A keystone mutualism underpins resilience of a coastal ecosystem to drought

Nature Communications, Год журнала: 2016, Номер 7(1)

Опубликована: Авг. 18, 2016

Droughts are increasing in severity and frequency, yet the mechanisms that strengthen ecosystem resilience to this stress remain poorly understood. Here, we test whether positive interactions form of a mutualism between mussels dominant cordgrass salt marshes enhance resistance recovery from drought. Surveys spanning 250 km southeastern US coastline reveal spatially dispersed mussel mounds increased survival during severe drought by 5- 25-times. addition experiments indicate effect on was due enhancing water storage reducing soil salinity stress. Observations models then demonstrate surviving patches associated with function as nuclei for vegetative re-growth and, despite covering only 0.1-12% die-offs, markedly shorten marsh periods. These results mutualisms, supporting stress-resistant patches, can play disproportionately large, keystone role climatic extremes.

Язык: Английский

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Spatially Explicit Modeling in Ecology: A Review

Ecosystems, Год журнала: 2016, Номер 20(2), С. 284 - 300

Опубликована: Ноя. 17, 2016

Язык: Английский

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A global database and “state of the field” review of research into ecosystem engineering by land animals

Journal of Animal Ecology, Год журнала: 2018, Номер 87(4), С. 974 - 994

Опубликована: Фев. 28, 2018

Abstract Ecosystem engineers have been widely studied for terrestrial systems, but global trends in research encompassing the range of taxa and functions not previously synthesised. We reviewed contemporary understanding engineer fauna habitats assessed methods used to document patterns processes, asking: (a) which species act as ecosystem with whom do they interact? (b) What are impacts how distributed? (c) primary examine effects these developed over time? considered strengths, weaknesses gaps knowledge related each questions suggested a conceptual framework delineate “significant impacts” engineering interactions all animals. collected peer‐reviewed publications examining created database assess experimental approaches any additional covariates that influenced magnitude impacts. One hundred twenty‐two from 28 orders were identified engineers, performing five ecological functions. Burrowing mammals most researched group (27%). Half studies occurred dry/arid habitats. Mensurative comparing sites without (80%) more common than manipulative (20%). These provided broad predicting upon abundance diversity. However, roles confounding factors, processes driving consequences experimentally adjusting variables, such density, neglected. True spatial temporal replication has also limited, particularly emerging reintroductions. Climate change habitat modification will challenge play regulating ecosystems, become important avenues future research. recommend include simulation manipulation densities determine potential cascades through trophic pathways due functional decline. improving long‐term reintroductions across landscapes better understand large‐scale gradients alter

Язык: Английский

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Indicators of transitions in biological systems

Ecology Letters, Год журнала: 2018, Номер 21(6), С. 905 - 919

Опубликована: Март 30, 2018

In the face of global biodiversity declines, predicting fate biological systems is a key goal in ecology. One popular approach search for early warning signals (EWSs) based on alternative stable states theory. this review, we cover theory behind nonlinearity dynamic and techniques to detect loss resilience that can indicate state transitions. We describe research done generic abundance-based instability are derived from phenomenon critical slowing down, which represent genesis EWSs research. highlight some issues facing detection such - inherently complex show low signal-to-noise ratios. then document instability, including measuring shifts spatial autocorrelation trait dynamics, discuss potential future directions detailed demographic phenotypic data. set greater field predictive ecology weigh up costs benefits simplicity vs. complexity models, how available data should steer development methods. Finally, identify unanswered questions that, if solved, could improve applicability these

Язык: Английский

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Ant‐termite interactions: an important but under‐explored ecological linkage

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Год журнала: 2019, Номер 95(3), С. 555 - 572

Опубликована: Дек. 25, 2019

ABSTRACT Animal interactions play an important role in understanding ecological processes. The nature and intensity of these can shape the impacts organisms on their environment. Because ants termites, with high biomass range functions, have considerable effects environment, interaction between them is for ecosystem Although manner which termites interact becoming increasingly well studied, there has been no synthesis to date available literature. Here we review synthesise all existing literature ant–termite interactions. We infer that ant predation most important, widespread, studied type interaction. Predatory species regulate termite populations subsequently slow down decomposition wood, litter soil organic matter. As a consequence they also affect plant growth distribution, nutrient cycling availability. some are specialised predators, probably level opportunistic by generalist species, hence impact processes known provide varies at level. fruitful future research direction will be evaluate broader To do this it necessary quantify efficacy both particular communities as whole regulating different biomes. envisage work require combination methods, including DNA barcoding gut contents along field observations exclusion experiments. Such combined approach assessing how influences entire ecosystems.

