Microclimate, an important part of ecology and biogeography

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 33(6)

Published: April 8, 2024

Abstract Brief introduction: What are microclimates and why they important? Microclimate science has developed into a global discipline. is increasingly used to understand mitigate climate biodiversity shifts. Here, we provide an overview of the current status microclimate ecology biogeography in terrestrial ecosystems, where this field heading next. investigations We highlight latest research on interactions between organisms, including how influence individuals, through them populations, communities entire ecosystems their processes. also briefly discuss recent organisms shape from tropics poles. applications ecosystem management Microclimates important under change. showcase new with examples conservation, forestry urban ecology. importance microrefugia conservation promote heterogeneity. Methods for advances data acquisition, such as novel sensors remote sensing methods. modelling, mapping processing, accessibility modelling tools, advantages mechanistic statistical solutions computational challenges that have pushed state‐of‐the‐art field. What's next? identify major knowledge gaps need be filled further advancing investigations, These include spatiotemporal scaling data, mismatches macroclimate predicting responses change, more evidence outcomes management.

Language: Английский

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Nest site selection during the second breeding attempt in Japanese tits (Parus minor): effects of nest site characteristics

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

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Numerous investigations focusing on nest site selection among multiple-brooded bird species have revealed a common trend: breeders frequently return to their first sites for another brood during the same breeding season. This behavior suggests strong preference familiar locations, which may offer advantages such as increased safety, resource availability, and efficiency of parental care. However, there were also instances where moved new site. Habitat changes linked nest-switching in birds that breed multiple times season not been thoroughly explored. research aimed determine whether Japanese tits (Parus minor), who are facultatively double-brooded, alter features due surrounding environment second attempt. We compared tit's boxes used brood, those control (which unoccupied located forest patch corresponding year). The findings indicated that, when boxes, occupied by exhibited shorter shrub height, smaller average DBH trees, yet higher height density shrubs. In comparison lower height. Our study suggested might be influenced unique characteristics, could factors food accessibility or predator avoidance.

Language: Английский

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Colony Site Selection of Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea) During the Breeding Period at Multiple Spatial Scales

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT The colony site selection of birds reflects their adaptability to the ecological environment. As one most common and widely distributed heron species, gray ( Ardea cinerea ) serves as an interesting study case for ornithologists. Researchers often characteristics understand how they adapt different environments these adaptation strategies affect survival reproduction. However, majority research has focused solely on studying in a single region at scales. To maintain model's generalization ability ensure accurate predictions preferences, we avoided using excessively similar landscapes within landscape mode. This utilizes geographic information systems (GIS) random forest (RM) models examine during breeding period herons across various regions spatial scales, providing insights into environmental factors influencing selection. By conducting China, gain valuable environments. results indicate that potentially suitable foraging habitats are primary determinant When habitat requirements met, exhibit degree flexibility choice, highlighting adaptive behaviors offering new widespread distribution. employing this approach, our findings offer wildlife conservation, emphasizing importance interdisciplinary collaboration shaping conservation strategies. Additionally, methods used may be applicable other bird species groups, preferences diverse contexts.

Language: Английский

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Behavioural ecology of Asian paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi) with special reference to nesting and foraging within a bamboo-dominated forest patch of Damodar River floodplain, Howrah, West Bengal

International Journal of Avian & Wildlife Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 9(1), P. 28 - 32

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

The study centered upon a summer visiting population of Asian Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi; Linnaeus, 1758; IUCN: Least Concern), medium-sized passerine bird nesting within bamboo-dominated habitat in flood plain Damodar river at Bangalpur, Howrah, West Bengal. Ad libitum sampling, focal group sampling and time budget analysis has been conducted for three consecutive breeding seasons (March to August 2022-24) develop an understanding their behavioural ecology related foraging nesting. Rich entomofaunal diversity around agricultural landscapes provides ample resources establishing territories.

Language: Английский

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Geometric description of a gliding grey-headed albatross (Thalassarche chrysostoma) for computer-aided design

Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(2), P. 026012 - 026012

Published: Jan. 22, 2025

Abstract Albatrosses are increasingly drawing attention from the scientific community due to their remarkable flight capabilities. Recent studies suggest that grey-headed albatrosses (GHA) may be fastest and most energy-efficient of albatross species, yet no attempts have been made replicate wing design. A key factor in aircraft design is airfoil, which remains uncharacterized for GHA. Other critical aspects, such as twist dihedral/anhedral, also remain unquantified any species. This study aimed fill this gap current knowledge by extracting detailed morphological data a GHA recreate digitally. well-preserved dried was scanned presence airflow wind tunnel, at conditions represent gliding flight. Wing cross-sections were extracted smoothed produce series airfoils along span. The 3D properties sweep used build CAD model wing. Variations airfoil shape observed span, with thicker, more cambered near base. wing’s camber slightly higher, particularly arm section, but overall matched photographs. body, tail, bill modelled based on available photographs known dimensions literature merged form final bill-body-wing-tail model. real morphology under aerodynamic pressure, Although geometric changes scanner interference limitation method, still provide valuable insights into performance varying conditions. geometry can fully parameterized complex simulations, aiding aerodynamics engineering design, or turbines similar Reynolds numbers.

