Article
Environmental Sciences
Jonas Mueller, Thassya C. dos Santos C. Schmidt, Gaute Wilhelmsen Seljestad, Catriona Clemmesen, Joachim Paul Groger, Florian Berg
Summary: Atlantic herring has a complex population structure and displays various reproductive strategies. Mixing between spring and autumn spawning herring occurs on the spawning ground, with differences in reproductive traits observed. The high variability in reproductive investment within spring spawners suggests the co-occurrence of groups with different behaviors.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fumihiko Kimura, Kohei Matsuno, Yoshiyuki Abe, Atsushi Yamaguchi
Summary: A significant early sea-ice reduction event occurred in the northern Bering Sea in 2018, leading to unusual changes in multiple marine trophic levels. This study investigated the shifts in the zooplankton community and the effects of the early sea-ice melt events on zooplankton community, copepod population structure, and copepod production. The findings demonstrated the sensitivity of zooplankton community structure and production to environmental changes associated with early sea-ice reduction.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Tiaan Strydom, Richard M. Cowling, B. Adriaan Grobler, Tineke Kraaij
Summary: The expansion of subtropical thicket vegetation at the expense of more species-rich, fire-prone fynbos is a concern in coastal dune landscapes. A study in South Africa found that dune thicket shrubs showed high survival and resilience to frequent complete loss of above-ground biomass caused by severe fire or browsing treatments. The results suggest that short interval, high severity fires will only set back thicket growth rather than causing large-scale mortality of thicket shrubs.
Article
Remote Sensing
Benjamin Brede, Harm M. Bartholomeus, Nicolas Barbier, Francois Pimont, Gregoire Vincent, Martin Herold
Summary: This study investigated the use of UAV-LS for forest structure assessment and provided recommendations for minimizing forest canopy occlusion in flight planning.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Francisco Amorim, Ricardo Pita, Vanessa A. Mata, Pedro Beja, Hugo Rebelo
Summary: This study investigates the effects of crowding on demographic processes, fecundity, and social structure in European free-tailed bats. The results show that crowding after habitat loss can disrupt population processes, reducing genetic relatedness and apparent survival, but not fecundity.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Semona Issa, Ane Simonsen, Veerle L. B. Jaspers, Sigurd Einum
Summary: The study found that, depending on environmental conditions, the rates of sexual reproduction in D. magna may respond to metal exposure at lower concentrations than those impacting population growth during the asexual phase.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Petra Vesela, Martina Vasutova, Daniel Volarik, Pavel Cudlin
Summary: The common ectomycorrhizal species Russula ochroleuca in European forests exhibits a mixed mode of reproduction with both large genets and single fruit body genets. Effective spore dispersal and high levels of outcrossing are indicated by low inbreeding levels, low genetic differentiation among subpopulations, and negligible isolation by distance. Temporal diversification within the species is evidenced by genetic differentiation between early and late fruiting genotypes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nakatada Wachi, Jin-Je Gau, Shunpei Fujie, Kenya Fukano, Kaoru Maeto
Summary: Despite the two-fold reproductive advantage, asexual reproduction is not common in nature, possibly due to genetic deterioration or reduced genetic variation. A study on the genetic diversity and population structure of sympatric sexual and asexual populations of a parasitic wasp found distinct genetic structures in the apomictic asexual populations, with most showing considerable genetic differentiation from the sexual population. Fewer multilocus genotypes were identified in the asexual populations compared to the sexual population, suggesting their apomictic nature.
Article
Ecology
Brandon R. Hays, Corinna Riginos, Todd M. Palmer, Daniel F. Doak, Benard C. Gituku, Nelly J. Maiyo, Samuel Mutisya, Simon Musila, Jacob R. Goheen
Summary: Biological invasion can disrupt mutualisms, as shown by the invasive big-headed ant's impact on the mutualism between the whistling-thorn tree and native ants in a Kenyan savanna. The invasion exacerbated population declines of the tree, but the presence of large mammalian herbivores had an even greater negative impact. Expulsion of native mutualists did not lead to higher population growth rates for the tree.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jing Huang, Zihang Wang, Bo Yu, Yunfei Sun, Lei Gu, Lu Zhang, Yuan Huang, Zhou Yang
Summary: The decline in freshwater calcium has a negative impact on the population and sexual reproduction of Daphnia, which may endanger the persistence of species and genes.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Yi Guo, Jiachong Liang, Chunrong Lv, Yi Wang, Guoquan Wu, Xiangdong Ding, Guobo Quan
Summary: This study systematically investigated the population characteristics and selection signatures of Yunnan semi-fine wool sheep, and identified genetic variations related to early domestication and adaptive changes. The findings provide a theoretical basis for the conservation and utilization of Yunnan semi-fine wool sheep, and offer a new opportunity to study the genetic variation influencing fecundity under artificial selection.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Fabian Blanes, Cristina De Fuentes, Ruben Porcuna
Summary: The study found a positive relationship between CSR and managerial compensation, but this relationship is significant only with lower levels of CSR. Additionally, CSR is positively associated with the proportion of equity-based compensation and negatively associated with the proportion of cash-based compensation. Companies with lower levels of CSR tend to design a compensation scheme that incentivizes managers to meet CSR investment goals.
