Local Processes Research Articles

Analyzing time activity curves from spatio-temporal tracer data to determine tracer transport velocity in plants.

Non-invasive methods utilizing tracers have a great potential to investigate carbon allocation in plants. Specifically, radioactive tracers, such as 11C11C, enable the monitoring of spatially localized transport processes on short time scales in living plants. Typically, such tracer transport experiments yield time activity curves (TACs) of tracer activity over time at various locations along a transport pathway. These TACs can exhibit different characteristic shapes that strongly depend on tracer transport dynamics, reflecting properties such as transport velocity, exchange with surrounding tissue, and tracer storage along the pathway. Various methods, either data-driven or model-based, exist to determine transport velocities from TACs. However, for some TAC shapes, the inferred carbon tracer velocity values can be inconsistent and greatly vary between analysis methods. In the present study, we review and evaluate different analysis methods for their suitability to reliably determine tracer transport velocities from typical TAC shapes. For this evaluation, we use both in silico generated and experimentally acquired TACs from positron emission tomography measurements on tomato, barley, and bean. We demonstrate that each of the compared methods can be suitable for specific TAC shapes while being less or not appropriate for others. In conclusion, we present a case-specific evaluation of methods as a reference for analyzing TACs from tracer transport experiments, which allows to ensure a robust and globally comparable determination of transport velocities.

Elastosis Amyloidosis as a Histologic Pattern in Cutaneous Amyloidosis.

Elastosis amyloidosis is an exceptionally rare form of cutaneous amyloidosis characterized by amyloid deposition around dermal elastic fibers. To date, only 11 cases have been documented in the literature, some of them with associated systemic involvement. We report a case of a 60-year-old man presenting with an asymptomatic umbilical nodule. Histopathological analysis revealed amyloid deposits in the upper reticular dermis with characteristic distribution around the elastic fibers, confirmed by positive staining with PAS and Congo red. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for cytokeratins but negative for light chains and other systemic amyloid markers, leading to a diagnosis of elastosis amyloidosis with deposit of amyloid-AK, a finding previously unreported. We consider this an incidental discovery that may provide new insights into the etiopathogenesis of amyloidosis in both localized and systemic processes.

Public participation GIS scenarios for decision-making on land-use requirements for renewable energy systems

BackgroundThe transition to renewable energy is crucial for decarbonising the energy system but creates land-use competition. Whilst there is consensus on the need for local responsibility in achieving climate neutrality, debates continue over where to implement renewable energy plants. The Public Participation Geographic Information System (PPGIS) scenario approach can facilitate these debates and improve equity and procedural and distributive justice.ResultsThe findings highlight the effectiveness of the PPGIS method in assessing the spatial impact of technologies on agriculture and landscapes. The approach was tested in a rural German municipality to help stakeholders and citizens recognise the potential for land-based solar energy even under strict constraints. These insights were shared to support decision-makers on land-use changes to increase renewable energy production.ConclusionsThe findings indicate that the PPGIS scenario approach is valuable for improving equity and mutual understanding in local decision-making processes. Incorporating stakeholders’ and citizens’ perspectives into renewable energy planning enhances the transparency, legitimacy, and acceptability of land-use decisions. The ability to visualise and quantitatively assess different scenarios makes PPGIS particularly useful for addressing the complexities of public debates on land-use requirements for renewable energy systems.

Too cold, too saturated? Evaluating climate models at the gateway to the Arctic

Abstract. The Arctic wintertime energy and moisture budgets are largely controlled by the advection of warm, moist air masses from lower latitudes; the cooling and drying of these air masses inside the Arctic; and the export of cold, dry air masses. Climate models have substantial difficulties in representing key processes in these air-mass transformations, including turbulence under stable stratification and mixed-phase cloud processes. Here, we use radiosonde profiles of temperature and moisture and surface radiation observations from Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard (1993–2014), to assess the properties of air masses being imported into and exported from the central Arctic in CMIP6 climate models. In the free troposphere, models tend to be cold-biased, especially for the coldest temperatures, and relative humidity in most models is closer to saturation with respect to ice than what is observed. In the analysed models, supersaturation with respect to ice tends to be better represented with two-moment microphysics. The overall distribution of column-integrated precipitable water in models matches well with observations. Cold and dry biases are stronger in air masses being exported from the Arctic than those entering the Arctic. This suggests that the previously reported cold bias in the Arctic in CMIP6 models is probably due to errors in local thermodynamic processes.

