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Oliveira N, Cañellas I, Fuertes A, Pascual S, González I, Montes F, Sixto H. Beyond biomass production: Enhancing biodiversity while capturing carbon in short rotation coppice poplar plantations. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 933:172932. [PMID: 38703860 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Biodiversity is essential for the functioning of ecosystems and the provision of services. In recent years, the role of plantations in mitigating climate change through carbon sequestration has been highlighted. In the Mediterranean area, high-density poplar plantations in short-rotation with resprouting management (SRC) have been established for biomass purposes on mostly irrigated agricultural land, coexisting with rainfed and irrigated agricultural crops. This study aims to assess the contribution of these plantations to this type of agroforest ecosystem in terms of biodiversity. For this purpose, both flora and fauna diversity were evaluated both within and outside of the plantation. Additionally, the accumulated carbon in the biomass, as well as in the accompanying vegetation within the plantation, was assessed. Different indices were used to evaluate both the intrinsic diversity of the forest plantation and the degree of substitution and complementarity between the different communities of the landscape. Our findings reveal distinct biodiversity patterns in the land-use scenarios sampled. Specifically, we observed significantly higher flora-species richness in SRC plantations than in the adjacent agricultural land, whereas fauna richness showed a similar but slightly higher level in the forested area. A moderate level of complementarity between land uses was found for insects and mammals (around 45 %), contrasting with high complementarity for birds (87 %) and flora (90 %). This suggests substantial turnover and replacement among these ecological environments. Our results indicate that a second rotation (4 year) plantation could accumulate a total of 61.6 Mg C ha-1, and even though adventitious flora represents <2 % of the total carbon accumulated, its importance in providing ecosystem services is considerable. Hence, these findings evidence the fact that SRC poplar plantations can enhance biodiversity in Mediterranean agroforest ecosystems and actively contribute to various provisioning ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, reflecting a multi-objective approach that extends beyond biomass production.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Oliveira
- Institute of Forest Sciences (INIA, CSIC), Crta. de A Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - I Cañellas
- Institute of Forest Sciences (INIA, CSIC), Crta. de A Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - A Fuertes
- Institute of Forest Sciences (INIA, CSIC), Crta. de A Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - S Pascual
- Entomology Group, Plant Protection Department, INIA, CSIC, Ctra. de A Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - I González
- Institute of Forest Sciences (INIA, CSIC), Crta. de A Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - F Montes
- Institute of Forest Sciences (INIA, CSIC), Crta. de A Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - H Sixto
- Institute of Forest Sciences (INIA, CSIC), Crta. de A Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Madhusudhana S, Klinck H, Symes LB. Extensive data engineering to the rescue: building a multi-species katydid detector from unbalanced, atypical training datasets. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230444. [PMID: 38705172 PMCID: PMC11070257 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is a powerful tool for studying ecosystems. However, its effective application in tropical environments, particularly for insects, poses distinct challenges. Neotropical katydids produce complex species-specific calls, spanning mere milliseconds to seconds and spread across broad audible and ultrasonic frequencies. However, subtle differences in inter-pulse intervals or central frequencies are often the only discriminatory traits. These extremities, coupled with low source levels and susceptibility to masking by ambient noise, challenge species identification in PAM recordings. This study aimed to develop a deep learning-based solution to automate the recognition of 31 katydid species of interest in a biodiverse Panamanian forest with over 80 katydid species. Besides the innate challenges, our efforts were also encumbered by a limited and imbalanced initial training dataset comprising domain-mismatched recordings. To overcome these, we applied rigorous data engineering, improving input variance through controlled playback re-recordings and by employing physics-based data augmentation techniques, and tuning signal-processing, model and training parameters to produce a custom well-fit solution. Methods developed here are incorporated into Koogu, an open-source Python-based toolbox for developing deep learning-based bioacoustic analysis solutions. The parametric implementations offer a valuable resource, enhancing the capabilities of PAM for studying insects in tropical ecosystems. This article is part of the theme issue 'Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shyam Madhusudhana
- Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia
- K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-0001, USA
| | - Holger Klinck
- K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-0001, USA
| | - Laurel B. Symes
- K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-0001, USA
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Ancón, Panama City 0843-03092, Republic of Panama
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Slade EM, Ong XR. The future of tropical insect diversity: strategies to fill data and knowledge gaps. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 58:101063. [PMID: 37247774 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The decline of insect diversity is a much-discussed, yet understudied phenomenon, particularly in the tropics, where the majority of insect abundance, diversity and biomass is found. Integrated approaches involving traditional taxonomic methods, new molecular approaches, and novel monitoring and identification tools and applications are needed to address related and challenging questions regarding how many species of tropical insects exist, their distributions and natural history, the relative impacts of global change drivers on insect diversity across complex tropical landscapes, and the effects of insect declines on ecosystem functions and services. The main barriers to addressing these challenges are a lack of capacity and funding for research on insects in tropical countries and a lack of recognition of their importance for ecosystem functioning and human wellbeing. Insects must be brought into policy agendas, local capacity and funding through cross-boundary collaborations and equitable scientific practices increased, and their importance emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor M Slade
- Tropical Ecology & Entomology Lab, Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore.
| | - Xin Rui Ong
- Tropical Ecology & Entomology Lab, Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore
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4
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Gallego-Zamorano J, de Jonge MMJ, Runge K, Huls SH, Wang J, Huijbregts MAJ, Schipper AM. Context-dependent responses of terrestrial invertebrates to anthropogenic nitrogen enrichment: A meta-analysis. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:4161-4173. [PMID: 37114471 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic increases in nitrogen (N) concentrations in the environment are affecting plant diversity and ecosystems worldwide, but relatively little is known about N impacts on terrestrial invertebrate communities. Here, we performed an exploratory meta-analysis of 4365 observations from 126 publications reporting on the richness (number of taxa) or abundance (number of individuals per taxon) of terrestrial arthropods or nematodes in relation to N addition. We found that the response of invertebrates to N enrichment is highly dependent on both species' traits and local climate. The abundance of arthropods with incomplete metamorphosis, including agricultural pest species, increased in response to N enrichment. In contrast, arthropods exhibiting complete or no metamorphosis, including pollinators and detritivores, showed a declining abundance trend with increasing N enrichment, particularly in warmer climates. These contrasting and context-dependent responses may explain why we detected no overall response of arthropod richness. For nematodes, the abundance response to N enrichment was dependent on mean annual precipitation and varied between feeding guilds. We found a declining trend in abundance with N enrichment in dry areas and an increasing trend in wet areas, with slopes differing between feeding guilds. For example, at mean levels of precipitation, bacterivore abundance showed a positive trend in response to N addition while fungivore abundance declined. We further observed an overall decline in nematode richness with N addition. These N-induced changes in invertebrate communities could have negative consequences for various ecosystem functions and services, including those contributing to human food production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Gallego-Zamorano
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences (RIBES), Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Melinda M J de Jonge
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences (RIBES), Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Katharina Runge
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences (RIBES), Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Steven H Huls
- Department of Plant Ecology and Physiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences (RIBES), Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jiaqi Wang
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences (RIBES), Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mark A J Huijbregts
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences (RIBES), Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Aafke M Schipper
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences (RIBES), Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, The Hague, The Netherlands
