Empirical examples demonstrate how relational thinking might enrich science and practice

People and Nature, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 5(2), С. 455 - 469

Опубликована: Фев. 5, 2023

Abstract Interdependent relationships among humans and nature often go overlooked, delaying better environmental, social public health outcomes. Emerging approaches have emphasized thinking through relationships, which we call ‘relational thinking’. Threads of relational matured in areas such as anthropology Indigenous scholarship, interest is growing across many disciplines. Welcoming this new cadre thinkers requires a more broadly accessible synthesis. Sustainability scholars begun to overcome these barriers with high‐level overviews broad calls adopt thinking. This literature has investigated the conceptual underpinnings thinking, but concrete, empirical benefits for understanding human–natural systems remain obscure. Here, introduce wide range examples demonstrate potential illuminate diverse coupled human‐and‐natural systems. We complement an overview theory behind use argue that some conventional methods are consistent particularly when accompanied by deliberation flexibility about target, why, how. Read free Plain Language Summary article on Journal blog.

Язык: Английский

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Allometry reveals trade-offs between Bergmann’s and Allen’s rules, and different avian adaptive strategies for thermoregulation

Nature Communications, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 14(1)

Опубликована: Фев. 27, 2023

Abstract Animals tend to decrease in body size (Bergmann’s rule) and elongate appendages (Allen’s warm climates. However, it is unknown whether these patterns depend on each other or constitute independent responses the thermal environment. Here, based a global phylogenetic comparative analysis across 99.7% of world’s bird species, we show that way which relative length unfeathered co-varies with temperature depends vice versa. First, larger body, greater increase beak temperature. Second, temperature-based tarsus apparent only birds, whereas smaller decreases Third, interact predict species’ environmental These findings suggest animals’ shape are products an evolutionary compromise reflects distinct alternative thermoregulatory adaptations.

Язык: Английский

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Drivers of the changing abundance of European birds at two spatial scales

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 378(1881)

Опубликована: Май 29, 2023

Detecting biodiversity change and identifying its causes is challenging because multifaceted temporal data often contain bias. Here, we model in species' abundance biomass by using extensive describing the population sizes trends of native breeding birds United Kingdom (UK) European Union (EU). In addition, explore how species’ vary with traits. We demonstrate significant bird assemblages UK EU, substantial reductions overall losses concentrated a relatively small number abundant smaller sized species. By contrast, rarer larger had generally fared better. Simultaneously, avian increased very slightly was stable indicating community structure. Abundance across species were positively correlated body mass climate suitability, varied abundance, migration strategy niche associations linked to diet. Our work highlights changes cannot be captured easily single number; care required when measuring interpreting given that different metrics can provide insights. This article part theme issue ‘Detecting attributing change: needs, gaps solutions’.

Язык: Английский

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Climate-driven variation in dispersal ability predicts responses to forest fragmentation in birds

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 7(7), С. 1079 - 1091

Опубликована: Май 29, 2023

Язык: Английский

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Frugivore-mediated seed dispersal in fragmented landscapes: Compositional and functional turnover from forest to matrix

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 120(44)

Опубликована: Окт. 23, 2023

Seed dispersal by frugivores is a fundamental function for plant community dynamics in fragmented landscapes, where forest remnants are typically embedded matrix of anthropogenic habitats. Frugivores can mediate both connectivity among and colonization the matrix. However, it remains poorly understood how frugivore communities change from to due loss or replacement species with traits that less advantageous open habitats whether such changes ultimately influence composition dispersed plants via interactions. Here, we close this gap using unique dataset seed-dispersal networks were sampled patches adjacent seven landscapes across Europe. We found similar diversity frugivores, plants, interactions contributing seed matrix, but high turnover (replacement) all these components. The seeds was smaller than because different provided complementary Importantly, involved functional toward larger more mobile which taller, larger-seeded later fruiting periods. Our study provides trait-based understanding frugivore-mediated through uncovering nonrandom shifts have cascading consequences regenerating communities. findings also highlight importance faunas ecosystem resilience, demonstrating potential passive restoration unmanaged lands

Язык: Английский

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