Showing papers by "National University of Comahue published in 2020"
TL;DR: The extent of the trait data compiled in TRY is evaluated and emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness are analyzed to conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements.
Abstract: Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives.
882 citations
TL;DR: Five sources of anthropogenic pollution that affect marine and freshwater ecosystems are discussed: sewage, nutrients and terrigenous materials, crude oil, heavy metals and plastics, and the direct and indirect effects that these pollutants have on a range of aquatic organisms even when the pollutant source is distant from the sink.
267 citations
Spanish National Research Council1, University of Coimbra2, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research3, ETH Zurich4, Aix-Marseille University5, Wageningen University and Research Centre6, University of Ulm7, Vrije Universiteit Brussel8, Royal Museum for Central Africa9, University of Helsinki10, National University of Río Negro11, University of Ljubljana12, Center for International Forestry Research13, Dresden University of Technology14, United States Forest Service15, Transilvania University of Brașov16, Humboldt State University17, Sukachev Institute of Forest18, Siberian Federal University19, National University of Comahue20, National Scientific and Technical Research Council21, Weizmann Institute of Science22, Pablo de Olavide University23, University of Innsbruck24, Agricultural University of Athens25, University of Valladolid26, University of Novi Sad27, Autonomous University of Barcelona28
TL;DR: It is found that trees that died during drought were less resilient to previous dry events compared to surviving conspecifics, but the resilience strategies differ between angiosperms and gymnosperms.
Abstract: Severe droughts have the potential to reduce forest productivity and trigger tree mortality. Most trees face several drought events during their life and therefore resilience to dry conditions may be crucial to long-term survival. We assessed how growth resilience to severe droughts, including its components resistance and recovery, is related to the ability to survive future droughts by using a tree-ring database of surviving and now-dead trees from 118 sites (22 species, >3,500 trees). We found that, across the variety of regions and species sampled, trees that died during water shortages were less resilient to previous non-lethal droughts, relative to coexisting surviving trees of the same species. In angiosperms, drought-related mortality risk is associated with lower resistance (low capacity to reduce impact of the initial drought), while it is related to reduced recovery (low capacity to attain pre-drought growth rates) in gymnosperms. The different resilience strategies in these two taxonomic groups open new avenues to improve our understanding and prediction of drought-induced mortality.
197 citations
Swansea University1, Save the Elephants2, University of Oxford3, Centre national de la recherche scientifique4, Utrecht University5, University of Liverpool6, University of St Andrews7, National Scientific and Technical Research Council8, National University of Comahue9, University of Sheffield10, University of East Anglia11, University of Bristol12
TL;DR: This work discusses the challenges and opportunities in matching the peculiarities of specific sensor data to the statistical models used, highlighting at the same time the large advances which will be required in the latter to properly analyse bio-logging data.
Abstract: The paradigm-changing opportunities of biologging sensors for ecological research, especially movement ecology, are vast, but the crucial questions of how best to match the most appropriate sensors and sensor combinations to specific biological questions and how to analyse complex biologging data, are mostly ignored. Here, we fill this gap by reviewing how to optimize the use of biologging techniques to answer questions in movement ecology and synthesize this into an Integrated Biologging Framework (IBF). We highlight that multisensor approaches are a new frontier in biologging, while identifying current limitations and avenues for future development in sensor technology. We focus on the importance of efficient data exploration, and more advanced multidimensional visualization methods, combined with appropriate archiving and sharing approaches, to tackle the big data issues presented by biologging. We also discuss the challenges and opportunities in matching the peculiarities of specific sensor data to the statistical models used, highlighting at the same time the large advances which will be required in the latter to properly analyse biologging data. Taking advantage of the biologging revolution will require a large improvement in the theoretical and mathematical foundations of movement ecology, to include the rich set of high-frequency multivariate data, which greatly expand the fundamentally limited and coarse data that could be collected using location-only technology such as GPS. Equally important will be the establishment of multidisciplinary collaborations to catalyse the opportunities offered by current and future biologging technology. If this is achieved, clear potential exists for developing a vastly improved mechanistic understanding of animal movements and their roles in ecological processes and for building realistic predictive models.
