Ecological Neighborhood Research Articles

Experimental evidence of inbreeding depression for competitive ability and its population-level consequences in a mixed-mating plant.

Inbreeding depression is a key factor regulating the evolution of self-fertilization in plants. Despite predictions that inbreeding depression should evolve with selfing rates as deleterious alleles are increasingly exposed and removed by selection, evidence of purging the genetic load in wild populations is equivocal at best. This discordance could be explained, in part, if the load underlying inbreeding depression is subject to soft selection, i.e., the fitness of selfed individuals depends on the frequency and density of selfed vs. outcrossed individuals in the population. Somewhat counterintuitively, this means that populations with contrasting mutation load can have similar fitness. Soft selection against selfed individuals may be expected when there is inbreeding depression for competitive ability in density-regulated populations. We tested population-level predictions of inbreeding depression in competitive ability by creating a density series of potted plants consisting of either purely outcrossed, purely selfed, or mixed (50% outcrossed, 50% selfed) seed of the mixed-matingbiennial Sabatia angularis (Gentianaceae) representing ecological neighborhoods. Focusing on the growth and survival of juveniles, we show that mean plant size is independent of neighborhood composition when resources are limiting, but greatest in outcrossed neighborhoods at low densities. Across a range of densities, this manifests as stronger density-dependence in outcrossed populations compared to selfed or mixed ones. We also found significantly greater size inequalities among individuals in mixed neighborhoods, even at high densities where mean juvenile size converged, a key signature of asymmetric competition between outcrossed and selfed individuals. Our work illustrates how soft selection could shelter the genetic load underlying inbreeding depression and its demographic consequences.

Exploring the Educational Meaning of the Experiences of Walking Play in the Forest of Ecological Neighborhood Park for 2-Years-Old Infants

목적 본 연구에서는 코로나19로 인한 사회적 거리두기 상황에서 실시한 만2세 영아의 생태근린공원 숲 산책놀이의 경험과 교육적 의미를 탐구하였다. 방법 본 연구는 P어린이집 만2세반 영아들의 숲 산책놀이에서 나타난 영아의 경험 내용과 교육적 의미를 현상학적 질적 연구로 탐구하였다. 결과 생태근린공원 숲 산책놀이에서의 영아의 경험 내용은 다음과 같다. 첫째, 오감으로 느끼고 표현해보기, 둘째, 도전과 모험으로 즐거움 경험하기 셋째, 고대하며 기다리는 해방감 체험하기 넷째, 자연물과 자연현상에 관심가지기를 경험하는 것으로 나타났다. 생태근린공원 숲 산책놀이 경험의 교육적 의미는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 영아의 경험과 연결하고 확장하기 둘째, 사회적 관계 맺기 셋째, 능동적이고 주도적으로 탐색하기로 나타났다. 결론 영아들이 숲 산책놀이를 통해 즐거움과 해방감을 느끼며 자연과 인간애 대한 긍정적 경험을 하는 것으로 나타난 본 연구결과에 기초하여 다음과 같은 시사점을 제안하였다. 첫째, 교사는 영아를 숲 산책놀이의 공동구성자로 인식하고 영아의 역할을 존중하며 배움을 지원할 수 있는 전문성을 키워나가야 한다. 둘째, 숲 산책놀이는 실내놀이와 연계하여 영아의 흥미가 지속되도록 지원해야 한다. 셋째, 영아의 안전을 확보하고 호기심을 지원하는 숲 산책놀이를 위해 부모와 지역사회의 자원을 활용하는 방안을 모색해야 한다.

Environmental analysis of health damages coming from a residential neighborhood built in 150 countries

Decisions made in the design of urban developments at the neighbourhood scale influence damages on human health, which depend on location. So far, no standard has proposed the range of health damage coming from neighborhoods located in any region, due to the different morphologies of neighborhoods, and limited study numbers. Aware of this fact, this study was conducted with the aim to evaluate and to compare the effect of health damage produced by a sustainable neighborhood in which the same morphology was designed in several regions. To perform this comparison, the same neighborhood design is applied to 150 countries, but four parameters are adapted to each country: energy mix, local climate, building materials, and occupants ‘mobility. In addition, this study analysis the induced health impact of the neighborhood over a life cycle of 100 years and examines the impact of mobility and renewable energy on the health, which was evaluated by Pleiades ACV software. Among the four local parameters (energy mix, local materials, climate, and transport), the energy mix has the most significant effect on the health damage. The results show that the countries having a lower concentration of renewable energy sources have higher health damage than others. Africa is the continent that most affected by health damage due to lack of having an eco-neighborhood. The building materials and electricity use are the main sources of health damage in a neighborhood. The implementation of photovoltaic panels on the roofs of an eco-neighborhood has a significant impact on the potential health damages. Among the different stages of the neighborhood life cycle, the operation stage is the most significant which is responsible over 50% of total health damage. It is important to multiply ecological neighborhoods around the world, because health damage is estimated to be 20% lower in sustainable neighborhoods than more conventional neighborhoods.

