Habitat Diversity Research Articles

Fiddler Crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Ocypodidae) From Coastal Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands: Species Descriptions and DNA Barcodes.

Neotropical regions near the equator are recognized as speciation "hot spots" reflecting their abundant biodiversity. In western South America, the coasts of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, the Galápagos Archipelago, and northern Peru form the Tropical Eastern Pacific biome. This area has the greatest heterogeneity of sympatric fiddler crab species of any portion of the planet. Since the coastal fauna has not been assessed for almost 50 years, we studied fiddler crab species diversity in Ecuador and on the Galápagos Archipelago. Preserved collecting records for various species were examined at the U.S. National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, the American Museum of Natural History, New York, and the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, the Netherlands. During a field study, 51 locations were collected resulting in over 870 preserved specimens (120 lots) along the 2237-km (1390 mi) coast of Ecuador and on three Galápagos Islands. A neighbor-joining tree was constructed using the Kimura 2-parameter model with a partial DNA sequence of the cytochrome oxidase-subunit 1 gene (COI) for a barcoding study. Twenty-five taxa were collected during the surveys, while two more were noted from the literature and museum collections. Five published species are new to Ecuador. The species assemblage was divided among four genera: Uca, Leptuca, Minuca, and Petruca. Morphological definitions and photographic images are given for 27 species. COI sequences were obtained for 27 operational taxonomic units from Ecuador, with three morphologically indistinguishable cryptic or pseudocryptic taxa also revealed. Based on species distributions, it appears that the area between Cabo San Lorenzo and Punta Santa Elena serves as a weak barrier separating some "northern" from "southern" taxa. Since coastal Ecuador is undergoing rapid economic development, the construction of maricultural facilities and the deforestation of mangroves promote wholesale habitat destruction. As habitat diversity is reduced, it is expected that there will be, in general, a local decline in fiddler crab species diversity with some taxa becoming rare or extinct.

Environmental correlates of breeding outcomes in Endangered Grey Crowned Cranes Balearica regulorum in agricultural areas of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Summary Birds are often used as ecological indicators because they are widely distributed across diverse habitats and display distinct behavioural responses to environmental changes. The Endangered Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum is regarded as a flagship species of Africa’s wetland and grassland habitats, both of which are undergoing substantial transformation to alternative land uses. The delayed reproductive strategies and habitat specialisation of this crane species makes them more vulnerable to extinction, but this risk is further compounded by data paucity. We employed traditional and contemporary survey methods to collect breeding metrics to calculate stage transition probabilities (i.e. egg–hatchling, hatchling–juvenile) and to identify possible macro-environmental factors that either promote or hinder their reproductive output in a key agricultural area in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We found that Grey Crowned Cranes have a low hatching rate of 38.4% (95% confidence interval 29.3–48.4%) and show that this low hatching rate is exacerbated under high rainfall intensity. Multivariate analyses and multi-model inference revealed that successful nest-sites were generally associated with larger open water-bodies, greater distances from shore, and increased proximity to secondary roads, buildings, and natural grasslands. Although increased agricultural activities might promote greater foraging opportunities, the overall breeding outcomes of this species were poor in this key agricultural region. Our findings stress the urgent need for further fine-scale data collection and monitoring activities to better inform conservation strategies for this species. We also encourage future studies to focus on aspects affecting Grey Crowned Crane breeding in regions where proximity to human activities is inevitable.

Seasonal lake ice cover drives the restructuring of bacteria-archaea and bacteria-fungi interdomain ecological networks across diverse habitats.

