Life on the Edge: Considering Ecotonal Habitat for the Conservation of Alpine Reptile Communities DOI
George Madani, Renée Hartley,

Martin Schulz

et al.

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Conservation planning focuses on core habitats, often overlooking ecotones, which can hold unrecognised potential for biodiversity conservation. This study focused ecotonal habitat use in alpine reptile communities, with emphasis a grassland specialist, the critically endangered she-oak skink, Cyclodomorphus praealtus. Survey transects grasslands and woodlands Kosciuszko National Park Australian Alps were used to investigated occupancy richness. Data was analysed using multi-species model relation (1) distance from nearest assess specialists' into woodland areas while accounting imperfect detection, (2) normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) importance of high resource patches. Among 11 species detected, our hypothesis that specialists would inhabit ecotones confirmed. The furthest occurrence C. praealtus closest 41 m predicted 0.059 (0.004 – 0.169 95% Bayesian credible intervals) at 100 m. Contrary conventional edge effect theories, results revealed no increase richness nearer or higher NDVI values underscores including buffers ecological impact assessments conservation plans. findings emphasize need broader survey efforts beyond habitats capture distribution threatened effectively. Incorporating strategies is crucial, particularly specialist whose dynamic may help safeguard them amidst transformation anthropogenic influences climate change.

Language: Английский

Impacts of nature reserves on water–carbon relations and drought recovery time of ecosystems in the Yellow River Basin of China DOI
Donglin Fan, Wei Wei

Deleted Journal, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
On the emergence of ecosystem decay: A critical assessment of patch area effects across spatial scales DOI Creative Commons
Federico Riva, E. St. Pierre, Antoine Guisan

et al.

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 296, P. 110674 - 110674

Published: June 12, 2024

Recent analyses suggest that positive patch area effects on biodiversity occur ubiquitously when comparing equal-effort samples from remnant habitat patches.The mechanisms underlying the emergence of this so-called "ecosystem decay" remain poorly understood despite conservation relevance.We leverage spatially-explicit information occurrence plant species across Swiss Alps (415 plots, 668 species) to test two compatible with patch-scale ecosystem decay: (i) plots sampled within small patches might have lower than large (plot-scale decay hypothesis), and (ii) share a proportion (turnover hypothesis).We found occurs also in our system.While tended be more dissimilar, supporting turnover hypothesis, we did not find support for plot-scale hypothesis.Additionally, distance between elevational changes explain better effects.Taken together, these results indicate applications require understanding potentially underlie pattern.Patch less important previously assumed assessing landscape-scale biodiversity, because such can confused distance-decay community similarity, environmental heterogeneity, sampling effort.More broadly, findings align mounting evidence protecting as much possibleregardless whether exists continuous or fragmentedmight most effective means sustain human-dominated landscapes.

Language: Английский

Citations

3
The Geometry of Southern China’s Mangroves: Small and Elongated DOI Open Access
Lin Zhang,

Yijuan Deng,

Wenqing Wang

et al.

Forests, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(2), P. 212 - 212

Published: Jan. 23, 2025

Mangrove wetlands are naturally divided into habitat patches by tidal creeks, with patch edges highly vulnerable to human activities and biological invasions, making them critical areas for mangrove degradation. Understanding the geometrical characteristics of these is essential management in Anthropocene, yet their exploration remains limited. Using a high-resolution (2 m) distribution dataset from 2018, we analyzed structure mangroves southern China. This study revealed predominantly small elongated patches, an average area 0.044 km2 median 0.011 across 5857 patches. About 65% had major-axis length over twice minor-axis length. The number peaked between 19° N 22° N. In 0.1° × latitudinal-longitudinal grid, maximum was 9.03 km2, consisting 192 Additionally, composition geometric differed significantly among existing reserves. These findings highlight need prioritize geometry strategies, especially regions numerous prone degradation invasion. this underscores research gap: ecological impacts fragmentation on biodiversity ecosystem services remain poorly understood. Future should focus how landscape configuration influence processes wetlands.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Flood susceptibility mapping to improve models of species distributions DOI Creative Commons
Elham Ebrahimi, Miguel B. Araújo, Babak Naimi

et al.

