Article
Ecology
Gregory F. Grether, Kenichi W. Okamo
Summary: This study establishes an eco-evolutionary model to investigate the coexistence mechanisms of interference competitors. The study finds that coexistence between interference competitors can occur in various ecological scenarios, even at the highest levels of resource overlap. However, coexistence requires co-evolution between species, and reductions in population size and levels of genetic variation may disrupt the coexistence mechanisms.
Article
Ecology
Kiana B. Young, David T. Saalfeld, Colette Brandt, Kyle R. Smith, Timothy J. Spivey, Cory J. Stantorf
Summary: Interactions between gray wolves and wolverines are understudied in North America. This study documents three instances of a wolf pack killing wolverines, providing insights into the possible reasons behind such interactions. The findings contribute to a better understanding of wolf and wolverine ecology and interspecific predator interactions.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Aimee Tallian, Andres Ordiz, Matthew C. Metz, Barbara Zimmermann, Camilla Wikenros, Douglas W. Smith, Daniel R. Stahler, Petter Wabakken, Jon E. Swenson, Hakan Sand, Jonas Kindberg
Summary: Competition between apex predators can alter top-down forcing, but the behavioral mechanisms driving competition in multipredator ecosystems are still poorly understood. Interactions between predators can either facilitate or inhibit each other, and these interactions vary in strength, affecting predation patterns and predator-prey dynamics. Recent research suggests that gray wolf kill rates decrease where they coexist with brown bears, but the mechanisms behind this pattern remain unknown. Using data from two long-term research projects, this study examined the role of interference and exploitation competition from bears on wolf predatory behavior.
ECOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Akihiko Mougi
Summary: A study finds that interference among multiple predator species can play a stabilizing role in complex communities, particularly in cases where there is high species diversity and dense species interactions. When interspecific interference is strong, the community tends to be more stable, creating a positive relationship between complexity and stability.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Simon E. Votto, Christine Schlesinger, Fiona Dyer, Valerie Caron, Jenny Davis
Summary: Interference competition between avian species at long-lasting waterholes in the arid zone of central Australia was investigated using camera traps and observational surveys. The proportion of individuals drinking for each dietary class was modeled in relation to their abundance in the waterhole habitat. Results showed that the competition potential was highest during hot and dry periods, especially for nectarivores.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Seiya Saji, Kazuhisa Yamasaki, Nanami Fujimoto, Hideshi Naka
Summary: For many years, only one species of praying mantis in the genus Hierodula, Hierodula patellifera Serville, had been recorded in Japan. In recent years, however, a larger species, Hierodula chinensis Werner, has been discovered in Japan, and there may not be a sex pheromone-mediated reproductive interference between the two species.
ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
H. Takada, R. Yano, H. Watanabe, R. Ohuchi, T. Kanno, A. Washida, K. Nakamura, N. Tezuka, D. Shimodoumae, M. Minami
Summary: In ungulate assemblages, the impact of interspecific differences in body size and gregariousness on interference competition has not been fully investigated. Field observations of sika deer and Japanese serows revealed that deer did not show aggression towards serows, while serows exhibited antagonistic behavior towards deer. However, serows were rarely successful in displacing deer, indicating that larger-gregarious ungulates do not necessarily exclude smaller-solitary ones. The alertness of serows towards deer suggests a sensitivity to deer presence, which may have a negative effect on the serow population.
Article
Plant Sciences
Qin Li, Ji Wang, Ryan Fuller, Yaowu Xing, Jianquan Liu, Richard H. Ree
Summary: This study on Rhododendron species in a nature reserve in the eastern Hengduan Mountains, China, found that species tend to be spatially aggregated and more similar at higher elevations. Environmental variables were strong predictors of species' ranges. Although no evidence of niche differentiation was detected along spatial or morphological axes, significant phenological divergence was observed among co-occurring species along the temporal axis, which was less phylogenetically conserved compared to morphological traits.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qingsong Liu, Xiaoyun Hu, Shuangli Su, Yuese Ning, Yufa Peng, Gongyin Ye, Yonggen Lou, Ted C. J. Turlings, Yunhe Li
Summary: The study reveals how the brown plant-hopper and the rice striped stem-borer obtain mutual benefits when feeding on the same rice plant. This cooperation between herbivores highlights adaptations resulting from the evolution of plant-insect interactions and suggests potential mechanistic vulnerabilities that can be targeted for improved pest control. Herbivore cooperation between insect pests can result in substantially greater damage to crops but also constitutes a good target for improved pest control.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Ecology
Marissa A. Dyck, Eileen Wyza, Viorel D. Popescu
Summary: Interference competition between bobcats and coyotes is primarily observed in open habitats, and factors such as habitat heterogeneity, the number and types of research methods and metrics used, presence of apex predators, and history of sympatry do not predict the occurrence of interference competition. Studies including diet overlap are less likely to observe interference competition compared to those using other metrics to infer competition. Competitive interactions between coyotes and bobcats are heavily influenced by prey availability, with habitat type potentially serving as a surrogate for prey availability.
