Article
Ecology
Sheree J. Walters, Todd P. Robinson, Margaret Byrne, Paul Nevill
Summary: Provenance delineation is important for ecological restoration, but its application using genomics approach is rare. This study investigated two pairs of co-occurring plant species in mesic and semi-arid environments using neutral genetic data and landscape genomics, and found that the geographic extent of provenances and the required genetic change differed between the species and habitats. Future climate scenarios also had different effects on provenance patterns. This suggests that provenance guidelines should consider species and habitat dependencies.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Milza Lopez, Betsabe Abarca, Sergio Espinoza, Alexis Rojas, Eduardo Martinez-Herrera, Marco R. Yanez, Carlos Magni
Summary: This study aimed to develop a methodology to delineate seed zones for native tree species based on geographical and climatic variables. Using Quillaja saponaria as a case study, the method successfully determined seed sources and provided a preliminary estimation of abundance. The proposed methodology is easily replicable and applicable to other species using free databases and computing tools.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andhika R. Putra, Jian D. L. Yen, Alexandre Fournier-Level
Summary: This study develops a predictive model that combines genetic variation and temperature variation to support climate-adaptive seed selection. Using multiple field plantings of Arabidopsis thaliana, the researchers predict the flowering time and fecundity of the species across its European range and find that temperature differences explain a significant portion of trait variation. Future climate projections indicate a decline in fecundity, although this response varies across the species' range. The study also identifies novel genotypes that could be used to genetically offset fitness decay.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2023)
Article
Forestry
M. Florencia Urretavizcaya, Viviana Albarracin, Ivonne Orellana, M. Melisa Rago, Pablo Lopez Bernal, Lucas Monelos, Pablo Luis Peri
Summary: This study evaluates the post-fire regeneration of Nothofagus pumilio forests in Patagonia, Argentina, and explores the relationship between the soil seed bank and above-ground vegetation. The results show that the distance from the forest edge affects the germinable seed bank, and suggests the need for active restoration within 15-20 meters from the forest edge to ensure the recovery of the forest structure and functionality.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yessica Rico
Summary: Selecting suitable seed sources is crucial for restoration efforts in degraded landscapes, with options including local seeds for current adaptations or climate-adapted genotypes for future conditions. Prioritizing species adaptations to current environmental conditions is essential for successful restoration.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Madeline P. Nolan, Justin C. Luong, Justin M. Valliere, Susan J. Mazer, Carla M. D'Antonio
Summary: Restricting seed collection to local populations is a common practice in restoration, but as the effects of climate change are being considered, there is debate about whether it should be the default strategy. It is important to explore whether local seed provenance is necessary for dominant species used in restoration projects. In this study, the authors examined different seed-provenancing strategies for Stipa pulchra and found limited evidence supporting the use of local seed sourcing.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Mateus C. Silva, Peter Moonlight, Rafael S. Oliveira, R. Toby Pennington, Lucy Rowland
Summary: Seed markets are crucial for ecosystem restoration in the Brazilian Cerrado. Currently, there are 263 species available for purchase, but a significant percentage of these species are only found in one supply system. It is important to expand the seed supply systems and prioritize the diversity of ground-layer species.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Monika Carol Resch, Martin Schuetz, Raul Ochoa-Hueso, Nina Buchmann, Beat Frey, Ulrich Graf, Wim H. van der Putten, Stephan Zimmermann, Anita C. Risch
Summary: Evaluation of restoration activities is crucial, and network analyses prove to be powerful in assessing the recovery of ecosystems by examining the response of both biotic and abiotic components.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ana D. Sampaio, Pedro F. Pereira, Alice Nunes, Adelaide Clemente, Vania Salgueiro, Carmo Silva, Antonio Mira, Cristina Branquinho, Pedro A. Salgueiro
Summary: The study assessed restoration success in a quarry undergoing restoration practices for 40 years, finding that bird abundance in the restored area was significantly lower and the bird community composition differed from neighboring natural and semi-natural areas. Vegetation characteristics, such as native vegetation cover and fruit richness, played a key role in driving bird community composition and influencing seed dispersal services.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Heike Proehl, Ariel Rodriguez, Jianping Jiang, Bin Wang, Wei Zhu
Summary: Threatened animal species living in small and isolated populations with reduced genetic diversity often have lower fitness. However, there is a scarcity of published studies on this topic, with a focus on only a few species and a high proportion of non-significant results. Increasing research efforts and implementing conservation measures to enhance genetic diversity are important for the maintenance of amphibian and other animal populations.
