Habitat Patterns Research Articles

Sleep habits and physical activity in health science students – a cross-sectional study

Background: Adequate sleep and physical activity are important for health, yet college students often face challenges in both. This study aims to determine the sleep habit and physical activity patterns among undergraduate health science students at Jumla, and to examine the relationship between these variables.Data & Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving 127 health science students (47 males) of Karnali Academy of Health Sciences, Jumla. Data were collected using a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire to assess sleep habits and physical activity. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test and Pearson correlation were used for data analysis.Results: The study found that 15.75% of students had sleep durations of <7 hours, and 20.47% experienced sleep latency of ≥30 minutes. The mean sleep score was 3.15 ± 2.39, and the mean MET value was 895.02 ± 791.36 MET-min/week. Significant gender differences were observed in sleep quality (median sleep score in females 4 (IQR 2-5) vs males 2 (IQR 0-3), p<0.001) and physical activity (median MET value in females 504.75 (IQR 260 – 893) vs males 1236 (IQR 706.5 – 1742), p < 0.001). There were significant associations between total MET values and sleep duration (r = 0.193, p = 0.03) and between sleep latency and sleep score (r = 0.327, p < 0.001). However, no significant associations were found between sleep quality and physical activity.Conclusions: The physical activity and sleep quality was average in the health science students of Karnanali Academy, but was significantly lower in females than males. Interventions to improve both sleep quality and physical activity among health science students, especially to females might be beneficial.

A new species of Croton (Euphorbiaceae) from the Espinhaço Mountain Range, Brazil

We describe Croton espinhacensis, a new species collected in Bahia and Minas Gerais state, related specially to C. harleyi, a species in section C. sect. Geiseleria from the Caatinga Domain of Northeast Brazil by having the same habit and branching pattern of the stem, leaves grouped at the apex of the branches, bisexual thyrses with flowers continuous along the inflorescence axis, and staminate flowers with 11 stamens. Both species are differentiated mainly by the combination of leaf and floral characters, as well as types floral nectaries. The new species has been confused in herbarium collections with C. atrorufus, a species also found in the Espinhaço Moutain Range, probably due to its habit, colors of the branches and, in some cases, ovate leaves which is why we also compared them. Croton espinhacensis is the only one in sect. Geiseleria with indumented anthers, and one of the few species in the entire genus with this character state.

Landscape and meteorological variables associated with Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquito infestation in two southeastern U.S.A. coastal cities.

Human cases of arboviral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes are increasing worldwide and spreading to new areas of the United States. These diseases continue to re-emerge, likely due to changes in vector ecology, urbanization, human migration, and larger range of climatic suitability. Recent shifts in landscape and weather variables are predicted to impact the habitat patterns of urban mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Miami, FL is in the tropical zone, while Charleston, SC is in the humid subtropical zone, and both cities are established hotspots for arboviruses. We applied remote sensing with land-use cover and weather variation to identify mosquito infestation patterns. We detected statistically significant positive and negative associations between entomological indicators and most weather variables in combined data from both cities. For all entomological indices, weekly wind speed and relative humidity were significantly positively associated, while precipitation and maximum temperature were significantly negatively associated. Aedes egg abundance was significantly positively associated with open land in Charleston but was negatively associated with vegetation cover in combined data.

Attribution and variability of multilayered Paleolithic complexes: the case of the Obi-Rahmat tool kits

