Empirical support for the biogeochemical niche hypothesis in forest trees

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 5(2), P. 184 - 194

Published: Jan. 4, 2021

Language: Английский

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Disparities in the analysis of morphological disparity

Biology Letters, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 16(7), P. 20200199 - 20200199

Published: June 30, 2020

Analyses of morphological disparity have been used to characterize and investigate the evolution variation in anatomy, function ecology organisms since 1980s. While a diversity methods employed, it is unclear whether they provide equivalent insights. Here, we review most commonly approaches for characterizing analysing disparity, all which associated limitations that, if ignored, can lead misinterpretation. We propose best practice guidelines analyses, while noting that there be no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. The available tools should always context specific biological question will determine data method selection at every stage analysis.

Language: Английский

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rKIN: Kernel‐based method for estimating isotopic niche size and overlap

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 89(3), P. 757 - 771

Published: Dec. 4, 2019

Abstract The isotopic niche of consumers represents biologically relevant information on resource and habitat use. Several tools have been developed to quantify size overlap. Nonetheless, methods adapted by spatial ecologists animal home ranges can be modified for use in stable isotope ecology when data are not normally distributed bivariate space. We offer a tool that draws existing metrics, such as minimum convex polygon (MCP) standard ellipse area (SEA), add novel metrics using kernel utilization density (KUD) estimators measure present examples empirical simulated demonstrate the performance package niches r (rKIN) under various scenarios. Results from MCP, SEA KUD were highly correlated but divergent among datasets. Overall, method produced largest sizes was more sensitive distribution data. Pairwise estimates overlap variable, likely because MCP inherently include or exclude unused areas resulting estimate. Four bandwidth (reference, normal scale, plug‐in biased cross‐validation) comparable at sample (10–40). Niche consistent across >15. Use rKIN will allow shifts, expansions contractions, well assess several estimation methods. also applied other types (e.g. principal component analysis, multi‐dimensional scaling) so long axes measurement units identical converted Cartesian coordinates.

Language: Английский

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Advancing biological invasion hypothesis testing using functional diversity indices

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 834, P. 155102 - 155102

Published: April 8, 2022

Pioneering investigations on the effects of introduced populations community structure, ecosystem functioning and services have focused invaders taxonomic diversity. However, taxonomic-based diversity metrics overlook heterogeneity species roles within among communities. As homogenizing biological invasions processes can be subtle, they may require use functional indices to properly evidenced. Starting from listing major indices, alongside presentation their strengths limitations, we focus studies pertaining invasive native communities recipient ecosystems using indices. By doing so, reveal that strongly vary at onset invasion process, while it stabilizes intermediate high levels invasion. changes occurring during lag phase an been poorly investigated, show is still unknown whether there are consistent in could indicate end phase. Thus, recommend providing information stage under consideration when computing metrics. For existing literature, also surprising very few explored difference between organisms same trophic levels, or assessed non-native organism establishment into a non-analogue versus analogue community. valuable tools for obtaining in-depth diagnostics structure functioning, applied timely implementation restoration plans improved conservation strategies. To conclude, our work provides first synthetic guide hypothesis testing biology.

Language: Английский

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Plant functional traits best explain invasive species’ performance within a dynamic ecosystem - A review

Trees Forests and People, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 8, P. 100260 - 100260

Published: April 30, 2022

Invasive alien species (IAS) poses a significant threat to plant biodiversity globally and even considered one of the largest threats biodiversity, second habitat loss. They behave as pioneer in different landscapes, tolerant disturbances, climatic conditions, high competitive potential generalists distribution. Their superior ability results loss native flora leading extinction. The success IAS generally attributed differences functional traits compared less successful aliens well species. Several studies envisaged that impacts invasions are not universal depend on trait diversity both, introduced resident community. Functional best describe alien's over natives, they seem be important attributes conservation biology ecosystem management. Moreover, their ecological remain poorly understood due lack quantitative studies. In present paper, we adopted systematic literature review approach for collecting analysing scientific data. A total 212 critical research papers grey last three decades were found meeting aims, collected from relevant sources. Present emphasizes key between invasive plants which aid them alter functioning by modifying according needs. We also focus habitats invasion based conceptual framework concerning response-effect traits. Review provides assessment invading performance, emerging problems possible solution.

Language: Английский

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Hutchinson’s ecological niche for individuals

Biology & Philosophy, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 37(4)

Published: June 23, 2022

Abstract We here develop a concept of an individualized niche in analogy to Hutchison’s population-level the ecological niche. consider (ecological) as range environmental conditions under which particular individual has expected lifetime reproductive success ≥ 1. Our primarily function, it refers match phenotype its contemporary environment (niche fit) while we discuss evolutionary fitness evaluative parameter this fit. address four specific challenges that occur when scaling down from populations individuals. In particular, (1) consequences uniqueness individuals population and corresponding lack statistical replication, (2) dynamic nature niches how they can be studied either time-slice niches, prospective or trajectory-based (3) dimensionality niche, is greater than due additional dimensions intra-specific space, (4) boundaries space defined by inferred marginalizing functions across phenotypes environments. frame our discussion context recent interest causes differences animal behavior.

