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Mathieu J, Reynolds JW, Fragoso C, Hadly E. Multiple invasion routes have led to the pervasive introduction of earthworms in North America. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:489-499. [PMID: 38332024 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02310-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Soil-dwelling organisms play a key role in ecosystem functioning and the delivery of ecosystem services. As a consequence, soil taxa such as earthworms are iconic in good land management practices. However, their introduction in places where species did not co-evolve with them can trigger catastrophic changes. This issue has been largely ignored so far in nature management policies because of the positive image of soil taxa and the lack of knowledge of the magnitude of soil fauna introductions outside their native range. Here we address this gap with a large spatio-temporal database of introduced alien earthworms. We show that 70 alien earthworm species have colonized the North American continent. They have larger geographical ranges than native species and novel ecological functions, representing a serious threat to the biodiversity and functioning of native ecosystems. The probably continuous introduction of alien earthworms, from a variety of sources and introduction pathways, into many distant and often empty niches, contrasts with the classical patterns of invasions in most aboveground taxa. This suggests that earthworms, and probably other soil organisms, constitute a major but overlooked pool of invasive species that are not adequately managed by existing control and mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Mathieu
- Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, UPEC, INRAE, IRD, Paris, France.
| | - John W Reynolds
- Oligochaetology Laboratory, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- New Brunswick Museum, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Carlos Fragoso
- Red de Biodiversidad y Sistemática, Instituto de Ecología A.C., Xalapa, Mexico
| | - Elizabeth Hadly
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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2
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Ferlian O, Goldmann K, Bonkowski M, Dumack K, Wubet T, Eisenhauer N. Invasive earthworms shift soil microbial community structure in northern North American forest ecosystems. iScience 2024; 27:108889. [PMID: 38322986 PMCID: PMC10844042 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108889] [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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Invasive earthworms colonize ecosystems around the globe. Compared to other species' invasions, earthworm invasions have received little attention. Previous studies indicated their tremendous effects on resident soil biota representing a major part of the terrestrial biodiversity. We investigated effects of earthworm invasion on soil microbial communities in three forests in North America by conducting DNA sequencing of soil bacteria, fungi, and protists in two soil depths. Our study shows that microbial diversity was lower in highly invaded forest areas. While bacterial diversity was strongly affected compared to fungi and protists, fungal community composition and family dominance were strongly affected compared to bacteria and protists. We found most species specialized on invasion in fungi, mainly represented by saprotrophs. Comparably, few protist species, mostly bacterivorous, were specialized on invasion. As one of the first observational studies, we investigated earthworm invasion on three kingdoms showing distinct taxa- and trophic level-specific responses to earthworm invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Ferlian
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kezia Goldmann
- UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Soil Ecology, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Michael Bonkowski
- Terrestrial Ecology, Institute of Zoology, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Str. 47b, 50674 Köln, Germany
| | - Kenneth Dumack
- Terrestrial Ecology, Institute of Zoology, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Str. 47b, 50674 Köln, Germany
| | - Tesfaye Wubet
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Community Ecology, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Nico Eisenhauer
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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3
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Johnson-Bice SM, Gable TD, Homkes AT, Windels SK, Bump JK, Bruggink JG. Logging, linear features, and human infrastructure shape the spatial dynamics of wolf predation on an ungulate neonate. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 33:e2911. [PMID: 37602927 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Humans are increasingly recognized as important players in predator-prey dynamics by modifying landscapes. This trend has been well-documented for large mammal communities in North American boreal forests: logging creates early seral forests that benefit ungulates such as white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), while the combination of infrastructure development and resource extraction practices generate linear features that allow predators such as wolves (Canis lupus) to travel and forage more efficiently throughout the landscape. Disturbances from recreational activities and residential development are other major sources of human activity in boreal ecosystems that may further alter wolf-ungulate dynamics. Here, we evaluate the influence that several major types of anthropogenic landscape modifications (timber harvest, linear features, and residential infrastructure) have on where and how wolves hunt ungulate neonates in a southern boreal forest ecosystem in Minnesota, USA. We demonstrate that each major anthropogenic disturbance significantly influences wolf predation of white-tailed deer fawns (n = 427 kill sites). In contrast with the "human shield hypothesis" that posits prey use human-modified areas as refuge, wolves killed fawns closer to residential buildings than expected based on spatial availability. Fawns were also killed within recently-logged areas more than expected. Concealment cover was higher at kill sites than random sites, suggesting wolves use senses other than vision, probably olfaction, to detect hidden fawns. Wolves showed strong selection for hunting along linear features, and kill sites were also closer to linear features than expected. We hypothesize that linear features facilitated wolf predation on fawns by allowing wolves to travel efficiently among high-quality prey patches (recently logged areas, near buildings), and also increase encounter rates with olfactory cues that allow them to detect hidden fawns. These findings provide novel insight into the strategies predators use to hunt ungulate neonates and the many ways human activity alters wolf-ungulate neonate predator-prey dynamics, which have remained elusive due to the challenges of locating sites where predators kill small prey. Our research has important management and conservation implications for wolf-ungulate systems subjected to anthropogenic pressures, particularly as the range of overlap between wolves and deer expands and appears to be altering food web dynamics in boreal ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean M Johnson-Bice
