Pub Date : 2025-12-29DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2025.104155
Dyego Leonardo Ferraz Caetano , Edson Fontes De Oliveira , Maria Gabriela Utida , Cláudio Henrique Zawadzki
Aim
This study investigated the relationship between the structure and co-occurrence patterns of the fish fauna and the physical and chemical characteristics of three streams in southern Brazil, evaluating the effects of spatial and temporal scales on these relationships.
Methods
Abiotic data and fish fauna were sampled quarterly from October 2012 to July 2013 in three sampling units of each stream (Água dos Anjos, Monjolinho, and Ubá, upper Paraná River basin). The structure of the assemblage was analyzed using α, β, and γ diversity indices, and the co-occurrence patterns were assessed through the null model C-score. Species abundance patterns were related to abiotic variables through Spearman's Correlation and Canonical Correlation Analysis.
Results
The diversity patterns of the fish assemblages were influenced by physical, chemical, and hydrological characteristics, showing a positive effect of conductivity and flow on diversity patterns. The general assemblages showed structure patterns different from those observed randomly. The results were influenced by the structure of the Água dos Anjos stream, indicating the interference of physical and chemical parameters, biotic interactions, and seasonality in the fish assemblages.
Conclusions
This study indicates that interactions between fish assemblages and the environment significantly affect species distribution, diversity, and co-occurrence, providing evidence that environmental factors such as ion concentration, conductivity, and flow influence the formation of spatiotemporal structure patterns.
目的研究巴西南部3条河流鱼类区系结构和共现模式与河流理化特征的关系，并评价时空尺度对这一关系的影响。方法于2012年10月至2013年7月，每季对每条河流（Água dos Anjos、Monjolinho和ub，上帕拉纳河流域）的3个采样单元采集生物数据和鱼类区系。利用α、β和γ多样性指数分析组合的结构，并通过零模型C-score评估共现模式。通过Spearman相关和典型相关分析，物种丰度格局与非生物变量之间存在相关性。结果鱼类群落多样性格局受物理、化学和水文特征的影响，电导率和流量对群落多样性格局具有正向影响。一般组合表现出不同于随机观察的结构模式。结果受Água dos Anjos河流结构的影响，表明鱼类组合的物理和化学参数，生物相互作用和季节性的干扰。结论鱼类群落与环境的相互作用对物种分布、多样性和共现性有显著影响，表明离子浓度、电导率和流量等环境因素影响了时空结构格局的形成。
{"title":"Influence of abiotic variables on the diversity and co-occurrence of fish assemblages in streams of the paranapanema basin, Brazil","authors":"Dyego Leonardo Ferraz Caetano , Edson Fontes De Oliveira , Maria Gabriela Utida , Cláudio Henrique Zawadzki","doi":"10.1016/j.actao.2025.104155","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actao.2025.104155","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Aim</h3><div>This study investigated the relationship between the structure and co-occurrence patterns of the fish fauna and the physical and chemical characteristics of three streams in southern Brazil, evaluating the effects of spatial and temporal scales on these relationships.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Abiotic data and fish fauna were sampled quarterly from October 2012 to July 2013 in three sampling units of each stream (Água dos Anjos, Monjolinho, and Ubá, upper Paraná River basin). The structure of the assemblage was analyzed using α, β, and γ diversity indices, and the co-occurrence patterns were assessed through the null model C-score. Species abundance patterns were related to abiotic variables through Spearman's Correlation and Canonical Correlation Analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The diversity patterns of the fish assemblages were influenced by physical, chemical, and hydrological characteristics, showing a positive effect of conductivity and flow on diversity patterns. The general assemblages showed structure patterns different from those observed randomly. The results were influenced by the structure of the Água dos Anjos stream, indicating the interference of physical and chemical parameters, biotic interactions, and seasonality in the fish assemblages.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study indicates that interactions between fish assemblages and the environment significantly affect species distribution, diversity, and co-occurrence, providing evidence that environmental factors such as ion concentration, conductivity, and flow influence the formation of spatiotemporal structure patterns.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55564,"journal":{"name":"Acta Oecologica-International Journal of Ecology","volume":"130 ","pages":"Article 104155"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145884847","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-25DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2025.104152
Kavita Khatri , Kiran Bargali , Surendra S. Bargali
Biomass allocation is one of the important functional traits responsible for resources attainment, and plasticity in biomass allocation reflects a plant's response to varying environmental conditions. This study compared in-situ biomass allocation to different plant parts of an invasive weed Ageratina adenophora in different populations growing across different altitudinal ranges and habitats. Two altitudinal ranges viz., low altitudinal range (1000–1500 m) and high altitudinal range (1500–2000 m) invaded by A. adenophora were selected and at each altitude, six habitats common to both altitudinal ranges were identified. During the reproductive period of A. adenophora i.e., in the months of March and April, twenty-four quadrats of 1 × 1 m size were randomly laid and three plants from each quadrat were carefully dug out without disturbing the roots. Plants were transported to the laboratory, washed to remove soil particles, separated into different components, oven dried and weighed. The results indicated that at each site, A. adenophora allocated maximum biomass to the stem. ANOVA showed significant differences in biomass allocation between the two altitudinal ranges indicating the high adjustment capacity of A. adenophora. High altitude populations allocated more biomass to roots and inflorescence while, low altitude populations allocated more biomass to stems and leaves. Across habitats, allocation to leaves, stem and reproductive parts showed significant differences. High allocation of photosynthates to the shoot portion is a key trait that directs invasive plant development and enables endurance under changing plant densities. A. adenophora possesses plastic biomass partitioning behavior which helps this weed to establish highly dense stands in different habitats.
