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Gilbert NA, Amaral BR, Smith OM, Williams PJ, Ceyzyk S, Ayebare S, Davis KL, Leuenberger W, Doser JW, Zipkin EF. A century of statistical Ecology. Ecology 2024; 105:e4283. [PMID: 38738264 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
As data and computing power have surged in recent decades, statistical modeling has become an important tool for understanding ecological patterns and processes. Statistical modeling in ecology faces two major challenges. First, ecological data may not conform to traditional methods, and second, professional ecologists often do not receive extensive statistical training. In response to these challenges, the journal Ecology has published many innovative statistical ecology papers that introduced novel modeling methods and provided accessible guides to statistical best practices. In this paper, we reflect on Ecology's history and its role in the emergence of the subdiscipline of statistical ecology, which we define as the study of ecological systems using mathematical equations, probability, and empirical data. We showcase 36 influential statistical ecology papers that have been published in Ecology over the last century and, in so doing, comment on the evolution of the field. As data and computing power continue to increase, we anticipate continued growth in statistical ecology to tackle complex analyses and an expanding role for Ecology to publish innovative and influential papers, advancing the discipline and guiding practicing ecologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil A Gilbert
- Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Bruna R Amaral
- Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Olivia M Smith
- Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Center for Global Change and Earth Observations, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Peter J Williams
- Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Sydney Ceyzyk
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Samuel Ayebare
- Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Kayla L Davis
- Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Wendy Leuenberger
- Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Doser
- Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Elise F Zipkin
- Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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2
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Simpson HJ, Andrew C, Skrede I, Kauserud H, Schilling JS. Global field collection data confirm an affinity of brown rot fungi for coniferous habitats and substrates. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 242:2775-2786. [PMID: 38567688 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Unlike 'white rot' (WR) wood-decomposing fungi that remove lignin to access cellulosic sugars, 'brown rot' (BR) fungi selectively extract sugars and leave lignin behind. The relative frequency and distribution of these fungal types (decay modes) have not been thoroughly assessed at a global scale; thus, the fate of one-third of Earth's aboveground carbon, wood lignin, remains unclear. Using c. 1.5 million fungal sporocarp and c. 30 million tree records from publicly accessible databases, we mapped and compared decay mode and tree type (conifer vs angiosperm) distributions. Additionally, we mined fungal record metadata to assess substrate specificity per decay mode. The global average for BR fungi proportion (BR/(BR + WR records)) was 13% and geographic variation was positively correlated (R2 = 0.45) with conifer trees proportion (conifer/(conifer + angiosperm records)). Most BR species (61%) were conifer, rather than angiosperm (22%), specialists. The reverse was true for WR (conifer: 19%; angiosperm: 62%). Global BR proportion patterns were predicted with greater accuracy using the relative distributions of individual tree species (R2 = 0.82), rather than tree type. Fungal decay mode distributions can be explained by tree type and, more importantly, tree species distributions, which our data suggest is due to strong substrate specificities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hunter J Simpson
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Carrie Andrew
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (EVOGENE), University of Oslo, Blindernveien 31, 0316, Oslo, Norway
- Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Sars' gate 1, 0562, Oslo, Norway
| | - Inger Skrede
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (EVOGENE), University of Oslo, Blindernveien 31, 0316, Oslo, Norway
| | - Håvard Kauserud
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (EVOGENE), University of Oslo, Blindernveien 31, 0316, Oslo, Norway
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Serafini PP, Righetti BPH, Vanstreels RET, Bugoni L, Piazza CE, Lima D, Mattos JJ, Kolesnikovas CKM, Pereira A, Maraschin M, Piccinin I, Guilford T, Gallo L, Uhart MM, Lourenço RA, Bainy ACD, Lüchmann KH. Biochemical and molecular biomarkers and their association with anthropogenic chemicals in wintering Manx shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 203:116398. [PMID: 38723548 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116398] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Anthropogenic pollution poses a threat to marine conservation by causing chronic toxic effects. Seabirds have contact throughout their lives with pollutants like plastic, metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides such as hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs). We assessed 155 Manx shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus) stranded along the Brazilian coast, analyzing associations between organic pollutants, plastic ingestion, biomarkers (transcript levels of aryl hydrocarbon receptor, cytochrome P450-1A-5 [CYP1A5], UDP-glucuronosyl-transferase [UGT1], estrogen receptor alpha-1 [ESR1], and heat shock protein-70 genes) and enzymes activity (ethoxy-resorufin O-deethylase and glutathione S-transferase [GST]). Plastic debris was found in 29 % of the birds. The transcription of UGT1 and CYP1A5 was significantly associated with hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and PCBs levels. ESR1 was associated with HCB and Mirex, and GST was associated with Drins and Mirex. While organic pollutants affected shearwaters more than plastic ingestion, reducing plastic availability remains relevant as xenobiotics are also potentially adsorbed onto plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia P Serafini
- Laboratório de Biomarcadores de Contaminação Aquática e Imunoquímica, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil; Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Aves Silvestres, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade - ICMBio, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Bárbara P H Righetti
- Laboratório de Biomarcadores de Contaminação Aquática e Imunoquímica, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Ralph E T Vanstreels
- Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Leandro Bugoni
- Laboratório de Aves Aquáticas e Tartarugas Marinhas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Clei E Piazza
- Laboratório de Biomarcadores de Contaminação Aquática e Imunoquímica, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Daína Lima
- Laboratório de Biomarcadores de Contaminação Aquática e Imunoquímica, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Jacó J Mattos
- Laboratório de Biomarcadores de Contaminação Aquática e Imunoquímica, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marcelo Maraschin
- Plant Morphogenesis and Biochemistry Laboratory, UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Isadora Piccinin
- Plant Morphogenesis and Biochemistry Laboratory, UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Tim Guilford
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Luciana Gallo
- Instituto de Biología de Organismos Marinos, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina; Coordinación Regional de Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria, Regional Patagonia Sur, Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | - Marcela M Uhart
- Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Rafael A Lourenço
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Afonso C D Bainy
- Laboratório de Biomarcadores de Contaminação Aquática e Imunoquímica, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Karim H Lüchmann
- Departamento de Educação Científica e Tecnológica, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina - UDESC, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
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Speechley EM, Ashton BJ, Thornton A, King SL, Simmons LW, Woodiss-Field SL, Ridley AR. Aggressive interactions influence cognitive performance in Western Australian magpies. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20240435. [PMID: 38835280 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.0435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Extensive research has investigated the relationship between the social environment and cognition, suggesting that social complexity may drive cognitive evolution and development. However, evidence for this relationship remains equivocal. Group size is often used as a measure of social complexity, but this may not capture intraspecific variation in social interactions. Social network analysis can provide insight into the cognitively demanding challenges associated with group living at the individual level. Here, we use social networks to investigate whether the cognitive performance of wild Western Australian magpies (Gymnorhina tibicen dorsalis) is related to group size and individual social connectedness. We quantified social connectedness using four interaction types: proximity, affiliative, agonistic and vocal. Consistent with previous research on this species, individuals in larger groups performed better on an associative learning task. However, social network position was also related to cognitive performance. Individuals receiving aggressive interactions performed better, while those involved in aggressive interactions with more group members performed worse. Overall, this suggests that cognitive performance is related to specific types of social interaction. The findings from this study highlight the value of considering fine-grained metrics of sociality that capture the challenges associated with social life when testing the relationship between the social environment and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Speechley
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia , Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Benjamin J Ashton
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia , Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University , Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Alex Thornton
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter , Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Stephanie L King
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia , Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol , Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Leigh W Simmons
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia , Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Sarah L Woodiss-Field
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia , Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Amanda R Ridley
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia , Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
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5
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Moor H, Bergamini A, Vorburger C, Holderegger R, Bühler C, Bircher N, Schmidt BR. Building pondscapes for amphibian metapopulations. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024:e14165. [PMID: 38711380 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
The success of ponds constructed to restore ecological infrastructure for pond-breeding amphibians and benefit aquatic biodiversity depends on where and how they are built. We studied effects of pond and landscape characteristics, including connectivity, on metapopulation dynamics of 12 amphibian species in Switzerland. To understand the determinants of long-term occupancy (here summarized as incidence), environmental effects on both colonization and persistence should be considered. We fitted dynamic occupancy models to 20 years of monitoring data on a pond construction program to quantify effects of pond and landscape characteristics and different connectivity metrics on colonization and persistence probabilities in constructed ponds. Connectivity to existing populations explained dynamics better than structural connectivity metrics, and simple metrics (distance to the nearest neighbor population, population density) were useful surrogates for dispersal kernel-weighted metrics commonly used in metapopulation theory. Population connectivity mediated the persistence of conservation target species in new ponds, suggesting source-sink dynamics in newly established populations. Population density captured this effect well and could be used by practitioners for site selection. Ponds created where there were 2-4 occupied ponds within a radius of ∼0.5 km had >3.5 times higher incidence of target species (median) than isolated ponds. Species had individual preferences regarding pond characteristics, but breeding sites with larger (≥100 m2) total water surface area, that temporarily dried, and that were in surroundings with maximally 50% forest benefitted multiple target species. Pond diversity will foster amphibian diversity at the landscape scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Moor
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
- Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology Eawag, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Ariel Bergamini
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Vorburger
- Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology Eawag, Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rolf Holderegger
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Nicolas Bircher
- Sektion Natur and Landschaft, Kanton Aargau, Aarau, Switzerland
| | - Benedikt R Schmidt
- info fauna karch, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
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6
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Mills NJ, Grafton-Cardwell EE, Tollerup KE. An exploratory analysis of the structure of tetranychid and phytoseiid assemblages in walnut orchards in California. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2024; 92:739-758. [PMID: 38448755 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-024-00902-x] [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: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Spider mites were considered secondary pests of walnut production in California, under the control of phytoseiid predators. Due to increased importance as walnut pests in recent decades there is renewed interest in the structure and function of the associated phytoseiid assemblage. In this study we report the results from a 3 year survey of the tetranychid and phytoseiid assemblages in walnut orchards in the Central Valley of California. The survey was conducted to determine the range and dominance of web-spinning Tetranychus species present, to investigate the species richness and dominance of the phytoseiid species present, and to explore whether patterns of variation in the relative abundance of phytoseiid species could be explained by one or more explanatory variables. Tetranychus urticae was the dominant spider mite in all growing regions and years with T. pacificus and T. turkestani also present in orchards in the southern San Joaquin Valley. Phytoseiid species richness declined with latitude among the three walnut growing regions and of the 13 species found Amblyseius similoides, Euseius stipulatus, Galendromus occidentalis and Typhlodromus caudiglans were the most abundant and widespread species present. Mean proportional abundance significantly increased from early (mid May-July) to late (August-mid October) season and from southern to northern growing regions for Type II and IV predators, but significantly decreased from early to late season and from southern to northern growing regions for Type III predators. The mean proportional abundance of Type II predators, particularly G. occidentalis, significantly increased and that of Type III predators significantly decreased with mean Tetranychus density in individual orchards. The current survey provides a more in-depth analysis of mite assemblages in walnut orchards in California and can be used to better inform adaptive management strategies for integrated mite management in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Mills
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720-3114, USA.
