Article
Biology
Carl Tamario, Erik Degerman, Daniela Polic, Petter Tibblin, Anders Forsman
Summary: Ecological theory suggests that the size and isolation of habitat patches impact community species richness and population persistence. For rheophilic fish, lotic habitats play a crucial role in life-history completion. Research shows that subpopulations in larger and less isolated lotic habitat patches had higher densities with smaller fluctuations, and trout density increased with distance from predator presence in adjacent lentic habitats, indicating the influence of edge- and matrix-related mortality on population abundance and stability.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jonathan R. Bradley, Shijie Zhou, Xu Liu
Summary: Discrepancy error covariance refers to the cross-covariance between the signal and the noise terms in an additive model. A model has recently been proposed that allows for discrepancy error covariances and avoids confounding issues by introducing a telescoping sum. This model, known as the deep hierarchical generalized transformation (DHGT) model, can be efficiently implemented and allows for exact Bayesian implementation without the need for MCMC.
SPATIAL STATISTICS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Damian O. Ortiz-Rodriguez, Antoine Guisan, Maarten J. Van Strien
Summary: This study conducted a sensitivity analysis of network models with different maximum dispersal distances to predict the occurrence-state of species' habitat. The results showed that predictive performance was positively related to the distance threshold, and species-specific dispersal distance values did not necessarily yield the best performance. With increasing dispersal distance, the importance of habitat-quality-related variables decreased, while that of topology-related predictors increased. This study suggests caution in selecting a dispersal distance threshold and considering higher values than field reports to account for long-distance dispersers.
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Ali Safari, Paolo Moretti, Ibai Diez, Jesus M. Cortes, Miguel A. Munoz
Summary: This computational study shows that hierarchical connectivity in functional networks persists in the optimal dynamical regime associated with normal brain function, but breaks down in pathological conditions. The results offer important clues for studying optimal neurocomputing architectures and processes. The findings suggest that functional connectivity patterns achieve a balance between local specialized processing and global integration by inheriting the hierarchical organization of the underlying structural architecture.
Article
Plant Sciences
Sebastien Albert, Charlene Franc, Raphael Solesse, Dominique Strasberg, Olivier Flores
Summary: Based on field surveys and experiments conducted on Reunion Island, this study found that the regeneration of native plants is limited by seed dispersal and competition with invasive plants. The findings emphasize the importance of seed dispersal and competition with invasive plants in ecological succession, as well as the urgent need to restore seed dispersal and strengthen biosecurity regulations.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Paul D. Thompson, Chante L. Lundskog, Drew E. Dittmer
Summary: The Columbia Spotted Frog, widely distributed in northwestern North America, is a species that has experienced declines in the southernmost populations. A conservation agreement and strategy were developed for the Utah populations, which included range expansion. Repatriation of CSF larvae from one population to another was successful, with observed breeding and increase in numbers. Genetic testing indicated the absence of amphibian chytrid fungus in the repatriated population.
ICHTHYOLOGY AND HERPETOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Anila Gundavarapu, V. Srinivasa Chakravarthy
Summary: Although there is a lack of modeling studies on the motion-sensitive regions like the MST of the dorsal pathway, this paper presents three models that simulate optic flow computation in the MST area. Model-1 and model-2, trained using a biologically plausible variation of Hebbian rule, develop responses consistent with MSTd cell properties. Model-3, trained with supervised backpropagation algorithm, shows neuron responses consistent with the functional hierarchy in the macaque motion pathway. Overall, deep learning models offer a computationally elegant and biologically plausible solution for simulating the development of cortical responses in the primate motion pathway.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Maizatul F. Zulkifli, Rossita M. Yunus
Summary: Hierarchical spatio-temporal autoregressive models were used to study the PM10 concentration in Peninsular Malaysia. The results showed strong temporal correlation between successive months and spatial correlation with an effective range of 300 km. The inclusion of sine and cosine terms as predictors improved the prediction results.
METEOROLOGY AND ATMOSPHERIC PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Michael J. Hooker, Richard B. Chandler, Bobby T. Bond, Michael J. Chamberlain
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2020)
Article
Zoology
Paige E. Howell, Blake R. Hossack, Erin Muths, Brent H. Sigafus, Richard B. Chandler
Article
Agronomy
Jeffrey D. Ritterson, David I. King, Raul Raudales, Richard Trubey, Richard B. Chandler
Summary: This study provides guidance on the application of a land sparing production system to conserve forest-dependent wildlife in coffee growing areas where land sharing cultivation is not feasible. The Integrated Open Canopy (IOC) coffee system allows farmers to control leaf rust and increase yields by removing shade trees, while conserving adjacent forest patches of equal or greater area. Conservation of forest patches is facilitated through compensation for opportunity costs and ecosystem services provided by forests, supporting biodiversity in regions where land sharing cultivation is impractical.
AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Samuel A. Merker, Richard B. Chandler
Summary: Through field observations and experiments, this research found no evidence to support the limitation of Canada warbler's distribution at the trailing-edge by socially mediated Allee effects. Instead, factors such as temperature, precipitation and negative density dependence were found to strongly influence population growth rates.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ornithology
Jeffrey D. Ritterson, David I. King, Richard B. Chandler
Summary: Nearctic-Neotropical migratory birds face threats at various stages of their annual cycle, leading to severe population declines. Despite relatively well-studied habitat associations of the golden-winged warbler, lack of basic demographic rates hinders conservation efforts, particularly during the winter period where survival rates play a crucial role. Our study in Costa Rica contributes to understanding the impacts of winter events on migratory bird populations and informs potential conservation strategies.
JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Jose Jimenez, Ben C. Augustine, Daniel W. Linden, Richard B. Chandler, J. Andrew Royle
Summary: The study introduces a novel random thinning SCR model that incorporates both known and unknown identity samples, improving parameter estimates in noninvasive sampling studies for low-density populations with low rates of individual identification.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Paige E. Howell, Nathan G. Wilhite, Rachel Gardner, Jessica L. Mohlman, Richard B. Chandler, Ira B. Parnell, James A. Martin
Summary: The northern bobwhite is an ecologically and economically valuable species in the United States, with researchers using spatial capture-recapture methods to estimate population size and study spatial density variation. The study found that landscape structure significantly influenced density variations in bobwhite populations.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
John M. Yeiser, John J. Morgan, Danna L. Baxley, Richard B. Chandler, James A. Martin
Summary: Recovery of grassland birds in agricultural landscapes is crucial on a global scale, with consideration of species-specific landscape responses necessary. A spatially explicit approach can help optimize conservation strategies, aiding in the recovery of grassland bird species.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Brett T. McClintock, Briana Abrahms, Richard B. Chandler, Paul B. Conn, Sarah J. Converse, Robert L. Emmet, Beth Gardner, Nathan J. Hostetter, Devin S. Johnson
Summary: Ecologists and conservation biologists increasingly rely on spatial capture-recapture (SCR) and movement modeling to study animal populations. Historically, SCR has focused on population-level processes, while animal movement modeling has focused on individual behavior. Integrating SCR and animal movement modeling has the potential to scale up from individuals to populations, advancing types of inferences and improving population-level parameter estimations critical for species conservation and management.
Article
Ecology
Tori D. Mezebish, Richard B. Chandler, Glenn H. Olsen, Michele Goodman, Frank C. Rohwer, Nicholas J. Meng, Mark D. McConnell
Summary: The study found that the selection of wetlands by ring-necked ducks during winter is influenced by local wetland characteristics, with wetland area and type playing significant roles in their selection. After the hunting season, the relative probability of selection for different wetland characteristics changed, possibly due to migratory preparation, resource depletion, and reproductive pairing.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
James T. Johnson, Richard B. Chandler, L. Mike Conner, Michael J. Cherry, Charlie H. Killmaster, Kristina L. Johannsen, Karl Miller
Summary: Bait is often used to attract wildlife for various purposes, but it can alter animal behavior and distribution. Short-term baiting was found to affect white-tailed deer's space use within home ranges, potentially enhancing disease transmission and changing harvest susceptibility. This study highlights the importance of understanding how baiting impacts wildlife behavior and distribution for effective management and research.
Article
Ecology
Lydia L. S. Margenau, Michael J. Cherry, Karl Miller, Elina P. Garrison, Richard B. Chandler
Summary: Long-term monitoring is essential for effective wildlife conservation, but current methods of density estimation are often expensive or challenging to implement on a large scale. The spatial mark-resight (SMR) models have recently gained popularity as a cost-effective solution that can estimate density using both marked and unmarked individuals. In this study, a generalized SMR model was developed to incorporate long-term camera data and auxiliary telemetry data, allowing for improved spatiotemporal inference in monitoring efforts. The model can be applied in two stages, reducing computational demands and making it more practical for large-scale, long-term monitoring initiatives.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Richard B. Chandler, Daniel A. Crawford, Elina P. Garrison, Karl Miller, Michael J. Cherry
Summary: Studies on animal abundance and distribution are often conducted separately from research on movement. However, a joint model incorporating camera trap and GPS telemetry data has been used to enhance understanding of deer population abundance and movement patterns.
Article
Ecology
H. N. Abernathy, R. B. Chandler, D. A. Crawford, E. P. Garrison, L. M. Conner, K. V. Miller, M. J. Cherry
Summary: Predation risk and ecological disturbance regimes can influence prey behavioral decisions. Studying the relationship between these factors can help in understanding how prey adapt to different predator and disturbance regimes.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Florent Bled, Michael J. Cherry, Elina P. Garrison, Karl Miller, L. Mike Conner, Heather N. Abernathy, W. Hunter Ellsworth, Lydia L. S. Margenau, Daniel A. Crawford, Kristin N. Engebretsen, Brian D. Kelly, David B. Shindle, Richard B. Chandler
Summary: Large carnivore restoration programs, like the Florida panther restoration program in South Florida, can have significant impacts on prey populations such as the white-tailed deer. Panther predation was found to be the primary cause of death for deer, with the predation rate being much higher after the restoration effort. Increasing water depth had a negative impact on female deer survival, but drowning was not a common cause of mortality. It will be challenging to balance the competing demands of predator restoration and sustainable deer harvest.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)