Promoting Youth Political Engagement Through Serious Games: A Quasi-Experimental Study on Local Election Boardgame in Thailand

This study examines the effectiveness of serious games in enhancing political engagement among youth through a quasi-experimental design. It compares traditional video-based education with an innovative tool, the “Local Election Boardgame,” which simulates local election processes. Conducted in two regions of Thailand, the North (Chiang Mai) and the South (Krabi), the research involved secondary school students aged 13–17, who were divided into control (video-based) and experimental (game-based) groups. Results showed that the board game format significantly increased participants’ enthusiasm, cognitive understanding, and political efficacy compared to traditional methods. Qualitative feedback from participants highlighted the game’s interactive and collaborative elements as key factors in fostering deeper engagement and practical understanding of democratic processes. These findings underscore the potential of serious games as an effective educational tool for promoting political participation, suggesting their broader applicability across diverse educational contexts.

Capturing sexual orientation and gender identity information in electronic medical records to inform the person-centred care of sexual and gender minority people

BackgroundThe healthcare disparities of sexual and gender minority (SGM) people are globally recognised. Research from the United States has advocated for sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) information capture via the electronic medical record (EMR) to support the generation of knowledge regarding SGM people’s healthcare needs and the appropriate care for this population. In November 2022, The Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) enabled the SOGI capture EMR functionality. The purpose of this study is to understand how SOGI capture can inform the person-centred care of SGM people by way of interviews with SGM patients and RMH staff. It quantitatively describes RMH SOGI capture throughout the study period to provide additional insights.MethodsThis study uses an embedded mixed-methods design: qualitative data are primary and quantitative data are supplementary. SOGI capture uptake at RMH informed the recruitment of SGM patients (n = 11) and RMH staff (n = 13). Participants were engaged in in-depth semi-structured interviews that were then reflexively thematically analysed. SOGI capture throughout the study period (8th November 2022 to 23rd September 2024) was quantitatively described via frequency and percentage and then analysed in relation to the qualitative results to provide additional insights.ResultsInterviewed participants considered SOGI capture a significant step toward providing person-centred care for SGM people. However, participants shared problems in SGM healthcare and expressed that for SOGI capture to benefit SGM patients, staff must be aware of not only SOGI capture but also SGM healthcare issues. Other recommendations for SOGI capture included patient informed consent; patient preferences accurately captured; and mandatory SOGI questions to normalise this process. During the study period 272,672 patients were admitted to RMH, of which there were 2,174 (0.8%) SGM SOGI captures; 2,000 (0.7%) captured a gender identity that was not ‘male’ or ‘female’ and 1,113 captured a sexual orientation that was not ‘straight’ or ‘not reported’ (0.4%). These numbers demonstrate SGM patients’ minority status and signal the need for more staff and patient awareness of SOGI capture and mandatory SOGI questions to increase the representation and knowledge of this population and ultimately improve its care provision. A diversity of identifiers for this population was captured (10 sexual orientation identifiers and 14 gender identity identifiers) which demonstrate the significance of recognising SGM patient preferences.ConclusionThis study presented an in-depth exploration of how SOGI capture can inform the person-centred care of SGM people if staff are aware of SGM healthcare issues, and if SOGI capture is done according to patient preference and consent and is normalised through mandatory questions. Insights and recommendations generated from this study can inform local and international policies and processes in the implementation of SOGI capture such that it can inform person-centred care for SGM people.