171 citations
Stellenbosch University1, University of Vienna2, University of Fribourg3, Fisheries and Oceans Canada4, University of Lisbon5, University of Hawaii at Manoa6, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources7, African Institute for Mathematical Sciences8, Lincoln University (New Zealand)9, Free University of Berlin10, Leibniz Association11, University of the Aegean12, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ13, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg14, McGill University15, United States Forest Service16, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague17, Chinese Academy of Sciences18, Great Lakes Institute of Management19, University of Rhode Island20, National University of Comahue21, University of Concepción22, Charles University in Prague23, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic24, Environment Agency25, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center26, University of Auckland27, University of Vermont28, Brown University29, University of California, Davis30, Université Paris-Saclay31, King's College London32, Taizhou University33, University of Konstanz34, National Science Foundation35, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna36
TL;DR: It is shown that some best‐case scenarios can substantially reduce potential future impacts of biological invasions, however, rapid and comprehensive actions are necessary to use this potential and achieve the goals of the Post‐2020 Framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Abstract: Understanding the likely future impacts of biological invasions is crucial yet highly challenging given the multiple relevant environmental, socio-economic and societal contexts and drivers. In the absence of quantitative models, methods based on expert knowledge are the best option for assessing future invasion trajectories. Here, we present an expert assessment of the drivers of potential alien species impacts under contrasting scenarios and socioecological contexts through the mid-21st century. Based on responses from 36 experts in biological invasions, moderate (20%-30%) increases in invasions, compared to the current conditions, are expected to cause major impacts on biodiversity in most socioecological contexts. Three main drivers of biological invasions-transport, climate change and socio-economic change-were predicted to significantly affect future impacts of alien species on biodiversity even under a best-case scenario. Other drivers (e.g. human demography and migration in tropical and subtropical regions) were also of high importance in specific global contexts (e.g. for individual taxonomic groups or biomes). We show that some best-case scenarios can substantially reduce potential future impacts of biological invasions. However, rapid and comprehensive actions are necessary to use this potential and achieve the goals of the Post-2020 Framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
104 citations
TL;DR: A call for temperature time series submissions to SoilTemp, a geospatial database initiative compiling soil and near-surface temperature data from all over the world, will pave the way towards an improved global understanding of microclimate and bridge the gap between the available climate data and the climate at fine spatiotemporal resolutions relevant to most organisms and ecosystem processes.
Abstract: Current analyses and predictions of spatially explicit patterns and processes in ecology most often rely on climate data interpolated from standardized weather stations. This interpolated climate data represents long-term average thermal conditions at coarse spatial resolutions only. Hence, many climate-forcing factors that operate at fine spatiotemporal resolutions are overlooked. This is particularly important in relation to effects of observation height (e.g. vegetation, snow and soil characteristics) and in habitats varying in their exposure to radiation, moisture and wind (e.g. topography, radiative forcing or cold-air pooling). Since organisms living close to the ground relate more strongly to these microclimatic conditions than to free-air temperatures, microclimatic ground and near-surface data are needed to provide realistic forecasts of the fate of such organisms under anthropogenic climate change, as well as of the functioning of the ecosystems they live in. To fill this critical gap, we highlight a call for temperature time series submissions to SoilTemp, a geospatial database initiative compiling soil and near-surface temperature data from all over the world. Currently, this database contains time series from 7,538 temperature sensors from 51 countries across all key biomes. The database will pave the way toward an improved global understanding of microclimate and bridge the gap between the available climate data and the climate at fine spatiotemporal resolutions relevant to most organisms and ecosystem processes.
83 citations
University of Barcelona1, Autonomous University of Barcelona2, University of Helsinki3, University of Utah4, World Agroforestry Centre5, Oklahoma State University–Stillwater6, ETH Zurich7, Smith College8, Spanish National Research Council9, University of Basilicata10, University of Colorado Boulder11, United States Department of Agriculture12, University of California, Berkeley13, California State University, Bakersfield14, Humboldt State University15, National Scientific and Technical Research Council16, National University of Comahue17, Pablo de Olavide University18, United States Forest Service19, Murdoch University20, Natural Resources Canada21, University of Córdoba (Spain)22, Colorado State University23, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research24, University of Valladolid25, University of Stirling26, Université catholique de Louvain27, La Trobe University28
TL;DR: It is shown that tree mortality concomitant with drought has led to short-term vegetation-type conversion in multiple biomes across the world (131 sites), with early change in community composition indicating that forests dominated by mesic species generally shifted toward more xeric communities, with replacing tree and shrub species exhibiting drier bioclimatic optima and distribution ranges.