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Ceia-Hasse A, Boieiro M, Soares A, Antunes S, Figueiredo H, Rego C, Borges PA, Conde J, Serrano AR. Drivers of Insect Community Change along the Margins of Mountain Streams in Serra da Estrela Natural Park (Portugal). INSECTS 2023; 14:243. [PMID: 36975928 PMCID: PMC10058670 DOI: 10.3390/insects14030243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Mountain ecosystems are important biodiversity hotspots and valuable natural laboratories to study community assembly processes. Here, we analyze the diversity patterns of butterflies and odonates in a mountainous area of high conservation value-Serra da Estrela Natural Park (Portugal)-and we assess the drivers of community change for each of the two insect groups. The butterflies and odonates were sampled along 150 m transects near the margins of three mountain streams, at three elevation levels (500, 1000, and 1500 m). We found no significant differences in odonate species richness between elevations, but marginal differences (p = 0.058) were found for butterflies due to the lower number of species at high altitudes. Both insect groups showed significant differences in beta diversity (βtotal) between elevations, with species richness differences being the most important component for odonates (βrich = 55.2%), while species replacement drove the changes between butterfly assemblages (βrepl = 60.3%). Climatic factors, particularly those depicting harsher conditions of temperature and precipitation, were the best predictors of total beta diversity (βtotal) and its components (βrich, βrepl) for the two study groups. The study of insect biodiversity patterns in mountain ecosystems and of the role played by different predictors contribute to further our understanding on the community assembly processes and may help to better predict environmental change impacts on mountain biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Ceia-Hasse
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mário Boieiro
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Environment, University of the Azores, Angra do Heroísmo, 9700-042 Azores, Portugal
| | - Albano Soares
- Tagis—Centro de Conservação das Borboletas de Portugal, 7480-152 Avis, Portugal
| | - Sandra Antunes
- Tagis—Centro de Conservação das Borboletas de Portugal, 7480-152 Avis, Portugal
| | - Hugo Figueiredo
- Centro de Interpretação da Serra da Estrela/Município de Seia, 6270-423 Seia, Portugal
| | - Carla Rego
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paulo A.V. Borges
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Environment, University of the Azores, Angra do Heroísmo, 9700-042 Azores, Portugal
| | - José Conde
- Centro de Interpretação da Serra da Estrela/Município de Seia, 6270-423 Seia, Portugal
| | - Artur R.M. Serrano
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
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We need to talk about nonprobability samples. Trends Ecol Evol 2023; 38:521-531. [PMID: 36775795 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
In most circumstances, probability sampling is the only way to ensure unbiased inference about population quantities where a complete census is not possible. As we enter the era of 'big data', however, nonprobability samples, whose sampling mechanisms are unknown, are undergoing a renaissance. We explain why the use of nonprobability samples can lead to spurious conclusions, and why seemingly large nonprobability samples can be (effectively) very small. We also review some recent controversies surrounding the use of nonprobability samples in biodiversity monitoring. These points notwithstanding, we argue that nonprobability samples can be useful, provided that their limitations are assessed, mitigated where possible and clearly communicated. Ecologists can learn much from other disciplines on each of these fronts.
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Andreas M, Naďo L, Bendová B, Uhrin M, Maxinová E, Lučan R, Benda P. Trophic niche and diet composition of the northernmost population of the Mediterranean horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus euryale) with conservation implications. MAMMAL RES 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-023-00674-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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8
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Serbe-Kamp É, Bemme J, Pollak D, Mayer K. Open Citizen Science: fostering open knowledge with participation. RESEARCH IDEAS AND OUTCOMES 2023. [DOI: 10.3897/rio.9.e96476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Citizen Science or community science has been around for a long time. The scope of community involvement in Citizen Science initiatives ranges from short-term data collection to intensive engagement to delve into a research topic together with scientists and/or other volunteers. Although many volunteer researchers have academic training, it is not a prerequisite for participation in research projects. It is important to adhere to scientific standards, which include, above all, transparency with regard to the methodology of data collection and public discussion of the results, and open educational resources (OER). Hereby, Citizen Science is closely linked to Open Science. In our contribution, we will introduce two projects, both developed within the Wikimedia Fellowship Freies Wissen.
The top-down approach: ERGo! An Entomology Research Tool to raise awareness of biodiversity protection.
Inclusion in academia and pressing social problems such as climate change are fundamentally social justice issues. To facilitate early participation in the scientific process on the part of people holding underrepresented identities in science, we develop a Citizen Science initiative based on a low-cost open-source platform (ERGo!) to perform a technique for electrical recordings from insect eyes known as electroretinograms (ERGs) while presenting visual stimuli. Pasadena Unified School District High School students pilot ERG experiments to test the feasibility of this technique as a large-scale Citizen Science initiative. With ERGo!, future Citizen Scientists contribute data to cutting-edge research that monitors insect biodiversity, adaptation, and health in rapidly changing environments caused by monocultures, pesticides, and climate change.
The bottom-up approach: Open cultural data collection. A Citizen Science initiative for regional knowledge curation.
We catalogued the 18th century German magazine ‘Die Gartenlaube’ (in Wikisource) with bibliographic metadata in Wikidata in a project called ‘Die Datenlaube’. We develop collaborative approaches for linked open data methods to produce data sets about historical knowledge. The concept of ‘Open Citizen Science’ offers a methodological baseline for Open Science practises in fields of digital humanities. Scanned documents and structured open metadata revealed open access to historic collections. Through the Wikimedia platforms 'Die Datenlaube' creates possibilities to edit entries, to design own investigations, and to contribute to OER.
Based on the elaboration of the two rather different projects (natural and social sciences, involvement of pupils vs citizens, top-down vs bottom-up), we will discuss similarities and hence the challenges and lessons learned for using and developing Open Science elements in Citizen Science and mutual learning. Furthermore, we will conclude by focusing on the opportunities resulting from the integration of societal expectations in science and vice versa.
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Barnes AE, Robinson RA, Pearce-Higgins JW. Collation of a century of soil invertebrate abundance data suggests long-term declines in earthworms but not tipulids. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282069. [PMID: 37011064 PMCID: PMC10069791 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Large-scale declines in terrestrial insects have been reported over much of Europe and across the world, however, population change assessments of other key invertebrate groups, such as soil invertebrates, have been largely neglected through a lack of available monitoring data. This study collates historic data from previously published studies to assess whether it is possible to infer previously undocumented long-term changes in soil invertebrate abundance. Earthworm and tipulid data were collated from over 100 studies across the UK, spanning almost 100 years. Analyses suggested long-term declines in earthworm abundance of between 1.6 to 2.1% per annum, equivalent to a 33% to 41% decline over 25 years. These appeared greatest in broadleaved woodlands and farmland habitats, and were greater in pasture than arable farmland. Significant differences in earthworm abundance between habitats varied between models but appeared to be highest in urban greenspaces and agricultural pasture. More limited data were available on tipulid abundance, which showed no significant change over time or variation between enclosed farmland and unenclosed habitats. Declines in earthworm populations could be contributing to overall declines in ecosystem function and biodiversity as they are vital for a range of ecosystem services and are keystone prey for many vertebrate species. If robust, our results identify a previously undetected biodiversity decline that would be a significant conservation and economic issue in the UK, and if replicated elsewhere, internationally. We highlight the need for long-term and large-scale soil invertebrate monitoring, which potentially could be carried out by citizen/community scientists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailidh E Barnes
- British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, United Kingdom
| | - Robert A Robinson
- British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, United Kingdom
| | - James W Pearce-Higgins
- British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, United Kingdom
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