| | | | - Kristen E Tollerup
- Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Station, University of California, Parlier, CA, 93648, USA
- California Dept. of Food and Agriculture, Sacramento, CA, 95832, USA
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7
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Cui EH, Zhang Z, Chen CJ, Wong WK. Applications of nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithms for tackling optimization problems across disciplines. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9403. [PMID: 38658593 PMCID: PMC11043462 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56670-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithms are important components of artificial intelligence, and are increasingly used across disciplines to tackle various types of challenging optimization problems. This paper demonstrates the usefulness of such algorithms for solving a variety of challenging optimization problems in statistics using a nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithm called competitive swarm optimizer with mutated agents (CSO-MA). This algorithm was proposed by one of the authors and its superior performance relative to many of its competitors had been demonstrated in earlier work and again in this paper. The main goal of this paper is to show a typical nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithmi, like CSO-MA, is efficient for tackling many different types of optimization problems in statistics. Our applications are new and include finding maximum likelihood estimates of parameters in a single cell generalized trend model to study pseudotime in bioinformatics, estimating parameters in the commonly used Rasch model in education research, finding M-estimates for a Cox regression in a Markov renewal model, performing matrix completion tasks to impute missing data for a two compartment model, and selecting variables optimally in an ecology problem in China. To further demonstrate the flexibility of metaheuristics, we also find an optimal design for a car refueling experiment in the auto industry using a logistic model with multiple interacting factors. In addition, we show that metaheuristics can sometimes outperform optimization algorithms commonly used in statistics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvis Han Cui
- Department of Biostatistics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Zizhao Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Alibaba Group, Alibaba, Hangzhou, 310099, China
| | - Culsome Junwen Chen
- Department of Environmental Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Weng Kee Wong
- Department of Biostatistics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- The Department of Statistics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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8
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Ticktin T, McGuigan A, Alo F, Balick MJ, Boraks A, Sam C, Doro T, Dovo P, Ibanez T, Naikatini A, Ranker TA, Tuiwawa MV, Wahe JP, Plunkett GM. High resilience of Pacific Island forests to a category- 5 cyclone. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 922:170973. [PMID: 38365026 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170973] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Assessing how forests respond to, and recuperate from, cyclones is critical to understanding forest dynamics and planning for the impacts of climate change. Projected increases in the intensity and frequency of severe cyclones can threaten both forests and forest-dependent communities. The Pacific Islands are subject to frequent low-intensity cyclones, but there is little information on the effects of high intensity cyclones, or on how forest stewardship practices may affect outcomes. We assess the resistance and resilience of forests in three community-stewarded sites on the island of Tanna, Vanuatu, to the wind-related effects of 2015 Category-5 Cyclone Pam, one of the most intense cyclones to make landfall globally. Drawing on transect data established pre-and post-cyclone, we (1) test whether windspeed and tree structural traits predict survival and damage intensity, and whether this varies across sites; (2) assess post-cyclone regeneration of canopy, ground cover, seedlings, and saplings, and how community composition shifts over time and across sites. In sites that sustained a direct hit, 88 % of trees were defoliated, 34 % sustained severe damage, and immediate mortality was 13 %. Initial mortality, but not severe damage, was lower in areas that received an indirect hit and had lower windspeed. Larger trees and those with lighter wood had a higher probability of uprooting and snapping, respectively. Canopy and ground cover regenerated within three years and seedling and sapling regeneration was widespread across life histories, from pioneer to mature forest species. Three species of non-native vines recruited post-cyclone but within 5 years had largely declined or disappeared with canopy closure. Tanna's historical cyclone frequency, combined with customary stewardship practices that actively maintain a diversity of species and multiplicity of regeneration pathways, are likely responsible for the island's resistance and resilience to an intense tropical cyclone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Ticktin
- School of Life Sciences, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA.
| | - Ashley McGuigan
- School of Life Sciences, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Frazer Alo
- Vanuatu National Herbarium, Vanuatu Department of Forestry, PMB 9064, Port Vila, Vanuatu
| | - Michael J Balick
- Institute of Economic Botany, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Andre Boraks
- School of Life Sciences, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Chanel Sam
- Vanuatu National Herbarium, Vanuatu Department of Forestry, PMB 9064, Port Vila, Vanuatu
| | - Thomas Doro
- Vanuatu National Herbarium, Vanuatu Department of Forestry, PMB 9064, Port Vila, Vanuatu
| | - Presley Dovo
- Vanuatu National Herbarium, Vanuatu Department of Forestry, PMB 9064, Port Vila, Vanuatu
| | - Thomas Ibanez
- AMAP, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Alivereti Naikatini
- South Pacific Regional Herbarium and Biodiversity Center, Institute of Applied Sciences, University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji
| | - Tom A Ranker
- School of Life Sciences, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Marika V Tuiwawa
- South Pacific Regional Herbarium and Biodiversity Center, Institute of Applied Sciences, University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji
| | | | - Gregory M Plunkett
- Cullman Program for Molecular Systematics, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY, USA
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9
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Clark M, Hamad HM, Andrews J, Hillis V, Mulder MB. Effects of perceptions of forest change and intergroup competition on community-based conservation behaviors. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024:e14259. [PMID: 38571448 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Approximately one quarter of the earth's population directly harvests natural resources to meet their daily needs. These individuals are disproportionately required to alter their behaviors in response to increasing climatic variability and global biodiversity loss. Much of the ever-ambitious global conservation agenda relies on the voluntary uptake of conservation behaviors in such populations. Thus, it is critical to understand how such individuals perceive environmental change and use conservation practices as a tool to protect their well-being. We developed a participatory mapping activity to elicit spatially explicit perceptions of forest change and its drivers across 43 mangrove-dependent communities in Pemba, Tanzania. We administered this activity along with a questionnaire regarding conservation preferences and behaviors to 423 individuals across those 43 communities. We analyzed these data with a set of Bayesian hierarchical statistical models. Perceived cover loss in 50% of a community's mangrove area drove individuals to decrease proposed limits on fuelwood bundles from 2.74 (forest perceived as intact) to 2.37 if participants believed resultant gains in mangrove cover would not be stolen by outsiders. Conversely, individuals who believed their community mangrove forests were at high risk of theft loosened their proposed harvest limits from 1.26 to 2.75 bundles of fuelwood in response to the same perceived forest decline. High rates of intergroup competition and mangrove loss were thus driving a self-reinforcing increase in unsustainable harvesting preferences in community forests in this system. This finding demonstrates a mechanism by which increasing environmental decline may cause communities to forgo conservation practices, rather than adopt them, as is often assumed in much community-based conservation planning. However, we also found that when effective boundaries were present, individuals were willing to limit their own harvests to stem such perceived decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt Clark
- Human-Environment Systems, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA
- Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Haji Masoud Hamad
- Department of Forestry, Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, Wete, Tanzania
| | - Jeffrey Andrews
- Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Vicken Hillis
- Human-Environment Systems, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA
| | - Monique Borgerhoff Mulder
- Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
- Department of Anthropology, Evolutionary Wing, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of bristol, Bristol, UK
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10
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Chadwick FJ, Haydon DT, Husmeier D, Ovaskainen O, Matthiopoulos J. LIES of omission: complex observation processes in ecology. Trends Ecol Evol 2024; 39:368-380. [PMID: 37949794 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Advances in statistics mean that it is now possible to tackle increasingly sophisticated observation processes. The intricacies and ambitious scale of modern data collection techniques mean that this is now essential. Methodological research to make inference about the biological process while accounting for the observation process has expanded dramatically, but solutions are often presented in field-specific terms, limiting our ability to identify commonalities between methods. We suggest a typology of observation processes that could improve translation between fields and aid methodological synthesis. We propose the LIES framework (defining observation processes in terms of issues of Latency, Identifiability, Effort and Scale) and illustrate its use with both simple examples and more complex case studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fergus J Chadwick
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK; Centre for Research Into Ecological and Environmental Monitoring, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, St. Andrews, Scotland, UK.
| | - Daniel T Haydon
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Dirk Husmeier
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - Otso Ovaskainen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, P.O. Box 35 FI-40014, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Jason Matthiopoulos
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
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11
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Sokač Cvetnić T, Krog K, Valinger D, Gajdoš Kljusurić J, Benković M, Jurina T, Jakovljević T, Radojčić Redovniković I, Jurinjak Tušek A. Application of Multivariate Regression and Artificial Neural Network Modelling for Prediction of Physicochemical Properties of Grape-Skin Compost. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:285. [PMID: 38534559 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11030285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The reusability of by-products in the food industry is consistent with sustainable and greener production; therefore, the aim of this paper was to evaluate the applicability of multiple linear regression (MLR), piecewise linear regression (PLR) and artificial neural network models (ANN) to the prediction of grape-skin compost's physicochemical properties (moisture, dry matter, organic matter, ash content, carbon content, nitrogen content, C/N ratio, total colour change of compost samples, pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids and total colour change of compost extract samples) during in-vessel composting based on the initial composting conditions (air-flow rate, moisture content and day of sampling). Based on the coefficient of determination for prediction, the adjusted coefficient of determination for calibration, the root-mean-square error of prediction (RMSEP), the standard error of prediction (SEP), the ratio of prediction to deviation (RPD) and the ratio of the error range (RER), it can be concluded that all developed MLR and PLR models are acceptable for process screening. Furthermore, the ANN model developed for predicting moisture and dry-matter content can be used for quality control (RER >11). The obtained results show the great potential of multivariate modelling for analysis of the physicochemical properties of compost during composting, confirming the high applicability of modelling in greener production processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tea Sokač Cvetnić
- Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Korina Krog
- Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Davor Valinger
- Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jasenka Gajdoš Kljusurić
- Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Benković
- Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tamara Jurina
- Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tamara Jakovljević
- Croatian Forest Research Institute, Cvjetno naselje 41, 10 450 Jastrebarsko, Croatia
| | | | - Ana Jurinjak Tušek
- Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
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12
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Pace G, Lourenço J, Ribeiro CA, Rodrigues C, Pascoal C, Cássio F. Spatial accumulation of flood-driven riverside litter in two Northern Atlantic Rivers. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 345:123528. [PMID: 38336138 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123528] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The escalation of litter accumulation in aquatic environments is recognized as an emerging global concern. Although rivers represent the main conduits for land-based waste into the oceans, the spatial dynamics of litter accumulation in these systems remain poorly investigated, especially after hydro-climatic extreme events. Floods have been identified as major drivers of litter mobilization, including macroplastics, within rivers. However, predicting flood-induced litter accumulation along riverbanks is complex due to the cumulative interplay of multiple environmental (geomorphological and riparian) and anthropogenic factors. Using empirical data collected from 14 stream reaches in two Northern Atlantic rivers in Portugal, our study evaluates which factors, among geomorphological, riparian, and anthropogenic descriptors, best drive riverside litter accumulation after floods. Taking into account the longitudinal gradient and the spatial heterogeneity of the studied reaches, our study enhances how the accumulation and characteristics (type, size) of riverside litter vary across a rural-urban continuum. Our model reveals that the combination of the human population density and the stream slope at river reach showed the highest explanatory power for the accumulation of riverside litter. Our findings indicate that litter tends to be retained close to the source, even under flood conditions. We also found that the structure of riparian vegetation showed low explanatory power for litter accumulation. However, riparian trapping could be influenced by litter input (density and type) which varies with anthropogenic activities. This work highlights the importance of gathering field data to identify critical areas of riverside litter accumulation within river basins. Our findings can further support environmental managers in designing and implementing effective cleanup campaigns and implementing plastic recovery strategies at specific areas. Nevertheless, it is crucial to enhance coordinated efforts across the entire value chain to reduce plastic pollution, promote innovative approaches for plastic litter valorization, and establish effective prevention pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Pace
