Leveraging Open‐Source Geographic Databases to Enhance the Representation of Landscape Heterogeneity in Ecological Models

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(10)

Published: Oct. 1, 2024

Wildlife abundance and movement are strongly impacted by landscape heterogeneity, especially in cities which among the world's most heterogeneous landscapes. Nonetheless, current global land cover maps, used as a basis for large-scale spatial ecological modeling, represent urban areas single, homogeneous, class. This often requires ecologists to rely on geographic resources from local governments, not comparable between available underserved countries, limiting scale at conservation issues can be tackled. The recent expansion of community-based databases, example, OpenStreetMap (OSM), represents an opportunity generate maps geared toward their specific research needs. However, computational differences language format, high diversity information within, limit access these data. We provide framework, using R, extract features OSM database, classify, integrate them into maps. framework includes exhaustive list describing peri-urban landscapes is validated quantifying completeness characterized, accuracy its final output 34 North America. portray application generating variables analysis OSM-enhanced map urbanization index, subsequently analyze occupancy six mammals throughout Chicago, Illinois, USA. characterized had values impervious classes (50%-100%). output, OSM-enhance map, provided 89% accurate representation 30m resolution. OSM-derived index outperformed other data layers concurred with previously seen response trends, whereby lagomorphs squirrels responded positively urbanization, while skunks, raccoons, opossums, deer negatively. study provides roadmap leverage fine resolution open-source databases apply it modeling research-specific variables. As our results show, context-specific improve outputs reduce uncertainty, when trying understand anthropogenic impacts wildlife populations.

Language: Английский

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Plant responses to urban gradients: Extinction, plasticity, adaptation

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 112(12), P. 2861 - 2875

Published: Oct. 29, 2024

Abstract Biodiversity‐oriented urban management and planning require information on the drivers of wildlife composition ecosystem function within cities. Urban landscapes impose environmental gradients along which species may be filtered away, or respond by showing adaptive variation in functional trait values. Such turn due to a species' phenotypic plasticity, consequence microevolution leading local adaptation. This study investigates three possible plant responses gradients, with different evolutionary consequences: extinction, plasticity We assessed whether individual traits (LMA—leaf mass per area, height flower length), population performance (seed germination rate), as well frequency community, responded mowing frequency, soil fertility structure, temperature surrounding mean building height, among four herbaceous present metropolitan area Strasbourg. Using common garden experiment, we tested observed was hereditary, thus constitute evidence for Our results detected types expected responses. Plantago lanceolata is plastic Trifolium pratense showed both hereditary Dactylis glomerata Medicago lupulina all responses: they declined under increasing were gradients. therefore impact capabilities plants In case this highlighted trends response mowing. The consequences are evidenced eliciting most often Synthesis . Herbaceous change their morphology conditions: grass cutting, altered soils, warmer temperatures being surrounded tightly packed buildings. These changes sometimes suggests that city affect ability survive evolve environments.

Language: Английский

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Trait-based approaches for understanding how biodiversity generates sustainable benefits in urban vegetated green infrastructure

Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 57, P. 101204 - 101204

Published: Aug. 1, 2022

Language: Английский

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Urban plant diversity in Kazakhstan: Effects of habitat type, city size and macroclimate

Applied Vegetation Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 25(3)

Published: July 1, 2022

Questions Urbanisation has accelerated the spread of alien and apophytic species around world including drylands continental inland Asia. However, few studies have examined patterns drivers urban plant diversity in this region. We ask how habitat type, city size macroclimate affect richness composition alien, non-apophytic indigenous plants cities steppe forest-steppe zones Kazakhstan. Location Ten central northeastern Kazakhstan, Middle Methods Using a standardized sampling protocol, we recorded spontaneously occurring vascular 1-ha plots seven types (central square, boulevard, residential area, park, early-successional vacant site, mid-successional site railway station) five large (>100,000 inhabitants) small (<100,000 cities. used linear mixed-effect models to quantify effects on proportion plants. Results Plant differed significantly among types, with lowest squares, highest stations areas. Apophytic were most numerous The varied more habitats than apophytes increased linearly annual precipitation. largest differences between disturbed sites centres (squares, boulevards parks) early-successional, station sites. Large also composition. Conclusions northern Kazakhstan depends mainly type less macroclimate. Overall, Asia follow observed other Asian European

Language: Английский

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The effects of local filtering processes on the structure and functioning of native plant communities in experimental urban habitats

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(10)

Published: Oct. 1, 2022

Abstract Despite a growing literature‐base devoted to document biodiversity patterns in cities, little is known about the processes that influence these patterns, and whether they are consistent over time. In particular, numerous studies have identified capacity of cities host rich diversity plant species. This trend, however, driven primarily by introduced species, which comprise large proportion urban species pool relative natives. Using an experimental common garden study, we assessed local assembly (i.e., soil environmental filtering competition from spontaneous species) on taxonomic functional native communities sampled four seasons 2016–2018. Taxonomic exhibited different responses processes, supporting general conclusion species‐ trait‐based measures offer distinct insights into community dynamics. Additionally, found neither nor influenced or composition Functional composition, did shift strongly time was community‐weighted mean differences both measured traits (maximum height, Hmax; specific leaf area, SLA; chlorophyll fluorescence, Chl ) proportions groups (legumes, annual biennial‐perennial C4 grasses, forbs). By contrast, only diverged between early late seasons. Overall, our results indicate not capable establishing persisting vacant habitats, can functionally respond pressures suggests regional dispersal limitation may be primary factor limiting environments. Thus, future regreening management plans should focus enhancing potential environments, order achieve set goals for increasing associated ecosystem services cities.

Language: Английский

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