-
Disturbance can slow down litter decomposition, depending on severity of disturbance and season: an example from Mount Kilimanjaro Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2024-02-23 Juliane Röder, Tim Appelhans, Marcell K. Peters, Thomas Nauss, Roland Brandl
Abstract. Deforestation and land-use change affect ecosystem processes such as carbon cycling. Here, we present results from a litter decomposition experiment in six natural and six disturbed vegetation types along an elevation gradient of 3600 m on the southern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. We exposed litter bags with a standard material for up to 12 weeks each in two seasons. In the cold
-
Bird color and taxonomic diversity are negatively related to human disturbance in urban parks Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2024-02-05 Lucas M. Leveau, Juan Kopp
Abstract. Recently, studies have shown that highly urbanized areas are numerically dominated by birds with grey plumage, probably favoring camouflage with impervious grey surfaces. However, patterns of bird color diversity in urban green areas remain unexplored. In urban parks, sites surrounded by highly urbanized areas may be dominated by grey bird species, whereas urban parks with pedestrians that
-
Revisiting the debate: documenting biodiversity in the age of digital and artificially generated images Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2023-12-07 Diego Sousa Campos, Rafael Ferreira de Oliveira, Lucas de Oliveira Vieira, Pedro Henrique Negreiros de Bragança, Jorge Luiz Silva Nunes, Erick Cristofore Guimarães, Felipe Polivanov Ottoni
Abstract. This study examines the risks associated with relying solely on images for documenting new species records, rediscoveries, taxonomic descriptions, and distribution expansions. We highlight concerns regarding image authenticity, especially in cases where images may be altered, adulterated, or AI (artificial intelligence)-generated, potentially leading to inaccuracies in biodiversity documentation
-
Editorial: Pay to criticise? Rebuttal articles in open-access journals should be published for free Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2023-11-17 Daniel Montesinos
Abstract not available
-
Pollination supply models from a local to global scale Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2023-10-04 Angel Giménez-García, Alfonso Allen-Perkins, Ignasi Bartomeus, Stefano Balbi, Jessica L. Knapp, Violeta Hevia, Ben Alex Woodcock, Guy Smagghe, Marcos Miñarro, Maxime Eeraerts, Jonathan F. Colville, Juliana Hipólito, Pablo Cavigliasso, Guiomar Nates-Parra, José M. Herrera, Sarah Cusser, Benno I. Simmons, Volkmar Wolters, Shalene Jha, Breno M. Freitas, Finbarr G. Horgan, Derek R. Artz, C. Sheena Sidhu
Abstract. Ecological intensification has been embraced with great interest by the academic sector but is still rarely taken up by farmers because monitoring the state of different ecological functions is not straightforward. Modelling tools can represent a more accessible alternative of measuring ecological functions, which could help promote their use amongst farmers and other decision-makers. In
-
Insights into the habitat associations, phylogeny, and diet of Pipistrellus maderensis in Porto Santo, northeastern Macaronesia Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2023-08-01 Eva K. Nóbrega, Nia Toshkova, Angelina Gonçalves, André Reis, Elena J. Soto, Sergio Puertas Ruiz, Vanessa A. Mata, Catarina Rato, Ricardo Rocha
Abstract. Around 60 % of all bat species occur in islands, and nearly one in four is an insular endemic. Bats are often the only native terrestrial mammals in oceanic islands, and despite increasing anthropogenic pressures, little is known about the distribution, natural history, and population status of most insular bat populations. The sub-tropical archipelago of Madeira is composed of the volcanic
-
Invasive shallow-water foraminifera impacts local biodiversity mostly at densities above 20 %: the case of Corfu Island Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2023-07-14 Anna E. Weinmann, Olga Koukousioura, Maria V. Triantaphyllou, Martin R. Langer
Abstract. Corfu Island (Greece) is located in the northern Ionian Sea and exhibits unique and diverse marine coastal habitats suitable for high-diversity assemblages such as shallow-water foraminifera. The island also lies near the current range expansion front of the invasive species Amphistegina lobifera. We analyzed the foraminiferal assemblages of 51 samples from 25 sites around the island, calculated
-
Plant spatial aggregation modulates the interplay between plant competition and pollinator attraction with contrasting outcomes of plant fitness Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2023-03-29 María Hurtado, Oscar Godoy, Ignasi Bartomeus
