Article
Plant Sciences
Carlos A. Vargas, Marius Bottin, Tiina Sarkinen, James E. Richardson, Lauren Raz, Carol X. Garzon-Lopez, Adriana Sanchez
Summary: Specimen records are an important source of species information for biodiversity research, but the currently available records may be biased in terms of geography and environment. This study focuses on geographical and environmental biases in online records of the flora of the Colombian Andes and finds significant sampling bias. The sampling is better in highland areas (>2000m) and poorer in mid- and lowland areas (e.g. montane and lowland forests). The median sampling completeness across the Colombian Andes is less than 75% at the scales studied.
BOTANICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Charles J. Marsh, Mindy M. Syfert, Elina Aletrari, Yoni Gavish, William E. Kunin, Neil Brummitt
Summary: Geographic range size is a commonly used criterion for assessing species extinction risk. IUCN applies two measures, EOO and AOO, to capture different aspects of a species' distribution. Different methods and parameter choices can greatly affect the Red List status of species, with 2-100% of species being considered threatened depending on methodology. It is important to retain methodological information in assessments and be cautious when applying certain methods to poorly-recorded species.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Daniel Lukic, Jonas Eberle, Jana Thormann, Carolus Holzschuh, Dirk Ahrens
Summary: The study investigates the performance of various species delimitation approaches on herbivorous chafer beetles under absence of geographic sampling bias, pointing out the discrepancies between morphospecies and molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) may be explained by historical acquired geographic genetic differentiation, incomplete lineage sorting, and hybridization. The importance of morphology in correctly interpreting the results of molecular species delimitation is highlighted once again.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Grace J. J. Di Cecco, Allen H. H. Hurlbert
Summary: Species may experience changes in population size, range limits, and range occupancy in response to environmental change. Climate generalist species are more likely to expand their range area, while species with declining population trends are likely to contract their range area.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tad Dallas, Andrew Kramer
Summary: This study examines the relationship between geographic range size and climatic niche area for mammal, bird, and tree species. The findings suggest a positive relationship for all taxa, with residual variation dependent on latitude and differing from a null model for mammals and birds, but not for trees.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Bethany A. Zumwalde, Bailie Fredlock, Emily Beckman Bruns, Drew Duckett, Ross A. McCauley, Emma Suzuki Spence, Sean Hoban
Summary: The study reveals that the genetic diversity of the threatened desert oak species is mostly conserved in ex situ populations, with one geographic region showing better conservation than the other. Genetic diversity conservation for the widespread species is lower compared to rarer taxa, and genetic diversity within each garden is influenced by the number of plants and source populations. Overall, measures of geographic and ecological conservation tended to be lower than direct assessment of genetic diversity.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alienor Jeliazkov, Yoni Gavish, Charles J. Marsh, Jonas Geschke, Neil Brummitt, Duccio Rocchini, Peter Haase, William E. Kunin, Klaus Henle
Summary: Biodiversity conservation faces a methodological challenge in accurately predicting the distribution of rare species due to limited data and spatial bias. This article summarizes the different types of data and distribution models suitable for different categories of species rarity, providing a guide for improving the prediction of rare species distribution.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lara Munro, Bridget Griffin, Brit B. Laginhas, Bethany A. Bradley
Summary: Biases in invasion science have resulted in a focus on plant taxonomy, especially in Europe and North America. However, this study found no substantial geographic biases in the research studies of ten well-studied invasive plants in the United States. Despite this, there were consistent climatic biases and spatial clustering of specific study types.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Inigo Rubio-Lopez, Fernando Pardos, Diego Fontaneto, Alejandro Martinez, Guillermo Garcia-Gomez
