Potential Niche Research Articles

Is the southern crab Halicarcinus planatus (Fabricius, 1775) the next invader of Antarctica?

The potential for biological colonization of Antarctic shores is an increasingly important topic in the context of anthropogenic warming. Successful Antarctic invasions to date have been recorded exclusively from terrestrial habitats. While non-native marine species such as crabs, mussels and tunicates have already been reported from Antarctic coasts, none have as yet established there. Among the potential marine invaders of Antarctic shallow waters is Halicarcinus planatus (Fabricius, 1775), a crab with a circum-Subantarctic distribution and substantial larval dispersal capacity. An ovigerous female of this species was found in shallow waters of Deception Island, South Shetland Islands in 2010. A combination of physiological experiments and ecological modelling was used to assess the potential niche of H. planatus and estimate its future southward boundaries under climate change scenarios. We show that H. planatus has a minimum thermal limit of 1°C, and that its current distribution (assessed by sampling and niche modelling) is physiologically restricted to the Subantarctic region. While this species is presently unable to survive in Antarctica, future warming under both 'strong mitigation' and 'no mitigation' greenhouse gas emission scenarios will favour its niche expansion to the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) by 2100. Future human activity also has potential to increase the probability of anthropogenic translocation of this species into Antarctic ecosystems.

Tropical forest water source patterns revealed by stable isotopes: A preliminary analysis of 46 neighboring species

Stable isotope tracing of plant water use can illuminate plant water sources. But to date, the number of species tested at any given site has been minimal. Here, we sample 46 tropical hardwood tree species in a 0.32 ha plot with uniform soils. Soil water was characterized at 6 depths at 0.2 m intervals down to 1 m and showed simple and predictable depth patterns of δ2H and δ18O, and simple and spatially uniform isotope composition at each depth. Nevertheless, tree xylem water δ2H and δ18O showed remarkable variation covering the full range of soil composition, suggesting strong sorting and niche segregation across the small plot. Wood density, tree size and mean basal area increment together explained approximately 55% of the variance of xylem water isotope composition through principal component analysis. A Bayesian mixing model was applied to the data and showed that sampled trees were either sourcing their water from very shallow or deep soil layers, with very little contribution from the middle portion of the soil profile. The majority of the observed species relied on 0.0–0.2 m depth soil water. This layer contributed approximately 75% of the xylem water which was significantly higher than the contributions from all other depths. The contribution from shallow soil was highest for trees with high wood density, slow-growing trees and small-sized trees. Our work suggests that stable isotope tracers may aid a better understanding of tropical forest water uptake depths and their relation to tree functional traits and potential hydrological niche segregation among co-occurring tropical species.

Potential Niche Modeling Distribution and Wing Geometric Morphometrics of Apis mellifera In The Brazilian Pantanal

The ecological niche models can be important for biogeographic patterns and processes and geometric morphometrics involves identifying changes that have occurred and comparing them to other specimens from different places and/or environmental conditions, assessing whether the environment is influencing such change. The present work aimed to verify the potential model of distribution for Apis mellifera and analyze if there is variation in the geometric morphometrics in wing venation in the Pantanal. We followed the hypothesis that there is variation in the geometric morphometrics of wings and that the geographically closest groups are more similar. For niche modeling, 44 geographical points and 19 bioclimatic variables were used. For morphometrics, twenty-two anatomical landmarks were plotted at the intersection of the veins. The X and Y coordinates were standardized through Procrustes superimposition, and PCA and MANOVA tests were performed. The predictive model indicated that the center of the Pantanal plain shows the greater probability of occurrence for the species. The most important bioclimatic variables were: average temperature in the rainiest quarter (84%) and average annual temperature (72%). Morphometric analyzes indicate that there was variation between the most distant geographic points. The slight variation between some closely located points in the Pantanal can be related to individual reflections of colonies from other points, since the species has great dispersion capacity. Thus, the distribution of A. mellifera in the Pantanal is possibly related to temperature also accompanied by human occupation and the geometric morphometrics of its wings reflecting aspects of dispersion and population dynamics in the Brazilian Pantanal.