Abstract. Ecosystem functions such as seed production are the result of a complex interplay between competitive plant–plant interactions and mutualistic pollinator–plant interactions. In this interplay, spatial plant aggregation could work in two different directions: it could increase hetero- and conspecific competition, thus reducing seed production; but it could also attract pollinators, increasing
-
Little evidence for land-use filters on intraspecific trait variation in three arthropod groups Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2023-03-27 Katja Wehner, Matthias Brandt, Andrea Hilpert, Nadja K. Simons, Nico Blüthgen
Abstract. Declines in species richness and abundance of insects over the last decades are often driven by anthropogenic land use and can have severe consequences for ecosystem functioning. Many studies investigated the effects of land-use intensification on the distribution of phenotypic traits across species at the community level, often with mixed results. However, biotic and abiotic environmental
-
Spatio-temporal patterns of co-occurrence of tigers and leopards within a protected area in central India Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2023-02-03 Anindita Bidisha Chatterjee, Kalyansundaram Sankar, Yadvendradev Vikramsinh Jhala, Qamar Qureshi
The global decline of large carnivore populations warrants scientific insights into intraguild relationships. Patterns of co-occurrence among sympatric predators are governed by their density, distribution, diet, activity overlaps, and behavioural strategies. Tigers are sympatric with leopards across their distribution range, overlap substantially in their diet, and are both nocturnal. The subdominant
-
Plant clustering generates negative plant–soil feedback without changing the spatial distribution of soil fauna Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2023-01-13 Peihua Zhang, Dries Bonte, Gerlinde De Deyn, Martijn L. Vandegehuchte
The spatial distribution of resources affects ecological processes at all levels of biological organization. However, it remains to be tested how the spatial configuration of belowground resources affects the community dynamics of soil organisms and resulting plant–soil feedbacks.We used Agrostis stolonifera plants in different spatial configurations in mesocosms to study the dispersal patterns of
-
Emergence timing and voltinism of phantom midges, Chaoborus spp., in the UK Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2022-12-20 Robert J. G. Cockroft, W. Richard Jenkins, Anthony G. Irwin, Steve Norman, Kevin C. Brown
Phantom midges, Chaoborus spp. (Diptera: Chaoboridae), are an important taxon in environmental risk assessment of plant protection products due to the sensitivity of their larvae to insecticides. To aid modelling of population responses to xenobiotic exposure, information on emergence timing and voltinism is needed, but definitive evidence to support these parameters is lacking in the literature. We
-
Comment on Dunbar et al. (2022) “Webslinger vs. Dark Knight: First record of a false widow spider Steatoda nobilis preying on a pipistrelle bat in Britain” Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2022-12-09 Serena E. Dool, Gabriele Uhl
A recent publication in Ecosphere claimed to report the first case of a predation event by a theridiid spider on a bat globally and the first case of a member of the genus Steatoda preying on a mammal globally, and the paper concludes with possible implications for public health. Predation is typically understood to mean “capture, kill, and eat”. However, none of these aspects had been observed. Moreover
-
The BIODESERT survey: assessing the impacts of grazing on the structure and functioning of global drylands Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2022-11-24 Fernando T. Maestre, David J. Eldridge, Nicolas Gross, Yoann Le Bagousse-Pinguet, Hugo Saiz, Beatriz Gozalo, Victoria Ochoa, Juan J. Gaitán
Grazing by domestic livestock is both the main land use across drylands worldwide and a major desertification and global change driver. The ecological consequences of this key human activity have been studied for decades, and there is a wealth of information on its impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem processes. However, most field assessments of the ecological impacts of grazing on drylands conducted
-
Artificial perches increase bird-mediated seed rain in agricultural fallow area in southern Brazil Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2022-11-07 Thales Castilhos de Freitas, Gustavo Crizel Gomes, Artur Ramos Molina, Ernestino de Souza Gomes Guarino, Cristiano Agra Iserhard, Rafael Beltrame
One of the main barriers to restoration is the arrival of diaspores in degraded areas. However, this process can be hampered in open areas without trees in the landscape. For that, artificial perches are used to attract and provide a landing area for avian seed dispersers, to enhance seed rain. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of the distance of artificial perches in relation to a forest fragment
