Article
Environmental Sciences
Diana N. Michler-Kozma, Thomas R. Neu, Friederike Gabel
Summary: This study investigates the effects of different types of plastic on primary production of biofilms and the food quality for a benthic grazer in freshwater. The results show that during the colder and darker months, microbial colonization on polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was inhibited, leading to reduced algal growth and sublethal effects on the growth and reproduction of freshwater snails. These findings highlight the potential adverse effects of plastic pollution on food webs and call for further research.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tommaso Valente, Maria Letizia Costantini, Giulio Careddu, Daniela Berto, Raffaella Piermarini, Federico Rampazzo, Alice Sbrana, Cecilia Silvestri, Daniele Ventura, Marco Matiddi
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between microplastic ingestion and the trophic ecology of three pelagic fish species from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Results show that different fish species play different ecological roles and that microplastic ingestion is influenced by the trophic position of the fish. The study provides new insights into the impact of microplastic contamination on the pelagic community.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biology
Thomas Larsen, Ricardo Fernandes, Yiming Wang, Patrick Roberts
Summary: Stable isotope analysis is widely used in archaeology and paleoanthropology to reconstruct diets, ecologies, and environments of past human populations. Researchers are now focusing on stable isotope ratios of individual amino acids to gain more detailed insights into trophic levels and resource use. This article provides a guide on using amino acid stable isotope ratios to determine dietary behaviors and ecologies of hominins. It highlights uncertainties in interpretation and methodological developments required for good practice, aiming to make this approach accessible to researchers from various backgrounds.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tristan A. Guillemin, Julian G. Pepperell, Troy Gaston, Jane E. Williamson
Summary: This study used stable isotope analysis to assess the trophic ecology of three species of marlin in temperate eastern Australian waters, revealing differences in diet among the species and highlighting the unique characteristics of blue marlin's dietary influences.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
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
Zoology
Wanxin Lei, Wei Wei, Dan Pu, Shibu Qubi, Hong Zhou, Mingsheng Hong, Junfeng Tang, Han Han
Summary: By measuring the isotopes in the hair of giant pandas, researchers found that the trophic niche widths of the Qinling population were significantly larger than those of the Sichuan population, and both populations occupied a unique trophic position in the ecosystem. The difference in isotopes between bamboo shoots and other food parts, as well as the pandas' feeding choices, accounted for the discrepancy. This study provides new insights into the resource use and trophic ecology of giant pandas.
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Dokyun Kim, Eun-Ji Won, Ha-Eun Cho, Jonghyun Lee, Kyung-Hoon Shin
Summary: Although many attempts have been made to improve the accuracy of trophic magnification factor (TMF) and biomagnification factor (BMF) for assessing pollutant bioaccumulation, this study suggests an improved BMF (BMF') for mercury bioaccumulation in freshwater fish. The results show that the values of BMF' are generally higher than TMF, indicating that it is a more reliable index for risk assessment. This ecological approach provides novel insights into the behavior and trophic transfer of pollutants like mercury.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Shike Gao, Siming Gong, Ze Chen, Xiao Zhang, Shuo Zhang, Wenwen Yu
Summary: The trophic structure of the Lvsi Fishing Ground ecosystem in the East China Sea was analyzed using two methods: mass-balance modeling and stable isotope analysis. Shrimps and trawling fisheries were found to have significant trophic impacts on most functional groups in the ecosystem. The study suggests that combining these two complementary methods can help validate trophic levels when balancing ecosystem structures.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Karla Martins, Latifa Pelage, Anne K. S. Justino, Flavia Lucena Fredou, Teodoro Vaske Junior, Francois Le Loc'h, Paulo Travassos
Summary: The study analyzed the feeding habits and trophic interactions of four oceanic predatory fish around the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago in Brazil, revealing diverse diets and specialized feeding strategies to avoid competition among species.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Philip M. Riekenberg, Tijs Joling, Lonneke L. IJsseldijk, Andreas M. Waser, Marcel T. J. van der Meer, David W. Thieltges
Summary: Traditional bulk isotopic analysis is limited in describing parasite-host relationships in food webs, while compound-specific stable isotopes from amino acids offer a promising novel approach for mapping these interactions. The compound-specific method provided clearer trophic discrimination factors and accurately identified parasitic trophic interactions, highlighting its usefulness in clarifying feeding strategies for parasitic species within marine food webs. Despite the limitation of applying a universal trophic discrimination factor, compound-specific stable isotope analysis remains a valuable tool to increase understanding of parasitic interactions.