Exploring Problematic Substance Use during Reentry from Prison to the Community: A Thematic Analysis

The reentry process from prison to the community is rife with obstacles. Substance use problems, in particular, can present significant barriers to successful reentry. However, little research has examined the various roles that substance use plays during reentry from the perspective of those reentering the community. The current study explores reentry experiences of people who have been recently released from prison with a specific focus on their experiences with substance use during the reentry process. Using thematic analysis, the present study explored substance use experiences from 26 semi-structured interviews. Seven main themes emerged: recovery and sobriety, substance use programs, relapse, substance use exposure, triggers and other challenges, impact of incarceration on substance use, and reflections about substance use. Within each of these broad themes, additional subthemes emerged. Findings suggest complex histories of substance use spanning ecological contexts, including family, neighborhood, and corrections facilities as well as provide support for the pervasive and persistent nature of substance use among previously incarcerated individuals. Implications for practice and policy are discussed as well as potential future directions for research.

Landscape attributes explain salmonid ecological neighbourhoods across a complex river network

Abstract Defining population neighbourhood boundaries provides a critical spatial framework for understanding ecological processes and informing species‐specific conservation and restoration planning. The population neighbourhood boundary demarcates the total quantity of available habitat across life stages where specific ecological processes (e.g., breeding, foraging, migration) occur for all individuals within a population. For mobile species within dendritic freshwater networks, the population neighbourhood boundary can be defined by the upper limit of occurrence (ULO) of an individual within a population. We sought to define contemporary neighbourhood boundaries across a complex river network in southwestern Washington State, U.S.A. by: (1) identifying ULOs for three anadromous fish (Oncorhynchus spp.); and (2) quantifying the relationship of the ULO with landscape attributes and local features for these species of profound social and ecological importance. Extensive field surveys covering 669 river km across 2 years documented the ULOs for coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) as well as any local features, such as natural barriers, that influenced the ULOs. Generalised linear mixed models quantified the relationships between the ULOs and landscape attributes derived from remote sensing data. We identified the ULO for 115 coho salmon terminal streams, 97 steelhead streams, and 57 chum salmon streams. Natural barriers determined the ULO in just 5%–16% of the terminal streams, depending on species. Landscape attributes associated with the ULOs varied among species; however, drainage area, elevation, and geology were important landscape predictors for all species. Models for each species had good to excellent predictive performance (percent correct classification: 78%–89%; AUC: 0.87–0.96). We demonstrated that large‐scale landscape attributes can accurately and consistently detect species‐specific differences in population neighbourhoods across broad and diverse habitats. In comparison, local scale features (e.g., natural barriers) played a minor role in determining the neighbourhood boundaries in our study catchment. The modelled relationships between landscape attributes and the population neighbourhood provide a framework to guide conservation planning and predict benefits of habitat reconnections.

Sustainable-Eco-Buildings Assessment Method SEBAM for Evaluation of Residential Areas in Hot-Dry Climate

This research aimed to investigate the present situation regarding residential neighbourhood in hot-dry climates. The area of study comprised four urban classes in Greater Khartoum. The problems of residential buildings were examined, aiming to find a sustainable assessment method for evaluating residential areas and their services The methodology of the research began with a literature review for identifying passive and sustainable solutions suitable to hot-dry climates. This method employed eight main categories: sustainable sites, indoor environmental quality, outdoor thermal control, building forms, materials and resources, water supply, power supply systems, and environmental plan processes and CO2 emisions. In addition, a points scale was used, based on ratings of ‘Excellent’, ‘V. Good’, ‘Good’, and ‘Pass’, with a total of 125 points to determine the evaluation result for a building. The study evaluated an urban sample in the Al Taief neighbourhood. A survey was initiated by identifying the standards for selecting the case study, the survey studied 48 cases in the residential areas, analysed the collected data, and then summarised it into tables and figures. The results presented indicated that 19% were Good, 25% were Pass, and 56% were considered ‘weak’. The conclusions and recommendations regarding urban housing services can be applied to sustainable ecological neighbourhoods.

