Impacts of large herbivores on terrestrial ecosystems

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 33(11), P. R584 - R610

Published: June 1, 2023

Language: Английский

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Meta-analysis shows that wild large herbivores shape ecosystem properties and promote spatial heterogeneity

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 8(4), P. 705 - 716

Published: Feb. 9, 2024

Language: Английский

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The late-Quaternary megafauna extinctions: Patterns, causes, ecological consequences and implications for ecosystem management in the Anthropocene

Cambridge Prisms Extinction, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Across the last ~50,000 years (the late Quaternary) terrestrial vertebrate faunas have experienced severe losses of large species (megafauna), with most extinctions occurring in Late Pleistocene and Early to Middle Holocene. Debate on causes has been ongoing for over 200 years, intensifying from 1960s onward. Here, we outline criteria that any causal hypothesis needs account for. Importantly, this extinction event is unique relative other Cenozoic 66 million years) its strong size bias. For example, only 11 out 57 megaherbivores (body mass ≥1,000 kg) survived present. In addition mammalian megafauna, certain groups also substantial extinctions, mainly non-mammalian vertebrates smaller but megafauna-associated taxa. Further, severity dates varied among continents, severely affected all biomes, Arctic tropics. We synthesise evidence against climatic or modern human (Homo sapiens) causation, existing tenable hypotheses. Our review shows there little support major influence climate, neither global patterns nor fine-scale spatiotemporal mechanistic evidence. Conversely, increasing pressures as key driver these emerging an initial onset linked pre-sapiens hominins prior Pleistocene. Subsequently, synthesize ecosystem consequences megafauna discuss implications conservation restoration. A broad range indicates elicited profound changes structure functioning. The late-Quaternary thereby represent early, large-scale human-driven environmental transformation, constituting a progenitor Anthropocene, where humans are now player planetary Finally, conclude restoration via trophic rewilding can be expected positive effects biodiversity across Anthropocene settings.

Language: Английский

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Pathways for cross-boundary effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 37(5), P. 454 - 467

Published: Jan. 19, 2022

The biodiversity-ecosystem functioning concept asserts that processes in ecosystems are markedly influenced by species richness and other facets of biodiversity. However, studies have been largely restricted to single ecosystems, ignoring the importance functional links - such as exchange matter, energy, organisms between coupled ecosystems. Here we present a basic outline three pathways cross-boundary biodiversity effects on ecosystem propose an agenda assess effects, focusing terrestrial-aquatic linkages illustrate case. This perspective relationships presents promising frontier for science with repercussions conservation, restoration, management from local landscape scales.

Language: Английский

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Spatial personalities: a meta-analysis of consistent individual differences in spatial behavior

Behavioral Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 33(3), P. 477 - 486

Published: Dec. 1, 2021

Abstract Individual variation in behavior, particularly consistent among-individual differences (i.e., personality), has important ecological and evolutionary implications for population community dynamics, trait divergence, patterns of speciation. Nevertheless, individual spatial behaviors, such as home range movement characteristics, or habitat use yet to be incorporated into the concepts methodologies ecology biology. To evaluate evidence existence behavior – which we refer “spatial personality” performed a meta-analysis 200 repeatability estimates size, metrics, use. We found that personality is general phenomenon, with consistently high (r) across classes (r = 0.67–0.82), taxa 0.31–0.79), time between repeated measurements 0.54–0.74). These results suggest: 1) repeatable may either cause consequence environment experienced lead personalities limit ability individuals behaviorally adapt changing landscapes; 2) interactions phenotypes environmental conditions could result differential reproduction, survival, dispersal, suggesting facilitate population-level adaptation; 3) species' distributions dynamics better understood by shifting from mean field analytical approach towards methods account their associated fitness dynamics.

Language: Английский

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Major and trace nutrient concentrations in sub-Antarctic forage fish around the Kerguelen Islands: All are not equal for nutrient recycling by top predators

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 586, P. 152097 - 152097

Published: March 24, 2025

Language: Английский

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Landscapes shaped from the top down: predicting cascading predator effects on spatial biogeochemistry

Oikos, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 2022(5)

Published: Oct. 12, 2021

Spatial heterogeneity in ecological systems can result from animal‐driven top–down processes, but despite some theoretical attention, the emergence of spatial feedbacks caused by animals is not well understood empirically. Interactions between predators and prey influence animal movement associated nutrient transport release, generating that cascades throughout systems. Here, we synthesize existing literature to evaluate mechanisms which terrestrial generate biogeochemical processes through consumptive non‐consumptive effects. Overall, propose increase ecosystems whenever predation intense spatially variable, whereas predator–prey interactions homogenize weak or diffuse space. This leads several testable hypotheses: 1) carcass deposition at high‐predation risk sites stimulate positive availability; 2) hotspots when they concentrate activity safe habitats, instead subsidies migrate daily risky habitats; 3) herbivore body size mediates effects, such megaherbivores are more likely predator loss general will tend ecosystems. Testing these hypotheses advance our understanding whether amplify landscape