Surgical technique of abone-anchored prosthesis for transhumeral amputees.

Fixating an arm prosthesis with atranscutaneous bone anchor provides amore comfortable and stable attachment than conventional socket-attached prosthetics. The objective is that bone anchoring will improve prosthetic usage, reduce prosthesis rejection, and aid to functions in daily life activities. Subjects with transhumeral amputation or elbow disarticulation and insufficient functional effect of conventional socket-attached arm prostheses. Patients with local or systemic inflammatory processes, bone metabolism disorder, active use of chemotherapeutic or immunosuppressive medications and medically unexplained pain conditions in the respective residual arm. Acylindrical BADAL next (OTN Implants Germany, Rostock, Germany) humerus implant is transcutaneously inserted using aretrograde press-fit approach. The distal taper of the implant is connected to an adapter that serves as an abutment for the fixation of the postoperative load-set and arm prosthesis. Postoperative pain medication according to standard guidelines for shoulder surgery. Stoma care instructions before discharge from the hospital. Progressive loading at 6weeks postoperatively using load plates of 100 g using in acompatible load set. Installation of an external arm prosthesis as soon as the weight of the arm prosthesis is reached. In 4individuals with median follow-up of 11months, implant survival was 100%, prosthetic use improved from 0 h to an average 14 h per week, and no arm prosthesis rejection occurred. On afunctional level, the 4individuals improved from0 to5 on the patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) 33ADL PWP. This PROM measures 33daily activities that can or can not be carried out with the prosthesis. No adverse events were reported.

Advocating Under Hierarchy: Comparing Climate Advocacy Coalitions in China’s Local Policy Processes

This study applies the Advocacy Coalition Framework to analyse how non-state actors advocated climate policy changes in China’s four early mover cities. Research institutes, international and domestic NGOs and government-funded think tanks shared similar concerns over climate change and interacted closely, constituting climate advocacy coalitions. They used local officials’ lack of climate knowledge to engage in local policy processes, which were dominated by status quo coalitions. The climate advocacy coalitions contributed to climate agenda setting and framing changes but were less effective in implementation matters. Paired case comparisons indicate local political leaders’ engagement necessary for climate policy implementation.

Circulating Markers of Systemic Inflammation, Measured After Completion of Neoadjuvant Therapy, Associate With Response in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer.

The extent of neoadjuvant therapy response, prior to surgery, is an important prognosticator in locally advanced rectal cancer. A spectrum of response exists, with a dearth of reliable measurements. The host response to treatment remains unexplored. Within operable colorectal cancer, circulating markers of elevated systemic inflammation associate with poor survival. Studies have suggested that elevated pre-neoadjuvant inflammatory markers, including the modified Glasgow prognostic score and the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio, associate with poorer response. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate hematological markers of inflammation pre- and post-neoadjuvant therapy. Longitudinal cohort study. Single health board from a prospectively maintained regional cancer database. Consecutive locally advanced rectal cancer patients who underwent curative-intent neoadjuvant therapy between; June 2016-July 2021. Elevated markers of the systemic inflammatory response pre- and post-neoadjuvant therapy. A total of 278 patients (67.3% male, median age 65) were identified. A complete response (clinical or pathological complete response) was achieved in 27.34%, and good tumor regression was achieved in 37.05% (tumor regression grading 0-1). No pre-neoadjuvant marker associated with response or regression. Multivariate analysis of post-neoadjuvant variables revealed an elevated modified Glasgow prognostic score (OR 2.8, 95% CI: 1.22-6.41, p = 0.015), and an elevated carcinoembryonic-antigen (OR 4.09, 95% CI: 1.6-10.44, p = 0.003) independently associated with incomplete response. An elevated post-neoadjuvant modified Glasgow prognostic score (OR 2.14, 95% CI: 1.08-4.23, p = 0.029) also independently associated with poor tumor regression on multivariate analysis. Retrospective design. Slight variation in the timing of post-neoadjuvant blood tests. We report that post-neoadjuvant modified Glasgow prognostic score associated with poorer response and regression, potentially indicating that radiation resistance is associated with the development of a protumor inflammatory environment. Further work is required to define the local intratumoral processes associated with response and their inter-relationship with systemic parameters. Ultimately, there may be a rationale for testing anti-inflammatory strategies in combination with radiotherapy as an option for optimizing treatment response. See Video Abstract.