{"title":"Role of biomass allocation strategy in enhancing the invasiveness of Croftonweed (Ageratina adenophora) across diverse habitats of Kumaun Himalaya","authors":"Kavita Khatri , Kiran Bargali , Surendra S. Bargali","doi":"10.1016/j.actao.2025.104152","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actao.2025.104152","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biomass allocation is one of the important functional traits responsible for resources attainment, and plasticity in biomass allocation reflects a plant's response to varying environmental conditions. This study compared in-situ biomass allocation to different plant parts of an invasive weed <em>Ageratina adenophora</em> in different populations growing across different altitudinal ranges and habitats. Two altitudinal ranges viz., low altitudinal range (1000–1500 m) and high altitudinal range (1500–2000 m) invaded by <em>A. adenophora</em> were selected and at each altitude, six habitats common to both altitudinal ranges were identified. During the reproductive period of <em>A. adenophora</em> i.e., in the months of March and April, twenty-four quadrats of 1 × 1 m size were randomly laid and three plants from each quadrat were carefully dug out without disturbing the roots. Plants were transported to the laboratory, washed to remove soil particles, separated into different components, oven dried and weighed. The results indicated that at each site, <em>A. adenophora</em> allocated maximum biomass to the stem. ANOVA showed significant differences in biomass allocation between the two altitudinal ranges indicating the high adjustment capacity of <em>A. adenophora</em>. High altitude populations allocated more biomass to roots and inflorescence while, low altitude populations allocated more biomass to stems and leaves. Across habitats, allocation to leaves, stem and reproductive parts showed significant differences. High allocation of photosynthates to the shoot portion is a key trait that directs invasive plant development and enables endurance under changing plant densities. <em>A. adenophora</em> possesses plastic biomass partitioning behavior which helps this weed to establish highly dense stands in different habitats.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55564,"journal":{"name":"Acta Oecologica-International Journal of Ecology","volume":"130 ","pages":"Article 104152"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145841357","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-24DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2025.104153
Paula Gavarró , Vicenç Bros , Llorenç Sáez , Xavier Santos , Joan Real , Daniel Pons , Roger Puig-Gironès
In biodiversity hotspots like rocky outcrops, species distribution is shaped by environmental factors at multiple scales, with microhabitat characteristics like substrate composition and shelter playing key roles. These fragile ecosystems host a rich diversity of species, including endemic and endangered taxa. However, they remain underexplored in conservation research, despite their crucial role in sustaining xerophilic biodiversity. This study investigates the environmental drivers of xerophilous communities, specifically on land snails and epilithic cryptograms, in a Mediterranean Natural Park. Specifically, we examine how substrate composition influences species assemblages and their biotic relationship. Our field data and statistical models reveal that substrate heterogeneity, comprising conglomerates, pebbles, and sand, creates microclimatic conditions that support diverse communities. Land snails are particularly associated with larger pebbles that provide shelter and moisture retention, while epilithic species thrive on conglomerates and finer materials that stabilize microhabitats. Minimal overlap in habitat preferences between snails and epilithic suggests niche partitioning and complex biotic interactions, highlighting the importance of substrate diversity in sustaining biodiversity. From a conservation perspective, we propose conservation strategies focussed on preserving substrate structural diversity within rocky outcrops to maintain vital habitat features for xerophilous species. Management policies should integrate microhabitat-scale considerations to enhance ecosystem resilience and mitigate disturbances from human and wildlife activities. This research not only advances our understanding of invertebrate ecology in extreme habitats but also offers valuable insights for the conservation of other biodiversity-rich ecosystems facing similar challenges.
