Article
Environmental Sciences
Jing Wang, Ri-Jin Jiang, Yi Xiao, Rui Yin, Feng Chen, Yong-dong Zhou, Han-Xiang Xu
Summary: This study investigates the ecological niche differences and resource sharing among five Sciaenid fish species in the waters of the Zhoushan Archipelago. The results show significant differences in carbon and nitrogen isotopic values in the muscle tissues of these fish species. Zooplankton is a key food resource for all species, and some species also feed on benthos organisms. Differences in trophic niche width and overlap are observed among the species.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yuyu Wang, Wenzhuo Tan, Bin Li, Li Wen, Guangchun Lei, April Blakeslee
Summary: This study in the Middle-lower Yangtze River Region in China found that human disturbance can lead to changes in isotopic niche space and overlap between introduced red swamp crayfish and native oriental river shrimp and freshwater snail, potentially increasing competition, especially in modified habitats. The exotic crayfish showed greater competitive superiority over the native species, with changes in niche width and overlap depending on habitat modification.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2021)
Review
Oceanography
Raquel Garcia-Vernet, Asuncion Borrell, Gisli Vikingsson, Sverrir D. Halldorsson, Alex Aguilar
Summary: The highly productive waters off Iceland are an important feeding ground for baleen whales, and during the summer feeding season, five balaenopterid species coexist by segregating their food sources to avoid competition, except for blue and fin whales, they all show clear ecological niche partitioning.
PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Elena Granda, Cristina Antunes, Cristina Maguas, Pilar Castro-Diez
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate water source partitioning between native and non-native tree species in central Spain floodplains, determine the dependence on drought stress of such water source use, and assess the relationship between reliance on deeper water sources and physiological and growth performance. The results showed significant differences in water source use between species under drier conditions, with non-native species exhibiting a physiological strategy characterized by greater leaf N, water content, and enriched isotopes values.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oceanography
Asuncion Borrell, Manel Gazo, Alex Aguilar, Juan A. Raga, Eduard Degollada, Patricia Gozalbes, Raquel Garcia-Vernet
Summary: Ten species of cetaceans coexist in the diverse and rich Mediterranean Sea, with each species occupying different feeding habitats and niches. Most species avoid competitive exclusion through trophic or spatial segregation, except for the common and striped dolphins, which exhibit interspecific competition. The competition led to the striped dolphin displacing the common dolphin in part of their distribution range, but coexistence is still possible due to spatial segregation and high productivity in certain areas.
PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ri Jin Jiang, Fan Yang, Feng Chen, Rui Yin, Ming Zhi Liu, Wen Bin Zhu, Ai Guo, Lian Wei Liu
Summary: This study analyzed the feeding habits and nutritional interactions among three tuna species in the waters of the Solomon Islands. The results showed differences in feeding habits and stomach fullness among the species, with a specialized feeding tendency. Understanding the feeding ecology of these tuna species is important for the ecosystem and food web structure.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Sophie E. Weides, Tomas Hajek, Pierre Liancourt, Maximiliane M. Herberich, Rosa E. Kramp, Sara Tomiolo, L. Camila Pacheco-Riano, Katja Tielboerger, Maria Majekova
Summary: Belowground niche partitioning is a crucial mechanism for maintaining species coexistence and diversity. Despite the shift to shallower soil layers under climate change, co-occurring species with different water-uptake depths still maintain belowground niche partitioning. The coexistence of contrasting strategies may contribute to stabilizing species coexistence under extreme drought.
