Article
Plant Sciences
Yuzu Sakata, Timothy P. Craig
Summary: The study found that plant chemical compounds and herbivores jointly affect plant competition through their indirect effects, which vary depending on the environment. In environments with different herbivore densities, the exotic plant Solidago altissima in Japan had a strong negative impact on co-occurring plants due to direct competition and increased herbivory, indicating that evolutionary history and local environment jointly influence herbivore-mediated indirect effects.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Gabrielle N. Ripa, Steve Demarais, Joshua J. Granger, Richard G. Hamrick, Raymond B. Iglay
Summary: In three different ecoregions in Mississippi, the study aimed to determine the effects of deer herbivory on vegetation structure and composition. The results showed no treatment effects on vegetation composition and structure, but there were changes in overstory canopy conditions between 2005 and 2021, resulting in a decrease in certain plant species preferred by deer. The lack of treatment effects may be due to overstory conditions, low deer densities, and baseline conditions reflecting past herbivory effects.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Brice B. Hanberry, Edward K. Faison
Summary: Large herbivores, such as white-tailed deer, are natural disturbances that have both positive and negative impacts on ecosystems and economies. They play a crucial role in controlling tree and shrub densities, reducing fuel, and restoring herbaceous plants and historic open forests. However, their feeding behavior also causes damage to forests.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
David L. Gorchov, Bernd Blossey, Kristine M. Averill, Andrea Davalos, J. Mason Heberling, Michael A. Jenkins, Susan Kalisz, William J. McShea, Janet A. Morrison, Victoria Nuzzo, Christopher R. Webster, Donald M. Waller
Summary: Studies show that white-tailed deer have more frequent and consistently negative effects in eastern North American forests compared to invasive plants. Deer impacts are cumulative, especially hitting preferred plant species hard, while invasive plant effects are more localized and reversible.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Costanza Geppert, Francesco Boscutti, Greta La Bella, Vittoria De Marchi, Daria Corcos, Antonio Filippi, Lorenzo Marini
Summary: Climate warming and increasing human disturbance are expected to promote non-native plant invasions in mountain ecosystems. Invertebrate herbivores may play an important role in facilitating non-native invasions by reducing native cover after disturbance. These results indicate increasing risks of future plant invasions on mountains under global change.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Timothy M. Davidson, Celia M. Smith, Mark E. Torchin
Summary: The enemy release hypothesis suggests that introduced species often leave their enemies behind when introduced to a new range. This study compared the effects of enemies on native and introduced populations of red mangroves and found that introduced mangroves have fewer enemies and less damage compared to native mangroves. This supports the idea that escaping from enemies allows introduced species to thrive.
Article
Plant Sciences
Nathalie Mondy, Christelle Boisselet, Sophie Poussineau, Felix Vallier, Thierry Lengagne, Jean Secondi, Caroline Romestaing, Maxime Geay, Sara Puijalon
Summary: Artificial light at night (ALAN) can increase the palatability of aquatic plant leaves, leading to increased herbivory behavior and potentially impacting the structure of aquatic plant communities.
Article
Ecology
Yanjun Li, Yingzhi Gao, Mark van Kleunen, Yanjie Liu
Summary: This study investigates the interactive effects of herbivory, nutrient availability, and fluctuations in driving alien plant invasion into native communities. The results suggest that herbivory can mediate the effects of nutrient enrichment and variability on the invasion success of alien plants, highlighting the importance of considering interactions with other trophic levels in studies of plant invasion.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Lunlun Gao, Chunqiang Wei, Yifan He, Xuefei Tang, Wei Chen, Hao Xu, Yuqing Wu, Rutger A. Wilschut, Xinmin Lu
Summary: This study investigates the interactive effects of aboveground herbivores and soil biota on plant invasions through plant-soil feedbacks. The researchers found that increased herbivory did not affect the dominance of the invasive plant Alternanthera philoxeroides over native plants, but it did alter soil microbial communities and prolonged the negative plant-soil feedback, leading to decreased herbivore performance on the next-generation invasive plants.
Article
Plant Sciences
Dallas Hall Defrees, Joshua P. Averett, Bryan A. Endress
Summary: Research has shown that protection and foliar overlap have an impact on shrub height, with high levels of protection reducing the proportion of shrubs exhibiting arrested architecture and taller shrubs being more associated with intermediate levels of foliar overlap.
Article
Ecology
Jorge Santamaria, Fiona Tomas, Enric Ballesteros, Juan M. Ruiz, Jaime Bernardeau-Esteller, Jorge Terrados, Emma Cebrian
Summary: This study highlights that the true capacity of native assemblages to develop resistance to invaders is often underestimated, and neglecting the interactions between biotic mechanisms and restricting the studied time scales may influence the understanding of the strength and effectiveness of biotic resistance against invaders.
