Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Christopher M. Little
Summary: This study uses tide gauge records to show that decadal-scale coastal sea level variability increased dramatically in the second half of the twentieth century, with spatial coherence across different geographic locations. The increase was driven by changes in the amplitude, spatial pattern, and interbasin coherence of atmospheric pressure, wind, and sea surface temperature variability.
JOURNAL OF CLIMATE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xin Mao, Hong-Li Ren, Ge Liu
Summary: This study investigates the interannual variation of vegetation on the Tibetan Plateau and its relationship with local climatic factors using satellite remote sensing data. The results show two primary patterns of vegetation cover, uniform and dipole, which are influenced by different climatic factors.
Article
Ecology
Matthieu Barbier, Laurie Wojcik, Michel Loreau
Summary: The study conducted a meta-analysis of predator-prey pairs of mammals, birds, and reptiles, revealing that predation rates are influenced by a power-law expression rather than the traditional mass action model. This suggests a new understanding of predation dynamics at ecological scales and highlights the importance of considering the consequences for large-scale ecological patterns.
Review
Ecology
Ryan B. B. Stephens, Oliver N. N. Shipley, Remington J. J. Moll
Summary: Accurate trophic discrimination factors (TDF) are necessary for robustly quantifying dietary resource use and trophic position using stable isotopes. Previous studies suggested TDF values of around 1.0 for & UDelta;C-13 and 3.4 for & UDelta;N-15, but recent research indicates that these values may be more nuanced. The relative importance of different factors, such as taxa, tissues, trophic level, and diets, is still unclear.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kai Wu, Jiahao Chen, Han Yang, Yue Yang, Zhongmin Hu
Summary: This study examines the temporal variability of vegetation sensitivity to climate factors on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) using various vegetation indicators. The results show that temperature has a positive impact on forests, grasslands, and barren areas, but the sensitivity of all land-cover types to temperature variability has decreased. Solar radiation has a positive impact on forests, but a negative impact on grasslands and barren areas. Water availability has a positive impact on grasslands and barren areas, while its impact on forests is unclear. Overall, temperature is the most important climate factor affecting vegetation sensitivity on the QTP.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Matthew T. Wilson, David G. Kimmel
Summary: The study investigates the variation of predator-prey mass ratios (PPMR) across different taxa and body sizes, which has significant implications for ecosystem structure, function, and modeling. The findings indicate that different predator species demonstrate varying abilities in transitioning across size-structured prey taxa, leading to differences in their size-PPMR relationship. Incorporating taxon-specific PPMR size dependency in multispecies size-based ecosystem models is suggested to enhance model realism and trophic transfer efficiency.
Article
Environmental Sciences
MyeongHee Han, Yeon S. Chang, Jeseon Yoo
Summary: In 2021, the East Sea recorded its highest July sea level in 29 years, accompanied by the highest July sea surface and atmospheric temperatures. Various factors, including oceanic and atmospheric heat transport divergence, as well as mass and errors, have contributed to the sea level change. Heat has played a dominant role, accounting for 97.4% of the sea level change from 1994 to 2021. However, there have been notable fluctuations in mass and errors, highlighting the need for a more precise analysis in the future.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Shubhi Agrawal, Craig R. Ferguson, Lance Bosart, D. Alex Burrows
Summary: A spectral analysis and objective dynamical jet classification framework were used to investigate the interannual variability of Great Plains 850-hPa winds during the warm season, with a peak in May potentially influenced by teleconnections. Differentiating between jet types revealed significant differences in precipitation and wind intensity in the U.S. south-central plains, with distinct planetary-scale Rossby wave patterns indicating underlying teleconnections. These large-scale teleconnections impact LLJ class frequency and intensity through upper-level geopotential anomalies, modulating near-surface geopotential and temperature gradients.