-
Lengthening of the growth season, but no increased water availability, and increase in growth of Picea likiangensis var. rubescens plantations on eastern Tibetan Plateau due to climate change Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2022-07-13 Yu Feng, Songlin Shi, Peihao Peng, Qiang Zhou, Haijun Wang, Xiubin Liu
On the eastern Tibetan Plateau, the growth of trees is strongly affected by climate change. Previous researchers have found that climate warming changes thermal and hydraulic conditions, lengthening the growing season and promoting tree growth. Some studies have analyzed the effects of drought, precipitation, and temperature on tree growth. However, previous studies have mainly focused on natural forests
-
Ecological niche and potential geographic distributions of Dermacentor marginatus and Dermacentor reticulatus (Acari: Ixodidae) under current and future climate conditions Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2022-07-05 Abdelghafar Alkishe, Marlon E. Cobos, Luis Osorio-Olvera, A. Townsend Peterson
Dermacentor marginatus is a vector disease of both humans and animals and transmits the causative agents of Q fever (Coxiella burnetii) and the spotted fever group (Rickettsia raoultii and R. slovaca), as well as of Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever. Dermacentor reticulatus can transmit various pathogens such as Francisella tularensis, Babesia spp., tick encephalitis virus, Coxiella burnetii, Omsk hemorrhagic
-
Spatial heterogeneity of Cladonia rangiformis and Erica spp. induces variable effects on soil microbial communities which are most robust in bare-soil microhabitats Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2022-04-08 Theofilos Dostos, Pantelitsa D. Kapagianni, Nikolaos Monokrousos, George P. Stamou, Efimia M. Papatheodorou
Biological soil crust (BSC) is an essential part of arid and semiarid regions; however information concerning the spatial heterogeneity of the interactions between crust, plants and soil microbes is limited. Sampling was confined to an area either covered with Erica spp. shrubs interspaced by crust cover (Cladonia rangiformis) or uncovered by crust. Along a straight line of 100 cm from the base of
-
An approach to the modeling of honey bee colonies Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2022-03-04 Jhoana P. Romero-Leiton, Alejandro Gutierrez, Ivan Felipe Benavides, Oscar E. Molina, Alejandra Pulgarín
In this work, populations of adult and immature honeybees and their honey production are studied through mathematical and statistical modeling approaches. Those models are complementary and are presented in disjunct form. They were used to show different modeling methods for honey bee population dynamics. The statistical approach consisted of a generalized linear model using data from the Department
-
Perlin noise as a hierarchical neutral landscape model Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2022-02-09 Thomas R. Etherington
Neutral landscape models based on fractal algorithms are used widely by landscape ecologists. Perlin noise is a spectral synthesis algorithm that has not been widely adopted by landscape ecologists, even though the hierarchical properties of Perlin noise are particularly relevant to landscape ecology. To encourage the use of Perlin noise, I provide an explanation of the algorithm in the context of
-
Carbon cycle in tropical upland ecosystems: a global review Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2021-12-08 Dennis Castillo-Figueroa
Along with habitat transformation, climate change has profound impacts on biodiversity and may alter ecosystem services on which human welfare depends. Many studies of the carbon cycle have focused on lowland tropical forests; however, upland forests have been less explored despite their pivotal role in carbon sequestration. Here, I synthesized the state of knowledge on the allocation of carbon in
-
Co-varying effects of vegetation structure and terrain attributes are responsible for soil respiration spatial patterns in a sandy forest–steppe transition zone Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2021-11-09 Gabriella Süle, Szilvia Fóti, László Körmöczi, Dóra Petrás, Levente Kardos, János Balogh
Forest–steppe habitats in central Hungary have contrasting canopy structure with strong influence on the spatiotemporal variability of ecosystem functions. Canopy differences also co-vary with terrain feature effects, hampering the detection of key drivers of carbon cycling in this threatened habitat. We carried out seasonal measurements of ecosystem functions (soil respiration and leaf area index)
-
Models of poisoning effects on vulture populations show that small but frequent episodes have a larger effect than large but rare ones Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2021-10-18 Rigas Tsiakiris, John M. Halley, Kalliopi Stara, Nikos Monokrousos, Chryso Karyou, Nicolaos Kassinis, Minas Papadopoulos, Stavros M. Xirouchakis