Adaptive memetic differential evolution with niching competition and supporting archive strategies for multimodal optimization

Multimodal optimization, which aims at locating multiple optimal solutions within the search space, is inherently a difficult problem. This work proposes an adaptive memetic differential evolution algorithm with niching competition and supporting archive strategies to tackle the problem. In the proposed algorithm, a niching competition strategy is designed to competitively employ niches according to their potentials by encouraging high potential niches for exploitation while low potential niches for exploration, thus appropriately searching the space to identify multiple optima. Further, a supporting archive strategy is devised and implemented at the niche level with a dual purpose of helping maintain potential optima as well as facilitate the evolution of population. In this strategy, the writing and reading of archive is implicitly implemented during evolution rather than requiring external rules. Additionally, an adaptive Cauchy-based local search scheme, which considers the possible locations of optima to implement the local search, is developed and incorporated into the proposed method to efficiently and properly improve niching seeds. The resulting algorithm has been evaluated with extensive experiments on benchmark functions as well as a robot kinematics problem and compared with related methods. The results show that our method is able to consistently and accurately locate multiple optima in the solution space, and outperform related methods.

Potential Distribution and Environmental Niche of the Black Corals Antipathes galapagensis and Myriopathes panamensis in the Eastern Tropical Pacific1

Antipathes galapagensis and Myriopathes panamensis are black coral species (Order Antipatharia) distributed in the Eastern Pacific from the Gulf of California to the coasts of Peru, at depths from -10 m to -200 m for A. galapagensis and to -50 m for M. panamensis. Antipatharians have great ecological importance as engineer species and major constituents of “coral forests,” which are recognized as vulnerable marine ecosystems. Antipathes galapagensis has been a target of fisheries in several countries and has frequently been overexploited. Thus, the aim of this study was to compile a database of georeferenced records of A. galapagensis and M. panamensis, and use distribution data and environmental variables to construct habitat suitability models with Maxent software, in order to better understand black coral environmental requirements and potential distributions in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. The models showed good fit and performance (AUC > 0.9); key variables that drive the potential distribution of both species were chlorophyll a, nutrient concentration, and seawater temperature. The models did not predict occurrences beyond the recognized distribution range limits of the species; notwithstanding, they indicated that the Pacific coast of the Baja California Peninsula and the central and southern coasts of the Mexican Pacific have areas of high suitability for the presence of these corals. To our knowledge, no black coral records from these sites exist in the literature to date; thus, field validations are needed to verify the model predictions. With these results, it is possible to offer suggestions of new conservation sites for black corals based on the areas with the highest probability of occurrence of the species.

Mountain beef and wine: Italian consumers' definitions and opinions on the mountain labelling-scheme

Despite the importance of mountain areas and mountain farming, the literature on studies on consumers' opinion concerning mountain food products is not numerous. In order to contribute to filling this gap, this study aims at exploring Italian consumers' opinions regarding beef and wine produced in mountain areas as well as their opinions concerning the new European regulation on mountain food products. To do so, a qualitative approach with observations, focus groups and semi-structured interviews were applied. The results indicate that consumers living in mountain areas and those living in non-mountain areas, including rural areas, have different knowledge about the practices in mountain farming and different opinions concerning mountain food products. Nevertheless, both want mountain food products to be healthier and sustainably produced. Furthermore, they associate wine and beef mainly to credence attributes. As for European regulation, most criticisms are directed to the flexibility of the rules. The inclusion of wine in the mountain quality scheme is not a consensus among consumers. However, the analyses point to the existence of consumers who are interested in wines produced in mountain areas, indicating the emergence of a potential niche market for these wines.

The future is flexible? Exploring expert visions of energy system decarbonisation

Decarbonising the energy system means moving from a centralised, fossil fuel-dependent one to one based primarily on renewable energy. Visions of whole system change focus on socio-technical concepts like electrification and flexibility, rather than single technologies such as nuclear or solar. The role that technological niches might play in relation to such systemic socio-technical visions is under-researched. Traditionally, technological niches are thought to nurture new ‘proto-regimes’, supported by coherent visions of how technologies will help solve problems within existing socio-technical regimes. However, the relationship between socio-technical visions like flexibility and individual demonstrator projects is more complex. Interviews with experts from the FLEXIS energy systems project (south Wales, UK) show how future visions associated with a range of demonstrator projects are being developed against the backdrop of a system-level vision of a flexible, multi-vector energy system. Interview data also shows how the development of visions for demonstrators draws on social learning about place and societal values overlooked in systemic visions. Such social learning can incorporate critical reflection on key assumptions that underlie dominant system-level visions. The extent such learning is possible through the development of potential niches, however, is subject to limitations that invite further research.