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Thomas D Gable
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Austin T Homkes
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan, USA
| | - Steve K Windels
- Voyageurs National Park, International Falls, Minnesota, USA
| | - Joseph K Bump
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - John G Bruggink
- Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan, USA
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4
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Barzaghi B, Melotto A, Cogliati P, Manenti R, Ficetola GF. Factors determining the dorsal coloration pattern of aposematic salamanders. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17090. [PMID: 36224211 PMCID: PMC9556531 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19466-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Aposematic bright colors have a key role for animal defense and can be expressed through metabolic production or by acquiring pigments from diet. Aposematic coloration can be related to both local adaptations and availability of trophic resources. The European fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) shows significant color variability and occurs across a broad range of habitats. Here we combined field observations with common rearing experiments to disentangle the role of environmental conditions and local adaptations in determining aposematic coloration of salamander populations. We assessed color variation and measured habitat features and food availability in adults from 25 populations. Furthermore, we reared newborn larvae from 10 populations under different food availability and analyzed color of metamorphs. To assess color pattern, we measured the percentage of yellow covering the body, and the Hue, Saturation and Value of yellow coloration. Adult showed strong variation of color pattern; variation was strongly related to the individual's size, to habitat productivity and to food availability. Under common garden conditions, differences between populations were not anymore evident, and coloration was only affected by resource availability during larval development. Our results suggest that environmental conditions and food availability are more important than local adaptations in determining differences in aposematic color pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Barzaghi
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Melotto
- grid.11956.3a0000 0001 2214 904XCentre of Excellence for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, 7600 South Africa
| | - Paola Cogliati
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Raoul Manenti
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Gentile Francesco Ficetola
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milano, Milan, Italy ,grid.11956.3a0000 0001 2214 904XCentre of Excellence for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, 7600 South Africa ,grid.450307.50000 0001 0944 2786Laboratoire D’Ecologie Alpine (LECA), CNRS, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
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Hinton JW, Hurst JE, Kramer DW, Stickles JH, Frair JL. A model-based estimate of winter distribution and abundance of white-tailed deer in the Adirondack Park. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273707. [PMID: 36040913 PMCID: PMC9426880 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In the Adirondack Park region of northern New York, USA, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and moose (Alces alces) co-occur along a temperate-boreal forest ecotone. In this region, moose exist as a small and vulnerable low-density population and over-browsing by white-tailed deer is known to reduce regeneration, sustainability, and health of forests. Here, we assess the distribution and abundance of white-tailed deer at a broad spatial scale relevant for deer and moose management in northern New York. We used density surface modeling (DSM) under a conventional distance sampling framework, tied to a winter aerial survey, to create a spatially explicit estimate of white-tailed deer abundance and density across a vast, northern forest region. We estimated 16,352 white-tailed deer (95% CI 11,762–22,734) throughout the Adirondack Park with local density ranging between 0.00–5.73 deer/km2. Most of the Adirondack Park (91.2%) supported white-tailed deer densities of ≤2 individuals/km2. White-tailed deer density increased with increasing proximity to anthropogenic land cover such as timber cuts, roads, and agriculture and decreased in areas with increasing elevation and days with snow cover. We conclude that climate change will be more favorable for white-tailed deer than for moose because milder winters and increased growing seasons will likely have a pronounced influence on deer abundance and distribution across the Adirondack Park. Therefore, identifying specific environmental conditions facilitating the expansion of white-tailed deer into areas with low-density moose populations can assist managers in anticipating potential changes in ungulate distribution and abundance and to develop appropriate management actions to mitigate negative consequences such as disease spread and increased competition for limiting resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph W. Hinton
- Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jeremy E. Hurst
- Division of Fish and Wildlife, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - David W. Kramer
- Division of Fish and Wildlife, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - James H. Stickles
- Division of Fish and Wildlife, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Jacqueline L. Frair
- Roosevelt Wild Life Station, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
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6
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Abstract
The southern boreal forests of North America are susceptible to large changes in composition as temperate forests or grasslands may replace them as the climate warms. A number of mechanisms for this have been shown to occur in recent years: (1) Gradual replacement of boreal trees by temperate trees through gap dynamics; (2) Sudden replacement of boreal overstory trees after gradual understory invasion by temperate tree species; (3) Trophic cascades causing delayed invasion by temperate species, followed by moderately sudden change from boreal to temperate forest; (4) Wind and/or hail storms removing large swaths of boreal forest and suddenly releasing temperate understory trees; (4) Compound disturbances: wind and fire combination; (5) Long, warm summers and increased drought stress; (6) Insect infestation due to lack of extreme winter cold; (7) Phenological disturbance, due to early springs, that has the potential to kill enormous swaths of coniferous boreal forest within a few years. Although most models project gradual change from boreal forest to temperate forest or savanna, most of these mechanisms have the capability to transform large swaths (size range tens to millions of square kilometers) of boreal forest to other vegetation types during the 21st century. Therefore, many surprises are likely to occur in the southern boreal forest over the next century, with major impacts on forest productivity, ecosystem services, and wildlife habitat.
