Article
Environmental Sciences
Lixia Han, Zhixin Zhang, Weishan Tu, Qing Zhang, Yanhua Hong, Shengnan Chen, Zhiqiang Lin, Shimin Gu, Yuanbao Du, Zhengjun Wu, Xuan Liu
Summary: Many studies have questioned the niche conservatism hypothesis (NCH) and the usefulness of ecological niche models (ENMs) for predicting species distributions, as they have detected climatic niche shifts during range changes. Incorporating preferred prey in the assessment of NCH and ENM predictions improved the accuracy of predicting range shifts for the Asian openbill bird. Identifying species' preferred prey provides insights into the importance of trophic interactions and their impact on species distributions in response to climate change.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jose M. Gomez, Adela Gonzalez-Megias, Cristina Armas, Eduardo Narbona, Luis Navarro, Francisco Perfectti
Summary: Plasticity can have direct effects on the interactions between species, by expanding or shifting interaction niches, and ultimately modifying the structure and functionality of ecological networks. This causal pathway may explain how interaction niches evolve quickly in response to rapid environmental changes and is important for understanding the impact of global change on ecological interactions.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Shawan Chowdhury, Michael F. Braby, Richard A. Fuller, Myron P. Zalucki
Summary: The Tawny Coster butterfly has rapidly expanded its geographic range in Australia at an average rate of about 135 km/year, with female-biased migration observed in north-eastern Queensland. Despite the rapid expansion, there is little evidence of a significant climatic niche shift, with only minor changes observed in the early and late expansion phases. The sudden expansion could potentially be triggered by tropical deforestation, but further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms involved.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Paolo Biella, Aleksandar Cetkovic, Andrej Gogala, Johann Neumayer, Miklos Sarospataki, Peter Sima, Vladimir Smetana
Summary: The study found that the bumblebee species Bombus haematurus has naturally expanded to territories encompassing 20% of its historical distribution in 7 European countries, with no major niche shifts observed between newly colonized and historical areas. The range expansion was associated with warming temperatures during winter, suggesting that warmer winters may be linked to the process of natural colonization of new areas.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ayub M. O. Oduor, Beifen Yang, Jun-min Li
Summary: Ornamental horticulture is a major pathway for introducing alien plant species globally. Climate change may facilitate the invasive spread of ornamental species, but its impact on different biomes is not well understood. Predicting how future climates will affect the distribution of alien plants can aid in controlling future invasions. This study examined whether species distribution models that consider invasion history and life-history characteristics can be used to screen alien flora for invasion potential.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Igor Boyer, Hugo Cayuela, Romain Bertrand, Francis Isselin-Nondedeu
Summary: This study investigated the responses of different lineages of B. variegata species to past and future climate changes in Europe by considering both lineage differentiation and dispersal distances. The results showed significant shifts in habitat suitability in response to past climate changes and uncertain persistence of all lineages in the future due to rapid and unprecedented changes in suitability, especially considering their limited dispersal abilities.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Gregory F. Grether, Ann E. Finneran, Jonathan P. Drury
Summary: Understanding species distributions and predicting range shifts require considering all relevant abiotic factors and biotic interactions. This study used ecological niche models to evaluate if differences in the distribution range of rubyspot damselfly species can be explained by niche differentiation. Evidence for climatic niche differentiation was found, providing support for the hypothesis that reproductive interference limits range expansion.
Article
Ecology
Peter Z. Fule, Andrew J. Sanchez Meador, Margaret M. Moore, W. Wallace Covington, Thomas E. Kolb, David W. Huffman, Donald P. Normandin, John Paul Roccaforte
Summary: After 20 years of forest restoration treatments in the G. A. Pearson Natural Area, the survival and growth of ponderosa pines have improved significantly. These treatments have led to substantial improvement in both the growth of old and young trees without affecting the survival of old trees, thereby enhancing the resilience of these trees to a warming climate.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jesus Eduardo Saenz-Ceja, Maribel Arenas-Navarro, Andres Torres-Miranda
Summary: This study investigated the ecological niche of native pine species in Mexico and identified priority areas for their conservation. The results showed that regions with high species richness differed from regions with high endemism, and pine species were heavily affected by habitat degradation. Priority areas should include regions with high species richness, high endemism, and heavily degraded forests, extending beyond current protected areas.
JOURNAL FOR NATURE CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Maribel Vasquez-Valderrama, Carlos P. Carmona, Anibal Pauchard
Summary: The analysis of climatic space shifts in invasive woody legumes between native and introduced areas revealed that most invasive species show differences in climate conditions between the two ranges, with the introduced range having different climatic conditions compared to the native range. The invasive legumes were classified into four groups based on climate differences, with dissociation being the most common. Additionally, species in the expansion group had larger leaves compared to those in the dissociation group.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Marta Rodriguez-Rey, Benjamin Whittaker
Summary: The environmental factors shaping the ecological niche of lumpfish at a global scale are not well-understood. Through Species Distribution Models, we found that nitrate concentration, ice cover, diffuse attenuation, and temperature predicted the probability of lumpfish occurrence. As sea temperatures rise under climate change, the distribution of lumpfish is expected to shift northward, affecting fisheries and conservation efforts.