Vultures are among the most threatened avian taxa in the world. When vultures aggregate in large numbers to feed, poisoned carcasses can extirpate entire populations at once. In the light of shrinking numbers worldwide, restocking and reintroduction projects, where wild or captive-bred vultures are released back into nature, constitute a crucial management tool, successfully implemented in many countries
-
Drought-tolerant cyanobacteria and mosses as biotechnological tools to attain land degradation neutrality Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2021-04-13 Alessandra Adessi, Roberto De Philippis, Federico Rossi
The induction of biocrusts through inoculation-based techniques has gained increasing scientific attention in the last 2 decades due to its potential to address issues related to soil degradation and desertification. The technology has shown the most rapid advances in the use of biocrust organisms, particularly cyanobacteria and mosses, as inoculants and biocrust initiators. Cyanobacteria and mosses
-
Changes in the Cerrado vegetation structure: insights from more than three decades of ecological succession Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2021-03-30 Rogério Victor S. Gonçalves, João Custódio F. Cardoso, Paulo Eugênio Oliveira, Denis Coelho Oliveira
Changes in the vegetation of Brazilian Cerrado may occur over time. However, long-term dynamics are not fully understood yet, especially woody plant encroachment (WPE). The objective of this study was to examine changes in vegetation structure in a preserved area in Triângulo Mineiro region, within the southern Brazilian Cerrado domain, over 32 years (1987, 2005, and 2019). We based the study on field
-
Close-to-nature management positively improves the spatial structure of Masson pine forest stands Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2021-02-15 Xianfeng Fang, Wei Tan, Xiaoye Gao, Zongzheng Chai
Close-to-nature management (CTNM) has been proposed as a promising forestry management approach to improve the structure and quality of forests, which integrates wood production and ecological service functions. Research on the effect of CTNM on the univariate and bivariate distribution of the spatial structure of forest stands provides a scientific basis for the evaluation of CTNM implemented in forestry
-
Ecological correlates of crop yield growth and interannual yield variation at a global scale Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2021-01-12 Gabriela Gleiser, Nicolay Leme da Cunha, Agustín Sáez, Marcelo Adrián Aizen
Artificial selection and genetic engineering plus an expanding repertoire and use of agrochemical inputs have allowed a rapid and continuous increase in crop yield (i.e., volume production per unit area) over the last century, which is needed to fulfill food demands from a growing human population. However, the first signs of yield deceleration and stagnation have already been reported for some globally
-
Frog vocalization is influenced by moon phases: Brazilian frogs tend to prefer low-albedo phases Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2021-01-06 Mauro S. C. S. Lima, Jonas Pederassi, Ulisses Caramaschi, Kléssia Denise S. S. Sousa, Carlos Alberto S. Souza
Lunar phases remarkably influence the circadian cycle of living beings. Early amphibian studies date back to the 1960s, but only recently has more research been conducted in this field. Much still needs to be understood to establish the behavioral pattern of this group according to the synodic cycle. In the present study, we sought to determine (i) whether the vocalization activity was influenced by
-
Life in the suburbs: artificial heat source selection for nocturnal thermoregulation in a diurnally active tropical lizard Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2020-12-04 NioKing Amadi, Robert Belema, Harrison Obodo Chukwu, Daniele Dendi, Amuzie Chidinma, Roger Meek, Luca Luiselli
The rapid expansion of urban environments invariably presents a novel series of pressures on wildlife due to changes in external environmental factors. In reptiles, any such changes in temperature are critical since thermoregulation is the key driver in the function of many physiological processes. How reptiles adapt to such changes may vary from those species that are impacted negatively to others
-
Cohort effect on discriminant rate: the case of greater flamingo (Phœnicopterus roseus) chicks sexed with morphological characters Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2020-11-25 Abdennour Boucheker, Riad Nedjah, Roger Prodon, Mark Gillingham, François-Xavier Dechaume-Moncharmont, Arnaud Béchet, Boudjéma Samraoui