Summary: This study explores the linkage between distribution ranges, species traits, sampling biases, and taxonomic biases in microscopic animals, using marine Halacaridae as a case study. The results suggest that geographical variables explain differences in species composition, while sampling effort and distance from marine biological stations account for differences in Halacaridae richness in Europe. The study also finds that species traits, such as generalism, affect the distribution patterns of Halacaridae.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Frederic Sorbe, Tobias Graenzig, Michael Foerster
Summary: As globalization continues, it is crucial to understand the geographical distribution pattern of invasive species in order to effectively manage and minimize their impact on native biodiversity. In this study, the Maxent model was used to predict the potential spatial distribution of U. europaeus, and three bias correction methods were applied. The study found that U. europaeus is primarily distributed in the coastal and central regions of Zona Sur in south-central Chile, with temperature, precipitation, and precipitation seasonality being the most important factors affecting its distribution.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jussi Makinen, Cory Merow, Walter Jetz
Summary: Integrated SDMs that combine presence-only and presence-absence data can successfully improve predictions of species' geographic distributions. These models have the potential to alleviate the impacts of taxonomically and geographically uneven sampling and leverage the detailed sampling information in presence-absence data.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Kelly M. Powers, Lisanne S. Petracca, Andrew J. Macduff, Jacqueline L. Frair
Summary: This study used various sources of animal occurrence records to evaluate the distribution and habitat relationships of river otters in central and western New York. The findings showed that reliable inference on wildlife habitat requirements can be obtained even after correcting for biases, with approximately 20% of the study area representing high probability of otter occurrence.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Tyler Parsons, Jaho Seo, Dan Livesey
Summary: The division of a city into waste collection areas can greatly impact the workload distribution for waste collection personnel. This paper proposes a 2-stage optimization process that utilizes weighted K-means clustering and differential evolution algorithms to minimize the standard deviation of dwelling units across each collection area. Results from a case study in Oshawa, Canada demonstrate significant improvements in balancing dwelling units using the proposed clustering techniques. Additionally, the same techniques can be applied to assign collection routes for vehicles, resulting in improved simulated statistics for collection time, travel time, and fuel consumption.
Article
Ecology
Alexander Zizka, Oskar Ryden, Daniel Edler, Johannes Klein, Allison Perrigo, Daniele Silvestro, Sverker C. Jagers, Staffan Lindberg, Alexandre Antonelli
Summary: This paper introduces a software called Bio-Dem that explores the relationship between the availability of species occurrence records and the political framework in different countries. Through interactive graphs, users can understand the connection between various indicators (such as regime type, freedom, GDP, etc.) and the collection of biodiversity data.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Kalaivanan Karunanithy, Bhanumathi Velusamy
Summary: This paper investigates the use of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) with the Internet of Things (IoT) to track the movement and behavior of wild animals. To overcome network issues caused by animal mobility, a mechanism called LCOGR is introduced, which significantly improves network efficiency compared to other protocols.
PEER-TO-PEER NETWORKING AND APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Juan Pablo Narvaez-Gomez, Claudia A. Szumik, Pablo A. Goloboff, Lucia G. Lohmann
Summary: This study used the tribe Bignonieae as a model to investigate species diversity and distribution patterns in the Neotropics. Through the analysis of distribution data, the study revealed the areas of endemism and their characteristics in the region, supporting key biogeographical hypotheses.
BOTANICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Julie A. Lee-Yaw, Jenny L. McCune, Samuel Pironon, Seema N. Sheth
Summary: Species distribution models (SDMs) are widely used in ecology to infer habitat suitability for species of interest; however, studies show a decline in predictive performance from occurrence to genetic diversity, with higher success rates in single species evaluations. The limited accuracy of SDMs reported may reflect the best-case scenario, emphasizing the need for independent data validation when using these models in conservation decisions.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Anderson Alves-Araujo, Marina M. Moreira, Tatiana Carrijo, Lucia G. Lohmann, Adriana Q. Lobao, Alana F. Scheidegger, Aline Firmino, Aline Vieira de Melo Silva, Alvaro Nepomuceno, Amella C. Tuler, Andre M. A. Amorim, Andre L. C. Moreira, A. P. Braz Cosenza, Brenno G. Sossai, Christian Silva, Claudia R. Lopes, Daniele Monteiro, Dayvid R. Couto, Duane F. Lima, Eduardo C. Dalcin, Eliana Ramos, Elton Lirio, Fatima Salimena, Felipe Alves de Oliveira, Fernanda R. M. Fraga, Filipe Torres-Leite, Guilherme M. Antar, Gustavo H. Shimizu, Haroldo C. Lima, Herison Medeiros, Jaquelini Luber, Jheniffer A. Christ, Joao Lanna, Joao Paulo F. Zorzanelli, Joelcio Freitas, Jose F. B. Pastore, Jose I. M. Melo, Juliana Paula-Souza, Juliana R. P. M. Oliveira, Leandro C. Pederneiras, Leandro Freitas, Leandro L. Giacomin, Leonardo Meireles, Luis A. E. Silva, Luiz J. S. Pinto, Luiz Menini Neto, Marcelo Trovo, Mario L. Garbin, Marli P. Morim, Michel Ribeiro, Nelson T. L. Pena, Paulo H. Labiak, Pedro H. Cardoso, Pedro Viana, Pedro L. R. Moraes, Quelita Moraes, Raquel F. Zorzanelli, Renara N. Amaral, Renata C. Asprino, Renato Goldenberg, Ricardo Magnago, Ricardo S. Couto, Sandrine C. Dutra, Saul E. Hoyos-Gomez, A. F. Tamara Vieira, Thiago B. Flores, Valquiria F. Dutra, Victor S. Miranda, Vitor C. Manhaes, Rafaela C. Forzza
Summary: The study in the Flona do Rio Preto in Brazil documented 722 vascular plant species, including 711 native to Brazil and 349 endemic to the Atlantic Forest. Additionally, 60 species are geographically disjunct between the Atlantic and the Amazon Forests.
BIODIVERSITY DATA JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Aleah Querns, Rachel Wooliver, Mario Vallejo-Marin, Seema Nayan Sheth
Summary: The rise of globalization has allowed organisms to spread beyond their natural range and possibly become invasive species. However, the role of thermal adaptation in promoting the success of invasive species is still unclear. By studying the yellow monkeyflower, researchers found that thermal adaptation did not change during the invasion process.
Article
Ecology
Maria Fernanda Calio, Veronica A. Thode, Christine D. Bacon, Daniele Silvestro, Alexandre Antonelli, Lucia G. Lohmann
Summary: This study investigates the timing and routes of species movements between wet or seasonally dry habitats across Neotropical regions using the plant genus Anemopaegma. It also evaluates the potential for ecological adaptation by assessing the habitat transitions correlated with morphological shifts.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Rachel Wooliver, Emma E. Vtipilthorpe, Amelia M. Wiegmann, Seema N. Sheth
Summary: We can understand the ecology and evolution of plant thermal niches through thermal performance curves (TPCs), which are unimodal, continuous reaction norms of performance across a temperature gradient. However, there is limited research on plant TPCs and most studies focus on physiological traits rather than individual fitness. Future studies should focus on genetic variation, plastic responses, and population-level thermal niches to better understand plant responses to climate change.
Review
Ecology
Susana M. Wadgymar, Megan L. DeMarche, Emily B. Josephs, Seema N. Sheth, Jill T. Anderson
Summary: Divergent selection across the landscape can drive the evolution of local adaptation in populations adapting to different environments, but the mechanisms behind this process are not well understood. Despite the wide observation of local adaptation in various taxa, there is a lack of experimental confirmation on the factors promoting local adaptation and the phenotypic targets involved.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY EVOLUTION AND SYSTEMATICS
(2022)
Correction
Ecology
Charles J. Geyer, Mason W. Kulbaba, Seema N. Sheth, Rachel E. Pain, Vincent M. Eckhart, Ruth G. Shaw
Article
Plant Sciences
Elmar J. hentz Junior, LuCIA G. Lohmann, Marcelo G. Caxambu, LiVIA G. Temponi, Laura C. Pires Lima
Summary: Argentina and Brazil have insufficient research on plant diversity, particularly in the Iguazu region. This study provides a floristic account of Bignoniaceae in the Iguazu and Iguaqu National Parks, including identification keys, photographs, and comments on distribution, habitat, and phenology. The findings contribute to the establishment of biodiversity management plans and conservation priorities in the Southern Cone.