Article
Plant Sciences
Xiaoqian Gong, Zhimin Qi, Jia Wen, Yongzhi Yan, Qingfu Liu, Yuanheng Li, Qing Zhang
Summary: This study explored the changes in plant taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity and driving factors during a 35-year aerial seeding restoration in Mu Us sandy land. The results showed that plant diversity increased first and then tended to a saturation state in the middle of restoration. Soil nutrients, including TN, TOC, and NO3--N, were positively correlated with plant diversity, while AP showed a negative correlation. Soil nitrogen and carbon promoted diversity in the early restoration period, while phosphorus limited diversity in the middle and late restoration periods. Restoration time, soil nutrients, and climate factors were identified as the main factors affecting plant diversity.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jeferson Vizentin-Bugoni, Jinelle H. Sperry, J. Patrick Kelley, Jason M. Gleditsch, Jeffrey T. Foster, Donald R. Drake, Amy M. Hruska, Rebecca C. Wilcox, Samuel B. Case, Corey E. Tarwater
Summary: Globally, ecosystems with a mix of native and introduced species are increasing as extinction and introduction rates rise, resulting in novel species interactions. Introduced species in these ecosystems shape the structure of interaction networks to a greater extent than native species, with niche-based processes playing a larger role in determining network structure.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Natalie L. Rosser, Anthony Quinton, Huw Davey, David J. Ayre, Andrew J. Denham
Summary: This study examines genetic composition of Yellow Box trees in endangered Box-Gum Grassy Woodland in SE Australia. The results suggest high gene flow between natural stands and paddock trees. The study shows that paddock trees have high genetic diversity and provide important genetic resources for natural recruitment.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Tobias Fremout, Evert Thomas, Kelly Tatiana Bocanegra-Gonzalez, Carolina Adriana Aguirre-Morales, Anjuly Tatiana Morillo-Paz, Rachel Atkinson, Chris Kettle, Roy Gonzalez-M, Carolina Alcazar-Caicedo, Mailyn Adriana Gonzalez, Carlos Gil-Tobon, Janneth Patricia Gutierrez, Luis Gonzalo Moscoso-Higuita, Luis Augusto Becerra Lopez-Lavalle, Dulcineia de Carvalho, Bart Muys
Summary: Tree-based forest landscape restoration interventions require knowledge on seed sources and planting material suitability. It is recommended to combine locally sourced material with 'climate-matched' provenances to adapt to climate change. Genetic and environmental data can be used to delineate dynamic seed zones for restoration of threatened ecosystems.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yan Zhu, Yafeng Wang, Liding Chen, Zongshan Li
Summary: The study suggests that black locust plantations on the Chinese Loess Plateau have a positive impact on the abundance and diversity of soil macroinvertebrates, especially on predators and phytophages, with the effect decreasing with latitude. The community composition of macroinvertebrates is influenced by climate factors and geographic distance. Planting black locust for biodiversity purposes is more suitable in the south than the north of the plateau due to the decrease in afforestation-induced positive effects with latitude.
