Spatial Distribution and Seasonal Dynamics of Epigeic Arthropods in Vineyard Ecosystems

A guideline for spatio‐temporal consistency in water quality modelling in rural areas

Bois noir is caused by ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’, and it is one of the most important and widespread diseases in the Euro-Mediterranean region. There are complex interactions between phytoplasma and grapevines, weeds, and vectors. These ecological relationships can be tracked according to molecular epidemiology. The aims of the 2-year study (2014–2015) were to describe incidence and spatial distribution of Bois noir in a vineyard with three grapevine varieties in Sicily, and to identify the molecular types of the tuf and vmp1 genes in these naturally infected grapevines, according to the potential reservoir plants and vectors. Disease incidence in 2015 was significantly higher in ‘Chardonnay’ (up to 35%) than for ‘Nero d’Avola’ and ‘Pinot noir’ (<5%). All grapevine, weed, and insect samples were infected by ‘Ca. P. solani’ tuf-type b. Most of the collected insects were strictly related to Vitis spp. and belonged to Neoaliturus fenestratus, Empoasca spp., and Zygina rhamni. The characterization of the vmp1 gene revealed six different vmp types in grapevines (V1, V4, V9, V11, V12, V24), three in weeds (V4, V9, V11), and four in insects (V4, V9, V11, V24). Notably, V4, V9, appear both in hosts and vectors, with V9 predominant. Virtual restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis based on the nucleotide sequences supported the data of the conventional RFLP. Connections between the molecular data recorded in the vineyard ecosystems and the application of innovative tools based on the geostatistical analysis will contribute to further clarification of the specific ecological and epidemiological aspects of ‘Ca. P. solani’ in Sicily.

Vineyards are distinctive agroecosystems heavily influenced by local natural factors and traditional management practices, with significant implications for the quality and quantity of grape production. This study investigated the ecological impact of copper-containing fungicides on the accumulation and distribution of copper, manganese, chromium, and cobalt in the upper soil horizons of vineyards of varying ages in the Fruška Gora region, Serbia. The results indicated a marked difference in total copper content across vineyards, with the oldest vineyard exhibiting levels 6.9 times above the regulatory limit. Factor analysis delineated a strong correlation between copper accumulation and vineyard age while also highlighting the influence of landscape morphology on the spatial distribution of heavy metals. The findings suggest that copper accumulation is primarily related to agricultural practices, particularly the duration of fungicide application, while the distribution of other heavy metals is more closely associated with topographic features. The novelty of our research lies in the fact that we have shown that the assessment of copper accumulation in soil in vineyard ecosystems should take into account not only viticultural practices but also the history of land use and the landscape characteristics of the area.

Black sea bream, Acanthopagrus schlegelii, is among the most commercially valuable species in the coastal fishery industry and marine ecosystems. Catch data comprising capture locations for the gillnet fisheries, remotely sensed environmental data (i.e., sea surface temperature, chlorophyll-a concentration, and current velocity), and topography (bathymetry) from 2015 to 2018 were used to construct a spatial habitat distribution of black sea bream. This species is concentrated in coastal waters (&lt;3 nm) from December to April (spawning season). The maximum entropy (MaxEnt) method and corresponding habitat suitability index among seasons were used to clarify the species’ spatial distribution and identify the seasonal variations in habitat selection. The patterns corresponded closely to the changes in oceanographic conditions, and the species exhibited synchronous trends with the marine environment’s seasonal dynamics. Chlorophyll-a concentration and bathymetry substantially influenced (80.1–92.9%) black sea bream’s habitat selection. By applying the MaxEnt model, the optimal habitats were identified with four variables including depth and satellite-derived temperature, current velocity and chlorophyll-a concentration, which provides a foundation for the scientific assessment and management of black sea bream in coastal waters of the Eastern Taiwan Strait.

This expert opinion discusses the evidence of climate change impact on Ixodes ricinus spatial and temporal distribution in Europe. It also provides predictions on I. ricinus population distribution and seasonal dynamics in relation to future climate change events.