Language: Английский

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Drone-based monitoring and geomorphology of southern giant petrel nests near Palmer Station, western Antarctic Peninsula

Polar Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 47(5), P. 459 - 474

Published: April 8, 2024

Abstract Human activities and climate change threaten seabirds globally, many species are declining from already small breeding populations. Monitoring of colonies can identify population trends important conservation concerns, but it is a persistent challenge to achieve adequate coverage remote sensitive sites. Southern giant petrels ( Macronectes giganteus ) exemplify this challenge: as polar, pelagic marine predators they subject variety anthropogenic threats, often breed in that highly disturbance. Aerial sensing overcome some these difficulties census sites explore how local environmental factors influence characteristics such nest-site selection chick survival. To end, we used drone photography map petrel nests, repeatedly evaluate survival quantify-associated physical biological the landscape at two neighboring on Humble Island Elephant Rocks, along western Antarctic Peninsula January–March 2020. Nest occurred areas with relatively high elevations, gentle slopes, wind exposure, statistical models predicted suitable locations based spatial characteristics, explaining 72.8% deviance These findings demonstrate efficacy drones tool identify, map, monitor seabird quantify habitat associations may constitute preferences or sensitivities. may, turn, contextualize diverse trajectories observed for throughout changing environment.

Language: Английский

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Impact and control of feral cats preying on wandering albatrosses: Insights from a field experiment

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

Abstract Invasive alien species are a major threat to seabird species, and the number of impacted is still increasing. A recent study revealed for first time that feral cats predated large albatross without cat control, some populations would markedly decline. We examined this new predator–prey system by individually monitoring known‐age wandering chicks with camera traps in colony experimentally divided into zones control. Our design allowed us investigate how control influenced abundance turn probability chick be cat. After controls, was lower controlled than uncontrolled zones, while survival analysis showed die from predation depended on zone but not abundance. also provided fine‐scale investigation various sources mortality. In addition (24% mortality overall), our data documented giant petrels, Kerguelen, strong unexpected effect nest flooding Overall, results underline need future studies investigating interindividual variability diet spatial ecology.

Language: Английский

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Dispersal potential does not predict recent range expansions of sub-Antarctic plant species

Polar Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 47(5), P. 499 - 514

Published: April 22, 2024

Abstract Dispersal influences many key aspects of plant ecology at both fine- and broad scales. However, dispersal events are challenging to quantify as they difficult observe measure accurately, despite the importance understanding species’ capacity. In this study, we quantified estimates for dominant vascular flora sub-Antarctic Marion Island, using a mechanistic model estimate potential via anemochory standardized experiments that simulate zoochory, human activity, thalassochory, test if capacity correlates contemporary range expansion island’s native alien species. Our results demonstrate in represent first quantification (via multiple vectors) sub-Antarctic. was not related rates or species, suggesting other mechanisms responsible variation observed species rates. Although finding contradicts expectations evidence from some studies, it is consistent with research conducted alpine regions (which may be climatically physiognomically similar study site) where factors such demography competition more important predictors than their ability, syndromes, dispersal-related traits.

Language: Английский

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Interspecific relationships in a suboptimal habitat, an unexpected ally for the survival of the threatened Tenerife speckled lizard (Gallotia intermedia)

European Journal of Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 70(6)

Published: Nov. 25, 2024

Abstract Anthropogenic-driven environmental changes are pushing species to the limits of their habitats. More often restricted relic or suboptimal habitats that present minimum requirements sustain populations. In this scenario accelerated change and biodiversity loss, is fundamental understand why can survive in such conditions. study, we show how Tenerife speckled lizard ( Gallotia intermedia ), a critically endangered endemic reptile from Canary Islands, maintain stable populations thanks its interactions with yellow-legged gull Larus michahellis ) colony. A isotope analysis revealed G. relies on marine subsidies for diet foraging area likely be L. breeding Furthermore, an antipredator behaviour showed displayed strong anti-predator mobbing response against cats, one main threats , thus potentially providing some protection reptiles inhabiting seabird Our results unusual poorly studied biotic provide valuable resources conditions conservation relict habitat.

Language: Английский

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Tariff Analysis in Automobile Insurance: Is It Time to Switch from Generalized Linear Models to Generalized Additive Models?

Mathematics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11(18), P. 3906 - 3906

Published: Sept. 14, 2023

Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) are the standard tool used for pricing in field of automobile insurance. Additive (GAMs) more complex and computationally intensive but allow taking into account nonlinear effects without need to discretize explanatory variables. In addition, they fit perfectly mental framework shared by actuaries easier use interpret than machine learning models, such as trees or neural networks. This work compares both GLM GAM approaches, using a wide sample policies assess their differences terms quality predictions, complexity use, time execution. The results show that GAMs powerful alternative GLMs, particularly when “big data” implementations used.

Language: Английский

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