Distribution of macroalgae epiphytes and host species from the Cuban marine shelf inferred from ecological modelling

Ecological Niche Modelling (ENM) is a tool widely used in ecology to determine environmental conditions and the potential distribution of species. In this article we assess the potential distribution, tolerance limits and similarity niche of macroalgae epiphytes and hosts from the Cuba marine shelf. Using different methods (BIOCLIM, Gower, Maxent and SVM) we have modelled the niche for each species. The final prediction map of distribution was made using the ensemble prediction technique. The similarity of ENMs was quantified by Schoener D and Hellinger I distance. The predictive power of all models was reasonable, since the values of the area under the curve (AUC) were greater than 0.9. The host macroalgae most closely related to the spatial distribution pattern of potential abundance of epiphytic macroalgae are Stypopodium zonale (Kendall correlation, r2 = 0.886) and Digenea simplex (Kendall correlation, r2 = 0.777). Environmental variables that contributed mostly (30 %) to the ecological niche models were: the average maximum salinity per year (35.5−36 PSU); the average minimum flow velocity per year (0.2 m·s−1) and the average minimum light at ground level per year (10−60 E·m−2·yr−1). The results show that epiphytic macroalgae and their most common hosts are generalist species (niche width 0.8) with high overlap in their niche (Schoener D > 0.7; Hellinger I distance = I > 0.6).

Do Italian consumers value health claims on extra-virgin olive oil?

• Respondents valuing the organic clue are also interested in EVOO with health claims. • Consumers with a higher general interest in health value health claims on EVOO. • EVOO with health claims is of interest to those willing to use food as medicine. • Exposure to diseases led to a consumer appreciation of health claims on EVOO. • The market of EVOO with health claims is a potential niche market.

Prevalence of Listeria Species on Food Contact Surfaces in Washington State Apple Packinghouses.

The 2014 caramel apple listeriosis outbreak was traced back to cross-contamination between food contact surfaces (FCS) of equipment used for packing and fresh apples. For Washington state, the leading apple producer in the United States with 79% of its total production directed to the fresh market, managing the risk of apple contamination with Listeria monocytogenes within the packing environment is crucial. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of Listeria spp. on FCS in Washington state apple packinghouses over two packing seasons and to identify those FCS types with the greatest likelihood to harbor Listeria spp. Five commercial apple packinghouses were visited quarterly over two consecutive year-long packing seasons. A range of 27 to 50 FCS were swabbed at each facility to detect Listeria spp. at two sample times, (i) postsanitation and (ii) in-process (3 h of packinghouse operation), following a modified protocol of the FDA's Bacteriological Analytical Manual method. Among 2,988 samples tested, 4.6% (n = 136) were positive for Listeria spp. Wax coating was the unit operation from which Listeria spp. were most frequently isolated. The FCS that showed the greatest prevalence of Listeria spp. were polishing brushes, stainless steel dividers and brushes under fans/blowers, and dryer rollers. The prevalence of Listeria spp. on FCS increased throughout apple storage time. The results of this study will aid apple packers in controlling for contamination and harborage of L. monocytogenes and improving cleaning and practices for sanitation of the FCS on which Listeria spp. are the most prevalent.IMPORTANCE Since 2014, fresh apples have been linked to outbreaks and recalls associated with postharvest cross-contamination with the foodborne pathogen L. monocytogenes These situations drive both public health burden and economic loss and underscore the need for continued scrutiny of packinghouse management to eliminate potential Listeria niches. This research assesses the prevalence of Listeria spp. on FCS in apple packinghouses and identifies those FCS most likely to harbor Listeria spp. Such findings are essential for the apple-packing industry striving to further understand and exhaustively mitigate the risk of contamination with L. monocytogenes to prevent future listeriosis outbreaks and recalls.

