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Journals must expand access to peer review data Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2024-03-12 Olivia M. Smith, Kayla L. Davis, Robin Waterman, Riley B. Pizza, Caitlin Mack, Emily E. Conway, Kara C. Dobson, Brianna Foster, Ani E. Hristova, Julie C. Jarvey, Nan Nourn, Courtney L. Davis
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Context-dependent bird body mass responses to climate change Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2024-03-08 N, a, t, a, l, i, a, , O, c, a, m, p, o, -, P, e, ñ, u, e, l, a
Previous studies demonstrated decreasing body size of birds in response to rising temperatures. Recently, documented that birds have been becoming larger in an Afromontane forest over four decades. This highlights the complexity of morphological responses to climate, the importance of context, and the need to study phenomena in a diversity of regions.
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Linking nematodes and ecosystem function: a trait-based framework Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2024-02-28 Chongzhe Zhang, Ian J. Wright, Uffe N. Nielsen, Stefan Geisen, Manqiang Liu
Trait-based approaches are being increasingly adopted to understand species’ ecological strategies and how organisms influence ecosystem function. Trait-based research on soil organisms, however, remains poorly developed compared with that for plants. The abundant and diverse soil nematodes are prime candidates to advance trait-based approaches belowground, but a unified trait framework to describe
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Function and stability of mesophotic coral reefs Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2024-02-26 Marc Slattery, Michael P. Lesser, Luiz A. Rocha, Heather L. Spalding, Tyler B. Smith
The function and stability of mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) have been extensively studied in recent years. These deep reefs are characterized by local physical processes, particularly the steep gradient in irradiance with increasing depth, and their impact on trophic resources. Mesophotic reefs exhibit distinct zonation patterns that segregate shallow reef biodiversity from ecologically unique
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Reassessing science communication for effective farmland biodiversity conservation Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2024-02-23 Elena Velado-Alonso, David Kleijn, Ignasi Bartomeus
Integrating biodiversity conservation into agriculture is a pressing challenge promoted by conservationists. Although biodiversity can also provide important benefits to farmers, the adoption of biodiversity-enhancing measures is lagging behind the scientific evidence. This may partially be related to the way scientists position themselves. If scientists do not convincingly communicate about the implications
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The propagation of disturbances in ecological networks Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2024-02-23 Lucas P. Martins, David Garcia-Callejas, Hao Ran Lai, Kate L. Wootton, Jason M. Tylianakis
Despite the development of network science, we lack clear heuristics for how far different disturbance types propagate within and across species interaction networks. We discuss the mechanisms of disturbance propagation in ecological networks, and propose that disturbances can be categorized into structural, functional, and transmission types according to their spread and effect on network structure
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Ecosystem-size relationships of river populations and communities Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2024-02-21 Angus R. McIntosh, Hamish S. Greig, Helen J. Warburton, Jonathan D. Tonkin, Catherine M. Febria
Knowledge of ecosystem-size influences on river populations and communities is integral to the balancing of human and environmental needs for water. The multiple dimensions of dendritic river networks complicate understanding of ecosystem-size influences, but could be resolved by the development of scaling relationships. We highlight the importance of physical constraints limiting predator body sizes
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Effects of migratory animals on resident parasite dynamics Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2024-02-13 Jason E. Donaldson, Vanessa O. Ezenwa, Thomas A. Morrison, Ricardo M. Holdo
Migratory animals can bring parasites into resident animal (i.e., non-migratory) home ranges (transport effects) and exert trophic effects that either promote or reduce parasite exposure to resident hosts. Here, we examine the importance of these transport and trophic effects and their interactions for resident parasite dynamics. We propose that migrant transport and trophic effects are impacted by
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AI-based discovery of habitats from museum collections Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2024-02-13 Christopher B. Jones, Kristin Stock, Sarah E. Perkins
Museum collection records are a source of historic data for species occurrence, but little attention is paid to the associated descriptions of habitat at the sample locations. We propose that artificial intelligence methods have potential to use these descriptions for reconstructing past habitat, to address ecological and evolutionary questions.
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Beyond reporting: proactive strategies for safer scientific fieldwork Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2024-02-05 Melissa R. Cronin, Roxanne S. Beltran, Erika S. Zavaleta
Fieldwork is crucial for science but poses heightened risks of gender-based harassment and assault. Current practices prioritize post-incident reporting, despite the demonstrated potential of preventive approaches. We recommend proactive practices, training strategies, and systemic policy changes to build safe and inclusive fieldwork settings from the outset.