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA) / Aquatic Research Network (ARNET) Associate Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; Landscape Laboratory (LL), Rua da Ponte Romana, Creixomil, 4835-095, Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - J Lourenço
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA) / Aquatic Research Network (ARNET) Associate Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; Landscape Laboratory (LL), Rua da Ponte Romana, Creixomil, 4835-095, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - C A Ribeiro
- Landscape Laboratory (LL), Rua da Ponte Romana, Creixomil, 4835-095, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - C Rodrigues
- Landscape Laboratory (LL), Rua da Ponte Romana, Creixomil, 4835-095, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - C Pascoal
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA) / Aquatic Research Network (ARNET) Associate Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - F Cássio
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA) / Aquatic Research Network (ARNET) Associate Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
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13
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Krumhansl KA, Brooks CM, Lowen JB, O’Brien JM, Wong MC, DiBacco C. Loss, resilience and recovery of kelp forests in a region of rapid ocean warming. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2024; 133:73-92. [PMID: 37952103 PMCID: PMC10921841 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcad170] [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: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Changes in kelp abundances on regional scales have been highly variable over the past half-century owing to strong effects of local and regional drivers. Here, we assess patterns and dominant environmental variables causing spatial and interspecific variability in kelp persistence and resilience to change in Nova Scotia over the past 40 years. METHODS We conducted a survey of macrophyte abundance at 251 sites spanning the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia from 2019 to 2022. We use this dataset to describe spatial variability in kelp species abundances, compare species occurrences to surveys conducted in 1982 and assess changes in kelp abundance over the past 22 years. We then relate spatial and temporal patterns in abundance and resilience to environmental metrics. KEY RESULTS Our results show losses of sea urchins and the cold-tolerant kelp species Alaria esculenta, Saccorhiza dermatodea and Agarum clathratum in Nova Scotia since 1982 in favour of the more warm-tolerant kelps Saccharina latissima and Laminaria digitata. Kelp abundances have increased slightly since 2000, and Saccharina latissima and L. digitata are widely abundant in the region today. The highest kelp cover occurs on wave-exposed shores and at sites where temperatures have remained below thresholds for growth (21 °C) and mortality (23 °C). Moreover, kelp has recovered from turf dominance following losses at some sites during a warm period from 2010 to 2012. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that dramatic changes in kelp community composition and a loss of sea urchin herbivory as a dominant driver of change in the system have occurred in Nova Scotia over the past 40 years. However, a broad-scale shift to turf-dominance has not occurred, as predicted, and our results suggest that resilience and persistence are still a feature of kelp forests in the region despite rapid warming over the past several decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Krumhansl
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B2Y 4A2, Canada
| | - C M Brooks
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B2Y 4A2, Canada
| | - J B Lowen
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B2Y 4A2, Canada
| | - J M O’Brien
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B2Y 4A2, Canada
| | - M C Wong
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B2Y 4A2, Canada
| | - C DiBacco
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B2Y 4A2, Canada
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14
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Fleming JM, Marshall KE, Coverley AJ, Sheldon KS. Diurnal temperature variation impacts energetics but not reproductive effort across seasons in a temperate dung beetle. Ecology 2024; 105:e4232. [PMID: 38290131 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Temperature varies on multiple timescales and ectotherms must adjust to these changes to survive. These adjustments may lead to energetic trade-offs between self-maintenance and reproductive investment. However, we know little about how diurnal and seasonal temperature changes impact energy allocation. Here we used a combination of empirical data and modeling of both thermoregulatory behaviors and body temperature to examine potential energetic trade-offs in the dung beetle Onthophagus taurus. Beginning in March 2020, universities and laboratories were officially closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We thus performed experiments at a private residence near Knoxville, Tennessee, USA, leveraging the heating, ventilation and air conditioning of the home to manipulate temperature and compare beetle responses to stable indoor temperatures versus variable outdoor temperatures. We collected O. taurus beetles in the early-, mid-, and late-breeding seasons to examine energetics and reproductive output in relation to diurnal and seasonal temperature fluctuations. We recorded the mass of field fresh beetles before and after a 24-h fast and used the resulting change in mass as a proxy for energetic costs of self-maintenance across seasons. To understand the impacts of diurnal fluctuations on energy allocation, we held beetles either indoors or outdoors for 14-day acclimation trials, fed them cow dung, and recorded mass change and reproductive output. Utilizing biophysical models, we integrated individual-level biophysical characteristics, microhabitat-specific performance, respirometry data, and thermoregulatory behaviors to predict temperature-induced changes to the allocation of energy toward survival and reproduction. During 24 h of outdoor fasting, we found that beetles experiencing reduced temperature variation lost more mass than those experiencing greater temperature variation, and this was not affected by season. By contrast, during the 14-day acclimation trials, we found that beetles experiencing reduced temperature variation (i.e., indoors) gained more mass than those experiencing greater temperature variation (i.e., outdoors). This effect may have been driven by shifts in the metabolism of the beetles during acclimation to increased temperature variation. Despite the negative relationship between temperature variation and energetic reserves, the only significant predictor of reproductive output was mean temperature. Taken together, we find that diurnal temperature fluctuations are important for driving energetics, but not reproductive output.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Morgan Fleming
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Katie E Marshall
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Alexander J Coverley
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kimberly S Sheldon
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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15
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Wallace ZP, Bedrosian BE, Dunk JR, LaPlante DW, Woodbridge B, Smith BW, Brown JL, Lickfett TM, Gura K, Bittner D, Crandall RH, Domenech R, Katzner TE, Kritz KJ, Lewis SB, Lockhart MJ, Miller TA, Quint K, Shreading A, Slater SJ, Stahlecker DW. Predicting the spatial distribution of wintering golden eagles to inform full annual cycle conservation in western North America. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297345. [PMID: 38295117 PMCID: PMC10830038 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Wildlife conservation strategies focused on one season or population segment may fail to adequately protect populations, especially when a species' habitat preferences vary among seasons, age-classes, geographic regions, or other factors. Conservation of golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) is an example of such a complex scenario, in which the distribution, habitat use, and migratory strategies of this species of conservation concern vary by age-class, reproductive status, region, and season. Nonetheless, research aimed at mapping priority use areas to inform management of golden eagles in western North America has typically focused on territory-holding adults during the breeding period, largely to the exclusion of other seasons and life-history groups. To support population-wide conservation planning across the full annual cycle for golden eagles, we developed a distribution model for individuals in a season not typically evaluated-winter-and in an area of the interior western U.S. that is a high priority for conservation of the species. We used a large GPS-telemetry dataset and library of environmental variables to develop a machine-learning model to predict spatial variation in the relative intensity of use by golden eagles during winter in Wyoming, USA, and surrounding ecoregions. Based on a rigorous series of evaluations including cross-validation, withheld and independent data, our winter-season model accurately predicted spatial variation in intensity of use by multiple age- and life-history groups of eagles not associated with nesting territories (i.e., all age classes of long-distance migrants, and resident non-adults and adult "floaters", and movements of adult territory holders and their offspring outside their breeding territories). Important predictors in the model were wind and uplift (40.2% contribution), vegetation and landcover (27.9%), topography (14%), climate and weather (9.4%), and ecoregion (8.7%). Predicted areas of high-use winter habitat had relatively low spatial overlap with nesting habitat, suggesting a conservation strategy targeting high-use areas for one season would capture as much as half and as little as one quarter of high-use areas for the other season. The majority of predicted high-use habitat (top 10% quantile) occurred on private lands (55%); lands managed by states and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) had a lower amount (33%), but higher concentration of high-use habitat than expected for their area (1.5-1.6x). These results will enable those involved in conservation and management of golden eagles in our study region to incorporate spatial prioritization of wintering habitat into their existing regulatory processes, land-use planning tasks, and conservation actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary P. Wallace
- Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
| | | | - Jeffrey R. Dunk
- Department of Environmental Science and Management, California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, Arcata, California, United States of America
| | - David W. LaPlante
- Natural Resource Geospatial, Yreka, California, United States of America
| | - Brian Woodbridge
- California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, Arcata, California, United States of America
| | - Brian W. Smith
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Denver, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Jessi L. Brown
- Sparrowhawk Data Science, Reno, Nevada, United States of America
| | - Todd M. Lickfett
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Denver, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Katherine Gura
- Teton Raptor Center, Wilson, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - Dave Bittner
- Wildlife Research Institute, Inc., Julian, California, United States of America
| | - Ross H. Crandall
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Habitat Protection Program, Pinedale, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - Rob Domenech
- Raptor View Research Institute, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
| | - Todd E. Katzner
- U.S. Geological Survey, Boise, Idaho, United States of America
| | - Kevin J. Kritz
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Denver, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Stephen B. Lewis
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Juneau, Alaska, United States of America
| | | | - Tricia A. Miller
- Conservation Science Global, Cape May, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Katie Quint
- Wildlife Research Institute, Inc., Julian, California, United States of America
| | - Adam Shreading
- Raptor View Research Institute, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
| | - Steve J. Slater
- HawkWatch, International, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Dale W. Stahlecker
- Eagle Environmental, Inc., Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States of America
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16
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Banerjee S, Zhao C, Garland G, Edlinger A, García-Palacios P, Romdhane S, Degrune F, Pescador DS, Herzog C, Camuy-Velez LA, Bascompte J, Hallin S, Philippot L, Maestre FT, Rillig MC, van der Heijden MGA. Biotic homogenization, lower soil fungal diversity and fewer rare taxa in arable soils across Europe. Nat Commun 2024; 15:327. [PMID: 38184663 PMCID: PMC10771452 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44073-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Soil fungi are a key constituent of global biodiversity and play a pivotal role in agroecosystems. How arable farming affects soil fungal biogeography and whether it has a disproportional impact on rare taxa is poorly understood. Here, we used the high-resolution PacBio Sequel targeting the entire ITS region to investigate the distribution of soil fungi in 217 sites across a 3000 km gradient in Europe. We found a consistently lower diversity of fungi in arable lands than grasslands, with geographic locations significantly impacting fungal community structures. Prevalent fungal groups became even more abundant, whereas rare groups became fewer or absent in arable lands, suggesting a biotic homogenization due to arable farming. The rare fungal groups were narrowly distributed and more common in grasslands. Our findings suggest that rare soil fungi are disproportionally affected by arable farming, and sustainable farming practices should protect rare taxa and the ecosystem services they support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samiran Banerjee
- Department of Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58102, USA.
- Agroscope, Plant-Soil Interactions Group, 8046, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Cheng Zhao
- ETH Zurich, Institute for Environmental Decisions, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gina Garland
- Agroscope, Plant-Soil Interactions Group, 8046, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anna Edlinger
- Agroscope, Plant-Soil Interactions Group, 8046, Zurich, Switzerland
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Pablo García-Palacios
- Instituto de Ciencias Agrarias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28006, Madrid, Spain
- University of Zurich, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sana Romdhane
- University Bourgogne Franche Comte, INRAE, Institut Agro Dijon, Agroecologie, Dijon, France
| | - Florine Degrune
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Biology, Altensteinstr. 6, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - David S Pescador
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacognosia y Botánica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28940, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28933, Móstoles, Spain
| | - Chantal Herzog
- Agroscope, Plant-Soil Interactions Group, 8046, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lennel A Camuy-Velez
- Department of Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58102, USA
| | - Jordi Bascompte
- University of Zurich, Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sara Hallin
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Box 7026, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Laurent Philippot
- University Bourgogne Franche Comte, INRAE, Institut Agro Dijon, Agroecologie, Dijon, France
| | - Fernando T Maestre
- Departamento de Ecología, Universidad de Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690, San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain
- Instituto Multidisciplinar para el Estudio del Medio "Ramón Margalef", Universidad de Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690, San Vicente, del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain
| | - Matthias C Rillig
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Biology, Altensteinstr. 6, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcel G A van der Heijden
- Agroscope, Plant-Soil Interactions Group, 8046, Zurich, Switzerland.