Art and Ecology at the Edge of Osaka, Japan

City as Nature is an ecological art and media studio based primarily in Kitakagaya, a former shipbuilding district on the outskirts of Osaka, Japan. Working with local and international practitioners, and public and private organizations across multiple disciplines and sectors, they produce ecological art projects that re-connect people, process, and place with the ecosystems in which we dwell. Two narrative project studies in Kitakagaya are presented here: 1) The Branch Osaka, a physical ecological space built inside a typical wood-and-earth row house in an 80-year-old marketplace—rebuilt by City as Nature, using locally recycled materials, it now serves as a residence and ecological art space, with a natural garden and donation-based programming; 2) City as Nature Festival, an ecological neighborhood “happening,” taking place in multiple local public and privately-owned spaces. The festival explores urban relationships with the nature through art-driven dialogs between practitioners, the general public, and the urban space itself. From these projects, City as Nature hopes to explore approaches to cultivating relationships—individual, meaningful relationships between designers, executives, civic leaders, citizens, and the communities of ecosystems in and around our cities. Through an ongoing, truthful dialog with the environment, people might just discover the possible city, an equitable place for all beings.

Health-Promoting Places: Architectural Variety

There are pristine landscapes that are believed to stimulate the processes of healing. The purpose of this research is to find the features which can be installed into the urban environment to promote health and well-being. Many researchers stipulate that one of such qualities is a certain level of complexity and details. Dull, repetitious environments are linked to modern diseases. One of the important health-promoting features seems to be the architectural variety. In this paper selected aspects of architecture and health-promotion are discussed using examples from ecological neighborhoods in Europe.

Ecological neighborhoods as a framework for umbrella species selection

Umbrella species are typically chosen because they are expected to confer protection for other species assumed to have similar ecological requirements. Despite its popularity and substantial history, the value of the umbrella species concept has come into question because umbrella species chosen using heuristic methods, such as body or home range size, are not acting as adequate proxies for the metrics of interest: species richness or population abundance in a multi-species community for which protection is sought. How species associate with habitat across ecological scales has important implications for understanding population size and species richness, and therefore may be a better proxy for choosing an umbrella species. We determined the spatial scales of ecological neighborhoods important for predicting abundance of 8 potential umbrella species breeding in Nebraska using Bayesian latent indicator scale selection in N-mixture models accounting for imperfect detection. We compare the conservation value measured as collective avian abundance under different umbrella species selected following commonly used criteria and selected based on identifying spatial land cover characteristics within ecological neighborhoods that maximize collective abundance. Using traditional criteria to select an umbrella species resulted in sub-maximal expected collective abundance in 86% of cases compared to selecting an umbrella species based on land cover characteristics that maximized collective abundance directly. We conclude that directly assessing the expected quantitative outcomes, rather than ecological proxies, is likely the most efficient method to maximize the potential for conservation success under the umbrella species concept.

Complementary Effects of Species Abundances and Ecological Neighborhood on the Occurrence of Fruit-Frugivore Interactions

Species interactions are traditionally seen as the outcome of both ecological and evolutionary mechanisms. Among them, the two most frequently studied are the neutral role of species abundances in determining encounter probability and the deterministic role of species identity (traits and evolutionary history) in determining the compatibility of interacting. Nevertheless, the occurrence of pairwise interactions also depends on the spatio-temporal context imposed by the ecological neighborhood (i.e. the indirect effect of other local species sharing traits and interaction potential with the focal ones). Although a few studies have begun to examine neighborhood effects on community interactions, these have not incorporated neighborhood structure as a complementary driver of pairwise interactions within an integrative approach. Here we describe the spatial structure of pairwise interactions between three fleshy-fruited tree species and six frugivorous thrush species within the same locality of the Cantabrian Range (Iberian Peninsula). Using a spatio-temporally fine-grained dataset sampled during three years, we aimed to detect spatial patterns of interactions and to evaluate their concordance across years. We also evaluated the simultaneous roles played by species abundance, species identity and the ecological neighborhood in determining the pairwise interaction frequencies based on fruit removal. Our results showed that the abundances of fruit and bird species involved in plant-frugivore interactions, and the spatial patterns of these interactions, varied among years, and this was mainly due to different fruiting landscapes responding to masting events of distinct plant species. Despite high interannual differences in species abundances and the pairwise interaction frequencies, the main mechanisms underpinning the occurrence of pairwise interactions remained constant. Most of the variability in pairwise interactions was always explained by interacting fruit and bird species’ abundances. Ecological neighborhood, characterized as the net quantity of forest cover, heterospecific fruit crops, and heterospecific bird abundances in the immediate surroundings, also affected pairwise interaction frequency through its indirect effects on the abundance of interacting bird species. Our results highlight the prevalence of neutral forces in highly generalized plant-frugivore assemblages as well as the influence of indirect interactions (competition and/or facilitation with other local species) as another important driver to consider when predicting pairwise interactions.