Abstract: Forest vulnerability to drought is expected to increase under anthropogenic climate change, and drought-induced mortality and community dynamics following drought have major ecological and societal impacts. Here, we show that tree mortality concomitant with drought has led to short-term (mean 5 y, range 1 to 23 y after mortality) vegetation-type conversion in multiple biomes across the world (131 sites). Self-replacement of the dominant tree species was only prevalent in 21% of the examined cases and forests and woodlands shifted to nonwoody vegetation in 10% of them. The ultimate temporal persistence of such changes remains unknown but, given the key role of biological legacies in long-term ecological succession, this emerging picture of postdrought ecological trajectories highlights the potential for major ecosystem reorganization in the coming decades. Community changes were less pronounced under wetter postmortality conditions. Replacement was also influenced by management intensity, and postdrought shrub dominance was higher when pathogens acted as codrivers of tree mortality. Early change in community composition indicates that forests dominated by mesic species generally shifted toward more xeric communities, with replacing tree and shrub species exhibiting drier bioclimatic optima and distribution ranges. However, shifts toward more mesic communities also occurred and multiple pathways of forest replacement were observed for some species. Drought characteristics, species-specific environmental preferences, plant traits, and ecosystem legacies govern postdrought species turnover and subsequent ecological trajectories, with potential far-reaching implications for forest biodiversity and ecosystem services.
79 citations
TL;DR: The literature is reviewed in order to analyse the particular traits of social insects that make them good suppliers of ESs, compile and assess management strategies that improve the services provided by social insects, and detect gaps in knowledge about the services that social insects provide.
Abstract: Social insects, i.e. ants, bees, wasps and termites, are key components of ecological communities, and are important ecosystem services (ESs) providers. Here, we review the literature in order to (i) analyse the particular traits of social insects that make them good suppliers of ESs; (ii) compile and assess management strategies that improve the services provided by social insects; and (iii) detect gaps in our knowledge about the services that social insects provide. Social insects provide at least 10 ESs; however, many of them are poorly understood or valued. Relevant traits of social insects include high biomass and numerical abundance, a diversity of mutualistic associations, the ability to build important biogenic structures, versatile production of chemical defences, the simultaneous delivery of several ESs, the presence of castes and division of labour, efficient communication and cooperation, the capacity to store food, and a long lifespan. All these characteristics enhance social insects as ES providers, highlighting their potential, constancy and efficiency as suppliers of these services. In turn, many of these traits make social insects stress tolerant and easy to manage, so increasing the ESs they provide. We emphasise the need for a conservation approach to the management of the services, as well as the potential use of social insects to help restore habitats degraded by human activities. In addition, we stress the need to evaluate both services and disservices in an integrated way, because some species of social insects are among the most problematic invasive species and native pests. Finally, we propose two areas of research that will lead to a greater and more efficient use of social insects as ES providers, and to a greater appreciation of them by producers and decision-makers.
60 citations
New York Botanical Garden1, University of Gastronomic Sciences2, University of Florida3, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina4, National University of Comahue5, State University of Paraíba6, University of the West Indies7, University of Fort Hare8, Naturalis9, Emory University10, Higher University of San Andrés11, Ilia State University12, IFREMER13, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology14, Federal University of Pernambuco15, Athabasca University16, University of Calgary17, Yale University18, Kyoto University19, National University of La Plata20, Open University21, Istanbul University22, Hawassa University23, Free University of Brussels24
TL;DR: A geographically diverse group of 29 ethnobiologists addresses three common themes in response to the COVID-19 global health crisis: impact on local communities, future interactions between researchers and communities, and new (or renewed) conceptual and/or applied research priorities for ethnobiology.
Abstract: A geographically diverse group of 29 ethnobiologists addresses three common themes in response to the COVID-19 global health crisis: impact on local communities, future interactions between researchers and communities, and new (or renewed) conceptual and/or applied research priorities for ethnobiology.
