The Internet of Animals: what it is, what it could be

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 38(9), P. 859 - 869

Published: May 30, 2023

One of the biggest trends in ecology over past decade has been creation standardized databases. Recently, this included live data, formal linkages between disparate databases, and automated analytics, a synergy that we recognize as Internet Animals (IoA). Early IoA systems relate animal locations to remote-sensing data predict species distributions detect disease outbreaks, use inform management endangered species. However, meeting future potential concept will require solving challenges taxonomy, security, sharing. By linking sets, integrating automating workflows, enable discoveries predictions relevant human societies conservation animals.

Language: Английский

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Integrated community models: A framework combining multispecies data sources to estimate the status, trends and dynamics of biodiversity

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 92(12), P. 2248 - 2262

Published: Oct. 25, 2023

Abstract Data deficiencies among rare or cryptic species preclude assessment of community‐level processes using many existing approaches, limiting our understanding the trends and stressors for large numbers species. Yet evaluating dynamics whole communities, not just common charismatic species, is critical to responses biodiversity ongoing environmental pressures. A recent surge in both public science government‐funded data collection efforts has led a wealth data. However, these programmes use wide range sampling protocols (from unstructured, opportunistic observations wildlife well‐structured, design‐based programmes) record information at variety spatiotemporal scales. As result, available vary substantially quantity content, which must be carefully reconciled meaningful ecological analysis. Hierarchical modelling, including single‐species integrated models hierarchical community models, improved ability assess predict processes. Here, we highlight emerging ‘integrated modelling’ framework that combines integration modelling improve inferences on species‐ dynamics. We illustrate with series worked examples. Our three case studies demonstrate how can used extend geographic scope when distributions richness patterns; discern population over time; estimate demographic rates growth communities sympatric implemented examples multiple software methods through R platform via packages formula‐based interfaces development custom code JAGS, NIMBLE Stan. Integrated provide an exciting approach model biological observational types sources simultaneously, thus accounting uncertainty error within unified framework. By leveraging combined benefits produce valuable about as well dynamics, allowing holistic evaluation effects global change biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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Quantifying the contribution of immigration to population dynamics: a review of methods, evidence and perspectives in birds and mammals

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 94(6), P. 2049 - 2067

Published: Aug. 5, 2019

The demography of a population is often reduced to the apparent (or local) survival individuals and their realised fecundity within study area defined according logistical constraints rather than landscape features. Such demographics are then used infer whether local contributes positively dynamics across wider context. simplistic approach ignores fundamental process underpinning dynamics: dispersal. Indeed, it has long been accepted that immigration contributed by dispersers emigrated from neighbouring populations may strongly influence net growth population. To date however, we lack clear picture how widely rate varies both among populations, in relation extrinsic intrinsic ecological conditions, even for best-studied avian mammalian populations. This empirical knowledge gap precludes emergence sound conceptual framework ought inform conservation ecology. review, conducted on birds mammals, thus three complementary objectives. First, describe evaluate relative merits methods quantify they relate applicable metrics. We identify two simple unifying metrics measure immigration: as ratio number immigrants present at time t + 1 total breeding year t, πt , proportion new recruits (i.e. breeders). Two recently developed likely provide most valuable data near future: individual parentage (rather population) assignments based genetic sampling, spatially explicit integrated models combining multiple sources demographic (survival, counts). Second, report systematic literature review studies providing quantitative immigration. Although diversity employed detailed analyses, appears exceeds locally born recruitment (median = 0.57, N 45 estimates 37 studies), figure twofold higher estimated 0.26, 33 11 studies). Third, recent reveal can be main driver temporal variation rates, wide array spatial contexts. what extent acts regulatory however considered only rarely deserves more attention. Overall, benefit without necessarily being sink Furthermore, suggest should core future plead evidence about ways which interacts with processes shape dynamics. Finally, discuss tackle exploring, beyond classical source-sink framework, exchange scale type distribution throughout landscape.

Language: Английский

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Contributions from terrestrial and marine resources stabilize predator populations in a rapidly changing climate

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 12(6)

Published: June 1, 2021

Abstract Climate change has different and sometimes divergent effects on terrestrial marine food webs, in coastal ecosystems, these are tightly interlinked. Responses of opportunistic predators scavengers to climate may thus be complex potentially highly flexible, can simultaneously serve as indicators of, have profound impacts on, lower trophic levels. Gaining mechanistic understanding responses is therefore important, but often not feasible due lack long‐term data from marked individuals. Here, we used a Bayesian integrated population model (IPM) elucidate the arctic warming concurrent changes resource availability dynamics fox ( Vulpes lagopus ) Svalbard. Joint analysis four types (den survey, age‐at‐harvest, placental scars, mark‐recovery) revealed relatively stable size age structure over last 22 yr (1997–2019) despite rapid environmental linked warming. This was related fact that resources (reindeer carcasses, geese) became more abundant while (seal pups/carrion) decreased, driven by trends vital rates (e.g., increased pregnancy rate decreased pup survival). Balanced contributions survival vs. reproduction immigration local demography further stabilized size. Our study sheds light mechanisms underlying carnivores exploiting suggests exploitation across ecosystems buffer against change. Additionally, it highlights large potential IPMs tools understand predict wildlife populations, even when individuals sparse.