Wheat is one of the high-value major crops in the world. However, wheat stem rust is considered one of the determinant threats to wheat production in Ethiopia and the world. So this study was conducted to assess the disease intensity, seasonal distribution dynamics pattern, the genetic variability of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, and to determine the virulence spectrum in the irrigated ecology of the Awash River Basin. Totally 137 wheat farms were evaluated, from 2014/15-2019/20 in six districts representing the Upper, Middle, and Lower Awash River Basin. Farm plots were assessed, in every 5-10 km intervals, with 'X' fashion, and data on disease incidence, severity, healthy plants were counted and recorded. Diseased samples were collected from the diseased wheat stem by Puccinia graminis physiological and genetic race analysis. The seasonal trend of stem rust disease progress showed its importance to infer the future progresses of the disease for the country's potential production plan of irrigated wheat. The result revealed that the disease prevalence, disease incidence, and severity were significantly varied; among the different districts and seasons in the two regions. The survey results also indicated that about 71.7% of the wheat fields were affected by stem rust during the 2018/19 growing period. The disease's overall incidence and mean severity during the same season were 49.02% and 29.27%, respectively. In 2019/20, about 63.7% of the wheat fields were affected by stem rust, disease incidence 30.97%, and severity 17.22% were lower than the previous season. In 2019/20, even though seasonal disease distribution decreased, the spatial distribution was expanding in Afambo and Dubti districts. Four, stem rust dominant races were identified (TTTTF, TKTTF TKKTF, and TTKTF) by physiological and genetic race analysis during 2018/19 and one additional race (TKPTF) in 2019/20, production year. The result indicated that the races are highly virulent and affect most Sr genes except Sr31 and Sr24. From the race analysis result, TTTTF, and TKKTF have the broadest virulence spectrum race, which affects 90% of the Sr genes. Generally, we can conclude that the spatial and seasonal distribution of the disease is expanding. Most of the races in the irrigated areas in the Basin were similar to that of rain-fed wheat production belts in Ethiopia, so care must be given, to effective management of the diseases, in both production ecologies towards controlling the spore pressure than race variability. Therefore, these findings provide inputs for wheat producers to reduce the spread and disease' damage in the irrigated ecologies of Ethiopia. Also, it gives an insight for breeders to think about the breeding program in their crossing lines.

Wheat is one of the high-value major crops in the world. However, wheat stem rust is considered one of the determinant threats to wheat production in Ethiopia and the world. So this study was conducted to assess the disease intensity, seasonal distribution dynamics pattern, the genetic variability of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, and to determine the virulence spectrum in the irrigated ecology of the Awash River Basin. Totally 137 wheat farms were evaluated, from 2014/15–2019/20 in six districts representing the Upper, Middle, and Lower Awash River Basin. Farm plots were assessed, in every 5–10 km intervals, with ’X’ fashion, and data on disease incidence, severity, healthy plants were counted and recorded. Diseased samples were collected from the diseased wheat stem by Puccinia graminis physiological and genetic race analysis. The seasonal trend of stem rust disease progress showed its importance to infer the future progresses of the disease for the country’s potential production plan of irrigated wheat. The result revealed that the disease prevalence, disease incidence, and severity were significantly varied; among the different districts and seasons in the two regions. The survey results also indicated that about 71.7% of the wheat fields were affected by stem rust during the 2018/19 growing period. The disease’s overall incidence and mean severity during the same season were 49.02% and 29.27%, respectively. In 2019/20, about 63.7% of the wheat fields were affected by stem rust, disease incidence 30.97%, and severity 17.22% were lower than the previous season. In 2019/20, even though seasonal disease distribution decreased, the spatial distribution was expanding in Afambo and Dubti districts. Four, stem rust dominant races were identified (TTTTF, TKTTF TKKTF, and TTKTF) by physiological and genetic race analysis during 2018/19 and one additional race (TKPTF) in 2019/20, production year. The result indicated that the races are highly virulent and affect most Sr genes except Sr31 and Sr24. From the race analysis result, TTTTF, and TKKTF have the broadest virulence spectrum race, which affects 90% of the Sr genes. Generally, we can conclude that the spatial and seasonal distribution of the disease is expanding. Most of the races in the irrigated areas in the Basin were similar to that of rain-fed wheat production belts in Ethiopia, so care must be given, to effective management of the diseases, in both production ecologies towards controlling the spore pressure than race variability. Therefore, these findings provide inputs for wheat producers to reduce the spread and disease’ damage in the irrigated ecologies of Ethiopia. Also, it gives an insight for breeders to think about the breeding program in their crossing lines.

Two of the three vector species of Schistosoma mansoni Sambon, 1907 in Brazil occur in the state of Maranhao: Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818) and Biomphalaria straminea (Dunker, 1848). For the implementation of effective measures to combat schistosomiasis, it is necessary to identify the spatial and seasonal dynamics of these snails. Therefore, this work brought together information from malacological survey carried out in Sao Luis (Maranhao, Brazil) to identify the spatial and seasonal distribution patterns of Biomphalaria spp. snails. We used data from malacological surveys of the Municipal Health Secretary of Sao Luis, conducted between 2006 and 2013 in 23 neighborhoods. We also used data from the mollusk surveys that we conducted for 2 years (2012–2014) in four of these neighborhoods. During the 8-year period (2006–2013), 15,990 specimens of Biomphalaria spp. were collected. There was a positive association between precipitation and the abundance of mollusks of the genus Biomphalaria. During 2012–2014, a total of 2487 snail specimens were obtained (B. glabrata: 1046 specimens; B. straminea: 1426 specimens). There was a positive correlation between precipitation and B. straminea abundance. High density of human occupation and high precipitation are two factors that affect the distribution and density of Biomphalaria spp. populations.

