Institution
University of Plymouth
Education•Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom•
About: University of Plymouth is a education organization based out in Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 7301 authors who have published 20396 publications receiving 679758 citations.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
More filters
••
TL;DR: In this paper, spectral-response, ecological and abundance-based approaches were evaluated against in- situ observations to determine their ability to detect dominant phytoplankton size classes (micro-, nano-and picoplankton).
144 citations
••
University of Cambridge1, University of Copenhagen2, Aarhus University3, University of Northampton4, California State University, Channel Islands5, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul6, University of Plymouth7, Autonomous University of Tlaxcala8, State University of Feira de Santana9, State University of Campinas10, University of Haifa11
TL;DR: The results suggest that both ecological and evolutionary processes at Quaternary time scales can be important in driving large-scale geographical patterns of contemporary biotic specialization, at least for co-evolved systems such as plant-hummingbird networks.
Abstract: Large-scale geographical patterns of biotic specialization and the underlying drivers are poorly understood, but it is widely believed that climate plays an important role in determining specialization. As climate-driven range dynamics should diminish local adaptations and favor generalization, one hypothesis is that contemporary biotic specialization is determined by the degree of past climatic instability, primarily Quaternary climate-change velocity. Other prominent hypotheses predict that either contemporary climate or species richness affect biotic specialization. To gain insight into geographical patterns of contemporary biotic specialization and its drivers, we use network analysis to determine the degree of specialization in plant-hummingbird mutualistic networks sampled at 31 localities, spanning a wide range of climate regimes across the Americas. We found greater biotic specialization at lower latitudes, with latitude explaining 20-22% of the spatial variation in plant-hummingbird specialization. Potential drivers of specialization - contemporary climate, Quaternary climate-change velocity, and species richness - had superior explanatory power, together explaining 53-64% of the variation in specialization. Notably, our data provides empirical evidence for the hypothesized roles of species richness, contemporary precipitation and Quaternary climate-change velocity as key predictors of biotic specialization, whereas contemporary temperature and seasonality seem unimportant in determining specialization. These results suggest that both ecological and evolutionary processes at Quaternary time scales can be important in driving large-scale geographical patterns of contemporary biotic specialization, at least for co-evolved systems such as plant-hummingbird networks.
144 citations
••
National Research Council1, University of Plymouth2, Spanish National Research Council3, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences4, University of Tasmania5, Stockholm University6, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences7, University of Queensland8, Cornell University9, Gulf of Maine Research Institute10, University of Hamburg11
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a framework for the holistic investigation of marine regime shifts that considers multiple exogenous drivers that interact with endogenous mechanisms to cause abrupt, catastrophic change, which erode the resilience of the ecosystem and eventually enable the crossing of ecological thresholds.
Abstract: Understanding marine regime shifts is important not only for ecology but also for developing marine management that assures the provision of ecosystem services to humanity. While regime shift theory is well developed, there is still no common understanding on drivers, mechanisms and characteristic of abrupt changes in real marine ecosystems. Based on contributions to the present theme issue, we highlight some general issues that need to be overcome for developing a more comprehensive understanding of marine ecosystem regime shifts. We find a great divide between benthic reef and pelagic ocean systems in how regime shift theory is linked to observed abrupt changes. Furthermore, we suggest that the long-lasting discussion on the prevalence of top-down trophic or bottom-up physical drivers in inducing regime shifts may be overcome by taking into consideration the synergistic interactions of multiple stressors, and the special characteristics of different ecosystem types. We present a framework for the holistic investigation of marine regime shifts that considers multiple exogenous drivers that interact with endogenous mechanisms to cause abrupt, catastrophic change. This framework takes into account the time-delayed synergies of these stressors, which erode the resilience of the ecosystem and eventually enable the crossing of ecological thresholds. Finally, considering that increased pressures in the marine environment are predicted by the current climate change assessments, in order to avoid major losses of ecosystem services, we suggest that marine management approaches should incorporate knowledge on environmental thresholds and develop tools that consider regime shift dynamics and characteristics. This grand challenge can only be achieved through a holistic view of marine ecosystem dynamics as evidenced by this theme issue.
144 citations
••
TL;DR: In this article, 40 participants monitored a monotonous mock telephone message for the names of people coming to a party and half of the participants were randomly assigned to a 'doodling' condition where they shaded printed shapes while listening to the telephone call.
Abstract: Doodling is a way of passing the time when bored by a lecture or telephone call. Does it improve or hinder attention to the primary task? To answer this question, 40 participants monitored a monotonous mock telephone message for the names of people coming to a party. Half of the group was randomly assigned to a ‘doodling’ condition where they shaded printed shapes while listening to the telephone call. The doodling group performed better on the monitoring task and recalled 29% more information on a surprise memory test. Unlike many dual task situations, doodling while working can be beneficial. Future research could test whether doodling aids cognitive performance by reducing daydreaming. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
144 citations
••
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the existence of economies of diversification, scale economies and diversification efficiencies at the farm level using a stochastic input-distance function approach.
144 citations
Authors
Showing all 7422 results
Name | H-index | Papers | Citations |
---|---|---|---|
Paul M. Thompson | 183 | 2271 | 146736 |
Peter B. Jones | 145 | 1857 | 94641 |
Timothy M. Frayling | 133 | 500 | 100344 |
Robert S. Brown | 130 | 1243 | 65822 |
Mark D. Griffiths | 124 | 1238 | 61335 |
James A. Russell | 124 | 1024 | 87929 |
Edzard Ernst | 120 | 1326 | 55266 |
Wayne Hall | 111 | 1260 | 75606 |
Paul Dieppe | 105 | 618 | 53529 |
Rod S Taylor | 104 | 524 | 39332 |
Aldo R. Boccaccini | 103 | 1234 | 54155 |
Roger B. Davis | 97 | 386 | 40354 |
Michael N. Weedon | 87 | 201 | 60701 |
Richard C. Thompson | 87 | 380 | 45702 |
David J. Kavanagh | 86 | 578 | 35658 |