JOURNAL OF CLIMATE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kassaye Hussien, Asfaw Kebede, Asnake Mekuriaw, Solomon Asfaw Beza, Sitotaw Haile Erena
Summary: The study analyzed the spatiotemporal variability of NDVI and its response to climate variables in the study area. The results showed that NDVI has been increasing over the past 26 years, with significant increasing trends in 78% of the basin's total area. Climate variables such as PET, SM, and RF were found to be the main factors controlling vegetation growth and greenness. This study enhances the understanding of the relationship between climate variables and vegetation growth in highland ecosystems.
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Amin Dezfuli, Kyle G. Horton, Benjamin Zuckerberg, Siegfried D. Schubert, Michael G. Bosilovich
Summary: By leveraging radar data and using an objective regionalization approach, we have developed a new spatial framework that better reflects the interannual variability of bird migration. Our analysis reveals that migration in the eastern United States is influenced by oceanic forcing in the tropical Pacific, while migration in the western United States is closely tied to regional temperature changes.
BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Andres F. Orejarena-Rondon, Juan C. Restrepo, Alex Correa-Metrio, Alejandro Orfila
Summary: This study assesses the Wave Energy Flux (WEF) in the Colombian Caribbean Sea using a 60-year wave reanalysis from 1958 to 2017, revealing a long-term decrease in WEF magnitude across different regions with interannual variations associated with ENSO phases. Wave energy power decreased from 1989 to 2017 in all analyzed locations.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ivan Hernandez-Avila, Daniel Pech, Frank A. Ocana, Flor Arcega-Cabrera, Cecilia Enriquez
Summary: The study investigated the species and functional trait assemblages of shelf and deep-water soft-bottom macrofauna in the western Gulf of Mexico, revealing variations in composition according to depth and time, and their association with environmental drivers. The structures of both species and functional trait assemblages were found to change with depth and show temporal variation.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Divya Upadhyay, Sudhanshu Dixit, Udit Bhatia
Summary: Quantifying uncertainties in estimating future hydropower production directly or indirectly affects India's energy security, planning, and management. In this study, the role of internal climate variability (ICV) and model uncertainty on hydropower production in India was analyzed. The results show that ICV plays a significant role in estimating streamflow and hydropower potential, while model uncertainty contributes more to total uncertainty. However, ICV is increasing toward the far term (2075-2100).
JOURNAL OF HYDROMETEOROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
William Llovel, Kevin Balem, Soumaia Tajouri, Antoine Hochet
Summary: Global mean sea level rose by 15 mm over June 2014 - May 2016, with 80% of the rise attributed to a global ocean mass increase. The South American continent, specifically the Amazon basin, contributed significantly to this increase. These changes were influenced by two El Nino events, which affected precipitation patterns worldwide.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shraddhanand Shukla, Greg Husak, William Turner, Frank Davenport, Chris Funk, Laura Harrison, Natasha Krell
Summary: Since 2015, Sub-Saharan Africa has seen a significant increase in acute food insecurity, with over 100 million Africans estimated to need emergency food assistance in 2020. The study shows that delays in the onset of the rainy season can be a critical early indicator of seasonal drought conditions, particularly in East Africa, where even a small delay increases the likelihood of drought. Early warning systems based on onset date can help mitigate the impact of drought and save lives and livelihoods in the most food-insecure regions.