Article
Ecology
Nicole E. Saavedra, Scott A. Rush, Jill A. Olin, Gordon Paterson
Summary: This study investigates resource partitioning among prey fish species in Lake Ontario by using trophic tracers, pollutants, and bioenergetic modelling. The results demonstrate that the trophic relationships among species can be confirmed by carbon and nitrogen isotopes, and the PCBs concentration is highly correlated with temperature occupancy predictions. The three-dimensional niche modelling suggests that species behavioural thermoregulation is likely the direct cause of ecological tracer assimilation.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Patrick M. Garvey, Alistair S. Glen, Mick N. Clout, Margaret Nichols, Roger P. Pech
Summary: This study investigated resource partitioning among invasive mammalian predators and found evidence of spatial and resource partitioning, but it was incomplete and avoidance was achieved through temporal partitioning within overlapping areas. Resource partitioning among invasive predators facilitates coexistence, but simultaneously intensifies predation pressure on vulnerable native species.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Rohit Chakravarty, Viktoriia Radchuk, Shreyas Managave, Christian C. Voigt
Summary: This study investigates the stable isotopic niche width and overlap among 23 bat species across an elevational gradient. The results show that low elevation assemblages have high species richness but small niche width with high overlap, while high elevation assemblages have low species richness but large niche width with low overlap. This suggests that low elevations exhibit niche packing, while high elevations show niche partitioning.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Kevin E. Scriber II, Christine A. M. France, Fatimah L. C. Jackson
Summary: Invasive apple snails have negative impacts on non-native habitats and human well-being. This study compares the trophic position of Pomacea canaliculata in native habitats (Maldonado, Uruguay) and non-native habitats (Hangzhou, China and Hawaii, USA). It was found that species evenness is correlated with apple snail trophic level, and there are two subsets of apple snail trophic-level data: a biodiverse subset and a homogenized subset.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Elia Lo Parrino, Mattia Falaschi, Raoul Manenti, Gentile Francesco Ficetola
Summary: Species distribution models are commonly used to predict potential distributions of invasive species. However, niche expansion in freshwater invasive species challenges the reliability of these models. This study investigates the factors influencing niche shifts using multiple sets of environmental variables and found that methodological choices strongly affect niche dynamics metrics, while biological features have a weaker influence. Inappropriate methodological choices can lead to apparent niche shifts, raising concerns about the reliability and interpretation of niche models. The high rate of niche expansion in freshwater invasive species emphasizes the need for objective criteria in selecting variables for niche assessments.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rui Albuquerque, Antonio Bode, Juan Ignacio Gonzalez-Gordillo, Carlos M. Duarte, Henrique Queiroga
Summary: Marine neuston, a group of zooplankton that live near the ocean surface, is one of the least studied zooplankton groups. This study characterized the neustonic communities across different oceanic provinces and found that the differences in stable isotopes are related to environmental characteristics. The trophic structure of neuston communities is generally consistent across different regions, but the size and overlap of trophic niches may vary depending on food availability.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Jimmy de Rooij, Jeroen H. J. L. van der Lubbe, Suzan Verdegaal, Megan Hulscher, Daphne Tooms, Pim Kaskes, Oeki Verhage, Leonie Portanger, Anne S. Schulp
Summary: Our understanding of Late Cretaceous dinosaur ecosystems has improved through stable isotope analyses. An analysis of a Triceratops bonebed provides insights into the paleoecology of these large herbivores and their habitat use, diet, and possible migration.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
QiSheng Li, ZhongPing Xiong, Bin Lu, YingWen Pu, Yuan Li, YaJun Zhang, YuBao Duan
Summary: This study investigates the interactions between invasive bullfrogs and native pond frogs in urban ecosystems. The results show that there is competition between the two species, but bullfrogs have a wider trophic niche compared to pond frogs. This suggests that both species have similar ecological functions and experience intense interspecific competition.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrew G. Briscoe, Sarah Nichols, Hanna Hartikainen, Hazel Knipe, Rachel Foster, Andy J. Green, Beth Okamura, David Bass
Summary: Examination of bird faecal material has revealed the distribution patterns of a wide range of organisms, with particular focus on plant seeds and freshwater organisms. High-throughput sequencing methods now offer detailed insights into faecal contents, aiding in the understanding of parasite and pathogen transport. The study highlights the significant levels of bird-mediated dispersal of parasites and hidden biodiversity revealed through novel sequencing techniques.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Bia A. Almeida, Balazs A. Lukacs, Adam Lovas-Kiss, Chevonne Reynolds, Andy J. Green
Summary: Endozoochory by waterfowl is important for a broad range of angiosperms, most of which lack a fleshy fruit. This dispersal function contributes to the formation and maintenance of plant communities and may allow range shifts for plant species under global change. However, our current understanding of what seed or plant traits are important for this dispersal mechanism, and how they relate to variation in waterbird traits, is extremely limited.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gema L. Batanero, Andy J. Green, Juan A. Amat, Marion Vittecoq, Curtis A. Suttle, Isabel Reche
Summary: Coastal wetlands are valuable aquatic ecosystems with high productivity that provide important services, but are at risk of salinization due to predicted rise of sea level and freshwater extractions. Salinization may shift microbial activity from heterotrophic bacterial-dominated processes towards archaeal-dominated processes, influenced by factors like nitrogen concentration, salinity, and virus abundance. More research is needed to accurately predict future scenarios in coastal wetlands.
