Field Of Ecology Research Articles

Chromosome-level genome assembly of Phortica okadai, a vector of Thelazia callipaeda

Phortica okadai, known as the vector of Thelazia callipaeda in Asia, is of concern to public health in the past few decades. We generated a high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly of P. okadai with a size of 263.82 Mb and a contig N50 of 15 Mb, scaffold N50 of 47.45 Mb, combining PacBio HiFi, Illumina short-reads, and Hi-C sequencing data. Approximately 98.5% of 100 contigs could be properly ordered and oriented into 6 pseudo-chromosomes and a total of 15,052 protein-coding genes were obtained from the P. okadai genome, of which 91.76% were functionally annotated. BUSCO analysis revealed that 96.20% of 1315 predicted genes were clearly covered the conserved invertebrate genes within the database. Additionally, 302 rRNAs, 377 tRNAs, 52 miRNAs, 40 snRNAs and 21 snoRNAs were detected. In conclusion, this high-quality chromosome level reference genome will be a valuable resource for furthering the fields of ecology, genetics, evolution and functional genomics of P. okadai.

Validation of otolith daily increment formation and early growth analysis of Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

The Japanese flounder is a vital economic species among East Asian released and cultured fish. Here, we sought to validate daily increment formation and analyze the early morphological development of sagittal otoliths and lapillus in Japanese flounder larvae and juveniles over 50 days. Our analysis focused on the otolith shapes, the number of daily rings present, and their length and width measurements. The results revealed that sagittal otoliths and lapillus formed before the fertilized eggs hatched. During the larval and juvenile stages, sagittae evolved gradually, transforming from nearly round to oval structures, eventually adopting arrow- or pear-shaped forms. Similarly, lapillus transformed from nearly round to mussel-shaped structures. The first daily ring became evident on the 5th-day post-hatching, demonstrating a daily periodicity during the larval phase. We observed a direct relationship between incubation days (D) and the number of daily otolith increments (n), expressed as D = n + 5. This deposition trend exhibited a daily periodicity for both sagittae and lapillus. We also noted exponential correlations between the length (Ls, μm) and width (Ws, μm) of the sagittae and the total length (TL, mm). Contrastingly, the lapillus measurements demonstrated linear correlations. Furthermore, a linear relationship emerged between the sagittae and lapillus lengths: Ll = 0.3028Ls + 28.534 (R2 = 0.9366). Additionally, we found a similar linear relationship between the sagittae and lapillus widths: Wl = 0.3791Ws + 21.508 (R2 = 0.9426). The formation pattern of daily increments in lapillus was notably more distinct than that in sagittae, making it highly suitable for age identification and group recognition. This study not only contributes to the field of fish ecology but also provides a foundational understanding for future research. It can assist in reconstructing early life histories and inferences about the spawning periods and grounds of stocked Japanese flounder.

(Ne)prijazni zmaji v službi polonistične ekoglotodidaktike

The article focuses on the Polish cultureme of the Vistula River as defined by Maciej Rak as well as the ecoglottodidactic educational potential resulting from the juxtaposition of the Polish legend of the Wawel dragon and the Slovenian legend of the dragon and the Argonauts. The selected folk texts become a stimulus for conversations with students about the Vistula and the Sava and Ljubljanica rivers flowing through Slovenia. The text follows the postulates of environmental humanities, promoting a non-anthropocentric view of the world as well as intercultural and outdoor education. The theoretical reflection is complemented by a proposal of an ecological field game, titled “In the footsteps of centuries-old dragons”, based on an aquatic theme and adapted to the needs of Polish language learners at B1-B2 level. The use of information and communication technology such as QR codes, interactivity and digital flipbooks ensures the attractiveness of educational activities and allows correlating the teaching of a foreign/second or heritage language with the objectives of sustainable development.