Abstract. We used a large dataset of greater flamingo chicks banded and measured at Camargue, France, to verify the applicability of discriminant function analysis to sex this species. Males and females sexed genetically differed significantly in all of the morphological characters measured (body mass, tarsus and wing length), with males being significantly larger than females. Although the discriminant
-
Effects of management cessation on hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) across Austrian and Swiss mountain meadows Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2020-10-20 Ronnie Walcher, Raja Imran Hussain, Johannes Karrer, Andreas Bohner, David Brandl, Johann G. Zaller, Arne Arnberger, Thomas Frank
Abstract. Extensively managed grasslands, particularly in mountain regions, are considered to be one of the most diverse agroecosystems worldwide. Their decline due to land use abandonment affects the diversity of both plants and associated pollinators. Extensive grasslands constitute an important habitat type and food resource for hoverflies (syrphids); however, not much is known about the effects
-
Feeding strategies differentiate four detritivorous curimatids in the Amazon Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2020-10-02 Thatyla Farago, Gabriel Borba, Sidineia Amadio, Joicyeny Oliveira, Geraldo Santos, Adalberto Val, Efrem Ferreira
Abstract. Differences in food intake and morphological attributes may facilitate the coexistence of detritivorous fish. The present study investigated the possible differences in the feeding strategies of four species of curimatids that inhabit the floodplain of the central Amazon. For this, we determined the diet, daily food cycle, and whether characteristics of the intestine were related to the length
-
Identifying social–ecological gaps to promote biocrust conservation actions Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2020-09-23 María D. López-Rodríguez, Sonia Chamizo, Yolanda Cantón, Emilio Rodriguez-Caballero
Abstract. Globally, most bare-looking areas in dryland regions are covered by biocrusts which play a crucial role in modifying several soil surface properties and driving key ecosystem processes. These keystone communities face important threats (e.g. climate change) that place their conservation at risk and in turn the sustainability of the ecosystems they inhabit. Therefore, there is an urgent need
-
Effects of projected climate change on the distribution of Mantis religiosa suggest expansion followed by contraction Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2020-09-08 Johanna Steger, Alexandra Schneider, Roland Brandl, Stefan Hotes
Abstract. Climate change influences the global and regional distribution of many species. For thermophilic insects, range expansions towards the north and to higher elevations are expected in the course of climatic warming across the Northern Hemisphere. The distribution of the European mantis (Mantis religiosa) has recently expanded from Mediterranean regions in France to Hesse in central Germany
-
Ödenwinkel: an Alpine platform for observational and experimental research on the emergence of multidiversity and ecosystem complexity Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2020-08-19 Robert R. Junker, Maximilian Hanusch, Xie He, Victoria Ruiz-Hernández, Jan-Christoph Otto, Sabine Kraushaar, Kristina Bauch, Florian Griessenberger, Lisa-Maria Ohler, Wolfgang Trutschnig
Abstract. Studies on ecological successions have a long tradition and have strongly contributed to the understanding of community assembly, niche theory, and ecosystem structure and functionality. Reports on ecological successions are however mostly restricted to one or two taxonomic groups, neglecting the mutual influences and dependencies between multiple taxonomic groups that are the building blocks
-
Morphometric traits of shells determine external attack and internal utilization marks in the Roman snail in eastern Germany Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2020-08-10 Claudia Tluste, Udo Bröring, Tomáš Němec, Klaus Birkhofer
Abstract. Overexploitation, habitat destruction and a changing climate threaten populations of the Roman snail (Helix pomatia Linnaeus, 1758), which has led to a high protection status in Germany. Vertebrate and invertebrate predators, including parasites and facultative parasitoids, further cause pressure on populations. Given the conservation concern for H. pomatia and its rarity in the study region
-
When nature meets the divine: effect of prohibition regimes on the structure and tree species composition of sacred forests in northern Greece Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2020-08-07 Valentino Marini Govigli, John R. Healey, Jennifer L. G. Wong, Kalliopi Stara, Rigas Tsiakiris, John M. Halley