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Ghosts of extinct apes: genomic insights into African hominid evolution Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2024-01-31 Robert A. Foley, Marta Mirazón Lahr
We are accustomed to regular announcements of new hominin fossils. There are now some 6000 hominin fossils, and up to 31 species. However, where are the announcements of African ape fossils? The answer is that there are almost none. Our knowledge of African ape evolution is based entirely on genomic analyses, which show that extant diversity is very young. This contrasts with the extensive and deep
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Linking biodiversity, ecosystem function, and Nature’s contributions to people: a macroecological energy flux perspective Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2024-02-02 Ana Carolina Antunes, Emilio Berti, Ulrich Brose, Myriam R. Hirt, Dirk N. Karger, Louise M.J. O’Connor, Laura J. Pollock, Wilfried Thuiller, Benoit Gauzens
At macroecological scales, the provision of Nature’s contributions to people (NCP) is mostly estimated with biophysical information, ignoring the ecological processes underlying them. This hinders our ability to properly quantify the impact of declining biodiversity and the provision of NCP. Here, we propose a framework that combines local-scale food web energy flux approaches and large-scale biodiversity
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Relational place-based solutions for environmental policy misalignments Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2024-01-25 Hannah M. Kobluk, Anne K. Salomon, Adam T. Ford, Andrew N. Kadykalo, Mateen A. Hessami, Pierre-Alexandre Labranche, Carmen Richter, Wendy J. Palen, hapinyuuk Tommy Happynook, Murray M. Humphries, Elena M. Bennett
Current reductionist approaches to environmental governance cannot resolve social-ecological crises. Siloed institutions fail to address linked social and ecological processes, thereby neglecting issues of equity, justice, and cumulative effects. Global insights can be gained from Indigenous-led initiatives that support the resilience of relationships within and among places.
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Embracing the diversity in diverse warning signals Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2024-01-23 Swanne P. Gordon, Caleb J. Axelrod, Udita Bansal, Hannah Gurholt, Stephanie Tran, Yusan Yang
Positive frequency-dependent selection should theoretically lead to monomorphic warning coloration. Instead, numerous examples of polymorphic warning signals exist. Biases – for example, in human perception – hinder our appreciation and research of understanding warning signal diversity. We propose strategies to counter such biases and objectively move our field forward.
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Predicting plant–pollinator interactions: concepts, methods, and challenges Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2024-01-22 Guadalupe Peralta, Paul J. CaraDonna, Demetra Rakosy, Jochen Fründ, María P. Pascual Tudanca, Carsten F. Dormann, Laura A. Burkle, Christopher N. Kaiser-Bunbury, Tiffany M. Knight, Julian Resasco, Rachael Winfree, Nico Blüthgen, William J. Castillo, Diego P. Vázquez
Plant–pollinator interactions are ecologically and economically important, and, as a result, their prediction is a crucial theoretical and applied goal for ecologists. Although various analytical methods are available, we still have a limited ability to predict plant–pollinator interactions. The predictive ability of different plant–pollinator interaction models depends on the specific definitions
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Flagship events and biodiversity conservation Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2024-01-16 Ivan Jarić, Sarah L. Crowley, Diogo Veríssimo, Jonathan M. Jeschke
Flagship species are a highly effective approach in conservation. We propose the distinct but complementary concept of flagship events: natural or anthropogenic occurrences that attract public attention. Flagship events have high potential value for biodiversity conservation by engaging people with wildlife and helping to garner support for conservation efforts.
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Why incorporate plant architecture into trait-based ecology? Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2024-01-11 Marilyne Laurans, François Munoz, Tristan Charles-Dominique, Patrick Heuret, Claire Fortunel, Sandrine Isnard, Sylvie-Annabel Sabatier, Yves Caraglio, Cyrille Violle
Trait-based ecology has improved our understanding of the functioning of organisms, communities, ecosystems, and beyond. However, its predictive ability remains limited as long as phenotypic integration and temporal dynamics are not considered. We highlight how the morphogenetic processes that shape the 3D development of a plant during its lifetime affect its performance. We show that the diversity
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New horizons for comparative studies and meta-analyses Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2024-01-11 Patrice Pottier, Daniel W.A. Noble, Frank Seebacher, Nicholas C. Wu, Samantha Burke, Malgorzata Lagisz, Lisa E. Schwanz, Szymon M. Drobniak, Shinichi Nakagawa
Comparative analyses and meta-analyses are key tools to elucidate broad biological principles, yet the two approaches often appear different in purpose. We propose an integrated approach that can generate deeper insights into ecoevolutionary processes. Marrying comparative and meta-analytic approaches will allow for (i) a more accurate investigation of drivers of biological variation, (ii) a greater
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Automated identification of African carnivores: conservation applications Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2024-01-06 Emily Bennitt
Photographic images taken by tourists and uploaded to the African Carnivore Wildbook have been used by Cozzi et al. to identify individual African wild dogs and study their dispersal behavior. Collaborations among citizen scientists, computer scientists, and researchers can expand the reach of conservation efforts spatially and temporally.
