Integrating food webs in species distribution models can improve ecological niche estimation and predictions

Ecography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 14, 2025

Biotic interactions play a fundamental role in shaping multitrophic species communities, yet incorporating these into distribution models (SDMs) remains challenging. With the growing availability of interaction networks, it is now feasible to integrate SDMs for more comprehensive predictions. Here, we propose novel framework that combines trophic networks with Bayesian structural equation models, enabling each be modeled based on its predators or prey alongside environmental factors. This addresses issues multicollinearity and error propagation, making possible predict distributions unobserved locations under future conditions, even when predator are unknown. We tested validated our realistic simulated communities spanning different theoretical ecological setups. scenarios. Our approach significantly improved estimation both potential realized niches compared single SDMs, mean performance gains 8% 6%, respectively. These improvements were especially notable strongly regulated by biotic factors, thereby enhancing model predictive accuracy. supports integration various SDM extensions, such as occupancy integrated offering flexibility adaptability developments. While not universal solution consistently outperforms provides valuable new tool modeling community known assumed.

Language: Английский

---

Optimizing ecological security patterns in a megacity by enhancing urban-rural connectivity: Insights from Wuhan, China

Applied Geography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 176, P. 103535 - 103535

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

---

Promoting ecological restoration of deeply urbanized hilly areas: A multi-scale ecological networks approach

Ecological Indicators, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 154, P. 110655 - 110655

Published: July 17, 2023

With the deep expansion of urbanization, contradictions between human beings and natural environment in hilly areas have shown characteristics multi-scale complexity. The traditional construction ecological network rarely focused on relationship elements at different scales, which made it difficult to systematically solve problems. To address gap, this paper proposed a novel framework construct networks based discussion problems space scales. Firstly, one most deeply urbanized area China (Changsha- Zhuzhou- Xiangtan urban agglomeration, CZXUA) was chosen as study area. By constructing evaluation system patches importance (EPI) after conducting Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA), identification method sources optimized Then, spatial principal component analysis (SPCA) used sort out resistance factors surfaces constructed accordingly. Furthermore, from CZXUA central were cooperatively through Least-cost path (LCP), circuit theory, hierarchical transmission scale nesting. Finally, overall security pattern development metropolitan green open area, well applied territorial planning spacial results up for deficiency single-scale neglecting important details local areas, provided feasible restoration plan decision makers practitioners. This can contribute cross-scale ecosystem biodiversity conservation hills.

Language: Английский

---

A Critical Evaluation of Network Approaches for Studying Species Interactions

Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 55(1), P. 65 - 88

Published: July 26, 2024

Ecological networks of species interactions are popular and provide powerful analytical tools for understanding variation in community structure ecosystem functioning. However, network analyses commonly used metrics such as nestedness connectance have also attracted criticism. One major concern is that observed patterns misinterpreted niche properties specialization, whereas they may instead merely reflect sampling, abundance, and/or diversity. As a result, studies potentially draw flawed conclusions about ecological function, stability, or coextinction risks. We highlight potential biases analyzing interpreting species-interaction review the solutions available to overcome them, among which we particularly recommend use null models account abundances. show why considering across important their consequences. Network can advance knowledge on principles but only when judiciously applied.

Language: Английский

---

How to measure response diversity

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(5), P. 1150 - 1167

Published: March 21, 2023

Abstract The insurance effect of biodiversity—that diversity stabilises aggregate ecosystem properties—is mechanistically underlain by inter‐ and intraspecific trait variation in organismal responses to the environment. This variation, termed response , is therefore a potentially critical determinant ecological stability. However, has yet be widely quantified, possibly due difficulties its measurement. Even when it been measured, approaches have varied. Here, we review methods for measuring from them distil methodological framework quantifying experimental and/or observational data, which can practically applied laboratory field settings across range taxa. Previous empirical studies on most commonly invoke traits as proxies aimed at capturing species' Our approach, based environment‐dependent any biotic or abiotic environmental variable, conceptually simple robust form response, including nonlinear responses. Given derivation data responses, this approach should more directly reflect than trait‐based dominant literature. By even subtle environment dependencies diversity, hope will motivate tests diversity–stability relationship new perspective, provide an mapping, monitoring conserving dimension biodiversity.