The coexistence of different microbial communities is fundamental to the sustainability of many ecosystems, yet our understanding of the relationships among microbial communities in plateau cold-region lakes affected by seasonal ice cover remains limited. This research involved investigating three lakes in the Inner Mongolia segment of the Yellow River basin during frozen and unfrozen periods in two habitats: water bodies and sediments. The research examined the composition and function of bacteria, archaea, and fungi across different times and habitats within the basin, their response to environmental variables in water and sediment, and inter-domain interactions between bacteria-archaea and bacteria-fungi were compared using interdomain ecological network (IDEN). The findings indicate significant variations in the structures of bacterial, archaeal, and fungal communities across different periods and habitats, with the pH of the water body being a crucial environmental variable affecting microbial community composition. In the frozen period, the functionality of microbial communities, especially in terms of energy metabolism, was significantly impacted, with water bodies experiencing more pronounced effects than sediments. Archaea and fungi significantly contribute to the stability of bacterial communities across various habitats, especially in ice-covered conditions, where stronger associations between bacterial communities, archaea, and fungi promote the microbial communities' adaptability to cold stress. Furthermore, our results indicate that the primary environmental variable influencing the structure of IDENs is the nutrient salt content in both water bodies and sediments. This study broadens our understanding of the responses and feedback mechanisms of inter-domain microbial interactions in lakes influenced by seasonal ice cover.

Fish models to explore epigenetic determinants of hypoxia-tolerance.

The occurrence of environmental hypoxia in freshwater and marine aquatic systems has increased over the last century and is predicted to further increase with climate change. As members of the largest extant vertebrate group, freshwater fishes, and to a much lesser extent marine fishes, are vulnerable to increased occurrence of hypoxia. This is important as fishes render important ecosystem services and have important cultural and economic roles. Evolutionarily successful, fishes have adapted to diverse aquatic freshwater and marine habitats with different oxygen conditions. While some fishes exhibit genetic adaptions to tolerate hypoxia and even anoxia, others are limited to oxygen-rich habitats. Recent advances in molecular epigenetics have shown that some epigenetic machinery, especially histone- and DNA demethylases, is directly dependent on oxygen and modulates important transcription-regulating epigenetic marks in the process. At the post-transcriptional level, hypoxia has been shown to affect non-coding microRNA abundance. Together, this evidence adds a new molecular epigenetic basis to study hypoxia tolerance in fishes. Here, we review the documented and predicted changes in environmental hypoxia in aquatic systems and discuss the diversity and comparative physiology of hypoxia tolerance in fishes, including molecular and physiological adaptations. We then discuss how recent mechanistic advances in environmental epigenetics can inform future work probing the role of oxygen-dependent epigenetic marks in shaping organismal hypoxia-tolerance in fishes with a focus on within- and between-species variation, acclimation, inter- and multigenerational plasticity, and multiple climate-change stressors. We conclude by describing the translational potential of this approach for conservation physiology, ecotoxicology, and aquaculture.

Assessment of biological diversity of caves and man-made subterranean habitats

Biodiversity is globally in crisis and the subterranean species are likely to be particularly affected (Mammola et al., 2019; Boulton, 2020). Habitats such as caves,mines and railway tunnels share similarities with regards to their environmental conditions, such as food scarcity, high relative humidity, thermal stability, and lack of light (Keith et al., 2020).

Avifaunal diversity and conservation significance of coastal ecosystems on Rameswaram Island, Tamil Nadu, India

Biodiversity-rich areas tied to heritage, religious tourism, and ecotourism, often face changes to their landscapes due to infrastructure development. Such activities may threaten the species survival and disrupt the delicate ecosystems in these regions. Hence it becomes imperative to build up baseline species data from such areas for biodiversity conservation and management interventions. Towards achieving this objective, avifaunal inventories were documented from Kothandaramar Lagoon, Dhanushkodi Lagoon, and the Arichalmunai beach in Rameswaram Island, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, which is an important site for winter migrants. A total of 147 avian species belonging to 17 orders and 45 families from August 2021 to July 2023 were recorded. Order-wise, Charadriiformes (52 species) dominated the area, followed by Passeriformes (27 species) and Pelecaniformes (21 species). According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 11 ‘Near Threatened’, three ‘Vulnerable’, two ‘Endangered’ (Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris and Siberian Sandplover Anarhynchus mongolus), and one unassessed species (Hanuman Plover Charadrius seebohmi) were recorded. The relative abundance based on the frequency of observations indicated that 61% (90 species) were common, 22% (32 species) were uncommon, and 17% (25 species) were rare. Winter visitors constituted 42% (62 species) and one was a passage migrant (Rosy Starling Pastor roseus). Coastal lagoons of this region comprise diverse habitats that play a vital role for birds, which provide places for nesting, roosting, and foraging. This baseline data emphasizes the importance of Dhanushkodi Lagoon along with adjacent areas as an important wintering site on the southeastern coast of India for migratory shorebirds as well as highlights the importance of adjoining small forested patches thus required to be declared as a protected area.