{"title":"Evaluating biotic interactions in a hard and fragile ecosystem: xerophilous land snails and epilithic cryptogram communities in rocky outcrops","authors":"Paula Gavarró , Vicenç Bros , Llorenç Sáez , Xavier Santos , Joan Real , Daniel Pons , Roger Puig-Gironès","doi":"10.1016/j.actao.2025.104153","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actao.2025.104153","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In biodiversity hotspots like rocky outcrops, species distribution is shaped by environmental factors at multiple scales, with microhabitat characteristics like substrate composition and shelter playing key roles. These fragile ecosystems host a rich diversity of species, including endemic and endangered taxa. However, they remain underexplored in conservation research, despite their crucial role in sustaining xerophilic biodiversity. This study investigates the environmental drivers of xerophilous communities, specifically on land snails and epilithic cryptograms, in a Mediterranean Natural Park. Specifically, we examine how substrate composition influences species assemblages and their biotic relationship. Our field data and statistical models reveal that substrate heterogeneity, comprising conglomerates, pebbles, and sand, creates microclimatic conditions that support diverse communities. Land snails are particularly associated with larger pebbles that provide shelter and moisture retention, while epilithic species thrive on conglomerates and finer materials that stabilize microhabitats. Minimal overlap in habitat preferences between snails and epilithic suggests niche partitioning and complex biotic interactions, highlighting the importance of substrate diversity in sustaining biodiversity. From a conservation perspective, we propose conservation strategies focussed on preserving substrate structural diversity within rocky outcrops to maintain vital habitat features for xerophilous species. Management policies should integrate microhabitat-scale considerations to enhance ecosystem resilience and mitigate disturbances from human and wildlife activities. This research not only advances our understanding of invertebrate ecology in extreme habitats but also offers valuable insights for the conservation of other biodiversity-rich ecosystems facing similar challenges.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55564,"journal":{"name":"Acta Oecologica-International Journal of Ecology","volume":"130 ","pages":"Article 104153"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145841355","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-24DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2025.104154
Andrea Nieto , Lea Kerwer , Boris A. Tinoco , Eike Lena Neuschulz , Matthias Schleuning
Climate seasonality and human land-use are major pressures shaping biodiversity in tropical dry regions and both are expected to intensify in the near future. Therefore, understanding the interplay of these factors is crucial for mitigating biodiversity loss in these rapidly changing ecosystems. We examined the effects of seasonality (i.e., wet and dry seasons) and human land-use types (i.e., natural forests and silvopastures) on taxonomic and functional diversity, and community composition of birds in a seasonally dry tropical forest in southern Ecuador. We repeatedly recorded birds in 12 1-ha plots across natural forests and silvopastures at two elevations (600 and 1200 m a.s.l.) using point counts, and classified the bird community into primary (i.e., nectarivores, frugivores, granivores and omnivores) and secondary (i.e., invertivores) consumers. Functional bird diversity based on four morphological traits was not affected by human land-use type or seasonality, while taxonomic diversity of the overall community and of secondary consumers increased with elevation. The taxonomic diversity of primary consumers was higher in silvopastures compared to natural forests. The composition of the overall bird community and that of primary and secondary consumers differed between elevations. Seasonality had no effect on diversity nor on composition. Our study shows that elevation is a major driver of bird diversity and community composition in seasonally dry tropical forests, indicating that even short elevational gradients shape bird communities in these ecosystems. Protecting continuous elevational transects of dry tropical forests is therefore essential to maintain their high bird diversity under current and future conditions.
{"title":"Variation in bird diversity and composition between elevations and human land-use types in a seasonally dry tropical forest","authors":"Andrea Nieto , Lea Kerwer , Boris A. Tinoco , Eike Lena Neuschulz , Matthias Schleuning","doi":"10.1016/j.actao.2025.104154","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actao.2025.104154","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate seasonality and human land-use are major pressures shaping biodiversity in tropical dry regions and both are expected to intensify in the near future. Therefore, understanding the interplay of these factors is crucial for mitigating biodiversity loss in these rapidly changing ecosystems. We examined the effects of seasonality (i.e., wet and dry seasons) and human land-use types (i.e., natural forests and silvopastures) on taxonomic and functional diversity, and community composition of birds in a seasonally dry tropical forest in southern Ecuador. We repeatedly recorded birds in 12 1-ha plots across natural forests and silvopastures at two elevations (600 and 1200 m a.s.l.) using point counts, and classified the bird community into primary (i.e., nectarivores, frugivores, granivores and omnivores) and secondary (i.e., invertivores) consumers. Functional bird diversity based on four morphological traits was not affected by human land-use type or seasonality, while taxonomic diversity of the overall community and of secondary consumers increased with elevation. The taxonomic diversity of primary consumers was higher in silvopastures compared to natural forests. The composition of the overall bird community and that of primary and secondary consumers differed between elevations. Seasonality had no effect on diversity nor on composition. Our study shows that elevation is a major driver of bird diversity and community composition in seasonally dry tropical forests, indicating that even short elevational gradients shape bird communities in these ecosystems. Protecting continuous elevational transects of dry tropical forests is therefore essential to maintain their high bird diversity under current and future conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55564,"journal":{"name":"Acta Oecologica-International Journal of Ecology","volume":"130 ","pages":"Article 104154"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145841358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-23DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2025.104148
Kênia A. dos Santos Mateus , Willian L.S. Paiva , Daniele de L. Braga , Carla R. Ribas , Antônio C.M. Queiroz , Ronald Zanetti
Justification/objective
Ants perform important functions in natural environments such as soil structuring, nutrient cycling, herbivory, predation, and dispersal of diaspores. However, some ants, like the leaf-cutting ants, are the main eucalyptus pests and are the targets of formicide baits, when ingested, has a lethal effect. These baits are considered non-selective for ants in general. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effects over time of the formicide baits on the ant richness and composition of non-target ground-dwelling ants and on the seed dispersal rate in forest fragments adjacent to eucalyptus plantations.