Article
Ecology
Alberto Alonso, Naiara Lopez-Rojo, Javier Perez, Luz Boyero
Summary: Alder and oak are dominant tree species in European Atlantic mixed forests, and their leaf litter plays a crucial role in stream ecosystems. However, due to the spread of fungal pathogens, both species are declining. This study investigates how their reduction or loss may affect stream ecosystem functioning.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Alberto Alonso, Silvia Monroy, Jaime Bosch, Javier Perez, Luz Boyero
Summary: Amphibians are declining globally, which has significant ecological consequences on freshwater ecosystems. An experiment conducted in montane streams showed that the disappearance of tadpoles affected periphyton biomass, algal assemblage structure, and growth of macroinvertebrate grazers.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Nadine Ebm, Fen Guo, Michael T. Brett, Stuart E. Bunn, Brian Fry, Martin J. Kainz
Summary: Organisms at the base of stream food webs have a low supply of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), while consumers at higher trophic levels are rich in LC-PUFA. This study investigated the origins of LC-PUFA in these consumers and found that they are likely obtained through selective retention of dietary sources rather than endogenous conversion. Stable isotopes were used to track the sources of LC-PUFA, with results showing that consumers retained algal-derived PUFA in oligotrophic headwater streams.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Johan Rockstroem, Joyeeta Gupta, Dahe Qin, Steven J. Lade, Jesse F. Abrams, Lauren S. Andersen, David I. Armstrong McKay, Xuemei Bai, Govindasamy Bala, Stuart E. Bunn, Daniel Ciobanu, Fabrice DeClerck, Kristie Ebi, Lauren Gifford, Christopher Gordon, Syezlin Hasan, Norichika Kanie, Timothy M. Lenton, Sina Loriani, Diana M. Liverman, Awaz Mohamed, Nebojsa Nakicenovic, David Obura, Daniel Ospina, Klaudia Prodani, Crelis Rammelt, Boris Sakschewski, Joeri Scholtens, Ben Stewart-Koster, Thejna Tharammal, Detlef van Vuuren, Peter H. Verburg, Ricarda Winkelmann, Caroline Zimm, Elena M. Bennett, Stefan Bringezu, Wendy Broadgate, Pamela A. Green, Lei Huang, Lisa Jacobson, Christopher Ndehedehe, Simona Pedde, Juan Rocha, Marten Scheffer, Lena Schulte-Uebbing, Wim de Vries, Cunde Xiao, Chi Xu, Xinwu Xu, Noelia Zafra-Calvo, Xin Zhang
Summary: The stability and resilience of the Earth system and human well-being are closely linked but often treated independently. This study proposes safe and just Earth system boundaries to maintain stability and minimize harm to humans from Earth system change. Findings show that justice considerations have a greater impact on setting boundaries than safety considerations.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Alfredo A. Ulloa-Yanez, Guillermo Figueroa-Munoz, Daniela Nunez, Luz Boyero, Patricio De Los Rios-Escalante, Juan Martin, Ximena Jaque, Carlos Esse, Francisco Correa-Araneda
Summary: The tiger crab is a threatened endemic freshwater decapod of Chile, distributed in the Mediterranean region of Central Chile. Human stressors and limited knowledge of its ecology have led to its categorization as Endangered. This study presents a preliminary description of the species' ecology and provides useful information for its conservation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Javier Perez, Aydee Cornejo, Alberto Alonso, Alisson Guerra, Gabriela Garcia, Carlos Nieto, Francisco Correa-Araneda, Diana Rojo, Luz Boyero
Summary: Several human activities result in increased N and P inputs to running waters. Joint effects of moderate eutrophication and global warming can affect the functioning of headwater streams. Both warming and eutrophication can alter stream ecosystems, with warming consistently enhancing decomposition rates and associated variables, and eutrophication having weaker and more variable effects.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Juan Rubio-Rios, Maria J. Salinas-Bonillo, Javier Perez, Encarnacion Fenoy, Luz Boyero, J. Jesus Casas