The tool collections found in multi-layered Paleolithic sites are not only a result of various life activities that occurred at these sites, but they also correspond to the cultural or industrial variants in the contexts in which they were produced. The composition of the tool collections is contingent upon the extent of the excavated area of the site. The functionality of the tool sets may change over time in response to fluctuations in palaeoenvironmental conditions, seasonal patterns of habitation, and the availability of lithic raw material at the site. The ana­lysis of multilayer Paleolithic industries and their att­ribution is a challenging problem, as it requires the analysis of numerous parameters. In order to address this challenge, researchers often employ a method of calculating percentages of different inventory categories and linear correlations. In this paper the results of the study of 35 tool sets from the Obi-Rahmat, a key-site of the Middle Paleolithic Obi-Rahmatian variant in West Central Asia is presented. The app­lication of a set of multivariate statistical methods, including unconstrained seriation, principal coordinates analysis and correspondence analysis enabled to attribute the studied collections to one industrial variant and estimate their variability. The variability of the Obi-Rahmat lithic collections is predominantly of a chronological nature, with the lower layers exhibiting characteristics indicative of a repeated­ly visi­ted hunting camp. This is evidenced by the pre­sence of complexes in which various retouched points and side-scrapers predominate. In the upper layers, the focus of work activity shifts to the proces­sing of hard and soft organic materials, with a greater proportion of splintered tools, burins, perforators and end-scrapers in the complexes. We assume that the change in the functionality of the excavated area of the site from the bottom to the top could be related to the duration of occupation episodes.

Floristic Diversity and Distribution Pattern along an Altitudinal Gradient in the Central Andes: A Case Study of Cajatambo, Peru.

This study focuses on the central mountain region of the Peruvian Andes, particularly its western slopes, high-altitude areas, and inter-Andean valleys situated above 3000 m.a.s.l. Despite its ecological importance, the region remains understudied, resulting in significant information gaps. To identify flora species along an altitudinal gradient in the Cajatambo district. Sampling was carried out at five distinct altitudinal levels using a combination of sampling techniques. Taxonomic identification was performed, and statistical analyses including ANOVA, the Mantel test, and NMDS were applied. 424 plant species were identified, revealing the dominance of Asteraceae. The approach used allowed for the identification of floristic and structural patterns in various habitats, ranging from arid montane scrub to puna grassland. Surprisingly, Asteraceae richness had a significant impact on species diversity, while altitude did not. Additionally, floristic similarity between nearby altitudinal levels was not related to geographical distance. The analysis of ecosystems has shown that certain families are adaptable. Additionally, floristic diversity has been affected by human activity near the district capital. The distribution of medicinal species has been limited due to selective extraction. The shrubland and thorny scrub was the most diverse ecosystem and had the widest distribution across the altitudinal gradient.

Interpopulation and seasonal variations in habitat and microhabitat use of Vipera ammodytes

Despite the abundant data on habitat use of Vipera ammodytes, most studies are purely descriptive, merely listing the habitats in which the species is most often found. More complete studies evaluating the habitat preference of the species are lacking. The intraspecific variation (i.e., interpopulation or seasonal) in habitat and microhabitat utilization of the species also remains a poorly studied topic. In the current study, we assessed the general patterns of habitat and microhabitat use of V. ammodytes and their interpopulation and seasonal variations, based on habitat/microhabitat availability. To achieve that, we studied five different populations along a latitudinal gradient in western Bulgaria. In all of the studied areas, V. ammodytes showed a clear preference for various stony and rocky habitats and microhabitats, overgrown with herbaceous and shrub vegetation, while it avoided bare habitats, dark deciduous forests as well as cultivated agricultural lands. There were clear interpopulation and seasonal variations in habitat and microhabitat preference and spatial niche utilization. Our results suggest that habitat and microhabitat use of V. ammodytes depend on a combination of many factors such as season, locally specific characteristics like habitat structure and availability, population dynamics, food availability, physical and microclimatic conditions, and possibly on the extent of the interspecific competition.

Role of Plant Specialists in Fine‐Scale Diversity–Area Relationships (DARs) in Southern European Atlantic Coastal Dunes