Language: Английский

---

Identifying and optimizing ecological spatial patterns based on the bird distribution in the Yellow River Basin, China

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 348, P. 119293 - 119293

Published: Oct. 10, 2023

Language: Английский

---

Quantitative Representativeness and Constituency of the Long-Term Agroecosystem Research Network and Analysis of Complementarity with Existing Ecological Networks

Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 72(4), P. 705 - 726

Published: June 16, 2023

Abstract Studies conducted at sites across ecological research networks usually strive to scale their results larger areas, trying reach conclusions that are valid throughout enclosing regions. Network representativeness and constituency can show how well conditions sampling locations represent also found elsewhere be used help scale-up over Multivariate statistical methods have been design select optimize regional representation, thereby maximizing the value of datasets research. However, in created from already established sites, an immediate challenge is understand existing range environments whole area interest. We performed analysis USDA Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) all agricultural working lands within conterminous United States (CONUS). Our 18 LTAR based on 15 climatic edaphic characteristics, produced maps constituency. Representativeness was quantified through exhaustive pairwise Euclidean distance calculation multivariate space, between experiments each site every 1 km cell CONUS. perspective CONUS locations, but we considered site. For site, identified region best represented by particular site—its constituency—as set grid environmental drivers shows combination characteristics location sites’ environments, while which closest match for location. good most croplands higher than grazinglands, probably because more specific criteria. Constituencies resemble ecoregions “centered” those sites. Constituency prioritize experimental or even identify extents likely included when generalizing knowledge regions Sites with a large generalist smaller areas specialized combinations. These “specialist” representatives smaller, unusual areas. The potential sharing complementary Ecological (LTER) National Observatory (NEON) boost explored. network would benefit borrowing several NEON Sevilleta LTER Later additions must include such specialist targeted unique missing environments. While this exhaustively principal related production lands, did not consider focal agronomic systems under study, socio-economic context.

Language: Английский

---

Heterogeneous dispersal networks to improve biodiversity science

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 39(3), P. 229 - 238

Published: Oct. 25, 2023

Language: Английский

---

Ecological associations distribution modelling of marine plankton at a global scale

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 379(1909)

Published: July 22, 2024

Marine plankton communities form intricate networks of interacting organisms at the base food chain, and play a central role in regulating ocean biogeochemical cycles climate. However, predicting community shifts response to climate change remains challenging. While species distribution models are valuable tools for changes biogeography under scenarios, they generally overlook key biotic interactions, which can significantly shape ecological processes ecosystem responses. Here, we introduce novel statistical framework, association modelling (ADM), designed model predict associations space time. Applied on Tara Oceans genome-resolved metagenomics dataset, present-day ADM-inferred marine revealed four major biogeographic biomes organized along latitudinal gradient. We predicted evolution these biome-specific scenario, highlighting differential responses environmental change. Finally, explored functional potential impacted communities, focusing carbon fixation, outlining its geographical implications function. This article is part theme issue ‘Connected interactions: enriching web research by spatial social interactions’.

Language: Английский

---

Mismatch between IUCN range maps and species interactions data illustrated using the Serengeti food web

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11, P. e14620 - e14620

Published: Feb. 10, 2023

Background Range maps are a useful tool to describe the spatial distribution of species. However, they need be used with caution, as essentially represent rough approximation species’ suitable habitats. When stacked together, resulting communities in each grid cell may not always realistic, especially when species interactions taken into account. Here we show extent mismatch between range maps, provided by International Union for Conservation Nature (IUCN), and data. More precisely, that local networks built from those often yield unrealistic communities, where higher trophic levels completely disconnected primary producers. Methodology We well-described Serengeti food web mammals plants our case study, identify areas data within predators’ taking account structure. then occurrence Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) investigate is most lacking. Results found predator ranges comprised large without any overlapping their prey. many these contained GBIF occurrences predator. Conclusions Our results suggest both sources could due either lack information about ecological or geographical finally discuss general guidelines help defective among distributions data, recommend this method valuable way assess whether being used, even if incomplete, ecologically accurate.

Language: Английский

---