Abstract. Sacred forests are an integral component of the mountainous cultural landscape of northern Greece, hypothesized to be the result of both ecological processes and site-specific forest management regimes through strict religious prohibition. These practices acted as constraints on natural forest development by suppressing understory growth, while prohibition of woodcutting has preserved large
-
Invasiveness, ecological impacts and control of acacias in southwestern Europe – a review Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2020-07-09 Cristina Vieites-Blanco, Serafín J. González-Prieto
Abstract. The most prolific acacias in southern Europe (Acacia dealbata, A. melanoxylon and A. longifolia) are rapidly spreading in its westernmost area: Portugal and NW Spain, where congeners with invasion potential are already established. We performed a bibliographic search of acacia invasions in southern Europe and used spatial data on acacia distribution and abiotic parameters in Iberia to check
-
Pollen morphological variability correlates with a large-scale gradient of aridity Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2020-05-12 Hindel Fatmi, Souhaïl Mâalem, Bouchra Harsa, Ahmed Dekak, Haroun Chenchouni
Abstract. The study of the morphology of living organisms is essential to understand their evolution and diversity. This study aims to determine the importance of climatic gradients in the diversity of pollen morphotypes using Atriplex halimus L. (Amaranthaceae) as a model species. Atriplex halimus is a perennial shrubby plant, polymorphic and very resistant to severe environmental conditions. In seven
-
Toward a new generation of effective problem solvers and project-oriented applied ecologists Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2020-05-05 Corrado Battisti, Giovanni Amori, Luca Luiselli
Abstract. In an era of environmental crises, conservation and management strategies need a new generation of applied ecologists. Here, we stimulate the next-generation applied ecologists to acquire a pragmatic mentality of problems solvers in real contexts, using the wide arsenal of concepts, approaches and techniques available in the project management (PM) arena using a road map based on the main
-
Scientists' warning on endangered food webs Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2020-04-03 Ruben H. Heleno, William J. Ripple, Anna Traveset
Abstract. All organisms are ultimately dependent on a large diversity of consumptive and non-consumptive interactions established with other organisms, forming an intricate web of interdependencies. In 1992, when 1700 concerned scientists issued the first “World Scientists' Warning to Humanity”, our understanding of such interaction networks was still in its infancy. By simultaneously considering the
-
Impact of land-use change in mountain semi-dry meadows on plants, litter decomposition and earthworms Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2019-08-28 Ines Jernej, Andreas Bohner, Ronnie Walcher, Raja Imran Hussain, Arne Arnberger, Johann G. Zaller, Thomas Frank
Abstract. Traditionally managed mountain grasslands are biodiversity hotspots in central Europe. However, socio-economic trends in agriculture during the last decades have changed farming practices, leaving steep and remote sites abandoned. Especially the abandonment of meadows is well known to directly affect plant and insect diversity. However, not much is known about the effects on soil processes
-
Unassisted establishment of biological soil crusts on dryland road slopes Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2019-06-06 Laura Concostrina-Zubiri, Juan M. Arenas, Isabel Martínez, Adrián Escudero
Abstract. Understanding patterns of habitat natural recovery after human-made disturbances is critical for the conservation of ecosystems under high environmental stress, such as drylands. In particular, the unassisted establishment of nonvascular plants such as biological soil crusts or biocrust communities (e.g., soil lichens, mosses and cyanobacteria) in newly formed habitats is not yet fully understood
-
Water-mediated changes in plant–plant and biological soil crust–plant interactions in a temperate forest ecosystem Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2019-04-09 Clara Pissolito, Irene A. Garibotti, Santiago A. Varela, Verónica Arana, Marina Gonzalez-Polo, Paula Marchelli, Octavio Bruzzone
Abstract. In the quest to understand how biotic interactions respond to climate change, one area that remains poorly explored is how interactions involving organisms other than vascular plants will respond. However the interactions between plants and biological soil crusts (BSCs) are relevant in many ecosystems and they will likely respond uniquely to climate change. Simultaneous considerations of
-
Keep your enemies closer: enhancing biological control through individual movement rules to retain natural enemies inside the field Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2019-01-16 Thomas Delattre, Blanche Collard, Claire Lavigne