Article
Ecology
Shawn D. Peddle, Andrew Bissett, Ryan J. Borrett, Paul Bullock, Michael G. Gardner, Craig Liddicoat, Mark Tibbett, Martin F. Breed, Siegfried L. Krauss
Summary: Mining activities have a significant impact on soil microbial communities. The restoration of these communities is often overlooked. By sequencing soil DNA, it is possible to accurately assess the composition and diversity of soil bacteria and determine the effects of mining and restoration activities. The results show that bacterial communities gradually recover towards the reference states as the restoration time increases.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Christian Cando-Dumancela, Tarryn Davies, Riley J. Hodgson, Craig Liddicoat, Shawn D. Peddle, Carl D. Watson, Martin F. Breed
Summary: Environmental microbiota play an important role in ecosystem restoration and their study can provide valuable insights. This paper presents a practical guide to help manage the risks of microbial contamination in field sampling and laboratory procedures, aiming to improve the research quality and restoration outcomes.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Xiu-Jing Shen, Li-Jun Cao, Jin-Cui Chen, Li-Jun Ma, Jia-Xu Wang, Ary A. Hoffmann, Shu-Jun Wei
Summary: This study investigated the frequency and distribution pattern of resistance mutations in the diamondback moth (DBM) across China. The results showed a widespread distribution of resistance alleles in DBM populations, with some mutations near fixation and others less common or absent in most populations. The frequency of resistance alleles remained relatively stable among different years, although there was a decrease in the frequency of certain mutations. Principal component analysis revealed clustering of immigrant populations with other populations, indicating a migration pattern from the Sichuan area of southwestern China. The study also found that most resistant mutations deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, suggesting the influence of heterogeneous selection pressures on resistance mutations.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Joshua A. Thia, Pasi K. Korhonen, Neil D. Young, Robin B. Gasser, Paul A. Umina, Qiong Yang, Owain Edwards, Tom Walsh, Ary A. Hoffmann
Summary: Genomic data provides insights into pest management, resistance evolution, pest invasions, and population dynamics. The first reference genome for the redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor, was assembled to study pesticide adaptation and population demographics using whole-genome pool-seq data. Genetic mutations have been identified that contribute to organophosphate and pyrethroid resistance. Population genomic analyses reveal regional structuring in H. destructor populations, while demographic analyses indicate reduced genetic diversity and smaller effective population sizes in eastern populations. These findings have important implications for genetic markers, understanding resistance mechanisms, and predictive modeling of resistance evolution and spread.
JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Xiu-Jing Shen, Yu-Jie Zhang, Shuai-Yu Wang, Jin-Cui Chen, Li-Jun Cao, Ya-Jun Gong, Bin-Shuang Pang, Ary Anthony Hoffmann, Shu-Jun Wei
Summary: This study reveals the high frequency of resistant mutations in two-spotted spider mite populations across China, indicating the urgency of managing multiple acaricide resistance.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Letter
Ecology
Ary A. Hoffmann, Jon Bridle
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yiyue Zhang, Jian-Qiang Su, Hu Liao, Martin F. Breed, Haifeng Yao, Huayuan Shangguan, Hong-Zhe Li, Xin Sun, Yong-Guan Zhu
Summary: Our study investigated the role of urbanization in promoting invasive species carrying human bacterial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance. We found that gut bacterial communities, antibiotic resistance genes, and potential antibiotic-resistant pathogens in giant African snails were significantly higher than in native snails and soils. The study highlights the high diversity and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in the gut of giant African snails, suggesting their potential role in the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kelly Richardson, Perran A. Ross, Brandon Cooper, William Conner, Tom Schmidt, Ary Hoffmann
Summary: MK Wolbachia was identified at a low frequency (around 4%) in natural populations of Drosophila pseudotakahashii. It had a stable density and transmission during laboratory culture, but the MK phenotype was lost rapidly. MK Wolbachia coexisted with another strain expressing a different reproductive manipulation. Genomic analysis revealed diverged Wolbachia regions involving 17 genes, and identification of the wmk and cif genes implicated in MK and CI. A dominant suppressor genetic element affecting MK was identified through backcrossing and genome analysis. These findings highlight the complexity of endosymbiont detection and dynamics, and the challenges of linking them to host phenotypes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Meng-Jia Lau, Shuai Nie, Qiong Yang, Lawrence G. Harshman, Cungui Mao, Nicholas A. Williamson, Ary A. Hoffmann