- University of Zurich, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
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17
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Raymond S, St Clair CC. Urban Magpies Frequently Feed on Coyote Scats and May Spread an Emerging Zoonotic Tapeworm. ECOHEALTH 2023; 20:441-452. [PMID: 38109036 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-023-01664-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Allocoprophagy, in which animals feed on the feces of other individuals or species, has been little studied in vertebrates, despite its relevance to parasite transmission. These relationships may be especially important in cities, where animal density, disease incidence, and spatial overlap of humans and wildlife increase. Our goal was to document the incidence and predictors of coprophagy by black-billed magpies (Pica hudsonia) at coyote (Canis latrans) scats in Edmonton, Canada. We detected scats by following coyote trails and recorded whether coprophagy had occurred. We used multiple logistic regression to determine the top contextual and environmental predictors of coprophagy. Of 668 coyote scats, 37.3% had apparently been fed on. Coprophagy was more likely in winter and when scats were not fresh and did not contain vegetation or garbage. Environmental predictors of coprophagy included proximity to other coyote scats and playgrounds, distance from water and maintained trails, abundant natural land cover, and proximity to encampments of people experiencing homelessness. Our results reveal that magpies frequently access coyote scat and often do so near human-use areas. In Edmonton, where > 50% of coyotes are infected with a zoonotic tapeworm, coprophagy likely causes magpies to transport parasites with implications for zoonotic disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sage Raymond
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, 77 University Campus, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R3, Canada.
| | - Colleen Cassady St Clair
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, 77 University Campus, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R3, Canada
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18
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Zimmer SN, Holsinger KW, Dawson CA. A field-validated ensemble species distribution model of Eriogonum pelinophilum, an endangered subshrub in Colorado, USA. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10816. [PMID: 38107426 PMCID: PMC10721943 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the suitable habitat of endangered species is crucial for agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management to plan management and conservation. However, few species distribution models are directly validated, potentially limiting their application in management. In preparation for a Species Status Assessment of clay-loving wild buckwheat (Eriogonum pelinophilum), an endangered subshrub found in southwest Colorado, we ran a series of species distribution models to estimate the species' potential occupied habitat and validated these models in the field. A 1-meter resolution digital elevation model derived from LiDAR and a high-resolution geology mapping helped identify biologically relevant characteristics of the species' habitat. We employed a weighted ensemble model based on two Random Forest and one Boosted Regression Tree model, and discrimination performance of the ensemble model was high (AUC-PR = 0.793). We then conducted a systematic field survey of model habitat suitability predictions, during which we discovered 55 new subpopulations of the species and demonstrated that new species observations were strongly associated with model predictions (p < .0001, Cliff's delta = 0.575). We further refined our original models by incorporating the additional species occurrences collected in the field survey, a new explanatory variable, and a more diverse set of models. These iterative changes marginally improved performance of the ensemble model (AUC-PR = 0.825). Direct validation of species distribution models is extremely rare, and our field survey provides strong validation of our model results. This helps increase confidence to utilize predictions in planning. The final model predictions greatly improve the Bureau of Land Management's understanding of the species' habitat and increase our ability to consider potential habitat in planning land use activities such as road development and travel management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott N. Zimmer
- Uncompahgre Field OfficeBureau of Land ManagementMontroseColoradoUSA
- Fire Sciences LaboratoryRocky Mountain Research Station, U.S. Forest ServiceMissoulaMontanaUSA
| | | | - Carol A. Dawson
- Colorado State OfficeBureau of Land ManagementLakewoodColoradoUSA
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19
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Xu S, Ferreira MAR, Porter EM, Franck CT. Bayesian model selection for generalized linear mixed models. Biometrics 2023; 79:3266-3278. [PMID: 37365985 DOI: 10.1111/biom.13896] [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: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
We propose a Bayesian model selection approach for generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs). We consider covariance structures for the random effects that are widely used in areas such as longitudinal studies, genome-wide association studies, and spatial statistics. Since the random effects cannot be integrated out of GLMMs analytically, we approximate the integrated likelihood function using a pseudo-likelihood approach. Our Bayesian approach assumes a flat prior for the fixed effects and includes both approximate reference prior and half-Cauchy prior choices for the variances of random effects. Since the flat prior on the fixed effects is improper, we develop a fractional Bayes factor approach to obtain posterior probabilities of the several competing models. Simulation studies with Poisson GLMMs with spatial random effects and overdispersion random effects show that our approach performs favorably when compared to widely used competing Bayesian methods including deviance information criterion and Watanabe-Akaike information criterion. We illustrate the usefulness and flexibility of our approach with three case studies including a Poisson longitudinal model, a Poisson spatial model, and a logistic mixed model. Our proposed approach is implemented in the R package GLMMselect that is available on CRAN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangshuang Xu
- Department of Statistics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Erica M Porter
- Department of Statistics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
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Kagaruki GB, Mahande MJ, Mayige MT, Kreppel KS, Ngadaya ES, Haydon D, Kimaro GD, Mfinanga SG, Bonfoh B. The effectiveness of interventions to reduce cardio-metabolic risk factors among regular street food consumers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: The pre-post findings from a cluster randomized trial (Registered by Pan African clinical trial registry with trial # PACTR202208642850935). PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289289. [PMID: 37967111 PMCID: PMC10650998 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The healthy plate model (HPM) is a practical guide to modulate the portion of staple food in main meals, subsequently affecting the risks associated with Non-communicable Diseases include type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). OBJECTIVE This study investigated the effectiveness of health information and the healthy plate model on cardio-metabolic risk factors, knowledge and attitude towards T2DM prevention measures. METHODS A pre-post analysis, as part of a cluster randomized trial with street food vendors and their customers, was implemented in three randomly selected districts in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Two vendor-customer clusters each with 15 and more vendors from each district were randomly assigned to receive either T2DM health information only (Intervention package1 [IP1]) or IP1 plus a subsidized meal with vegetables and fruits, following the principles of the HPM (Intervention package2 [IP2]). Within the clusters the participants were informed on the importance of the intervention they received. An intervention period lasted for three months from 1st April to 31st June 2019. We applied Generalized Linear Mixed Models and Bayesian Modelling (for sensitivity analysis) to assess the effectiveness of the interventions. RESULTS Overall, 336 (IP2 = 175 and IP1 = 161) out of 560 (280/arm) previous study participants participated in evaluation. Diastolic BP was lower among IP2 participants in the evaluation than baseline AβC = -4.1mmHg (95%CI:-5.42 to -2.76). After adjusting for the interaction between IP2 and age of the consumers, the BMI was significantly lower among IP2 in the evaluation than baseline AβC = -0.7kg/m2 (95%CI: -1.17 to -0.23). With interaction between IP2 and income, BMI was higher in the IP2 in the evaluation than baseline AβC = 0.73kg/m2 (95%CI: 0.08 to 1.38). Systolic and diastolic BP were significantly lower among IP1 in the evaluation than baseline AβC = -3.5mmHg (95%CI:-5.78 to -1.24) and AβC = -5.9mmHg (95%CI:-7.34 to -4.44) respectively. Both the knowledge scores and positive attitudes towards T2DM prevention measures were higher in the evaluation than baseline in both interventions arms. CONCLUSION The positive effects on cardio-metabolic risk factors, knowledge and attitude were observed in both intervention arms. Due to interactions between IP2, age and income; designing interventions relating to food and cardio-metabolic risk factors, should consider combining socio-economic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gibson B. Kagaruki
- Research Programs, National Institute for Medical Research, Tukuyu Medical Research Centre, Mbeya, Tanzania
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Michael J. Mahande
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Mary T. Mayige
- Research Programs, National Institute for Medical Research, Headquarters, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Esther S. Ngadaya
- Research Programs, National Institute for Medical Research, Muhimbili Centre, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Daniel Haydon
- Schoool of Biodiversity One Health & Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Godfather D. Kimaro
- Research Programs, National Institute for Medical Research, Muhimbili Centre, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Sayoki G. Mfinanga
- Research Programs, National Institute for Medical Research, Muhimbili Centre, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Bassirou Bonfoh
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
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Kim C, Choi YH, Choi JY, Choi HJ, Park RW, Rhie SJ. Translation of Machine Learning-Based Prediction Algorithms to Personalised Empiric Antibiotic Selection: A Population-Based Cohort Study. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2023; 62:106966. [PMID: 37716574 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2023.106966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prediction of antibiotic non-susceptibility based on patient characteristics and clinical status may support selection of empiric antibiotics for suspected hospital-acquired urinary tract infections (HA-UTIs). METHODS Prediction models were developed to predict non-susceptible results of eight antibiotic susceptibility tests ordered for suspected HA-UTI. Eligible patients were those with urine culture and susceptibility test results after 48 hours of admission between 2010-2021. Patient demographics, diagnosis, prescriptions, exposure to multidrug-resistant organisms, transfer history, and a daily calculated antibiogram were used as predictors. Lasso logistic regression (LLR), extreme gradient boosting (XGB), random forest, and stacked ensemble methods were used for development. Parsimonious models were also developed for clinical utility. Discrimination was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). RESULTS In 10 474 suspected HA-UTI cases, the mean age was 62.1 ± 16.2 years and 48.1% were male. Non-susceptibility prediction for ampicillin/sulbactam, cefepime, ciprofloxacin, imipenem, piperacillin/tazobactam, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole performed best using the stacked ensemble (AUROC 76.9, 76.1, 77.0, 80.6, 76.1, and 76.5, respectively). The model for ampicillin performed best with LLR (AUROC 73.4). Extreme gradient boosting only performed best for gentamicin (AUROC 66.9). In the parsimonious models, the LLR yielded the highest AUROC for ampicillin, ampicillin/sulbactam, cefepime, gentamicin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (AUROC 70.6, 71.8, 73.0, 65.9, and 73.0, respectively). The model for ciprofloxacin performed best with XGB (AUROC 70.3), while the model for imipenem performed best in the stacked ensemble (AUROC 71.3). A personalised application using the parsimonious models was publicly released. CONCLUSIONS Prediction models for antibiotic non-susceptibility were developed to support empiric antibiotic selection for HA-UTI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chungsoo Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University Graduate School of Medicine, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Hwa Choi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Yoon Choi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Jung Choi
- College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Rae Woong Park
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University Graduate School of Medicine, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Informatics, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sandy Jeong Rhie
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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22
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Alvarez-Vargas D, Braithwaite D, Lortie-Forgues H, Moore M, Wan S, Martin E, Bailey DH. Hedges, mottes, and baileys: Causally ambiguous statistical language can increase perceived study quality and policy relevance. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286403. [PMID: 37883517 PMCID: PMC10602341 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a norm in psychology to use causally ambiguous statistical language, rather than straightforward causal language, when describing methods and results of nonexperimental studies. However, causally ambiguous language may inhibit a critical examination of the study's causal assumptions and lead to a greater acceptance of policy recommendations that rely on causal interpretations of nonexperimental findings. In a preregistered experiment, 142 psychology faculty, postdocs, and doctoral students (54% female), ages 22-67 (M = 33.20, SD = 8.96), rated the design and analysis from hypothetical studies with causally ambiguous statistical language as of higher quality (by .34-.80 SD) and as similarly or more supportive (by .16-.27 SD) of policy recommendations than studies described in straightforward causal language. Thus, using statistical rather than causal language to describe nonexperimental findings did not decrease, and may have increased, perceived support for implicitly causal conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Alvarez-Vargas
- School of Education, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - David Braithwaite
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America
| | - Hugues Lortie-Forgues
- Department of Mathematics Education, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
| | - Melody Moore
- Department of Psychology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America
| | - Sirui Wan
- Department of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Martin
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Drew Hal Bailey
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
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23