ABSTRACTQuestionsSpecies–area relationships (SARs) have traditionally focused on species richness only. However, other diversity components, such as phylogenetic diversity (phylogenetic diversity–area relationships [PDARs]), can also be measured at different spatial scales, providing a more comprehensive picture of the importance of spatial scale on plant diversity. Here, we focus on coastal dune habitats along the sea‐inland gradient. We ask: (1) do fine‐scale SAR and PDAR patterns change along the dune gradient? (2) is the phylogenetic structure of plant communities scale‐dependent along this gradient? (3) does the rate of increase in taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity change along this gradient? (4) do specialist and/or generalist species influence these patterns?LocationAtlantic coast of SW Europe.MethodsA nested‐plot sampling design (0.0001–100 m2) was applied in three dune habitats. Diversity–area relationships were calculated based on taxonomic (TD) and phylogenetic (PD) diversity. Null models were also applied to the latter to partial out the effect of TD on PD (PDSES) and to analyse the phylogenetic structure. Changes in the rate of increase in taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity at a fine scale along the dune gradient were analysed by means of z‐values. All analyses were performed for the whole species pool and for the subsets of dune specialists and generalists.ResultsTD and PD increased inland along the dune gradient with a significantly major contribution of specialist species. PDSES mean values in embryo and mobile dunes were positive at all grain sizes, suggesting overdispersion. However, when individual PDSES values were analysed at the different grain sizes, the prevailing phylogenetic structure in these habitats did not deviate from random expectations. In fixed dunes, PDSES suggested a decrease in phylogenetic clustering that was partly confirmed when the individual values of PDSES were analysed at different grain sizes. z‐values for TD and PD increased inland along the dune gradient, while for PDSES these values were close to zero in all three habitats. Again, specialists contributed significantly to the patterns in z‐values.ConclusionsDune specialists played a major role in the observed taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity patterns in Atlantic dune habitats along the sea‐inland gradient, even in fixed dunes where the contribution of generalists was higher. Once the effect of TD on PD was removed, the effect of area on phylogenetic diversity was at most modest in the three dune habitats.

Third place visits and associations with walking habit formation: an exploratory study extending Cognitive Chrono-Ethnography

ABSTRACT Third places play a crucial role in urban environments, acting as social spaces distinct from the home and workplace, contributing to citizens’ social and physical health. However, it remains unknown how they contribute to the formation of walking habits during different life phases. Therefore, this conceptual study explores the role of third places for students (n = 3), workers (n = 6), and retirees (n = 2). Building upon past studies that utilized Cognitive Chrono-Ethnography, a mixed-method approach examining people’s in-situ behaviour and decision-making processes, semi-structured interviews questioned the role of third place visits in the process of forming walking habits. The study revealed that students, workers, and retirees may display distinct patterns of walking habits. Moreover, three goal structures were identified, where walking was either considered as a primary goal alongside third place visits, as a secondary goal, or encountered as an incidental activity during third place visits. Furthermore, participants residing in areas with higher walkability were more likely to consciously engage in walking during third place visits. These findings lay the foundation for broader investigations employing the CCE methodology to consolidate and develop the findings made in this conceptual study and promote walking habit formation through third place visits.

Self-Care Practices Regarding Eating Habits, Knowledge of Diet and Exercise for Type II Diabetic Patients

Background: Diabetes is an incurable condition. Adopting lifestyle modifications, including dietary adjustments and regular physical activity, plays a crucial role in effectively managing type-2 diabetes (T2DM) and preventing its potential long-term consequences. The aim of this article is to assess sociodemographic characteristics and self-care practices with eating habits patterns among T2DM.. Materials and Methods: The study chose a cross-sectional design, and the non-probability (purposive) method was used to identify participants. The total sample consisted of 150 participants who suffer from type 2 diabetes and who have patient records and files within the Diabetes Center at Marjan Medical City from June 20th, 2023, to November 10th, 2023. Results: The study findings indicated that the study showed good knowledge at Mean± SD= 2.35±0.0.46. , according to their levels of education the significance at (p<0.024 ).. Results: The study results indicate that the patients’ adherence increased as the education levels increased and vice versa. while the study showed partial adherence to diet and exercises at Mean± SD= 1.55±0.17 as well the study also found a highly significant association between the self-care practice for patients regarding the diet and exercise and some sociodemographic variables such as education levels, at a statistically significant level (p < 0.006). Conclusion: According to the results, the study concluded There was partial adherence to diet and exercise among patients with type II diabetes. However, factors such as the educational status of participants were found to influence the chance to self-care practice recommendations.

