The need for an individual-based global change ecology

Published: March 26, 2025

Biodiversity loss and widespread ecosystem degradation are among the most pressing challenges of our time, requiring urgent action. Yet understanding their causes remains limited because prevailing ecological concepts approaches often overlook underlying complex interactions individuals same or different species, interacting with each other environment. We propose a paradigm shift in science, moving from simplifying frameworks that use population community averages to an integrative approach recognizes individual organisms as fundamental agents change. The urgency biodiversity crisis requires such advance ecology towards predictive science by elucidating causal mechanisms linking variation adaptive behaviour emergent properties populations, communities, ecosystems, human interventions. Recent advances computational technologies, sensors, analytical tools now offer unprecedented opportunities overcome past lay foundation for truly integrated Individual-Based Global Change Ecology (IBGCE). Unravelling potential role variability global change impact analyses will require systematic combination empirical, experimental modelling studies across systems, while taking into account multiple drivers interactions. Key priorities include refining theoretical frameworks, developing benchmark models standardized toolsets, systematically incorporating empirical field work, experiments models. emerging synergies between individual-based modelling, big data approaches, machine learning hold great promise addressing inherent complexity ecosystems. Each step development IBGCE must balance perspective parsimony, efficiency, feasibility. aims unravel predict dynamics Anthropocene through comprehensive study organisms, It provide critical considering future conservation sustainability management, individual-to-ecosystem pathways feedbacks.

Language: Английский

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Pathogen-induced alterations in fine-scale movement behaviour predict impaired reproductive success

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 292(2044)

Published: April 1, 2025

Pathogens play an important role in ecosystems and may impair fitness-enhancing activities such as foraging. However, the sublethal effects of pathogens on host movement behaviour their subsequent impacts reproductive success are poorly understood. In this study, we used high-resolution tracking to examine movements free-ranging European starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris ) associated with avian blood parasite infections. We found that naturally infected individuals displayed reduced foraging behaviour, remained closer breeding location, selected lower-quality habitats. These patterns were poorer body condition adults less favourable development for offspring. behavioural changes suggest physiological limitations imposed by infection, reducing parental care output. Our results provide compelling evidence pathogen-induced fine-scale linked impaired success, further emphasizing need a ecology perspective local host–pathogen dynamics.

Language: Английский

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The 4th Dimension in Animal Movement: The Effect of Temporal Resolution and Landscape Configuration in Habitat‐Selection Analyses

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(5)

Published: May 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Understanding how animals use their habitat is essential to understand biology and support conservation efforts. Technological advances in tracking technologies allow us follow at increasingly fine temporal resolutions. Yet, devices' sampling intervals impact results remains unclear, as well which method use. Using simulations empirical data from wild boars tracked Germany, we systematically examine the resolution of movement interaction with spatial autocorrelation landscape affects outcomes two common techniques for analyzing selection: resource‐selection analysis (RSA) an autocorrelation‐informed weighted derivative (wRSA) integrated step‐selection (iSSA). Each differs definition “available” locations implementation model during parameter estimation Our suggested that has a much stronger effect on estimated selection coefficients variability than interval. Higher (i.e., longer time between steps) are required landscapes high autocorrelation, enabling animal experience enough clumped landscapes. Short generally lead higher fewer statistically significant estimates (in particular wRSA). complement recent attempts outline coherent framework habitat‐selection analyses explain them practitioners. We further contribute these efforts by assessing sensitivity commonly used methods, RSA iSSA, changes interval data. expect our findings raise awareness pitfalls underlying comparison obtained different studies assist ecologists choosing appropriate analysis.

Language: Английский

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First detection and phylogenetic analysis of Trypanosoma species in European wolves and bears: discovery of novel haplotypes

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Feb. 4, 2025

Wild carnivores may be important sources of emerging zoonotic pathogens worldwide, however, specific data concerning their presence in large are limited. The genus Trypanosoma (protozoan parasites) comprises numerous species adapted to all classes vertebrates. This includes highly pathogenic species, such as T. brucei ssp., congolense or vivax. aim this study was expand on the ecological significance detecting carnivores. Samples from free-living (n = 26) were collected. diversity and occurrence among wildlife Europe investigated through analysis 18S rRNA gene sequences. phylogenetic showed three new haplotypes sp. isolated two grey wolves (Canis lupus) brown bears (Ursus arctos). To best our knowledge, represents first detection trypanosomes Europe. achieved nested- PCR amplification. Furthermore, identification these protozoan highlights variability within sp., which could lead emergence new, potentially more virulent variants parasites wild animal populations, posing a potential threat health. Moreover, findings underscore need for further research comprehensively understand diversity, distribution, impact populations

Language: Английский

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Oak woodlands and urban green spaces: Landscape management for a forest-affiliated bat, the Leisler's bat (Nyctalus leisleri)

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 387, P. 125753 - 125753

Published: May 26, 2025

European forests have been intensively managed for a long time, threatening many forest-bound wildlife species, such as the Leisler's bat (Nyctalus leisleri). This rare species has observed in deciduous forests, but we lack conclusive landscape-scale management recommendations continental Europe. We therefore tracked movements of 32 adult bats from three local colonies with miniaturised Global Positioning System (GPS) loggers two consecutive summers landscape that consists mosaic woodland, forest plantations and farmland Germany which wind energy production is expanding. then analysed habitat preferences how they interact turbines using an integrated step selection function differentiated between roosting, commuting foraging. Most spatial positions overlapped rotor-swept zone turbines, indicating this may be vulnerable at turbines. Further, preferred oak woodlands urban spaces, avoided coniferous forests. For areas, probably because old trees were available along lanes or churchyards. call careful green particularly preservation to support populations other forest-affiliated bats. Furthermore, should sited well away colonies, flight altitude overlaps operating range putting them risk being attracted during foraging trips.

Language: Английский

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