Article
Forestry
Brian M. Hoven, Kathleen S. Knight, Valerie E. Peters, David L. Gorchov
Summary: Non-native shrubs have a negative effect on the abundance, richness, and diversity of seedling communities, but they are positively related to diversity in wetter forests. Meanwhile, deer browse has a negative effect on seedling diversity in wetter forests, but has no effect in drier forests. Canopy tree competition has a positive effect on seedling diversity in drier forests, but a negative effect in wetter forests.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Raquel Munoz-Gallego, Jose M. Fedriani, Pau E. Serra, Anna Traveset
Summary: Plant-animal interactions have a wide range of effects on plant reproductive success. This study examines the isolated and joint effects of two introduced herbivores on pollinator abundance and plant reproductive success in the Mediterranean dwarf palm.
Article
Ecology
Pedro Paulo da Silva Ferreira, Daniela Rodrigues
Summary: The study found that the characteristics of different host plants and abiotic factors can affect the survival rate and performance of herbivorous insects, especially in field conditions. Therefore, when considering plant-herbivore interactions, the origin of the host plant and multiple ecological factors in natural environments should be taken into account.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
E. Dexheimer, E. Despland
Summary: The successful establishment of an exotic species depends on its ability to find the necessary interaction partners and environmental conditions. In this study, the resource-based habitat of the recently introduced European common blue butterfly in Quebec is examined, with a focus on the role of exotic host plants and short vegetation structure. Field studies and observations reveal that the butterfly maintains its associations with host plants and short vegetation in its native range, suggesting a role for naturalized plants and highlighting the importance of defining the resource-based habitat for predicting future expansion.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Michael V. Cove, Valentine Herrmann, Daniel J. Herrera, Ben C. Augustine, D. T. Tyler Flockhart, William J. McShea
Summary: This study estimated the distribution and density of free-roaming cats in Washington D.C. and found that they are mainly concentrated in residential areas, with very few in larger public spaces and forests. The district was estimated to have approximately 7296 free-roaming cats, with 90% lacking collars and 35% having ear tips indicating participation in TNR programs. This research provides baseline data for data-driven management plans for free-roaming cats in urban environments.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Farnaz Kordbacheh, Charles L. Mohler, Alan G. Taylor, Anna S. Westbrook, Hamid Rahimian-Mashhadi, Hassan M. Alizadeh, Antonio DiTommaso
Summary: The effects of different cutting methods on the viability of Abutilon theophrasti seeds were investigated. The study found that seeds harvested at an early stage of development had low viability, but viability increased after drying. These findings have practical implications for optimizing the control of Abutilon theophrasti.
Review
Ecology
Juliana Velez, William McShea, Hila Shamon, Paula J. Castiblanco-Camacho, Michael A. Tabak, Carl Chalmers, Paul Fergus, John Fieberg
Summary: Camera traps have revolutionized the study of wildlife species, and the use of artificial intelligence, such as deep learning, has further improved the efficiency and accuracy of data processing. By developing user-friendly platforms, deep learning algorithms can effectively classify and detect objects in camera-trap images.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Olivia G. Cosby, Belden Giman, Roslina Ragai, Vilma Bodos, Timothy R. Van Deelen, William J. McShea
Summary: Understanding wildlife spatiotemporal dynamics at protected area boundaries is critical to conservation. In SE Asia, protected areas are often bordered by indigenous communities whose traditional practices result in increased landscape heterogeneity within their community managed forests (CF). We examined shifts in wildlife activity in forests within and adjacent to Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary (LEWS), in Sarawak, Malaysia, and found a relationship between the presence of fruits and seeds and shifts in large mammal activity.
Article
Ecology
Craig Fergus, Iara L. Lacher, Valentine Herrmann, William J. McShea, Thomas S. Akre
Summary: This paper presents an approach to guide the prioritization of locations for invasion management using species distribution models and land use data. The approach takes advantage of the high spatial resolution and broad geographic coverage of land use data to provide landscape-scale results for invasive species management. In a case study in northern Virginia, the proportions of surrounding non-forested land use types were identified as common and strong indicators of invasion risk. The outcomes can inform management actions and help organizations in considering property acquisition or administration.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Zikun Mao, Fons van Der Plas, Adriana Corrales, Kristina J. Anderson-Teixeira, Norman A. Bourg, Chengjin Chu, Zhanqing Hao, Guangze Jin, Juyu Lian, Fei Lin, Buhang Li, Wenqi Luo, William J. McShea, Jonathan A. Myers, Guochun Shen, Xihua Wang, En-Rong Yan, Ji Ye, Wanhui Ye, Zuoqiang Yuan, Xugao Wang
Summary: This study examines how mutualistic associations between trees and different mycorrhizal fungi (arbuscular mycorrhizal vs. ectomycorrhizal) modulate scale-dependent diversity-biomass relationships. The findings suggest that in soil-heterogeneous forests, arbuscular mycorrhizal tree species and ectomycorrhizal tree species respond differently to increasing soil fertility. Arbuscular mycorrhizal tree dominance contributes to higher tree diversity, while ectomycorrhizal tree dominance leads to greater standing biomass. The study highlights the negative effect of mycorrhizal associations on diversity-biomass relationships.
ECOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Warshi S. S. Dandeniya, Janice E. E. Thies, Antonio DiTommaso
Summary: This study investigated varietal differences in the potential of biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) in rice under water stress. Root exudates and extracts from root tissues were found to inhibit the activity of ammonia oxidizers, with the degree of inhibition varying among rice cultivars and water stress levels.
Article
Biology
W. Justin Cooper, William J. McShea, Melissa Songer, Qiongyu Huang, David A. Luther
Summary: Classic ecological theory has shown that temperature, precipitation, and productivity play a key role in organizing ecosystems and driving biodiversity across different biomes. However, the strength of these factors varies across local scales. To improve predictions at localized scales, it is crucial to understand the connections between biodiversity drivers. In this study, we examine the importance of three-dimensional habitat structure as a link between local and broad-scale patterns of avian richness and functional diversity, and find that it is more important than temperature, precipitation, and elevation gradients in predicting avian diversity in North American forest ecosystems.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Anna S. Westbrook, Masoume Amirkhani, Alan G. Taylor, Michael T. Loos, John E. Losey, Antonio DiTommaso
Summary: Intensive agricultural crop production often leads to low biodiversity, which may decrease ecosystem services and limit crop yield. To address this issue, farmers can enhance biodiversity by planting non-crop species near crop fields. We have developed a seed-molding method, using a conventional corn planter, that allows for the precise and efficient establishment of non-crop species. Our experiments with common milkweed as a model native species demonstrate the potential of this technology to increase agroecosystem biodiversity.
Review
Agronomy
Marco Esposito, Anna S. Westbrook, Albino Maggio, Valerio Cirillo, Antonio DiTommaso
Summary: Weeds are an integral part of agroecosystems and their mismanagement can lead to substantial crop losses. This study introduces the concept of neutral weed communities that coexist with crops without impacting crop yield and quality negatively. Management practices promoting neutral weed communities can reduce the need for herbicides and soil tillage while enhancing ecosystem services and biodiversity.
Article
Plant Sciences
Anna S. Westbrook, Lindsey R. Milbrath, Jessica Weinberg, Antonio DiTommaso
INVASIVE PLANT SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Siyu Yang, Jie Liu, Rui Liu, Guojun Zhou, Chang Chen, Weijun Zhou, Basharat Ali, Wenjun Gui, Jinwen Zhu, Antonio DiTommaso
Summary: Ammannia auriculata, an aggressive weed in paddy rice, poses a significant threat to rice yield even at low densities. Resistance to bensulfuron-methyl in this weed has been found to reduce its competitive ability. It is therefore crucial to develop integrated management programs to control this weed and shift competitive dynamics in favor of rice. This research also provides a theoretical basis for assessing damage levels, resistance risk, and management strategies of Ammannia auriculata in rice cropping systems.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Iara Lacher, Craig Fergus, William J. McShea, Joshua Plisinski, Luca Morreale, Thomas S. Akre
Summary: Land use is a major threat to biodiversity, ecosystem function, and ecosystem services. Strategic land use planning efforts can help mitigate these losses by balancing the needs of society and the supporting ecosystems. Land change models can quantify the impact of these relationships and project future landscape changes. Scenario planning offers a framework for integrating community-developed visions with land change models to enhance relevancy and uptake.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Danushka S. Weerasekera, Sandun J. Perera, William J. McShea, Kithsiri B. Ranawana
Summary: In this study, population density and social organization of sambar in Horton Plains National Park (HPNP), Sri Lanka were investigated. Density estimation was conducted using distance sampling along six strip transects every month for three years (2018-2020). The results showed relative stability in population density over the years, with consistent peaks in November-December. The reproductive stage and social organization of the population were described based on antler stage and behavior observations.
Review
Plant Sciences
Anna S. Westbrook, Antonio Ditommaso
Summary: This article discusses the phenomenon of hybridization in agricultural weeds and its management implications. It suggests that hybridization can promote weed evolution and exacerbate weed-crop competition, but does not always increase weediness. The article also highlights research priorities in hybridization and emphasizes the importance of weed management.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)