Article
Ecology
Katie Elizabeth Thompson, Andrew Ford, Genoveva Esteban, Angelo Poupard, Kayla Zoon, Nathalie Pettorelli
Summary: This study aimed to assess the significant impact of African savannah elephants on trees in a small-fenced game reserve and determine the level of tree recovery. The study found that trees in high-use areas were less likely to show signs of damage, and taller trees were more susceptible to elephant impact. The proximity to the fence line did not affect the impact on trees. Future mitigation efforts should focus on trees with high levels of impact and low levels of recovery.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Victor Cazalis, Moreno Di Marco, Stuart H. M. Butchart, H. Resit Akcakaya, Manuela Gonzalez-Suarez, Carsten Meyer, Viola Clausnitzer, Monika Bohm, Alexander Zizka, Pedro Cardoso, Aafke M. Schipper, Steven P. Bachman, Bruce E. Young, Michael Hoffmann, Ana Benitez-Lopez, Pablo M. Lucas, Nathalie Pettorelli, Guillaume Patoine, Michela Pacific, Theresa Jorger-Hickfang, Thomas M. Brooks, Carlo Rondinini, Samantha L. L. Hill, Piero Visconti, Luca Santini
Summary: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species plays a central role in biodiversity conservation, but insufficient resources hinder its long-term growth. While models and automated calculations have been proposed, their integration into assessment practice is limited, showing a critical research-implementation gap. Bridging this gap can be achieved by fostering communication between academic researchers and Red List practitioners and developing user-friendly platforms for automated application of these methods. The development of methods that better encompass Red List criteria, systems, and drivers is the next priority for supporting the Red List.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Editorial Material
Ecology
Vincent Lecours, Mathias Disney, Kate He, Nathalie Pettorelli, J. Marcus Rowcliffe, Temuulen Sankey, Kylie Scales
REMOTE SENSING IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Molly E. Brown, Vanessa M. Escobar, Fatima M. Younis, Edil Sepulveda Carlo, Megan McGroddy, Sabrina Delgado Arias, Peter Griffith, George Hurtt
Summary: This study investigates the maturity of scientist-stakeholder engagement through a quantitative analysis of 908 survey responses from funded investigators. The findings provide evidence to support policy options for increasing stakeholder integration into research programs. Multiple funding rounds, long-standing relationships, and scientific productivity contribute to the transition of carbon products from research to operational use.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Justin Andrew Johnson, Molly E. Brown, Erwin Corong, Jan Philipp Dietrich, Roslyn Henry, Patrick Jose von Jeetze, David Leclere, Alexander Popp, Sumil K. Thakrar, David R. Williams
Summary: Achieving sustainable development requires understanding the interaction between human behavior and the environment across spatial scales. Existing global and local analyses often fail to capture 'meso-scale' phenomena, leading to inaccurate predictions. Modeling meso-scale phenomena is challenging due to their complexity and computational constraints, but it is necessary for policy-makers to assess tradeoffs accurately.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Henrike Schulte To Buehne, Joseph A. A. Tobias, Sarah M. M. Durant, Nathalie Pettorelli
Summary: This study examines the interaction between climate and land use in shaping fire size in a West African grassland ecosystem. The results show that the relationship between wet season grass production and fire size depends on the distance to cropland. The findings highlight the importance of considering the relative spatial distributions of interacting stressors in predicting their combined impacts on ecosystem functioning.
Letter
Ecology
Sander Chan, Steffen Bauer, Michele M. Betsill, Frank Biermann, Idil Boran, Peter Bridgewater, Harriet Bulkeley, Mercedes M. C. Bustamente, Alexandra Deprez, Felix Dodds, Michael Hoffmann, Anna-Katharina Hornidge, Alice Hughes, Pablo Imbach, Maria Ivanova, Alexandre Koberle, Marcel T. J. Kok, Shuaib Lwasa, Tiffany Morrison, Hans-O. Portner, Agus P. Sari, Stacy D. VanDeveer, Derek Vollmer, Oscar Widerberg, Nathalie Pettorelli
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Nathalie Pettorelli, Henrike Schulte To Buhne
Summary: Rewilding is suggested as a strategy for environmental challenges, but monitoring the projects lacks information. This article discusses the use of satellite remote sensing in rewilding science, including understanding the role of animals in ecosystem functioning, improving landscape-scale connectivity monitoring, and assessing the impacts of rewilding on conservation status. Despite barriers, integrating satellite remote sensing requires interdisciplinary collaboration and conceptual shifts in biodiversity conservation communities and organizations.