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7
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Thouvenot L, Ferlian O, Beugnon R, Künne T, Lochner A, Thakur MP, Türke M, Eisenhauer N. Do Invasive Earthworms Affect the Functional Traits of Native Plants? FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:627573. [PMID: 33796124 PMCID: PMC8007962 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.627573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
As ecosystem engineers, invasive earthworms are one of the main drivers of plant community changes in North American forests previously devoid of earthworms. One explanation for these community changes is the effects of earthworms on the reproduction, recruitment, and development of plant species. However, few studies have investigated functional trait responses of native plants to earthworm invasion to explain the mechanisms underlying community changes. In a mesocosm (Ecotron) experiment, we set up a plant community composed of two herb and two grass species commonly found in northern North American forests under two earthworm treatments (presence vs. absence). We measured earthworm effects on above- and belowground plant biomass and functional traits after 3 months of experiment. Our results showed that earthworm presence did not significantly affect plant community biomass and cover. Furthermore, only four out of the fifteen above- and belowground traits measured were affected by earthworm presence. While some traits, such as the production of ramets, the carbon and nitrogen content of leaves, responded similarly between and within functional groups in the presence or absence of earthworms, we observed opposite responses for other traits, such as height, specific leaf area, and root length within some functional groups in the presence of earthworms. Plant trait responses were thus species-specific, although the two grass species showed a more pronounced response to earthworm presence with changes in their leaf traits than herb species. Overall, earthworms affected some functional traits related to resource uptake abilities of plants and thus could change plant competition outcomes over time, which could be an explanation of plant community changes observed in invaded ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Thouvenot
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Olga Ferlian
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rémy Beugnon
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tom Künne
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alfred Lochner
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Madhav P Thakur
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Terrestrial Ecology Group, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Manfred Türke
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nico Eisenhauer
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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8
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Eisenhauer N, Buscot F, Heintz-Buschart A, Jurburg SD, Küsel K, Sikorski J, Vogel HJ, Guerra CA. The multidimensionality of soil macroecology. GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY : A JOURNAL OF MACROECOLOGY 2021; 30:4-10. [PMID: 33692654 PMCID: PMC7116881 DOI: 10.1111/geb.13211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The recent past has seen a tremendous surge in soil macroecological studies and new insights into the global drivers of one-quarter of the biodiversity of the Earth. Building on these important developments, a recent paper in Global Ecology and Biogeography outlined promising methods and approaches to advance soil macroecology. Among other recommendations, White and colleagues introduced the concept of a spatial three-dimensionality in soil macroecology by considering the different spheres of influence and scales, as soil organism size ranges vary from bacteria to macro- and megafauna. Here, we extend this concept by discussing three additional dimensions (biological, physical, and societal) that are crucial to steer soil macroecology from pattern description towards better mechanistic understanding. In our view, these are the requirements to establish it as a predictive science that can inform policy about relevant nature and management conservation actions. We highlight the need to explore temporal dynamics of soil biodiversity and functions across multiple temporal scales, integrating different facets of biodiversity (i.e., variability in body size, life-history traits, species identities, and groups of taxa) and their relationships to multiple ecosystem functions, in addition to the feedback effects between humans and soil biodiversity. We also argue that future research needs to consider effective soil conservation policy and management in combination with higher awareness of the contributions of soil-based nature's contributions to people. To verify causal relationships, soil macroecology should be paired with local and globally distributed experiments. The present paper expands the multidimensional perspective on soil macroecology to guide future research contents and funding. We recommend considering these multiple dimensions in projected global soil biodiversity monitoring initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico Eisenhauer
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - François Buscot
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Soil Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Halle, Germany
| | - Anna Heintz-Buschart
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Soil Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Halle, Germany
| | - Stephanie D. Jurburg
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kirsten Küsel
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Johannes Sikorski
- Leibniz-Institut DSMZ-Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Hans-Jörg Vogel
- Department of Soil System Science, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Halle, Germany
| | - Carlos A. Guerra
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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9
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Dong Y, Wu N, Jiang W, Li F, Lu H. Cascading response of flora and terrestrial mollusks to last deglacial warming. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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10
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Starking MD, Roloff GJ. Evaluating a mustard extraction technique for sampling earthworms. WILDLIFE SOC B 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa D. Starking
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State University 480 Wilson Road, Room 13, Natural Resources Building East Lansing MI 48824 USA
| | - Gary J. Roloff
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State University 480 Wilson Road, Room 13, Natural Resources Building East Lansing MI 48824 USA
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11
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Terrestrial Ecosystem Impacts of Sulfide Mining: Scope of Issues for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Minnesota, USA. FORESTS 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/f10090747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Large-scale metal mining operations are planned or underway in many locations across the boreal forest biome in North America, Europe, and Asia. Although many published analyses of mining impacts on water quality in boreal landscapes are available, there is little guidance regarding terrestrial impacts. Scoping of potential impacts of Cu-Ni exploration and mining in sulfide ores are presented for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), Minnesota USA, an area of mostly boreal forest on thin soils and granitic bedrock. Although the primary footprint of the proposed mines would be outside the BWCAW, displacement and fragmentation of forest ecosystems would cause spatial propagation of effects into a secondary footprint within the wilderness. Potential negative impacts include disruption of population dynamics for wildlife species with migration routes, or metapopulations of plant species that span the wilderness boundary, and establishment of invasive species outside the wilderness that could invade the wilderness. Due to linkages between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, acid mine drainage can impact lowland forests, which are highly dependent on chemistry of water flowing through them. The expected extremes in precipitation and temperature due to warming climate can also interact with mining impacts to reduce the resilience of forests to disturbance caused by mining.
