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Palkovitz RE, Lawler RR. Developing evolutionary anthropology in local ecosystems. Evol Anthropol 2024; 33:e22016. [PMID: 38088455 DOI: 10.1002/evan.22016] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
The traditional regional focus of evolutionary anthropology-typically defined as places where hominin fossils, nonhuman primates, and non-western populations reside-forms the basis of much evolutionary anthropological research. Using the highly biodiverse temperate region of Appalachia as an example, we suggest that evolutionary anthropologists have much to gain by stepping outside of this traditional geographic area. Being purposely provocative, we argue that evolutionary anthropologists might also benefit from conducting research in Appalachia and other temperate ecosystems. We briefly discuss multiple areas of study-including studies of seed dispersal, functional redundancy, convergent evolution, human behavioral ecology, and conservation-and how they can be considered within the purview of integrative and evolutionary anthropology. We also highlight broader impacts to higher education that evolutionary anthropologists can help promote by working in local ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E Palkovitz
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Richard R Lawler
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA
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2
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Perry KI, Sivakoff FS, Wallin KF, Wenzel JW, Herms DA. Forest disturbance and arthropods: small‐scale canopy and understory disturbances alter movement of mobile arthropods. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kayla I. Perry
- Department of Entomology The Ohio State University 1680 Madison Avenue Wooster Ohio 44691 USA
| | - Frances S. Sivakoff
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology The Ohio State University 1465 Mount Vernon Avenue Marion Ohio 43302 USA
| | - Kimberly F. Wallin
- Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources University of Vermont Aiken Center Burlington Vermont 05405 USA
- USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station Aiken Burlington Vermont 05405 USA
| | - John W. Wenzel
- Powdermill Nature Reserve Carnegie Museum of Natural History 1795 Route 381 Rector Pennsylvania 15677 USA
| | - Daniel A. Herms
- Department of Entomology The Ohio State University 1680 Madison Avenue Wooster Ohio 44691 USA
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Perry KI, Herms DA. Dynamic Responses of Ground-Dwelling Invertebrate Communities to Disturbance in Forest Ecosystems. INSECTS 2019; 10:E61. [PMID: 30813524 PMCID: PMC6468525 DOI: 10.3390/insects10030061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In forest ecosystems, natural and anthropogenic disturbances alter canopy structure, understory vegetation, amount of woody debris, and the properties of litter and soil layers. The magnitude of these environmental changes is context-dependent and determined by the properties of the disturbance, such as the frequency, intensity, duration, and extent. Therefore, disturbances can dynamically impact forest communities over time, including populations of ground-dwelling invertebrates that regulate key ecosystem processes. We propose conceptual models that describe the dynamic temporal effects of canopy gap formation and coarse woody debris accumulation following disturbances caused by invasive insects, wind, and salvage logging, and their impacts on ground-dwelling invertebrate communities. Within this framework, predictions are generated, literature on ground-dwelling invertebrate communities is synthesized, and pertinent knowledge gaps identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla I Perry
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH 44691, USA.
| | - Daniel A Herms
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH 44691, USA.
- The Davey Tree Expert Company, 1500 Mantua Street, Kent, OH 44240, USA.
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Perry KI, Wallin KF, Wenzel JW, Herms DA. Forest disturbance and arthropods: Small-scale canopy gaps drive invertebrate community structure and composition. Ecosphere 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kayla I. Perry
- Department of Entomology; Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center; The Ohio State University; 1680 Madison Avenue Wooster Ohio 44691 USA
| | - Kimberly F. Wallin
- Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources; University of Vermont; 312H Aiken Center Burlington Vermont 05405 USA
- USDA Forest Service; Northern Research Station; 312A, Aiken Burlington Vermont 05405 USA
| | - John W. Wenzel
- Powdermill Nature Reserve; Carnegie Museum of Natural History; 1847 PA-381 Rector Pennsylvania 15677 USA
| | - Daniel A. Herms
- Department of Entomology; Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center; The Ohio State University; 1680 Madison Avenue Wooster Ohio 44691 USA
- The Davey Tree Expert Company; 1500 Mantua Street Kent Ohio 44240 USA
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Responses of Ground-Dwelling Invertebrates to Gap Formation and Accumulation of Woody Debris from Invasive Species, Wind, and Salvage Logging. FORESTS 2017. [DOI: 10.3390/f8050174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Natural and anthropogenic disturbances alter canopy structure, understory vegetation, amount of woody debris, and the litter and soil layers in forest ecosystems. These environmental changes impact forest communities, including ground-dwelling invertebrates that are key regulators of ecosystem processes. Variation in frequency, intensity, duration, and spatial scale of disturbances affect the magnitude of these environmental changes and how forest communities and ecosystems are impacted over time. We propose conceptual models that describe the dynamic temporal effects of disturbance caused by invasive insects, wind, and salvage logging on canopy gap formation and accumulation of coarse woody debris (CWD), and their impacts on ground-dwelling invertebrate communities. In the context of this framework, predictions are generated and their implications for ground-dwelling invertebrate communities are discussed.