Article
Ecology
Aeran O. Coughlin, Rachel Wooliver, Seema N. Sheth
Summary: This study investigates how niche breadth is partitioned across biological scales. The findings suggest that populations of Mimulus species achieve broad thermal niches through genotypes with divergent thermal optima and to a lesser extent via general-purpose genotypes.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
James S. Albert, Ana C. Carnaval, Suzette G. A. Flantua, Lucia G. Lohmann, Camila C. Ribas, Douglas Riff, Juan D. Carrillo, Ying Fan, Jorge J. P. Figueiredo, Juan M. Guayasamin, Carina Hoorn, Gustavo H. de Melo, Nathalia Nascimento, Carlos A. Quesada, Carmen Ulloa Ulloa, Pedro Val, Julia Arieira, Andrea C. Encalada, Carlos A. Nobre
Summary: Amazonian environments are experiencing unprecedented degradation due to industrial and agricultural activities, posing a threat to its rich biodiversity and essential ecosystem services. Deforestation driven by export market demands and global climate change are the main drivers of this degradation. Urgent policies are necessary to prevent further damage, but action requires political will and leadership. Failing to protect the Amazon would have detrimental consequences for the entire biosphere.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Matthew Sasaki, Jordanna M. Barley, Sarah Gignoux-Wolfsohn, Cynthia G. Hays, Morgan W. Kelly, Alysha B. Putnam, Seema N. Sheth, Andrew R. Villeneuve, Brian S. Cheng
Summary: There is considerable uncertainty regarding which ecosystems are most vulnerable to warming. This study found strong differentiation in heat tolerance across populations in marine and intertidal taxa, but not terrestrial or freshwater taxa. Such adaptive differentiation in the ocean suggests there may be standing genetic variation at the species level to buffer climate impacts.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jessica N. C. Francisco, Luiz Henrique M. Fonseca, Lucia G. Lohmann
Summary: The study used a combination of high-throughput sequencing and targeted loci data to infer the phylogeny of the Cuspidaria genus. The results revealed eight main clades within the genus and identified potential morphological synapomorphies for different lineages. The study also proposed taxonomic changes and recognized 19 species in Cuspidaria.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Dora Ann Lange Canhos, Eduardo A. B. Almeida, Ana Lucia Assad, Mercedes Maria da Cunha Bustamante, Vanderlei Perez Canhos, Arthur David Chapman, Renato De Giovanni, Vera Lucia Imperatriz-Fonseca, Lucia Garcez Lohmann, Leonor Costa Maia, Joseph T. Miller, Gil Nelson, A. Townsend Peterson, Jose Rubens Pirani, Sidnei de Souza, Joao Renato Stehmann, Barbara Thiers
Summary: speciesLink is a biodiversity information portal that relies on a collaborative network to provide a vast amount of data and tools. It is a valuable resource for research, education, decision-making, and the bioeconomy.
Article
Forestry
Yunjia Tang, Shijiao Yin, Marcelo R. Pace, Caian S. Gerolamo, Anselmo Nogueira, Alexandre R. Zuntini, Lucia G. Lohmann, Martin Plath, Johannes Liesche
Summary: Understanding forest dynamics is crucial for addressing climate change and reforestation challenges. This study explores the relationship between plant anatomy and growth rates in woody plants, specifically focusing on the potential contribution of the carbon-transporting tissue. Through the analysis of data from multiple sources, the study finds positive correlations between growth rate, phloem sieve element diameter, and xylem vessel diameter. The study also demonstrates the potential of artificial neural networks in predicting plant growth under future climate scenarios.