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Toward a unified framework for studying behavioural tolerance Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2024-01-04 Catherine Čapkun-Huot, Daniel T. Blumstein, Dany Garant, Daniel Sol, Denis Réale
Behavioural responses are widely held to allow animals to cope with human-induced environmental changes. Less often appreciated is that the absence of behavioural response can also be advantageous. This is particularly true when animals become tolerant to situations that may be perceived as risky, although the actual risk is nonexistent. We provide a framework to understand the causes and consequences
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A need for the wholistic application of genetics to biodiversity conservation; a response to Taylor et al. Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2024-01-04 A. Rus Hoelzel
Abstract not available
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Advisory Board and Contents Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2024-01-03
Abstract not available
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Subscription and Copyright Information Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2024-01-03
Abstract not available
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Fire ecology in marine systems Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-12-29 Rodrigo Riera, Juli G. Pausas
Wildfire byproducts enter into the oceans via terrestrial and atmospheric routes. They pose a challenge to the sustainability of marine ecosystems, especially under the current increase in fire activity. Research is needed to unravel the dynamics between wildfires and marine life, and the oceans’ potential to mitigate wildfire emissions.
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Defining ecological buffer mechanisms should consider diverse approaches Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-12-28 Alexander Milles, Milos Bielcik, Thomas Banitz, Cara A. Gallagher, Florian Jeltsch, Jane U. Jepsen, Daniel Oro, Viktoriia Radchuk, Volker Grimm
Abstract not available
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Divergence time shapes gene reuse during repeated adaptation Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-12-27 Magdalena Bohutínská, Catherine L. Peichel
When diverse lineages repeatedly adapt to similar environmental challenges, the extent to which the same genes are involved (gene reuse) varies across systems. We propose that divergence time among lineages is a key factor driving this variability: as lineages diverge, the extent of gene reuse should decrease due to reductions in allele sharing, functional differentiation among genes, and restructuring
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Edge computing in wildlife behavior and ecology Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-12-22 Hui Yu, Guillermo J. Amador, Antoine Cribellier, Marcel Klaassen, Henrik J. de Knegt, Marc Naguib, Reindert Nijland, Lukasz Nowak, Herbert H.T. Prins, Lysanne Snijders, Chris Tyson, Florian T. Muijres
Modern sensor technologies increasingly enrich studies in wildlife behavior and ecology. However, constraints on weight, connectivity, energy and memory availability limit their implementation. With the advent of edge computing, there is increasing potential to mitigate these constraints, and drive major advancements in wildlife studies.
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Trees, carbon, and the psychology of landscapes Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-12-21 Lindsey Gillson, M. Timm Hoffman, Peter A. Gell, Anneli Ekblom, William J. Bond
Mitigating climate change while safeguarding biodiversity and livelihoods is a major challenge. However, rampant afforestation threatens biodiversity and livelihoods, with questionable benefits to carbon storage. The narrative of landscape degradation is often applied without considering the history of the landscape. While some landscapes are undoubtedly deforested, others existed in open or mosaic
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Rethinking atoll futures: local resilience to global challenges Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-12-18 Sebastian Steibl, Paul S. Kench, Hillary S. Young, Alex S. Wegmann, Nick D. Holmes, Nancy Bunbury, Teurumereariki Hinano Teavai-Murphy, Neil Davies, Frank Murphy, James C. Russell
Atoll islands are often perceived as inevitably lost due to rising sea levels. However, unlike other islands, atoll islands are dynamic landforms that have evolved, at least historically, to vertically accrete at a pace commensurate with changing sea levels. Rather than atoll islands’ low elevation per se, the impairment of natural accretion processes is jeopardising their persistence. While global
