Identification of keystone taxa in rhizosphere microbial communities using different methods and their effects on compounds of the host Cinnamomum migao

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 926, P. 171952 - 171952

Published: March 26, 2024

Language: Английский

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Species Distribution Models Reveal Varying Degrees of Refugia From the Invasive Asian Needle Ant for Native Ants Versus Ant‐Plant Seed Dispersal Mutualisms

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

The Asian Needle Ant, Brachyponera chinensis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), has spread throughout a substantial portion of the southeastern United States where it primarily been restricted to low elevations. We focused on B. invasion in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). Records and near park represent some highest elevation locations North America. goals this study were characterize status GSMNP, assess role that disturbance human visitation play within identify potential into higher elevations southern Appalachians determine impact might have native species, including keystone seed-dispersers Aphaenogaster rudis complex their myrmecochorous plants. surveyed GSMNP for at 45 sites, sites burned during 2016 Gatlinburg fire, with high visitation, undisturbed sites. then built species distribution models (SDMs) is most likely impact. This allowed us high-elevation refugia Appalachians. did not find any GSMNP. five high-visitation Field findings consistent our SDMs, which suggested GSMNP's unique precipitation regimes may act as barrier invasion. Unfortunately, SDMs indicated moderate suitability across sizable proportion northern border park. region disproportionate impacts plant species. Thus, although Appalachian temperature provide refuge from elevations, will protect all be impacted by invasive ant.

Language: Английский

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Historical forest disturbance results in variation in functional resilience of seed dispersal mutualisms

Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 104(4)

Published: Jan. 24, 2023

Mutualistic interactions provide essential ecosystem functions that contribute to promoting and maintaining diversity in ecosystems. Understanding if functionally important mutualisms are "resilient" (i.e., able resist or recover) anthropogenic disturbance is for revealing the capacity recover. Animal-mediated seed dispersal supports plant population growth influences community structure, affecting can low resiliency of diversity. Ant-seed sensitive disturbance, as they rely on one a few high-quality partners. In North American eastern deciduous forests, ants genus Aphaenogaster "keystone dispersers" understory forbs adapted by (myrmecochores), which make up more than one-third herbaceous community. The majority forests within this region have regenerated from previous form clearing agriculture. Previous studies revealed myrmecochore not resilient clearing. Here, we ask historical forest decreases mutualistic with partners, sp., increases antagonistic cause degradation function. large-scale natural experiment (20 sites), measured removal, abundance partners other invertebrates interacting seeds, cover, diversity, along ant habitat structure. We found lower variable removal secondary compared remnant forests. A path analysis all mutualists was primary determinant variation damage antagonists (invasive slugs) negatively affected higher link between mutualist absent, but present path, suggesting dependent stable high Our results suggest functional resilience variable, where some others. This work provides key insights into effects how critical impacts resiliency.

Language: Английский

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Differences in foraging phenology dampen the impact of an invasive slug on ant-mediated seed dispersal of understory forest plants

Acta Oecologica, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 126, P. 104041 - 104041

Published: Nov. 30, 2024

Language: Английский

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Historical forest disturbance results in variation in functional resilience of seed dispersal mutualisms

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 29, 2022

Abstract Mutualistic interactions provide essential ecosystem functions, such as promoting and maintaining diversity. Understanding if functionally important mutualisms are resilient (able to resist recover) anthropogenic disturbance is understand the capacity for diversity recover. Animal-mediated seed dispersal supports plant population growth community structure, of this function can threaten contribute low resiliency. Ant-mediated particularly sensitive disturbance, they rely on one a few high-quality partners. In North American eastern deciduous forests (NAEDF), ants in genus Aphaenogaster “keystone dispersers” 30-40% understory forbs adapted by (myrmecochores). The majority present day NAEDF have regenerated from previous form historical land use change (HLUC), due clearing agriculture. Previous studies revealed that myrmecochore not HLUC. Here, we ask HLUC decreases mutualistic with partners, sp., or increases antagonistic cause degradation function. large-scale natural experiment (20 sites), measured removal, abundance partners other invertebrates interacting seeds, cover diversity, along ant habitat forest structure. We found lower more variable removal secondary compared remnant forests. A path analysis all mutualists was primary determinant variation damage antagonists (invasive slugs) negatively affected higher forests, link between mutualist absent, but path, suggesting dependent stable high Here show functional resilience may impede recovery communities. This work provides key insights effects how critical functions impacts

Language: Английский

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