Vegetation structure derived from airborne laser scanning to assess species distribution and habitat suitability: The way forward

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 29(1), P. 39 - 50

Published: Oct. 30, 2022

Abstract Ecosystem structure, especially vertical vegetation is one of the six essential biodiversity variable classes and an important aspect habitat heterogeneity, affecting species distributions diversity by providing shelter, foraging, nesting sites. Point clouds from airborne laser scanning (ALS) can be used to derive such detailed information on structure. However, public agencies usually only provide digital elevation models, which do not Calculating structure variables ALS point requires extensive data processing remote sensing skills that most ecologists have. extremely valuable for many analyses use distribution. We here propose 10 should easily accessible researchers stakeholders through national portals. In addition, we argue a consistent selection their systematic testing, would allow continuous improvement list keep it up‐to‐date with latest evidence. This initiative particularly needed advance ecological research open datasets but also guide potential users in face increasing availability global products.

Language: Английский

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Habitat and Body Condition of Small Mammals in a Country at Mid-Latitude

Land, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(8), P. 1214 - 1214

Published: Aug. 6, 2024

The relationship between the body condition of different small mammal species and habitat they occupy is poorly analyzed. We analyzed index, BCI, 18 trapped in forest, shrub, wetland, meadow, riparian, mixed fragmented, disturbed, agricultural, commensal habitats Lithuania during span 1980–2023. composition communities was habitat-dependent, being richest meadows, with eighteen species, poorest riparian habitats, nine species. A significant variation BCI respect to observed eight (Sorex araneus, S. minutus, Apodemus agrarius, A. flavicollis, Clethrionomys glareolus, Alexandromys oeconomus, Microtus agrestis, M. arvalis). highest average for most these found disturbed minutus arvalis showing agricultural habitats. lowest while C. glareolus exhibited shrub In general, dominating certain did not have BCI. This first multi-species, multi-habitat study mammals at mid-latitudes.

Language: Английский

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Effects of Post-Fire Management on a Mediterranean Small Mammal Community

Fire, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 6(1), P. 34 - 34

Published: Jan. 13, 2023

Wildfires simplify ecosystems, modifying the ecological niches of fauna living in recently burned areas. Small mammals respond rapidly to changes habitat structure and composition after fire, but effects fire can be ameliorated by some management strategies (e.g., salvage logging). Hence, it is necessary explore whether alternative may able return ecosystem its initial state. We studied small mammal community live trapping on eight plots under different post-fire treatments Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac Natural Park (Barcelona province, NE Spain). At level, an increase overall relative abundance species density was observed Apodemus sylvaticus, most abundant study area, used woody debris piles as a shelter against predators. Mus spretus more sites with large open areas interspersed piles. Crocidura russula steadily increased presence later successional stages when ground cover became complex. Our results suggest that combining appropriate improve suitability biodiversity other key open-land throughout area.

Language: Английский

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Some like it burnt: species differences in small mammal assemblage in a Mediterranean basin nearly 3 years after a major fire

Mammal Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 69(2), P. 283 - 302

Published: Feb. 28, 2024

Abstract The habitat accommodation model (HAM) is a theoretical framework that predicts wildlife community recovery based on their requirements. While post-fire habitat-related research well documented in the Mediterranean basin, studies specifically focusing HAM are scarce. Here, we described small mammal assemblage area ~3 years after fire, examining three functional mammalian categories: ground-foraging insectivorous, herbivorous/granivorous, and arboreal-foraging species. study was conducted Monte Pisano (Italy), where fire burnt ~12 km 2 September 2018. A stratified random sampling adopted, basing status forest type. In each of 50 sites, during late spring-summer 2021, 12 hair-tubes were deployed, collected hairs taxa-attributed morphology. presence/absence dataset built, db-RDA used to explore composition, single-species occupancy models test specific hypotheses. relative abundance herbivorous/granivorous higher area, characterised by dense undergrowth, which could be related anti-predatory strategies food opportunities. Insectivorous recolonisation phase, masking earlier absence, explain why not associated with any factor tested. Arboreal-foraging species type, indicating primary role for tree cover other factors such as rocky likely situ survival. overall confirmed also basin ecosystems. This may facilitate predictions about animal successions, turn provide valuable insights into management practices biodiversity conservation strategies.

Language: Английский

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Unravelling the influence of annual weather conditions and Mediterranean habitat types on acorn production, availability and predation

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 543, P. 121149 - 121149

Published: June 7, 2023

Seed production and survival are critical steps in the life cycle of plants, could become bottlenecks for plant regeneration case failure. During many factors, both abiotic biotic, intervene interact with each other. After dispersal, environmental variation affects success population, so seedling recruitment can display spatial variability. However, few studies seed availability cover a range habitat conditions (e.g. mature, transitional post-fire habitats), which makes it difficult to evaluate potential site-production relationships. We study how heterogeneity structure composition phenology, acorns, mainly holm oak, Mediterranean Natural Park. Our results show that meteorological variables determine phenology acorn fall. Habitat types present temporal mismatches falls since, example, shrublands required longer period time all seeds Furthermore, habitats greater tree density low understory complexity had higher but smaller acorns. Lower densities promote volume (seedling size) as consequence less intraspecific competition more reserves germination. The proportion viable acorns available on ground also decreased substantially winter, when infested increase because selective consumption sound by predators. Acorns from mixed forests pre-dispersal predation arthropods post-dispersal wild boar result oak isolation complexity. Conversely, rodents abundant shrublands, where they find diversity anti-predator refuges large nutritious autumn winter. Understanding reproductive constraints imposed space allows us infer consequences changes population persistence. thus high trees, prevalence thereby reducing viability. These Therefore, type is an important factor affecting should be taken into account future studies.