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Gandhi KJK, Smith A, Hartzler DM, Herms DA. Indirect effects of emerald ash borer-induced ash mortality and canopy gap formation on epigaeic beetles. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2014; 43:546-555. [PMID: 24690169 DOI: 10.1603/en13227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Exotic herbivorous insects have drastically and irreversibly altered forest structure and composition of North American forests. For example, emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) from Asia has caused wide-scale mortality of ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in eastern United States and Canada. We studied the effects of forest changes resulting from emerald ash borer invasion on epigaeic or ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) along a gradient of ash dieback and gap sizes in southeastern Michigan. Ground beetles were sampled in hydric, mesic, and xeric habitats in which black (Fraxinus nigra Marshall), green (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marshall), and white (Fraxinus americana L.) ash were the most common species, respectively. During 2006-2007, we trapped 2,545 adult ground beetles comprising 52 species. There was a negative correlation between percent ash tree mortality in 2006 and catches of all beetles. Catches of Agonum melanarium Dejean (in 2006) and Pterostichus mutus (Say) (in 2006-2007) were negatively correlated with tree mortality and gap size, respectively. However, catches of Pterostichus corvinus Dejean were positively correlated with gap size in 2006. As ash mortality and average gap size increased from 2006 to 2007, catches of all beetles as well as P. mutus and Pterostichus stygicus (Say) increased (1.3-3.9 times), while species diversity decreased, especially in mesic and xeric stands. Cluster analysis revealed that beetle assemblages in hydric and mesic stand diverged (25 and 40%, respectively) in their composition from 2006 to 2007, and that hydric stands had the most unique beetle assemblages. Overall, epigaeic beetle assemblages were altered in ash stands impacted by emerald ash borer; however, these impacts may dissipate as canopy gaps close.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal J K Gandhi
- Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Vickers ME, Culin JD. Spider (O: Araneae) Responses to Fire and Fire Surrogate Fuel Reduction in a Piedmont Forest in Upstate South Carolina. SOUTHEAST NAT 2014. [DOI: 10.1656/058.013.0219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Boves TJ, Buehler DA, Sheehan J, Wood PB, Rodewald AD, Larkin JL, Keyser PD, Newell FL, George GA, Bakermans MH, Evans A, Beachy TA, McDermott ME, Perkins KA, White M, Wigley TB. Emulating natural disturbances for declining late-successional species: a case study of the consequences for cerulean warblers (Setophaga cerulea). PLoS One 2013; 8:e52107. [PMID: 23308104 PMCID: PMC3537674 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2012] [Accepted: 11/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Forest cover in the eastern United States has increased over the past century and while some late-successional species have benefited from this process as expected, others have experienced population declines. These declines may be in part related to contemporary reductions in small-scale forest interior disturbances such as fire, windthrow, and treefalls. To mitigate the negative impacts of disturbance alteration and suppression on some late-successional species, strategies that emulate natural disturbance regimes are often advocated, but large-scale evaluations of these practices are rare. Here, we assessed the consequences of experimental disturbance (using partial timber harvest) on a severely declining late-successional species, the cerulean warbler (Setophaga cerulea), across the core of its breeding range in the Appalachian Mountains. We measured numerical (density), physiological (body condition), and demographic (age structure and reproduction) responses to three levels of disturbance and explored the potential impacts of disturbance on source-sink dynamics. Breeding densities of warblers increased one to four years after all canopy disturbances (vs. controls) and males occupying territories on treatment plots were in better condition than those on control plots. However, these beneficial effects of disturbance did not correspond to improvements in reproduction; nest success was lower on all treatment plots than on control plots in the southern region and marginally lower on light disturbance plots in the northern region. Our data suggest that only habitats in the southern region acted as sources, and interior disturbances in this region have the potential to create ecological traps at a local scale, but sources when viewed at broader scales. Thus, cerulean warblers would likely benefit from management that strikes a landscape-level balance between emulating natural disturbances in order to attract individuals into areas where current structure is inappropriate, and limiting anthropogenic disturbance in forests that already possess appropriate structural attributes in order to maintain maximum productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Than J Boves
- Department of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA.