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12
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Predictors and consequences of earthworm invasion in a coastal archipelago. Biol Invasions 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-019-01942-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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13
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Eisenhauer N, Ferlian O, Craven D, Hines J, Jochum M. Ecosystem responses to exotic earthworm invasion in northern North American forests. RESEARCH IDEAS AND OUTCOMES 2019; 5:e34564. [PMID: 31032397 PMCID: PMC6485675 DOI: 10.3897/rio.5.e34564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Earth is experiencing a substantial loss of biodiversity at the global scale, while both species gains and losses are occurring at local and regional scales. The influence of these nonrandom changes in species distributions could profoundly affect the functioning of ecosystems and the essential services that they provide. However, few experimental tests have been conducted examining the influence of species invasions on ecosystem functioning. Even fewer have been conducted using invasive ecosystem engineers, which can have disproportionately strong influence on native ecosystems relative to their own biomass. The invasion of exotic earthworms is a prime example of an ecosystem engineer that is influencing many ecosystems around the world. In particular, European earthworm invasions of northern North American forests cause simultaneous species gains and losses with significant consequences for essential ecosystem processes like nutrient cycling and crucial services to humanity like soil erosion control and carbon sequestration. Exotic earthworms are expected to select for specific traits in communities of soil microorganisms (fast-growing bacteria species), soil fauna (promoting the bacterial energy channel), and plants (graminoids) through direct and indirect effects. This will accelerate some ecosystem processes and decelerate others, fundamentally altering how invaded forests function. This project aims to investigate ecosystem responses of northern North American forests to earthworm invasion. Using a novel, synthetic combination of field observations, field experiments, lab experiments, and meta-analyses, the proposed work will be the first systematic examination of earthworm effects on (1) plant communities and (2) soil food webs and processes. Further, (3) effects of a changing climate (warming and reduced summer precipitation) on earthworm performance will be investigated in a unique field experiment designed to predict the future spread and consequences of earthworm invasion in North America. By assessing the soil chemical and physical properties as well as the taxonomic (e.g., by the latest next-generation sequencing techniques) and functional composition of plant, soil microbial and animal communities and the processes they drive in four forests, work packages I-III take complementary approaches to derive a comprehensive and generalizable picture of how ecosystems change in response to earthworm invasion. Finally, in work package IV meta-analyses will be used to integrate the information from work packages I-III and existing literature to investigate if earthworms cause invasion waves, invasion meltdowns, habitat homogenization, and ecosystem state shifts. Global data will be synthesized to test if the relative magnitude of effects differs from place to place depending on the functional dissimilarity between native soil fauna and exotic earthworms. Moving from local to global scale, the present proposal examines the influence of earthworm invasions on biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships from an aboveground-belowground perspective in natural settings. This approach is highly innovative as it utilizes the invasion by exotic earthworms as an exciting model system that links invasion biology with trait-based community ecology, global change research, and ecosystem ecology, pioneering a new generation of biodiversity-ecosystem functioning research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico Eisenhauer
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Olga Ferlian
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dylan Craven
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jes Hines
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Malte Jochum
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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14
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Weiskopf SR, Ledee OE, Thompson LM. Climate change effects on deer and moose in the Midwest. J Wildl Manage 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R. Weiskopf
- U.S. Geological Survey National Climate Adaptation Science CenterRestonVA 20192USA
| | - Olivia E. Ledee
- Department of the Interior Northeast Climate Adaptation Science CenterSt. PaulMN 55108USA
| | - Laura M. Thompson
- U.S. Geological Survey National Climate Adaptation Science CenterRestonVA 20192USA
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15
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Jõgiste K, Frelich LE, Laarmann D, Vodde F, Baders E, Donis J, Jansons A, Kangur A, Korjus H, Köster K, Kusmin J, Kuuluvainen T, Marozas V, Metslaid M, Metslaid S, Polyachenko O, Poska A, Rebane S, Stanturf JA. Imprints of management history on hemiboreal forest ecosystems in the Baltic States. Ecosphere 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kalev Jõgiste
- Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering Estonian University of Life Sciences Kreutzwaldi 5 Tartu 51006 Estonia
- Department of Forest Resources University of Minnesota 115 Green Hall, 1530 Cleveland Avenue North St Paul Minnesota 55108 USA
| | - Lee E. Frelich
- Department of Forest Resources University of Minnesota 115 Green Hall, 1530 Cleveland Avenue North St Paul Minnesota 55108 USA
| | - Diana Laarmann
- Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering Estonian University of Life Sciences Kreutzwaldi 5 Tartu 51006 Estonia
| | - Floortje Vodde
- Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering Estonian University of Life Sciences Kreutzwaldi 5 Tartu 51006 Estonia
| | - Endijs Baders
- Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava” Rigas 111 2169 Salaspils Latvia
| | - Janis Donis
- Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava” Rigas 111 2169 Salaspils Latvia
| | - Aris Jansons
- Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava” Rigas 111 2169 Salaspils Latvia
| | - Ahto Kangur
- Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering Estonian University of Life Sciences Kreutzwaldi 5 Tartu 51006 Estonia
| | - Henn Korjus
- Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering Estonian University of Life Sciences Kreutzwaldi 5 Tartu 51006 Estonia
| | - Kajar Köster
- Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research/Forest Sciences University of Helsinki Latokartanonkaari 7 00014 Helsinki Finland
| | - Jürgen Kusmin
- RMK West‐Harju County Forest District Koidu 3 Risti Lääne County 90901 Estonia
| | - Timo Kuuluvainen
- Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science University of Helsinki Latokartanonkaari 7 Helsinki 00014 Finland
| | - Vitas Marozas
- Institute of Environment and Ecology Aleksandras Stulginskis University Studentu 11 Akademija Kaunas District 53361 Lithuania
| | - Marek Metslaid
- Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering Estonian University of Life Sciences Kreutzwaldi 5 Tartu 51006 Estonia
- Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research P.O. Box 115 Ås 1431 Norway
| | - Sandra Metslaid
- Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering Estonian University of Life Sciences Kreutzwaldi 5 Tartu 51006 Estonia
| | - Olga Polyachenko
- Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering Estonian University of Life Sciences Kreutzwaldi 5 Tartu 51006 Estonia
| | - Anneli Poska
- Department of Geology Tallinn University of Technology Ehitajate tee 5 Tallinn 19086 Estonia
| | - Sille Rebane
- Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering Estonian University of Life Sciences Kreutzwaldi 5 Tartu 51006 Estonia
| | - John A. Stanturf
- Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering Estonian University of Life Sciences Kreutzwaldi 5 Tartu 51006 Estonia
- Center for Forest Disturbance Science USDA Forest Service 320 Green Street Athens Georgia 30602 USA
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16
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Andriuzzi WS, Wall DH. Soil biological responses to, and feedbacks on, trophic rewilding. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 373:20170448. [PMID: 30348874 PMCID: PMC6231063 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Trophic rewilding-the (re)introduction of missing large herbivores and/or their predators-is increasingly proposed to restore biodiversity and biotic interactions, but its effects on soils have been largely neglected. The high diversity of soil organisms and the ecological functions they perform mean that the full impact of rewilding on ecosystems cannot be assessed considering only above-ground food webs. Here we outline current understanding on how animal species of rewilding interest affect soil structure, processes and communities, and how in turn soil biota may affect species above ground. We highlight considerable uncertainty in soil responses to and feedbacks on above-ground consumers, with potentially large implications for rewilding interactions with global change. For example, the impact of large herbivores on soil decomposers and plant-soil interactions could lead to reduced carbon sequestration, whereas herbivore interactions with keystone biota such as mycorrhizal fungi, dung beetles and bioturbators could promote native plants and ecosystem heterogeneity. Moreover, (re)inoculation of keystone soil biota could be considered as a strategy to meet some of the objectives of trophic rewilding. Overall, we call for the rewilding research community to engage more with soil ecology experts and consider above-ground-below-ground linkages as integral to assess potential benefits as well as pitfalls.This article is part of the theme issue 'Trophic rewilding: consequences for ecosystems under global change'.