Language: Английский

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Heterotrophy in marine animal forests in an era of climate change

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 99(3), P. 965 - 978

Published: Jan. 29, 2024

Marine animal forests (MAFs) are benthic ecosystems characterised by biogenic three-dimensional structures formed suspension feeders such as corals, gorgonians, sponges and bivalves. They comprise highly diversified communities among the most productive in world's oceans. However, MAFs decline due to global local stressors that threaten survival growth of their foundational species associated biodiversity. Innovative scalable interventions needed address degradation increase resilience under change. Surprisingly, few studies have considered trophic interactions heterotrophic feeding MAF an integral component conservation. Yet, important for nutrient cycling, energy flow within food web, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, stability. This comprehensive review describes at all levels ecological organisation tropical, temperate, cold-water MAFs. It examines strengths weaknesses available tools estimating capacities then discusses threats climate change poses processes. Finally, it presents strategies improving heterotrophy, which can help maintain health

Language: Английский

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Impact of Glaciers on Trophic Dynamics and Polyunsaturated Fat Accumulation in Southern Greenland Fjord Ecosystems

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 31(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

The primary production of fjords across the Arctic and Subarctic is undergoing significant transformations due to climatically driven retreat glaciers ice sheets. However, implications these changes for upper trophic levels remain largely unknown. In this study, we employ both bulk compound-specific stable isotope analyses investigate how shifts at base fjord food webs impact carbon energy sources consumers. Focusing on two rapidly changing in Southern Greenland, used migratory char as an indicator species, sampling populations along environmental gradients within fjords, building upon assumption that feed primarily close their natal stream, thereby integrating a dietary gradient. Our analysis isotopes tissue confirmed premise, revealing consistent change resource use from outer inner fjord, which nonetheless served preferred feeding grounds. Essential amino acid further indicated nitrogen sources, with nutrient near glacier inputs characterized by low turbidity high iron levels. Notably, source were associated positions transfer polyunsaturated fatty acids, glacier-influenced lower level (size-corrected) accumulating higher high-quality docosahexaenoic (DHA). These findings highlight usefulness new analytical tools glacial can substantially alter web dynamics, enhancing flow nutritional quality fish ecosystems. Greenland studied could represent future other where retreating become land-terminating decrease. study underscores critical role dynamics affecting high-level consumers, such salmonids, globally.

Language: Английский

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Evidence for an ecological two-population model for white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) in Australian waters

Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 52(3)

Published: March 2, 2025

Context Our understanding of population- and ecosystem-level processes commonly considers conspecific individuals to be ecologically equivalent. However, the same species may use resources differently, supporting prevalence individual specialisation or ‘apparent specialisation’. Individuals within a geographically defined population also exhibit complex subpopulation movements, whereby show philopatry specific regions that further drives variation. Aims White sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) are top predators in temperate tropical ecosystems. In Australia, two discrete subpopulations white (an east southwest subpopulation) have been proposed based on genetics limited movement across Bass Strait. We aimed characterise extent ontogenetic divergence resource–habitat behaviour from both regions. Methods used high-resolution retrospective stable isotope profiles (δ15N δ13C) 74 shark vertebral centra examine trophic–habitat signatures for sampled Key results demonstrate isotopic separation between juvenile–subadult (−13.7 ± 0.72 δ13C; 14.2 0.8 δ15N, n = 47) (−14.4 0.6 12.5 1.2 27) Strait, but with strong oscillatory trends regions, likely related seasonal movements. Relative niche width revealed apparent specialised Conclusions Retrospective vertebrae Australian provide evidence support an ecological two-population model juvenile subadult life stages. Implications Given many marine undergoing systematic declines, variation diet context structure true is central elucidating their roles.

Language: Английский

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The Multidimensional Stoichiometric Niche

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 5

Published: Sept. 20, 2017

The niche concept is essential to understanding how biotic and abiotic factors regulate the abundance distribution of living entities, these organisms utilize, affect compete for resources in environment. However, it has been challenging determine number types important dimensions. By contrast, there strong mechanistic theory empirical evidence showing that elemental composition shapes ecological systems, from organismal physiology food web structure. We propose an approach based on a multidimensional view niche. Visualizing stoichiometric individuals multivariate space permits quantification dimensions within across species. This expands previous characterizations plant niches, adapts metrics volume, overlap nestedness previously used quantify isotopic niches. demonstrate applicability using data carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus terrestrial freshwater communities composed by multiple trophic groups. First, we calculated volumes occupied webs, groups, individual species, which together give measure extent diversity levels organization. Then evaluated complementarity between through nestedness. Our case study showed vertebrates, invertebrates, primary producers do not their large areas are unoccupied organisms. Within differences emerged herbivores non-herbivores (detritivores predators). These were accompanied changes covariance structure three elements, suggesting fundamental shifts and/or also sensitivity results sample size, suggest representative sampling better than rarefaction characterizing webs. Overall, our demonstrates traits provide common currency estimate dimensionality help reduce rationalize axis required characterize populations or communities.

Language: Английский

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