High Propagule Pressure and Patchy Biotic Resistance Control the Local Invasion Process of the Tree Ligustrum lucidum in a Subtropical Forest of Uruguay

The tree Ligustrum lucidum (W. T. Aiton, Oleaceae), native to East Asia (China), has become an aggressive invader of subtropical and temperate forests around the world. To understand how its local small-scale spread is controlled, we studied (48 plots of 4 m−2), in a subtropical forest of Uruguay, the distribution and survival of seedlings, saplings, and poles to assess the effects of dispersal from mother trees (distance), microsite type (forest stands defined by dominant species), and past control measures. The propagule pressure of L. lucidum, estimated through seedlings density, was between 100 and 1000 times higher than that of other species of the community and was concentrated around mother trees (<10 m of distance). Spatial variability of seedlings, saplings, and poles densities were explained by the interaction between distance to mother trees and forest stands. Significative lower densities were observed in the forest patches (stands) dominated by Jodina rhombifolia, and a field survival experiment confirmed lower survival of poles at Jodina stands, demonstrating that some resistance mechanism is operating there. We propose two biotic mechanisms of resistance: herbaceous competition and/or roots hemiparasitism by J. rhombifolia, reducing seedling and sapling survival. We concluded that a high propagule pressure, small-scale dispersal from mother trees, and patchy biotic resistance at Jodina stands control the local spread and domination process of the tree L. lucidum in the studied forest.

Contemporary Diagnosis, Management, and Early Outcomes in Children with Kawasaki Disease in Romania: A Single-Center Experience

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute inflammatory vasculitis with a particularly high incidence of coronary artery complications and constitutes a significant cause of acquired heart disease in children and young adults. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients aged 0–18 years hospitalized at the “Prof. Dr. Matei Balş” National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Bucharest with Kawasaki disease over a period of 6 years (2018–2023). Results: A total of 25 children were discharged from hospital with this diagnosis during the analyzed period. The mean age was 2.9 years, and 56% were boys. Fever ≥5 days was present in all cases, and the most frequent additional sign was the presence of oral changes. Patients were treated according to in-effect guidelines with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) (100%) and acetylsalicylic acid (68%). Only two cases were considered IVIG resistant and received a second IVIG infusion. Only mild cardiovascular changes were noted in echocardiography: mild coronary artery dilatation (21.7% of cases), mild valvular regurgitation, and small pericardial effusion. Infants displayed less inflammation and higher percentages of leukocytosis, developed an increase in platelet count sooner, received IVIG faster, and had longer hospital stays. Outcomes were generally favorable, and 92% of children were discharged, while the two remaining patients were transferred to other centers. No deaths were recorded. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the largest contemporary Romanian cohort of Kawasaki disease published to date, outlining the local diagnostic process, therapeutic strategies, and early outcomes of Kawasaki disease.

Synergistic Influence of Eurasian Soil Moisture and Pacific Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies on August Out‐Of‐Phase Precipitation Pattern in Northern China