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Lukach M, Dally T, Evans W, Hassall C, Duncan EJ, Bennett L, Addison FI, Kunin WE, Chapman JW, Neely RR. The development of an unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis of dual-polarization weather surveillance radar observations to assess nocturnal insect abundance and diversity. REMOTE SENSING IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION 2022; 8:698-716. [PMID: 36588588 PMCID: PMC9790603 DOI: 10.1002/rse2.270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Contemporary analyses of insect population trends are based, for the most part, on a large body of heterogeneous and short-term datasets of diurnal species that are representative of limited spatial domains. This makes monitoring changes in insect biomass and biodiversity difficult. What is needed is a method for monitoring that provides a consistent, high-resolution picture of insect populations through time over large areas during day and night. Here, we explore the use of X-band weather surveillance radar (WSR) for the study of local insect populations using a high-quality, multi-week time series of nocturnal moth light trapping data. Specifically, we test the hypotheses that (i) unsupervised data-driven classification algorithms can differentiate meteorological and biological phenomena, (ii) the diversity of the classes of bioscatterers are quantitatively related to the diversity of insects as measured on the ground and (iii) insect abundance measured at ground level can be predicted quantitatively based on dual-polarization Doppler WSR variables. Adapting the quasi-vertical profile analysis method and data clustering techniques developed for the analysis of hydrometeors, we demonstrate that our bioscatterer classification algorithm successfully differentiates bioscatterers from hydrometeors over a large spatial scale and at high temporal resolutions. Furthermore, our results also show a clear relationship between biological and meteorological scatterers and a link between the abundance and diversity of radar-based bioscatterer clusters and that of nocturnal aerial insects. Thus, we demonstrate the potential utility of this approach for landscape scale monitoring of biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryna Lukach
- National Centre for Atmospheric Science and the School of Earth and EnvironmentUniversity of Leeds71‐75 Clarendon Rd, WoodhouseLeedsLS2 9PHUK
| | - Thomas Dally
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological SciencesUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - William Evans
- National Centre for Atmospheric Science and the School of Earth and EnvironmentUniversity of Leeds71‐75 Clarendon Rd, WoodhouseLeedsLS2 9PHUK
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological SciencesUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Christopher Hassall
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological SciencesUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Elizabeth J. Duncan
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological SciencesUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Lindsay Bennett
- National Centre for Atmospheric Science and the School of Earth and EnvironmentUniversity of Leeds71‐75 Clarendon Rd, WoodhouseLeedsLS2 9PHUK
| | - Freya I. Addison
- National Centre for Atmospheric Science and the School of Earth and EnvironmentUniversity of Leeds71‐75 Clarendon Rd, WoodhouseLeedsLS2 9PHUK
| | - William E. Kunin
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological SciencesUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Jason W. Chapman
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, and Environment and Sustainability InstituteUniversity of ExeterPenryn, CornwallTR10 9FEUK
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant ProtectionNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjing210095People's Republic of China
| | - Ryan R. Neely
- National Centre for Atmospheric Science and the School of Earth and EnvironmentUniversity of Leeds71‐75 Clarendon Rd, WoodhouseLeedsLS2 9PHUK
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Donkersley P, Ashton L, Lamarre GPA, Segar S. Global insect decline is the result of wilful political failure: A battle plan for entomology. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9417. [PMID: 36254301 PMCID: PMC9555050 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment assessed ecosystem change, human wellbeing and scientific evidence for sustainable use of biological systems. Despite intergovernmental acknowledgement of the problem, global ecological decline has continued, including declines in insect biodiversity, which has received much media attention in recent years. Several roadmaps to averting biological declines have failed due to various economic and political factors, and so biodiversity loss continues, driven by several interacting human pressures. Humans are innately linked with nature but tend to take it for granted. The benefits we gain from the insect world are broad, yet aversion or phobias of invertebrates are common, and stand firmly in the path of their successful conservation. Providing an integrated synthesis for policy teams, conservation NGOs, academic researchers and those interested in public engagement, this article considers: (1) The lack of progress to preserve and protect insects. (2) Examples relating to insect decline and contributions insects make to people worldwide, and consequently what we stand to lose. (3) How to engage the public, governmental organizations and researchers through "insect contributions to people" to better address insect declines. International political will has consistently acknowledged the existence of biodiversity decline, but apart from a few narrow cases of charismatic megafauna, little meaningful change has been achieved. Public values are reflected in political willpower, the progress being made across the world, changing views on insects in the public should initiate a much-needed political sea-change. Taking both existing activity and required future actions, we outline an entomologist's "battle plan" to enormously expand our efforts and become the champions of insect conservation that the natural world needs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Louise Ashton
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina
| | - Greg P. A. Lamarre
- Faculty of Science, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of SciencesUniversity of South BohemiaCeske BudejoviceCzech Republic
- ForestGEOSmithsonian Tropical Research InstituteAnconPanama
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12
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Boyd RJ, Powney GD, Burns F, Danet A, Duchenne F, Grainger MJ, Jarvis SG, Martin G, Nilsen EB, Porcher E, Stewart GB, Wilson OJ, Pescott OL. ROBITT: A tool for assessing the risk-of-bias in studies of temporal trends in ecology. Methods Ecol Evol 2022; 13:1497-1507. [PMID: 36250156 PMCID: PMC9541136 DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Aggregated species occurrence and abundance data from disparate sources are increasingly accessible to ecologists for the analysis of temporal trends in biodiversity. However, sampling biases relevant to any given research question are often poorly explored and infrequently reported; this can undermine statistical inference. In other disciplines, it is common for researchers to complete 'risk-of-bias' assessments to expose and document the potential for biases to undermine conclusions. The huge growth in available data, and recent controversies surrounding their use to infer temporal trends, indicate that similar assessments are urgently needed in ecology.We introduce ROBITT, a structured tool for assessing the 'Risk-Of-Bias In studies of Temporal Trends in ecology'. ROBITT has a similar format to its counterparts in other disciplines: it comprises signalling questions designed to elicit information on the potential for bias in key study domains. In answering these, users will define study inferential goal(s) and relevant statistical target populations. This information is used to assess potential sampling biases across domains relevant to the research question (e.g. geography, taxonomy, environment), and how these vary through time. If assessments indicate biases, then users must clearly describe them and/or explain what mitigating action will be taken.Everything that users need to complete a ROBITT assessment is provided: the tool, a guidance document and a worked example. Following other disciplines, the tool and guidance document were developed through a consensus-forming process across experts working in relevant areas of ecology and evidence synthesis.We propose that researchers should be strongly encouraged to include a ROBITT assessment when publishing studies of biodiversity trends, especially when using aggregated data. This will help researchers to structure their thinking, clearly acknowledge potential sampling issues, highlight where expert consultation is required and provide an opportunity to describe data checks that might go unreported. ROBITT will also enable reviewers, editors and readers to establish how well research conclusions are supported given a dataset combined with some analytical approach. In turn, it should strengthen evidence-based policy and practice, reduce differing interpretations of data and provide a clearer picture of the uncertainties associated with our understanding of reality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fiona Burns
- RSPB Centre for Conservation ScienceCambridgeUK
| | - Alain Danet
- Centre d'Ecologie et des Sciences de la Conservation (CESCO), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRSSorbonne UniversitéParisFrance
| | - François Duchenne
- Swiss Federal Institute for ForestSnow and Landscape Research (WSL)BirmensdorfSwitzerland
| | | | - Susan G. Jarvis
- UK Centre for Ecology & HydrologyLancaster Environment CentreLancasterUK
| | - Gabrielle Martin
- Laboratoire EDB Évolution & Diversité Biologique UMR 5174Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, UPS, CNRS, IRDToulouseFrance
| | - Erlend B. Nilsen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)TrondheimNorway
- Faculty of Biosciences and AquacultureNord UniversitySteinkjerNorway
| | - Emmanuelle Porcher
- Centre d'Ecologie et des Sciences de la Conservation (CESCO), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRSSorbonne UniversitéParisFrance
| | - Gavin B. Stewart
- Evidence Synthesis Lab, School of Natural and Environmental ScienceUniversity of NewcastleNewcastle‐upon‐TyneUK
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Grames EM, Montgomery GA, Boyes DH, Dicks LV, Forister ML, Matson TA, Nakagawa S, Prendergast KS, Taylor NG, Tingley MW, Wagner DL, White TE, Woodcock P, Elphick CS. A framework and case study to systematically identify long‐term insect abundance and diversity datasets. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Eliza M. Grames