Methods
We applied the formicide baits inside the eucalyptus plantations and on the edge of forest fragments. We evaluated the richness and composition of ground-dwelling ants and the seed dispersal rate into adjacent forest fragments 30 days before and 30, 120, and 180 days after the application of the formicide baits.
Results
The application of ant bait in eucalyptus plantations did not affect the ant species richness in adjacent forest fragments, and this variable remained stable over time after treatment. However, the application of ant bait altered seed removal rates both when applied within eucalyptus plantations and in forest fragments, indicating functional impacts on ant-mediated ecological processes. Furthermore, the application of bait in forest fragments resulted in a temporary change in the composition of ant communities compared to fragments where bait application occurred only in eucalyptus, with noticeable changes detected 30 days after application. In these areas, after 120 days of application, the species composition returned to conditions similar to those observed before the bait application. The application of ant bait affected the composition of the ant community, with species exclusivity varying between environments: 38.5 % of the species were found only in the area without bait, 16.9 % at the edge of the forest with bait and 17.7 % in the eucalyptus area with bait.
Conclusion
The formicide baits application does not change ant richness by ground-dwelling ants but modify the ground-dwelling ant community composition and seed removal rates in adjacent forests fragments. Additionally, species losses, temporary appearances, and changes in occurrence frequency were observed, indicating both immediate and long-term impacts on community structure, especially in forest fragments and eucalyptus areas with formicide baits application. Therefore, we recommend baits application only inside the eucalyptus plantations and not into forest fragments edges around plantations, as it can affect species composition.
{"title":"Formicides application in eucalyptus plantations and their temporal effects on composition of ground-dwelling ants in adjacent forest fragments","authors":"Kênia A. dos Santos Mateus , Willian L.S. Paiva , Daniele de L. Braga , Carla R. Ribas , Antônio C.M. Queiroz , Ronald Zanetti","doi":"10.1016/j.actao.2025.104148","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actao.2025.104148","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Justification/objective</h3><div>Ants perform important functions in natural environments such as soil structuring, nutrient cycling, herbivory, predation, and dispersal of diaspores. However, some ants, like the leaf-cutting ants, are the main eucalyptus pests and are the targets of formicide baits, when ingested, has a lethal effect. These baits are considered non-selective for ants in general. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effects over time of the formicide baits on the ant richness and composition of non-target ground-dwelling ants and on the seed dispersal rate in forest fragments adjacent to eucalyptus plantations.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We applied the formicide baits inside the eucalyptus plantations and on the edge of forest fragments. We evaluated the richness and composition of ground-dwelling ants and the seed dispersal rate into adjacent forest fragments 30 days before and 30, 120, and 180 days after the application of the formicide baits.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The application of ant bait in eucalyptus plantations did not affect the ant species richness in adjacent forest fragments, and this variable remained stable over time after treatment. However, the application of ant bait altered seed removal rates both when applied within eucalyptus plantations and in forest fragments, indicating functional impacts on ant-mediated ecological processes. Furthermore, the application of bait in forest fragments resulted in a temporary change in the composition of ant communities compared to fragments where bait application occurred only in eucalyptus, with noticeable changes detected 30 days after application. In these areas, after 120 days of application, the species composition returned to conditions similar to those observed before the bait application. The application of ant bait affected the composition of the ant community, with species exclusivity varying between environments: 38.5 % of the species were found only in the area without bait, 16.9 % at the edge of the forest with bait and 17.7 % in the eucalyptus area with bait.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The formicide baits application does not change ant richness by ground-dwelling ants but modify the ground-dwelling ant community composition and seed removal rates in adjacent forests fragments. Additionally, species losses, temporary appearances, and changes in occurrence frequency were observed, indicating both immediate and long-term impacts on community structure, especially in forest fragments and eucalyptus areas with formicide baits application. Therefore, we recommend baits application only inside the eucalyptus plantations and not into forest fragments edges around plantations, as it can affect species composition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55564,"journal":{"name":"Acta Oecologica-International Journal of Ecology","volume":"130 ","pages":"Article 104148"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145841356","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-19DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2025.104151