Article
Forestry
Li Feng, Lipan Zhou, Tianyi Zhang, Xumei Wang
Summary: Ecological niches play a crucial role in lineage diversification. Differentiated adaptation or movement patterns can occur within a species in response to climate change. This study examines the potential distribution ranges and niche dynamics of three intraspecific lineages of Quercus aquifolioides. The results show differentiated climatic niches among the lineages, with some areas of overlap. The study highlights the importance of modeling intraspecific responses to climate change and provides insights into lineage diversification within Q. aquifolioides.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Judith D. Springer, Michael T. Stoddard, Kyle C. Rodman, David W. Huffman, Paula J. Fornwalt, Rory J. Pedersen, Daniel C. Laughlin, Christopher M. Mcglone, Mark L. Daniels, Peter Z. Fule, Margaret M. Moore, Becky K. Kerns, Jens T. Stevens, Julie E. Korb, Sara Souther
Summary: Thinning and prescribed burning in ponderosa pine forests of the American Southwest can enhance the diversity and abundance of native understory plant species, promoting resilience to climate change even during a persistent 20-year megadrought. The effects of these treatments can last for over a decade and are more pronounced on intermediate to wet sites.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Arshad Mahmood Khan, Qingting Li, Zafeer Saqib, Nasrullah Khan, Tariq Habib, Nadia Khalid, Muhammad Majeed, Aqil Tariq
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the potential habitat suitability variations and factors influencing the distribution of Chilgoza pine. By analyzing multiple environmental variables, the study found that the predictive models for the presence of Chilgoza pine had high accuracy, and the potentially suitable habitat for this species had shrunk in Afghanistan, India, and China. Overall, the study suggested a continuous range contraction for Chilgoza pine and provided important insights for conservation and management plans in the region.
Article
Zoology
Jan W. Arntzen
Summary: The theory suggests that spatial segregation among co-occurring species may be driven by different innate life history and dispersal strategies, and that it operates through catastrophic events. A study on closely related newt species Lissotriton helveticus and L. vulgaris in northwest France showed their spatial partitioning based on habitat characteristics. Long-term monitoring revealed fluctuations in population sizes, with L. helveticus contributing around 60% to the newt assemblage and shifts in relative contributions of other species over time, indicating a potential state shift among the species.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Carolyn Pike, Kevin M. Potter, Paul Berrang, Barbara Crane, Joanne Baggs, Laura Leites, Tom Luther
JOURNAL OF FORESTRY
(2020)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
James M. Angelo, Kevin Potter, Thomas Muller-Spath, Xuankuo Xu, Zheng Jian Li, Sanchayita Ghose
Summary: The study conducted additional viral validation studies using MCC technology, evaluated viral clearance across twin-column continuous capture chromatography, and proposed a simplified approach for virus validation studies.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sarah M. Anderson, Linda S. Heath, Marla R. Emery, Jeffrey A. Hicke, Jeremy S. Littell, Alan Lucier, Jeffrey G. Masek, David L. Peterson, Richard Pouyat, Kevin M. Potter, Guy Robertson, Jinelle Sperry
Summary: The study identifies 11 informative core indicators of forests and climate change impacts, providing valuable insights into the role of forests in climate change and the importance of protecting and managing this crucial resource.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sean Hoban, Catriona D. Campbell, Jessica M. da Silva, Robert Ekblom, W. Chris Funk, Brittany A. Garner, Jose A. Godoy, Francine Kershaw, Anna J. MacDonald, Joachim Mergeay, Melissa Minter, David O'Brien, Ivan Paz Vinas, Sarah K. Pearson, Silvia Perez-Espona, Kevin M. Potter, Isa-Rita M. Russo, Gernot Segelbacher, Cristiano Vernesi, Margaret E. Hunter
Summary: International agreements like the CBD are crucial for global conservation efforts, but often overlook genetic diversity, which is essential for adaptation to environmental changes. While most Parties to the CBD recognize the importance of genetic diversity, their actions mainly focus on variation within crops and livestock rather than monitoring and in situ conservation. Recommendations for future frameworks include improving awareness, assessment, and monitoring of genetic diversity for more consistent and comprehensive reporting.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Ann Willyard, David S. Gernandt, Alejandro Lopez-Reyes, Kevin M. Potter
Summary: The mitochondrial phylogeography of some conifers suggests introgression from sympatric congeners, leading to mitochondrial lineages not always reflecting species. Recent nuclear and plastome phylogenies placed Pinus ponderosa paraphyletic in relation to Ponderosae in Mexico and Central America. A survey of repeated motifs in nad1 intron 2 revealed strong geographic patterns in mitochondrial haplotypes, with unidirectional mitochondrial capture by P. jeffreyi from P. ponderosa observed in Jeffrey pine samples.
TREE GENETICS & GENOMES
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Kevin M. Potter, Kurt Riitters
Summary: Genetic diversity is crucial for adaptation and resilience to environmental changes. However, addressing the indicator of forest species at risk of losing genetic variation in a systematic manner is challenging. This study combines two large-scale datasets to assess the risk of genetic variation loss in U.S. forest tree species. The findings highlight the potential risks in California and the Southeast regions.