A Review of Studies on the Effects of Anthropogenic Disturbances on Plant–Soil–Microorganism Interactions in Grassland Ecosystems: Based on Grazing and Tourism Perspectives

As the most widely distributed and largest terrestrial ecosystem in the world, grasslands play an important role in supporting global livestock production and maintaining ecosystem services. In light of the accelerated global socio-economic development and sustained population growth, grassland ecosystems are increasingly subjected to anthropogenic disturbances. However, there is a paucity of research examining the impact of such disturbances on plant–soil–microorganism interactions in grassland systems, particularly from the perspectives of grazing and tourism. Accordingly, this study presents a comprehensive analysis of the impacts of anthropogenic disturbance on grassland ecosystems over the past two decades, employing a dual perspective of grazing and tourism and utilizing econometric analysis of the existing literature through software such as CiteSpace. The results of this study demonstrate the following: (1) The current research focus is primarily concentrated in the fields of ecology and environmental sciences, particularly on the topics of plant diversity, abundance, and diversity, as well as the intensity of grazing. These areas may represent key development direction of future research. (2) The impact of anthropogenic disturbances on grassland ecosystems is primarily associated with grazing activities. Moderate grazing disturbances can facilitate the healthy development of grassland ecosystems. However, the intermediate disturbance hypothesis (IDH) may not fully account for the effects of grazing intensity on grassland ecology. At present, there is still a paucity of systematic research to determine the ecological indicators of grassland under a dual-disturbance scenario. It is recommended that future research be carried out to investigate the compound effects of trampling by tourism activities on plant–soil–microorganism interactions in grassland ecosystems. (3) The mutual feedback mechanism may represent a potential mechanism by which anthropogenic disturbances affect the coupled relationship between the plant, soil, and microbial systems in grassland ecosystems. Furthermore, the interaction among these three systems has the potential to exert direct or indirect impacts on the structure and function of grassland ecosystems in the context of disturbances. The present study aims to provide an overview of the structure and function of grassland ecosystems under anthropogenic disturbances. The objective is to identify a balance between the rational use of grassland and ecological protection under anthropogenic disturbance and to provide scientific reference for the sustainable use of grassland worldwide.

How do ecologists estimate occupancy in practice?

Over 20 years ago, ecologists were introduced to the site occupancy model (SOM) for estimating occupancy rates from detection‐nondetection data. In the ensuing decades, the SOM and its hierarchical modeling extensions have become mainstays of quantitative ecology, and estimating occupancy rates has become one of the most common applications of ecological field data. Here, we review 364 peer‐reviewed articles published between 2019–2021 that estimated occupancy. We first document broad patterns in study design and statistical methods to provide educators, developers of methodology and software, and ecologists with a clear picture of the landscape of methodologies used to estimate animal occupancy. Second, we conduct a focused review of a subset of 98 papers that applied the hierarchical SOM, drawing from methodological literature to identify discrepancies between SOM applications and methodological best practices. We discuss limits to statistical power, issues with model checking and model selection procedures, potential problems arising from unmodeled non‐independence, and reproducibility. We highlight areas of rapid advancement in interpreting animal occupancy related to animal movement, imperfect detection, and the occupancy–density relationship. We aim to help readers understand the landscape of methods available, motivate shifts toward robust and reproducible science, and inspire new software and methodological research.

Role of Health Education Activities in Reducing the Spread of Parasitic Pathogens in the Population

The purpose of the research is to emphasize the role of health education as an important factor in reaching out to the population to reduce and spread parasitic pathogens.Materials and methods. By analyzing the statistical data of Annual Reports on parasitic diseases of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare in Kemerovo Region - Kuzbass, the most common parasitic diseases in the population in the region have been established. Sanitary and educational activities were conducted with pre-school and school-age children (students of Grades 8–11) in the direction of bringing to the audience information about the types of parasites of medical importance registered in children and adults in Kuzbass and how to protect themselves from them. Oral and visual information methods were used (conversation, message, lecture, quiz, game, information leaflets and stands, leaflets, brochures, videos).Results and discussion. It is important for a medical student from the first year of the educational process to understand the role of sanitary and educational activities in his future profession as a doctor, and the relevance of personal prophylaxis measures against human parasitic pathogens. First-year students who won a grant in the contest of student ESG projects in the field of ecology and social orientation from Sberbank PJSC on social issues related to the population of Kuzbass with the project “Sanitary and Educational Activities in Parasitosis” implemented their ideas on preventive measures in educational institutions of Kuzbass. The educational activities were aimed at informing the educational audience about the causative agents of parasitic diseases registered by medical institutions among the child population of the region. The “NoParasites” team held talks and lectures on personal preventive measures against parasitic diseases. Brochures were developed and an information stand for parents was installed in the kindergarten. From the point of view of the department's activity the implemented student project has an educational orientation, forms worthy professional and personal qualities in future doctors.

