Effects of human disturbances on wildlife behaviour and consequences for predator-prey overlap in Southeast Asia

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Feb. 19, 2024

Some animal species shift their activity towards increased nocturnality in disturbed habitats to avoid predominantly diurnal humans. This may alter diel overlap among species, a precondition most predation and competition interactions that structure food webs. Here, using camera trap data from 10 tropical forest landscapes, we find hyperdiverse Southeast Asian wildlife communities peak early mornings intact dawn dusk (increased crepuscularity). Our results indicate anthropogenic disturbances drive opposing behavioural adaptations based on rarity, size feeding guild, with more the 59 rarer specialists' diurnality for medium-sized generalists, less larger hunted species. Species turnover also played role underpinning community- guild-level responses, associated markedly detections of generalists predators. However, predator-prey or competitor guilds does not vary disturbance, suggesting net be conserved.

Language: Английский

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Power and Efficiency in Living Systems

Sci, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 6(2), P. 28 - 28

Published: May 6, 2024

Energy transformation powers change in the universe. In physical systems, maximal power (rate of energy input or output) may occur only at submaximal efficiency (output/input), conversely, power. My review and living systems various levels biological organization reveals that (1) trade-offs (negative correlations) between efficiency, as expected chiefly for resource-supply systems; (2) synergy (positive occurs resource use which result from (a) increasing allocation to production versus maintenance rate increases (b) natural selection eliminating organisms exceed a limit because deleterious speed-related effects; (3) productive indicates species-wide ‘fitness’, whereas acquisition local ‘adaptiveness’, viewed along body size spectrum within clades related species; (4) covariation across space time many scales; (5) energetic power/efficiency relates rates efficiencies/effectiveness nutrient/water uptake/use, functional performance activities, information acquisition/processing; (6) approach has useful theoretical practical applications deserving more study.

Language: Английский

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Exceptionally Uniform Bat Assemblages across Different Forest Habitats Are Dominated by Single Hyperabundant Generalist Species

Forests, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(2), P. 337 - 337

Published: Feb. 8, 2024

Woodland bat assemblages are usually structured in a space according to the distance from ground, water, and obstacles, features that often define chiropteran hunting tactics. Consequently, species composition differs strongly among various habitats, even within same forest patch. However, when conducting local surveys Wolin National Park (WPN), we revealed an unexpected uniformity qualitative quantitative structure of assemblages, based on mist netting ultrasound recording. In total, 10 vespertilionid were detected. Across all methods sampled single species, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, predominated, while no Barbastella barbastellus, old specialist, detected, despite abundance their preferred daily roosts. We also reviewed literature for mist-netted samples four different habitats lowland Polish forests. The clustered habitat classes very closely representing geographically distant exception was WPN, where formed tightly packed cluster. hypothesize P. pygmaeus might act as hyperabundant native successful generalist reduces contribution more specialized taxa assemblage. It probably benefits both renaturation anthropogenic cross-boundary subsidy.

Language: Английский

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Assembly Processes Underlying Biotic Homogenization of Soil Microbial Communities in an Urban Ecosystem

Land Degradation and Development, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 13, 2025

ABSTRACT Urbanization is known to cause biotic homogenization, but the processes controlling homogenization are not well understood. Here, we analyzed microbial communities from 258 soil samples covering large landscape heterogeneity of entire Shanghai megacity. We measured urbanization intensity by incorporating habitat fragmentation, connectivity, and distance city center. determined extent which bacterial fungal community composition varied with how different assembly contributed variations. found significantly positive effects on compositional bacteria fungi, proportions generalists specialists were related homogenization. Dispersal ecological drift explained at least 60% variations, increased influences dispersal reducing specialists. Environmental variables < 28% higher led a simplified co‐occurrence network an proportion in network. These results indicate that homogenized shifting generalist specialist microbes, weak environmental selection. Therefore, conserve urban biodiversity ecosystem functioning face complex human impacts, management strategies should consider only conditions also drift, as species preferences, increase effectiveness actions.

Language: Английский

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Cascading Effects of Anthropogenic Excess Food for Predators on a Peri‐Urban Population of an Endangered Ungulate

Animal Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 30, 2025

ABSTRACT A major side effect of urbanization is the increased availability food for wildlife in peri‐urban areas. Most research has focused on highly adaptive exploiter species that thrive under such conditions, overlooking avoider species, which are often predated upon by exploiters. Moreover, areas grazed livestock, mainly to reduce frequency and intensity fires, a practice can also adversely affect vulnerable species. We examined long‐term effects excess provided discourage namely golden jackal ( Canis aureus ) wild boar Sus scrofa ), from foraging farmland human residencies. Both prey endangered mountain gazelles Gazella gazella our study area, nested within mosaic settlements agricultural lands Mediterranean Israel. Because park routinely subjected seasonal cattle ranching, we included stocking rate (mean ± SD: 51.77 18.21 cow grazing days/ha) as an alternative factor, into analysis. used Generalized Linear Mixed Models analyze extensive dataset, comprising 724 surveys conducted over 17 years, modeled gazelle encounter rates response while controlling environmental factors. Our results suggest anthropogenic through diversionary feeding led decreasing densities, probably predation When ceased after 12 increased. argue this increase corresponds population recovery, although it could be consistent with mechanisms altered space‐use movement patterns. To conserve urban areas, managers should predators scavengers. Furthermore, moderate ranching (i.e., low rates) mitigate potential adverse impacts populations.