AbstractThis study delves into the interannual variability of August precipitation in northern China, revealing that the leading mode exhibits a zonal out‐of‐phase pattern, with a dividing line around 100°E. The western region (WNC) serves as a positive precipitation anomaly center, contrasting with the eastern region (ENC) as a negative anomaly center. This precipitation disparity is largely due to contrasting dynamic and moisture conditions between these regions, influenced by a quasi‐barotropic anomalous cyclonic circulation over Central Asia and anomalous anticyclonic circulation over Mongolia. Further analysis reveals that land and oceanic processes are pivotal in modulating this precipitation pattern. Specifically, soil moisture anomalies over Eurasia and sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the central and eastern Pacific are critical. In August, Eurasian soil moisture anomalies influence the local thermal processes, leading to eastward‐propagating Rossby wave circulations. Simultaneously, SST anomalies in the central and eastern Pacific initiate an anomalous meridional Pacific‐Japan (PJ) wave train. These circulation anomalies induce opposing conditions that promote precipitation in WNC and suppress it in ENC, thus establishing the observed out‐of‐phase precipitation pattern. In our study, Eurasian soil moisture and Pacific SST anomalies contribute approximately 44.9% and 21.2%, respectively, to the linear variance of precipitation pattern, collectively accounting for around 54.8% of the observed variation. Further investigation is required to gain a deeper understanding of this phenomenon.

Collaborative management of hyperkalemia in patients with complex heart failure

Introduction: To highlight the benefits and provide a framework for integrated multispecialty team involvement in the management of hyperkalemia in patients with heart failure and kidney disease, to ensure that patients receive optimal medical therapy to improve their clinical outcomes. Case presentation: This report highlights a hypothetical “complex” case of a patient with an acute heart failure decompensation who experiences hyperkalemia following up-titration of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitor (RAASi) therapy. Two hypothetical scenarios for treatment management are discussed; in the first, providers down-titrate guideline-directed RAASi to avoid hyperkalemia, whereas in the second, providers take a collaborative interdisciplinary approach to manage hyperkalemia directly with the aim of avoiding RAASi down-titration. In the first typical management scenario, down-titration of guideline-directed RAASi to prevent increases in serum potassium (serum K+) levels leads to the reoccurrence of symptoms and rehospitalization of the patient. In the second proposed management scenario, interdisciplinary team discussions around differing tolerances and approaches to raised serum K+ levels lead to maintenance of guideline-directed RAASi doses with the help of close monitoring of the patient, introduction of a low potassium diet, and prescription of potassium binder therapy. Conclusion: Collaborative multispecialty team management of heart failure patients may enable successful management of hyperkalemia without the need for discontinuation of guideline-directed RAASi therapy. Collaboration could extend to regular virtual or face-to-face cardiorenal clinics, where complex cases can be discussed, and local guidelines and processes can be developed.

The influence of anthropogenic topographic changes on geomorphological processes in the city of Rome (Italy): A case study of the Malagrotta area

AbstractRome's urban landscape presents a clear urban–rural gradient, with diminishing human influence from the historic city center to the surrounding outskirts and peri‐urban areas. Millennial urban growth resulted in drastic changes of natural landscapes, making it an invaluable case study for examining human impact on natural geomorphological processes. Despite the importance of understanding these interactions for managing geomorphological risks, the role of human activity along the urban–rural gradient remains poorly understood. This study explores human‐induced geomorphic changes in Rome's Malagrotta quarrying and dumping area established in the 1980s, focusing on erosion, transport and sedimentation processes that challenge sustainable land use. Using the slope–area relationship, applied on digital elevation models across different time periods (1894, 2002 and 2023), we identify local process domains to better understand how human activity influenced landscape dynamics over time. Results reveal that extensive quarrying and excavation activities between 1894 and 2002 removed nearly 3 × 107 m3 of material, while the period from 2002 to 2023 saw the removal of 7 × 106 m3. Dumping and ancient quarry and valley filling added approximately 2.6 × 107 m3 of material, compared with 1.4 × 107 m3 in the later period. Regions with convergent morphological deviations are generally linked to excavation and quarrying activities while divergent patterns align with filled depressions. High slopes from quarry escarpments are prone to erosion and landslides. While stream power and topographic wetness index shifts suggested increased flood risks and altered hydrological patterns. These findings underscore the need for geomorphologically informed urban planning to mitigate erosion, landslides and flood hazards in urbanizing landscapes globally.