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Greenberg CH, Levey DJ, Kwit C, Mccarty JP, Pearson SF, Sargent S, Kilgo J. Long-term patterns of fruit production in five forest types of the South Carolina upper coastal plain. J Wildl Manage 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Brannon MP, Burt MA, Bost DM, Caswell MC. Discarded Bottles as a Source of Shrew Species Distributional Data along an Elevational Gradient in the Southern Appalachians. SOUTHEAST NAT 2010. [DOI: 10.1656/058.009.0412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Richardson BA, Richardson MJ, González G, Shiels AB, Srivastava DS. A Canopy Trimming Experiment in Puerto Rico: The Response of Litter Invertebrate Communities to Canopy Loss and Debris Deposition in a Tropical Forest Subject to Hurricanes. Ecosystems 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-010-9317-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Rosa García R, Jáuregui BM, García U, Osoro K, Celaya R. Responses of arthropod fauna assemblages to goat grazing management in northern Spanish heathlands. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2009; 38:985-995. [PMID: 19689876 DOI: 10.1603/022.038.0405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Changes in arthropod fauna assemblages after different goat grazing treatments (breeds and stocking rates) and responses to grazing cessation were studied in a heath-gorse shrubland located in northern Spain. Three treatments (low grazing pressure and high grazing pressure with Cashmere breed and high grazing pressure with local Celtiberic breed) with three replicates were randomly allocated to nine plots. Fauna data were collected three times per year during 3 grazing yr (2003, 2004, and 2005) and three times during 2007, i.e., 2 yr after grazing cessation. Arthropods were collected by 12 pitfall traps per plot, whereas vegetation cover and height were estimated by 100 random contacts per plot. Arthropod community composition was mostly affected by sampling year during the grazing period (between 2003 and 2005) but also between 2005 and 2007 (after cessation). Species composition differed between treatments, although the differences were not attributed to the stocking rates or to the goat breeds along those periods. Differences between treatments remained constant from 2003 to 2005 and between 2005 and 2007. Heather height explained most of the variance in arthropod species data during the last grazing year (2005), whereas heather cover was the most explanatory environmental variable 2 yr after grazing cessation (2007). Grazing effects still remained on both vegetation and fauna 2 yr after grazing cessation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Rosa García
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Asturias, Spain.
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Mattsson BJ, Niemi GJ. Causes and consequences of distribution patterns in a migratory songbird across its geographic range. CAN J ZOOL 2008. [DOI: 10.1139/z07-142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The ideal distribution hypothesis states that territorial animals identify habitats with ideal habitat suitability and alter their settlement patterns accordingly. This hypothesis assumes no cost of migrating to a more profitable patch once the current one becomes less profitable. Another underlying assumption is that individuals only use current information while deciding where to breed. To evaluate these assumptions and resultant alternative hypotheses, we studied Ovenbird ( Seiurus aurocapilla (L., 1766)) territories during 2000–2001 in six northern hardwood tracts within a landscape composed of wetlands, regenerating stands, small farms and roads. We incorporated data from our own study and from published studies across the Ovenbird geographic range, using an information-theoretic approach. Contrary to the ideal distribution hypothesis, Ovenbird territory density increased with upland openings, but density was similar across clearcut-edge-distance and forest-thinning categories. Relationships between reproduction and territory density were uncertain and therefore provided little evidence against the ideal free distribution hypothesis, but there was some evidence in favor of the alternative costly migration and ideal dominance hypotheses from the analysis of our own data and the meta-analysis, respectively. Finally, territories became denser when fecundity and pairing success were high during the previous year, and this supports the public information hypothesis. We recommend using measures of reproductive success in conjunction with territory density when assessing population status.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. J. Mattsson
- Department of Biology, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN 55812, USA
- Department of Biology and Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN 55812, USA
| | - G. J. Niemi
- Department of Biology, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN 55812, USA
- Department of Biology and Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN 55812, USA
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Dodd CK, Ozgul A, Oli MK. The influence of disturbance events on survival and dispersal rates of Florida box turtles. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2006; 16:1936-44. [PMID: 17069384 DOI: 10.1890/1051-0761(2006)016[1936:tiodeo]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Disturbances have the potential to cause long-term effects to ecosystem structure and function, and they may affect individual species in different ways. Long-lived vertebrates such as turtles may be at risk from such events, inasmuch as their life histories preclude rapid recovery should extensive mortality occur. We applied capture-mark-recapture models to assess disturbance effects on a population of Florida box turtles (Terrapene carolina bauri) on Egmont Key, Florida, USA. Near the midpoint of the study, a series of physical disturbances affected the island, from salt water overwash associated with several tropical storms to extensive removal of nonindigenous vegetation. These disturbances allowed us to examine demographic responses of the turtle population and to determine if they affected dispersal throughout the island. Adult survival rates did not vary significantly either between sexes or among years of the study. Survival rates did not vary significantly between juvenile and adult turtles, or among years of the study. Furthermore, neither adult nor juvenile survival rates differed significantly between pre- and post-disturbance. However, dispersal rates varied significantly among the four major study sites, and dispersal rates were higher during the pre-disturbance sampling periods compared to post-disturbance. Our results suggest few long-term effects on the demography of the turtle population. Florida box turtles responded to tropical storms and vegetation control by moving to favorable habitats minimally affected by the disturbances and remaining there. As long as turtles and perhaps other long-lived vertebrates can disperse to non-disturbed habitat, and high levels of mortality do not occur in a population, a long life span may allow them to wait out the impact of disturbance with potentially little effect on long-term population processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Kenneth Dodd
- Florida Integrated Science Center, US Geological Survey, Gainesville 32653, USA.
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Greenberg CH, Miller S. Soricid Response to Canopy Gaps Created by Wind Disturbance in the Southern Appalachians. SOUTHEAST NAT 2004. [DOI: 10.1656/1528-7092(2004)003[0715:srtcgc]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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