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Fry TL, Friedrichs KR, Ketz AC, Duncan C, Van Deelen TR, Goldberg TL, Atwood TC. Long-term assessment of relationships between changing environmental conditions and the physiology of southern Beaufort Sea polar bears (Ursus maritimus). GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:5524-5539. [PMID: 37503782 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is influencing polar bear (Ursus maritimus) habitat, diet, and behavior but the effects of these changes on their physiology is not well understood. Blood-based biomarkers are used to assess the physiologic health of individuals but their usefulness for evaluating population health, especially as it relates to changing environmental conditions, has rarely been explored. We describe links between environmental conditions and physiologic functions of southern Beaufort Sea polar bears using data from blood samples collected from 1984 to 2018, a period marked by extensive environmental change. We evaluated associations between 13 physiologic biomarkers and circumpolar (Arctic oscillation index) and regional (wind patterns and ice-free days) environmental metrics and seasonal and demographic co-variates (age, sex, season, and year) known to affect polar bear ecology. We observed signs of dysregulation of water balance in polar bears following years with a lower annual Arctic oscillation index. In addition, liver enzyme values increased over time, which is suggestive of potential hepatocyte damage as the Arctic has warmed. Biomarkers of immune function increased with regional-scale wind patterns and the number of ice-free days over the Beaufort Sea continental shelf and were lower in years with a lower winter Arctic oscillation index, suggesting an increased allocation of energetic resources for immune processes under these conditions. We propose that the variation in polar bear immune and metabolic function is likely indicative of physiologic plasticity, a response that allows polar bears to remain in homeostasis even as they experience changes in nutrition and habitat in response to changing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tricia L Fry
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Alison C Ketz
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, Wisconsin Cooperative Research Unit, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Colleen Duncan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Timothy R Van Deelen
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Tony L Goldberg
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Todd C Atwood
- U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska, USA
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24
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Allen-Perkins A, García-Callejas D, Bartomeus I, Godoy O. Structural asymmetry in biotic interactions as a tool to understand and predict ecological persistence. Ecol Lett 2023; 26:1647-1662. [PMID: 37515408 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14291] [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: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
A universal feature of ecological systems is that species do not interact with others with the same sign and strength. Yet, the consequences of this asymmetry in biotic interactions for the short- and long-term persistence of individual species and entire communities remains unclear. Here, we develop a set of metrics to evaluate how asymmetric interactions among species translate to asymmetries in their individual vulnerability to extinction under changing environmental conditions. These metrics, which solve previous limitations of how to independently quantify the size from the shape of the so-called feasibility domain, provide rigorous advances to understand simultaneously why some species and communities present more opportunities to persist than others. We further demonstrate that our shape-related metrics are useful to predict short-term changes in species' relative abundances during 7 years in a Mediterranean grassland. Our approach is designed to be applied to any ecological system regardless of the number of species and type of interactions. With it, we show that is possible to obtain both mechanistic and predictive information on ecological persistence for individual species and entire communities, paving the way for a stronger integration of theoretical and empirical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Allen-Perkins
- Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica, Automática y Física Aplicada, ETSIDI, Technical University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - David García-Callejas
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | | | - Oscar Godoy
- Departamento de Biología, Instituto Universitario de Ciencias del Mar (INMAR), Universidad de Cádiz, Puerto Real, Spain
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25
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Sutherland C, Hare D, Johnson PJ, Linden DW, Montgomery RA, Droge E. Practical advice on variable selection and reporting using Akaike information criterion. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20231261. [PMID: 37752836 PMCID: PMC10523071 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The various debates around model selection paradigms are important, but in lieu of a consensus, there is a demonstrable need for a deeper appreciation of existing approaches, at least among the end-users of statistics and model selection tools. In the ecological literature, the Akaike information criterion (AIC) dominates model selection practices, and while it is a relatively straightforward concept, there exists what we perceive to be some common misunderstandings around its application. Two specific questions arise with surprising regularity among colleagues and students when interpreting and reporting AIC model tables. The first is related to the issue of 'pretending' variables, and specifically a muddled understanding of what this means. The second is related to p-values and what constitutes statistical support when using AIC. There exists a wealth of technical literature describing AIC and the relationship between p-values and AIC differences. Here, we complement this technical treatment and use simulation to develop some intuition around these important concepts. In doing so we aim to promote better statistical practices when it comes to using, interpreting and reporting models selected when using AIC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Sutherland
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Darragh Hare
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Paul J. Johnson
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Daniel W. Linden
- Northeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | | | - Egil Droge
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Zambian Carnivore Programme, Mfuwe, Zambia
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26
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Blaszczak JR, Yackulic CB, Shriver RK, Hall RO. Models of underlying autotrophic biomass dynamics fit to daily river ecosystem productivity estimates improve understanding of ecosystem disturbance and resilience. Ecol Lett 2023; 26:1510-1522. [PMID: 37353910 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Directly observing autotrophic biomass at ecologically relevant frequencies is difficult in many ecosystems, hampering our ability to predict productivity through time. Since disturbances can impart distinct reductions in river productivity through time by modifying underlying standing stocks of biomass, mechanistic models fit to productivity time series can infer underlying biomass dynamics. We incorporated biomass dynamics into a river ecosystem productivity model for six rivers to identify disturbance flow thresholds and understand the resilience of primary producers. The magnitude of flood necessary to disturb biomass and thereby reduce ecosystem productivity was consistently lower than the more commonly used disturbance flow threshold of the flood magnitude necessary to mobilize river bed sediment. The estimated daily maximum percent increase in biomass (a proxy for resilience) ranged from 5% to 42% across rivers. Our latent biomass model improves understanding of disturbance thresholds and recovery patterns of autotrophic biomass within river ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna R Blaszczak
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA
- Flathead Lake Biological Station, University of Montana, Polson, Montana, USA
| | - Charles B Yackulic
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - Robert K Shriver
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Robert O Hall
- Flathead Lake Biological Station, University of Montana, Polson, Montana, USA
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27
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Arbon JJ, Hahn LG, McIvor GE, Thornton A. Competition and generalization impede cultural formation in wild jackdaws. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20230705. [PMID: 37554031 PMCID: PMC10410225 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0705] [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: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal cultures have now been demonstrated experimentally in diverse taxa from flies to great apes. However, experiments commonly use tasks with unrestricted access to equal pay-offs and innovations seeded by demonstrators who are trained to exhibit strong preferences. Such conditions may not reflect those typically found in nature. For example, the learned preferences of natural innovators may be weaker, while competition for depleting resources can favour switching between strategies and generalizing from past experience. Here we show that in experiments where wild jackdaws (Corvus monedula) can freely discover depleting supplies of novel foods, generalization has a powerful effect on learning, allowing individuals to exploit multiple new opportunities through both social and individual learning. Further, in contrast to studies with trained demonstrators, individuals that were first to innovate showed weak preferences. As a consequence, many individuals ate all available novel foods, displaying no strong preference and no group-level culture emerged. Individuals followed a 'learn from adults' strategy, but other demographic factors played a minimal role in shaping social transmission. These results demonstrate the importance of generalization in allowing animals to exploit new opportunities and highlight how natural competitive dynamics may impede the formation of culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh J. Arbon
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Treliever Road, Penryn, Cornwall, UK
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, UK
| | - Luca G. Hahn
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Treliever Road, Penryn, Cornwall, UK
| | - Guillam E. McIvor
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Treliever Road, Penryn, Cornwall, UK
| | - Alex Thornton
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Treliever Road, Penryn, Cornwall, UK
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28
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Mawer R, Bruneel SP, Pauwels IS, Elings J, Pickholtz E, Pickholtz R, Schneider M, Coeck J, Goethals PLM. Individual variation in the habitat selection of upstream migrating fish near a barrier. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2023; 11:49. [PMID: 37550782 PMCID: PMC10405436 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-023-00414-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Migration is a vital element of the life cycle of many freshwater fish species but is increasingly hampered globally by riverine barriers. Fish passes are a common approach to enable migration past barriers but are often ineffective. More knowledge is required on fish behaviour as they approach barriers such as habitat preferences. METHODS We evaluate the habitat selection of two upstream migrating fish species, barbel Barbus barbus and grayling Thymallus thymallus, at a hydropower plant in southern Germany, considering individual variation and population trends. Fish were tracked via fine-scale 2D acoustic telemetry in 2018 during their spawning migration. Step selection functions were used to evaluate selection of hydraulic parameters by the fish for a time step of 20 s. Exploratory models were built via model selection for each individual fish, to evaluate the extent of individual variation in model structure. A population model was developed for each species by averaging coefficients from individual models to describe general trends. The extent of individual variation was determined and confidence intervals for the population model coefficients were calculated. RESULTS Fish varied greatly in individual model structure though common terms were apparent in both species, such as depth, flow velocity, the angular difference between fish and velocity, and the logarithm of the step length. Final population models for barbel included several parameters describing habitat selection and displacement. Barbel selected for faster flows, deeper water, and higher spatial velocity gradients. In addition, they selected to move more with the flow than against. Interactions were also present between habitat parameters, suggesting selection is context dependent. Barbel movement speed also changed with depth, flow velocity and spatial velocity gradient. With grayling, terms often had contrasting effects among individuals and thus general trends could not be distinguished for most terms. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate habitat selection by upstream migrating fish approaching a fish pass and differences in individual selection which may have an impact on barrier management. Step selection functions are a promising approach and can provide useful insight into habitat selection and movement by migrating freshwater fish in an altered river system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Mawer
- Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
- SJE Ecohydraulic Engineering, Backnang, Germany.
| | - Stijn P Bruneel
- Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ine S Pauwels
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jelger Elings
- Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Renanel Pickholtz
- School of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences of Eilat, Eilat, Israel
| | | | - Johan Coeck
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Peter L M Goethals
- Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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29
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Lopez JW, Hartnett RN, Parr TB, Vaughn CC. Ecosystem bioelement variability is associated with freshwater animal aggregations at the aquatic-terrestrial interface. Oecologia 2023; 202:795-806. [PMID: 37582947 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05437-3] [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: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
The impacts of animals on the biogeochemical cycles of major bioelements like C, N, and P are well-studied across ecosystem types. However, more than 20 elements are necessary for life. The feedbacks between animals and the biogeochemical cycles of the other bioelements are an emerging research priority. We explored how much freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionoida) were related to variability in ecosystem pools of 10 bioelements (Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Na, Mg, P, S and Zn) in streams containing a natural mussel density gradient in the US Interior Highlands. We studied the concentrations of these bioelements across the aquatic-terrestrial interface-in the porewater of riverine gravel bars, and the emergent macrophyte Justicia americana. Higher mussel density was associated with increased calcium in gravel bars and macrophytes. Mussel density also correlated with variability in iron and other redox-sensitive trace elements in gravel bars and macrophytes, although this relationship was mediated by sediment grain size. We found that two explanations for the patterns we observed are worthy of further research: (1) increased calcium availability in gravel bars near denser mussel aggregations may be a product of the buildup and dissolution of shells in the gravel bar, and (2) mussels may alter redox conditions, and thus elemental availability in gravel bars with fine sediments, either behaviorally or through physical structure provided by shell material. A better understanding of the physical and biogeochemical impacts of animals on a wide range of elemental cycles is thus necessary to conserve the societal value of freshwater ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan W Lopez
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA.
- Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA.
| | - Rachel N Hartnett
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
- Department of Science, Mount Saint Mary's University, Emmitsburg, MD, USA
| | - Thomas B Parr
- Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
- National Park Service, Great Lakes Inventory and Monitoring Network, Ashland, WI, USA
| | - Caryn C Vaughn
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
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30
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Beik SP, Harris LA, Kochen MA, Sage J, Quaranta V, Lopez CF. Unified tumor growth mechanisms from multimodel inference and dataset integration. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1011215. [PMID: 37406008 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanistic models of biological processes can explain observed phenomena and predict responses to a perturbation. A mathematical model is typically constructed using expert knowledge and informal reasoning to generate a mechanistic explanation for a given observation. Although this approach works well for simple systems with abundant data and well-established principles, quantitative biology is often faced with a dearth of both data and knowledge about a process, thus making it challenging to identify and validate all possible mechanistic hypothesis underlying a system behavior. To overcome these limitations, we introduce a Bayesian multimodel inference (Bayes-MMI) methodology, which quantifies how mechanistic hypotheses can explain a given experimental datasets, and concurrently, how each dataset informs a given model hypothesis, thus enabling hypothesis space exploration in the context of available data. We demonstrate this approach to probe standing questions about heterogeneity, lineage plasticity, and cell-cell interactions in tumor growth mechanisms of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). We integrate three datasets that each formulated different explanations for tumor growth mechanisms in SCLC, apply Bayes-MMI and find that the data supports model predictions for tumor evolution promoted by high lineage plasticity, rather than through expanding rare stem-like populations. In addition, the models predict that in the presence of cells associated with the SCLC-N or SCLC-A2 subtypes, the transition from the SCLC-A subtype to the SCLC-Y subtype through an intermediate is decelerated. Together, these predictions provide a testable hypothesis for observed juxtaposed results in SCLC growth and a mechanistic interpretation for tumor treatment resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha P Beik
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Leonard A Harris
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States of America
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Cell & Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States of America
- Cancer Biology Program, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Michael A Kochen
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Julien Sage
- Departments of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Departments of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Vito Quaranta
- Program in Chemical and Physical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Carlos F Lopez
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Altos Laboratories, Redwood City, California, United States of America
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Kimmel JG, Buchinger TJ, Larson DL, Baker EA, Zorn TG, Scribner KT, Li W. Behavioral evidence of olfactory imprinting during embryonic and larval stages in lake sturgeon. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 11:coad045. [PMID: 37405172 PMCID: PMC10317470 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coad045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Many migratory fishes are thought to navigate to natal streams using olfactory cues learned during early life stages. However, direct evidence for early-life olfactory imprinting is largely limited to Pacific salmon, and other species suspected to imprint show life history traits and reproductive strategies that raise uncertainty about the generality of the salmonid-based conceptual model of olfactory imprinting in fishes. Here, we studied early-life olfactory imprinting in lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), which have a life cycle notably different from Pacific salmon, but are nonetheless hypothesized to home via similar mechanisms. We tested one critical prediction of the hypothesis that early-life olfactory imprinting guides natal homing in lake sturgeon: that exposure to odorants during early-life stages results in increased activity when exposed to those odorants later in life. Lake sturgeon were exposed to artificial odorants (phenethyl alcohol and morpholine) during specific developmental windows and durations (limited to the egg, free-embryo, exogenous feeding larvae and juvenile stages), and later tested as juveniles for behavioral responses to the odorants that were demonstrative of olfactory memory. Experiments revealed that lake sturgeon reared in stream water mixed with artificial odorants for as little as 7 days responded to the odorants in behavioral assays over 50 days after the initial exposure, specifically implicating the free-embryo and larval stages as critical imprinting periods. Our study provides evidence for olfactory imprinting in a non-salmonid fish species, and supports further consideration of conservation tactics such as stream-side rearing facilities that are designed to encourage olfactory imprinting to targeted streams during early life stages. Continued research on lake sturgeon can contribute to a model of olfactory imprinting that is more generalizable across diverse fish species and will inform conservation actions for one of the world's most imperiled fish taxonomic groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob G Kimmel
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 480 Wilson Road, East Lansing MI 48824, USA
| | - Tyler J Buchinger
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 480 Wilson Road, East Lansing MI 48824, USA
| | - Douglas L Larson
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 480 Wilson Road, East Lansing MI 48824, USA
| | - Edward A Baker
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Marquette Fisheries Research Station, 484 Cherry Creek Road, Marquette, Michigan, 49855, USA
| | - Troy G Zorn
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Marquette Fisheries Research Station, 484 Cherry Creek Road, Marquette, Michigan, 49855, USA
| | - Kim T Scribner
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 480 Wilson Road, East Lansing MI 48824, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, 288 Farm Lane, East Lansing MI 48824, USA
| | - Weiming Li
- Corresponding author: Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 480 Wilson Road, East Lansing MI 48824, USA.
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Chollet Ramampiandra E, Scheidegger A, Wydler J, Schuwirth N. A comparison of machine learning and statistical species distribution models: Quantifying overfitting supports model interpretation. Ecol Modell 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2023.110353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
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Latifi M, Fakheran S, Moshtaghie M, Ranaie M, Tussi PM. Soundscape analysis using eco-acoustic indices for the birds biodiversity assessment in urban parks (case study: Isfahan City, Iran). ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:629. [PMID: 37127732 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11237-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Biophony and anthrophony analysis as part of the urban soundscape is an efficient approach to bird biodiversity monitoring and to studying the impact of noise pollution in urban parks. Here, we analyzed the soundscape composition to monitor the diversity of birds using acoustic indices and machine learning in 21 urban parks of Isfahan, Iran, in spring 2019. To achieve this purpose four-step method was considered: (i) choosing parks and sampling of sound and bird species; (ii) calculated the six acoustic indices; (iii) calculated the six biodiversity indices; and (iv) statistical analysis for predicting biodiversity index from acoustic indices. Three regression models including support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and elastic net regularization (GLMNET) applied the acoustic indices with minimum and maximum recorded thresholds to feature extraction to measure biodiversity indicators. The optimization model was applied to reduce the independent variables. Generally, more than 18,000 samples were modeled for the dependent variables in each model. The regression results demonstrated that the highest R square was related to the songbird (0.93), evenness (0.92), and richness (0.9) indecies in the SVM model and the Shannon index (0.86) in the RF model. The results of acoustics analysis demonstrated that the Acoustic Entropy Index (H), Normalized Difference Soundscape Index (NDSI), Bioacoustics Index (BI), and Acoustic Complexity Index (ACI) indices were suitable because they could serve as proxies for bird richness and activity that reflect differences in habitat quality. Our findings offer using acoustic indicators as an efficient approach for monitoring bird biodiversity in urban parks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Latifi
- Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran
| | - Sima Fakheran
- Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran.
| | - Minoo Moshtaghie
- Environmental Science and Engineering Department, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Ranaie
- Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran
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Roatti V, Cowlishaw G, Huchard E, Carter A. Social network inheritance and differentiation in wild baboons. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:230219. [PMID: 37234491 PMCID: PMC10206475 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230219] [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: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Immatures' social development may be fundamental to understand important biological processes, such as social information transmission through groups, that can vary with age and sex. Our aim was to determine how social networks change with age and differ between sexes in wild immature baboons, group-living primates that readily learn socially. Our results show that immature baboons inherited their mothers' networks and differentiated from them as they aged, increasing their association with partners of similar age and the same sex. Males were less bonded to their matriline and became more peripheral with age compared to females. Our results may pave the way to further studies testing a new hypothetical framework: in female-philopatric societies, social information transmission may be constrained at the matrilineal level by age- and sex-driven social clustering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittoria Roatti
- Anthropology Department, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Zoological Society of London, Institute of Zoology, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Guy Cowlishaw
- Zoological Society of London, Institute of Zoology, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Elise Huchard
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier, CNRS, University of Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Alecia Carter
- Anthropology Department, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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35
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Robbins CJ, Manning DWP, Halvorson HM, Norman BC, Eckert RA, Pastor A, Dodd AK, Jabiol J, Bastias E, Gossiaux A, Mehring AS. Nutrient and stoichiometry dynamics of decomposing litter in stream ecosystems: A global synthesis. Ecology 2023:e4060. [PMID: 37186091 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Decomposing organic matter forms a substantial resource base fueling the biogeochemical function and secondary production of most aquatic ecosystems. However, detrital N (nitrogen) and P (phosphorus) dynamics remain relatively unexplored in aquatic relative to terrestrial ecosystems, despite fundamentally linking microbial processes to ecosystem function across broad spatial scales. We synthesized 217 published time series of detrital carbon (C), N, P, and their stoichiometric ratios (C:N, C:P, N:P) from stream ecosystems to analyze the temporal nutrient dynamics of decomposing litter using generalized additive models. Model results indicated that detritus was a net source of N (irrespective of inorganic or organic form) to the environment regardless of initial N content. In contrast, P sink/source dynamics were more strongly influenced by initial P content, where P-poor litters were sinks of nutrients until shifting to net P mineralization after ~40% mass loss. However, large variation surrounded both N and P predictions, suggesting the importance of non-microbial factors such as fragmentation by invertebrates. Detrital C:N ratios converged and became more similar toward the end of decomposition, suggesting predictable microbial functional effects throughout detrital ontogeny. C:P and N:P ratios also converged to some degree, but these model predictions were less robust than for C:N, due in part to the lower number of published detrital C:P time series. Explorations of environmental covariate effects were frequently limited by few coincident covariate measurements across studies, but temperature, N availability, and P tended to accelerate existing ontogenetic patterns in C:N. Our analysis helps unite organic matter decomposition across aquatic-terrestrial boundaries by describing basic patterns of elemental flows catalyzed by decomposition in streams, and points to a research agenda to continue addressing gaps in our knowledge of detrital nutrient dynamics across ecosystems. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb J Robbins
- Department of Biology, Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | - David W P Manning
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | - Beth C Norman
- Lacawac Sanctuary Field Station and Environmental Education Center, Lake Ariel, PA, USA
| | - Rebecca A Eckert
- Biology Department, Environmental Studies Department, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA, USA
| | - Ada Pastor
- Group of Continental Aquatic Ecology Research (GRECO), Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Allyn K Dodd
- Arkansas School for Math, Sciences, and the Arts, Hot Springs, AR, USA
| | - Jérémy Jabiol
- HYFE - Hydrobiologie et Fonctionnement des Ecosystèmes, Elven, France
| | - Elliot Bastias
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Andrew S Mehring
- Department of Biology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
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Ellis KS, Anteau MJ, MacDonald GJ, Swift RJ, Ring MM, Toy DL, Sherfy MH, Post van der Burg M. Data integration reveals dynamic and systematic patterns of breeding habitat use by a threatened shorebird. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6087. [PMID: 37055434 PMCID: PMC10102276 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32886-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Incorporating species distributions into conservation planning has traditionally involved long-term representations of habitat use where temporal variation is averaged to reveal habitats that are most suitable across time. Advances in remote sensing and analytical tools have allowed for the integration of dynamic processes into species distribution modeling. Our objective was to develop a spatiotemporal model of breeding habitat use for a federally threatened shorebird (piping plover, Charadrius melodus). Piping plovers are an ideal candidate species for dynamic habitat models because they depend on habitat created and maintained by variable hydrological processes and disturbance. We integrated a 20-year (2000-2019) nesting dataset with volunteer-collected sightings (eBird) using point process modeling. Our analysis incorporated spatiotemporal autocorrelation, differential observation processes within data streams, and dynamic environmental covariates. We evaluated the transferability of this model in space and time and the contribution of the eBird dataset. eBird data provided more complete spatial coverage in our study system than nest monitoring data. Patterns of observed breeding density depended on both dynamic (e.g., surface water levels) and long-term (e.g., proximity to permanent wetland basins) environmental processes. Our study provides a framework for quantifying dynamic spatiotemporal patterns of breeding density. This assessment can be iteratively updated with additional data to improve conservation and management efforts, because reducing temporal variability to average patterns of use may cause a loss in precision for such actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen S Ellis
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 8711 37th St SE, Jamestown, ND, 58401, USA.
