The dimensionality and structure of species trait spaces

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 24(9), P. 1988 - 2009

Published: May 20, 2021

Abstract Trait‐based ecology aims to understand the processes that generate overarching diversity of organismal traits and their influence on ecosystem functioning. Achieving this goal requires simplifying complexity in synthetic axes defining a trait space cluster species based while identifying those with unique combinations traits. However, so far, we know little about dimensionality, robustness omission structure these spaces. Here, propose unified framework synthesis across 30 datasets representing broad variety taxa, ecosystems spatial scales show common trade‐off between quality operationality appears three six dimensions. The is generally low but highly variable among datasets. We also highlight invariant scaling relationships, whatever complexity, number clusters, dominant total richness. When richness increases, saturates, whereas tend disproportionately pack richest cluster. Based results, some rules thumb build spaces estimate subsequent functional indices.

Language: Английский

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11 Pressing Research Questions on How Light Pollution Affects Biodiversity

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: Dec. 8, 2021

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is closely associated with modern societies and rapidly increasing worldwide. A dynamically growing body of literature shows that ALAN poses a serious threat to all levels biodiversity—from genes ecosystems. Many “unknowns” remain be addressed however, before we fully understand the impact on biodiversity can design effective mitigation measures. Here, distilled findings workshop effects first World Biodiversity Forum in Davos attended by several major research groups field from across globe. We argue 11 pressing questions have answered find ways reduce biodiversity. The address fundamental knowledge gaps, ranging basic challenges how standardize measurements, through multi-level impacts biodiversity, opportunities for more sustainable use.

Language: Английский

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funspace: An R package to build, analyse and plot functional trait spaces

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 30(4)

Published: Feb. 21, 2024

Abstract Aim Functional trait space analyses are pivotal to describe and compare organisms' functional diversity across the tree of life. Yet, there is no single application that streamlines many sometimes‐troublesome steps needed build analyse spaces. Innovation To fill this gap, we propose funspace , an R package easily handle bivariate multivariate analyses. The six functions constitute can be grouped in three modules: ‘Building exploring’, ‘Mapping’ ‘Plotting’. building exploring module defines main features a (e.g. metrics) by leveraging kernel density‐based methods. mapping uses general additive models map how target variable distributes within space. plotting provides options for creating flexible publication‐ready figures representing outputs obtained from previous modules. We provide worked example demonstrate complete workflow. Main Conclusions will researchers working with traits life new tool explore: (i) any space, (ii) relationship between other biological or non‐biological factor might contribute shaping species' diversity.

Language: Английский

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Mammals adjust diel activity across gradients of urbanization

eLife, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: March 30, 2022

Time is a fundamental component of ecological processes. How animal behavior changes over time has been explored through well-known theories like niche partitioning and predator-prey dynamics. Yet, in within the shorter 24-hr light-dark cycle have largely gone unstudied. Understanding if an can adjust their temporal activity to mitigate or adapt environmental change become recent topic discussion important for effective wildlife management conservation. While spatial habitat consideration conservation, often ignored. We formulated resource selection model quantify diel 8 mammal species across 10 US cities. found high variability patterns among species-specific correlations between human population density, impervious land cover, available greenspace, vegetation mean daily temperature. also that some may modulate behaviors manage both natural anthropogenic risks. Our results highlight complexity with which interact local characteristics, suggest urban mammals use along reduce risk, adapt, therefore persist, cases thrive, human-dominated ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Review of the Effects of Enclosure Complexity and Design on the Behaviour and Physiology of Zoo Animals

Animals, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(8), P. 1277 - 1277

Published: April 7, 2023

The complexity of the habitat refers to its physical geometry, which includes abiotic and biotic elements. Habitat is important because it allows more species coexist and, consequently, interactions be established among them. links structure enclosure biological interactions, occur within limits. Enclosure should vary temporally, able influence animals in different ways, depending on period day season throughout year. In present paper, we discuss how important, can positively mental states zoo animals. We show ultimately affect educational projects. Finally, add enclosures thus, make lives interesting functional.

Language: Английский

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After the mammoths: the ecological legacy of late Pleistocene megafauna extinctions

Cambridge Prisms Extinction, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 1

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

The significant extinctions in Earth history have largely been unpredictable terms of what species perish and traits make susceptible. occurring during the late Pleistocene are unusual this regard, because they were strongly size-selective targeted exclusively large-bodied animals (i.e., megafauna, >1 ton) disproportionately, herbivores. Because these also at particular risk today, aftermath can provide insights into how loss or decline contemporary may influence ecosystems. Here, we review ecological consequences on major aspects environment, communities ecosystems, as well diet, distribution behavior surviving mammals. We find megafauna pervasive left legacies detectable all parts system. Furthermore, that roles extinct modern play system not replicated by smaller-bodied animals. Our highlights important perspectives paleoecology for conservation efforts.