Electrostatic Solitary Waves in Earth's Magnetosheath: Properties, Nature, and Origin

AbstractWe present the analysis of 2,152 electrostatic solitary waves observed aboard the Magnetospheric Multiscale in the Earth's magnetosheath. The electric field of the solitary waves is predominantly bipolar and parallel to the local magnetic field. In contrast to previous reports, we reveal similar occurrence rates of solitary waves of positive and negative polarity of the electrostatic potential. Both types of solitary waves have spatial half‐widths of 10–150 m or 1–15 Debye lengths, amplitudes of the electrostatic potential of 0.01–1.5 V or 0.01%–1% of local electron temperature, and plasma frame speeds within ion thermal speed. We argue that the solitary waves are electron and ion holes produced separately in space or time by local processes, whose nature is, however, still elusive. We speculate that the solitary waves can mediate the energy between thermal electrons and ions in the Earth's magnetosheath and discuss other applications of the presented results.

Advanced Deep Learning Models for Improved IoT Network Monitoring Using Hybrid Optimization and MCDM Techniques

This study addresses the challenge of optimizing deep learning models for IoT network monitoring, focusing on achieving a symmetrical balance between scalability and computational efficiency, which is essential for real-time anomaly detection in dynamic networks. We propose two novel hybrid optimization methods—Hybrid Grey Wolf Optimization with Particle Swarm Optimization (HGWOPSO) and Hybrid World Cup Optimization with Harris Hawks Optimization (HWCOAHHO)—designed to symmetrically balance global exploration and local exploitation, thereby enhancing model training and adaptation in IoT environments. These methods leverage complementary search behaviors, where symmetry between global and local search processes enhances convergence speed and detection accuracy. The proposed approaches are validated using real-world IoT datasets, demonstrating significant improvements in anomaly detection accuracy, scalability, and adaptability compared to state-of-the-art techniques. Specifically, HGWOPSO combines the symmetrical hierarchy-driven leadership of Grey Wolves with the velocity updates of Particle Swarm Optimization, while HWCOAHHO synergizes the dynamic exploration strategies of Harris Hawks with the competition-driven optimization of the World Cup algorithm, ensuring balanced search and decision-making processes. Performance evaluation using benchmark functions and real-world IoT network data highlights superior accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score compared to traditional methods. To further enhance decision-making, a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) framework incorporating the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and TOPSIS is employed to symmetrically evaluate and rank the proposed methods. Results indicate that HWCOAHHO achieves the most optimal balance between accuracy and precision, followed closely by HGWOPSO, while traditional methods like FFNNs and MLPs show lower effectiveness in real-time anomaly detection. The symmetry-driven approach of these hybrid algorithms ensures robust, adaptive, and scalable monitoring solutions for IoT networks characterized by dynamic traffic patterns and evolving anomalies, thus ensuring real-time network stability and data integrity. The findings have substantial implications for smart cities, industrial automation, and healthcare IoT applications, where symmetrical optimization between detection performance and computational efficiency is crucial for ensuring optimal and reliable network monitoring. This work lays the groundwork for further research on hybrid optimization techniques and deep learning, emphasizing the role of symmetry in enhancing the efficiency and resilience of IoT network monitoring systems.

Aggregated dispersal reduces spatial synchrony but promotes instability and extinction risk