Unusual Genomic and Biochemical Features of Paenarthrobacter lasiusi sp. nov-A Novel Bacterial Species Isolated from Lasius niger Anthill Soil.

The black garden ant (Lasius niger) is a widely distributed species across Europe, North America, and North Africa, playing a pivotal role in ecological processes within its diverse habitats. However, the microbiome associated with L. niger remains poorly investigated. In the present study, we isolated a novel species, Paenarthrobacter lasiusi, from the soil of the L. niger anthill. The genome of P. lasiusi S21 was sequenced, annotated, and searched for groups of genes of physiological, medical, and biotechnological importance. Subsequently, a series of microbiological, physiological, and biochemical experiments were conducted to characterize P. lasiusi S21 with respect to its sugar metabolism, antibiotic resistance profile, lipidome, and capacity for atmospheric nitrogen fixation, among others. A notable feature of the P. lasiusi S21 genome is the presence of two prophages, which may have horizontally transferred host genes involved in stress responses. P. lasiusi S21 synthesizes a number of lipids, including mono- and digalactosyldiacylglycerol, as well as steroid compounds that are typically found in eukaryotic organisms rather than prokaryotes. P. lasiusi S21 exhibits resistance to penicillins, lincosamides, fusidins, and oxazolidinones, despite the absence of specific genes conferring resistance to these antibiotics. Genomic data and physiological tests indicate that P. lasiusi S21 is nonpathogenic to humans. The genome of P. lasiusi S21 contains multiple operons involved in heavy metal metabolism and organic compound inactivation. Consequently, P. lasiusi represents a novel species with an intriguing evolutionary history, manifesting in distinctive genomic, metabolomic, and physiological characteristics. This species may have potential applications in the bioaugmentation of contaminated soils.

First field and laboratory trial of VectorBac® WG around the airport zone of the capital city of Libreville, Gabon

Context/Purpose: The urban ecosystem of Akanda behind the airport of the capital city of Libreville in Gabon, harbors diverse and dense mosquito larval habitats and hotspots for malaria and arboviruses transmission. To effectively conduct vector control, it is imperative to adopt an integrated approach by adding biolarvicides to the toolbox. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a biolarvicide under laboratory and field conditions. Methods: In Gabon, this current pilot and preliminary study sought to test the efficacy of the biolarvicide VectorBac® Water dispersable Granule (WG) (VBG) during the rainy season period (March to May 2024) under field and laboratory conditions following the 2005 World Health Organisation protocol. Results: For the bioassay of VBG, in the laboratory, the required dose to kill 88% and 100% of the larvae in rearing cups was 0.001 g/mL and 0.01 g/mL respectively. Under field conditions, the percentage larval density reduction irrespective of the microhabitat type ranged from 90 to 100% and the mosquito larval density reduction between test and control groups in the field differed statistically (X2=34; p = 0.026). Conclusion: The larvae from Akanda tested under field and laboratory conditions were very sensitive to the standard dose recommended by the manufacturer after 24 hrs post-treatment with VBG. This pilot study provides baseline information that is required to conduct a longitudinal study to evaluate the residual effect of VBG in different ecological settings in Gabon.