Modulation of cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity by iron supplementation in rats

Cadmium is known to cause nephrotoxicity in rats. This research aimed to evaluate the influence of iron on cadmium toxicity when rats were exposed to water and food-chain-mediated feed. Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups containing three rats for the two-phase studies. After four weeks of exposure, the rat’s kidney was excised and evaluated for a kidney function test involving alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities. In rats exposed via water, Cd-exposed rats show a significantly increased ALT level (266.250 ± 0.005U/I) compared to the control group (238.321 ± 0.0001U/I) while Fe-exposed rats exhibit a significant decrease in ALT levels (182.972 ± 0.029U/I) compared to the control group. Cd+Fe-exposed rats show a further significant decrease in ALT levels compared to both the control and other experimental groups. Also, Cd-exposed rats show a significant decrease in AST levels (200.176 ± 0.018U/I) compared to the control group (287.108 ± 0.003 U/I) while Fe-exposed rats do not show a significant difference in AST levels (277.553 ± 0.448U/I) compared to the control. In rats exposed via feeding, Cd-exposed rats show decreased ALT levels (159.868 ± 0.132U/I) compared to the control group (179. 076 ± 0.001U/I) while Cd+Fe-exposed rats have ALT levels (178.001 ± 0.001U/I) almost identical to the control group, indicating that the combined exposure to Cd and Fe might neutralize the individual effects on ALT levels. The results revealed that iron offers protection against cadmium-induced toxicity in the kidney. This finding suggests that cadmium toxicity in the kidney could be ameliorated in the presence of iron, potentially opening new and promising avenues for the prevention and treatment of cadmium toxicity in humans. This is a finding of direct relevance to the fields of biochemistry and environmental science, and it brings hope for the future of cadmium toxicity research.

Do more food choices lead to bad decisions? A case study in predaceous ladybird beetle, Propylea dissecta.

Understanding why animals choose one food over another is one of the key questions underlying the fields of behaviour ecology. This study aims to test if ladybird beetle, Propylea dissecta Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) can forage selectively for nutrients in order to redress specific nutritional imbalances to maximise their fitness. We hypothesised that the presence of more food choices leads to bad decisions in terms of their food selection which ultimately negatively affects the mating and reproductive parameters of P. dissecta. To test this, we first manipulated the predator's nutritional status by rearing them in five separate dietary groups from first instar larvae to newly emerged adult stage. Thereafter, we tested their food choice between five different foods, i.e. Aphis craccivora Koch, Aphis nerii Boyer de Fonsclombe, conspecific eggs, heterospecific eggs and mixed pollen grains, equidistantly placed in a Petri dish. Based on the food choice of the newly emerged adults, they were reared on the chosen diet for 10 days. Thereafter, adults were paired with their opposite sex (collected from stock culture reared on A. craccivora) and mating and reproductive parameters were recorded. Our results suggested that the variety of food did not affect the food choice of ladybird beetle, P. dissecta. They tend to choose their natural diet, i.e. aphid in each dietary regime. We found that previous dietary regime, i.e. larval dietary regime, significantly influences the mating and reproductive parameters of both the male and female except for the time to commence mating by the male. Food choices of adult beetles were found to significantly influence the time to commence mating, average fecundity and per cent egg viability in males and only mating duration in females. Our findings suggest that P. dissecta consistently made optimal decisions when facing various food choices. They consistently preferred their natural and preferred food choice over others, indicating a strong food selection behaviour.