Article
Biology
Caiyun Zhao, Xiangjian Zhao, Junsheng Li
Summary: Understanding the interactions between different invasive species is crucial as multiple invaders often co-occur. This study found that common ragweed exhibited superior competitive ability under elevated CO2 and increased N conditions, and environmental change could strengthen its competitiveness.
Article
Zoology
Valentina Zini, Kristin Waber, Paul M. Dolman
Summary: This study examines the potential effects of interspecific competition from introduced and naturally colonizing species on resident populations of Roe Deer. The results show that the density of Reeve's Muntjac is lower at higher densities of Mediterranean Fallow Deer, indicating interspecific avoidance through interference competition. However, the density of Reeve's Muntjac is greater in areas with more arable land. Body mass and fertility of Roe Deer are marginally influenced by arable land but are not significantly affected by deer densities. Intriguingly, Roe Deer fertility is slightly higher in areas with greater local Roe Deer density but lower in areas with greater Reeve's Muntjac densities, suggesting that interspecific competition outweighs intraspecific competition in this assemblage.
JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Osama S. Saleh, Andrew R. Kniss
Summary: Competition is a crucial factor in shaping plant communities. Winter wheat exhibits different growth adaptations in competition with neighboring plant species.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marta Maziarz, Richard K. Broughton, Kristina B. Beck, Robert A. Robinson, Ben C. Sheldon
Summary: Human activity has affected natural resources and the species that depend on them, resulting in changes in interspecific competition dynamics. This study used automated data collection to examine competition among species with different population trends. Specifically, it focused on the foraging behavior of subordinate marsh tits among socially and numerically dominant blue tits and great tits. The findings showed that marsh tits were less likely to join larger groups of heterospecifics and accessed food less frequently in larger groups. This suggests that subordinate species exhibit temporal avoidance of dominant heterospecifics but have limited spatial avoidance, indicating partial reduction in interspecific competition.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Shawn McEachin, Jonathan P. Drury, Christopher N. Anderson, Gregory F. Grether
Summary: Species can avoid costly fights by differentiating territorial signals and microhabitat preferences.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ornithology
Mitch D. Weegman, Alyn J. Walsh, Malcolm A. Ogilvie, Stuart Bearhop, Geoff M. Hilton, David J. Hodgson, Anthony David Fox
Summary: Population growth rates in geese are sensitive to adult survival and production of young, rather than juvenile survival. Understanding the decisions made by Greenland White-fronted Geese throughout the annual cycle will help target conservation actions effectively.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Julia L. Newth, Robbie A. McDonald, Kevin A. Wood, Eileen C. Rees, Igor Semenov, Anton Chistyakov, Galina Mikhaylova, Stuart Bearhop, Ruth L. Cromie, Anna Belousova, Petr Glazov, Ana Nuno
Summary: Illegal killing of wildlife is a critical conservation issue that requires understanding of human behavior drivers. This study adapted the theory of planned behavior to explore motivations for hunting the Endangered Bewick's swan in the European Russian Arctic. The findings showed that behavioral intention was predicted by attitude, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norms. Additionally, considering attitudes towards protective laws and descriptive norms improved the predictability of the model. Understanding attitudes towards protective laws can guide the design of conservation measures. Therefore, conservation interventions should focus on influencing hunters' attitudes, social norms, and perceived behavioral control to reduce illegal killing of wildlife.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kevin A. Wood, Rebecca Lacey, Paul E. Rose
Summary: Individual animals engage in trade-offs between different types of behaviors, increasing the duration of one behavior at the expense of other behaviors. This study used remotely collected behavioral data to investigate trade-offs in bird species, revealing negative associations between aggression and resting behaviors, as well as a trade-off between foraging and resting behaviors.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Tatiana Lobato-de Magalhaes, Kevin Murphy, Andrey Efremov, Thomas A. Davidson, Eugenio Molina-Navarro, Kevin A. Wood, Julissa Tapia-Grimaldo, Deborah Hofstra, Hui Fu, Ileana Ortegon-Aznar
Summary: This study examined the distributional drivers of 3,499 macrophyte species on a global scale. It found that most species are endemic to a single ecozone and lack adaptations for long-distance dispersal. Natural factors such as climate and migratory birds influence native species, while introduced species are influenced by climate and longitude. Ancient vicariance events and recent climate change also affect a few species.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Aimee L. S. McIntosh, Stuart Bearhop, Geoff M. Hilton, Jessica M. Shaw, Fred A. Johnson
Summary: Arctic-breeding goose populations have increased, causing conflicts with farmers due to the damage they cause. Localized management strategies make it difficult to address the impact of control on the wider population, especially when populations move across international borders.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Stephanie A. Cunningham, Toryn L. J. Schafer, Christopher K. Wikle, Jay A. VonBank, Bart M. Ballard, Lei Cao, Stuart Bearhop, Anthony D. Fox, Geoff M. Hilton, Alyn J. Walsh, Larry R. Griffin, Mitch D. Weegman
Summary: Arctic-nesting geese face energetic challenges during spring migration, and there are differences in behavioral responses and probability of breeding deferral between and within populations due to variations in stopover area availability and ecological linkages. Weather conditions have varying effects on energy expenditure and feeding behavior of the geese, and individuals show plasticity in their responses to conditions. The probability of breeding deferral increases slightly with increased overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA) in midcontinent geese but not in Greenland geese, while it decreases with increased proportion of time spent feeding (PTF) in both populations.