Extensive sib-mating in a refugial population of beech (Fagus sylvatica) growing along a lowland river

Abstract Many temperate and boreal tree species have small and scattered populations near the low-latitude margins of their range that have persisted over extended periods of time in microrefugia. It remains poorly understood how patterns of mating and gene flow influence key components for their long-term persistence such as effective population size or genetic diversity. Yet such information is critical for designing effective protection measures and informing programs for the conservation of forest genetic resources. Here we investigate the mating system and pollen dispersal of a long-term refugial population of beech (Fagus sylvatica), a major European forest tree. This population stretches over ca. 7 km along the ravines of a small lowland river in SW France. We exhaustively mapped the adult population (n = 932 trees) and collected seed families (n = 450 seeds) from 30 mother trees spread across the stand. All individuals were genotyped at 113 SNP markers and submitted to paternity analyses. We estimated various mating parameters and tested whether among-individual variation was related with the ecological neighbourhood of the mother tree. A unique father could be identified for all seeds analysed. We detected neither pollen immigration nor selfing events. Instead, we observed extensive mating between neighbouring trees that resulted in a very steep decline of the pollen dispersal kernel and a low effective number of fathers (median Nep = 7.9). In turn, male fecundity was tightly related with the distance between mates. The adult population showed an exceptionally strong and far-reaching spatial genetic structure indicating that neighbouring trees are most often sibs. The predominant mating between these neighbours suggests that patterns of reproduction and pollen flow are not constrained by cross-compatibility issues. Instead, dense conspecific neighbourhoods even tend to bar long-distance pollen flow by saturating the stigmas of mother trees through pollen swamping. The observed patterns are a direct consequence of the refugial habitat that imposes the population’s linear distribution and whose dense vegetation represents a further obstacle to pollen dispersal. The elevated capacity of sib-mating might be a microevolutionary consequence of the population’s long-term persistence in isolation. The resulting spatial genetic structure and the critical role of tree density in assuring an effective reproduction have important consequences for the design of forest genetic resources programs as well as for the conservation management of refugial and other riparian tree populations.

Terra Nova, Tamera, and the Healing of Love: Viable Pathway for a Planetary Tikkun?

Terra Nova, Tamera, and the Healing of Love: Viable Pathway for a Planetary Tikkun?

Landscape composition is more important than local management for crop virus–insect vector interactions

Managing crop viruses is difficult due to complex interactions among vectors, reservoirs, and mediating factors such as land cover. Identifying the appropriate ecological neighborhood, or the spatial area in which the most influential interactions occur affecting virus epidemiology, would therefore be beneficial in exposing which of the many explanatory variables to target in the plant-pathogen system. We constructed partial least squares path models to find the neighborhood size for vectors of stylet-borne nonpersistent viruses infecting pumpkins, and compare the relative influence of within-field and extra-field land cover. Two economically important aphid-vectored viruses in the U.S. Midwest are included in these analyses: papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) and watermelon mosaic virus (WMV). In 2010 and 2011, we used commercial pumpkin fields to quantify virus infection, vector (aphid) alightment (i.e., landing rates), and within-field weed communities, and subsequently analyzed extra-field cover from 1 to 5km concentric buffer zones within the surrounding landscape. Alightment rates of total noncolonizing vectors and the top three numerically dominant species (Aphis craccivora Koch, Therioaphis trifolii (Monell), and Rhopalosiphum padi [L.]) were included in individual path models. Overall, we found that extra-field landscape composition had a far stronger influence on vector alightment than within-field weed cover; this pattern was consistent for seven of eight statistical models. In one exception, weed cover influenced alightment of the putative PRSV vector, A. craccivora, while surrounding landscape had no effect. In this case, weed coverage and vector alightment were inversely related, demonstrating that aphids were less likely to land in weed-infested fields. However, weed cover did not predict alightment of T. trifolii or total noncolonizers. The neighborhood size scales for total noncolonizers’ tended to be larger than for individual species (4–5km), suggesting future studies of dispersal by multi-species aphid groups may benefit from an extended gradient. On balance, our results indicate that while surrounding land cover interactions are complex, they exert greater influence over vector dispersal than within-field weed cover, calling into question whether management of local weeds is an effective method of crop virus prevention in some systems.