Preface: Application of Mathematics in Technical and Natural Sciences 16th International Conference – AMiTaNS’24

The Euro-American Consortium for Promoting the Application of Mathematics in Technical and Natural Sciences organized its 16th annual conference of the series AMiTaNS (Application of Mathematics in Technical and Natural Sciences). The event took place during June 21-26, 2024 in the Congress Centre of Black-Sea resort of Albena, Bulgaria. Its aim was to foster existing and new personal contacts, scientific discussion as well as to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and experience between specialists in the fields of Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Ecology, Economics, Computer Science and Technology. The event became a world conference covering 15 time zones between Chile and Nebraska through Texas, Alabama, Florida, the UK, Europe, Cyprus, Russia, and China. The conference was managed from the Congress Centre in Albena where 40 participants and delegates were present in person and the other 40 attended the event via Zoom video platform. Interest in this conference is growing year by year. This year we registered around 100 talks and scientific reports, more than 80 participants – contributors and delegates from 12 countries around the world, representing the continents of Europe, North and South America, and Asia. About 30% of them attended the conference for the first time. The accepted talks were delivered and attended both on-location at the big hall and Corolla hall in Flamingo Grand hotel and on-line. Every day the morning sessions started by plenary lectures followed by contributed sessions on the following topics: Applied Analysis, Mathematical Physics, Numerical Methods, Scientific Computing, E- and M-learning. As part of the program, leaders of their respective fields organized four special sessions: Integrable Systems and Their Application, Interdisciplinary Frontiers of Nonlinear Science, Math Modeling and Applications in Bioinformatics, Math Modeling in Finance. A number of very interesting presentations were delivered, which sparked stimulating scientific discussions both on- and off-line. The reader can find comprehensive and detailed information about the talks and reports including their records on the conference website at http://2024.eac4amitans.eu. All contributed manuscripts were reviewed by anonymous independent referees via Morressier platform, and the approved revised manuscripts were accepted for publication in the present volume. The continued success of AMiTaNS enhances its reputation as an established annual meeting with an eminent and continuously growing core of contributors. Yet, the hybrid format turned out very flexible both for the organizers and contributors. It makes the conference accessible to all those who wish to attend either in person or remotely. We would like to thank the plenary speakers, who accepted our invitation and contributed to the conference through their elucidating lectures. We would also like to thank the special sessions organizers, hosts and co-hosts for the high scientific quality of the talks they selected, and for ensuring the smooth running of the conference in hybrid format. We are deeply indebted to the scores of anonymous referees all over the world, who approached their duties very professionally and thoroughly, and helped us to maintain high scientific standards. We highly appreciate the involvement of the members of the Program Committee and Steering Committee, who supported AMiTaNS from its inception, and worked tirelessly throughout the intensive labors of advertising, arranging, organizing, and reviewing. Special thanks go to our colleagues from the University of Essex at Colchester, UK, who worked with dedication so that parallel Zoom conference sessions could be held completely on-line. List of Program Committee, Organizer, Sponsor and Participants are available in this pdf.

A mathematical framework for the statistical interpretation of biological growth models

Biological entities are inherently dynamic. As such, various ecological disciplines use mathematical models to describe temporal evolution. Typically, growth curves are modelled as sigmoids, with the evolution modelled by ordinary differential equations. Among the various sigmoid models, the logistic, Gompertz and Richards equations are well-established and widely used for the purpose of fitting growth data in the fields of biology and ecology. The present paper puts forth a mathematical framework for the statistical analysis of population growth models. The analysis is based on a mathematical model of the population–environment relationship, the theoretical foundations of which are discussed in detail. By applying this theory, stochastic evolutionary equations are obtained, for which the logistic, Gompertz, Richards and Birch equations represent a limiting case. To substantiate the models of population growth dynamics, the results of numerical simulations are presented. It is demonstrated that a variety of population growth models can be addressed in a comparable manner. It is suggested that the discussed mathematical framework for statistical interpretation of the joint population-environment evolution represents a promising avenue for further research.