Language: Английский

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Robustly estimating the demographic contribution of immigration: Simulation, sensitivity analysis and seals

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 93(5), P. 632 - 645

Published: Jan. 31, 2024

Abstract Identifying important demographic drivers of population dynamics is fundamental for understanding life‐history evolution and implementing effective conservation measures. Integrated models (IPMs) coupled with transient life table response experiments (tLTREs) allow ecologists to quantify the contributions parameters observed change. While IPMs can estimate that are not estimable using any data source alone, example, immigration, estimated contribution such change prone bias. Currently, it unclear when robust conclusions be drawn from them. We sought understand a rebounding southern elephant seal on Marion Island IPM–tLTRE framework, applied count mark–recapture 9500 female seals over nearly 40 years. Given uncertainty around estimates we also aimed investigate utility simulation sensitivity analyses as general tools evaluating robustness obtained in this framework. Using Bayesian IPM tLTRE analysis, quantified survival, immigration structure growth. assessed our choice multivariate priors other vital rates. To do so make novel application Gaussian process priors, comparison commonly used shrinkage priors. simulation, model's ability under different levels temporal variance immigration. The analysis suggested adult survival were most recent was sensitive prior choices, consistently large. Furthermore, study validated importance by showing its unlikely result biased overestimate. Our results highlight connectivity between distant populations seals, illustrating dispersal regulating abundance local even natal site fidelity high. More generally, demonstrate how ecological may about combining simulation.

Language: Английский

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Recent advances of quantitative modeling to support invasive species eradication on islands

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 3(2)

Published: Sept. 18, 2020

Abstract The eradication of invasive species from islands is an important part managing these ecologically unique and at‐risk regions. Island eradications are complex projects mathematical models play role in supporting efficient transparent decision‐making. In this review, we cover the past applications modeling to island eradications, which range large‐scale prioritizations across groups islands, project‐level decision‐making tools. While quantitative have been formulated parameterized for a problems, there also critical research gaps. Many lack uncertainty analyses, therefore overconfident. Forecasting ecosystem‐wide impacts still extremely challenging, despite recent progress field. Overall, field well‐developed planning. Multiple practical tools available for, being applied to, diverse suite decisions, well placed address pressing issues

Language: Английский

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Windfarm collisions in medium‐sized raptors: even increasing populations can suffer strong demographic impacts

Animal Conservation, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 26(2), P. 264 - 275

Published: Sept. 13, 2022

Abstract The impact of bird mortality by collision on windfarms has often been evaluated at the individual level, but rarely population level. Lesser kestrel Falco naumanni is an endangered short‐lived migratory raptor, susceptible to with wind turbines. We impacts windfarm turbine collisions demography largest lesser in France. Using data from local monitoring reproduction and surveys, combined capture‐recapture ringing a nearby population, we quantified vital parameters fecundity survival order parameterize matrix model study viability this population. breeding success was high varied synchrony probabilities. Between 2013 2020, 43 carcasses were found below turbines, when accounting for carcass detection persistence rates, true should approach 154 individuals that period, i.e. 3% studied affected each year. showed growth observed only possible if there constant recruitment 26 immigrant year into Without excess windfarm, predict would have 22% more pairs than what 2020. Simulations over 30 years that, under current immigration rate, decline exceeds 11%. If ceases, above 5% per It urgent monitor reduce threatens More generally, advocate use demographic models assessment studies avoid placing new close rare species could not sustain additional collisions.

Language: Английский

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Partial and complete dependency among data sets has minimal consequence on estimates from integrated population models

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 31(3)

Published: Nov. 11, 2020

Integrated population models (IPMs) are widely used to combine disparate data sets in joint analysis better understand dynamics and provide guidance for conservation activities. An often-cited assumption of IPMs is independence among component within the combined likelihood. Dependency should lead underestimation variance bias because individuals contribute more than one set. In practice, studied often occur multiple (i.e., overlap), which way be violated. Such cases have potential dissuade practitioners limit application solve emerging ecological problems. We assessed precision demographic rates estimated from using a complete gradient (0-100%) overlap sets, wide ranges (e.g., survival 0.1-0.8) sample sizes (100-1,200 individuals) variable sources. compared results our simulations with those constructed empirical on tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) where either had or included different individuals. Contrary previous investigators, we found no substantive uncertainty any rate derived overlap. While variability was greater at low capture, recapture, survey probabilities), there were negligible differences posterior mean root square error strong dependence vs. sets. Our suggest can designed only capture-recapture harvest capture-recovery estimates obtained same as productivity data. encourage researchers carefully consider modeling approach best suited their that does not generally compromise IPM estimates. Thus, violation research.

Language: Английский

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Using Known Births to Account for Delayed Marking in Population Estimation of North Atlantic Right Whales

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(3)

Published: March 1, 2025

Population estimation using capture-recapture modeling typically requires that individuals are identifiable by unique marks. North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) can be identified natural callosity patterns on their heads established nearly a year after birth, which has facilitated population monitoring extensive aerial surveys. A well-maintained catalog of individual sightings been used to annually estimate size with Jolly-Seber (J-S) model Bayesian state-space framework. Given young animals cannot enter the before an pattern, terminal-year never includes new calves despite breeding area surveys provide complete census births. Here, I illustrate simple modification J-S likelihood whereby number expected entrants is function known births and parameter representing initial offspring mortality. simulation study was as proof concept indicated increased accuracy precision estimates. The birth-integrated had more accurate estimates whale remained consistent during subsequent fitting additional years data. While bias corrections were fairly small (5%) given low per capita calving rates, demonstrated improvement in will helpful conservation management processes for this endangered species. Integrated approaches make better use available data improve inferences dynamics.

Language: Английский

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A hierarchical population model for the estimation of latent prey abundance and demographic rates of a nomadic predator

Ecological Modelling, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 504, P. 111077 - 111077

Published: March 19, 2025

Language: Английский

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