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Connecticut Storrs Connecticut USA
- Department of Biology University of Nevada Reno Reno Nevada USA
| | - Graham A. Montgomery
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles California USA
| | | | - Lynn V. Dicks
- Department of Zoology University of Cambridge Cambridge Cambridgeshire UK
| | | | - Tanner A. Matson
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Connecticut Storrs Connecticut USA
| | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | | | - Nigel G. Taylor
- Department of Zoology University of Cambridge Cambridge Cambridgeshire UK
| | - Morgan W. Tingley
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles California USA
| | - David L. Wagner
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Connecticut Storrs Connecticut USA
| | - Thomas E. White
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Paul Woodcock
- Joint Nature Conservation Committee Peterborough Cambridgeshire UK
| | - Chris S. Elphick
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Connecticut Storrs Connecticut USA
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14
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A nearly complete database on the records and ecology of the rarest boreal tiger moth from 1840s to 2020. Sci Data 2022; 9:107. [PMID: 35338150 PMCID: PMC8956709 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01230-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Global environmental changes may cause dramatic insect declines but over century-long time series of certain species’ records are rarely available for scientific research. The Menetries’ Tiger Moth (Arctia menetriesii) appears to be the most enigmatic example among boreal insects. Although it occurs throughout the entire Eurasian taiga biome, it is so rare that less than 100 specimens were recorded since its original description in 1846. Here, we present the database, which contains nearly all available information on the species’ records collected from 1840s to 2020. The data on A. menetriesii records (N = 78) through geographic regions, environments, and different timeframes are compiled and unified. The database may serve as the basis for a wide array of future research such as the distribution modeling and predictions of range shifts under climate changes. It represents a unique example of a more than century-long dataset of distributional, ecological, and phenological data designed for an exceptionally rare but widespread boreal insect, which primarily occurs in hard-to-reach, uninhabited areas of Eurasia. Measurement(s) | specimen record • biological parameters of specimen • environmental characteristics • sampling date • habitat image • specimen image | Technology Type(s) | digital curation | Factor Type(s) | year • month • ten-day period • day • geographic location • altitude • habitat • landscape type • presence of waterbody • ecoregion • developmental stage • sex • individual condition | Sample Characteristic - Organism | Menetries’ Tiger Moth Arctia menetriesii (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Erebidae) | Sample Characteristic - Environment | taiga biome • high-altitude environment | Sample Characteristic - Location | Northern Eurasia |
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Yang LH, Postema EG, Hayes TE, Lippey MK, MacArthur-Waltz DJ. The complexity of global change and its effects on insects. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 47:90-102. [PMID: 34004376 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2021.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Global change includes multiple overlapping and interacting drivers: 1) climate change, 2) land use change, 3) novel chemicals, and 4) the increased global transport of organisms. Recent studies have documented the complex and counterintuitive effects of these drivers on the behavior, life histories, distributions, and abundances of insects. This complexity arises from the indeterminacy of indirect, non-additive and combined effects. While there is wide consensus that global change is reorganizing communities, the available data are limited. As the pace of anthropogenic changes outstrips our ability to document its impacts, ongoing change may lead to increasingly unpredictable outcomes. This complexity and uncertainty argue for renewed efforts to address the fundamental drivers of global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louie H Yang
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA.
| | - Elizabeth G Postema
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA; Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Tracie E Hayes
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA; Population Biology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Mia K Lippey
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA; Entomology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Dylan J MacArthur-Waltz
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA; Population Biology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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16
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Yeo D, Srivathsan A, Puniamoorthy J, Maosheng F, Grootaert P, Chan L, Guénard B, Damken C, Wahab RA, Yuchen A, Meier R. Mangroves are an overlooked hotspot of insect diversity despite low plant diversity. BMC Biol 2021; 19:202. [PMID: 34521395 PMCID: PMC8442405 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01088-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The world's fast disappearing mangrove forests have low plant diversity and are often assumed to also have a species-poor insect fauna. We here compare the tropical arthropod fauna across a freshwater swamp and six different forest types (rain-, swamp, dry-coastal, urban, freshwater swamp, mangroves) based on 140,000 barcoded specimens belonging to ca. 8500 species. RESULTS We find that the globally imperiled habitat "mangroves" is an overlooked hotspot for insect diversity. Our study reveals a species-rich mangrove insect fauna (>3000 species in Singapore alone) that is distinct (>50% of species are mangrove-specific) and has high species turnover across Southeast and East Asia. For most habitats, plant diversity is a good predictor of insect diversity, but mangroves are an exception and compensate for a comparatively low number of phytophagous and fungivorous insect species by supporting an unusually rich community of predators whose larvae feed in the productive mudflats. For the remaining tropical habitats, the insect communities have diversity patterns that are largely congruent across guilds. CONCLUSIONS The discovery of such a sizeable and distinct insect fauna in a globally threatened habitat underlines how little is known about global insect biodiversity. We here show how such knowledge gaps can be closed quickly with new cost-effective NGS barcoding techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren Yeo
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science 8 Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
| | - Amrita Srivathsan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science 8 Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Jayanthi Puniamoorthy
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science 8 Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Foo Maosheng
- Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore, 2 Conservatory Drive, Singapore, 117377, Singapore
| | - Patrick Grootaert
- National Biodiversity Centre, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lena Chan
- International Biodiversity Conservation Division, National Parks Board, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore, 259569, Singapore
| | - Benoit Guénard
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Claas Damken
- Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Universiti, BE1410, Gadong, Brunei Darussalam
| | - Rodzay A Wahab
- Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Universiti, BE1410, Gadong, Brunei Darussalam
| | - Ang Yuchen
- Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore, 2 Conservatory Drive, Singapore, 117377, Singapore
| | - Rudolf Meier
- Center for Integrative Biodiversity Discovery, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Museum für Naturkunde, Invalidenstr. 43, Berlin, 10115, Germany.
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science 8 Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
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17
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Enkhtur K, Brehm G, Boldgiv B, Pfeiffer M. Alpha and beta diversity patterns of macro-moths reveal a breakpoint along a latitudinal gradient in Mongolia. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15018. [PMID: 34294812 PMCID: PMC8298579 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94471-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the diversity and distribution patterns of moths along latitudinal gradients. We studied macro-moths in Mongolia along an 860 km latitudinal climatic gradient to gain knowledge on community composition, alpha, beta, and gamma diversity as well as underlying factors, which can be used as baseline information for further studies related to climate change. We identified 236 species of moths of ten families. Our study shows that the diversity of moths increased with the latitude, i.e., low species richness in the south and higher richness in the north. Moth community composition changed along the gradient, and we revealed a breakpoint of beta diversity that divided grassland and desert communities. In the desert, beta diversity was driven by species loss (i.e., nestedness), and few tolerant species existed with high abundance. In contrast, in the grassland, beta diversity was driven by species replacement with more unique species, (i.e., species which occurred only in one site). We found the lowest species diversity in the transitional zones dominated by few generalist species such as Agrotis ripae and Anarta trifolii. Low precipitation and an increasing number of grazing goats are drivers of species loss. We suggest different conservation strategies regarding the contrasting patterns of beta diversity in desert and grassland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khishigdelger Enkhtur
- Department of Biogeography, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Germany.