Language: Английский

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Heavy Metal Accumulation (Cd, As, Zn, Cu, Cr) in Hair and Bones of Small Mammal Prey of the Sentinel Species Common Genet (Genetta genetta) in an Anthropogenic Environment of Edough Mountain Forest, Northeastern Algeria

Animals, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1), P. 114 - 114

Published: Jan. 6, 2025

Heavy metal pollution has complex impacts on terrestrial ecosystems, affecting biodiversity, trophic relationships, species health, and the quality of natural resources. This study aims to validate a non-invasive method for detecting heavy metals (Cd, As, Zn, Cu, Cr) in micromammalian prey, which constitute primary diet common genet (Genetta genetta), mesocarnivore sensitive habitat degradation. By focusing prey remains (hair bones) rather than entire fecal samples, this approach leverages genet’s selective feeding habits assess bioaccumulation contaminants its preferred prey. Conducted Edough forest massif during winter 2021, analyzed 39 collected from following two contrasting environments: an area impacted by open landfill. Results revealed significant levels metals, with higher concentrations bones compared hair, increased accumulation anthropized environment. Monitoring these predators, such as genet, offers promising better understanding environmental contamination implementing measures protect ecosystems that depend them.

Language: Английский

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Mediterranean shrub assemblage of holm oak forests (Quercus ilex L.) is driven by aridity and soil texture rather than forest biomass

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 584, P. 122586 - 122586

Published: March 2, 2025

Language: Английский

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The impact of land use change on mycorrhizal fungi and their associations with rodents: insights from a temperate forest in Mexico

Mycorrhiza, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 35(3)

Published: May 8, 2025

Abstract Ecosystem functioning is influenced by biological diversity, ecological interactions, and abiotic conditions. Human interactions with ecosystems can cause major changes in how they function when involving the vegetation cover structure (i.e., land use change). This study examines change affects diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) ectomycorrhizal (EMF) soil rodent scats temperate forest sites. We collected scat samples at five paired sites disturbed vs. undisturbed) Michoacan, Mexico. identified 112 putative species using DNA barcoding based on partial internal transcribed region 1 (ITS) sequences. found a higher richness EMF undisturbed compared to AMF from than Scat had high incidence both (75%) (100%). significant differences depending associated them. also wet season dry season. report, for first time, associations between Sigmodon hispidus numerous species. Overall, our highlights role rodents as important dispersal vectors fungi, particularly that could be essential build up spore banks forests.

Language: Английский

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Occupancy dynamics of free ranging American mink (Neogale vison) in Greece

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: April 30, 2024

Abstract Identifying the environmental factors that determine occurrence of invasive species is essential in defining and implementing effective control campaigns. Here, we applied multi-season occupancy models to analyze American mink ( Neogale vison ) track data collected using 121 floating rafts, as a function occurring at multiple spatial scales. Our overall aim was identify those use, colonization or abandonment rafts by free ranging individuals found western Macedonia, Greece. We increasing values shrubs rock cover micro-habitat scale were positively associated with species’ probability raft density medium-sized rivers landscape scale. Colonization increase amounts shrub reed cover; however, both variables not informative. Conversely, distance from nearest fur farm highly informative predicting species. Effective actions may require removal trapping along rocky densely vegetated riverbanks lake shores located vicinity established farms area. Habitat management, although possible, be difficult implement due ability adapt. Finally, should maximize security establish an early warning rapid eradication system case future escapes.

Language: Английский

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Mesocarnivore Distribution along Gradients of Anthropogenic Disturbance in Mediterranean Landscapes

Diversity, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 14(2), P. 133 - 133

Published: Feb. 14, 2022

Wildfires are important sources of landscape change in Mediterranean environments, creating large patches low-growth natural habitats (i.e., scrublands) inside protected areas, whereas woodland remain mostly near well human settlements. Landscape patterns resulting from these gradients influence habitat suitability for mesocarnivores regarding food and shelter. In winter summer 2019, we sampled 16 independent line-transects with four camera traps each (64 cameras overall), covering the main study area (woodlands, scrublands, crops). Cameras were baited to compensate low detectability target species, mesocarnivore contacts analysed by means GLMMs occupancy models. Our results showed a positive stronger association wild species habitats, despite proportion available, higher presence competitors (other mesocarnivores), potential predators (human pets, i.e., dogs), prey availability than scrubland small mammals). However, will find protection against resting sites forests as other opportunities crops urban possible interference humans their pets. Potential cascading effects linked ecological roles on succession landscapes would imply longer-term disturbance trends.

Language: Английский

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