Article
Ecology
Ricardo J. Albarino, Gerard P. Closs, Christoph D. Matthaei, Colin R. Townsend, Daniel Zamorano
Summary: This study experimentally manipulated the abundance of invertebrate grazers and fish in a stream in New Zealand and found that controlling herbivore abundance had an indirect positive effect on primary producers. It also found that in the center of larger substrate particles, grazers faced higher predation risk and therefore experienced lower grazing pressure.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bohyung Choi, Kyung-Hoon Shin
Summary: The study found that mussels have higher trophic positions, requiring normalization of basal nitrogen isotope ratio. Spatial variations in nitrogen isotopic baselines in mussels reflect different nitrogen sources. Delta N-15 (base-bulk) and Delta N-15 (base-phe) are powerful tools for tracing nitrogen isotopic baselines.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wenzhe Xu, Yongxin Dang, Siu Gin Cheung, Zhinan Zhang, Jun Sun, Ankang Teng, Paul K. S. Shin
Summary: The addition of stable isotope tracers can enhance isotopic differences of primary producers, allowing for a wider food-web resolution than using natural abundance stable isotopes alone. In a study near Halophila minor seagrass bed in Hong Kong, China, a N-15 addition experiment revealed larger dietary contributions of benthic microalgae for some infauna species compared to natural abundance stable isotopes data. This suggests the importance of combining NASIs with isotope tracer addition for a more accurate determination of dietary contributions and trophic statuses in ecosystems with similar primary producer isotope values.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Renshan Li, Xingyi Guo, Jianming Han, Qingpeng Yang, Weidong Zhang, Xin Yu, Xinkuan Han, Longchi Chen, Xin Guan, Zhangquan Zeng, Huixia Yang, Silong Wang
Summary: Stable residue size in leaf litter decomposition is influenced by initial nitrogen, lignin, and manganese concentrations, as well as the type of litter and environmental factors such as temperature, latitude, and precipitation. The initial traits of litter have a stronger explanatory ability for the variance in stable residue size compared to climatic factors. These findings contribute to a better understanding and prediction of global-scale soil organic layer accumulation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Brandon D. Hoenig, Brian K. Trevelline, Andrea Kautz, Steven C. Latta, Brady A. Porter
Summary: This study explores the utility of combining molecular and chemical techniques for dietary characterizations. By using DNA metabarcoding and stable isotope analysis, the researchers investigated the dietary niche of breeding Louisiana waterthrush. The results suggest that the waterthrush prefers pollution-intolerant, aquatic prey and the dietary characterizations from each approach were often uncorrelated.
Article
Ecology
Andre R. Siebers, Neil E. Pettit, Grzegorz Skrzypek, Shawan Dogramaci, Pauline F. Grierson
FRESHWATER SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Bronte E. Van Helden, Paul G. Close, Barbara A. Stewart, Peter C. Speldewinde, Sarah J. Comer
Summary: Urbanization poses a major threat to biodiversity globally, but urban areas can offer opportunities for conservation. This study found that the endangered western ringtail possum can exclusively reside in gardens and utilize novel resources more frequently. The results demonstrate the potential of gardens to support individuals and suggest the importance of incorporating modified habitats into conservation policies in urban landscapes.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Bronte E. Van Helden, Paul G. Close, Barbara A. Stewart, Peter C. Speldewinde, Sarah J. Comer
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2020)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Justin Aaron Benson, Barbara Ann Stewart, Paul Graeme Close, Alan John Lymbery
Summary: The five global Mediterranean-climate regions are experiencing alarming rates of freshwater biodiversity loss, with freshwater mussels being one of the most threatened faunal groups. In the Mediterranean-climate regions, med-mussel species are almost twice as likely to be imperilled and require more conservation actions compared to non-med mussels. Urgent efforts are needed to address the threats facing med-mussels and enhance conservation measures in these regions.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jamie-Lee Hunt, Harriet Paterson, Paul Close, Neil E. Pettit
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Michelle L. Pyke, Paul G. Close, Rebecca J. Dobbs, Sandy Toussaint, Brendan Smith, Zynal Cox, Devena Cox, Kevin George, Phillip McCarthy, Bernadette Angus, Elaine Riley, Julian Clifton
Summary: Historical and contemporary Indigenous wetland management significantly influences wetland ecology and conservation, with the Multiple Evidence Base approach aimed at enriching understanding and solutions for environmental challenges.