Introduction to deep learning methods for multi‐species predictions

Abstract Predicting species distributions and entire communities is crucial for ecologists, to enhance our understanding of the drivers behind species distributions and community assembly and to provide quantitative data for conservation efforts. Popular species distribution models use statistical and machine learning methods but face limitations with multi‐species predictions at the community level, hindered by scalability and data imbalance sensitivity. This paper explores the potential of deep learning methods to overcome these challenges and provide more accurate multi‐species predictions. Specifically, we introduced four distinct deep learning models that use site × species community data but differ in their internal structure or on the input environmental data structure: (1) a multi‐layer perceptron (MLP) model for tabular data (e.g. in‐situ/raster climate or soil data), (2) a convolutional neural network (CNN) and (3) a vision transformer (ViT) models tailored for image data (e.g. aerial ortho‐photographs, satellite imagery), and a multimodal model that integrates both tabular and image data. We also show how adapted loss functions can address imbalance issues. We applied these deep learning models to a plant community dataset comprising 130,582 vegetation surveys encompassing 2522 species located in the French Alps. The tabular environmental data consisted of climate, terrain and soil information, while the images were derived from aerial photographs. All models achieved approximately 70% true skill statistics on hold‐out data, demonstrating high predictive capacity for community data, the multimodal model being the best performing one. Additionally, we showcased how interpretability tools can illuminate community structure as seen by deep learning models. Deep learning models offer a broad array of features for predicting entire species communities. They handle imbalance issues and accommodate various data types, from tabular datasets to images, while also being equipped with insightful interpretation tools. The versatility extends to tabular datasets and images, with no clear superiority between the two. The last hidden layers can provide valuable features for modelling other species, and the trained models can be used to support transfer learning to related tasks. The field of ecology now possesses an additional, potent tool in its arsenal that can foster basic and fundamental research.

Microbial communities indicate fine differences in pollution levels by emerging contaminants

Aquatic microbial communities are well known to rapidly respond to environmental changes, and to harbor the highest taxonomic and genetic diversity among biological communities. Nevertheless, they remain under-utilized as bioindicators of contamination. Here we applied indicator value analysis (IndVal) to aquatic microbial communities to identify indicators of anthropogenic pressure by emerging contaminants at basin scale. For that, we defined categories of impact according to the Aquatic Quality Index (AQI) based on previous determinations of emerging contaminants (ECs) along an anthropogenic impact gradient. Indicator value analysis (IndVal) was conducted to identify amplicon sequence variants (ASVs; analogous to species in other fields of ecology) associated with each category.It was possible to find combinations of ASV indicators for all impact categories defined by the AQI. Microbial indicators exhibited a high capacity to predict the group membership of the samples within each AQI category and to correctly assign the samples to the appropriate category, employing leave-one-out cross-validation (100 % correctly assigned for streams and coastal sea and 94% for lagoons).This is the first report of emerging contamination indicators based on microbial communities. These results reaffirm the capacity of microbial communities to rapidly adjust their taxonomic composition in response to environmental changes. Therefore, these microscopic entities are promising for the application of environmental management measures and the approximation presented here contributes to the advancement of tools dedicated to monitoring aquatic ecosystems, and the application of more stringent standards for water quality than what is currently implemented.

A Protocol for the Characterization of Diatom Communities in Mountain Glaciers

This research presents a significant contribution to the methodologies and protocols for studying diatom communities in cryoconite holes on glaciers. Cryoconite holes are unique microenvironments found on glacial surfaces that support intricate microbial ecosystems, with diatoms playing a pivotal role in these communities. The refined methodologies developed in this study include optimizing sampling techniques to ensure that collections are both representative and diverse, which is crucial for accurate ecological assessments. Additionally, advanced digestion processes have been implemented to effectively isolate and purify diatom samples while minimizing contaminants, thereby improving sample integrity. Improved microscopic mounting techniques enhance visual clarity, facilitating more precise identifications of diatoms under the microscope. Furthermore, integrating DNA-based taxonomy broadens the taxonomic scope, providing valuable molecular insights into the diversity and evolutionary relationships of diatoms. Collectively, these protocols aim to enhance the reliability, depth, and multidimensional understanding of diatom ecology in cryoconite holes and broader glacial ecosystems, ultimately contributing to the field of glaciology and microbial ecology.