Abstract. Biological control of pests aims at lowering population levels of pest species by favouring natural enemies, in order to reduce the use of pesticides. The movement behaviour of natural enemies is decisive in the success of biological control: when low habitat quality hinders the diffusion of natural enemies from the border, the density of natural enemies may frequently be heterogeneous inside
-
Components of standard metabolic rate variability in three species of gammarids Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2019-01-08 Milad Shokri, Mario Ciotti, Fabio Vignes, Vojsava Gjoni, Alberto Basset
Abstract. Standard metabolic rate is a major functional trait with large inter-individual variability in many groups of aquatic species. Here we present results of an experimental study to address variation in standard metabolic rates, over different scales of organisation and environments, within a specific group of aquatic macro-invertebrates (i.e. gammarid amphipods) that represent the primary consumers
-
Model-based analysis of latent factors Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2018-11-14 Hans-Rolf Gregorius
Abstract. The detection of community or population structure through analysis of explicit cause–effect modeling of given observations has received considerable attention. The complexity of the task is mirrored by the large number of existing approaches and methods, the applicability of which heavily depends on the design of efficient algorithms of data analysis. It is occasionally even difficult to
-
The older the richer: significant increase in breeding bird diversity along an age gradient of different coppiced woods Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2018-10-02 Lorenzo Mentil, Corrado Battisti, Giuseppe Maria Carpaneto
Abstract. Forest structural complexity could be a good predictor of overall species diversity. Since tree harvesting has a negative effect on forest structure, it is important to analyse the effects of this disturbance on sensitive groups, as forest birds. In this study, we aimed to shed light on this aspect by analysing a set of univariate metrics in bird communities breeding in three coppiced forest
-
Production of synthetic tetraploids as a tool for polyploid research Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2018-09-07 Mariana Castro, Sílvia Castro, João Loureiro
Abstract. Polyploidization has been traditionally considered a phenomenon that mediates ecological differentiation; however, the adaptive value of genome duplications has been seldom explored. Natural or synthetic polyploids offer unique opportunities to experimentally quantify the immediate consequences of genome duplications in plant traits that may be involved with ecological differentiation. Jasione
-
The influence of plant species richness on stress recovery of humans Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2018-08-29 Petra Lindemann-Matthies, Diethart Matthies
Abstract. Natural sceneries or single plants may have positive influences on human health. Here we show that plant species richness can positively influence recovery from stress. Meadow-like arrays of different species richness (1, 16, 32, 64 species) were presented to visitors ( n=171 ) of a popular park in Zurich, Switzerland (one array per participant). Participants' systolic blood pressure was
-
Towards the unravelling of the slug A. ater–A. rufus complex (Gastropoda Arionidae): new genetic approaches Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2018-07-11 María L. Peláez, Antonio G. Valdecasas, Daniel Martinez, Jose L. Horreo
Abstract. The genus Arion includes several slug species, some of which are considered to be a pest to both cultivated and wild flora. Within this genus, the Arion ater complex comprises two different morphological forms: Arion rufus and A. ater, but there is no consensus about their species status. Their phylogenetic relationships have been recently solved, both of them belonging to different phylogenetic
-
Do mycorrhizal fungi create below-ground links between native plants and Acacia longifolia? A case study in a coastal maritime pine forest in Portugal Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2018-06-19 Pedro Carvalho, Rui Martins, António Portugal, M. Teresa Gonçalves
Abstract. Maritime pine forests are a major ecosystem throughout the Portuguese coast and are severely affected by the invasion of Acacia longifolia. The presented study investigated the diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM) of major plant species in these ecosystems to find possible links between Pinus pinaster, three native Cistaceae shrubs and the Acacia invasive species. We successfully identified
-
Effect of a dragonfly (Bradinopyga strachani Kirby, 1900) on the density of mosquito larvae in a field experiment using mesocosms Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2018-05-24 Daniel Acquah-Lamptey, Roland Brandl