| | - Gunnar Brehm
- Phyletisches Museum, Institut für Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Vor dem Neutor 1, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Bazartseren Boldgiv
- Ecology Group, Department of Biology, National University of Mongolia, Ikh Surguuliin Gudamj 1, Ulaanbaatar, 14201, Mongolia.,Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19103, USA
| | - Martin Pfeiffer
- Department of Biogeography, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Germany
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18
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Miličić M, Popov S, Branco VV, Cardoso P. Insect threats and conservation through the lens of global experts. Conserv Lett 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marija Miličić
- BioSense Institute – Research Institute for Information Technologies in Biosystems University of Novi Sad Novi Sad Serbia
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe), Finnish Museum of Natural History Luomus University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
| | - Snežana Popov
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences University of Novi Sad Novi Sad Serbia
| | - Vasco Veiga Branco
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe), Finnish Museum of Natural History Luomus University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
| | - Pedro Cardoso
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe), Finnish Museum of Natural History Luomus University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
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19
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Forister ML, Halsch CA, Nice CC, Fordyce JA, Dilts TE, Oliver JC, Prudic KL, Shapiro AM, Wilson JK, Glassberg J. Fewer butterflies seen by community scientists across the warming and drying landscapes of the American West. Science 2021; 371:1042-1045. [PMID: 33674492 DOI: 10.1126/science.abe5585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Uncertainty remains regarding the role of anthropogenic climate change in declining insect populations, partly because our understanding of biotic response to climate is often complicated by habitat loss and degradation among other compounding stressors. We addressed this challenge by integrating expert and community scientist datasets that include decades of monitoring across more than 70 locations spanning the western United States. We found a 1.6% annual reduction in the number of individual butterflies observed over the past four decades, associated in particular with warming during fall months. The pervasive declines that we report advance our understanding of climate change impacts and suggest that a new approach is needed for butterfly conservation in the region, focused on suites of species with shared habitat or host associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Forister
- Department of Biology, Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA.
| | - C A Halsch
- Department of Biology, Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - C C Nice
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
| | - J A Fordyce
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - T E Dilts
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - J C Oliver
- Office of Digital Innovation and Stewardship, University Libraries, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - K L Prudic
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - A M Shapiro
- Center for Population Biology, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - J K Wilson
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - J Glassberg
- North American Butterfly Association, Morristown, NJ 07960, USA.,Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX 77251, USA
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20
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Baker NJ, Pilotto F, Jourdan J, Beudert B, Haase P. Recovery from air pollution and subsequent acidification masks the effects of climate change on a freshwater macroinvertebrate community. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 758:143685. [PMID: 33288265 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Freshwater ecosystems are dynamic, complex systems with a multitude of physical and ecological processes and stressors which drive fluctuations on the community-level. Disentangling the effects of different processes and stressors is challenging due to their interconnected nature. However, as protected areas (i.e. national parks) are less anthropogenically impacted, they are ideal for investigating single stressors. We focus on the Bavarian Forest National Park, a Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site in Germany, where the major stressors are climate warming, air pollution (i.e. acidification) and bark beetle infestations. We investigated the effects of these stressors on freshwater macroinvertebrates using comprehensive long-term (1983-2014) datasets comprising high-resolution macroinvertebrate and physico-chemical data from a near-natural stream. Macroinvertebrate communities have undergone substantial changes over the past 32 years, highlighted by increases in overall community abundance (+173%) and richness (+51.6%) as well as taxonomic restructuring driven by a disproportional increase of dipterans. Prior to the year 2000, regression analyses revealed a decline in sulphate deposition and subsequent recovery from historical acidification as potential drivers of the increases in abundance and richness rather than to increases in water temperature (1.5 °C overall increase). Post 2000, however, alterations to nutrient cycling caused by bark beetle infestations coupled with warming temperatures were correlated to taxonomic restructuring and disproportional increases of dipterans at the expense of sensitive taxa such as plecopterans and trichopterans. Our results highlight the challenges when investigating the effects of climate change within a multi-stressor context. Even in conservation areas, recovery from previous disturbance might mask the effects of ongoing disturbances like climate change. Overall, we observed strong community restructuring, demonstrating that stenothermal headwater communities face additional stress due to emerging competition with tolerant taxa. Conservation efforts should consider the temporal variability of communities and their recovery from disturbances to adequately identify species vulnerable to local or widespread extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Jay Baker
- Department of River Ecology and Conservation, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Gelnhausen, Germany.
| | - Francesca Pilotto
- Environmental Archaeology Lab, Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jonas Jourdan
- Department of Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Burkhard Beudert
- Department of Conservation and Research, Bavarian Forest National Park, Grafenau, Germany
| | - Peter Haase
- Department of River Ecology and Conservation, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Gelnhausen, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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21
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Mesaglio T, Callaghan CT. An overview of the history, current contributions and future outlook of iNaturalist in Australia. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1071/wr20154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Citizen science initiatives and the data they produce are increasingly common in ecology, conservation and biodiversity monitoring. Although the quality of citizen science data has historically been questioned, biases can be detected and corrected for, allowing these data to become comparable in quality to professionally collected data. Consequently, citizen science is increasingly being integrated with professional science, allowing the collection of data at unprecedented spatial and temporal scales. iNaturalist is one of the most popular biodiversity citizen science platforms globally, with more than 1.4 million users having contributed over 54 million observations. Australia is the top contributing nation in the southern hemisphere, and in the top four contributing nations globally, with over 1.6 million observations of over 36000 identified species contributed by almost 27000 users. Despite the platform’s success, there are few holistic syntheses of contributions to iNaturalist, especially for Australia. Here, we outline the history of iNaturalist from an Australian perspective, and summarise, taxonomically, temporally and spatially, Australian biodiversity data contributed to the platform. We conclude by discussing important future directions to maximise the usefulness of these data for ecological research, conservation and policy.
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22
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Vesterinen EJ, Kaunisto KM, Lilley TM. A global class reunion with multiple groups feasting on the declining insect smorgasbord. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16595. [PMID: 33024156 PMCID: PMC7539006 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73609-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a detection of a surprising similarity in the diet of predators across distant phyla. Though just a first glimpse into the subject, our discovery contradicts traditional aspects of biology, as the earliest notions in ecology have linked the most severe competition of resources with evolutionary relatedness. We argue that our finding deserves more research, and propose a plan to reveal more information on the current biodiversity loss around the world. While doing so, we expand the recently proposed conservation roadmaps into a parallel study of global interaction networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eero J Vesterinen
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | | | - Thomas M Lilley
- Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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23
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Validating Morphometrics with DNA Barcoding to Reliably Separate Three Cryptic Species of Bombus Cresson (Hymenoptera: Apidae). INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11100669. [PMID: 33007903 PMCID: PMC7600840 DOI: 10.3390/insects11100669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Despite their large size and striking markings, the identification of bumble bees (Bombus spp.) is surprisingly difficult. This is particularly true for three North American sympatric species in the subgenus Pyrobombus that are often misidentified: B. sandersoni Franklin, B. vagans Smith B. perplexus Cresson. Traditionally, the identification of these cryptic species was based on observations of differences in hair coloration and pattern and qualitative comparisons of morphological characters including malar length. Unfortunately, these characteristics do not reliably separate these species. We present quantitative morphometric methods to separate these species based on the malar length to width ratio (MRL) and the ratios of the malar length to flagellar segments 1 (MR1) and 3 (MR3) for queens and workers, and validated our determinations based on DNA barcoding. All three measurements discriminated queens of B. sandersoni and B. vagans with 100% accuracy. For workers, we achieved 99% accuracy by combining both MR1 and MR3 measurements, and 100% accuracy differentiating workers using MRL. Moreover, measurements were highly repeatable within and among both experienced and inexperienced observers. Our results, validated by genetic evidence, demonstrate that malar measurements provide accurate identifications of B. vagans and B. sandersoni. There was considerable overlap in the measurements between B. perplexus and B. sandersoni. However, these species can usually be reliably separated by combining malar ratio measurements with other morphological features like hair color. The ability to identify bumble bees is key to monitoring the status and trends of their populations, and the methods we present here advance these efforts.