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Affiliation(s)
- W S Andriuzzi
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - D H Wall
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
- School of Global Environmental Sustainability, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
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17
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Changes in size of Baltic field voles over the last 50 years: are they really shrinking? Biologia (Bratisl) 2018. [DOI: 10.2478/s11756-018-0029-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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18
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Flinn KM. Invasive Earthworms Ingest and Digest Garlic Mustard Seeds at Rates Equal to Native Seeds. Northeast Nat (Steuben) 2017. [DOI: 10.1656/045.024.0403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M. Flinn
- Biology Department, Baldwin Wallace University, 275 Eastland Road, Berea, OH 44017
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19
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Wason JW, Dovciak M. Tree demography suggests multiple directions and drivers for species range shifts in mountains of Northeastern United States. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2017; 23:3335-3347. [PMID: 27935175 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is expected to lead to upslope shifts in tree species distributions, but the evidence is mixed partly due to land-use effects and individualistic species responses to climate. We examined how individual tree species demography varies along elevational climatic gradients across four states in the northeastern United States to determine whether species elevational distributions and their potential upslope (or downslope) shifts were controlled by climate, land-use legacies (past logging), or soils. We characterized tree demography, microclimate, land-use legacies, and soils at 83 sites stratified by elevation (~500 to ~1200 m above sea level) across 12 mountains containing the transition from northern hardwood to spruce-fir forests. We modeled elevational distributions of tree species saplings and adults using logistic regression to test whether sapling distributions suggest ongoing species range expansion upslope (or contraction downslope) relative to adults, and we used linear mixed models to determine the extent to which climate, land use, and soil variables explain these distributions. Tree demography varied with elevation by species, suggesting a potential upslope shift only for American beech, downslope shifts for red spruce (more so in cool regions) and sugar maple, and no change with elevation for balsam fir. While soils had relatively minor effects, climate was the dominant predictor for most species and more so for saplings than adults of red spruce, sugar maple, yellow birch, cordate birch, and striped maple. On the other hand, logging legacies were positively associated with American beech, sugar maple, and yellow birch, and negatively with red spruce and balsam fir - generally more so for adults than saplings. All species exhibited individualistic rather than synchronous demographic responses to climate and land use, and the return of red spruce to lower elevations where past logging originally benefited northern hardwood species indicates that land use may mask species range shifts caused by changing climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay W Wason
- Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
- School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, 370 Prospect St., New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Martin Dovciak
- Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
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20
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Shao Y, Zhang W, Eisenhauer N, Liu T, Xiong Y, Liang C, Fu S. Nitrogen deposition cancels out exotic earthworm effects on plant-feeding nematode communities. J Anim Ecol 2017; 86:708-717. [PMID: 28224627 PMCID: PMC5484995 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The activity and spread of exotic earthworms often are spatially correlated with N deposition because both arise from human activities. Exotic earthworms, in turn, can also greatly affect soil abiotic and biotic properties, as well as related ecological processes. Previous studies showed, for example, that earthworms can counteract the detrimental effects of plant-feeding nematodes on plant growth. However, potential interactive effects of N deposition and exotic earthworms on ecosystems are poorly understood. We explored the changes in density of plant-feeding nematodes in response to the presence of exotic earthworms, and whether these changes are altered by elevated N deposition in a two-factorial field mesocosm experiment at the Heshan National Field Research Station of Forest Ecosystem, in southern China. Our results show that earthworm addition marginally significantly increased the density of exotic earthworms and significantly increased the mass of earthworm casts. The total density of plant-feeding nematodes was not significantly affected by exotic earthworms or N deposition. However, exotic earthworms tended to increase the density of plant-feeding nematode taxa that are less detrimental to plant growth (r-strategists), while they significantly reduced the density of more harmful plant-feeding nematodes (K-strategists). Importantly, these earthworm effects were restricted to the ambient N deposition treatment, and elevated N deposition cancelled out the earthworm effect. Although exotic earthworms and N deposition interactively altered foliar N : P ratio in the target tree species, this did not result in significant changes in shoot and root biomass in the short term. Overall, our study indicates that N deposition can cancel out exotic earthworm-induced reductions in the density of harmful plant-feeding nematodes. These results suggest that anthropogenic N deposition can alter biotic interactions between exotic and native soil organisms with potential implications for ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanhu Shao
- Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions (Henan University)Ministry of EducationCollege of Environment and PlanningHenan UniversityKaifeng475004China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded EcosystemsSouth China Botanical GardenChinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhou510650China
| | - Weixin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions (Henan University)Ministry of EducationCollege of Environment and PlanningHenan UniversityKaifeng475004China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded EcosystemsSouth China Botanical GardenChinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhou510650China
| | - Nico Eisenhauer
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigDeutscher Platz 5e04103LeipzigGermany
- Institute of BiologyLeipzig UniversityJohannisallee 2104103LeipzigGermany
| | - Tao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded EcosystemsSouth China Botanical GardenChinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhou510650China
- University of the Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Yanmei Xiong
- Research Institute of Tropical ForestryChinese Academy of ForestryGuangzhou510520China
| | - Chenfei Liang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Carbon Cycling in Forest Ecosystems and Carbon SequestrationZhejiang A & F UniversityLin'an311300China
| | - Shenglei Fu
- Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions (Henan University)Ministry of EducationCollege of Environment and PlanningHenan UniversityKaifeng475004China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded EcosystemsSouth China Botanical GardenChinese Academy of SciencesGuangzhou510650China