Article
Ornithology
Aimee L. S. McIntosh, Luke Ozsanlav-Harris, Mark A. Taggart, Jessica M. Shaw, Geoff M. Hilton, Stuart Bearhop
Summary: Lead is a toxic metal that can cause death or sub-lethal effects when ingested. Recent legislation in the European Union has banned the use of lead shot in wetlands to reduce its impact on wildfowl. A study in Scotland found that strict compliance with the ban resulted in relatively low lead ingestion rates, but the potential fitness effects of chronic lead poisoning still persist.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrea Soriano-Redondo, Richard Inger, Richard B. Sherley, Eileen C. Rees, Fitsum Abadi, Graham McElwaine, Kendrew Colhoun, Olafur Einarsson, Sverrir Thorstensen, Julia Newth, Kane Brides, David J. Hodgson, Stuart Bearhop
Summary: Recent studies indicate that protected areas often fail to effectively safeguard target species. This study focuses on the value of nature reserves in conserving migratory waterbirds, specifically Whooper swans. The research findings show that while breeding probability is lower among swans wintering inside nature reserves, their survival rates are higher, resulting in a 30-fold increase in annual growth rate within the reserves. Furthermore, there is a net movement of individuals from nature reserves to non-reserves. The population projection models predict that by 2030, nature reserves could double the number of swans wintering in the United Kingdom.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Luke Ozsanlav-Harris, Malcolm D. Burgess, Geoff M. Hilton, Stuart Bearhop
Summary: Understanding the suite of environmental changes impacting migratory bird distributions and their mechanisms is crucial for predicting their responses to anthropogenic change. Comprehensive year-round distributional data and biologging technology are important for observing and understanding spatial changes across multiple migratory stages.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Victoria G. Mason, Annette Burden, Graham Epstein, Lucy L. Jupe, Kevin A. Wood, Martin W. Skov
Summary: Coastal saltmarsh restoration can efficiently store carbon and uptake greenhouse gases. Globally, saltmarshes store approximately 1.41-2.44 Pg carbon. Restored saltmarshes have low greenhouse gas emissions and rapid carbon accumulation, with the potential to offset up to 0.51% of global energy-related CO2 emissions.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Alex Nicol-Harper, C. Patrick Doncaster, Geoff M. Hilton, Kevin A. Wood, Thomas H. G. Ezard
Summary: Understanding which data are most important for conserving biodiversity can greatly improve the cost-effectiveness of conservation efforts. However, some vital rates that contribute to population dynamics are difficult to document, leading to potential gaps in our knowledge and decision-making processes. This study explores the mismatch between the availability of data and the demographic impact of different life-stage transitions, highlighting the need for better alignment between data needs and conservation actions.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Katie M. Beckmann, Ruth L. Cromie, Anthony W. Sainsbury, Geoff M. Hilton, John G. Ewen, Pritpal S. Soorae, Richard A. Kock
Summary: The health status of wildlife can have a significant impact on the success of conservation translocation. However, this topic has not received much attention in the literature. This study examined the forms and frequency of disease and other biological problems in translocated animals, plants, and their populations, and identified associations between these problems and translocation success. The findings highlight the importance of health management in conservation translocation and suggest three broad roles for health management: mitigating disease risks, protecting the health of translocated individuals, and building their resilience and adaptive capacity.
ECOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS AND EVIDENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Alex Nicol-Harper, Kevin A. Wood, Antony W. Diamond, Heather L. Major, Aevar Petersen, Grigori Tertitski, C. Patrick Doncaster, Thomas H. G. Ezard, Geoff M. Hilton
Summary: This database compiles vital rate estimates for the common eider, a slow life-history species, providing a comprehensive demographic parameterization. It serves as a data-rich exemplar species for less-studied seaducks, highlighting gaps in data availability and encouraging further research in the field.
ECOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS AND EVIDENCE
(2021)