Article
Biology
Karina Scavo Lord, Kathryn C. C. Lesneski, Peter M. M. Buston, Sarah W. W. Davies, Cassidy C. C. D'Aloia, John R. R. Finnerty
Summary: Using 2bRAD sequencing, this study demonstrates that a natural population of thin-finger coral (Porites divaricata) persists in mangroves through rampant asexual reproduction and limited dispersal. The findings suggest limited genetic diversity in mangrove populations and limited connectivity between mangroves and nearby reefs, with skewed sex ratios. Therefore, coral conservation should involve protecting the entire coral habitat mosaic, not just reefs.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Mathematics, Applied
Yunfei Lv, Yongzhen Pei, Rong Yuan
Summary: This paper discusses a general age-structured model with diffusion, covering factors such as intra-specific competition and periodic delay. The concept of basic reproduction number R-0 is introduced to establish threshold dynamics on mosquito extinction and persistence. The global stability of the positive periodic solution is obtained by decoupling the adult equation and introducing a suitable phase space.
NONLINEAR ANALYSIS-REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Yong Zhi Foo, Malgorzata Lagisz, Rose E. O'Dea, Shinichi Nakagawa
Summary: Finding the balance between survival and reproduction is a central problem in life-history theory. The terminal investment hypothesis predicts that individuals facing a survival threat will increase immediate reproductive investment to maximize fitness. However, research on this hypothesis has yielded mixed results. In this study, a meta-analysis was conducted to examine reproductive investment in multicellular animals after an immune challenge. The results provided some support for the hypotheses, showing stronger terminal investment responses in older individuals with lower residual reproductive values, as well as an increase in variance, particularly in longer-living species.
Review
Environmental Sciences
L. Croijmans, J. F. De Jong, H. H. T. Prins
Summary: Although oxygen and temperature have effects on lotic biodiversity, research shows that dissolved oxygen concentration is positively correlated with taxonomic richness, while temperature is negatively correlated with it.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fiona Sach, Lisa Yon, Michelle D. Henley, Anka Bedetti, Peter Buss, Willem Frederik de Boer, Ellen S. Dierenfeld, Amanda Gardner, Simon C. Langley-Evans, Elliott Hamilton, R. Murray Lark, Herbert H. T. Prins, Anthony M. Swemmer, Michael J. Watts
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Benson Okita-Ouma, Frank van Langevelde, Ignas M. A. Heitkonig, Peter Maina, Sip E. van Wieren, Herbert H. T. Prins
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between the reproductive performance of the Eastern black rhinoceros and plant available moisture, plant available nutrients, and woody cover in seven distinct populations in Kenya. Results showed that woody plant cover positively influenced the reproductive performance indicators of black rhinos, while plant available moisture and plant available nutrients made more subtle contributions to the selection of conservation areas.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Henrik J. de Knegt, Jasper A. J. Eikelboom, Frank van Langevelde, W. Francois Spruyt, Herbert H. T. Prins
Summary: This study proposes and tests a poacher early warning system based on the movement responses of non-targeted sentinel animals, which can accurately detect and localize human intruders, contributing to reducing wildlife crime.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Shenglai Yin, Yanjie Xu, Nyambyar Batbayar, John Y. Takekawa, Yali Si, Diann J. Prosser, Scott H. Newman, Herbert H. T. Prins, Willem F. de Boer
Summary: By comparing the migration patterns and infection records of different species, it was found that despite having fewer infection records, swan geese were more likely to come in contact with disease outbreaks, while bar-headed geese were the opposite. This may be due to swan geese having frequent contact with domestic ducks, increasing their innate immunity, or the stress of high-elevation migration reducing the immunity of bar-headed geese.