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21
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Craven D, Thakur MP, Cameron EK, Frelich LE, Beauséjour R, Blair RB, Blossey B, Burtis J, Choi A, Dávalos A, Fahey TJ, Fisichelli NA, Gibson K, Handa IT, Hopfensperger K, Loss SR, Nuzzo V, Maerz JC, Sackett T, Scharenbroch BC, Smith SM, Vellend M, Umek LG, Eisenhauer N. The unseen invaders: introduced earthworms as drivers of change in plant communities in North American forests (a meta-analysis). GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2017; 23:1065-1074. [PMID: 27590777 PMCID: PMC5324548 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Globally, biological invasions can have strong impacts on biodiversity as well as ecosystem functioning. While less conspicuous than introduced aboveground organisms, introduced belowground organisms may have similarly strong effects. Here, we synthesize for the first time the impacts of introduced earthworms on plant diversity and community composition in North American forests. We conducted a meta-analysis using a total of 645 observations to quantify mean effect sizes of associations between introduced earthworm communities and plant diversity, cover of plant functional groups, and cover of native and non-native plants. We found that plant diversity significantly declined with increasing richness of introduced earthworm ecological groups. While plant species richness or evenness did not change with earthworm invasion, our results indicate clear changes in plant community composition: cover of graminoids and non-native plant species significantly increased, and cover of native plant species (of all functional groups) tended to decrease, with increasing earthworm biomass. Overall, these findings support the hypothesis that introduced earthworms facilitate particular plant species adapted to the abiotic conditions of earthworm-invaded forests. Further, our study provides evidence that introduced earthworms are associated with declines in plant diversity in North American forests. Changing plant functional composition in these forests may have long-lasting effects on ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan Craven
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigDeutscher Platz 5e04103LeipzigGermany
- Institute of BiologyLeipzig UniversityJohannisallee 2104103LeipzigGermany
| | - Madhav P. Thakur
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigDeutscher Platz 5e04103LeipzigGermany
- Institute of BiologyLeipzig UniversityJohannisallee 2104103LeipzigGermany
| | - Erin K. Cameron
- Metapopulation Research CentreDepartment of BiosciencesUniversity of HelsinkiPO Box 65, 00014 HelsinkiFinland
- Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate ChangeNatural History Museum of DenmarkUniversity of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15KøbenhavnDenmark
| | - Lee E. Frelich
- Center for Forest EcologyUniversity of MinnesotaSt. PaulMNUSA
| | - Robin Beauséjour
- Département de BiologieUniversité de SherbrookeSherbrookeQCCanada
| | - Robert B. Blair
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation BiologyUniversity Of Minnesota2003 Upper Buford Circle Suite 135St. PaulMN55108USA
| | - Bernd Blossey
- Department of Natural ResourcesCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUSA
| | - James Burtis
- Department of Natural ResourcesCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUSA
| | - Amy Choi
- Faculty of ForestryUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
| | - Andrea Dávalos
- Department of Natural ResourcesCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUSA
| | - Timothy J. Fahey
- Department of Natural ResourcesCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUSA
| | | | - Kevin Gibson
- Department of Botany and Plant PathologyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteINUSA
| | - I. Tanya Handa
- Département des sciences biologiquesUniversité du Québec à MontréalMontréalQCCanada
| | | | - Scott R. Loss
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and ManagementOklahoma State UniversityStillwaterOKUSA
| | - Victoria Nuzzo
- Natural Area Consultants1 West Hill School RoadRichfordNYUSA
| | - John C. Maerz
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural ResourcesUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGAUSA
| | - Tara Sackett
- Faculty of ForestryUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
| | | | | | - Mark Vellend
- Département de BiologieUniversité de SherbrookeSherbrookeQCCanada
| | - Lauren G. Umek
- Plant Biology and ConservationNorthwestern UniversityEvanstonILUSA
- Department of Plant ScienceChicago Botanic GardenGlencoeILUSA
| | - Nico Eisenhauer
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigDeutscher Platz 5e04103LeipzigGermany
- Institute of BiologyLeipzig UniversityJohannisallee 2104103LeipzigGermany
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22
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Hemiboreal forest: natural disturbances and the importance of ecosystem legacies to management. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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23
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Faison EK, DeStefano S, Foster DR, Rapp JM, Compton JA. Multiple Browsers Structure Tree Recruitment in Logged Temperate Forests. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0166783. [PMID: 27893758 PMCID: PMC5125606 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Historical extirpations have resulted in depauperate large herbivore assemblages in many northern forests. In eastern North America, most forests are inhabited by a single wild ungulate species, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and relationships between deer densities and impacts on forest regeneration are correspondingly well documented. Recent recolonizations by moose (Alces americanus) in northeastern regions complicate established deer density thresholds and predictions of browsing impacts on forest dynamics because size and foraging differences between the two animals suggest a lack of functional redundancy. We asked to what extent low densities of deer + moose would structure forest communities differently from that of low densities of deer in recently logged patch cuts of Massachusetts, USA. In each site, a randomized block with three treatment levels of large herbivores-no-ungulates (full exclosure), deer (partial exclosure), and deer + moose (control) was established. After 6-7 years, deer + moose reduced stem densities and basal area by 2-3-fold, Prunus pensylvanica and Quercus spp. recruitment by 3-6 fold, and species richness by 1.7 species (19%). In contrast, in the partial exclosures, deer had non-significant effects on stem density, basal area, and species composition, but significantly reduced species richness by 2.5 species on average (28%). Deer browsing in the partial exclosure was more selective than deer + moose browsing together, perhaps contributing to the decline in species richness in the former treatment and the lack of additional decline in the latter. Moose used the control plots at roughly the same frequency as deer (as determined by remote camera traps), suggesting that the much larger moose was the dominant browser species in terms of animal biomass in these cuts. A lack of functional redundancy with respect to foraging behavior between sympatric large herbivores may explain combined browsing effects that were both large and complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward K. Faison
- Highstead Foundation, Redding, Connecticut, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Stephen DeStefano