Язык: Английский

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Effects of feedback regulation on vegetation patterns in semi-arid environments

Applied Mathematical Modelling, Год журнала: 2018, Номер 61, С. 200 - 215

Опубликована: Апрель 30, 2018

Язык: Английский

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Economic and ecological importance of termites: A global review

Entomological Science, Год журнала: 2018, Номер 22(1), С. 21 - 35

Опубликована: Сен. 27, 2018

Abstract In this review article, the positive and negative impacts of termites on ecosystems human activities are examined. Various ecosystem services provided by – their importance as a food resource for humans, wildlife domestic animals discussed, along with use these insects in scientific research folk traditional medicine. Some insufficiently studied properties (their ability to perceive radiation radioactive substances, electric fields magnetic fields), well bionics, described. Special attention is paid termite mounds different purposes (e.g. mineral deposit searches, medical applications, furnaces copper smelting, storage some nuts, burial sites, gathering edible mushrooms genus Termitomyces fertilizer). Examples such countries given. This article reviews pests agriculture forestry, including crops that most affected, structural wooden structures, household furniture, books museum collections). termites’ malicious parts world provided. Information invasions given, main areas expansion habitat The economic loss caused whole presented. also lists economically important species world.

Язык: Английский

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Deterministic selection dominates microbial community assembly in termite mounds

Soil Biology and Biochemistry, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 152, С. 108073 - 108073

Опубликована: Ноя. 18, 2020

Язык: Английский

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Termites and Chinese agricultural system: applications and advances in integrated termite management and chemical control

Insect Science, Год журнала: 2019, Номер 28(1), С. 2 - 20

Опубликована: Сен. 17, 2019

Abstract Termites are eusocial arthropod decomposers, and improve soil fertility, crop yield, also used by humans for their benefits across the world. However, some species of termites becoming a threat to farming community as they directly indirectly causing major losses agricultural system. It is estimated that cost global economy more than 40 billion USD annually, considerable research has been done on management. In this review, we present available information related sustainable integrated termite management practices (ITM). Furthermore, insist better menace can be possible through: (i) improving traditional methods keep away from crops; (ii) maintain plants with vigor less susceptible attack; (iii) integration techniques reduce infestation in crops surroundings. The application an effective combination recently developed approaches best option growers. Moreover, keeping mind beneficial nature pest, innovative efforts its management, particularly using rapidly emerging technology (e.g., RNA interference), needed.

Язык: Английский

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Host-Specific Diversity of Culturable Bacteria in the Gut Systems of Fungus-Growing Termites and Their Potential Functions towards Lignocellulose Bioconversion

Insects, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 14(4), С. 403 - 403

Опубликована: Апрель 21, 2023

Fungus-growing termites are eusocial insects that represent one of the most efficient and unique systems for lignocellulose bioconversion, evolved from a sophisticated symbiosis with lignocellulolytic fungi gut bacterial communities. Despite plethora information generated during last century, some essential on profiles their contributions to wood digestion in fungus-growing is still inadequate. Hence, using culture-dependent approach, present study aims assess compare diversity lignocellulose-degrading symbionts within three termites: Ancistrotermes pakistanicus, Odontotermes longignathus, Macrotermes sp. A total 32 species, belonging 18 genera 10 different families, were successfully isolated identified Avicel or xylan as sole source carbon. Enterobacteriaceae was dominant family represented by 68.1% bacteria, followed Yersiniaceae (10.6%) Moraxellaceae (9%). Interestingly, five such Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Acinetobacter, Trabulsiella, Kluyvera common among tested termites, while other bacteria demonstrated termite-specific distribution. Further, potential selected strains agricultural waste evaluate capability bioconversion. The highest substrate degradation achieved E. chengduensis MA11 which degraded 45.52% rice straw. All showed endoglucanase, exoglucanase, xylanase activities depicting symbiotic role towards termite gut. above results indicated harbor diverse array differ species may play an inevitable enhance efficacy decomposition. further elaborates our knowledge about termite-bacteria bioconversion could be helpful design future biorefinery.

Язык: Английский

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