Article
Ecology
Benson Okita-Ouma, Richard Pettifor, Marcus Clauss, Herbert H. T. Prins
Summary: High density of eastern black rhinoceros populations may lead to intense foraging competition, but there is no significant correlation between population density and dietary quality, suggesting behavioral plasticity in adjusting diet. Plant available moisture significantly affects mineral concentrations in feces, while plant available nutrients have no effect.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yingying X. G. Wang, Kevin D. Matson, Luca Santini, Piero Visconti, Jelle P. Hilbers, Mark A. J. Huijbregts, Yanjie Xu, Herbert H. T. Prins, Toph Allen, Zheng Y. X. Huang, Willem F. de Boer
Summary: The composition of wildlife assemblages plays a crucial role in transmission dynamics of infectious diseases, impacting the risk of both density-dependent and frequency-dependent diseases. Changes in disease risk are influenced by biodiversity, climate change, and habitat loss.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Herbert Prins, Yorick Liefting, Joost de Jong
Summary: In areas where farmland borders protected areas, wild elephants cause substantial financial damage for poor farmers. Farmers near the boundary between agricultural and wilderness areas, with smaller landholdings, are more affected by elephant damage but have lower willingness to pay for insurance.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Paul Scholte, Olivier Pays, Saleh Adam, Bertrand Chardonnet, Herve Fritz, Jean-Baptiste Mamang, Herbert H. T. Prins, Pierre-Cyril Renaud, Patrick Tadjo, Mark Moritz
Summary: Analyzing multispecies surveys conducted in Central Africa's seven main savanna national parks between 1960 and 2017, it was found that populations of wild large herbivores declined, livestock numbers increased, and tourism industry collapsed. To address this issue, it is proposed to strategically retreat and focus resources on smaller areas to conserve wildlife in the Central African savannas.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Martijn J. A. Weterings, Sanne Losekoot, Henry J. Kuipers, Herbert H. T. Prins, Frank Langevelde, Sipke E. Wieren
Summary: In this study, the authors assessed the impact of multiple predators on the body condition and fecundity of European hares in 13 areas in the Netherlands. They found that the sum of the field metabolic rate of predators was negatively correlated with body condition and the number of placental scars, while it was positively related to the weight of the adrenal glands. The total number of predators did not significantly affect the investigated risk responses. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the risk effects of multiple predators on prey fitness and identify a potential factor contributing to the decline of European hare populations.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Shyam Kumar Thapa, Joost F. de Jong, Naresh Subedi, Anouschka R. Hof, Gloria Corradini, Salu Basnet, Herbert H. T. Prins
Summary: This study conducted in Bardia National Park, Nepal, found that during the hot-dry season, grazing lawns provide forage with a higher quantity and quality than tall grasslands, which can make a significant contribution to the maintenance or even growth of the grassland dependent wild ungulate population. The insights from this study will help in restoring grazing lawns for quality forage, and aid in the conservation and management of wild grazers and mixed feeders.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Zhouyuan Li, Zhuo Tang, Yanjie Xu, Yingying Wang, Zhaogang Duan, Xuehua Liu, Pengyan Wang, Jian Yang, Wei Chen, Herbert H. T. Prins
Summary: The study used infrared-triggered camera trapping in Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan, China to monitor wildlife and biodiversity, identifying temperature and vegetation as key environmental drivers affecting mammal and bird distribution and abundance. Species were categorized into cold-resistant, phyllophilic, and thermophilic types based on these factors, with bharal, Moupin pika, Himalayan marmot, snow partridge, plain mountain finch, Chinese monal, and alpine accentor being the most abundant species.
Article
Ecology
Shyam Kumar Thapa, Joost F. de Jong, Anouschka R. Hof, Naresh Subedi, Laxmi Raj Joshi, Herbert H. T. Prins
Summary: This study assessed the effects of fire on postfire regrowth quality and herbivory in the subtropical monsoon grasslands of Bardia National Park, Nepal. The findings showed significant reductions in forage quality after fire, and variations in the intensity of herbivory by deer on postfire regrowth depending on the time since fire.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Joost F. F. de Jong, Laura Iacolina, Herbert H. T. Prins, Pim van Hooft, Richard P. M. A. Crooijmans, Sip E. E. van Wieren, Joaquin Vicente Banos, Eric Baubet, Sean Cahill, Eduardo Ferreira, Carlos Fonseca, Peter M. M. Glazov, Ida Jelenko Turinek, Victor M. Lizana M. Martin, Andras Nahlik, Bostjan Pokorny, Tomasz Podgorski, Nikica Sprem, Rauno Veeroja, Ronald C. C. Ydenberg, Hendrik-Jan Megens
Summary: European wildlife has been impacted by human activities, but genetic partitioning of many species still reflects the glacial refugia. By analyzing the genetic structure of wild boar across Europe, we found population fragmentation, inbreeding, and hybridization with domestic pigs at the local scale. However, a deep genetic structure indicating a natural continental division was still present. Our findings suggest weaker evidence for glacial refugia, but support the importance of Southern France and the Balkans as recolonization routes.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mikhail Grishchenko, Ronald C. Ydenberg, Herbert H. T. Prins
Summary: Stopover sites are crucial for migratory bird species, including the greater white-fronted goose. However, extensive land cover changes in European Russia since 1990 due to agricultural abandonment may be reducing the availability and suitability of these sites. To measure the extent of land cover change, Landsat images were compiled and classified into different categories. Field visits were also conducted to assess vegetation composition and cover in identified stopover sites. The findings suggest that the land cover changes in northern European Russia are making migration more challenging for the greater white-fronted geese.