Creating benchmark measurements of tropical forest bird communities in large plots

Ornithological Applications, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 122(3)

Published: Feb. 28, 2020

Abstract An understanding of how tropical bird communities might respond to climate change and other types environmental stressors seems particularly urgent, yet we still lack, except for a few sites, even snapshot inventories avian richness abundances across most the tropics. Such benchmark measurements species could provide opportunities future repeat surveys and, therefore, strong insight into degrees pace in community organization over time. The challenges creating network benchmarked sites include high variation detectability among species, general rarity many that creates hurdles use modern counting methods aimed at controlling detectability, lack standardized protocol create repeatable inventories. We argue reasonably complete require multiple survey techniques internal calibrations abundance estimates visits improve completeness suggest large (50–100 ha) plots scattered tropics can also insights geographic drivers structure analogous provided by Smithsonian Center Tropical Forest Science Global Earth Observatory forest dynamics plots. Perhaps importantly, estimate while using some exactly greatly abilities quantify guidance on establishment as well important recommendations collection archiving metadata safeguard long-term utility valuable data.

Language: Английский

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The biotic interactions hypothesis partially explains bird species turnover along a lowland Neotropical precipitation gradient

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 29(3), P. 491 - 502

Published: Dec. 16, 2019

Abstract Aim We evaluated the influence of climate on structure bird communities along precipitation gradients. hypothesize that mechanisms responsible for community turnover gradients are similar to operating temperature and latitudinal tested hypothesis environmental conditions affect composition in dry forests, whereas biotic interactions wet forests. Location Low‐elevation forests a gradient Colombia where ranges from 700–4,000 mm annually but elevation remain constant. Time period Present day. Major taxa studied Neotropical forest birds. Methods sampled at 291 points nine study areas (localities) across c. 3,000‐mm range. In each locality, we obtained climatic characteristics phylogenetic, morphological physiological proxy data test predictions about evolutionary relationships distribution traits. Results Bird changed abruptly differed between Analyses phylogenetic relationships, trait space, observations nests suggested filtering is more important than especially breeding. contrast, found little evidence competition was Nest predation or nest however, may be critical wetter Conclusions The two distinct documented suggest lowland gradients, which constant, can as generating high beta diversity. conclude breeding might crucial determining assembly Given recent population declines tropical birds have been attributed changes precipitation, by understanding underlying our improve ability understand those predict effects change avifauna.

Language: Английский

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Coalescence modeling of intrainfection Bacillus anthracis populations allows estimation of infection parameters in wild populations

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 117(8), P. 4273 - 4280

Published: Feb. 13, 2020

Bacillus anthracis , the etiological agent of anthrax, is a well-established model organism. For B. and most other infectious diseases, knowledge regarding transmission infection parameters in natural systems, large part, comprises data gathered from closely controlled laboratory experiments. Fatal, anthrax infections transmit bacterium through new host−pathogen contacts at carcass sites, which can occur years after death previous host. period between contact death, all our based upon experimental domestic livestock animals. Here we use noninvasive method to explore dynamics infections, by evaluating terminal diversity carcasses. We present an application population genetics theory, specifically, coalescence modeling, intrainfection populations derive estimates for duration acute phase effective size converted number colony-forming units establishing wild plains zebra ( Equus quagga ). Founding are small, few units, rapid, lasting roughly 1 d 3 wild. Our results reflect data, showing that small founding progress acutely, killing host within days. believe this amendable bacterial diseases wild, domestic, human systems.

Language: Английский

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Bayesian multi-species N-mixture models for unmarked animal communities

Environmental and Ecological Statistics, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 29(4), P. 755 - 778

Published: Sept. 5, 2022

Abstract We propose an extension of the N-mixture model that enables estimation abundances multiple species as well correlations between them. Our novel multi-species (MNM) is first to address both positive and negative inter-species correlations, which allows us assess influence abundance one on another. provide extensions permit analysis data with excess zero counts, relax assumption populations are closed through incorporation autoregressive term in abundance. approach provides a method quantifying strength association species’ population sizes practical use conservation ecologists. evaluate performance proposed models simulation experiments order examine accuracy estimates coverage rates. The results show MNM produce accurate abundance, detection probabilities at range sample sizes. applied avian point collected part North American Breeding Bird Survey 2010 2019. reveal increase Bald Eagle south-eastern Alaska decade examined.

Language: Английский

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Space‐for‐time substitutions exaggerate urban bird–habitat ecological relationships

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 6, 2024

Abstract North American bird abundance has declined by 29% over the last 50 years. These continental population dynamics interact with local landscape changes to affect diversity. Mitigating declines in cities is particularly significant because (a) such greatly impact human–bird relationships since most people live and (b) provide levers create bird‐friendly habitat, as managing yards gardens, street trees, urban parks. Yet, potential for modify habitats mitigate broader remains unclear. Studies have been stymied difficulty of assembling mutidecadal habitat–bird datasets. Instead, studies substituted space time (e.g. used habitat associations across at one point project future species due changing land use), but this method may fail amidst nonstationary environments Anthropocene. Here, we test validity space‐for‐time substitutions explaining a city past two decades examining degree which these are explainable landcover multiple spatial scales. Specifically, use longitudinal surveys Metro Vancouver, BC, Canada from 1997 2020; deep learning models remote sensing data classify contemporaneous landcover; out‐of‐sample prediction boosted regression trees identify scales that best explained (i.e. optimal scale effect each habitat); Bayesian multispecies Stan determine between abundance. We found total 26% decades. Landcover measured both m variation abundance, only temporal changes, partially. results suggest overemphasize ecological relationships, partially measuring appropriate important capturing relevant landscapes.