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A horizon scan of global biological conservation issues for 2024 Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-12-18 William J. Sutherland, Craig Bennett, Peter N.M. Brotherton, Stuart H.M. Butchart, Holly M. Butterworth, Stewart J. Clarke, Nafeesa Esmail, Erica Fleishman, Kevin J. Gaston, James E. Herbert-Read, Alice C. Hughes, Jennifer James, Hermanni Kaartokallio, Xavier Le Roux, Fiona A. Lickorish, Sarah Newport, James E. Palardy, James W. Pearce-Higgins, Lloyd S. Peck, Nathalie Pettorelli, Ann Thornton
We present the results of our 15th horizon scan of novel issues that could influence biological conservation in the future. From an initial list of 96 issues, our international panel of scientists and practitioners identified 15 that we consider important for societies worldwide to track and potentially respond to. Issues are novel within conservation or represent a substantial positive or negative
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Quantifying energy and nutrient fluxes in coral reef food webs Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-12-16 James P.W. Robinson, Cassandra E. Benkwitt, Eva Maire, Renato Morais, Nina M.D. Schiettekatte, Christina Skinner, Simon J. Brandl
The movement of energy and nutrients through ecological communities represents the biological ‘pulse’ underpinning ecosystem functioning and services. However, energy and nutrient fluxes are inherently difficult to observe, particularly in high-diversity systems such as coral reefs. We review advances in the quantification of fluxes in coral reef fishes, focusing on four key frameworks: demographic
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Unlocking ground-based imagery for habitat mapping Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-12-12 N. Morueta-Holme, L.L. Iversen, D. Corcoran, C. Rahbek, S. Normand
Fine-grained environmental data across large extents are needed to resolve the processes that impact species communities from local to global scales. Ground-based images (GBIs) have the potential to capture habitat complexity at biologically relevant spatial and temporal resolutions. Moving beyond existing applications of GBIs for species identification and monitoring ecological change from repeat
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Delineating conservation units should be independent of effective population size Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-12-08 Rebecca S. Taylor, Micheline Manseau, Paul J. Wilson
Abstract not available
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Celebrating wildlife population recovery through education Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-12-07 Gioele Passoni, Tim Coulson, Francesca Cagnacci
Large mammal populations are rapidly recovering across Europe, yet people have not readapted to living with wild animals, resulting in human–wildlife conflict. We believe that society should unite to make the most of the instances of nature recovery, and propose science and education as the key to success.
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Social media data for biodiversity conservation Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-12-08 Vanessa M. Adams
Systematic conservation planning is considered best practice for identifying priority areas, but applications remain limited where biodiversity data are insufficient. In a recent article, Chowdhury et al. tap into citizen scientists via Facebook to address this gap in Bangladesh. Here, I discuss the importance of their demonstrated pipeline, from data acquisition to conservation prioritisation.
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Balancing multiple management objectives as climate change transforms ecosystems Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-12-04 Katherine J. Siegel, Kyle C. Cavanaugh, Laura E. Dee
As climate change facilitates significant and persistent ecological transformations, managing ecosystems according to historical baseline conditions may no longer be feasible. The Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework can guide climate-informed management interventions, but in its current implementations RAD has not yet fully accounted for potential tradeoffs between multiple – sometimes incompatible
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Criteria for buffering in ecological modeling Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-12-01 Samuel J.L. Gascoigne, Maja Kajin, Roberto Salguero-Gómez
Abstract not available
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Going beyond a reference genome in conservation genomics Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-11-30 Cinta Pegueroles, Marta Pascual, Carlos Carreras
The current biodiversity crisis demands scientifically based management. The generation of reference genomes is crucial in conservation, but is not enough to capture species diversity. By incorporating whole-genome sequencing (WGS) at the population level, Nigenda-Morales et al. provide key genomic information for the conservation of fin whale populations in the Pacific.