Bacterial allantoin mediated optimally biosynthesized silver nanoparticles exhibit antioxidant, antibacterial, and seed germination promoting activities

The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) presents a sustainable, cost-effective, and scalable alternative to conventional synthesis techniques. This study investigates microbial allantoin as a biogenic reducing agent for the synthesis of AgNPs, emphasizing their antioxidant, antibacterial, and seed germination enhancement properties. Optimally synthesized allantoin-mediated AgNPs exhibited a crystalline size of 3.66 nm with a band gap energy of 3.39 eV. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis showed spherical nanoparticles with an average particle size of 84 nm, while particle size analysis revealed a zeta potential of −26.7 mV and a hydrodynamic diameter of 137.1 nm. The AgNPs displayed significant free radical scavenging activity, achieving 58% and 70% inhibition in H₂O₂ and DPPH assays, respectively. Furthermore, these AgNPs demonstrated substantial antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Additionally, allantoin-mediated AgNPs promoted germination in Cicer arietinum seeds within 48 h, indicating their potential as plant growth stimulants. This pioneering study on microbial allantoin-derived AgNPs suggests promising applications across pharmaceuticals, environmental science, and cosmetic fields.

On the Crossroads of Ecology and Education

AbstractThe interrelations between education at all levels, including K‐12, undergraduate, graduate, and adult education, and the field of ecology are multiple, come from both domains, and often relate to social change (Wright and Hill, 2021), and build on the expansion of the field of ecology education over the past 30 years. Discussions at the crossroads of ecology and education are particularly important to all those interested in better understanding how ecology can foster change among educational institutions. In this context, this article offers a review of key discussions on how education and ecology, as distinct domains of study and application, inform each other and support transformational shifts among educational institutions at all levels. It is shown that the teaching and learning of ecology among educational institutions have been key concerns for ecologists historically and that educational philosophers and theorists have been finding it important to increase awareness of our interconnectivity with natural systems through education.

МАКРОСТРУКТУРА АНГЛОМОВНИХ НАУКОВИХ СТАТЕЙ УКРАЇНСЬКОГО АВТОРСТВА У ГАЛУЗІ НАУК ПРО ЖИТТЯ

The study addresses macrostructure patterns of research articles in the life sciences published by Ukrainian journals by analyzing section and subsection heading designation and ordering. The study corpus comprised 60 original research articles (RAs) written in English and published in fi ve scientifi c journals in the fi eld of biology and environmental sciences in Ukraine in 2023–2024. The headings recorded were classifi ed according to their type. Functional headings were processed quantitatively; content headings were subjected to a key word analysis. Based on section labelling, composition and ordering, their structural patterns were constructed and compared. The study revealed that the examined articles followed the conventional structuring standards based on the Introduction-Methods-Results-Discussion (IMRD) pattern. Most section headings were of the standard functional type, while subsection headings were mostly of content type. The dominant macrostructure patterns were I_Mat & M_R & D_C and I_Mat & M_R_D_C with subheadings included in the Mat & M or R&D sections. No major deviations from the international standards of research article structuring were found. Key words: research article, macrostructure pattern, section heading, sub-heading, IMRD structure.