Assessment of suitable region of Asparagus cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr. under different climatic conditions in China by the MaxEnt model and HPLC analysis.

Asparagus cochinchinensis is a member of the Asparagaceae family whose medicinal part is the dried root tuber. The distribution of A. cochinchinensis and its secondary metabolites are closely associated with environmental factors, such as climate and soil properties. By establishing and optimizing a maximum entropy model, we analyzed and predicted the distribution pattern and migration direction of suitable habitats for A. cochinchinensis and determined the main environmental factors affecting the accumulation of secondary metabolites. Under current climatic conditions, the area of suitable habitats for A. cochinchinensis (208.38 × 104 km2) accounts for 21.71% of the land area of China, and the areas of lowly, moderately, and highly suitable areas were 64.15 × 104 km2, 113.66 × 104 km2, and 30.57 × 104 km2, respectively. Under future climate scenarios, the total area of suitable habitats hardly changes. The area of highly suitable habitats significantly decreases under the SSP1-RCP2.6 scenario (to 83.22% of the current value) and the SSP3-RCP7 scenario (to 48.94% of the current value), but eventually increases to 112.86% of the current value under the SSP5-RCP8.5 scenario, which indicates that A. cochinchinensis might adapt better to a high-carbon-emissions scenario. Under different climate scenarios, low-impact areas mainly occur in southern China and will correspond 92.07% of the current suitable area. Highly suitable habitats primarily occur in the southeastern Sichuan Basin, northern Guangxi, eastern Guizhou, and western Hunan. HPLC analysis showed that the content of protodioscin (0.373%) and protogracillin (0.044%) in S2 was the highest. The total saponins contents of S1 and S2 were the highest, which were 35.6586 and 33.1262 mg/g, respectively. The total polysaccharide content of S9 was the highest (16.9467%). The total contents of saponins and polysaccharides in A. cochinchinensis were significantly, but oppositely, correlated with temperature, precipitation, and other factors. This study has identified environmental factors affecting the growth and quality of A. cochinchinensis, which has guiding significance for resource conservation and site selection for large-scale cultivation.

Coexistence of territorial competitor ants in fragmented boreal forest landscape

The distribution of species in a patchy habitat may be influenced by competitive interactions. The dominant and highly competitive boreal ant species belong to the Formica rufa group. A pair of species, Formica aquilonia and Formica polyctena, require extensive territories due to their multi-nest breeding habits. The coexistence and habitat patterns of these two wood ant species in the boreal forest landscape were investigated. Forest characteristics in the vicinity of nests in forest patches were similar for both species, but they did not coexist in the same sampling plots of 0.79 ha in forest patches, indicating competitive exclusion. The sampling plots in large forest patches were more occupied by F. aquilonia, while no such association was found for F. polyctena. At a larger spatial scale (78.5 ha), we found that F. polyctena was more tolerant of smaller forest patches than F. aquilonia suggesting that these two ant species can coexist in moderately fragmented forest landscapes. However, forest habitat loss, fragmentation and climate-induced changes in forest tree structure may shift the species balance in favour of F. polyctena over F. aquilonia in the future.

Bayesian clustering of spatially distributed compositional data with application to the Great Barrier Reef.

The relative abundance of groups of species is often used in ecological surveys to estimate community composition, a metric that reflects patterns of commonness and rarity of biological assemblages. The focus of this paper is measurements of the abundances of four benthic groups (that live on the seafloor) at several reefs on Australia's Great Barrier Reef (GBR) gathered between 2012 and 2017. In this paper we develop a statistical model to find clusters of locations with similar composition. We examine the changes in clusters during a period impacted by an unprecedented sequence of extreme environmental disturbances. To achieve this, we propose a model that incorporates the geographical location of the data, accounting for the possibility that nearby reefs are similar in composition. This is accomplished with a Dirichlet mixture model and a Potts distribution on the cluster assignments. Non-availability of the normalised Potts distribution makes Bayesian inference a doubly-intractable task. To circumvent this additional inferential challenge, an approximate exchange algorithm is specified. The analysis of the 2012 data, collected before the weather disturbances, reveals four clusters. The four groups highlight the primary habitat patterns in the 2012 GBR, each with distinct ecological characteristics: (1) areas with above-average soft coral abundance, (2) sand-dominated regions commonly found in the central part, (3) southern reefs with a more balanced distribution of species, and (4) habitats dominated by algae and hard corals. Compared to subsequent surveys conducted after disturbances, there is evidence of a decline in the number of clusters and a simplification of reef composition at the regional scale.