60 citations
University of Sassari1, University of Concepción2, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic3, Charles University in Prague4, University of Freiburg5, Forest Research Institute6, University of Florida7, University of Padua8, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina9, University of Vienna10, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources11, University of Salerno12, Northwest A&F University13, Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)14, Charles Darwin Foundation15, Bioversity International16, ETH Zurich17, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research18, National University of Comahue19, University of Bordeaux20, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra21, University of Coimbra22, CABI23, European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization24, Stellenbosch University25
TL;DR: A workshop was held in 2019 to develop global guidelines for the sustainable use of non-native trees, using the Council of Europe - Bern Convention Code of Conduct on Invasive Alien Trees as a starting point as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Sustainably managed non-native trees deliver economic and societal benefits with limited risk of spread to adjoining areas. However, some plantations have launched invasions that cause substantial damage to biodiversity and ecosystem services, while others pose substantial threats of causing such impacts. The challenge is to maximise the benefits of non-native trees, while minimising negative impacts and preserving future benefits and options.
A workshop was held in 2019 to develop global guidelines for the sustainable use of non-native trees, using the Council of Europe - Bern Convention Code of Conduct on Invasive Alien Trees as a starting point.
The global guidelines consist of eight recommendations: 1) Use native trees, or non-invasive nonnative trees, in preference to invasive non-native trees; 2) Be aware of and comply with international, national, and regional regulations concerning non-native trees; 3) Be aware of the risk of invasion and consider global change trends; 4) Design and adopt tailored practices for plantation site selection and silvicultural management; 5) Promote and implement early detection and rapid response programmes; 6) Design and adopt tailored practices for invasive non-native tree control, habitat restoration, and for dealing with highly modified ecosystems; 7) Engage with stakeholders on the risks posed by invasive nonnative trees, the impacts caused, and the options for management; and 8) Develop and support global networks, collaborative research, and information sharing on native and non-native trees.
The global guidelines are a first step towards building global consensus on the precautions that should be taken when introducing and planting non-native trees. They are voluntary and are intended to complement statutory requirements under international and national legislation. The application of the global guidelines and the achievement of their goals will help to conserve forest biodiversity, ensure sustainable forestry, and contribute to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations linked with forest biodiversity.
57 citations
TL;DR: Enhancing the cross-disciplinary framework offered by invasion science could achieve this goal of limiting future outbreaks of infectious diseases like COVID19.
Abstract: Emerging infectious diseases, such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), are driven by ecological and socioeconomic factors, and their rapid spread and devastating impacts mirror those of invasive species. Collaborations between biomedical researchers and ecologists, heretofore rare, are vital to limiting future outbreaks. Enhancing the crossdisciplinary framework offered by invasion science could achieve this goal.
TL;DR: This work reviews the literature to document the importance of interactions between plants and microbes in evolutionary processes, population dynamics, community structure, and ecosystem function.
Abstract: Interactions between plants and microbes have important influences on evolutionary processes, population dynamics, community structure, and ecosystem function. We review the literature to document ...
TL;DR: Recent progress in the understanding of the molecular bases of drought and temperature stresses in trees is reviewed, with a focus on functional, transcriptomic, epigenetic, and population genomic studies.
Abstract: Trees are constantly exposed to climate fluctuations, which vary with both time and geographic location. Environmental changes that are outside of the physiological favorable range usually negatively affect plant performance and trigger responses to abiotic stress. Long-living trees in particular have evolved a wide spectrum of molecular mechanisms to coordinate growth and development under stressful conditions, thus minimizing fitness costs. The ongoing development of techniques directed at quantifying abiotic stress has significantly increased our knowledge of physiological responses in woody plants. However, it is only within recent years that advances in next-generation sequencing and biochemical approaches have enabled us to begin to understand the complexity of the molecular systems that underlie these responses. Here, we review recent progress in our understanding of the molecular bases of drought and temperature stresses in trees, with a focus on functional, transcriptomic, epigenetic, and population genomic studies. In addition, we highlight topics that will contribute to progress in our understanding of the plastic and adaptive responses of woody plants to drought and temperature in a context of global climate change.
TL;DR: In this paper, the self-cleaning efficiency of Al surfaces structured with direct laser writing (DLW), direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) and a combination of both technologies was quantitatively determined.