Summary: We analyzed the lipid composition of female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes at different time points during feeding and reproduction. The abundance of lipids showed two temporal increases, with more than 80% of lipids identified during feeding and from 16 to 30 hours after blood meal. Certain lipids, such as phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, cardiolipin, hexosylceramide, and lyso-phosphatidic acid, exhibited a strong temporal pattern during the second peak. Different patterns of change were observed in lyso-glycerophospholipids, with some membrane lipids showing little change and signaling lipids showing a significant increase. Our findings suggest that specific lipids play a role in the reproductive process of Ae. aegypti, particularly in the formation and growth of ovarian follicles.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Thomas L. Schmidt, Nancy M. Endersby-Harshman, Nina Kurucz, William Pettit, Vicki L. Krause, Gerhard Ehlers, Mutizwa Odwell Muzari, Bart J. Currie, Ary A. Hoffmann
Summary: Biosecurity strategies for invasive pests can benefit from genomic databanks to trace incursions. This study used deep learning methods to trace mosquito incursions in Australia and found high precision even with limited genetic differentiation and samples collected generations ago. PCAs performed poorly for tracing when drift effects were strong. Targeted assays provided additional information on the origin of the mosquitoes. The study highlights the value of genomic databanks for long-term and diverse biological conditions.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wanzhen Liu, Xue Xia, Ary A. Hoffmann, Yamei Ding, Ji-Chao Fang, Hui Yu
Summary: This study discovered novel Wolbachia strains in a pollinator species through genome sequencing, investigated their phylogenetic relationship and cytoplasmic incompatibility, and identified mobile genetic elements and metabolic genes. The findings provide important resources for further research on Wolbachia-pollinator-host plant interactions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hua-Yuan Shangguan, Stefan Geisen, Zhi-Peng Li, Hai-Feng Yao, Gang Li, Martin F. Breed, Stefan Scheu, Xin Sun
Summary: This study investigated the impact of urbanization on soil protist communities and found that urban greenspaces harbor higher protist diversity compared to forests. The drivers of protist communities vary between functional groups and urban ecosystems.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2024)
Review
Environmental Studies
Xin Sun, Craig Liddicoat, Alexei Tiunov, Bin Wang, Yiyue Zhang, Changyi Lu, Zhipeng Li, Stefan Scheu, Martin F. Breed, Stefan Geisen, Yong-Guan Zhu
Summary: Biodiversity in urban soil is connected to human health, and reductions in soil biodiversity increase risks to human health. However, soil biodiversity can improve human health through various pathways including pathogen suppression, soil remediation, shaping a beneficial human microbiome, and promoting immune fitness. We argue that targeted enhancement of urban soil biodiversity can support human health in both outdoor and indoor settings. The potential of enhanced urban soil biodiversity to benefit human health is an important yet understudied field of fundamental and applied research.
NPJ URBAN SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
John G. Black, Anthony R. J. van Rooyen, Dean Heinze, Robbie Gaffney, Ary A. Hoffmann, Thomas L. Schmidt, Andrew R. Weeks
Summary: Identifying and analysing isolated populations is crucial for conservation. This study investigates the genetic structure and individual heterozygosity patterns of the eastern barred bandicoot in Tasmania, Australia. The findings reveal isolated populations undergoing significant genetic drift and multiple fine-scale differentiation regions. The study also highlights variations in individual heterozygosity within populations and spatial patterns of heterozygosity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Haifeng Yao, Zhipeng Li, Stefan Geisen, Zhihong Qiao, Martin F. Breed, Xin Sun
Summary: Urbanization has a strong impact on soil biodiversity in city parks, with the overall species richness increasing with urbanization, especially in bacterivores, plant pathogens, and animal parasites. The vegetation type also plays a role in soil biodiversity, particularly in fungal richness. Targeted management of vegetation types in urban areas can help mitigate the negative effect of urbanization on soil biodiversity.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)