Language: Английский

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Human disturbance and aridity influence biomass harvesting by leaf‐cutting ants with impacts on nutrient dynamics in a Caatinga dry forest

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 13, 2025

Abstract Human activities have converted mature forests into mosaics of successional vegetation and chronically disturbed habitats, altering the patterns population distribution, foraging ecology thus, flow matter nutrients through ecosystems. Although effects human disturbance are mostly harmful, hyperabundant native generalist species can emerge increase their populations under disturbance, such as leaf‐cutting ants (LCA), prominent herbivores that considered ecosystem engineers. Here, we examined response two LCA Caatinga dry forest ( Acromyrmex balzani A. rugosus ) to increasing levels chronic anthropogenic aridity, assessed activity, biomass harvested by colonies. We found colony densities increased at more varying considerably from 0 81 nests/ha, but aridity had no effect. The exhibited markedly different (44.66 ± 28.76 294.6 260.53 daily), with rate in arid conditions for a smaller nests, disturbance. Biomass consumption varied distinctly between species, ranging 4.81 g (7.24 kg ha.year −1 , 5.6 74 (174.39 ). Furthermore, there was effect on harvesting individual However, considerable colonies plots (i.e. accounting densities). Moreover, foraged upon nutrient‐rich material plant containing higher concentrations N, Ca, S, Sr, Fe Mn, well lower C:N ratio these areas. Our results suggest (1) achieve larger though not directly associated (2) operate key herbivore able fit harvesting/diet entire environmental gradient forage complementarily (monocot vs. dicot) (3) reallocate expressive amount biomass, resulting temporary nutrient sinks potential impacts resilience.

Language: Английский

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Habitat Suitability Assessment of Key Wildlife in Hainan Tropical Rainforest Based on ESDM

Life, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(2), P. 323 - 323

Published: Feb. 19, 2025

Hainan tropical rainforest is the largest contiguous in China, but it has experienced increasing disturbances from anthropogenic activities recent decades due to economic and social development. However, current status of wildlife habitats within remains insufficiently studied, lacking systematic scientific assessments necessary guide effective biodiversity conservation strategies. This study focuses on Jianfengling area rainforest, using infrared camera monitoring data habitat environmental factor collected through multi-source 2020-2021. By applying Ensemble Species Distribution Model (ESDM), we assessed spatial distribution suitability its influencing factors for seven representative species, as well overall multi-species suitability. The results indicate that exhibits a pattern high central regions low surrounding areas. Anthropogenic DEM were identified most significant selection, with species favoring mid altitude areas (500-1000 m) where human are less prevalent. provides support management authorities optimize resource allocation, develop dynamic strategies, implement measures.

Language: Английский

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Threatened synanthropes depend on intact forests: a critical evaluation of Moore et al. (2023)

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 11, 2025

ABSTRACT Synanthropes are known for their remarkable adaptability to coexist with humans, yet increased visibility exposes them significant threats, such as hunting or conflict over resources. Moore et al. 's review ‘The rise of hyperabundant native generalists threatens both humans and nature’ ( https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12985 ) explores distribution patterns impacts macaques pigs in anthropogenic environments. Our critical evaluation this study revealed several substantial issues: the pooling data from species that ecologically behaviourally distinct, an error acquisition, potential biases statistical analyses, misrepresentations threats wildlife human‐impacted habitats. Additionally, we highlight lack evidence supporting authors' core assertion hyperabundance species. While compare densities abundance across various habitat types, analyses did not demonstrate population increases time. On contrary, our re‐analysis sets showed a decreasing trend Macaca nemestrina absence M. fascicularis 44% surveyed habitats characterized by medium high forest integrity. Further, findings emphasize importance intact forests predicting relative pigs. Overall, recommend more careful interpretation data, can result negative sensational discourses about overabundance, which may threaten conservation often thrive landscapes.

Language: Английский

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A model for the noninvasive, habitat-inclusive estimation of upper limit abundance for synanthropes, exemplified by M. fascicularis

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 10(21)

Published: May 24, 2024

Accurately estimating population sizes for free-ranging animals through noninvasive methods, such as camera trap images, remains particularly limited by small datasets. To overcome this, we developed a flexible model upper limit populations and exemplified it studying group-living synanthrope, the long-tailed macaque ( Macaca fascicularis ). Habitat preference maps, based on environmental GPS data, were generated with maximum entropy combined data obtained from traps, line transect distance sampling, direct sightings to produce an expected number of individuals. The mapping between habitat individuals was optimized tunable parameter ρ (inquisitiveness) that accounts repeated observations Benchmarking against published highlights high accuracy model. Overall, this approach combines citizen science scientific reveals be (up 80%) smaller than expected. model’s flexibility makes suitable many species, providing scalable, tool wildlife conservation.

Language: Английский

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Rewilding herbivores: too much or little of a good thing?

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 39(9), P. 787 - 789

Published: Aug. 14, 2024

Language: Английский

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