Language: Английский

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Cathemerality: a key temporal niche

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 99(2), P. 329 - 347

Published: Oct. 15, 2023

ABSTRACT Given the marked variation in abiotic and biotic conditions between day night, many species specialise their physical activity to being diurnal or nocturnal, it was long thought that these strategies were commonly fairly fixed invariant. The term ‘cathemeral’, coined 1987, when Tattersall noted a Madagascan primate during hours of both daylight darkness. Initially be rare, cathemerality is now known quite widespread form time partitioning amongst arthropods, fish, birds, mammals. Herein we provide synthesis present understanding cathemeral behaviour, arguing should routinely included alongside nocturnal schemes distinguish categorise across taxa according temporal niche. This particularly timely because ( i ) study animal patterns revolutionised by new improved technologies; ii becoming apparent covers diverse range obligate facultative forms, each with own common sets functional traits, geographic ranges evolutionary history; iii daytime nighttime likely plays an important but currently neglected role niche ecosystem functioning; iv may have ability adapt human‐mediated pressures.

Language: Английский

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A model‐based hypothesis framework to define and estimate the diel niche via the ‘Diel.Niche’ R package

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 93(2), P. 132 - 146

Published: Jan. 12, 2024

How animals use the diel period (24-h light-dark cycle) is of fundamental importance to understand their niche. While ecological and evolutionary literature abound with discussion phenotypes (e.g. diurnal, nocturnal, crepuscular, cathemeral), they lack clear explicit quantitative definitions. As such, inference can be confounded when evaluating hypotheses animal niche switching or plasticity across studies because researchers may operating under different definitions phenotypes. We propose using four alternative hypothesis sets (maximizing, traditional, general selection) aimed at achieving objectives. Each set composed mutually exclusive defined based on activity probabilities in three periods light availability (twilight, daytime night-time). develop a Bayesian modelling framework that compares phenotype Bayes factors estimates model parameters multinomial linear inequality constraints. Model comparison, parameter estimation visualizing results done Diel.Niche R package. A simplified Shiny web application also available. provide extensive simulation guide power discriminate among for range sample sizes (10-1280). work through several examples data make inferences activity, include online vignettes how demonstrate our complements other analyses, such as circular kernel density estimators movement modelling. Our aim encourage standardization language bridge conceptual frameworks research models. Lastly, we hope more focuses conservation understanding time.

Language: Английский

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Numerous independent gains of daily torpor and hibernation across endotherms, linked with adaptation to diverse environments

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 5, 2025

Abstract Many endotherms from diverse taxonomic groups can respond to environmental changes through torpor, that is, by greatly reducing their energy expenditure for up 24 hours (daily torpor) or longer (hibernation). We currently have a poor understanding of how torpor evolved across and its associations with physiological traits ecological factors. To fill this gap, we thoroughly examine the evolutionary patterns links 21 key variables 1338 extant endotherms. find daily hibernation are parts an continuum, there several, albeit weak, between species' characteristics. Furthermore, show early endotherm ancestors likely did not hibernate trait multiple times in independent lineages. Overall, our results suggest remarkable variation cannot solely be attributed niches, but partly arises gains various clades. Read free Plain Language Summary article on Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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A species-level trait dataset of bats in Europe and beyond

Scientific Data, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 10(1)

Published: May 3, 2023

Abstract Knowledge of species’ functional traits is essential for understanding biodiversity patterns, predicting the impacts global environmental changes, and assessing efficiency conservation measures. Bats are major components mammalian diversity occupy a variety ecological niches geographic distributions. However, an extensive compilation their attributes still missing. Here we present EuroBaTrait 1.0, most comprehensive up-to-date trait dataset covering 47 European bat species. The includes data on 118 including genetic composition, physiology, morphology, acoustic signature, climatic associations, foraging habitat, roost type, diet, spatial behaviour, life history, pathogens, phenology, distribution. We compiled obtained from three main sources: (i) systematic literature search, (ii) unpublished experts, (iii) observations large-scale monitoring programs. designed to provide important source comparative trait-based analyses at species or community level. also exposes knowledge gaps in species, coverage, highlighting priorities future collection.

Language: Английский

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