Multi-scale Studies and the Ecological Neighborhood

Multi-scale landscape studies are becoming a well-used way to examine the influence of environmental, landscape, or habitat factors on the abundance or occurrence of species. Multi-scale studies are especially useful when the ecological neighborhood of the organism–landscape interaction is unknown. We review the development of multi-scale approaches and further clarify the associated terminology applied to different aspects of spatial scale. In particular, we argue that ecological neighborhood and analytical focus are not equivalent, although analytical focus may be used to infer ecological neighborhood. We suggest several potential improvements to multi-scale landscape studies that remain to be explored. Results from multi-scale studies could be used to guide ecologically sustainable landscape planning by identifying local management practices that are suited to the landscape context.

Spatial characterization of colonies of the flying fox bat, a carrier of Nipah Virus in Thailand

BackgroundA major reservoir of Nipah virus is believed to be the flying fox genus Pteropus, a fruit bat distributed across many of the world’s tropical and sub-tropical areas. The emergence of the virus and its zoonotic transmission to livestock and humans have been linked to losses in the bat’s habitat. Nipah has been identified in a number of indigenous flying fox populations in Thailand. While no evidence of infection in domestic pigs or people has been found to date, pig farming is an active agricultural sector in Thailand and therefore could be a potential pathway for zoonotic disease transmission from the bat reservoirs. The disease, then, represents a potential zoonotic risk. To characterize the spatial habitat of flying fox populations along Thailand’s Central Plain, and to map potential contact zones between flying fox habitats, pig farms and human settlements, we conducted field observation, remote sensing, and ecological niche modeling to characterize flying fox colonies and their ecological neighborhoods. A Potential Surface Analysis was applied to map contact zones among local epizootic actors.ResultsFlying fox colonies are found mainly on Thailand’s Central Plain, particularly in locations surrounded by bodies of water, vegetation, and safe havens such as Buddhist temples. High-risk areas for Nipah zoonosis in pigs include the agricultural ring around the Bangkok metropolitan region where the density of pig farms is high.ConclusionsPassive and active surveillance programs should be prioritized around Bangkok, particularly on farms with low biosecurity, close to water, and/or on which orchards are concomitantly grown. Integration of human and animal health surveillance should be pursued in these same areas. Such proactive planning would help conserve flying fox colonies and should help prevent zoonotic transmission of Nipah and other pathogens.

Duurzame Ontwikkeling door Collectief Bewonersinitiatief

Duurzame Ontwikkeling door Collectief Bewonersinitiatief

ForestMAS – A single tree based secondary succession model employing Ellenberg indicator values

Over recent decades farmland abandonment has affected large areas of the landscape. To better predict the changes associated with this process, we developed a secondary succession model based on Ellenberg indicator values describing the ecological niche of a tree along environmental gradients. These values are compared with local ecological factors dependent on terrain conditions. The terrain is represented by a Digital Terrain Model, where the local conditions are represented by a light availability model, climate data, soil properties, and a combination of a water flow model and average annual rainfall data. Each tree in our model is associated with its immediate circular ecological neighbourhood and is treated individually from the seedling stage through to its decay. Each year, tree heights, actual vigour, and neighbourhood radii were calculated. When two radii intersected, the vigour of both trees was compared. The weaker of the two became dominated, leading to stress-related mortality. When a tree reached the adult stage, it produced seeds that established new seedlings that competed for light and nutrition. To start the simulation, the initial amount of seed was planted on bare ground. It was possible to monitor the succession phases either visually or statistically. 3D tree models were used to visualize a tree at any age, generating realistic landscape images useful for demonstrating long-term changes in the cultural landscape to non-experts. The results were compared with those from previous field studies in various areas of Slovenia. Apart from predicting landscape changes after farmland abandonment, the model can be used for forecasting the regeneration process after clearcutting or natural disasters.

Duurzame Ontwikkeling door Collectief Bewonersinitiatief. Leidraad voor professionals om bewonersgroepen aan de duurzaamheidsopgave te verbinden

Duurzame Ontwikkeling door Collectief Bewonersinitiatief. Leidraad voor professionals om bewonersgroepen aan de duurzaamheidsopgave te verbinden

Duurzame Ontwikkeling door Collectief Bewonersinitiatief. Leidraad voor professionals om bewonersgroepen aan de duurzaamheidsopgave te verbinden

Duurzame Ontwikkeling door Collectief Bewonersinitiatief. Leidraad voor professionals om bewonersgroepen aan de duurzaamheidsopgave te verbinden

Duurzame Ontwikkeling door Collectief Bewonersinitiatief. Leidraad voor professionals om bewonersgroepen aan de duurzaamheidsopgave te verbinden

Duurzame Ontwikkeling door Collectief Bewonersinitiatief. Leidraad voor professionals om bewonersgroepen aan de duurzaamheidsopgave te verbinden