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The ecological and evolutionary consequences of tropicalisation Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-11-28 Karolina M. Zarzyczny, Marc Rius, Suzanne T. Williams, Phillip B. Fenberg
Tropicalisation is a marine phenomenon arising from contemporary climate change, and is characterised by the range expansion of tropical/subtropical species and the retraction of temperate species. Tropicalisation occurs globally and can be detected in both tropical/temperate transition zones and temperate regions. The ecological consequences of tropicalisation range from single-species impacts (e
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Recommendations for quantitative uncertainty consideration in ecology and evolution Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-11-28 Emily G. Simmonds, Kwaku P. Adjei, Benjamin Cretois, Lisa Dickel, Ricardo González-Gil, Jack H. Laverick, Caitlin P. Mandeville, Elizabeth G. Mandeville, Otso Ovaskainen, Jorge Sicacha-Parada, Emma S. Skarstein, Bob O'Hara
Ecological and evolutionary studies are currently failing to achieve complete and consistent reporting of model-related uncertainty. We identify three key barriers – a focus on parameter-related uncertainty, obscure uncertainty metrics, and limited recognition of uncertainty propagation – which have led to gaps in uncertainty consideration. However, these gaps can be closed. We propose that uncertainty
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Towards richer knowledge partnerships between ecology and ethnoecology Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-11-17 Zsolt Molnár, Yildiz Aumeeruddy-Thomas, Dániel Babai, Sandra Díaz, Stephen T. Garnett, Rosemary Hill, Peter Bates, Eduardo S. Brondízio, Joji Cariño, László Demeter, Álvaro Fernández-Llamazares, Maximilien Guèze, Pamela McElwee, Kinga Öllerer, Andy Purvis, Victoria Reyes-García, Aibek Samakov, Ranjay K. Singh
Indigenous and traditional practices based on ethnoecological knowledge are fundamental to biodiversity stewardship and sustainable use. Knowledge partnerships between Indigenous Peoples, traditional local communities, and ecologists can produce richer and fairer understandings of nature. We identify key topical areas where such collaborations can positively transform science, policy, and practice
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Biodiversity modeling advances will improve predictions of nature’s contributions to people Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-11-15 Jamie M. Kass, Keiichi Fukaya, Wilfried Thuiller, Akira S. Mori
Accurate predictions of ecosystem functions and nature’s contributions to people (NCP) are needed to prioritize environmental protection and restoration in the Anthropocene. However, our ability to predict NCP is undermined by approaches that rely on biophysical variables and ignore those describing biodiversity, which have strong links to NCP. To foster predictive mapping of NCP, we should harness
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Subscription and Copyright Information Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-11-14
Abstract not available
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Advisory Board and Contents Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-11-14
Abstract not available
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Facultative lifestyle drives diversity of coral algal symbionts Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-11-10 Debashish Bhattacharya, Timothy G. Stephens, Erin E. Chille, L. Felipe Benites, Cheong Xin Chan
The photosynthetic symbionts of corals sustain biodiverse reefs in nutrient-poor, tropical waters. Recent genomic data illuminate the evolution of coral symbionts under genome size constraints and suggest that retention of the facultative lifestyle, widespread among these algae, confers a selective advantage when compared with a strict symbiotic existence. We posit that the coral symbiosis is analogous
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LIES of omission: complex observation processes in ecology Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-11-09 Fergus J. Chadwick, Daniel T. Haydon, Dirk Husmeier, Otso Ovaskainen, Jason Matthiopoulos
Advances in statistics mean that it is now possible to tackle increasingly sophisticated observation processes. The intricacies and ambitious scale of modern data collection techniques mean that this is now essential. Methodological research to make inference about the biological process while accounting for the observation process has expanded dramatically, but solutions are often presented in field-specific
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Novel community data in ecology-properties and prospects Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-11-08 Florian Hartig, Nerea Abrego, Alex Bush, Jonathan M. Chase, Gurutzeta Guillera-Arroita, Mathew A. Leibold, Otso Ovaskainen, Loïc Pellissier, Maximilian Pichler, Giovanni Poggiato, Laura Pollock, Sara Si-Moussi, Wilfried Thuiller, Duarte S. Viana, David I. Warton, Damaris Zurell, Douglas W. Yu
New technologies for monitoring biodiversity such as environmental (e)DNA, passive acoustic monitoring, and optical sensors promise to generate automated spatiotemporal community observations at unprecedented scales and resolutions. Here, we introduce ‘novel community data’ as an umbrella term for these data. We review the emerging field around novel community data, focusing on new ecological questions
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Managing wildlife tolerance to humans for ecosystem goods and services Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-11-08 Kenta Uchida, Daniel T. Blumstein, Masashi Soga
Many animals can vary their behaviors to better utilize anthropogenic environments. Wildlife living in highly disturbed environments often show an increased tolerance towards humans. While animal behavior can play a vital role in producing and delivering ecosystem services, we know less about how variation in wildlife tolerance to humans can influence ecosystem services. Increased tolerance to humans
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Fostering greater recognition of Caribbean traditional plant knowledge Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-11-08 Ina Vandebroek, Jason West, Kenneth Otero-Walker, Steve Maldonado Silvestrini
The Caribbean is a hotspot of biological and cultural diversity, manifested in traditional plant knowledge of Afrodescendant peoples and other ethnicities. To strengthen the visibility of this knowledge in research, education, and policy making, we propose an eight-step action plan centered on reciprocal relationships with Caribbean plant stewards, especially subsistence farmers.