Dietary habit, hygiene practice, and disease status among street children: A cross sectional survey

Child rag pickers in Dhaka city are increasing and very little known about their conditions and nutritional status. They lead a very vulnerable life and high risk of prone to different kinds of diseases. An observational cross-sectional study was carried out at selected areas of Dhaka to assess food habit, hygiene practice and disease pattern of street children. Data were collected from conveniently selected different areas of Dhaka City like Sadarghat, Gabtoli, Gulistan Airport, Kamlapur railway station. Total 150 street children were interviewed with semi structured pretested questionnaire by face to face interview. Disease history was taken from last six months. The mean age of the children was 10.55 ± 2.96 years. More than half (66.7%) of the respondents were boys. About half of the respondents were day labor. About 83.8% respondents did not have any disease currently. Fever, diarrhea, skin disease, and common cold were seen among 20%-30% respondents. More than 80% respondents had good appetite. Fish and fruits were taken randomly. They did not cut nail on regular basis. It is concluded that street children suffered those diseases which were preventable.

An ultraviolet light data logger for studies of organismal ecology and physiology

Abstract Monitoring environmental conditions over time is essential for understanding how species regulate those conditions to satisfy their physiological needs. Variation in ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, for instance, is crucial for numerous taxa, influencing behaviour as well as essential physiological processes like vitamin D3 synthesis. Yet, despite these considerations, no commercially available data loggers exist to record UV exposures over time, preventing inquiry into this important but neglected fitness demand. To overcome this challenge, I designed the first UV data logger, custom built on the open‐source Arduino platform. This device logs UV exposures (in voltage or converted to UV index) and date‐time information for each UV reading, at user‐defined intervals. The integration of a low‐power timer into the assembly, and its weather‐resistant housing, enables long‐term use (at least several months). The cost of one device (including housing) is under £45/$55 USD. Calibration and performance tests reveal that this device is reliable under various weather conditions and produces accurate UV readings under both artificial lighting and sunlight. Both the device and its customised housing can be easily replicated and expanded upon (e.g. inclusion of additional sensors). Overall, this device represents a crucial first step in our ability to better characterise UV exposure patterns in habitats for physiological ecology studies. Exposure to UV light is adaptive for many types of organisms, both in the wild and in captivity (e.g. zoos and private hobbyists), and so I expect a broad array of scientific and public users alike to benefit from using this device.

Mystus vittatus (Hamilton, 1822)’un doğal ve kültür ortamındaki boy-ağırlık ilişkisi ve kondisyon faktörü

The Asian catfish Mystus vittatus is very popular food and ornamental fish in India. Length- weight relationships and condition factors of this fish are crucial component in fishery managements. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationships between the length, weight, condition factor (K), relative condition factor (Kn) and modified condition factor of Mystus vittatus (Hamilton, 1822). The study is particularly focus on analysing the sex wise variations in growth patterns, productivity, stocks, and conservation in two different habitats, natural habitat and biofloc system. The findings show that the species did not strictly follow the predicted cube law and showed allometric growth patterns in both habitats. The "b" value varies from 2.72 to 3.12, the condition factor (K) ranges from 0.587-1.50, modified condition factor ranges 0.54-2.26 and relative condition factor (Kn) ranges from 0.71-1.65. Natural habitats had the highest mean values for the regression parameter (b), condition factor (K), and relative condition factor (Kn). For male, female, and combined sexes in two different habitats, the R2 values show a statistically significant relationship between weight and length. The correlation analysis indicates some positive and negative significant relationships among sex, length, weight, condition factor, and relative condition factor. Therefore, there is significant relationship between condition factor, relative condition factor length, weight in two different habitats and it varies between male and female within same habitat. Thus, this finding will help to fishery managers for long term strategy development of Mystus vittatus in both natural as well as biofloc system.