TL;DR: Records of individual wingbeats in >216 h of flight show that condors can sustain soaring across a wide range of wind and thermal conditions, flapping for only 1% of their flight time, among the very lowest estimated movement costs in vertebrates.
Abstract: Flight costs are predicted to vary with environmental conditions, and this should ultimately determine the movement capacity and distributions of large soaring birds. Despite this, little is known about how flight effort varies with environmental parameters. We deployed bio-logging devices on the world’s heaviest soaring bird, the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus), to assess the extent to which these birds can operate without resorting to powered flight. Our records of individual wingbeats in >216 h of flight show that condors can sustain soaring across a wide range of wind and thermal conditions, flapping for only 1% of their flight time. This is among the very lowest estimated movement costs in vertebrates. One bird even flew for >5 h without flapping, covering ∼172 km. Overall, > 75% of flapping flight was associated with takeoffs. Movement between weak thermal updrafts at the start of the day also imposed a metabolic cost, with birds flapping toward the end of glides to reach ephemeral thermal updrafts. Nonetheless, the investment required was still remarkably low, and even in winter conditions with weak thermals, condors are only predicted to flap for ∼2 s per kilometer. Therefore, the overall flight effort in the largest soaring birds appears to be constrained by the requirements for takeoff.
TL;DR: Garibaldi, Lucas Alejandro as mentioned in this paper, et al. as mentioned in this paper presented the work of the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas and Tecnicas.
Abstract: Fil: Garibaldi, Lucas Alejandro. Universidad Nacional de Rio Negro. Sede Andina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Recursos Naturales, Agroecologia y Desarrollo Rural; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; Argentina
01 Jan 2020
TL;DR: In this paper, a suite of interoperable practices that can be adapted to different contexts to maximize efficiency, sustainability and resilience of small-scale agriculture is presented, with a focus on smallholder agriculture.
Abstract: Multiple anthropogenic challenges threaten nature's contributions to human well-being. Agricultural expansion and conventional intensification are degrading biodiversity and ecosystem functions, thereby undermining the natural foundations on which agriculture is itself built. Averting the worst effects of global environmental change and assuring ecosystem benefits, requires a transformation of agriculture. Alternative agricultural systems to conventional intensification exist, ranging from adjustments to efficiency (e.g. sustainable intensification) to a redesign (e.g. ecological intensification, climate-smart agriculture) of the farm management system. These alternatives vary in their reliance on nature or technology, the level of systemic change required to operate, and impacts on biodiversity, landscapes and agricultural production. Different socio-economic, ecological and political settings mean there is no universal solution, instead there are a suite of interoperable practices that can be adapted to different contexts to maximise efficiency, sustainability and resilience. Social, economic, technological and demographic issues will influence the form of sustainable agriculture and effects on landscapes and biodiversity. These include: (1) the socio-technical-ecological architecture of agricultural and food systems and trends such as urbanisation in affecting the mode of production, diets, lifestyles and attitudes; (2) emerging technologies, such as gene editing, synthetic biology and 3D bioprinting of meat; and (3) the scale or state of the existing farm system, especially pertinent for smallholder agriculture. Agricultural transformation will require multifunctional landscape planning with cross-sectoral and participatory management to avoid unintended consequences and ultimately depends on people's capacity to accept new ways of operating in response to the current environmental crisis.
TL;DR: This paper aims to demonstrate the efforts towards in-situ applicability of EMMARM, which aims to provide real-time information about the distribution and habits of birds of prey in New Zealand.
Abstract: 1School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand; 2Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Dunedin, New Zealand; 3Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA; 4Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand; 5Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, Lincoln, New Zealand; 6Grupo de Ecología de Invasiones, INIBIOMA, CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Bariloche, Argentina; 7Laboratorio de Invasiones Biológicas (LIB), Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile; 8Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB), Santiago, Chile and 9Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
06 Aug 2020
TL;DR: In this article, the potential role of Ectomycorrhizal fungi for restoring sites invaded by non-native plant species is discussed, and the limitations, knowledge gaps, and possible undesired outcomes of the use of EMF in forest restoration are explored.