Małgorzata Charytanowicz , Kajetan Perzanowski , Maciej Januszczak , Aleksandra Wołoszyn-Gałęza , Maria Sobczuk , Piotr Kulczycki
A frequent problem in introduction programs is the assessment of introduction success measured as an acceptance of animals towards habitat patches selected for this purpose. Despite efforts to select optimal habitat patches for reintroduction programs, animals released to the wild rarely stay within such designated spots. Therefore, it is important to be able to evaluate their true landscape affiliation. Wisents upon having been reintroduced to the Bieszczady Mountains, have remained in two separate subpopulations of slightly different habitats. In this study, we compared the affiliation to their home ranges. Using movement data obtained through radio-tracking and employing machine learning techniques (notably, eXtreme Gradient Boosting) for classification purposes, we were able to obtain a precise determination of the most intensively used habitats within their home ranges. We analysed 31,480 location records of wisent presence in the Bieszczady Mountains during the years 2002–2021, and correlated this with data on land use and land cover obtained from the Corine Land Cover inventory. The machine-learning algorithm XGBoost was then applied to identify the affiliation of individual wisents to habitats within the home range of the given subpopulation. The results showed very high classification performance, with a recognition accuracy of 92 % in the vegetative and 96 % in the winter seasons. We thus propose a new approach to recognizing the affiliation of particular individuals to their home ranges. This may considerably improve the decision-making process in conservation and management of wildlife populations.
{"title":"Identification of differences in habitat use patterns by individuals from separate animal populations through machine learning techniques","authors":"Małgorzata Charytanowicz , Kajetan Perzanowski , Maciej Januszczak , Aleksandra Wołoszyn-Gałęza , Maria Sobczuk , Piotr Kulczycki","doi":"10.1016/j.actao.2025.104151","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actao.2025.104151","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A frequent problem in introduction programs is the assessment of introduction success measured as an acceptance of animals towards habitat patches selected for this purpose. Despite efforts to select optimal habitat patches for reintroduction programs, animals released to the wild rarely stay within such designated spots. Therefore, it is important to be able to evaluate their true landscape affiliation. Wisents upon having been reintroduced to the Bieszczady Mountains, have remained in two separate subpopulations of slightly different habitats. In this study, we compared the affiliation to their home ranges. Using movement data obtained through radio-tracking and employing machine learning techniques (notably, eXtreme Gradient Boosting) for classification purposes, we were able to obtain a precise determination of the most intensively used habitats within their home ranges. We analysed 31,480 location records of wisent presence in the Bieszczady Mountains during the years 2002–2021, and correlated this with data on land use and land cover obtained from the Corine Land Cover inventory. The machine-learning algorithm XGBoost was then applied to identify the affiliation of individual wisents to habitats within the home range of the given subpopulation. The results showed very high classification performance, with a recognition accuracy of 92 % in the vegetative and 96 % in the winter seasons. We thus propose a new approach to recognizing the affiliation of particular individuals to their home ranges. This may considerably improve the decision-making process in conservation and management of wildlife populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55564,"journal":{"name":"Acta Oecologica-International Journal of Ecology","volume":"130 ","pages":"Article 104151"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145799000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of riffle and pool mesohabitats and riparian habitats on the functional traits of fish assemblages in Neotropical streams. Sampling of the physical and chemical factors of streams and fish took place in July and August 2016, in 24 sections of 20 streams located in the basins of the Ash River and Paranapanema 1. 22 ecomorphological indices and functional traits related to diet, feeding tactics, preferred habitat and biomass were used to compose the functional diversity matrices. The influences of environmental factors and the similarities and dissimilarities of fish assemblages between mesohabitats and between stretches with different riparian habitats were verified. There were significant differences between the mesohabitats in the indices of functional diversity. The parameters of the mesohabitats were considered more important descriptors related to functional diversity than the factors related to the constitution of the riparian habitats. However, it is important to conserve the riparian habitats of a body of water throughout its entire length, and not just a few stretches, as seen in this study, which may have reflected in the similarity between stretches with conserved and impacted riparian habitats. The results show the influence of multiple mesohabitat factors on the functional structure of fish communities in streams, emphasizing the importance of aquatic habitat heterogeneity in ecological research.