- U. S. Geological Survey, Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - David R. Foster
- Harvard Forest, Harvard University, Petersham, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Joshua M. Rapp
- Harvard Forest, Harvard University, Petersham, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Justin A. Compton
- Springfield College, Springfield, Massachusetts, United States of America
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24
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Van Zuiden TM, Chen MM, Stefanoff S, Lopez L, Sharma S. Projected impacts of climate change on three freshwater fishes and potential novel competitive interactions. DIVERS DISTRIB 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M. Van Zuiden
- Department of Biology; York University; 4700 Keele Street Toronto ON Canada M3J 1P3
| | - Miranda M. Chen
- Department of Biology; York University; 4700 Keele Street Toronto ON Canada M3J 1P3
| | - Samantha Stefanoff
- Department of Biology; York University; 4700 Keele Street Toronto ON Canada M3J 1P3
| | - Lianna Lopez
- Department of Biology; York University; 4700 Keele Street Toronto ON Canada M3J 1P3
| | - Sapna Sharma
- Department of Biology; York University; 4700 Keele Street Toronto ON Canada M3J 1P3
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25
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Sinclair FH, Stone GN, Nicholls JA, Cavers S, Gibbs M, Butterill P, Wagner S, Ducousso A, Gerber S, Petit RJ, Kremer A, Schönrogge K. Impacts of local adaptation of forest trees on associations with herbivorous insects: implications for adaptive forest management. Evol Appl 2015; 8:972-87. [PMID: 26640522 PMCID: PMC4662346 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Disruption of species interactions is a key issue in climate change biology. Interactions involving forest trees may be particularly vulnerable due to evolutionary rate limitations imposed by long generation times. One mitigation strategy for such impacts is Climate matching - the augmentation of local native tree populations by input from nonlocal populations currently experiencing predicted future climates. This strategy is controversial because of potential cascading impacts on locally adapted animal communities. We explored these impacts using abundance data for local native gallwasp herbivores sampled from 20 provenances of sessile oak (Quercus petraea) planted in a common garden trial. We hypothesized that non-native provenances would show (i) declining growth performance with increasing distance between provenance origin and trial site, and (ii) phenological differences to local oaks that increased with latitudinal differences between origin and trial site. Under a local adaptation hypothesis, we predicted declining gallwasp abundance with increasing phenological mismatch between native and climate-matched trees. Both hypotheses for oaks were supported. Provenance explained significant variation in gallwasp abundance, but no gall type showed the relationship between abundance and phenological mismatch predicted by a local adaptation hypothesis. Our results show that climate matching would have complex and variable impacts on oak gall communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frazer H Sinclair
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of EdinburghEdinburgh, UK
- Centre for Ecology and HydrologyWallingford, UK
| | - Graham N Stone
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of EdinburghEdinburgh, UK
| | - James A Nicholls
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of EdinburghEdinburgh, UK
| | | | | | - Philip Butterill
- Centre for Ecology and HydrologyWallingford, UK
- Faculty of Science, Biology Center, The Czech Academy of Sciences, University of South BohemiaČeské Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Stefanie Wagner
- INRA, UMR 1202 BIOGECOCestas, France
- UMR 1202 BIOGECO, University of BordeauxTalence, France
| | - Alexis Ducousso
- INRA, UMR 1202 BIOGECOCestas, France
- UMR 1202 BIOGECO, University of BordeauxTalence, France
| | - Sophie Gerber
- INRA, UMR 1202 BIOGECOCestas, France
- UMR 1202 BIOGECO, University of BordeauxTalence, France
| | - Rémy J Petit
- INRA, UMR 1202 BIOGECOCestas, France
- UMR 1202 BIOGECO, University of BordeauxTalence, France
| | - Antoine Kremer
- INRA, UMR 1202 BIOGECOCestas, France
- UMR 1202 BIOGECO, University of BordeauxTalence, France
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26
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Wiezik M, Svitok M, Wieziková A, Dovčiak M. Identifying Shifts in Leaf-Litter Ant Assemblages (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) across Ecosystem Boundaries Using Multiple Sampling Methods. PLoS One 2015. [PMID: 26226140 PMCID: PMC4520711 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Global or regional environmental changes in climate or land use have been increasingly implied in shifts in boundaries (ecotones) between adjacent ecosystems such as beech or oak-dominated forests and forest-steppe ecotones that frequently co-occur near the southern range limits of deciduous forest biome in Europe. Yet, our ability to detect changes in biological communities across these ecosystems, or to understand their environmental drivers, can be hampered when different sampling methods are required to characterize biological communities of the adjacent but ecologically different ecosystems. Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) have been shown to be particularly sensitive to changes in temperature and vegetation and they require different sampling methods in closed vs. open habitats. We compared ant assemblages of closed-forests (beech- or oak-dominated) and open forest-steppe habitats in southwestern Carpathians using methods for closed-forest (litter sifting) and open habitats (pitfall trapping), and developed an integrated sampling approach to characterize changes in ant assemblages across these adjacent ecosystems. Using both methods, we collected 5,328 individual ant workers from 28 species. Neither method represented ant communities completely, but pitfall trapping accounted for more species (24) than litter sifting (16). Although pitfall trapping characterized differences in species richness and composition among the ecosystems better, with beech forest being most species poor and ecotone most species rich, litter sifting was more successful in identifying characteristic litter-dwelling species in oak-dominated forest. The integrated sampling approach using both methods yielded more accurate characterization of species richness and composition, and particularly so in species-rich forest-steppe habitat where the combined sample identified significantly higher number of species compared to either of the two methods on their own. Thus, an integrated sampling approach should be used to fully characterize changes in ant assemblages across ecosystem boundaries, or with vegetation change over time, and particularly so in species-rich habitats such as forest-steppe ecotones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Wiezik
- Department of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Science, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia
- * E-mail:
| | - Marek Svitok
- Department of Biology and General Ecology, Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Science, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Centre of Ecology, Evolution and Biogeochemistry, Eawag Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
| | - Adela Wieziková
- Department of Biology and General Ecology, Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Science, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - Martin Dovčiak
- Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
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27
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Roth AM, Whitfeld TJS, Lodge AG, Eisenhauer N, Frelich LE, Reich PB. Invasive earthworms interact with abiotic conditions to influence the invasion of common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica). Oecologia 2014; 178:219-30. [PMID: 25481818 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-014-3175-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica L.) is one of the most abundant and ecologically harmful non-native plants in forests of the Upper Midwest United States. At the same time, European earthworms are invading previously glaciated areas in this region, with largely anecdotal evidence suggesting they compound the negative effects of buckthorn and influence the invasibility of these forests. Germination and seedling establishment are important control points for colonization by any species, and manipulation of the conditions influencing these life history stages may provide insight into why invasive species are successful in some environments and not others. Using a greenhouse microcosm experiment, we examined the effects of important biotic and abiotic factors on the germination and seedling establishment of common buckthorn. We manipulated light levels, leaf litter depth and earthworm presence to investigate the independent and interactive effects of these treatments on buckthorn establishment. We found that light and leaf litter depth were significant predictors of buckthorn germination but that the presence of earthworms was the most important factor; earthworms interacted with light and leaf litter to increase the number and biomass of buckthorn across all treatments. Path analysis suggested both direct and moisture-mediated indirect mechanisms controlled these processes. The results suggest that the action of earthworms may provide a pathway through which buckthorn invades forests of the Upper Midwest United States. Hence, researchers and managers should consider co-invasion of plants and earthworms when investigating invasibility and creating preemptive or post-invasion management plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Roth
- Department of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota, 1530 Cleveland Avenue North, St Paul, MN, 55108-6112, USA,
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28
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Peterson RO, Vucetich JA, Bump JM, Smith DW. Trophic Cascades in a Multicausal World: Isle Royale and Yellowstone. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY EVOLUTION AND SYSTEMATICS 2014. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-120213-091634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rolf O. Peterson
- School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan 49931; , ,
| | - John A. Vucetich
- School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan 49931; , ,
| | - Joseph M. Bump
- School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan 49931; , ,
| | - Douglas W. Smith
- Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190;
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29
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Warming shifts 'worming': effects of experimental warming on invasive earthworms in northern North America. Sci Rep 2014; 4:6890. [PMID: 25363633 PMCID: PMC4217098 DOI: 10.1038/srep06890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change causes species range shifts and potentially alters biological invasions. The invasion of European earthworm species across northern North America has severe impacts on native ecosystems. Given the long and cold winters in that region that to date supposedly have slowed earthworm invasion, future warming is hypothesized to accelerate earthworm invasions into yet non-invaded regions. Alternatively, warming-induced reductions in soil water content (SWC) can also decrease earthworm performance. We tested these hypotheses in a field warming experiment at two sites in Minnesota, USA by sampling earthworms in closed and open canopy in three temperature treatments in 2010 and 2012. Structural equation modeling revealed that detrimental warming effects on earthworm densities and biomass could indeed be partly explained by warming-induced reductions in SWC. The direction of warming effects depended on the current average SWC: warming had neutral to positive effects at high SWC, whereas the opposite was true at low SWC. Our results suggest that warming limits the invasion of earthworms in northern North America by causing less favorable soil abiotic conditions, unless warming is accompanied by increased and temporally even distributions of rainfall sufficient to offset greater water losses from higher evapotranspiration.
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30
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Invasive Earthworms Deplete Key Soil Inorganic Nutrients (Ca, Mg, K, and P) in a Northern Hardwood Forest. Ecosystems 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-014-9814-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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31
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Nematode community shifts in response to experimental warming and canopy conditions are associated with plant community changes in the temperate-boreal forest ecotone. Oecologia 2014; 175:713-23. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-014-2927-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Accepted: 03/05/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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32
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Whitfeld TJS, Roth AM, Lodge AG, Eisenhauer N, Frelich LE, Reich PB. Resident plant diversity and introduced earthworms have contrasting effects on the success of invasive plants. Biol Invasions 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-014-0657-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Brose U, Dunne JA, Montoya JM, Petchey OL, Schneider FD, Jacob U. Climate change in size-structured ecosystems. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2013; 367:2903-12. [PMID: 23007078 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2012.0232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
One important aspect of climate change is the increase in average temperature, which will not only have direct physiological effects on all species but also indirectly modifies abundances, interaction strengths, food-web topologies, community stability and functioning. In this theme issue, we highlight a novel pathway through which warming indirectly affects ecological communities: by changing their size structure (i.e. the body-size distributions). Warming can shift these distributions towards dominance of small- over large-bodied species. The conceptual, theoretical and empirical research described in this issue, in sum, suggests that effects of temperature may be dominated by changes in size structure, with relatively weak direct effects. For example, temperature effects via size structure have implications for top-down and bottom-up control in ecosystems and may ultimately yield novel communities. Moreover, scaling up effects of temperature and body size from physiology to the levels of populations, communities and ecosystems may provide a crucially important mechanistic approach for forecasting future consequences of global warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Brose
- J. F. Blumenbach Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, University of Göttingen, , Berliner Strasse 28, 37073 Göttingen, Germany.
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