Buffalo rumen harbours diverse thermotolerant yeasts capable of producing second-generation bioethanol from lignocellulosic biomass

High-temperature ethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass through simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) is preferred for the sustainable and cost-effective production of second-generation bioethanol, and SSF requires efficient thermotolerant yeasts. In this study, 101 thermotolerant yeasts were isolated from the buffalo rumen; among selected 48 yeasts, 31 grew at 45 °C, and 17 yeasts could utilise multiple sugars. At 40, 42 and 45 °C, C. glabrata RGB2.2, P. kudriavzevii RGB3.2, K. marxianus RGB4.5, C. tropicalis RGB5.6, and C. nivariensis RGB7.5 strains showed high ethanol concentrations of 4.5–4.9, 4.4–4.8, 3.9–4.2 g/L respectively, with the fermentation efficiency of 78%–95%, 87%–94%, 77%–83%, respectively, in fermentation medium with 1% glucose. Among these yeasts, P. kudriavzevii RGB3.2 and C. glabrata RGB2.2 exhibited significant tolerance towards furfural, 5-HMF, acetic acid, and ethanol. These two strains can produce 9.1 and 9 g/L ethanol, respectively, at 45 °C with a fermentation efficiency of 86.7% and 86%, respectively, through the SSF of alkali-treated rice straw. Therefore, the buffalo rumen can be a potential niche for inhibitor tolerant, multiple sugar-utilising, ethanologenic, thermotolerant yeasts suitable for SSF approach.

Projecting expansion range of Selaginella zollingeriana in the Indonesian archipelago under future climate condition

Abstract. Setyawan AD, Supriatna J, Nisyawati, Nursamsi I, Sutarno, Sugiyarto, Sunarto, Pradan P, Budiharta S, Pitoyo A, Suhardono S, Setyono P, Indrawan M. 2021. Projecting expansion range of Selaginella zollingeriana in the Indonesian archipelago under future climate conditions. Biodiversitas 22: 2088-2103. The expansion of plant species to outside areas of its original localities has attracted great interest in theoretical ecology. The scientific curiosity of such phenomenon is even deeper when the geographical expansion is confined by natural boundaries and affected by environmental changes, including climates. This study aimed to predict the current suitable habitat niche of Selaginella zollingeriana Spring, a species with original distribution in Java Island, and to project its potential suitable niche in the Indonesian archipelago accounting for future climate conditions. In doing so, we applied the Ecological Niche Modelings (ENMs) using MaxEnt algorithm by employing 30 presence data of S. zollingeriana and twelve enviro-climatic variables. The model predicted around 17.22% (22,095 km2) of the Java Island area is potentially suitable for current habitat niche of S. zollingeriana, consisting of 10.93% (14,028 km2), 4.75% (6,097 km2), and 1.54% (1,970 km2) of low, medium, and high suitability areas, respectively. Under future scenarios, the model predicted the possibility of species expansion into the other four big islands (i.e., Sumatera, Borneo, Sulawesi, and Papua). Nonetheless, the model also predicted a declining trend of the availability of suitable niches wherein from 2030 to 2080 the modeled niche declined about 58% and 59% under the most optimistic and most pessimistic climate change projections, respectively. While this study provides a primary example in predicting species expansion in tropical archipelago, similar studies in a range of contexts (e.g., species, region) are recommended to add more evidence to strengthen the theoretical ground of expansion ecology under climate changes.

Perspective directions of the agri-food market development in the system of bilateral foreign trade relations between Azerbaijan and the Stavropol Territory

The features of the development of foreign trade bilateral relations in the agri-food markets between the Stavropol Territory and Azerbaijan have been established. The tendencies in the export of agri-food products in the Stavropol Territory, taking into account the cereals export specialization of the region, as well as representation of new directions of the agro-industrial complex at the international, regional levels, have been settled. It is concluded that in the future, the wheat and meslin exports of the region to Azerbaijan is expected to increase. This output based on the extrapolation methods, compiled by the authors, and the SWOT-analysis of the agricultural raw materials exports of the Stavropol Territory. In combination with the identified opportunities and threats for agro-oriented enterprises, the potential market niches for the region have been identified.