Ecological Indicators, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 157, P. 111250 - 111250

Published: Nov. 16, 2023

As significant ecosystem disturbances flooding events are expected to increase in both frequency and severity due climate change, underscoring the critical need understand their impact on biodiversity. In this study, we employ advanced remote sensing machine learning methodologies investigate effects of biodiversity, from individual species broader ecological communities. Specifically, utilized Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images an ensemble machine-learning algorithms derive a flood susceptibility indicator. Our primary objective is potential benefits incorporating susceptibility, as proxy for risk, into distribution models (SDMs). By doing so, aim improve performance SDMs gain deeper insights consequences floods Within biodiverse landscape Zagros Mountains, crucial Irano-Anatolian biodiversity hotspots, examined sensitivity mammals, amphibians, reptiles' distributions flooding. analysis compared that combined with variables against relying solely variables. The results indicate inclusion significantly improves capacity explain map 67% our study region. Notably, amphibians mammals more profoundly affected by reptiles. highlights importance predictor variable baseline characterization distributions. will obviously depend regional context studied but its relevance likely change. summary, research demonstrates integration potent approach advance data science, monitoring, conservation face climate-induced

Language: Английский

Citations

8
Species traits and latitude mediate bird responses to forest edges globally DOI Creative Commons
Luis Martín Vallejos, Jayme Augusto Prevedello, Maurício B. Vecchi

et al.

Landscape Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 39(3)

Published: Feb. 19, 2024

Abstract Context Although local studies comparing species abundance between forest edges and interiors are common, general patterns in the response of different to still be determined. There is little consensus on impacts edge effects individual bird species, probably because traits affecting responses have rarely been synthesized. Objective We aimed identify how species’ traits, as well extrinsic (environmental) factors, mediate birds globally. Methods collected global information from bibliographic databases 59 with 63 datasets that compared interiors. For each we compiled six (diet, habitat preference, territoriality, body mass, hand-wing index, foraging stratum). Using Linear Mixed-effects Models, evaluated latitude, contrast, sampling method affected edges. Results Based 2981 1414 found plant/seedeaters responded positively The strength preferences was also mediated by latitude. Open-area tropics exhibited a positive response, diminishing latitude increases. Conversely, tend exhibit somewhat more negative tropical zones. Edge were for soft (low-contrast) Conclusions Species particular diet interacting species. These latitudinal gradients must explicitly considered models attempting explain variability among conservation actions fragmented landscapes.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Effects of landscape fragmentation of plantation forests on carbon storage in the Loess Plateau, China DOI

Hangyu Lei,

Dantong Duan,

Yi Chen

et al.

Journal of Arid Land, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(2), P. 266 - 281

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Land-cover gradients determine alternate drivers of mammalian species richness in fragmented landscapes DOI Creative Commons
Matthew Dennis, Jonny Huck,

C. D. Holt

et al.

Landscape Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 39(8)

Published: Aug. 3, 2024

Abstract Context Understanding habitat fragmentation is a critical concern for nature conservation and the focus of intense debate in landscape ecology. Resolving uncertainty around effects on biodiversity remains an ongoing challenge that requires successful delineation multiple patch-landscape interactions. Objectives We carried out regional analysis species richness woodland mammals to determine relative influence structural, compositional functional characteristics related across different land-cover gradients. Methods calculated Edge-weighted Habitat Index, area-weighted measure connectivity incorporates mechanistic estimate edge-effects, interior habitat. compared its mammalian increasing edge patch density, diversity, habitat-only model, contexts matrix hostility Northern England UK. Results Our results demonstrate relevance alternative drivers resulting from interactions gradients hostility. Evidence provided positive negative structural (edge density), (connected habitat) (landscape diversity) attributes, varying according type intensity. were sensitive dominant types scale observation. Conclusion This study provides new insights into clarifies assumptions landscape-level richness. highlight presence thresholds, hostility, mammals. These drivers, observation context. Landscape decisions aimed at promoting should consider sources homogeneity scales relevant ecological processes interest.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Optimizing the construction of ecological networks in Beijing using a morphological spatial pattern analysis—minimal cumulative resistance model DOI Creative Commons

Yueqi Na,

Zhujun Hong,

Siyuan Ren

et al.