Article
Biology
Sean Hoban, Frederick Archer, Laura D. Bertola, Jason G. Bragg, Martin F. Breed, Michael W. Bruford, Melinda A. Coleman, Robert Ekblom, W. Chris Funk, Catherine E. Grueber, Brian K. Hand, Rodolfo Jaffe, Evelyn Jensen, Jeremy S. Johnson, Francine Kershaw, Libby Liggins, Anna J. MacDonald, Joachim Mergeay, Joshua M. Miller, Frank Muller-Karger, David O'Brien, Ivan Paz-Vinas, Kevin M. Potter, Orly Razgour, Cristiano Vernesi, Margaret E. Hunter
Summary: Biodiversity is crucial for the resilience, function, economies, and well-being of ecosystems, but understanding how it sustains ecosystems under stress and environmental change requires new approaches to biodiversity data. The Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON) has developed Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) as fundamental metrics to aggregate and interpret biodiversity observation data. Genetic Composition EBVs (Genetic EBVs), which measure within-species genetic variation, are proposed and ranked according to relevance, sensitivity to change, generalizability, scalability, feasibility, and data availability. The implementation of Genetic EBVs faces challenges in terms of aggregation, standardization, and costs, but advances in genetic data collection and availability provide opportunities for their integration into global conservation policy.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Kevin M. Potter, Robert M. Jetton, W. Andrew Whittier, Barbara S. Crane, Valerie D. Hipkins, Craig S. Echt, Gary R. Hodge
Summary: Table Mountain pine is an endangered tree species with fragmented but widespread distribution. The species has low genetic diversity and weak differentiation among populations. The genetic differences between northern and southern seed collection zones are minor and may not be useful for guiding future conservation efforts. Simulations suggest that reducing the number of families in conservation plantings would have minimal impact on common alleles, but would affect the representation of rare alleles and overall allelic richness.
Article
Ecology
Elizabeth A. LaRue, Jonathan A. Knott, Grant M. Domke, Han Y. H. Chen, Qinfeng Guo, Masumi Hisano, Christopher Oswalt, Sonja Oswalt, Nicole Kong, Kevin M. Potter, Songlin Fei
Summary: The study shows that the physical structure of vegetation is closely related to ecosystem function, and structural diversity is a robust predictor of forest productivity. It consistently outperforms species diversity as a predictor across different climate conditions in North America. Moreover, structural diversity captures variation in size and can be used to measure realized niche space, making it a better surrogate of niche occupancy. This study highlights the importance of using structural diversity as a metric for restoration and management decisions to maximize ecosystem productivity and carbon sequestration.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Kevin M. Potter, Christian Giardina, R. Flint Hughes, Susan Cordell, Olaf Kuegler, Amy Koch, Emma Yuen
Summary: The invasion of non-native plant species in Hawaiian forests has resulted in significant changes in forest composition and structure. Non-native trees have a higher presence in the understory compared to the native canopy trees, suggesting potential replacement of native species. These findings are crucial for the conservation of Hawaiian flora and understanding invasion patterns in other forests.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christopher Asaro, Frank H. Koch, Kevin M. Potter
Summary: Forests in the United States are becoming denser, leading to increased competition for resources and vulnerability to disturbances. The total tree basal area (TBA) can serve as an indicator of forest health and be used to identify areas that require further analysis of forest conditions. Comparison of TBA with forest damage maps due to insects and pathogens showed significantly higher TBA in affected areas, indicating its potential as a regional-scale indicator.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Kevin M. Potter, Kurt H. Riitters, Qinfeng Guo
Summary: The invasion of non-native tree species has a significant impact on forest ecosystems, altering processes and threatening the services provided by native trees. This assessment identified the most invasive non-native tree species in different regions of the United States, providing insights for managing and controlling invasive trees.
FRONTIERS IN FORESTS AND GLOBAL CHANGE
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Kevin Potter, Steven Sleder, Matthew Smith, Shehan Perera, Alper Yilmaz, John Tencer
Summary: The study introduces a novel graph convolutional layer that uses pseudo-differential operators and performs well in various supervised learning tasks. The new layer outperforms recent architectures in graph classification tasks with different datasets in terms of accuracy and speed.
2021 IEEE/CVF INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COMPUTER VISION WORKSHOPS (ICCVW 2021)
(2021)
Article
Mathematics, Applied
John Tencer, Kevin Potter
Summary: The proposed method utilizes deep convolutional autoencoders with custom graph convolution operators to extend applications to systems with complex geometry using unstructured meshes. Particularly suitable for data arising from the solution of partial differential equations, it demonstrates over an order of magnitude improvement in accuracy compared to linear methods.
SIAM JOURNAL ON SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING
(2021)
Proceedings Paper
Optics
Emily A. Donahue, Tu-Thach Quach, Kevin Potter, Cari Martinez, Matthew Smith, Christian D. Turner
APPLICATIONS OF MACHINE LEARNING
(2019)