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24
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Sullivan GT, Ozman‐Sullivan SK. Alarming evidence of widespread mite extinctions in the shadows of plant, insect and vertebrate extinctions. AUSTRAL ECOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory T. Sullivan
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences The University of Queensland St. Lucia Brisbane QLD4072Australia
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25
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Condamine FL, Nel A, Grandcolas P, Legendre F. Fossil and phylogenetic analyses reveal recurrent periods of diversification and extinction in dictyopteran insects. Cladistics 2020; 36:394-412. [PMID: 34619806 DOI: 10.1111/cla.12412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Variations of speciation and extinction rates determine the fate of clades through time. Periods of high diversification and extinction (possibly mass-extinction events) can punctuate the evolutionary history of various clades, but they remain loosely defined for many biological groups, especially nonmarine invertebrates like insects. Here, we examine whether the cockroaches, mantises and termites (altogether included in Dictyoptera) have experienced episodic pulses of speciation or extinction and how these pulses may be associated with environmental fluctuations or mass extinctions. We relied on molecular phylogeny and fossil data to shed light on the times and rates at which dictyopterans diversified. The diversification of Dictyoptera has alternated between (i) periods of high diversification in the late Carboniferous, Early-Middle Triassic, Early Cretaceous and middle Palaeogene, and (ii) periods of high extinction rates particularly at the Permian-Triassic boundary, but not necessarily correlated with the major global biodiversity crises as in the mid-Cretaceous. This study advocates the importance of analyzing, when possible, both molecular phylogeny and fossil data to unveil diversification and extinction periods for a given group. The causes and consequences of extinction must be studied beyond mass-extinction events alone to gain a broader understanding of how clades wax and wane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabien L Condamine
- CNRS, UMR 5554 Institut des Sciences de l'Évolution de Montpellier (Université de Montpellier
- CNRS
- IRD
- EPHE), Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095, Montpellier, France
| | - André Nel
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, SU, EPHE, UA, 57 rue Cuvier, 75231, Paris Cedex 05, France
| | - Philippe Grandcolas
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, SU, EPHE, UA, 57 rue Cuvier, 75231, Paris Cedex 05, France
| | - Frédéric Legendre
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, SU, EPHE, UA, 57 rue Cuvier, 75231, Paris Cedex 05, France
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26
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Pilotto F, Kühn I, Adrian R, Alber R, Alignier A, Andrews C, Bäck J, Barbaro L, Beaumont D, Beenaerts N, Benham S, Boukal DS, Bretagnolle V, Camatti E, Canullo R, Cardoso PG, Ens BJ, Everaert G, Evtimova V, Feuchtmayr H, García-González R, Gómez García D, Grandin U, Gutowski JM, Hadar L, Halada L, Halassy M, Hummel H, Huttunen KL, Jaroszewicz B, Jensen TC, Kalivoda H, Schmidt IK, Kröncke I, Leinonen R, Martinho F, Meesenburg H, Meyer J, Minerbi S, Monteith D, Nikolov BP, Oro D, Ozoliņš D, Padedda BM, Pallett D, Pansera M, Pardal MÂ, Petriccione B, Pipan T, Pöyry J, Schäfer SM, Schaub M, Schneider SC, Skuja A, Soetaert K, Spriņģe G, Stanchev R, Stockan JA, Stoll S, Sundqvist L, Thimonier A, Van Hoey G, Van Ryckegem G, Visser ME, Vorhauser S, Haase P. Meta-analysis of multidecadal biodiversity trends in Europe. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3486. [PMID: 32661354 PMCID: PMC7359034 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17171-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Local biodiversity trends over time are likely to be decoupled from global trends, as local processes may compensate or counteract global change. We analyze 161 long-term biological time series (15-91 years) collected across Europe, using a comprehensive dataset comprising ~6,200 marine, freshwater and terrestrial taxa. We test whether (i) local long-term biodiversity trends are consistent among biogeoregions, realms and taxonomic groups, and (ii) changes in biodiversity correlate with regional climate and local conditions. Our results reveal that local trends of abundance, richness and diversity differ among biogeoregions, realms and taxonomic groups, demonstrating that biodiversity changes at local scale are often complex and cannot be easily generalized. However, we find increases in richness and abundance with increasing temperature and naturalness as well as a clear spatial pattern in changes in community composition (i.e. temporal taxonomic turnover) in most biogeoregions of Northern and Eastern Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Pilotto
- Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Gelnhausen, Germany.
- Environmental Archaeology Lab, Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Ingolf Kühn
- Department of Community Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Halle, Germany
- Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Halle, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle - Jena - Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rita Adrian
- Department of Ecosystem Research, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries & Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Renate Alber
- Biological Laboratory, Agency for Environment and Climate Protection, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Audrey Alignier
- UMR 0980 BAGAP, INRAE - Institut Agro - ESA, Rennes, France
- LTSER Zone Atelier Armorique, 35042, Rennes, France
| | | | - Jaana Bäck
- Institute for Atmospheric and Earth system Research, Department of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Luc Barbaro
- Dynafor, INRAE, University of Toulouse, France & CESCO, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne-Univ, Paris, France & LTSER Zone Atelier Pyrénées Garonne, Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | | | - Natalie Beenaerts
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | | | - David S Boukal
- University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Science, Department of Ecosystem Biology & Soil and Water Research Infrastructure, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Czech Academy of Sciences, Biology Centre, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Vincent Bretagnolle
- CEBC, UMR7372, CNRS & La Rochelle University, 79360, Villiers en bois, France
- LTSER Zone Atelier Plaine & Val de Sèvre, 79360, Beauvoir sur Niort, France
| | - Elisa Camatti
- Institute of Marine Sciences, National Research Council, Venice, Italy
| | - Roberto Canullo
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, unit Plant Diversity and Ecosystems Management, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Patricia G Cardoso
- CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Bruno J Ens
- Sovon Dutch Centre for Field Ornithology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Vesela Evtimova
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Heidrun Feuchtmayr
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster, UK
| | | | | | - Ulf Grandin
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jerzy M Gutowski
- Department of Natural Forests, Forest Research Institute, Białowieża, Poland
| | | | - Lubos Halada
- Institute of Landscape Ecology SAS, Branch Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Melinda Halassy
- MTA Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Vácrátót, Hungary
| | - Herman Hummel
- Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, and Utrecht University, Yerseke, The Netherlands
| | - Kaisa-Leena Huttunen
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Oulanka Research Station, University of Oulu Infrastructure Platform, Kuusamo, Finland
| | - Bogdan Jaroszewicz
- Białowieża Geobotanical Station, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Białowieża, Poland
| | | | | | - Inger Kappel Schmidt
- Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ingrid Kröncke
- Senckenberg am Meer, Marine Research Department, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
| | - Reima Leinonen
- Kainuu Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, Kajaani, Finland
| | - Filipe Martinho
- Centre For Functional Ecology (CFE), Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Julia Meyer
- Senckenberg am Meer, Marine Research Department, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
| | - Stefano Minerbi
- Forest Services, Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Don Monteith
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster, UK
| | - Boris P Nikolov
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Daniel Oro
- CEAB (CSIC), 17300, Blanes, Spain
- IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), 07190, Esporles, Spain
| | - Dāvis Ozoliņš
- Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Salaspils, Latvia
| | - Bachisio M Padedda
- Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Marco Pansera
- Institute of Marine Sciences, National Research Council, Venice, Italy
| | - Miguel Ângelo Pardal
- Centre For Functional Ecology (CFE), Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Bruno Petriccione
- Carabinieri, Biodiversity and Park Protection Department, Castel di Sangro Biodiversity Unit, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Tanja Pipan
- ZRC SAZU Karst Research Institute, Ljubljana & UNESCO Chair on Karst Education University of Nova Gorica, Vipava, Slovenia
| | - Juha Pöyry
- Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Biodiversity Centre, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Marcus Schaub
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | | | - Agnija Skuja
- Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Salaspils, Latvia
| | - Karline Soetaert
- Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, and Utrecht University, Yerseke, The Netherlands
| | - Gunta Spriņģe
- Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Salaspils, Latvia
| | - Radoslav Stanchev
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Jenni A Stockan
- Ecological Sciences, James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Stefan Stoll
- University of Applied Sciences Trier, Environmental Campus Birkenfeld, Birkenfeld, Germany
- University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Lisa Sundqvist
- Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anne Thimonier
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Gert Van Hoey
- Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fishery and Food, Oostende, Belgium
| | | | - Marcel E Visser
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Samuel Vorhauser
- Biological Laboratory, Agency for Environment and Climate Protection, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Peter Haase
- Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Gelnhausen, Germany.