Article
Ecology
Leah S. Beesley, Bradley J. Pusey, Michael M. Douglas, Chris S. Keogh, Mark J. Kennard, Caroline A. Canham, Paul G. Close, Rebecca J. Dobbs, Samantha A. Setterfield
Summary: The research found that the energy reserves of fork-tailed catfish are related to flow and habitat, with wet season flows and groundwater-fed refuge pools being crucial for their energetics. The body condition and fat reserves of fork-tailed catfish are influenced by flow variation, decreasing as the dry season progresses.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Bronte E. Van Helden, Paul G. Close, Barbara A. Stewart, Peter C. Speldewinde
Summary: This study investigated the seasonal variations in garden features influencing the presence and/or abundance of arboreal, flying, and ground-dwelling mammals in urban gardens. The findings suggest that sampling in multiple seasons is essential for identifying comprehensive features influencing wildlife in gardens, as different factors may be influential in different seasons. It is important to consider both features that support wildlife across seasons and those that support critical life-history events in a single season for effective conservation outcomes.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rochelle Steven, Bronte E. Van Helden, Ayesha I. Tulloch, Megan Barnes, Paul G. Close, Richard A. Fuller
Summary: The study shows that urban householders have the potential to identify threatened nocturnal mammals in their gardens with a high level of accuracy, and that the amount of time lived at a residence is a significant predictor of accuracy in species identification. Interestingly, individuals with a high level of certainty in their ability to correctly identify nocturnal mammals were not necessarily more accurate in their species identifications.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Justin Benson, Barbara Stewart, Paul Close, Alan Lymbery
Summary: This study explored the spatial distribution of intraspecific genetic diversity in the threatened freshwater mussel, Westralunio carteri, in south-western Australia. The results showed the existence of three subregions of genetic diversity and limited connectivity among populations in recent times. Genetic hotspots were identified throughout the region, with a significant hotspot probably arising from the overlap of lineages in historical refugia. This study highlights the importance of targeted management of multiple genetic units for effective conservation of spatially structured taxa.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2022)
Biographical-Item
Plant Sciences
Neil E. Pettit, Neal J. Enright, Karen J. Esler, Will Stock, Robert J. Naiman
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jordan A. Iles, Neil E. Pettit, Michael J. Donn, Pauline F. Grierson
Summary: This study investigated the influence of dissolved organic matter (DOM) additions on the phosphate sorption kinetics of iron-rich sediments. The results showed that low-dose DOM addition reduced sediment P adsorption capacity, while high-dose DOM addition increased it. The study also revealed that phosphorus availability in dryland streams can be modulated by varying the concentration of humic-rich DOM.
Article
Ecology
Jordan A. Iles, Neil E. Pettit, Greg Cawthray, Pauline F. Grierson
Summary: This study investigates the effects of nutrient limitation on periphyton communities in freshwater streams. Results show that nitrogen and phosphorus are co-limiting factors for periphyton production and community structure. Nitrogen addition shifts the community from diatom-dominated to chlorophyte-dominated, benefiting cyanophyta growth. Phosphorus addition reduces diatoms and leads to cell lysis. The study highlights the importance of nutrient balance in freshwater ecosystems and the potential impacts on food webs.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Esther K. Gibbons, Paul G. Close, Bronte E. Van Helden, Nicola J. Rooney
Summary: Providing garden water sources is beneficial for wildlife, especially smaller-bodied animals, as it supplements the value of urban lake systems. A study conducted in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom found that over 70% of garden owners had at least one water source, and 43 taxa of animals were observed visiting these water sources. The variety and prevalence of garden water sources make them effective conservation measures.
Article
Ecology
Marie B. Busschots, Paul G. Close, Bronte E. Van Helden, Peter C. Speldewinde
Summary: The study found no clear correlation between the presence of the western ringtail possum and remnant vegetation in urban environments, suggesting that highly modified habitats can also contribute to wildlife conservation. The potential role of these habitats in conservation efforts should be seriously considered.