Language: Английский

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Analyzing community structure subject to incomplete sampling: hierarchical community model vs. canonical ordinations

Ecology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 100(8)

Published: May 27, 2019

Abstract Recently developing hierarchical community models ( HCM s) accounting for incomplete sampling are promising approaches to understand organization. However, pros and cons of incorporating in the analysis related design issues remain unknown. In this study, we compared canonical redundancy RDA ) carried out with 10 different dissimilarity coefficients evaluate how each approach restores true abundance data sampled imperfect detection. We conducted simulation experiments varying numbers sites, visits, mean detectability abundance. Performance was measured by estimates “expected” (mean) () realized (: direct estimate site‐ species‐specific abundance). also types (normal, partial, weighted), all performed same ten coefficients, unequal number visits sites. addition, applied a virtual survey on Barro Colorado Island tree plot which know Simulation showed that yielded best restored underlying constituent species among 12 regardless if equal or unequal. Mean predominantly affected performance while had comparable percentage difference Gower . Relative depended combination distribution effort. Best followed , were observed data, graphical plots (triplots) based rather than clearly separated effects two environmental covariates species. Under our conditions model evaluation method, concluded that, terms assessing dependence abundance, s can have choose appropriate since provide straightforward biological interpretations parameter flexibility analysis, would be useful many situations as well conventional ordinations.

Language: Английский

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Sharing detection heterogeneity information among species in community models of occupancy and abundance can strengthen inference

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(24), P. 18125 - 18135

Published: Dec. 1, 2021

The estimation of abundance and distribution factors governing patterns in these parameters is central to the field ecology. continued development hierarchical models that best utilize available information inform processes a key goal quantitative ecologists. However, much remains be learned about simultaneously modeling true abundance, presence, trajectories ecological communities.Simultaneous population dynamics multiple species provides an interesting mechanism examine community and, as we emphasize herein, improve species-specific estimates by leveraging detection among species. Here, demonstrate simple but effective approach share observation occupancy models, where use shared random effects account for spatiotemporal heterogeneity probability.We efficacy our using simulated data, recover well N-mixture models. Our substantially increases precision compared with do not We then expand this model apply it repeated detection/non-detection data collected on six tits (Paridae) breeding at 119 1 km

Language: Английский

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Examining diversity of terrestrial mammal communities across forest reserves in Sabah, Borneo

Biodiversity and Conservation, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 31(5-6), P. 1709 - 1734

Published: April 20, 2022

Language: Английский

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Precipitation and tree cover gradients structure avian alpha diversity in North‐western Costa Rica

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 25(8), P. 1222 - 1233

Published: May 22, 2019

Abstract Aim Changes in climate and land use are modifying biodiversity worldwide. Yet it remains unclear how both drivers interact to structure communities determine patterns taxonomic, phylogenetic functional diversity at local scales. We focused on bird asked: do precipitation forest cover gradients interactively these elements of avian diversity? Location Guanacaste, North‐western Costa Rica. Methods quantified changes the abundance composition along independent regional precipitation, landscape that serve as proxies for drying habitat conversion. conducted point counts 150 sites statistically accounted imperfect detection test environmental variation shaped community‐wide metrics. Results found three dimensions diverged their responses gradients. Specifically, species richness increased linearly with reached maximum values intermediate tree scales peaked high levels cover. While did not vary strongly across any gradient, monotonically landscape‐level Maximum only occurred large patches where was >75% Contrary our expectations, we detect significant interactions between metric diversity. Main conclusions Our findings suggest taxonomic more sensitive than The lack synergies alpha diversity, least this system, simplifies prospects predicting future change results act independently one another.

Language: Английский

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Evaluation of NEON Data to Model Spatio-Temporal Tick Dynamics in Florida

Insects, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 10(10), P. 321 - 321

Published: Sept. 27, 2019

In 2013, the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) started collecting 30-year multi-faceted ecological data at various spatial and temporal scales across US including ticks. Understanding abundance dynamics of disease vectors under changing environmental conditions in long-term is important to societies, but sustained collection efforts are sparse. Using hard-bodied tick collected by NEON, vegetation atmospheric a statistical state-space model, which included detection probability component, this study estimated nymphs adult ticks Florida NEON location. It took into account variation, factors affecting detection. Its purpose was test applicability thus far evaluate abundance. The found an increase location, able explain variability This approach shows potential data. unique scale, promises be great value understand US. From public health perspective, can interpreted as encountering that vector, making these types analyses useful for estimating risk.

Language: Английский

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