Surviving the extinction vortex? Discovering remnant stands of Senecio hercynicus (Compositae, Senecioneae) evading genetic swamping by its congener S. ovatus in the Bavarian and Bohemian Forest region

Genetic swamping by introgressive hybridisation threatens diversity, caused by climate warming particularly in mountainous regions worldwide. Recent studies resulted in a threatening perspective for Senecio hercynicus in the Bavarian Forest due to genetic swamping by introgressive hybridisation with its cogener S. ovatus. To examine the situation more closely, the distribution and hybridization of S. hercynicus and S. ovatus in high elevation regions of the Bavarian and Bohemian Forest was analyzed by restriction enzyme digestion of nrDNA ITS1 (PCR-RFLP; PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism). For a total of 706 samples from 94 different sample localities a hybrid index was inferred from the fragment band intensities after PCR-RFLP digestion. Boxplot diagrams of the hybrid indices show a tendency of western populations towards S. ovatus genotypes and for populations to the east towards S. hercynicus genotypes. When the hybrid index data was subjected to a regression analysis with nine factors (five habitat patterns inferred during sampling and four bioclimatic variables), only geographical longitude and latitude seemed to describe the observed distribution of S. hercynicus and S. ovatus significantly, arguing for the distribution and hybridisation patterns being shaped rather due to historical than to eco-climatological determinants. While a broad zone of hybridisation between the two species in the Bavarian and Bohemian Forest region was inferred, our study demonstrates that purebred S. hercynicus still exists and remnant stands of this species should be the target of species conservation measures.

Effects of the social environment on movement-integrated habitat selection

BackgroundMovement links the distribution of habitats with the social environment of animals using those habitats. Despite the links between movement, habitat selection, and socioecology, their integration remains a challenge due to lack of shared vocabulary across fields, methodological gaps, and the implicit (rather than explicit) historical development of theory in the fields of social and spatial ecology. Given these challenges can be addressed, opportunity for further study will provide insight about the links between social, spatial, and movement ecology. Here, our objective was to disentangle the roles of habitat selection and social association as drivers of movement in caribou (Rangifer tarandus).MethodsTo accomplish our objective, we modelled the relationship between collective movement and selection of foraging habitats using socially informed integrated step selection function (iSSF). Using iSSF, we modelled the effect of social processes, i.e., nearest neighbour distance and social preference, and movement behaviour on patterns of habitat selection.ResultsBy unifying social network analysis with iSSF, we identified movement-dependent social association, where individuals took shorter steps in lichen habitat and foraged in close proximity to more familiar individuals.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that social preference is context-dependent based on habitat selection and foraging behaviour. We therefore surmise that habitat selection and social association are drivers of collective movement, such that movement is the glue between habitat selection and social association. Here, we put these concepts into practice to demonstrate that movement is the glue connecting individual habitat selection to the social environment.

Challenges faced by spotted seals born in captivity and released into the wild

The artificial reproduction of endangered marine species populations is becoming increasingly crucial. Determining the potential for reintegration into their natural ecological niche remains a persistent obstacle in conservation biology. Spotted seals (Phoca largha) are a flagship species in the Chinese marine ecosystem. Efforts have been made to artificially breed them to prevent local extinction. Our study monitored 18 captive-born (nine) and rehabilitated (nine) individuals released into the Bohai Sea between 2010 and 2020. We examined the ecological niche-seeking behavior of captive-born seals (CS) using rehabilitated wild seals (RS) as benchmarks. It encompassed three oceanic gradients, habitat patterns, and potential threats. The findings demonstrated that CS did not return to the appropriate latitudes, horizontals, and sea surface salinity gradients in the ocean. Despite a larger potential habitat area for CS, it exhibited high temporal variability (with an average monthly fluctuation of 53 %) and demonstrated limited spatial overlap with the RS habitat (27 % overlap in July), and four indices, including the Splitting and Global Moran's Indices indicated a higher level of habitat fragmentation. Additionally, the number of shipping hotspots and collision risk within the CS habitats were twice those of the RS. These findings suggest that the released CS did not fully integrate into its native ecological niche. Our objective is to offer a pragmatic approach and framework for monitoring and assessing marine species released into the ocean.