{"title":"Mesohabitat structure may be as important as stream riparian habitats in driving the variation in functional diversity of Neotropical stream fish","authors":"Dyego Leonardo Ferraz Caetano , Edson Fontes de Oliveira , Cláudio Henrique Zawadzki","doi":"10.1016/j.actao.2025.104150","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actao.2025.104150","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of riffle and pool mesohabitats and riparian habitats on the functional traits of fish assemblages in Neotropical streams. Sampling of the physical and chemical factors of streams and fish took place in July and August 2016, in 24 sections of 20 streams located in the basins of the Ash River and Paranapanema 1. 22 ecomorphological indices and functional traits related to diet, feeding tactics, preferred habitat and biomass were used to compose the functional diversity matrices. The influences of environmental factors and the similarities and dissimilarities of fish assemblages between mesohabitats and between stretches with different riparian habitats were verified. There were significant differences between the mesohabitats in the indices of functional diversity. The parameters of the mesohabitats were considered more important descriptors related to functional diversity than the factors related to the constitution of the riparian habitats. However, it is important to conserve the riparian habitats of a body of water throughout its entire length, and not just a few stretches, as seen in this study, which may have reflected in the similarity between stretches with conserved and impacted riparian habitats. The results show the influence of multiple mesohabitat factors on the functional structure of fish communities in streams, emphasizing the importance of aquatic habitat heterogeneity in ecological research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55564,"journal":{"name":"Acta Oecologica-International Journal of Ecology","volume":"130 ","pages":"Article 104150"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145799001","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2025.104149
Paulo C. Athumani, Naza E. Mmbaga, Francis Chebby
Bush encroachment poses significant threats to African rangelands. Restoring these ecosystems effectively requires understanding the interaction between vegetation cover, soil seed bank (SSB), and soil properties. This study investigates the influence of Dichrostachys cinerea-dominance on the SSB, aboveground vegetation, and soil properties in a semi-arid region, central Tanzania. We hypothesized that Dichrostachys cinerea encroachment affects SSB and understory vegetation diversity through competitive exclusion and alters soil chemistry, while maintaining sufficient reserves for passive restoration. Aboveground vegetation cover was visually estimated, SSB composition and abundance were assessed using the seedling-emergence method, while soil properties were measured following standard procedures. Plant and SSB diversity were calculated using the Shannon-Wiener index. One-way ANOVA and NMDS compared Shannon-Weiner's diversity between aboveground vegetation and the SSB, while Welch's two-sample t-test compared Shannon-Weiner's diversity between the Dichrostachys cinerea-dominated portion and the open patches. Pearson's correlation explored relationships between aboveground vegetation, SSB abundance, and soil chemical variables. Results revealed a grass-dominated SSB (71.3 % abundance, 4 seedlings m−2) with nine species absent aboveground, indicating latent diversity for restoration. Soil fertility was moderate (pH 6.35, CEC 20.5 cmol/kg). High soil salinity and potassium negatively correlated with SSB abundance (r = −0.67 and −0.64, respectively, p < 0.05), while organic carbon positively correlated with aboveground vegetation (r = 0.53, p < 0.05). Shannon-Wiener diversity differed significantly between seasons and SSB (F = 95.66, p < 0.05), while also varied between the Dichrostachys cinerea-dominated area and open patches (t (20.21) = 6.96, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that while passive restoration is feasible due to the diverse SSB and moderate soil fertility, active interventions like targeted fertilisation and herbivore reintroduction may enhance grass recovery and prevent re-encroachment. This study highlights the importance of integrating SSB and soil property assessments for effective savanna restoration, offering insights for global rewilding initiatives.
布什的入侵对非洲牧场构成了重大威胁。有效恢复这些生态系统需要了解植被覆盖、土壤种子库（SSB）和土壤性质之间的相互作用。本文研究了在坦桑尼亚中部半干旱区，二色竹（Dichrostachys cinerea）优势对土壤生物量、地上植被和土壤性质的影响。我们推测，灰桫椤的入侵通过竞争排斥影响林地和林下植被多样性，改变土壤化学，同时为被动恢复保持足够的储量。地面植被覆盖度目测，SSB组成和丰度采用苗出苗法评估，土壤性质按照标准程序测量。利用Shannon-Wiener指数计算植物和SSB多样性。采用单因素方差分析（One-way ANOVA）和NMDS比较了地上植被和疏林带之间的Shannon-Weiner多样性，采用Welch的双样本t检验比较了疏林带优势部分和开阔斑块之间的Shannon-Weiner多样性。皮尔逊相关性研究了地上植被、SSB丰度和土壤化学变量之间的关系。结果表明，禾草为主的SSB（丰度为71.3%，4株幼苗m−2）有9种植物在地上缺失，表明恢复具有潜在的多样性。土壤肥力适中（pH 6.35, CEC 20.5 cmol/kg）。土壤高盐度和高钾与SSB丰度呈负相关（r = - 0.67和- 0.64,p < 0.05），有机碳与地上植被呈正相关（r = 0.53, p < 0.05）。Shannon-Wiener多样性在季节和林地间存在显著差异（F = 95.66, p < 0.05），在双色竹优势区和开放斑块间也存在显著差异（t (20.21) = 6.96, p < 0.05）。这些发现表明，虽然被动恢复是可行的，但由于土壤肥力适中，有针对性的施肥和草食动物的重新引入等积极干预措施可能会促进草的恢复并防止再次入侵。该研究强调了将土壤质量和土壤性质评估结合起来对有效恢复热带稀树草原的重要性，为全球再野生化倡议提供了见解。