Abstract: Temperate and boreal forests are increasingly suffering from anthropic degradation. Ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) are symbionts with most temperate and boreal forest trees, providing their hosts with soil nutrients and water in exchange for plant carbon. This group of fungi is involved in woody plants’ survival and growth and helps plants tolerate harsh environmental conditions. Here, we describe the current understanding of how EMF can benefit temperate and boreal forest restoration projects. We review current evidence on promising restoration plans that actively use EMF in sites contaminated with heavy metals, affected by soil erosion, and degraded due to clearcut logging and wildfire. We discuss the potential role of this group of fungi for restoring sites invaded by non-native plant species. Additionally, we explore limitations, knowledge gaps, and possible undesired outcomes of the use of EMF in forest restoration, and we suggest how to further incorporate this fungal group into forest management. We conclude that considering EMF – host interactions could improve the chances of success of future restoration programs in boreal and temperate forests.
TL;DR: In this article, the synthesis, characterization and hydrolysis properties of nanostructured MgH2 and Mg in a 0.6-M MgCl2 aqueous solution are reported.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors studied the conflict between farmers and obligate and facultative scavenger birds in northwest Patagonia, Argentina, to ascertain whether people's perceptions are supported by field observations.
TL;DR: Evidence that vulture health can be affected by some microorganisms, producing a wide array of clinical alterations that have the potential to influence mortality risk and fitness, and there is evidence that vultures could prevent the spread of infectious diseases through their removal of decomposing organic material.
Abstract: The effects that microorganisms (bacteria, viruses and fungi) have on their hosts remain unexplored for most vulture species. This is especially relevant for vultures, as their diet consists of carcasses in various stages of decomposition, which are breeding grounds for potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Here we review current knowledge of bacterial, viral and mycotic microorganisms present in wild vultures. We consider their potential to cause disease in vultures and whether this poses any population‐level threats. Furthermore, we address the question of whether vultures may act as disease spreaders or mitigators. We found 76 articles concerning bacterial, viral and mycotic microorganisms present in 13 vulture species, 57 evaluating bacteria, 13 evaluating viruses and six evaluating mycotic microorganisms. These studies come from all continents where vultures are present, but mainly from Europe and North America, and the most studied species was the Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus. We found that vultures are colonized by zoonotic pathogens, and even host‐specific human pathogens. Some recorded bacteria showed multi‐antibiotic resistance, especially those that can be associated with anthropogenic food subsides such as supplementary feeding stations. We found evidence that vulture health can be affected by some microorganisms, producing a wide array of clinical alterations that have the potential to influence mortality risk and fitness. We did not find clear scientific evidence that vultures play an epidemiological role spreading microorganisms to humans and other species. However, there is evidence that vultures could prevent the spread of infectious diseases through their removal of decomposing organic material. The evaluation of vulture exposure to microorganisms is of fundamental importance to design better conservation policies for this threatened group, which may serve a key role as ecosystem cleaners.
TL;DR: In this article, cross-linked oxalic acid/chitosan hydrogels (ChOxb) were synthesized, characterized and tested for the adsorption of azo-dyes (Reactive Red 195 RR195) in contaminated wastewater; this novel biodegradable material was highly efficient.
Abstract: Cross-linked oxalic acid/chitosan hydrogels (ChOxb) were synthesized, characterized and tested for the adsorption of azo-dyes (Reactive Red 195 RR195) in contaminated wastewater; this novel biodegradable material was highly efficient. SEM-EDS and N2 adsorption/desorption were used to analyze specific area; FTIR-ATR spectra evidenced electrostatic interactions between protonated amino groups of chitosan and oxalate ions (intensity decrease and shift of amide-II band). Adsorption performance in batch assays showed a maximum percentage of removal of 90.6%, at pH = 4 (initial dye concentration of 300 mg.L−1). The maximum adsorption capacity (Qm) at pH = 4 was 110.7 mg.g−1, positioning ChOxb as one of the most efficient adsorption materials. Oxalic acid (natural organic acid) is an eco-friendly cross-linking agent that reduced swelling and improved chemical stability of ChOxb at low pH = 2.5. Redlich-Peterson adsorption isotherm presented the best fit; adsorption thermodynamic parameters were evaluated. Mixed surface reaction and diffusion-controlled kinetic model was the equation that best fitted kinetic data. FTIR-ATR, SEM-EDS and Z-potential showed electrostatic interactions between dye and amino groups of ChOxb; ChOxd can be reused without losing adsorption capacity and competitive electrostatic interactions between ChOxb-nitrate were observed. This new bio-material is an excellent alternative for the removal of RR195, improving Qm with better structural and functional properties.