Language: Английский

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Using aquatic animals as partners to increase yield and maintain soil nitrogen in the paddy ecosystems

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

Published: Feb. 22, 2022

Whether species coculture can overcome the shortcomings of crop monoculture requires additional study. Here, we show how aquatic animals (i.e. carp, crabs, and softshell turtles) benefit paddy ecosystems when cocultured with rice. Three separate field experiments three mesocosm were conducted. Each experiment included a rice (RM) treatment rice-aquatic animal (RA) treatment; RA feed addition for animals. In experiments, yield was higher than RM, also produced yields that averaged 0.52–2.57 t ha -1 . Compared to their corresponding RMs, RAs had significantly apparent nitrogen (N)-use efficiency lower weed infestation, while soil N contents stable over time. Dietary reconstruction analysis based on 13 C 15 showed 16.0–50.2% foods from naturally occurring organisms in fields. Stable-isotope-labeling ( C) indicated organic matter decomposition rate greater RM. Isotope labeling used 13.0–35.1% feed-N. All these results suggest increases food production, N-use efficiency, maintains content by reducing weeds promoting complementary use. Our study supports view adding monocultures may enhance agroecosystem functions.

Language: Английский

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Movement predictability of individual barn owls facilitates estimation of home range size and survival

Movement Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Feb. 7, 2023

Abstract Background There is growing attention to individuality in movement, its causes and consequences. Similarly other well-established personality traits (e.g., boldness or sociability), conspecifics also differ repeatedly their spatial behaviors, forming behavioral types (“spatial-BTs”). These spatial-BTs are typically described as the difference mean-level among individuals, intra-individual variation (IIV, i.e., predictability) only rarely considered. Furthermore, factors determining predictability ecological consequences for broader space-use patterns largely unknown, part because was mostly tested captivity with repeated assays). Here we test if (i) individuals movement specifically predictability. We then investigate (ii) of this home-range size survival estimates, (iii) that affect individual Methods tracked 92 barn owls ( Tyto alba ) an ATLAS system monitored survival. From these high-resolution (every few seconds) extensive trajectories (115.2 ± 112.1 nights; X̅ SD) calculated indices max-displacement size, respectively). used double-hierarchical generalized linear mix-models assess spatial-BTs, nightly max-displacement, consistency across time. Finally, explored levels were associated survival, well seasonal, geographical, demographic affecting it age, sex, owls’ density). Results Our dataset (with 74 after filtering) revealed clear individualism movement. Individuals differed consistently both mean max-displacement) IIV around (i.e., predictability). More predictable had smaller home-ranges lower rates, on top beyond expected effects spatial-BT (max-displacement), age environments. Juveniles less than adults, but sexes did not Conclusion results demonstrate may act overlooked axis potential implications relevant processes at population level fitness. Considering how mean-effect can facilitate understanding intraspecific diversity, predicting responses changing conditions management.

Language: Английский

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A lifetime track of a griffon vulture: The moving story of Rehovot (Y64)

Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 104(4)