| | - Michael J Anteau
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 8711 37th St SE, Jamestown, ND, 58401, USA
| | - Garrett J MacDonald
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 8711 37th St SE, Jamestown, ND, 58401, USA
| | - Rose J Swift
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 8711 37th St SE, Jamestown, ND, 58401, USA
| | - Megan M Ring
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 8711 37th St SE, Jamestown, ND, 58401, USA
| | - Dustin L Toy
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 8711 37th St SE, Jamestown, ND, 58401, USA
| | - Mark H Sherfy
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 8711 37th St SE, Jamestown, ND, 58401, USA
| | - Max Post van der Burg
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 8711 37th St SE, Jamestown, ND, 58401, USA
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37
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Ethier DM, Mitchell GW. Effects of climate on fall migration phenology of monarch butterflies departing the northeastern breeding grounds in Canada. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:2122-2131. [PMID: 36598286 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) undergo an iconic multi-generational migration, traveling thousands of kilometers from the summer breeding grounds in southern Canada to overwintering sites in central Mexico. This migration phenomena can be affected by climate change, which may have important implications on fitness and ultimately populations status. We investigated the long-term trends in fall migration phenology of monarchs using a 25-year dataset collected along the coast of Lake Erie in Ontario, Canada. We also investigated local long-term trends in weather covariates that have the potential to influence migration phenology at this site. Patterns in standardized daily counts of monarchs were compared with local weather covariates using two methods (i.e., monthly averages and moving windows) to assess difference in outputs between analytical approaches. Our results suggest that monarch migration timing (migration midpoint, average peak, first peak, and late passage) and weather covariates have been consistent over time, in direct contrast to a similar study in Cape May, New Jersey, which showed a significant increase in both fall temperature and a 16- to 19-day shift in monarch migration timing. Furthermore, our results differed between analytical approaches. With respect to annual variability in air temperature, our monthly average analysis suggested that for each degree increase in September air temperature, late season passage would advance 4.71 days (±1.59 SE, p = .01). However, the moving window analysis suggested that this result is likely spurious and found no significant correlations between migration timing and any weather covariates. Importantly, our results caution against extrapolating the effects of climate change on the migration phenology of the monarch across study regions and the need for more long-term monitoring efforts to better understand regional drivers of variability in migration timing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Greg W Mitchell
- Wildlife Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Roy S, Naidu DGT, Bagchi S. Functional substitutability of native herbivores by livestock for soil carbon stock is mediated by microbial decomposers. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:2141-2155. [PMID: 36732877 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Grazing by large mammalian herbivores impacts climate as it can favor the size and stability of a large carbon (C) pool in the soils of grazing ecosystems. As native herbivores in the world's grasslands, steppes, and savannas are progressively being displaced by livestock, it is important to ask whether livestock can emulate the functional roles of their native counterparts. While livestock and native herbivores can have remarkable similarity in their traits, they can differ greatly in their impacts on vegetation composition which can affect soil-C. It is uncertain how these similarities and differences impact soil-C via their influence on microbial decomposers. We test competing alternative hypotheses with a replicated, long-term, landscape-level, grazing-exclusion experiment to ask whether livestock in the Trans-Himalayan ecosystem of northern India can match decadal-scale (2005-2016) soil-C stocks under native herbivores. We evaluate multiple lines of evidence from 17 variables that influence soil-C (quantity and quality of C-input from plants, microbial biomass and metabolism, microbial community composition, eDNA, veterinary antibiotics in soil), and assess their inter-relationships. Livestock and native herbivores differed in their effects on several soil microbial processes. Microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) was 19% lower in soils under livestock. Compared to native herbivores, areas used by livestock contained 1.5 kg C m-2 less soil-C. Structural equation models showed that alongside the effects arising from plants, livestock alter soil microbial communities which is detrimental for CUE, and ultimately also for soil-C. Supporting evidence pointed toward a link between veterinary antibiotics used on livestock, microbial communities, and soil-C. Overcoming the challenges of sequestering antibiotics to minimize their potential impacts on climate, alongside microbial rewilding under livestock, may reconcile the conflicting demands from food-security and ecosystem services. Conservation of native herbivores and alternative management of livestock is crucial for soil-C stewardship to envision and achieve natural climate solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamik Roy
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Dilip G T Naidu
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- Divecha Centre for Climate Change, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Sumanta Bagchi
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- Divecha Centre for Climate Change, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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39
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Individual features influence the choice to attack in the southern lapwing Vanellus chilensis, but the opponent type dictates how the interaction goes. Acta Ethol 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s10211-023-00416-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
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40
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van Moorsel SJ, Thébault E, Radchuk V, Narwani A, Montoya JM, Dakos V, Holmes M, De Laender F, Pennekamp F. Predicting effects of multiple interacting global change drivers across trophic levels. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:1223-1238. [PMID: 36461630 PMCID: PMC7614140 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Global change encompasses many co-occurring anthropogenic drivers, which can act synergistically or antagonistically on ecological systems. Predicting how different global change drivers simultaneously contribute to observed biodiversity change is a key challenge for ecology and conservation. However, we lack the mechanistic understanding of how multiple global change drivers influence the vital rates of multiple interacting species. We propose that reaction norms, the relationships between a driver and vital rates like growth, mortality, and consumption, provide insights to the underlying mechanisms of community responses to multiple drivers. Understanding how multiple drivers interact to affect demographic rates using a reaction-norm perspective can improve our ability to make predictions of interactions at higher levels of organization-that is, community and food web. Building on the framework of consumer-resource interactions and widely studied thermal performance curves, we illustrate how joint driver impacts can be scaled up from the population to the community level. A simple proof-of-concept model demonstrates how reaction norms of vital rates predict the prevalence of driver interactions at the community level. A literature search suggests that our proposed approach is not yet used in multiple driver research. We outline how realistic response surfaces (i.e., multidimensional reaction norms) can be inferred by parametric and nonparametric approaches. Response surfaces have the potential to strengthen our understanding of how multiple drivers affect communities as well as improve our ability to predict when interactive effects emerge, two of the major challenges of ecology today.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia J. van Moorsel
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- Department of GeographyUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Elisa Thébault
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, IRD, INRAE, Université Paris Est Créteil, Université Paris Cité, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris (iEES‐Paris)ParisFrance
| | - Viktoriia Radchuk
- Department of Ecological DynamicsLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife ResearchBerlinGermany
| | - Anita Narwani
- Department of Aquatic EcologyEawagDübendorfSwitzerland
| | - José M. Montoya
- Theoretical and Experimental Ecology StationCNRSMoulisFrance
| | - Vasilis Dakos
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier (ISEM)Université de Montpellier, IRD, EPHEMontpellierFrance
| | - Mark Holmes
- Namur Institute for Complex Systems (naXys), Institute of Life, Earth, and Environment (ILEE), Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, University of NamurNamurBelgium
| | - Frederik De Laender
- Namur Institute for Complex Systems (naXys), Institute of Life, Earth, and Environment (ILEE), Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, University of NamurNamurBelgium
| | - Frank Pennekamp
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
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Parker AL, Albright A, Kingsolver JG, Legault G. Predicting age and mass at maturity from feeding behavior and diet in Manduca sexta: An empirical test of a life history model. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9848. [PMID: 36844672 PMCID: PMC9944182 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Feeding for most animals involves bouts of active ingestion alternating with bouts of no ingestion. In insects, the temporal patterning of bouts varies widely with resource quality and is known to affect growth, development time, and fitness. However, the precise impacts of resource quality and feeding behavior on insect life history traits are poorly understood. To explore and better understand the connections between feeding behavior, resource quality, and insect life history traits, we combined laboratory experiments with a recently proposed mechanistic model of insect growth and development for a larval herbivore, Manduca sexta. We ran feeding trials for 4th and 5th instar larvae across different diet types (two hostplants and artificial diet) and used these data to parameterize a joint model of age and mass at maturity that incorporates both insect feeding behavior and hormonal activity. We found that the estimated durations of both feeding and nonfeeding bouts were significantly shorter on low-quality than on high-quality diets. We then explored how well the fitted model predicted historical out-of-sample data on age and mass of M. sexta. We found that the model accurately described qualitative outcomes for the out-of-sample data, notably that a low-quality diet results in reduced mass and later age at maturity compared with high-quality diets. Our results clearly demonstrate the importance of diet quality on multiple components of insect feeding behavior (feeding and nonfeeding) and partially validate a joint model of insect life history. We discuss the implications of these findings with respect to insect herbivory and discuss ways in which our model could be improved or extended to other systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L. Parker
- University of North Carolina – Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Anna Albright
- University of North Carolina – Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | | | - Geoffrey Legault
- University of North Carolina – Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
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42
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Lu M, Jetz W. Scale-sensitivity in the measurement and interpretation of environmental niches. Trends Ecol Evol 2023; 38:554-567. [PMID: 36803985 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Species environmental niches are central to ecology, evolution, and global change research, but their characterization and interpretation depend on the spatial scale (specifically, the spatial grain) of their measurement. We find that the spatial grain of niche measurement is usually uninformed by ecological processes and varies by orders of magnitude. We illustrate the consequences of this variation for the volume, position, and shape of niche estimates, and discuss how it interacts with geographic range size, habitat specialization, and environmental heterogeneity. Spatial grain significantly affects the study of niche breadth, environmental suitability, niche evolution, niche tracking, and climate change effects. These and other fields will benefit from a more mechanism-informed choice of spatial grain and cross-grain evaluations that integrate different data sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muyang Lu
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
| | - Walter Jetz
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
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Rembelski M, Fraterrigo J. Drought reduces invasive grass performance by disrupting plant-microbe interactions that enhance plant nitrogen supply. Oecologia 2023; 201:549-564. [PMID: 36598562 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-022-05307-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Non-native invasive plants can promote their dominance in novel ecosystems by accelerating soil nutrient cycling via interactions with decomposer microbes. Changes in abiotic conditions associated with frequent or prolonged drought may disrupt these interactions, but the effects of disruption on invasive plant performance and the underpinning mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we used rainout shelters in an experimental field setting to test the hypothesis that drought reduces invasive plant performance by reducing microbial metabolic activity, resulting in decreased nitrogen flow to plants. We imposed growing season drought on populations of the exotic grass Microstegium vimineum, a widespread invasive plant in eastern deciduous forests, and quantified effects on aboveground and belowground biomass, and carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling among plants, decomposers, and soil. Drought resulted in a 24% decrease in soil respiration, a 16% decrease in phenol oxidase enzyme activity, a 12% decrease in dissolved organic N concentration, and a decrease in the C:N ratio of particulate organic matter, suggesting reduced microbial metabolic activity and nutrient mining of soil organic matter. Drought also reduced aboveground Microstegium biomass 33% and increased Microstegium leaf C:N ratio, consistent with a decline in plant N uptake. We conclude that drought can reduce the performance of existing invasive species populations by suppressing plant-microbe interactions that increase nitrogen supply to plants, which may have consequences for the persistence of invasive plants under hydrologic change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Rembelski
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Jennifer Fraterrigo
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA. .,Program in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