Waterbird assemblages of Australia’s largest east-coast wetland complex: environmental determinants of spatial and temporal distribution

Context The extensive Burdekin–Townsville seasonal freshwater wetlands in the Queensland tropics (adjacent to an intertidal Ramsar site) support important waterbird assemblages within and downstream of the Burdekin–Haughton irrigation area. Little evidence is available of the environmental drivers of these assemblages, possibly including the extensive development of irrigated agriculture. Aims We described the composition and dynamics of freshwater waterbird assemblages to identify their environmental determinants and underpin conservation management. Methods We used up to four decades’ worth of records of waterbird assemblages, and collected biophysical data from 57 sites and water quality data for 32 sites. We predicted that these measured variables would determine assemblage composition, thereby elucidating the environmental drivers of the assemblages. Key results In total, 100 waterbird and shorebird species were recorded. Individual samples were strongly nested. Species richness increased with area but density decreased. Richness had a humped relationship with water depth. Linear modelling identified mostly weak relationships between species, assemblages and environmental variables (e.g. nutrients). Abundances mostly increased during the dry season but irrigation tailwater reduced seasonal variation in some wetlands. No apparent change in common species’ assemblages was evident over four decades. Conclusions The wetlands provide extensive, diverse habitats for rich waterbird assemblages, despite impacts of agricultural development. Impacts on waterbirds appear to be buffered by the extent and complexity of the wetland mosaic that includes modified wetlands. Implications Holistic, active management is required to ensure the long-term conservation of habitats for waterbirds and other biota in the Burdekin–Townsville seasonal freshwater wetlands. Inclusion of these freshwater wetlands in the Ramsar site would be beneficial.

Butterflies of District Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh: A Preliminary Study

This study examines the diversity, distribution and conservation of butterflies in Barabanki district, Uttar Pradesh, from March 2021 to October 2023. Surveys were conducted across five landscapes: meadows, woodlands, forests, agricultural fields and shrubland. A total of 42,468 butterfly individuals, representing 97 species from 58 genera and five families, were recorded. The Lycaenidae family was the most diverse, with 34 species, followed by Nymphalidae, Pieridae, Hesperiidae and Papilionidae. Woodland and forest habitats supported the highest species diversity (95 species), while shrubland had the greatest abundance of individuals. These findings emphasize the importance of conserving diverse habitats and maintaining regular monitoring to ensure the health of butterfly populations and the broader ecosystem.

A checklist of indigenous flora in the Richtersveld National Park confirms high plant diversity in the arid north-western tip of South Africa

As a basis for conservation planning, a first comprehensive vascular plant species checklist for the core Richtersveld National Park was compiled, based on the collection of more than 3000 new herbarium vouchers and in total studying over 8000 specimens and more than 4000 iNaturalist observations. By the end of April 2024, a total of 1077 indigenous taxa were recorded. The documented indigenous flora included 14 pteridophytes, 3 paleodicots, 246 monocotyledons and 815 dicotyledons. A total of 99 indigenous families and 392 genera were recorded. The largest family was the Asteraceae, and the second largest family was the Aizoaceae. In addition, 44 taxa were identified as invasive or alien flora. Seven species were regarded as extinct; of these, four species disappeared in a context of diamond mining, and three species were no longer found after the recent drought 2014 to 2022. The role of the peculiar biogeographical position and the high diversity of unique habitats within extreme environmental gradients were discussed in a review of published evidence. Reference to distribution and habitat was presented for each species in the appendices.Conservation implications: The article offers a complete checklist of vascular plants that forms a baseline for monitoring, and which facilitates the identification of additional taxa. In addition, a total of 125 taxa listed on the SANBI Red List and 15 taxa on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List were recorded, as well as a total of 170 taxa of conservation concern. Twenty-nine taxa are listed as endangered, and 21 taxa were listed as critically endangered on the South African red list. A total of 38 taxa were regarded as endemic and 101 taxa as near endemic. The identification of these taxa in combination with the information on their habitat preferences and distribution will allow targeted conservation planning.

Diversity and Distribution of Intertidal Cystoseira sensu lato Species Across Protection Zones in a Mediterranean Marine Protected Area.