- University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
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Ordway SW, King DM, Friend D, Noto C, Phu S, Huelskamp H, Inglis RF, Olivas W, Bahar S. Phase transition behaviour in yeast and bacterial populations under stress. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:192211. [PMID: 32874614 PMCID: PMC7428260 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.192211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Non-equilibrium phase transitions from survival to extinction have recently been observed in computational models of evolutionary dynamics. Dynamical signatures predictive of population collapse have been observed in yeast populations under stress. We experimentally investigate the population response of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to biological stressors (temperature and salt concentration) in order to investigate the system's behaviour in the vicinity of population collapse. While both conditions lead to population decline, the dynamical characteristics of the population response differ significantly depending on the stressor. Under temperature stress, the population undergoes a sharp change with significant fluctuations within a critical temperature range, indicative of a continuous absorbing phase transition. In the case of salt stress, the response is more gradual. A similar range of response is observed with the application of various antibiotics to Escherichia coli, with a variety of patterns of decreased growth in response to antibiotic stress both within and across antibiotic classes and mechanisms of action. These findings have implications for the identification of critical tipping points for populations under environmental stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen W. Ordway
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Missouri – St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Dawn M. King
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Missouri – St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - David Friend
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Missouri – St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Missouri – St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Christine Noto
- Department of Biology, University of Missouri – St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Snowlee Phu
- Department of Biology, University of Missouri – St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Holly Huelskamp
- Department of Biology, University of Missouri – St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - R. Fredrik Inglis
- Department of Biology, University of Missouri – St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Wendy Olivas
- Department of Biology, University of Missouri – St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sonya Bahar
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Missouri – St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
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García‐Robledo C, Kuprewicz EK, Baer CS, Clifton E, Hernández GG, Wagner DL. The Erwin equation of biodiversity: From little steps to quantum leaps in the discovery of tropical insect diversity. Biotropica 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos García‐Robledo
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Connecticut Storrs CT USA
| | - Erin K. Kuprewicz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Connecticut Storrs CT USA
| | - Christina S. Baer
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Connecticut Storrs CT USA
| | - Elizabeth Clifton
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Connecticut Storrs CT USA
| | - Georgia G. Hernández
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Connecticut Storrs CT USA
| | - David L. Wagner
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Connecticut Storrs CT USA
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Senior VL, Evans LC, Leather SR, Oliver TH, Evans KL. Phenological responses in a sycamore-aphid-parasitoid system and consequences for aphid population dynamics: A 20 year case study. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2020; 26:2814-2828. [PMID: 31985111 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Species interactions have a spatiotemporal component driven by environmental cues, which if altered by climate change can drive shifts in community dynamics. There is insufficient understanding of the precise time windows during which inter-annual variation in weather drives phenological shifts and the consequences for mismatches between interacting species and resultant population dynamics-particularly for insects. We use a 20 year study on a tri-trophic system: sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus, two associated aphid species Drepanosiphum platanoidis and Periphyllus testudinaceus and their hymenopteran parasitoids. Using a sliding window approach, we assess climatic drivers of phenology in all three trophic levels. We quantify the magnitude of resultant trophic mismatches between aphids and their plant hosts and parasitoids, and then model the impacts of these mismatches, direct weather effects and density dependence on local-scale aphid population dynamics. Warmer temperatures in mid-March to late-April were associated with advanced sycamore budburst, parasitoid attack and (marginally) D. platanoidis emergence. The precise time window during which spring weather advances phenology varies considerably across each species. Crucially, warmer temperatures in late winter delayed the emergence of both aphid species. Seasonal variation in warming rates thus generates marked shifts in the relative timing of spring events across trophic levels and mismatches in the phenology of interacting species. Despite this, we found no evidence that aphid population growth rates were adversely impacted by the magnitude of mismatch with their host plants or parasitoids, or direct impacts of temperature and precipitation. Strong density dependence effects occurred in both aphid species and probably buffered populations, through density-dependent compensation, from adverse impacts of the marked inter-annual climatic variation that occurred during the study period. These findings explain the resilience of aphid populations to climate change and uncover a key mechanism, warmer winter temperatures delaying insect phenology, by which climate change drives asynchronous shifts between interacting species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicki L Senior
- Animal and Plant Sciences Department, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Luke C Evans
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Simon R Leather
- Centre for Integrated Pest Management, Harper Adams University, Newport, UK
| | - Tom H Oliver
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Karl L Evans
- Animal and Plant Sciences Department, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Rocha-Ortega M, Rodríguez P, Bried J, Abbott J, Córdoba-Aguilar A. Why do bugs perish? Range size and local vulnerability traits as surrogates of Odonata extinction risk. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20192645. [PMID: 32228412 PMCID: PMC7209059 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.2645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite claims of an insect decline worldwide, our understanding of extinction risk in insects is incomplete. Using bionomic data of all odonate (603 dragonflies and damselflies) North American species, we assessed (i) regional extinction risk and whether this is related to local extirpation; (ii) whether these two patterns are similar altitudinally and latitudinally; and (iii) the areas of conservation concern. We used geographic range size as a predictor of regional extinction risk and body size, thermal limits and habitat association as predictors of local extirpation. We found that (i) greater regional extinction risk is related to narrow thermal limits, lotic habitat use and large body size (this in damselflies but not dragonflies); (ii) southern species are more climate tolerant but with more limited geographic range size than northern species; and (iii) two priority areas for odonate conservation are the cold temperate to sub-boreal northeastern USA and the transversal neo-volcanic system. Our approach can be used to estimate insect extinction risk as it compensates for the lack of abundance data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Rocha-Ortega
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. P. 70-275, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Coyoacán, Distrito Federal, Mexico
| | - Pilar Rodríguez
- Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad, Liga Periférico-Insurgentes Sur 4903 Col. Parques del Pedregal, Tlalpan, CP 14010 México D.F., Mexico
| | - Jason Bried
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1816 South Oak Street, MC 652, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
| | - John Abbott
- Alabama Museum of Natural History, The University of Alabama, Box 870340, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Alex Córdoba-Aguilar
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. P. 70-275, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Coyoacán, Distrito Federal, Mexico
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Synthesis revolution. Nat Ecol Evol 2020; 4:489-490. [PMID: 32205871 PMCID: PMC7095255 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-020-1180-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Management Options for Ixodes ricinus-Associated Pathogens: A Review of Prevention Strategies. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17061830. [PMID: 32178257 PMCID: PMC7143654 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17061830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are important human and animal parasites and vectors of many infectious disease agents. Control of tick activity is an effective tool to reduce the risk of contracting tick-transmitted diseases. The castor bean tick (Ixodes ricinus) is the most common tick species in Europe. It is also a vector of the causative agents of Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis, which are two of the most important arthropod-borne diseases in Europe. In recent years, increases in tick activity and incidence of tick-borne diseases have been observed in many European countries. These increases are linked to many ecological and anthropogenic factors such as landscape management, climate change, animal migration, and increased popularity of outdoor activities or changes in land usage. Tick activity is driven by many biotic and abiotic factors, some of which can be effectively managed to decrease risk of tick bites. In the USA, recommendations for landscape management, tick host control, and tick chemical control are well-defined for the applied purpose of reducing tick presence on private property. In Europe, where fewer studies have assessed tick management strategies, the similarity in ecological factors influencing vector presence suggests that approaches that work in USA may also be applicable. In this article we review key factors driving the tick exposure risk in Europe to select those most conducive to management for decreased tick-associated risk.