Frontiers in Environmental Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: Jan. 19, 2024

Introduction: With the increasing fragmentation of landscapes caused by rapid urbanisation, constructing ecological networks strengthen connectivity between fragmented habitat patches. As capital China, Beijing has a development, resulting in serious landscape fragmentation, and needing an urgent demand for this study to improve network system. Methods: In study, we choose elevation, slope, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index land use data 2020 as use. Morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) was used identify source areas Beijing, Minimal cumulative resistance (MCR) gravity models were construct network, stepping stones it. Results: The core area had highest proportion (96.17%) all types, forest accounting 82.01% thereof. Ten identified areas. Forty-five corridors (8 major 37 ordinary) constructed. are mainly concentrated middle eastern regions where mobility is limited. Constructing would help uphold region’s service functions ecosystem balance. Twenty-nine 32 obstacles create optimised consisting 171. Discussion: results provide model reference sustainable development environments high-density urban

Language: Английский

Citations

1
How important is passive sampling to explain species-area relationships? A global synthesis DOI Creative Commons
Marco Aurélio Ferreira da Silva, Clarice Braúna Mendes, Jayme Augusto Prevedello

et al.

Landscape Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 39(3)

Published: Feb. 19, 2024

Abstract Context The species-area relationship (SAR) is one of the main patterns in Ecology, but its underlying causes are still under debate. random placement hypothesis (RPH) simplest to explain SAR: larger areas passively sample more individuals and, consequently, species. However, it unclear degree which this null supported for different taxa and locations globally. Objectives We performed first global synthesis on RPH investigate variables mediate variation support across regions. Methods conducted a review literature estimated RPH. (effect size) was inferred through coefficient determination between observed (empirical) predicted (according RPH) species richness. analyzed effect size metric geographic ecological factors. Results About 31% studies explicitly considered From these, only 14% tested total 52 independent case studies. 42% these confirmed significantly higher plants than animals, increased consistently with latitude animals. Conclusions Passive sampling important determine SARs, especially animals at latitudes plants. Further tests RPH, scarcely explored literature, vital understanding stochastic processes SAR advancing Landscape Ecology.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Life on the edge: Considering ecotonal habitat for the conservation of alpine reptile metacommunities DOI Creative Commons
George Madani, Renée Hartley,

Martin Schulz

et al.

Journal for Nature Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 79, P. 126623 - 126623

Published: April 26, 2024

Conservation planning focuses on core habitats, often overlooking ecotones, which can hold unrecognised potential for biodiversity conservation. This study focused ecotonal habitat use in alpine reptile metacommunities, with emphasis a grassland specialist, the critically endangered she-oak skink, Cyclodomorphus praealtus. Survey transects grasslands and woodlands Kosciuszko National Park Australian Alps were used to investigated occupancy richness. Data was analysed using multi-species model relation (1) distance from nearest assess specialists' into woodland areas while accounting imperfect detection, (2) normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) importance of high resource patches. Among 11 species detected, our hypothesis that specialists would inhabit ecotones confirmed. The furthest occurrence C. praealtus closest 41 m predicted 0.06 (0.004 – 0.169 95 % Bayesian credible intervals) at 100 m. Contrary conventional edge effect theories, results revealed no increase richness nearer ecotone or higher NDVI values. underscores including buffers ecological impact assessments conservation plans specialists, may still adjacent habitats. findings emphasize need broader survey efforts beyond habitats capture distribution threatened effectively. Incorporating strategies is crucial, particularly specialist whose dynamic help safeguard them amidst transformation anthropogenic influences climate change

Language: Английский

Citations

1