Summary: The abandonment of traditional farming and pastures in the Mediterranean basin led to ambitious afforestation programs, resulting in a drastic transformation of the landscape. The potential ecological impacts of these programs on recipient ecosystems were not considered. In this study, the researchers assessed the effects of pine plantations on stream ecosystem functioning and found that the presence of black alder in the riparian zone and/or as leaf litter within the stream mitigated the impacts. Thinning of pine plantations combined with the planting of native deciduous species, such as alder, is recommended to alleviate the effects on Mediterranean streams.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paolo Cappa, Mark E. M. Walton, Maria Kristina O. Paler, Evelyn B. Taboada, Jan G. Hiddink, Martin W. Skov
Summary: A study of seven mangrove forests in the Philippines showed that the abundance of roots near river mouths allows the forests to trap plastic litter. The research confirms that rivers are a major pathway for marine plastic pollution, and that mangrove roots play a crucial role in regulating the retention of litter. The results suggest that land-based waste management measures to prevent plastics from entering rivers will help reduce marine plastic pollution in Southeast Asia.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Francisco Ramirez, Yago Cordon, Diego Garcia, Airam Rodriguez, Marta Coll, Lloyd S. Davis, Andre Chiaradia, Josep L. Carrasco
Summary: Culturally dependent human social behaviors involving artificial light usage shape annual lighting patterns globally, with scheduled routines associated with cultural-specific festivities driving observed seasonal patterns. Understanding these cultural contexts is crucial in mitigating the deleterious effects of global night-time light pollution caused by human modifications of the nightscape.
Article
Zoology
Thiely O. Garcia, Naraiana L. Benone, Bruno S. Prudente, Naiara R. Torres, Stuart E. Bunn, Mark J. Kennard, Luciano F. A. Montag
Summary: The Amazon River basins have unique natural and anthropogenic characteristics that affect the structure and biota of stream habitats. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of local, macroscale, and land-use variables on the structure of stream fish assemblages in Amazonian catchments with different deforestation levels. The results showed that macroscale and local variables explained the variation in fish composition, while land use also played a role in the variation when spatial effects were not considered. In forested catchments, the fish assemblages were associated with streams with natural characteristics, while in deforested catchments, they were associated with land use, sandy catchments, and less complex streams.
NEOTROPICAL ICHTHYOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Pal Toth, Andy J. Green, David M. Wilkinson, Kane Brides, Adam Lovas-Kiss
Summary: Ducks and geese serve as dispersal vectors for plants, with mallards dispersing more plant species compared to geese. Plant communities and traits dispersed also differ between urban and natural habitats.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ben Stewart-Koster, Stuart E. Bunn, Pamela Green, Christopher Ndehedehe, Lauren S. Andersen, David I. Armstrong McKay, Xuemei Bai, Fabrice DeClerck, Kristie L. Ebi, Christopher Gordon, Joyeeta Gupta, Syezlin Hasan, Lisa Jacobson, Steven J. Lade, Diana Liverman, Sina Loriani, Awaz Mohamed, Nebojsa Nakicenovic, David Obura, Dahe Qin, Crelis Rammelt, Juan C. Rocha, Johan Rockstroem, Peter H. Verburg, Caroline Zimm
Summary: This study assesses whether renewable surface water is enough to meet people's basic needs and estimates that approximately 2.6 billion people live in river basins where groundwater is needed, while over 1.4 billion people would require demand-side transformations and another 1.5 billion people would require both supply and demand-side transformations. These findings highlight the challenges and opportunities of meeting basic water access needs and protecting aquatic ecosystems.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)