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Erban T, Sopko B, Vaclavikova M, Tomesova D, Halesova T, Rezac M. Pesticide comparison of Phylloneta impressa (Araneae: Theridiidae) females, cocoons and webs with prey remnants collected from a rape field before the harvest. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2020; 76:1128-1133. [PMID: 31583818 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pesticides or plant protection products (PPPs) are risky for spiders in or near agricultural landscapes. However, the risks posed by pesticides to spiders are largely understudied compared with the risks to pollinators. Here, we investigated the distribution of PPPs in adult females, cocoons and webs with prey remnants of Phylloneta impressa. RESULTS Three sample types were collected from the tops of rapeseed on 18 July (before the harvest). Three different ultraperformance liquid chromatograph coupled with triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer (UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS) analyses were performed: (i) pesticides and selected metabolites; (ii) quaternary ammonium pesticides (quats); and (iii) pyrethroids. Overall, 23 compounds, 22 pesticides and the metabolite imidacloprid-urea were detected. The array of pesticides was largest in webs with prey remnants, and according to evaluation via redundancy analysis (RDA), pesticides were similar in spiders and cocoons; however, data inspection revealed differences in pesticide distribution among these samples. Clothianidin was detected in only female spiders, whereas thiamethoxam prevailed in webs with remnants of prey, and acetamiprid, thiacloprid and imidacloprid were found in all three matrices. One of the most abundant compounds was chlormequat, indicating that quats should be considered a possible risk for these spiders. None of the pyrethroids were detected despite being applied in the sampling area, indicating rapid biodegradation. By contrast, some pesticides were detected despite not being applied in the field, indicating that the source of contamination is prey or particles carried by wind and attached to webs. CONCLUSION Overall, the results indicate the different distribution or behavior of several pesticides in the spider matrices. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Bell JR, Blumgart D, Shortall CR. Are insects declining and at what rate? An analysis of standardised, systematic catches of aphid and moth abundances across Great Britain. INSECT CONSERVATION AND DIVERSITY 2020; 13:115-126. [PMID: 32215052 PMCID: PMC7079554 DOI: 10.1111/icad.12412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Although we have known anecdotally that insects have been declining in Great Britain for more than 100 years, insect declines have only been statistically estimated over the last 20 years. Estimation of the rate of those declines is still hotly debated, fuelled by a lack of standardised, systematically collected data.More than 24 million individual moths and aphids collected from 112 light traps and 25 12.2 m suction-traps, respectively, were analysed using mixed models. Our objective was to estimate the long-term trends in both groups based on annual totals recorded every year between 1969 and 2016.The models showed that two paradigms existed: Over 47 years, long-term linear trends showed that moths had declined significantly by -31%, but short-term trends indicated that there were periods of significant decline and recovery in most decades since the 1960s. Conversely, despite aphid annual totals fluctuating widely, this group was in a steady state over the long-term, with a non-significant decline of -7.6%. Sensitivity analysis revealed that moth trends were not driven by a group of abundant species, but the sign of the overall aphid trends may have been driven by three of the most abundant species.The spatial extent of moth trends suggests that they are extremely heterogeneous. Uniquely, moth declines were different among several habitat types, with robust significant declines found in coastal, urban and woodland habitats, but notably not in agricultural, parkland and scrubland habitats. Conversely, aphid trends showed spatial synchrony extending to 338 km, albeit with local variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R. Bell
- Rothamsted Insect Survey, Rothamsted Research, West CommonHarpendenUK
| | - Dan Blumgart
- Rothamsted Insect Survey, Rothamsted Research, West CommonHarpendenUK
| | - Chris R. Shortall
- Rothamsted Insect Survey, Rothamsted Research, West CommonHarpendenUK
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35
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Complex long-term biodiversity change among invertebrates, bryophytes and lichens. Nat Ecol Evol 2020; 4:384-392. [PMID: 32066888 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-020-1111-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Large-scale biodiversity changes are measured mainly through the responses of a few taxonomic groups. Much less is known about the trends affecting most invertebrates and other neglected taxa, and it is unclear whether well-studied taxa, such as vertebrates, reflect changes in wider biodiversity. Here, we present and analyse trends in the UK distributions of over 5,000 species of invertebrates, bryophytes and lichens, measured as changes in occupancy. Our results reveal substantial variation in the magnitude, direction and timing of changes over the last 45 years. Just one of the four major groups analysed, terrestrial non-insect invertebrates, exhibits the declining trend reported among vertebrates and butterflies. Both terrestrial insects and the bryophytes and lichens group increased in average occupancy. A striking pattern is found among freshwater species, which have undergone a strong recovery since the mid-1990s after two decades of decline. We show that, while average occupancy among most groups appears to have been stable or increasing, there has been substantial change in the relative commonness and rarity of individual species, indicating considerable turnover in community composition. Additionally, large numbers of species have experienced substantial declines. Our results suggest a more complex pattern of biodiversity change in the United Kingdom than previously reported.
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Declines in an abundant aquatic insect, the burrowing mayfly, across major North American waterways. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:2987-2992. [PMID: 31964842 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1913598117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Seasonal animal movement among disparate habitats is a fundamental mechanism by which energy, nutrients, and biomass are transported across ecotones. A dramatic example of such exchange is the annual emergence of mayfly swarms from freshwater benthic habitats, but their characterization at macroscales has remained impossible. We analyzed radar observations of mayfly emergence flights to quantify long-term changes in annual biomass transport along the Upper Mississippi River and Western Lake Erie Basin. A single emergence event can produce 87.9 billion mayflies, releasing 3,078.6 tons of biomass into the airspace over several hours, but in recent years, production across both waterways has declined by over 50%. As a primary prey source in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, these declines will impact higher trophic levels and environmental nutrient cycling.
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Streib L, Kattwinkel M, Heer H, Ruzika S, Schäfer RB. How does habitat connectivity influence the colonization success of a hemimetabolous aquatic insect? - A modeling approach. Ecol Modell 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2019.108909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Saunders ME, Janes JK, O’Hanlon JC. Moving On from the Insect Apocalypse Narrative: Engaging with Evidence-Based Insect Conservation. Bioscience 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biz143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Recent studies showing temporal changes in local and regional insect populations received exaggerated global media coverage. Confusing and inaccurate science communication on this important issue could have counterproductive effects on public support for insect conservation. The insect apocalypse narrative is fuelled by a limited number of studies that are restricted geographically (predominantly the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States) and taxonomically (predominantly some bees, macrolepidoptera, and ground beetles). Biases in sampling and analytical methods (e.g., categorical versus continuous time series, different diversity metrics) limit the relevance of these studies as evidence of generalized global insect decline. Rather, the value of this research lies in highlighting important areas for priority investment. We summarize research, communication, and policy priorities for evidence-based insect conservation, including key areas of knowledge to increase understanding of insect population dynamics. Importantly, we advocate for a balanced perspective in science communication to better serve both public and scientific interests.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jasmine K Janes
- University of New England, Armidale, Australia
- Vancouver Island University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Apocalypse now? Nat Ecol Evol 2019; 3:1609. [DOI: 10.1038/s41559-019-1057-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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