TL;DR: It is concluded that global variation in Scolytine invasions is primarily driven by variation in trade levels among world regions, and future economic shifts could result in large numbers of new invasions as a result of increased trade among previously isolated portions of the world.
Abstract: Biological invasions are affected by characteristics of invading species, strength of pathway connectivity among world regions and habitat characteristics of invaded regions. These factors may interact in complex ways to drive geographical variation in numbers of invasions among world regions. Understanding the role of these drivers provides information that is crucial to the development of effective biosecurity policies. Here we assemble for the first time a global database of historical invasions of Scolytinae species and explore factors explaining geographical variation in numbers of species invading different regions. This insect group includes several pest species with massive economic and ecological impacts and these beetles are known to be accidentally moved with wood packaging in global trade. Candidate explanatory characteristics included in this analysis are cumulative trade among world regions, size of source species pools, forest area, and climatic similarity of the invaded region with source regions. Species capable of sib-mating comprised the highest proportion on nonnative Scolytines, and these species colonized a higher number of regions than outbreeders. The size of source species pools offered little power in explaining variation in numbers of invasions among world regions nor did climate or forest area. In contrast, cumulative trade had a strong and consistent positive relationship with numbers of Scolytinae species moving from one region to another, and this effect was highest for bark beetles, followed by ambrosia beetles, and was low for seed and twig feeders. We conclude that global variation in Scolytine invasions is primarily driven by variation in trade levels among world regions. Results stress the importance of global trade as the primary driver of historical Scolytinae invasions and we anticipate other hitchhiking species would exhibit similar patterns. One implication of these results is that invasions between certain world regions may be historically low because of past low levels of trade but future economic shifts could result in large numbers of new invasions as a result of increased trade among previously isolated portions of the world. With changing global flow of goods among world regions, it is crucial that biosecurity efforts keep pace to minimize future invasions and their impacts.
TL;DR: The results call into question mostly indirect and observational previous evidence that terrestrial mammals are more tolerant to UAS than other species and highlight the need for experimental and species-specific studies before using UAS methods.
Abstract: Research on the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in wildlife has made remarkable progress recently. Few studies to date have experimentally evaluated the effect of UAS on animals and have usu...
01 Jan 2020
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors illustrate the impact of invasive bees on the mutualistic nature of many of the interactions between wild bees and wild pollinators, focusing on interactions in the Americas between B. terrestris and raspberry and between the African honey bee and coffee.
Abstract: Increasing honey demand and global coverage of pollinator-dependent crops within the context of global pollinator declines have accelerated international trade in managed bees. Bee introductions into agricultural landscapes outside their native ranges have triggered noteworthy invasions, especially of the African honey bee in the Americas and the European bumble bee Bombus terrestris in southern South America, New Zealand, Tasmania, and Japan. Such invasions have displaced native bees via competition, pathogen transmission, and invaders' capacity to exploit anthropogenic landscapes. At high abundance, invasive bees can degrade the mutualistic nature of many of the flower-pollinator interactions they usurp, either directly by affecting flower performance or indirectly by reducing the pollination effectiveness of other flower visitors, with negative consequences for crop pollination and yield. We illustrate such effects with empirical examples, focusing particularly on interactions in the Americas between B. terrestris and raspberry and between the African honey bee and coffee. Despite high bee abundance and flower visitation in crops, theoretical and empirical evidence suggests that agricultural landscapes of pollinator-dependent crops dominated by invasive bees will be less productive than landscapes with more diverse pollinator assemblages. Safeguarding future crop yield and aiding the transition to more sustainable agricultural landscapes and practices require we address this impact of invasive bees. Actions include tighter regulation of the trade in bees to discourage further invasions, reducing invasive bee densities and dominance, and active enhancement of ecological infrastructure from field to landscape scales to promote wild bee abundance and diversity for sustained delivery of crop pollination services.