The spatial distribution and seasonal dynamics of the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) on tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) were studied in Pennsylvania through weekly sampling of 30 trees (6 sites, 5 trees/site) from 27 July to 8 November 2020. Adults found on each tree were separated into six within-tree positions (lower trunk, middle trunk, upper trunk, first branch, second branch, and above second branch) by four directions (East, South, West, and North). In total, 78,796 adults were counted at the six study sites during the 15-week period. Significant differences in total adult count were found among trees, with a mean of 2,627 (254–12,023) adults/tree. Study site, tree diameter, and cardinal direction had no significant impact on adult spatial distribution. However, significantly more adults were found on the middle (1077), the lower (865), and the upper trunk (337) compared with the first (194), the second (93), and above second branches (60). Most adults were congregated on the lower and middle trunks. Seasonal dynamics followed adult development and migration patterns in the field, with peak populations observed in weeks 35 (24–30 August) and 37 (7–13 September) before declining. Female-based sex ratios ranged from 77.3 to 100% according to weekly monitoring of the lower 1 m trunk of 10 trees at 2 sites (5 trees/site) for 12 weeks from 17 August to 8 November, with 7,356 females and 197 males counted, respectively. Impact factors such as attack patterns, intraspecific congregation, adult seasonality, and sexual dimorphism in host selection are discussed.

Copepod populations in the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank region are dominated by warm water species in late summer/autumn, which are specifically adapted to lower food conditions and higher temperatures and metabolic costs. Better knowledge of their physiological processes and behavior is needed to estimate the impact of changes in environmental conditions on their seasonality and spatial distribution. We investigated the population dynamics of the warm water species Centropages typicus in this region using a copepod population model coupled with a three-dimensional ecosystem model. Although growth and development of copepods are well-investigated processes and well represented in population models, the importance of other life-history traits (e.g. cannibalism, feeding and migration strategies) and their impact on seasonal dynamics and spatial distributions are recognized but difficult to quantify. In this study, species-specific life-history traits were included to investigate their influence on the spatio-temporal patterns. The results confirmed our assumption that cannibalism is a possible constraint controlling the abundances on Georges Bank. Omnivorous feeding by C. typicus on both phytoplankton and microzooplankton is important for maintaining the population in the deeper basins, while vertical aggregation in zones of high-food concentration is a secondary mechanism sustaining the population in low-food seasons. Finally, advective influx from the upstream region on the Scotian Shelf is critical in sustaining the Gulf of Maine population.

To confirm the spatial distribution and seasonal dynamics of fine roots in the non-timber forest products breeding and cultivation practice base for Castanea mollissima (chestnut) of Beijing Forestry University in Qianxi, Hebei Province, the monthly dynamics and spatial distribution characteristics of fine root length density and dry weight density in a six-year-old chestnut plantation for the 0-20, 20-40, and 40-60 cm soil layers were studied using the soil coring method. Soil cores with a diameter of 8 cm were taken each month during the growing period (from April to October) about 50 and 100 cm away from the chestnut tree stem. Results showed that the fine root length density with a monthly average value of 1 274.9 m·m-3 had two growth peaks. Compared to the previous month, June and October both had significant difference (P < 0.05), which increased 203.0 m·m-3 and 524.6 m·m-3 separately. The fine root dry weight density had a monthly average value of 184.7 g·m-3 and two growing periods from April to June and from September to October. The fine root dry weight density in October was 39.5 g·m-3 higher compared to that in September (P < 0.05). The value of the fine root length density and dry weight density reached a maximum and changed with the seasons most noticeably in the vertical direction of the 20-40 cm soil layer (P < 0.05). Also, the fine root length density and dry weight density in the horizontal direction about 100 cm were greater than those about 50 cm (P < 0.05). This study indicated that spatial distribution and seasonal dynamics of fine roots likely resulted from spatial soil properties and the growth rule of C. mollissima.