Exploring the multispectral acoustic response of reef habitats

In recent decades, the value and utility of multibeam bathymetry and backscatter data has been increasingly recognized within the field of seascape ecology (the ocean-centric equivalent of landscape ecology) to map the bio- and geodiversity of the ocean floor. More recently, multispectral multibeam backscatter has emerged as a promising endeavor in seabed classification, and its acoustic response across multiple frequencies has been studied in a range of substrates. Coral reef systems are an under-represented seabed type within this research, as these shallow water ecosystems are more commonly mapped with optical remote sensing techniques. Further investigation is necessary to determine the extent to which backscatter data can contribute to the characterization of these habitats–especially for reef systems that are beyond the reach of optical remote sensing approaches. This study investigates the multifrequency acoustic response of coral reefs in two study areas on the Abrolhos Shelf, Brazil. Backscatter mosaics and angular response curves (ARC) are investigated to explore the potential applications of these data for enhanced reef seascape characterization. In both survey areas, the acoustic mapping revealed extensive reef features, and the assessment of acoustic response was influenced by reef surface roughness and biological attributes (algal cover). Results contribute significantly to the understanding of multi-frequency signatures in reef seascapes and highlight the potential of backscatter for mapping and monitoring the health of these ecosystems. Herein, the higher frequencies were found to be fundamental for detection of subtle variations in texture in the inter-reef region of both study areas; this underscores the value of employing these frequencies in a multispectral framework for discerning heterogeneities in coarse substrate types. Furthermore, the lower frequencies were indispensable for more precise delineation of reef characteristics in the Abrolhos Channel area, whereas the higher frequencies were the most effective in identifying reefs with epibiotic cover (those characterized by flatter ARC associated with lower backscatter values) in the Forgotten Reefs region.

Estimation of Contact Time Among Animals from Telemetry Data

Continuous processes in most applications are measured discretely with error. This complicates the task of detecting intersections and the number of intersections between two continuous processes (i.e., when the processes have the same value). Intersections of continuous processes are scientifically important, but challenging to estimate from data. For example, in the field of animal ecology, intersections of the paths of moving animals tracked with satellite technologies can be used to understand disease transmission. We illustrate how to quantify contact between animals using telemetry data (i.e., the recorded locations of an animal over time). We introduce our method to quantify contact time with accessible concepts from introductory stochastic process literature, such as Brownian motion. Then, we provide two data examples using white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) telemetry data in a region with high prevalence of chronic wasting disease. Our work provides a needed connection between existing model-based literature for animal movement and rule-based literature for animal interaction. Further, our work illustrates a unique statistical problem receiving minimal attention with broad applicability in human and livestock tracking. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.

Comprehensive evaluation of water quality grades based on improved CRITIC and multidimensional connection cloud combination

AbstractThis study proposes a comprehensive water quality assessment method for nine major plateau lakes in Yunnan Province, based on an improved CRITIC method combined with a multidimensional connectivity cloud model. Key water quality monitoring indicators (NH3‐N, COD, TP, TN, permanganate index, DO, pH) were selected, and the weights were determined using the improved CRITIC method, highlighting the impact of NH3‐N, COD, and TP. These weights were then integrated with a multidimensional connectivity cloud model to classify lake water quality levels. The results indicated the following water quality grades for the lakes: Dianchi (III), Fuxian Lake (I), Erhai (II), Xingyun Lake (I), Qilu Lake (II), Yilong Lake (II), Lugu Lake (I), Yangzonghai (II), and Chenghai (II). Compared to five conventional methods, the proposed approach better addresses the issues of fuzziness, randomness, and discreteness in water quality indicators, avoiding the boundary selection problems inherent in traditional methods. By combining the improved CRITIC method with a multidimensional connectivity cloud model, the study achieves more precise and reliable evaluations through objective weighting and comprehensive consideration of multiple indicators. This method offers a more accurate reflection of lake water quality conditions and provides a scientific basis for water quality management and decision‐making, demonstrating significant potential for application in the field of environmental science.

Aspirational goals for the future of functional traits in restoration: a response to Gornish et al. (2023)

Quantitative functional traits, as presented in the ecology literature, can add great utility to the restoration toolbox. Yet, we see significant barriers to the realization of this utility in restoration practice. By addressing these barriers through co‐producing research, developing tools, and modifying policy, the field of restoration ecology can greatly increase the utility of traits. Gornish et al. (2023) argue that functional traits are already widely used in restoration projects and challenge the logistical feasibility of some of our proposed solutions to promote the use of traits in restoration. Here we continue the conversation and expand on our vision for the future of functional traits in restoration. We contend that we should not be content with the current state of the field and show how focus, inclusion, and ambition can drive advancement.