REMOTE SENSING IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Molly E. Brown, Sabrina Delgado Arias, Michael Chesnes
Summary: Altimeter data from the first- and second-generation NASA ICESat satellite missions has the potential to transform a variety of key applications through improved decision making. However, there is a need to cultivate a culture that values linking science with use in academia. The number of publications demonstrating actual applications of ICESat and ICESat-2 data is low, but efforts have been made to facilitate access to the data.
REMOTE SENSING APPLICATIONS-SOCIETY AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alienor L. M. Chauvenet
Summary: Protected areas are important for wildlife and ecosystem conservation, and their size has been increasing in response to international strategies. However, simply increasing the area of protected areas does not necessarily lead to better biodiversity conservation. This study proposes a set of indicators to evaluate the conservation potential of protected area networks, focusing on design and ecological integrity. Using Australia as a case study, the analysis reveals that the return on investment in protected areas, especially in terms of ecological integrity, is lower than expected and varies among strict and non-strict protected areas and ecoregions. While increasing the size of protected area networks may benefit threatened species, there has been no corresponding increase in ecosystem service provision and climate stability. This highlights the need to consider multiple benefits in decision-making for protected area designation.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biodiversity Conservation
Rafael D. Zenni, Jos Barlow, Nathalie Pettorelli, Phil Stephens, Romina Rader, Tadeu Siqueira, Rowena Gordon, Thomas Pinfield, Martin A. Nunez
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Daisy O'Neill, Henry Hakkinen, Jessica Neumann, Len Shaffrey, Chris Cheffings, Ken Norris, Nathalie Pettorelli
Summary: Tracking species as they alter distributions in response to climate change is a priority, and the use of biological records has expanded to include citizen science initiatives and social media platforms. However, the potential of these sources to complement traditional recording schemes in tracking species movement with climate change remains limited. Using the Banded Demoiselle in Britain as a case study, this research compared species occurrence observations from citizen science initiatives, social media platforms, and traditional records. The results showed that each record type provided unique insights, with social media records having the greatest difference compared to traditional records. It was concluded that ignoring information from social media records can lead to underestimation of suitable habitat availability, highlighting the importance of incorporating these sources into conservation efforts.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Henry Hakkinen, Nigel G. Taylor, Nathalie Pettorelli, William J. Sutherland, Jon Aldara, Tycho Anker-Nilssen, Christophe Aulert, Rob S. A. van Bemmelen, Daisy Burnell, Bernard Cadiou, Letizia Campioni, Bethany L. Clark, Nina Dehnhard, Maria P. Dias, Leonie Enners, Robert W. Furness, Gunnar thorn or Hallgrimsson, Sjurour Hammer, Erpur Snaer Hansen, Martti Hario, Stephen Hurling, Mark Jessopp, Birgit Kleinschmidt, Meelis Leivits, Klaudyna Maniszewska, Steffen Oppel, Ana Payo-Payo, Daniel Piec, Jaime A. Ramos, Frederic Robin, Iben Hove Sorensen, Antra Stipniece, Danielle L. Thompson, Antonio Vulcano, Silviu Petrovan
Summary: Conservation guidance is an important tool to communicate evidence-based advice to conservation actors, especially in the face of rapidly increasing pressure from climate change. However, the process of developing guidance documents with input from stakeholders can be complicated and costly. There is currently little direct evidence and guidance specifically targeting climate change. This study introduces a process for co-developing guidance for species conservation in the context of a changing climate, using seabirds in the North-East Atlantic as a case study.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Nathalie Pettorelli, James M. Bullock
Summary: Restoration and rewilding are effective conservation approaches to tackle current environmental crises. Integrating the two approaches can increase space for nature recovery, promote knowledge exchange, enhance landscape diversity and connectivity, and address biodiversity and climate issues. It is important to develop integrated strategies that combine the strengths of restoration and rewilding at different scales and contexts. Policy platforms and funding agencies should support the coordination and integration of restoration and rewilding agendas to achieve broader landscape conservation goals.
ECOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS AND EVIDENCE
(2023)
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ralf C. Buckley, Alienor L. M. Chauvenet, Sonya Underdahl