The seasonal variation of the principal macro- and meiobenthic taxa in the sandy littoral zone of the oligomesotrophic Dutch Lake Maarsseveen I was studied during two years. Population peaks of the different taxa were clearly separated in time. In early spring there were chironomid density peaks of Stictochironomus sticticus, in one year followed by a Polypedilum maximum. From June–July chydorid cladocerans dominated, with a peak of Monospilus dispar followed by a peak of Rhynchotalona falcata. In autumn the chironomid Cladotanytarsus mancus became dominant, remaining so throughout the winter. To study the spatial heterogeneity of the major macro- and meiofaunal taxa, samples were taken in a grid of 2.5 × 10 m. Distributions of all but one taxon were significantly different from random, with Morisita indices varying from 1.23 (chironomids) to 2.10 (the chydorid Monospilus dispar). Wind-induced disturbance presumably had strong and species-specific effects on littoral macro- and meiobenthic taxa. Chydorid heterogeneity increased immediately following the first autumn storm of the season; this may be explained by the tendency of these organisms to remain attached to detritus particles. Temporal and spatial correlation coefficients between macro- and meiobenthic taxa were generally low, suggesting that interactions between these groups are weak, with distribution patterns that are independent of each other. Among the meiofaunal taxa, positive spatial and temporal correlation coefficients were found; apparently, the similarity in both seasonal dynamics and spatial distribution is larger among the meiofaunal taxa than between macro- and meiofaunal taxa. Also among most of the chironomid species significant positive temporal correlations were found, except for Stictochironomus sticticus and Polypedilum sp.; these species have similar life-cycles, but were during one year temporally separated by several alternating settlement peaks. In the next year, Polypedilum disappeared completely following an extremely strong Stictochironomus settlement peak.

The suprapermafrost groundwater in permafrost region not only is an important component of the water cycle and land surface process, but also is closely associated with the charges of ecological environment in cold region. However, the seasonal dynamics, driving factors, and mechanism of suprapermafrost groundwater are not well understood. Based on observation at slope scale on suprapermafrost groundwater dynamics of typical alpine meadows in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the seasonal dynamics, spatial distribution and driving factors of suprapermafrost groundwater were analyzed. The results showed that there were close relationships between the seasonal dynamics of suprapermafrost groundwater and the freezing-thawing processes of active soil in permafrost region. The seasonal dynamics of suprapermafrost groundwater and its slope distribution pattern were controlled by soil temperature of active layers. The phase and range of the suprapermafrost groundwater dynamics are determined by deep soil (below 60 cm depth) moisture and groundwater recharging sources. The relationship between active soil temperatures and dynamics of suprapermafrost groundwater levels was better described by Boltzmann functions. However, the influencing thresholds of soil temperature on groundwater dynamics varied at different depths of active layers and in different slope positions, which resulted in the significant spatial heterogeneity of suprapermafrost groundwater dynamics in slope scale. Land cover change and global warming certainly altered the dynamics of suprapermafrost groundwater and the hydraulic interaction between groundwater and rivers, and consequently altered the overall hydrologic cycle of watershed scale.

1. Seasonal dynamics, spatial distribution and population size of the phantom midge Chaoborus flavicans in different parts of the eutrophic Lake Hiidenvesi (30.3 km2) were studied.2. Density of larvae was low in the shallow, most eutrophic parts of the lake, while the deep Kiihkelyksenselkä basin was inhabited by a dense population. In the deepest part of Kiihkelyksenselkä (33 m) density was 13 989 ± 3542 m–2 in May, declined to 1102 ± 274 m–2 in July and recovered to 7225 ± 1314 m–2 by October. In spring and autumn the majority of larvae were benthic while, during high summer, few larvae were found in the sediment.3. Horizontal distribution fluctuated seasonally. On 3 June &lt; 5% of the population inhabited areas shallower than 10 m. On 6 July the limnetic fraction was still restricted to regions deeper than 10 m, but 43% of benthic larvae were found between 6 and 10 m depths. In October both limnetic and benthic larvae were concentrated in areas deeper than 20 m.4. Within the lake, distribution was mainly regulated by stratification characteristics, degree of eutrophy being less important. The seasonal horizontal movements were probably induced by food shortage. Larvae could not meet their energetic demands in stratified areas and dispersed to shallower water, reducing predation risk by use of the benthic habitat.

Group‐living animals often exhibit dynamic social structures, with fission–fusion behavior enabling adaptive responses to environmental changes. Spotted hyenas Crocuta crocuta are large carnivores with complex social dynamics influenced by intrinsic factors, such as rank and kinship, and extrinsic factors, such as prey availability. While seasonal dynamics in spotted hyena fission–fusion behavior have been studied in East Africa, seasonal dynamics in social structures in Southern Africa, where prey availability is more stable over time, remains unclear. This study examines seasonal changes in the social networks and territorial boundaries of spotted hyenas in Central Tuli, Botswana. Using a year‐long camera trap survey, we identified individuals based on unique spot patterns and constructed social networks for the wet and dry season. We identified three distinct hyena clans with stable territories, with minor shifts in spatial distribution across seasons. Our findings demonstrate that social structure of hyena clans are stable across seasons in Central Tuli possibly due to consistently high prey availability, contrasting with regions experiencing greater seasonal resource fluctuations. These results underscore the role of prey availability in shaping the social ecology of spotted hyenas and highlight the utility of SNA in understanding the temporal and spatial dynamics of group‐living animals with fission–fusion behavior.