{"title":"Soil seed bank diversity and physicochemical properties in the Dichrostachys cinerea-encroached savanna: Implications for vegetation restoration in the semi-arid of central Tanzania","authors":"Paulo C. Athumani, Naza E. Mmbaga, Francis Chebby","doi":"10.1016/j.actao.2025.104149","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actao.2025.104149","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bush encroachment poses significant threats to African rangelands. Restoring these ecosystems effectively requires understanding the interaction between vegetation cover, soil seed bank (SSB), and soil properties. This study investigates the influence of <em>Dichrostachys cinerea</em>-dominance on the SSB, aboveground vegetation, and soil properties in a semi-arid region, central Tanzania. We hypothesized that <em>Dichrostachys cinerea</em> encroachment affects SSB and understory vegetation diversity through competitive exclusion and alters soil chemistry, while maintaining sufficient reserves for passive restoration. Aboveground vegetation cover was visually estimated, SSB composition and abundance were assessed using the seedling-emergence method, while soil properties were measured following standard procedures. Plant and SSB diversity were calculated using the Shannon-Wiener index. One-way ANOVA and NMDS compared Shannon-Weiner's diversity between aboveground vegetation and the SSB, while Welch's two-sample <em>t</em>-test compared Shannon-Weiner's diversity between the <em>Dichrostachys cinerea</em>-dominated portion and the open patches. Pearson's correlation explored relationships between aboveground vegetation, SSB abundance, and soil chemical variables. Results revealed a grass-dominated SSB (71.3 % abundance, 4 seedlings m<sup>−2</sup>) with nine species absent aboveground, indicating latent diversity for restoration. Soil fertility was moderate (pH 6.35, CEC 20.5 cmol/kg). High soil salinity and potassium negatively correlated with SSB abundance (r = −0.67 and −0.64, respectively, p < 0.05), while organic carbon positively correlated with aboveground vegetation (r = 0.53, p < 0.05). Shannon-Wiener diversity differed significantly between seasons and SSB (F = 95.66, p < 0.05), while also varied between the <em>Dichrostachys cinerea</em>-dominated area and open patches (<em>t</em> (20.21) = 6.96, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that while passive restoration is feasible due to the diverse SSB and moderate soil fertility, active interventions like targeted fertilisation and herbivore reintroduction may enhance grass recovery and prevent re-encroachment. This study highlights the importance of integrating SSB and soil property assessments for effective savanna restoration, offering insights for global rewilding initiatives.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55564,"journal":{"name":"Acta Oecologica-International Journal of Ecology","volume":"130 ","pages":"Article 104149"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145718905","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2025.104138
David Pessanha Siqueira , Emanuela Forestieri Gama-Rodrigues , Marcos Vinicius Winckler Caldeira , Carlos Eduardo Rezende , Claudio Roberto Marciano , Deborah Guerra Barroso
The Atlantic Rainforest biome is one of the most threatened in the world by deforestation where afforestation programs are urgently needed. N-fixing species should be prioritized in re-establishing forest covers as they can enhance soil C and N and stimulate cycling of other nutrients. Yet, tropical ecosystems play a key role in global warming and remain underrepresented in global biogeochemical assessments. To better understand the effects of tropical N-fixing species on soil C and N pools after pasture conversion we selected three 27-year-old monospecific stands comprising Plathymenia reticulata, Hymenaea courbaril, and Centrolobium tomentosum. We evaluated soil organic carbon (SOC), nitrogen (STN), and the natural abundance of 13C and 15N in the soil profile up to 100 cm depth. SOC was higher for P. reticulata, but that was not true when considering soil layers up to 30 cm soil depth. Meanwhile, STN was similar across species and δ15N values showed enrichment at intermediate soil layers indicating 14N gaseous loss. Most of the SOC originated from the planted trees rather than the former pasture, except beneath C. tomentosum where C4 derived C is decreasing at a slower rate. This study presents novel insights in understanding how tropical N-fixing tree species may be impacting soil C and N pools where specific-species leaf traits appear to be mediating SOC retention to the mineral soil.