This study investigates the diversity and distribution of intertidal Cystoseira sensu lato (s.l.) species across different protection zones within the "Capo Gallo-Isola delle Femmine" Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the central Mediterranean Sea. Five Cystoseira s.l. species (Cystoseira compressa, C. foeniculacea, Ericaria amentacea, E. brachycarpa and E. crinita) were observed on the intertidal rocky shores, with varied abundances across the MPA's protection zones. Ericaria amentacea was the only species found in all zones, with a much higher cover percentage in the most protected area (zone A). However, its morpho-functional traits showed an inverse trend, with the largest thalli found in the moderately protected zone B and C. The remaining Cystoseira s.l. species were only found in zones B and C probably due to their wider area and greater habitat diversity compared to zone A. The presence of two non-indigenous species, Asparagopsis taxiformis and Caulerpa cylindracea, was observed exclusively in the less protected zones B and C. Our findings highlight the complex interactions between MPA protection levels and Cystoseira s.l. species conservation, with protection having, in some respects, a positive influence on selected Cystoseira s.l. species, indicating the importance of careful consideration in MPA design and management. Furthermore, this study provides a baseline for future monitoring of Cystoseira s.l. populations in light of ongoing environmental changes in the Mediterranean Sea.

Wild Bee Diversity and Bee-Plant Interactions in Tropical and Temperate Forest Clearings in a Natural Protected Area in Central West Mexico.

Bees rely on plants for nutrition and reproduction, making the preservation of natural areas crucial as pollinator reservoirs. Seasonal tropical dry forests are among the richest habitats for bees, but only 27% of their original extent remains in Mexico. In contrast, temperate forests harbor fewer bee species and face high deforestation rates, with 40% of their area converted to other land uses. This study aimed to estimate the α and β diversities of wild bees and compare bee-plant interaction networks between these two vegetation types. Wild bees and their interactions with plants were monitored for one year in four sites within the Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna Sierra de Quila. Two sites corresponded to seasonal tropical dry forest and two to temperate forest. α and β diversity, connectance, nestedness, web asymmetry, and niche overlap were analyzed. Sierra de Quila harbors high bee diversity, with 155 species in tropical dry forest and 103 in temperate forest. Species turnover between vegetation types was high, although nine species used floral resources in both forests, connecting the interaction networks. Sierra de Quila diverse habitats promote high bee diversity, with niche partitioning and low connectance facilitating coexistence across different vegetation types.

Discovery of a Gut Bacterial Pathway for Ergothioneine Catabolism.

Ergothioneine is a diet-derived micronutrient for humans. However, enzymes involved in the catabolism of ergothioneine in human gut bacteria have not yet been identified. Herein, we characterize a sulfidogenic pathway for gut bacterial catabolism of this micronutrient, which involves an unprecedented reductive desulfurization reaction catalyzed by members of the xanthine oxidoreductase family (XOR), a class of molybdenum-containing flavoproteins. Notably, this is the first C-S bond cleavage reaction known to be catalyzed by XORs. Evidence for operation of this pathway was gained through in vitro reconstruction using heterologously produced enzymes derived from the human gut bacterium Blautia producta ATCC 27340. This catabolic activity enables B. producta ATCC 27340 to use ergothioneine as an alternative electron acceptor source. Homologues of the pathway enzymes are shown to be present not only in human gut bacteria but also in many environmental bacteria, suggesting the wide distribution of this catabolic strategy. In relation to the sulfur-containing metabolite, this discovery provides significant insight into biogeochemical sulfur cycling in diverse anoxic habitats beyond the human gut and, moreover, the design of new approaches for controlling intestinal hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production.

Anthropogenic Drivers of Small-Island Effects in Urban Remnant Woody Plants.