TL;DR: The present review aims to first introduce new bioinformatic tools available for the generation and analysis of yeast genomes, and assess the accumulated genomic data of wild isolates of industrially relevant species, such as Saccharomyces spp.
Abstract: Genomic studies of yeasts from the wild have increased considerably in the past few years. This revolution has been fueled by advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies and a better understanding of yeast ecology and phylogeography, especially for biotechnologically important species. The present review aims to first introduce new bioinformatic tools available for the generation and analysis of yeast genomes. We also assess the accumulated genomic data of wild isolates of industrially relevant species, such as Saccharomyces spp., which provide unique opportunities to further investigate the domestication processes associated with the fermentation industry and opportunistic pathogenesis. The availability of genome sequences of other less conventional yeasts obtained from the wild has also increased substantially, including representatives of the phyla Ascomycota (e.g. Hanseniaspora) and Basidiomycota (e.g. Phaffia). Here, we review salient examples of both fundamental and applied research that demonstrate the importance of continuing to sequence and analyze genomes of wild yeasts.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of ball milling time, the nature of the additives (graphite and AlCl3) and the synergetic effect by chronological or simultaneous addition of 5.1% graphite and 5.5% Cl3 were examined.
TL;DR: This model parameterized a joint species model of frugivory and seed dispersal with bird movement and foraging data from tropical and temperate communities to investigate the effect offrugivore loss on seed rain, and compare the predictions to those of standard coextinction models and network metrics.
Abstract: Network metrics are widely used to infer the roles of mutualistic animals in plant communities and to predict the effect of species' loss. However, their empirical validation is scarce. Here we parameterized a joint species model of frugivory and seed dispersal with bird movement and foraging data from tropical and temperate communities. With this model, we investigate the effect of frugivore loss on seed rain, and compare our predictions to those of standard coextinction models and network metrics. Topological coextinction models underestimated species loss after the removal of highly linked frugivores with unique foraging behaviours. Network metrics informed about changes in seed rain quantity after frugivore loss. However, changes in seed rain composition were only predicted by partner diversity. Nestedness, closeness, and d' specialisation could not anticipate the effects of rearrangements in plant-frugivore communities following species loss. Accounting for behavioural differences among mutualists is critical to improve predictions from network models.
TL;DR: The state-space modelling framework, now in widespread use by ecologists and increasingly often automatically implemented within on-board GPS data processing algorithms, makes it possible to fit flight models directly to the output of GPS devices, with minimal data pre-selection, and to analyse the full distribution of flight heights, not just the mean.
Abstract: Global positioning systems (GPS) and altimeters are increasingly used to monitor vertical space use by aerial species, a key aspect of their ecological niche, that we need to know to manage our own use of the airspace, and to protect those species. However, there are various sources of error in flight height data (“height” above ground, as opposed to “altitude” above a reference like the sea level). First the altitude is measured with a vertical error from the devices themselves. Then there is error in the ground elevation below the tracked animals, which translates into error in flight height computed as the difference between altitude and ground elevation. Finally, there is error in the horizontal position of the animals, which translates into error in the predicted ground elevation below the animals. We used controlled field trials, simulations, and the reanalysis of raptor case studies with state-space models to illustrate the effect of improper error management. Errors of a magnitude of 20 m appear in benign conditions for barometric altimeters and GPS vertical positioning (expected to be larger in more challenging context). These errors distort the shape of the distribution of flight heights, inflate the variance in flight height, bias behavioural state assignments, correlations with environmental covariates, and airspace management recommendations. Improper data filters such as removing all negative flight height records introduce several biases in the remaining dataset, and preclude the opportunity to leverage unambiguous errors to help with model fitting. Analyses that ignore the variance around the mean flight height, e.g., those based on linear models of flight height, and those that ignore the variance inflation caused by telemetry errors, lead to incorrect inferences. The state-space modelling framework, now in widespread use by ecologists and increasingly often automatically implemented within on-board GPS data processing algorithms, makes it possible to fit flight models directly to the output of GPS devices, with minimal data pre-selection, and to analyse the full distribution of flight heights, not just the mean. In addition to basic research about aerial niches, behaviour quantification, and environmental interactions, we highlight the applied relevance of our recommendations for airspace management and the conservation of aerial wildlife.