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Beilke EA, O'Keefe JM. Bats reduce insect density and defoliation in temperate forests: An exclusion experiment. Ecology 2023; 104:e3903. [PMID: 36310413 PMCID: PMC10078224 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Bats suppress insect populations in agricultural ecosystems, yet the question of whether bats initiate trophic cascades in forests is mainly unexplored. We used a field experiment to test the hypothesis that insectivorous bats reduce defoliation through the top-down suppression of forest-defoliating insects. We excluded bats from 20 large, subcanopy forest plots (opened daily to allow birds access), each paired with an experimental control plot, during three summers between 2018 and 2020 in the central hardwood region of the United States. We monitored leaf area changes and insect density for nine to 10 oak or hickory seedlings per plot. Insect density was three times greater on seedlings in bat-excluded versus control plots. Additionally, seedling defoliation was five times greater with bats excluded, and bats' impact on defoliation was three times greater for oaks than for hickories. We show that insectivorous bats drive top-down trophic cascades, play an integral role in forest ecosystems, and may ultimately influence forest health, structure, and composition. This work demonstrates insectivorous bats' ecological and economic value and the importance of conserving this highly imperiled group of predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Beilke
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
- Center for Bat Research, Outreach, and ConservationIndiana State UniversityTerre HauteIndianaUSA
| | - Joy M. O'Keefe
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
- Center for Bat Research, Outreach, and ConservationIndiana State UniversityTerre HauteIndianaUSA
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45
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Kuiper T, Altwegg R, Beale C, Carroll T, Dublin HT, Hauenstein S, Kshatriya M, Schwarz C, Thouless CR, Royle A, Milner-Gulland EJ. Drivers and facilitators of the illegal killing of elephants across 64 African sites. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20222270. [PMID: 36629103 PMCID: PMC9832558 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.2270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Ivory poaching continues to threaten African elephants. We (1) used criminology theory and literature evidence to generate hypotheses about factors that may drive, facilitate or motivate poaching, (2) identified datasets representing these factors, and (3) tested those factors with strong hypotheses and sufficient data quality for empirical associations with poaching. We advance on previous analyses of correlates of elephant poaching by using additional poaching data and leveraging new datasets for previously untested explanatory variables. Using data on 10 286 illegally killed elephants detected at 64 sites in 30 African countries (2002-2020), we found strong evidence to support the hypotheses that the illegal killing of elephants is associated with poor national governance, low law enforcement capacity, low household wealth and health, and global elephant ivory prices. Forest elephant populations suffered higher rates of illegal killing than savannah elephants. We found only weak evidence that armed conflicts may increase the illegal killing of elephants, and no evidence for effects of site accessibility, vegetation density, elephant population density, precipitation or site area. Results suggest that addressing wider systemic challenges of human development, corruption and consumer demand would help reduce poaching, corroborating broader work highlighting these more ultimate drivers of the global illegal wildlife trade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Kuiper
- Centre for Statistics in Ecology, Environment and Conservation, Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa,Interdisciplinary Centre for Conservation Science, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Res Altwegg
- Centre for Statistics in Ecology, Environment and Conservation, Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa
| | - Colin Beale
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - Thea Carroll
- UN programme for Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Holly T. Dublin
- Technical Advisory Group to the programme for Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Severin Hauenstein
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK,Department of Biometry and Environmental System Analysis, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Mrigesh Kshatriya
- UN programme for Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Carl Schwarz
- StatMathComp Consulting, Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Andrew Royle
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, MD, USA
| | - E. J. Milner-Gulland
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Conservation Science, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
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46
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Oyarzún-González X, Abner EL, Toro P, Ferreccio C. Prevalence and Factors Associated with Subjective Memory Complaint in a Semi-Rural Community in Chile. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 95:1221-1231. [PMID: 37661887 PMCID: PMC10964110 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230541] [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] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Subjective memory complaints (SMC) are commonly studied in older adults and have been identified as potentially prodromal to dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Studies among younger adults from South America are lacking. OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of SMC and the factors associated with it among Maule Cohort (MAUCO) participants. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional analysis to estimate the prevalence of SMC and investigated its associated factors from MAUCO baseline data (N = 6,687). Within groups defined by age (38-59, 60-74) and global cognition (Mini-Mental State Examination: ≥26, 25-22, ≤21), multinomial logistic regression models evaluated risk factors for SMC (Yes, Sometimes, No). RESULTS Overall, SMC prevalence was 16.4%; 15.9% (95% CI 14.9-16.9%) among younger and 17.6% (15.8-19.4%) among older participants. Female sex, comorbidities, and bad/fair self-reported health status (SRHS) were generally associated with higher odds of SMC. CONCLUSION Overall prevalence of SMC was 16%. Different factors were associated with the odds of SMC depending on age and global cognitive status. Future SMC studies should include sex-specific assessments, evaluate SRHS as a moderator of SMC reporting, and the influence of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on SMC reporting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximena Oyarzún-González
- Dr. Donneyong’s Laboratory, Division of Outcomes and Translational Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases, ACCDiS
| | - Erin L. Abner
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Pablo Toro
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases, ACCDiS
- School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Catterina Ferreccio
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases, ACCDiS
- School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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47
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Raymond S, St. Clair CC. Urban coyotes select cryptic den sites near human development where conflict rates increase. J Wildl Manage 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sage Raymond
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta 77 University Campus Edmonton AB T6G 2R3 Canada
| | - Colleen Cassady St. Clair
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta 77 University Campus Edmonton AB T6G 2R3 Canada
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48
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Hallingstad E, Riser-Espinoza D, Brown S, Rabie P, Haddock J, Kosciuch K. Game bird carcasses are less persistent than raptor carcasses, but can predict raptor persistence dynamics. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0279997. [PMID: 36595543 PMCID: PMC9810176 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Researchers conduct post-construction fatality monitoring (PCFM) to determine a wind energy facility's direct impacts on wildlife. Results of PCFM can be used to evaluate compliance with permitted take, potentially triggering adaptive management measures or offsetting mitigation; reducing uncertainty in fatality rates benefits wind companies, wildlife agencies, and other stakeholders. As part of PCFM, investigators conduct carcass persistence trials to account for imperfect detection during carcass surveys. In most PCFM studies, pen-raised game birds and other non-raptor surrogates have been used to estimate persistence of all large birds, including raptors. However, there is a growing body of evidence showing carcass persistence varies by bird type; raptor fatality estimates based on game bird carcass persistence may therefore be biased high. We conducted raptor and game bird carcass persistence field trials for 1 year at 6 wind energy facilities. Raptor carcass persistence varied by habitat and season, whereas the best-supported game bird model only included habitat. Raptor persistence probabilities were higher than corresponding game bird persistence probabilities for 13 of the 16 habitat and season combinations. Analysis of a curated large bird persistence meta-dataset showed that raptor carcass persistence varied by season, habitat, and region. The probability of persisting through a 30-day search interval ranged from 0.44 to 0.99 for raptors and from 0.16 to 0.79 for game birds. Raptor persistence was significantly higher than game bird persistence for 95% of the sampled strata. We used these carcass persistence estimates to develop linear mixed-effects models that predict raptor persistence probabilities based on estimated game bird persistence probabilities. Our scaling model provides an important statistical method to address gaps in raptor persistence data at sites in a broad range of landscape contexts in the continental United States and should be used to inform fatality estimation when site-specific raptor persistence data are limited or absent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Hallingstad
- Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc., Cheyenne, Wyoming, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Daniel Riser-Espinoza
- Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc., Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Samantha Brown
- Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc., Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Paul Rabie
- Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc., Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - Jeanette Haddock
- Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc., Cheyenne, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - Karl Kosciuch
- Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc., Cheyenne, Wyoming, United States of America
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Winter SN, Fernandez MDP, Taylor KR, Wild MA. Associations between hair trace mineral concentrations and the occurrence of treponeme-associated hoof disease in elk (Cervus canadensis). BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:446. [PMID: 36564777 PMCID: PMC9783704 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03547-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trace minerals are important for animal health. Mineral deficiency or excess can negatively affect immune function, wound healing, and hoof health in domestic livestock, but normal concentrations and health impairment associated with mineral imbalances in wild animals are poorly understood. Treponeme-associated hoof disease (TAHD) is an emerging disease of free-ranging elk (Cervus canadensis) in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Selenium and copper levels identified in a small number of elk from areas where TAHD is established (i.e., southwestern Washington) suggested a mineral deficiency may have increased susceptibility to TAHD. Our objectives were to determine trace mineral concentrations using hair from elk originating in TAHD affected areas of Washington, California, Idaho, and Oregon and assess their associations with the occurrence of the disease. RESULTS We identified limited associations between TAHD occurrence and severity with hair mineral concentrations in 72 free-ranging elk, using Firth's logistic regression and multinomial regression models. We found consistent support for a priori hypotheses that selenium concentration, an important mineral for hoof health, is inversely associated with the occurrence of TAHD. Less consistent support was observed for effects of other minerals previously associated with hoof health (e.g., copper or zinc) or increased disease risk from potential toxicants. CONCLUSION Trace mineral analysis of hair is a non-invasive sampling technique that offers feasibility in storage and collection from live animals and carcasses. For some minerals, levels in hair correlate with visceral organs that are challenging to obtain. Our study using hair collected opportunistically from elk feet submitted for diagnostic investigations provides a modest reference of hair mineral levels in elk from the U.S. Pacific Northwest that may be useful in future determination of reference ranges. Although our results revealed high variability in mineral concentrations between elk, consistent relationship of possibly low selenium levels and TAHD suggest that further investigations are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven N. Winter
- grid.30064.310000 0001 2157 6568Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA ,grid.30064.310000 0001 2157 6568Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
| | - Maria del Pilar Fernandez
- grid.30064.310000 0001 2157 6568Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
| | - Kyle R. Taylor
- grid.30064.310000 0001 2157 6568Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA ,grid.30064.310000 0001 2157 6568Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
| | - Margaret A. Wild
- grid.30064.310000 0001 2157 6568Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
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50
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Siegmund GF, Geber MA. Statistical inference for seed mortality and germination with seed bank experiments. Ecology 2022; 104:e3948. [PMID: 36495246 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Plant population ecologists regularly study soil seed banks with seed bag burial and seed addition experiments. These experiments contribute crucial data to demographic models, but we lack standard methods to analyze them. Here, we propose statistical models to estimate seed mortality and germination with observations from these experiments. We develop these models following the principles of event history analysis, and analyze their identifiability and statistical properties by algebraic methods and simulation. We demonstrate that seed bag burial, but not seed addition experiments, can be used to make inferences about age-dependent mortality and germination. When mortality and germination do not change with seed age, both experiments produce unbiased estimates but seed bag burial experiments are more precise. However, seed mortality and germination estimates may be inaccurate when the statistical model that is fit makes incorrect assumptions about the age dependence of mortality and germination. The statistical models and simulations that we present here can be adopted and modified by plant population ecologists to strengthen inferences about seed mortality and germination in the soil seed bank.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregor-Fausto Siegmund
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Monica A Geber
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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