Niche specialization of comammox Nitrospira clade A in terrestrial ecosystems

Comammox Nitrospira are a newly discovered group of nitrifying prokaryotes and might be key contributors to nitrogen cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Their large-scale distribution patterns and the dominant environmental factors shaping their ecological niches are not yet well documented. Here, we investigated the biogeographic distribution of comammox Nitrospira over 4000 km in eastern Australia and explored the niche specialization of individual comammox Nitrospira phylotypes. Our results revealed that the abundance, richness and community composition of comammox Nitrospira clade A were best predicted by mean annual precipitation (MAP) among all the determined environmental parameters. We identified four phylogenetic clusters of comammox Nitrospira: clade A.1, A.2.1, A.2.2 and A.3. MAP was consistently the strongest factor correlated with the relative abundances of the dominant clades, A.2.1 and A.3. MAP and other variables including soil nitrate, mean annual temperature and total nitrogen showed contrasting effects on the relative abundances of comammox Nitrospira clade A.2.1 and A.3, indicating their potential ecological niche differentiation in the soils. Together, we found a broad distribution of comammox Nitrospira clade A, but not clade B, in various terrestrial ecosystems across eastern Australia, and the abundance and diversity of comammox Nitrospira clade A can be mainly predicted by MAP among all the determined environmental parameters. These findings provide novel evidence for the environmental adaptation and niche specialization of comammox Nitrospira in the terrestrial ecosystems.

Past, present, and future geographic range of the relict Mediterranean and Macaronesian Juniperus phoenicea complex.

AimThe aim of this study is to model the past, current, and future distribution of J. phoenicea s.s., J. turbinata, and J. canariensis, based on bioclimatic variables using a maximum entropy model (Maxent) in the Mediterranean and Macaronesian regions.LocationMediterranean and Macaronesian.TaxonCupressaceae, Juniperus.MethodsData on the occurrence of the J. phoenicea complex were obtained from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF.org), the literature, herbaria, and the authors’ field notes. Bioclimatic variables were obtained from the WorldClim database and Paleoclim. The climate data related to species localities were used for predictions of niches by implementation of Maxent, and the model was evaluated with ENMeval.ResultsThe potential niches of Juniperus phoenicea during the Last Interglacial period (LIG), Last Glacial Maximum climate (LGM), and Mid‐Holocene (MH) covered 30%, 10%, and almost 100%, respectively, of the current potential niche. Climate warming may reduce potential niches by 30% in RCP2.6 and by 90% in RCP8.5. The potential niches of Juniperus turbinata had a broad circum‐Mediterranean and Canarian distribution during the LIG and the MH; its distribution extended during the LGM when it was found in more areas than at present. The predicted warming in scenarios RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 could reduce the current potential niche by 30% and 50%, respectively. The model did not find suitable niches for J. canariensis during the LIG and the LGM, but during the MH its potential niche was 30% larger than at present. The climate warming scenario RCP2.6 indicates a reduction in the potential niche by 30%, while RCP8.5 so indicates a reduction of almost 60%.Main conclusionsThis research can provide information for increasing the protection of the juniper forest and for counteracting the phenomenon of local extinctions caused by anthropic pressure and climate changes.

Integrating intraspecific variation in species distribution models by quantifying niche differentiation

AbstractIntraspecific variation provides insight into heterogeneous demography and adaptive history across distribution ranges of organisms. Most species distribution models assume that species respond to the environment as a single undifferentiated entity across their entire distribution. However, populations occupying different niches might differ in their ability to cope with climate change. Here, we assessed potential climatic niche differentiation at the species and subspecies levels and identified the palaeoclimatic range of three cold-adapted, low-dispersal beetle species: Carabus irregularis, Platycerus albisomni and Platycerus takakuwai. Our results showed that: (1) MaxEnt models incorporating information derived from intraspecific variation outperformed the species-level models; (2) tests of niche similarity revealed niche conservatism in most subspecies, except for two subspecies of C. irregularis, C. i. irregularis and C. i. bucephalus; and (3) historical predictions suggested substantial shifts within species ranges, with multiple glacial refugia during the Last Glacial Maximum. In conclusion, we recommend closer examination of intraspecific variation when predicting species distributions, in order to obtain more accurate generalizations regarding range shifts under climate change.