Abstract. Laboratory experiments with food-deprived larvae of odonates suggested that these predators may have the potential to control mosquito populations. However, it remains unclear whether larvae of odonates co-occur with mosquito larvae in the field and whether larvae of odonates reduce the density of mosquito larvae in the field. We exposed 35 water-filled concrete containers in the field in
-
Genetic diversity and differentiation of invasive Acacia longifolia in Portugal Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2018-05-24 Sara Vicente, Cristina Máguas, Helena Trindade
Abstract. Acacia longifolia is an aggressive invader worldwide. This species was brought to Portugal by the forestry services and is now found throughout the country with very strong ecological and social impacts. Although several ecological and physiological studies have been carried out, molecular studies in this species are sparse. Particularly, genetic variability evaluation in invasive ranges
-
Are post-dispersed seeds of Eucalyptus globulus predated in the introduced range? Evidence from an experiment in Portugal Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2018-04-26 Ernesto Deus, Joaquim S. Silva, Hélia Marchante, Elizabete Marchante, Catarina Félix
Abstract. Plantations of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. have been expanding rapidly worldwide. The species is considered invasive in several regions. While in the native range, post-dispersal seed predation is known to severely limit eucalypt recruitment, there is no experimental evidence of seed predation in the introduced range. We hypothesised that E. globulus seeds largely escape predation in Portugal
-
The relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem services and the effects of grazing cessation in semi-natural grasslands Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2018-04-13 Sølvi Wehn, Knut Anders Hovstad, Line Johansen
Abstract. Land use change can affect biodiversity, and this has an impact on ecosystem services (ESs), but the relationships between biodiversity and ESs are complex and poorly understood. Biodiversity is declining due to the abandonment of extensively grazed semi-natural grasslands. We therefore aim to explore relationships between biodiversity and ESs provided by extensively managed semi-natural
-
Why so many flowers? A preliminary assessment of mixed pollination strategy enhancing sexual reproduction of the invasive Acacia longifolia in Portugal Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2018-03-28 Manuela Giovanetti, Margarida Ramos, Cristina Máguas
Abstract. Acacia longifolia, a native legume from Australia, has been introduced in many European countries and elsewhere, thus becoming one of the most important global invasive species. In Europe, its flowering occurs in a period unsuitable for insect activity: nonetheless it is considered entomophilous. Floral traits of this species are puzzling: brightly coloured and scented as liked by insects
-
Cumulative effects of transgenerational induction on plant palatability to generalist and specialist herbivores Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2018-03-16 Isabelle P. Neylan, Rodolfo Dirzo, Mar Sobral
Abstract. Herbivore damage can induce anti-herbivore traits in plants. However, there is little data regarding how these induced traits affect a plant's palatability (an important factor in determining the likelihood and magnitude of herbivore damage) across multiple generations post-induction, or whether the effect of transgenerational induction differs between generalist and specialist herbivores
-
Non-native invasive species as paradoxical ecosystem services in urban conservation education Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2018-03-14 Corrado Battisti, Giuliano Fanelli, Sandro Bertolino, Luca Luiselli, Giovanni Amori, Spartaco Gippoliti
Abstract. Many practices have been proposed in conservation education to facilitate a re-connection between nature and the young digital generation in anthropized contexts. In this paper we suggest that, at least in some specific circumstances (urban and suburban areas), non-native invasive species may have a paradoxical and positive impact in conservation education strategies, playing a role as an
-
Generalized nonlinear height–diameter models for a Cryptomeria fortunei plantation in the Pingba region of Guizhou Province, China Web Ecol. (IF 2.2) Pub Date : 2018-02-20 Zongzheng Chai, Wei Tan, Yuanyuan Li, Lan Yan, Hongbo Yuan, Zhaojun Li
Abstract. The relationship between height and diameter (H-D) is an important component in forest growth and yield models, and a better understanding of the relationship will improve forest monitoring, management, and biomass estimation. Sixteen nonlinear growth functions were fitted to H-D data for 1261 trees from a Cryptomeria fortunei plantation in the Pingba region of Guizhou Province, China. Of