The positive relationship between species richness and area is a fundamental principle in ecology. However, this pattern deviates on small islands, where species richness either changes independently of area or increases at a slower rate-a phenomenon known as the Small-Island Effect (SIE). While the SIE has been well documented in natural ecosystem, its presence in highly fragmented and disturbed urban ecosystem remains unexplored, posing challenges for urban vegetation conservation. Urban remnant vegetation, isolated by surrounding infrastructures, preserves intact zonal vegetation characteristics, serves as a benchmark for restoring near-natural habitats and offers ideal conditions to test the existence of the SIE in urban area landscapes. In this study, we surveyed 17 remnant vegetation patches in Qingdao City, China. A total of 331 plants attributed to 255 genera in 81 families have been recorded. Firstly, by using six species-area relationship regression models testing the SIE for remnant vegetation with different plant life forms, we found the SIE in only woody plants, with the land surface area threshold ranging from 6.38 ha (tree) to 11.91 ha (shrub). Our finding revealed that the drivers of the SIE in shrubs were landscape shape index, perimeter-area ratio, and the proportion of sealed surfaces within the patch. For trees, the SIE was influenced by the distance to the source of species, GDP, night light intensity, and perimeter-area ratio. This finding justifies that conservation in urban planning, construction, and development should focus not only on protecting large areas but also on maintaining and promoting diverse habitats within these areas. At the same time, reducing anthropogenic disturbance and enhancing the connectivity of green spaces are important for the persistence of metacommunities and can contribute to the local species pool, thus potentially improving the ecological resilience of urban environments.

Vegetation Restoration Effectiveness in Mianshan Abandoned Mine, Dongzhi County, China: Considering Habitat Diversity and Critical Drivers

Vegetation restoration in abandoned mines is crucial for ecosystem recovery and sustainable development. However, the assessment of restoration effectiveness and long-term sustainability through appropriate methods remains a significant challenge. This study aims to evaluate the vegetation restoration effectiveness of the Mianshan abandoned mine in Dongzhi County, China, three years after the completion of the restoration project, using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) methods. Drone oblique photography and field survey transects were applied to determine vegetation growth and geological conditions across different habitats, including the base, terrace, and slope behind the terrace. An evaluation indicator system was developed to assess restoration effectiveness. Results indicated that the overall vegetation restoration was moderately effective, with vegetation coverage and recovery rate (restored-to-native vegetation coverage ratio) of 62.0% and 66.7%, respectively. The terrace habitat exhibited the highest, while the base and slope showed fair restoration effectiveness. Vegetation coverage was the highest on the terrace, but species diversity was the lowest. The base had lower coverage but greater species diversity, with more planted species and invasive species. The slope exhibited low coverage and species diversity, with poor growth of planted species. The terrace had more conservative species than the base and slope. Key factors influencing vegetation restoration effectiveness across habitats included topography (e.g., slope gradient), soil texture (clay or gravelly soil), soil moisture, species selection, and planting strategies. This study evaluated vegetation restoration effectiveness in the Mianshan mine using AHP and FCE methods, highlighting the influence of topography, soil conditions, and species selection on restoration outcomes across diverse habitats.

Floristic diversity of the Stara Drava water body near Bilje (northeast Croatia)

The Stara Drava water body, located near the village of Bilje, northeast Croatia, with diverse aquatic, wetland and land habitats, maintains numerous wild fauna and flora species. The vascular flora of the Stara Drava was studied in the period from May to September 2020. A total of 142 plant species belonging to 116 genera and 53 families were recorded. The most species-rich plant families were Asteraceae, Poaceae and Lamiaceae, while the most common life forms were hemicryptophytes, hydrophytes and therophytes. Freshwater macrophytes comprise 24 species and have the significant role in the aquatic ecosystem. Alien flora is represented by 19 species, of which 14 are invasive alien plant species. According to their conservation status, five species are designated in one of the threats, and four species are proclaimed as strictly protected species in Croatia.