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The overlooked importance of vagrancy in ecology and evolution Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-11-07 Paul Dufour, Alexander C. Lees, James Gilroy, Pierre-André Crochet
Vagrancy is the occurrence of individuals outside the normal geographic range of their species. These rare and unpredictable events have long been neglected by the scientific community, belying a growing body of evidence that vagrancy can have an important role in eco-evolutionary processes at both population and community scales.
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Microbes, the ‘silent third partners’ of bee–angiosperm mutualisms Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-11-06 Shawn A. Steffan, Prarthana S. Dharampal, Jordan G. Kueneman, Alexander Keller, Magda P. Argueta-Guzmán, Quinn S. McFrederick, Stephen L. Buchmann, Rachel L. Vannette, Anna F. Edlund, Celeste C. Mezera, Nolan Amon, Bryan N. Danforth
While bee–angiosperm mutualisms are widely recognized as foundational partnerships that have shaped the diversity and structure of terrestrial ecosystems, these ancient mutualisms have been underpinned by ‘silent third partners’: microbes. Here, we propose reframing the canonical bee–angiosperm partnership as a three-way mutualism between bees, microbes, and angiosperms. This new conceptualization
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Dead foundation species drive ecosystem dynamics Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-11-01 Patrick H. Saldaña, Christine Angelini, Mark D. Bertness, Andrew H. Altieri
Foundation species facilitate communities, modulate energy flow, and define ecosystems, but their ecological roles after death are frequently overlooked. Here, we reveal the widespread importance of their dead structures as unique, interacting components of ecosystems that are vulnerable to global change. Key metabolic activity, mobility, and morphology traits of foundation species either change or
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Heterogeneous dispersal networks to improve biodiversity science Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-10-25 Paul Savary, Jean-Philippe Lessard, Pedro R. Peres-Neto
Dispersal has a key role in shaping spatial patterns of biodiversity, yet its spatial heterogeneity is often overlooked in biodiversity analyses and management strategies. Properly parameterised heterogeneous dispersal networks capture the complex interplay between landscape structure and species-specific dispersal capacities. However, this heterogeneity is recurrently neglected when studying the processes
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Afforestation and climate mitigation: lessons from Chile Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-10-25 S. Gómez-González, A. Miranda, J. Hoyos-Santillan, A. Lara, P. Moraga, J.G. Pausas
The Chilean Climate Change Law excludes tree monocultures as a solution to the climate crisis, offering an opportunity for resilience and climate mitigation in Latin America. The Chilean experience with mega-fires in extensive, homogeneous forest plantations provides important lessons that could inform climate policies in other countries.
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Hierarchical eco-evo dynamics mediated by the gut microbiome Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-10-18 Ellen Decaestecker, Broos Van de Moortel, Shinjini Mukherjee, Aditi Gurung, Robby Stoks, Luc De Meester
The concept of eco-evolutionary (eco-evo) dynamics, stating that ecological and evolutionary processes occur at similar time scales and influence each other, has contributed to our understanding of responses of populations, communities, and ecosystems to environmental change. Phenotypes, central to these eco-evo processes, can be strongly impacted by the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome shapes eco-evo
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Mitochondrial genetic variation as a potential mediator of intraspecific behavioural diversity Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-10-13 Jack A. Brand, Francisco Garcia-Gonzalez, Damian K. Dowling, Bob B.M. Wong
Mitochondrial genes play an essential role in energy metabolism. Variation in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence often exists within species, and this variation can have consequences for energy production and organismal life history. Yet, despite potential links between energy metabolism and the expression of animal behaviour, mtDNA variation has been largely neglected to date in studies investigating
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Advisory Board and Contents Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-10-10
Abstract not available
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Animal cognition and culture mediate predator–prey interactions Trends Ecol. Evol. (IF 16.8) Pub Date : 2023-10-14 Eamonn I.F. Wooster, Kaitlyn M. Gaynor, Alexandra J.R. Carthey, Arian D. Wallach, Lauren A. Stanton, Daniel Ramp, Erick J. Lundgren
Predator–prey ecology and the study of animal cognition and culture have emerged as independent disciplines. Research combining these disciplines suggests that both animal cognition and culture can shape the outcomes of predator–prey interactions and their influence on ecosystems. We review the growing body of work that weaves animal cognition or culture into predator–prey ecology, and argue that both