{"title":"Afforestation with tropical N-fixing species in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest: carbon and nitrogen in the soil profile","authors":"David Pessanha Siqueira , Emanuela Forestieri Gama-Rodrigues , Marcos Vinicius Winckler Caldeira , Carlos Eduardo Rezende , Claudio Roberto Marciano , Deborah Guerra Barroso","doi":"10.1016/j.actao.2025.104138","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actao.2025.104138","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Atlantic Rainforest biome is one of the most threatened in the world by deforestation where afforestation programs are urgently needed. N-fixing species should be prioritized in re-establishing forest covers as they can enhance soil C and N and stimulate cycling of other nutrients. Yet, tropical ecosystems play a key role in global warming and remain underrepresented in global biogeochemical assessments. To better understand the effects of tropical N-fixing species on soil C and N pools after pasture conversion we selected three 27-year-old monospecific stands comprising <em>Plathymenia reticulata</em>, <em>Hymenaea courbaril</em>, and <em>Centrolobium tomentosum</em>. We evaluated soil organic carbon (SOC), nitrogen (STN), and the natural abundance of <sup>13</sup>C and <sup>15</sup>N in the soil profile up to 100 cm depth. SOC was higher for <em>P. reticulata,</em> but that was not true when considering soil layers up to 30 cm soil depth. Meanwhile, STN was similar across species and δ<sup>15</sup>N values showed enrichment at intermediate soil layers indicating <sup>14</sup>N gaseous loss. Most of the SOC originated from the planted trees rather than the former pasture, except beneath <em>C. tomentosum</em> where C<sub>4</sub> derived C is decreasing at a slower rate. This study presents novel insights in understanding how tropical N-fixing tree species may be impacting soil C and N pools where specific-species leaf traits appear to be mediating SOC retention to the mineral soil.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55564,"journal":{"name":"Acta Oecologica-International Journal of Ecology","volume":"129 ","pages":"Article 104138"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145693013","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2025.104141
Tarquinio Mateus Magalhães , Everton A. Maciel
Miombo woodlands (MWs) are primarily deforested for shifting cultivation (SC), where crops are grown in association with few larges native trees/shrubs, resulting in a tree-based SC (TBSC). Biodiversity-productivity relationships (BPRs) are crucial for forecasting the effects biodiversity loss on carbon (C) storage; however, it remains unclear whether BPRs follow consistent patterns across MWs and TBSC. Understanding BPR shifts will inform whether TBSC can maintain C storage capacity while supporting livelihoods, and test if the stress-gradient theory applies to tropical dry forest-agriculture transitions. To address this knowledge gap, we selected a 420000-ha landscape consisting of MWs and TBSC to investigate the impact of anthropogenic disturbances on BPRs and the underlying mechanisms, while accounting for abiotic and biotic factors. MWs conversion to TBSC altered the diversity-biomass relationship from positive to neutral. Both MWs and TBSC showed a positive net biodiversity effect, which was mostly due to niche complementarity. In MWs, both stem density and basal area mediated the effect of diversity on tree C storage; however, in TBSC, stem density had a neutral mediation effect, resulting in a neutral BPR. Climatic water availability and fire frequency showed a positive and negative total effect on tree C storage in MWs, respectively, but had no effect in TBSC. More research is needed to discover whether MWs conversion to TBSC results in an ecological tipping point, or if a fallowing period can restore the positive BPR and the original woodland state or cause a transition to a new state.
{"title":"Miombo woodlands conversion to tree-based shifting cultivation causes a shift in species diversity-productivity relationship","authors":"Tarquinio Mateus Magalhães , Everton A. Maciel","doi":"10.1016/j.actao.2025.104141","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actao.2025.104141","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Miombo woodlands (MWs) are primarily deforested for shifting cultivation (SC), where crops are grown in association with few larges native trees/shrubs, resulting in a tree-based SC (TBSC). Biodiversity-productivity relationships (BPRs) are crucial for forecasting the effects biodiversity loss on carbon (C) storage; however, it remains unclear whether BPRs follow consistent patterns across MWs and TBSC. Understanding BPR shifts will inform whether TBSC can maintain C storage capacity while supporting livelihoods, and test if the stress-gradient theory applies to tropical dry forest-agriculture transitions. To address this knowledge gap, we selected a 420000-ha landscape consisting of MWs and TBSC to investigate the impact of anthropogenic disturbances on BPRs and the underlying mechanisms, while accounting for abiotic and biotic factors. MWs conversion to TBSC altered the diversity-biomass relationship from positive to neutral. Both MWs and TBSC showed a positive net biodiversity effect, which was mostly due to niche complementarity. In MWs, both stem density and basal area mediated the effect of diversity on tree C storage; however, in TBSC, stem density had a neutral mediation effect, resulting in a neutral BPR. Climatic water availability and fire frequency showed a positive and negative total effect on tree C storage in MWs, respectively, but had no effect in TBSC. More research is needed to discover whether MWs conversion to TBSC results in an ecological tipping point, or if a fallowing period can restore the positive BPR and the original woodland state or cause a transition to a new state.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55564,"journal":{"name":"Acta Oecologica-International Journal of Ecology","volume":"129 ","pages":"Article 104141"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145623682","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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