Published: Feb. 2, 2023

24th of August 2013. The day started as any other capture in the Negev desert, Israel, with 36 griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) waiting inside trap operated by Israeli Nature and Parks Authority (INPA). They were about to be released back nature after receiving a wing tag, and, for few chosen ones, also GPS transmitter (Iezekiel et al., 2003). One these vultures, later named Rehovot, was merely months old when he received his first nickname: Y64 (the number tag). young male weighing 8.3 kg, become an important sentinel species. Rehovot fitted 90 g GPS–GSM (by e-obs telemetry; https://e-obs.de/), attached using Teflon ribbon harness, backpack configuration (Harel, Horvitz, 2016). carried on provided 8 years data (Figure 1; Acácio, Anglister, 2022), contributing crucial information vulture conservation (Efrat 2020; Spiegel 2015) coincidently, own survival. This case study highlights importance long-term movement research understanding how animals explore interact their environment, this can used species (Nathan 2022). Across globe, populations are collapsing, mostly due poisoning (Green 2004; Ogada 2012). In griffons critically endangered have experienced fast population decline. Records from late-1800s mid-1900s show that common resident region (Hardy, 1946; Tristram, 1865), but declined ~400 two decades ago, only roughly 200 individuals today (Hatzofe, 2020). To prevent local extinction species, INPA runs extensive management program, providing contaminant-free food supplementary feeding stations, releasing captive-bred griffons, individually tracking transmitters (Harel 2017; 2013). These typically last between 1 4 years, unlike who live up 30 wild. Although track short period griffon's long life, they been instrumental studying ecology, including habitat use foraging requirements (Alarcón & Lambertucci, 2018; Duriez 2019). Real-time is particularly detection events: whenever informs either moving very little or suspected dead, ranger immediately sent field investigate (Hatzofe Vine, 2019; Nemtzov 2021). That exactly what happened Rehovot. year often moved more than km away roost, some days even flew 100 2). Despite staying Judean deserts, visited southern Israel (Eilat), eastern Sinai (Egypt), Jordan. But, 16th April 2015, 2 fledging, showed had not flown 24 h. He close ruins ancient Nabataean city (dated 1st century BCE 5th CE) known "Rehovot Negev." Thanks proximity, ruins: "Rehovot." A (Amiram Cohen) responded quickly, found poor condition rushed him Wildlife Hospital (https://www.wildlife-hospital.org.il/en). An initial inspection revealed lost weight (weighed 7.7 kg), weak heart rate, vomiting barely keeping head up. Under care Dr. Nili Roni Elias particularly, Shmulik Landau (who checked every 15 min over first, most critical, night), appropriate treatment. following day, another GPS-tracked vulture, adult female (at least 11 old) Faculta (currently T15 tag) collected same location entered hospital state. Both diagnosed methomyl poisoning, insecticide variety crops well deliberately poison wildlife (Plaza 2019) case, illegally bait carcass culling feral dogs. As middle breeding season nesting, it imperative she would quickly: longer absent nest, higher probability her chick perish. swift efficient treatment staff, both 19th (i.e., within less 3 days), Faculta, chick, survive incident 2D shows nest recovery). After event, movements tracked 6 1). While still much 70 became aged. reflected distances consecutive night roosts: average roosts (SD = 17 km, maximum 85 km), while eighth occupied areas 5 10 38 km) Occupying smaller ranges individual ages trend (and several species; e.g., Kane Food plentiful thanks large quantities stations (Duriez thus reducing risk allowing vultures' quite (Spiegel such tracks free-ranging rare, potential show, broad scale, space changes seasonally throughout animal's lifetime (e.g., roosting behavior; Harel, Duriez, 2016; 2015). age structure may change decreases (Jackson 2020), which, if combined age-specific (Weimerskirch, 2018), regulate ecosystem services provides nutrient transport; McInturf 2019 or, sanitation services; Fernández-Gómez On finer Rehovot's allowed age-related flight behavior fitness implications. fact, selected purpose, part Roi Harel's PhD studies at Movement Ecology Laboratory, Hebrew University Jerusalem. Together flights high resolution, recording position altitude s 3). outperform juveniles (including Rehovot) utilizing rising air currents (commonly thermals), yet learn efficiently circle thermals drifted winds unique example detailed identify specific tasks need improve functional performance. Furthermore, utilize atmospheric conditions sustain allows estimation energetic costs 2016), provide risks collision human infrastructures, wind turbines (Péron 2017). Nevertheless, high-resolution come price. High temporal increases accuracy locations (Acácio, Atkinson, fatigue battery overall decrease lifespan transmitter. Thus, selecting correct schedule fit study's objectives crucial. For example, order quickly events essential intermediate resolution min) frequent GSM transmissions per story came end 14 July 2021, no days. Due inaccessibility area, possible confirm perished Overall, followed million positions. end, died, one hope find someday soaring strong desert thermals, recapture continue follow rest life. summary, illustrates advance ecological directly promoting conservation. Nonetheless, challenging maintain, partly technical difficulties transmitters), difficulty obtaining uninterrupted funding, usually exceed duration grants. Yet, lifelong unravel behavioral life-history patterns emerge wild, shaping evolution adaptation environment (Caspi 2022; Wild 2021; Wolf 2007). shown adults differ traits, flying socializing (Albery comparisons fail mechanisms through which observed age-dependent evolve. differences result behavior, via learning, improvement, senescence Mueller 2013; Sergio 2014). addition, reflect selective mortality particular traits (Sergio 2014, emphasizing value tracking. changing faster ever before, therefore fundamental adapt (or adapt) challenges arising human-induced environmental Clutton-Brock Sheldon, 2010). We dedicate article inspirational caregiver missed. thank all volunteers workers dedication. rangers work field, members Laboratory Jerusalem, Individual Behavior Tel Aviv University, Assaf Uzan logistic support. Noa Pinter-Wollman, Nitika Sharma Kaija Gahm feedback version manuscript. Finally, we editor, Professor John Pastor, Olivier anonymous reviewers valuable previous versions Funding Binational Science Foundation (BSF) 822/2019 grant Orr Spiegel, BSF 255/2008 Ran Nathan. Marta Acácio supported George S. Wise Postdoctoral Fellowship (Tel University). Anglister stipend Yad-Hanadiv. authors declare conflict interest. Data supporting sensitive available publicly status focal region; contain qualified researchers Movebank "E-obs Vultures Israel" (Movebank ID 7359070; https://www.movebank.org/cms/webapp?gwt_fragment=page=studies,path=study7359070). anonymized dataset 2022) Zenodo https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7413086 shifted kilometers original ensure safety, maintains geometrical attributes needed reconstructing analysis. Video S1. S1 legend. Please note: publisher responsible content functionality supplied authors. Any queries (other missing content) should directed corresponding author article.

Language: Английский

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