Population structure of Laurus nobilis L. in Central Italian forests: evidence for its ongoing expansion

During the last decades, an ongoing spread of broad-leaved evergreen laurophyllous species has been reported for forests of Southern Europe. Several factors were suggested as the main drivers of the phenomenon, namely global warming, land-use change, evolutionary history, and increase in atmospheric CO2. Among laurophylls, Laurus nobilis L. is considered one of the most prominent from the morphological, evolutionary, and ecological point of view. We studied the population structure of L. nobilis in Central Italy in its natural habitat to investigate its regeneration and potential expansion along with the influence biotic and abiotic factors. To define types of population structures, we collected proportions of six growth classes of L. nobilis in 16 sites. We obtained three types of population structure, i.e., (1) stable, (2) dynamic, and (3) regressive. The first two types are the most frequent, suggesting a potential increase of L. nobilis abundance within forests of Central Italy. The regressive population type occurs mainly in sites with heavy ungulate impact. High propagule pressure along with shaded and moist environmental conditions favor L. nobilis regeneration. Accordingly, we found evidence of a recent L. nobilis spread in Central Italian forests. We suggest the increase of forest cover and age, due to the abandonment of traditional rural practices, as key factors for the regeneration of this apparently late-successional laurophyll. In conclusion, the recent expansion of L. nobilis that we observed in the Italian forest stands can therefore be ascribed to a process of natural recover of a potential niche following land-use change.

Quo vadis? Historical distribution and impact of climate change on the worldwide distribution of the Australasian fungus Clathrus archeri (Phallales, Basidiomycota)

Clathrus archeri is a fungus native to Australia and New Zealand that has started to expand into Europe, and it is considered a potentially invasive species. In this study, we examine the historical occurrence, current geographical range and potential future changes in the distribution of C. archeri using worldwide distribution data. Ecological modelling was used to assess the locations of the potential climatic niches of C. archeri within both its native and introduced ranges in the past, present and future. Our study clearly shows that the coverage of suitable habitats of this fungus has decreased since the last glacial maximum, and anthropogenic climate changes are accelerating the process of niche loss. The highest rate of C. archeri range contraction is expected in Australia, where the fungus should be considered a threatened species in the future. Highly valuable habitats will be available in Tasmania and New Zealand. However, a significant expansion rate of C. archeri will still probably be observed in Europe, where the climatic conditions preferred by the fungus will allow its quick expansion northeast into the continent.

Potential range expansion and niche shift of the invasive Hyphantria cunea between native and invasive countries

1. Hyphantria cunea is a problematic invasive species that has caused considerable damage to agricultural and forestry ecosystems in China.2. We compared 19 bioclimate variables between its native country (the United States of America) and China to elucidate the environmental factors associated with its presence. Using present climate data (1970–2000) and projected future climate data (2050 and 2070) based on two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs 2.6 and 8.5), we used MaxEnt to predict the suitable habitat areas for H. cunea in the USA and China. Using these analyses, we predicted the niche change of H. cunea in China using the ‘ecospat’ package in R.3. Our model predicts that climate change will generally increase the extent of suitable habitat in both China and the USA, although low latitude areas will be limited by future climate change. We also report low niche overlap between the USA and Chinese populations of H. cuena and significant differences in bioclimate variables associate with its presence in each country. Therefore, our results suggest H. cunea has adapted to several climatic conditions in China. This indicates the niche of H. cunea may shift and adapt to novel environmental conditions over the course of its spread.4. Overall, the analysis of the environmental characteristics, niche changes, and suitable areas of H. cunea provides a basis for pest control and management strategies aimed at preventing further spread. Our methods may also be used to study other similar invasive species.

Obesity-induced inflammation: The impact of the hematopoietic stem cell niche.

Obesity and obesity-related diseases like type 2 diabetes (T2D) are prominent global health issues; therefore, there is a need to better understand the mechanisms underlying these conditions. The onset of obesity is characterized by accumulation of proinflammatory cells, including Ly6chi monocytes (which differentiate into proinflammatory macrophages) and neutrophils, in metabolic tissues. This shift toward chronic, low-grade inflammation is an obese-state hallmark and highly linked to metabolic disorders and other obesity comorbidities. The mechanisms that induce and maintain increased inflammatory myelopoiesis are of great interest, with a recent focus on how obesity affects more primitive hematopoietic cells. The hematopoietic system is constantly replenished by proper regulation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor (HSPC) pools in the BM. While early research suggests that chronic obesity promotes expansion of myeloid-skewed HSPCs, the involvement of the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche in regulating obesity-induced myelopoiesis remains undefined. In this review, we explore the role of the multicellular HSC niche in hematopoiesis and inflammation, and the potential contribution of this niche to the hematopoietic response to obesity. This review further aims to summarize the potential HSC niche involvement as a target of obesity-induced inflammation and a driver of obesity-induced myelopoiesis.