Assessing the effects of land-use intensity on small mammal community composition and genetic variation in Myodes glareolus and Microtus arvalis across grassland and forest habitats

ContextLand-use intensification can alter small mammal community composition and induce loss of genetic variation in remaining populations. Fragmented landscapes favor generalist and synanthropic species, which are potential reservoirs of pathogens and pose risks to agriculture and forestry.ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of land-use intensity on small mammal diversity in grassland and forest habitats, as well as on genetic variation patterns driven by geographic (isolation by distance) and environmental distance (isolation by resistance) factors.MethodsWe analysed differences in small mammal community diversity on grassland and forest plots with varying land-use intensities. Genetic analyses were conducted on Myodes glareolus and Microtus arvalis populations from each habitat, using microsatellites. Maximum Likelihood Population Effects models were employed to elucidate gene flow patterns and significant differences in genetic structure based on land-use intensity.ResultsSmall mammal communities in grasslands were significantly less diverse than in forests. Land-use intensity had a significant effect on diversity within grassland but not within forest habitats. M. glareolus showed three genetic groups, while M. arvalis displayed no discernible population structure or landscape-related pattern. Land-use intensity did not significantly influence the genetic structure of either species. Gene flow in M. glareolus is best described by the IBR model.ConclusionLand-use intensity significantly affects small mammal community composition, particularly in grasslands. Neither species' genetics is directly impacted by land-use intensity but rather by landscape connectivity and distance. Risk assessments for rodent-borne zoonotic pathogens and crop damage should be framed within a habitat connectivity context.

Bacterial Diversity in the Different Ecological Niches Related to the Yonghwasil Pond (Republic of Korea).

The bacteriome profile was studied in freshwater ecosystems within the Yonghwasil pond, situated at the National Institute of Ecology, Seocheon-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, central western Korea. Six samples from water, mud, and soil niches were assessed, specifically from lake water, bottom mud (sediment), and root-soil samples of Bulrush, wild rice, Reed, and Korean Willow. Notably, the phylum Actinobacteria exhibited an upward trend moving from water to mud to soil samples, whereas Chloroflexi showed a contrasting decrease. Across the board, Proteobacteria emerged as the reigning phylum, and subsequent dominance was attributed to Firmicutes and Actinobacteria. The water samples were characterized by an enriched presence of Cyanobacteria and Bacteroidetes, whereas the mud samples distinctly housed a higher concentration of Chloroflexi. Assessing biodiversity through OTU and ACE indices revealed a subdued species richness in the water samples. On the contrary, mud samples stood out with the highest OTU and ACE metrics, signifying a microbially diverse habitat. Bulrush, wild rice, Reed, and Willow samples showed intermediate microbial diversity. The Shannon index further corroborated the pronounced microbial diversity in mud and Bulrush habitats with others. This research elucidates the microbial intricacies across different habitats within Yonghwasil Pond, emphasizing the pivotal role of environmental matrices in shaping bacterial communities.

Drivers of Seasonal Change of Avian Communities in Urban Parks and Cemeteries of Latin America.

Urban parks and cemeteries constitute hot spots of bird diversity in urban areas. However, the seasonal dynamics of their bird communities have been scarcely explored at large scales. This study aims to analyze the drivers of urban bird assemblage seasonality in urban parks and cemeteries comparing assemblages during breeding and non-breeding seasons in the Neotropical Region. Since cemeteries have less human disturbance than urban parks, we expected differences in bird community seasonality between habitats. The seasonal change of species composition was partitioned into species turnover and nestedness. At large scales, the seasonal change of species composition was positively related to temperature seasonality and was higher in the Northern Hemisphere. At the landscape scale, the seasonal change of composition decreased in sites located in the most urbanized areas. At the local scale, sites with the highest habitat diversity and pedestrian traffic had the lowest seasonal change of composition. The species turnover was higher in the Northern Hemisphere, augmented with increasing annual temperature range, and decreased in urban parks. The species nestedness was positively related to habitat diversity. Our results showed that a multi-scale framework is essential to understand the seasonal changes of bird communities. Moreover, the two components of seasonal composition dissimilarity showed contrasting responses to environmental variables. Although the surrounding urbanization lowered the seasonal dynamics of urban green areas, cemeteries seem to conserve more seasonal changes than urban parks. Thus, urban cemeteries help to conserve the temporal dynamics of bird communities in cities.