Landscape patterns drive provision of nature's contributions to people by mobile species

Abstract Predicting how nature's contributions to people (NCP) vary spatially remains a challenge. For NCP provided by mobile species, it is unclear how predictions need to account for the influence of multiple habitat types that act as sources, sinks and potential distractors of the NCP‐providing species. Existing approaches that do not account for these effects may inaccurately predict outcomes in real landscapes. To move beyond these limitations, we transfer quantitative inference approaches from movement ecology to explore how spatial habitat patterns determine the negative NCP of the invasive common brushtail possum Trichosurus vulpecula in New Zealand. We used a Bayesian model to investigate how the size of, and distance from, grassland and indigenous and exotic forest patches together contribute to relative possum density (measured by capture probability across a trapping network) in a heterogeneous 11,000‐ha landscape. We found that indigenous and exotic forest area were the most important factors in determining possum density. Although capture probability declined with increasing grassland area, the addition of grassland did not improve the relative model fit above one with indigenous forest as the only habitat. We expected differences in predicted possum density at habitat boundaries, for example, due to preferential foraging at edges. We found that indigenous and exotic forests contributed to capture probability interactively, such that capture probability at the between‐habitat edge was lower than expected, given the habitat area. We also found that models allowing for non‐linear habitat effects of exotic forests or grasslands, but not indigenous forests, were significantly better at predicting possum density than simpler models. Synthesis and applications. Our novel approach for spatial prediction can be applied to any of nature's contributions to people (NCP), and extended to identify trade‐offs and synergies among multiple NCP. For example, the negative NCP of possum density trades off with multiple known positive NCP from indigenous forests, including culturally significant non‐material NCP, and material NCP produced by exotic forests. We recommend that landscape management plans to maximise these positive NCP in future scenarios also consider how the risk of possum density may dampen net NCP provision. To minimise this negative NCP, our results support trap deployment in both indigenous and exotic forest.

Soil properties predict below-ground community structure, but not nematode microbiome patterns in semi-arid habitats.

Microbial and microeukaryotic communities are extremely abundant and diverse in soil habitats where they play critical roles in ecosystem functioning and services that are essential to soil health. Soil biodiversity is influenced by above-ground (vegetation) and below-ground factors (soil properties), which together create habitat-specific conditions. However, the compound effects of vegetation and soil properties on soil communities are less studied or often focused on one component of the soil biota. Here, we integrate metabarcoding (16S and 18S rRNA genes) and nematode morphology to assess the effects of habitat and soil properties shaping microbial and microeukaryotic communities as well as nematode-associated microbiomes. We show that both vegetation and soil properties (soil bulk density) were major factors structuring microbial and microeukaryotic communities in semi-arid soil habitats. Despite having lower nutrients and lower pH, denser soils displayed significantly higher alpha diversity than less dense soils across datasets. Nematode-associated microbiomes have lower microbial diversity, strongly differ from soil microbes and are more likely to respond to microscale variations among samples than to vegetation or soil bulk density. Consequently, different nematode lineages and trophic groups are likely to display similar associated microbiomes when sharing the same microhabitat. Different microbiome taxa were enriched within specific nematode lineages (e.g. Mycobacterium, Candidatus Cardinium) highlighting potentially new species-specific associations that may confer benefits to their soil nematode hosts. Our findings highlight the importance of exploring above- and below-ground effects to assess community structure in terrestrial habitats, and how fine-scale analyses are critical for understanding patterns of host-associated microbiomes.