions are dependent on both genotypes and environmental factors.
JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Vaughn Shirey, Rassim Khelifa, Leithen K. M'Gonigle, Laura Melissa Guzman
Summary: Historical museum records can provide valuable data for understanding the drivers of change in species occupancy. However, methodological developments are needed to improve the robustness of inference due to the diverse collection methods used. Occupancy-detection models offer a promising approach as they can account for changes in data collection efforts over space and time. Through simulated datasets, we found that not all datasets are suitable for occupancy-detection analysis, but accurate trend estimation is possible under certain conditions. We also presented a case study on eastern North American odonates, demonstrating the suitability of occupancy-detection models for macroecological analysis.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jhoniel Perdigon Ferreira, Patrick T. Rohner, Stefan Luepold
Summary: Directional sexual selection drives the evolution of traits linked to reproductive success, resulting in trait exaggeration and sexual dimorphism. However, the relationship between sexual dimorphism and condition dependence has been poorly studied. This study found male-biased sexual dimorphism but no correlation between sex-specific condition dependence and sexual dimorphism.
EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Frank Johansson, David Berger, David Outomuro, Szymon Sniegula, Meagan Tunon, Phillip C. Watts, Patrick Thomas Rohner
Summary: The relationship between genetic differentiation and phenotypic plasticity was studied in a damselfly population across a latitudinal gradient in Europe. The results showed significant differences in wing shape between northern and southern populations when reared in their respective native environments. Phenotypic plasticity was found in wing shape, but the response differed among populations. Mixed support was found for the alignment between environmental plasticity and genetic differentiation. Population differences had a stronger effect on wing shape than plastic effects.
JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Natalia Gourgoulianni, Martin A. Schafer, Martin Kapun, Juan Pablo Busso, Wolf U. Blanckenhorn
Summary: Climate change leads to higher average temperatures and more frequent and severe heat waves. This study investigates the effects of developmental temperature and larval density on phenoloxidase activity in the black scavenger fly Sepsis thoracica. The results show that PO activity is influenced by developmental temperature and larval rearing density, indicating the importance of temperature and competition on immune function and body size.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Patrick T. Rohner, David Berger
Summary: In this study, the authors use fluctuating asymmetry as a measure of developmental variability and find that it predicts phenotypic and genetic variation in wing shape in sepsid flies. They also find that developmental bias in wing shape aligns with allometric effects and fruit fly developmental variability. The findings suggest that developmental bias plays a significant role in the evolvability and macroevolutionary trajectories of fly wings.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biology
Gowri Rajaratnam, Gerald Lui, Kathy F. Y. Su, Martin S. J. Chew, Yuchen Ang, Nalini Puniamoorthy, Patrick T. Rohner, Wolf U. Blanckenhorn, Rudolf Meier
Summary: Male sexual ornaments often evolve rapidly and contribute to sexual size dimorphism, but little is known about their developmental costs. In this study, we quantified the size and complexity of male ornaments in sepsid fly species and found no evidence that sexual trait complexity incurs developmental costs.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mohammed Khalil Mellal, Rassim Khelifa, Abdelmadjid Chelli, Naima Djouadi, Khodir Madani
Summary: Fig cultivation has a long history in the Mediterranean region and brings both economic and social benefits. A study conducted in Algeria examined the impact of climate change and pest invasions on fig tree yield. It found a significant warming trend and a decrease in precipitation in the region, as well as the spread of various pests. Fig tree yield declined by 25% during the study period, highlighting the need for sustainable farming practices to mitigate these risks.
Article
Ecology
Patrick T. Rohner, Sofia Casasa, Armin P. Moczek
Summary: Through transcript depletion experiments in the gazelle dung beetle, the functions of insulin signalling pathway components in shaping traits and species were investigated. The results showed divergent effects of different components on different traits, potentially fueling the evolution of scaling relationships.
JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Patrick T. Rohner, Armin P. Moczek
Summary: This study investigates how developmental niche construction affects sexual dimorphism in dung beetles. The findings suggest that environmental modifications shape phenotypic variation in sex-specific traits, primarily through nutrition-dependent plasticity and non-isometric trait scaling.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Patrick T. Rohner, Armin P. Moczek
Summary: This study investigates how temperature affects the nutritional polyphenism in horn length in a beetle, and tests whether allometric plasticity predicts latitudinal differentiation. The results show that increased temperatures reduce the body size threshold separating two male morphs in all populations, but the magnitude of temperature-dependent changes in allometry diverged across recently established populations. Furthermore, a latitudinal increase in the threshold in the species' exotic range suggests that allometric plasticity may predict evolved clinal differences.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Patrick T. Rohner, Yonggang Hu, Armin P. Moczek
Summary: Static allometry is a significant component of morphological variation. This study uses geometric morphometrics to investigate the effect of functional genetic manipulations on horn shape allometry in dung beetles. The findings suggest that some genes closely align with shape allometry, indicating their role in regulating relative trait growth, while other genes are implicated in scaling-independent processes. The study highlights the importance of multivariate approaches in studying allometry and phenotypic plasticity.
EVOLUTION & DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Abdelheq Zouaimia, Rabah Zebsa, Zinette Bensakhri, Abdeldjalil Youcefi, Soufyane Bensouilah, Hichem Amari, Mohamed-Laid Ouakid, Moussa Houhamdi, Rassim Khelifa
Summary: Assessing temporal changes in the distribution of threatened species is crucial for effective management. This study monitored the distribution of the locally critically endangered Urothemis edwardsii in northeastern Algeria and confirmed the maintenance of reproductive populations. Although the conservation status of the species has improved, there are still various threats that need to be addressed and conservation measures that should be implemented to ensure species conservation and expansion.
ANNALES DE LA SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE FRANCE
(2022)