Theory has shown that limited amounts of constant dispersal modeled via fixed probability distributions can promote both coexistence and stability in spatially coupled ecosystems. However, dispersal in nature varies spatiotemporally and only approximates such fixed distributions when averaged over many generations. As a result, assuming constant dispersal introduces an implicit separation of time scales between slow local species interactions and fast regional dispersal. Here, we relax this implicit assumption by using a strategic metacommunity model with spatially aggregated, temporally stochastic dispersal that varies at the same temporal scale as local trophic dynamics in order to reexamine the relationship between synchrony, stability, and persistence. We show that increasing the rate of stochastic dispersal alters the spatiotemporal dynamics of all species, especially relative to what theory has previously demonstrated under constant dispersal. Specifically, regardless of the degree of spatial aggregation, increasing the rate of stochastic dispersal increases the magnitude and the frequency of population fluctuations, while rapidly reducing their spatial synchrony and temporal autocorrelation. Furthermore, increasing spatial aggregation reduces both temporal stability and persistence by inducing boom‐and‐bust cycles that lead to frequent local extinctions, particularly when species disperse in an identical manner. Decreasing the degree of spatial aggregation or allowing species to disperse independently reduces the emergence of such boom‐and‐bust cycles and thus promotes both stability and persistence. Overall, our results demonstrate that relaxing the implicitassumption of separate time scales for local and regional processes can be critical for resolving the relationship between variable dispersal, synchrony and stability in metacommunities.

Fall and rise of a threatened raptor: Unraveling long-term population dynamics with spatially explicit integrated models.

Population dynamics are governed by the so-called four BIDE processes: birth, immigration, death, and emigration. However, most population models fail to explicitly consider all four processes, which may hinder a comprehensive understanding of how and why populations change over time. The advent of Integrated Population Models (IPMs) and recent developments in spatial mark-recapture models have enabled deeper insights into demography and dispersal. In this study, we merged both kinds of models into a spatially explicit IPM. By integrating count, reproduction, mark-recapture, and dispersal data, this framework permitted the separate modeling of all BIDE processes, which subsequently allowed (1) a fine-scale estimation of population dynamics and (2) the estimation of central population parameters and stages that have traditionally been elusive in demographic studies but are key to applied conservation, such as the long-term dynamics of floaters (sexually mature non-breeders), sink-source status, and dispersal processes. Using this approach, we carried out a fine-scale assessment of the long-term dynamics and demographic drivers of one long-lived Bonelli's eagle population from Western Europe (1986-2020). Our results illustrated a considerable population decline and subsequent recovery alongside multiple demographic insights scarcely documented to date in long-lived species. First, we reported a decrease and subsequent increase in floater numbers probably associated with parallel changes in the breeding population, hence contributing to the scarce empirical knowledge available about the role and dynamics of floaters. Second, we detected a change in average population functioning from a sink to a neutral contributor, thus shedding light on the flexibility and drivers of sink-source dynamics. Third, we underscored the central role of non-breeder survival for population recovery, suggesting that long-lived species conservation action should not only focus on adult or breeding populations, as is typically the case. Fourth, we quantified the magnitudes and variations of local and dispersal processes in the long term and discussed their potential implications in terms of management implementation. Overall, our study highlights the potential of spatially explicit IPMs to build more complete assessments of population dynamics, contribute to better-informed conservation action, and help fill knowledge gaps in ecological sciences.

Distinctive local and large-scale processes associated with daytime, nighttime and compound heatwaves in China

Distinctive local and large-scale processes associated with daytime, nighttime and compound heatwaves in China

Regional Processes Mediate Ecological Selection and the Distribution of Plant Diversity Across Scales.

Community ecology remains focused on interactions at small scales, which limits causal understanding of how regional and local processes interact to mediate biodiversity changes. We hypothesise that species pool size and immigration are two regional processes altering the balance between local niche selection and drift that cause variation in plant diversity. We manipulated the richness and number of seeds sown (species pool size and immigration respectively) into 12 grasslands across a landscape soil moisture gradient. Greater immigration and smaller species pools increased the variation in plant composition explained by soil moisture gradients but resulted in greater erosion of plant α-diversity and spatial β-diversity over time. Our results suggest that regional constraints on colonisation make community assembly more variable but help maintain species diversity by limiting biotic homogenisation. This study provides large-scale experimental evidence on how regional contexts can alter the relative importance of fundamental processes shaping biodiversity change across scales.