Semi-arid Ecosystems Research Articles

Litter covering decreases moss activity, mediating the relationships between moss biocrusts and shrub patches in semiarid dryland ecosystems

Litter covering decreases moss activity, mediating the relationships between moss biocrusts and shrub patches in semiarid dryland ecosystems

The Activity Patterns and Grouping Characteristics of the Remaining Goitered Gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) in an Isolated Habitat of Western China.

Wildlife activity patterns, which reveal the daily allocation of time and energy, are crucial for understanding survival pressures, adaptive strategies, and behavioral characteristics in different environments. Among ungulates, grouping behavior is a prevalent adaptive trait that reflects the population structure, mating systems, and life history strategies formed over long-term evolutionary processes. This study aimed to elucidate the daily activity patterns and grouping characteristics of the rare goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) in the Helan Mountains of western China from 2022 to 2023 using camera trap monitoring. With a total of 3869 camera days of effective trapping, we recorded 442 independent detections of goitered gazelles. The results revealed the following: (1) Goitered gazelle is primarily active during the day, showing an activity pattern similar to crepuscular animals, with two activity peaks occurring after dawn and before dusk. (2) Daily activity patterns showed both seasonal and sex differences. In the warm season, morning activity peaks occurred earlier, and afternoon peaks occurred later compared to the cold season. The overlap in daily activity patterns between females and males in the warm season was lower than that in the cold season, and this trend persisted throughout the year. (3) The number of times different types of groups were observed varied significantly, with single males and single females accounting for a larger proportion of all observed groups. There was no significant difference in group size across seasons, with groups typically consisting of 1-2 individuals. Our study provides detailed insights into the temporal ecology and population structure of goitered gazelles in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. This information will guide the identification of future conservation priorities and the development of management plans for the reserve.

Modelling vegetation dynamics for future climates in Australian catchments: Comparison of a conceptual eco-hydrological modelling approach with a deep learning alternative

Dynamically simulating leaf area index assists in modelling the feedbacks between eco-hydrologic and climatic processes. The particular challenge for Australia is the prevalence of arid and semi-arid ecosystems where water availability plays a crucial role in vegetation productivity. To understand whether existing LAI models can capture plant dynamics under changing climates, we tested two competing models across Australia's different climate zones: a conceptual eco-hydrologic model that applies water use efficiency term to relate LAI to water uptake, and a deep learning approach. An initial virtual catchment experiment with deep learning showed that it only uses information from potential evapotranspiration. For future climates, the conceptual model captured a negative trend and increasing variance in LAI, which is plausible given projected rainfall changes, while deep learning did not. Our study demonstrated an example of ‘right answer for the wrong reasons’, and the importance of incorporating knowledge of water-carbon coupling for appropriate scenarios.

The Origin and Type of Inoculum Determine the Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Tomato under Different Irrigation Regimes

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a crucial role in the resilience of plants subjected to water deficit. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of AMF from a semi-arid and humid ecosystem, applied as inocula (two monospecific and two consortia), and three irrigation doses (100%, 85%, and 70%) on tomato plant growth. A factorial experiment in a completely randomized design was used. Colonization with monospecific inocula (EH and ES) showed contrasting differences at 85% and 100% irrigation rates. With gradually increasing irrigation rates, colonization decreased with the CH consortium, while the CS consortium showed similar colonization levels at all three irrigation rates. AMF from humid environments (monospecific or in a consortium) did not affect equatorial diameter when the irrigation rate was reduced by 15%, while polar diameter was similar at all three irrigation rates. Inocula from the semi-arid ecosystem promoted the greatest equatorial and polar diameters at the 100% irrigation dose. The monospecific inoculum of C. etunicatum (ES) showed great potential to promote plant growth and development at the 100% irrigation dose and could be a biotechnological tool to improve tomato yield under conditions similar to those of this study.

Concurrent nitrogen and phosphorus enrichment increases ecosystem carbon use efficiency in an alpine grassland

Ecosystem carbon use efficiency (CUEe) is a crucial indicator for assessing the capacity of ecosystems to sequester atmospheric carbon (C). However, it remains unclear how nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) influence CUEe and how climatic factors regulate CUEe. Here, a four-year manipulative experiment was conducted in a semi-arid alpine grassland ecosystem to explore the response of CUEe to N and P additions with fluctuating interannual precipitation. Our study revealed that the N and P combination synergistically improved CUEe; the single additions of N or P did not affect CUEe. The variation in CUEe was correlated to a larger in net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) relative to gross ecosystem productivity (GEP). Similarly, the combination of N and P significantly increased aboveground biomass, whereas addition alone did not. Under the combined addition of N and P, a significant decrease in species diversity led to decreases in CUEe. Moreover, precipitation indirectly increased CUEe by increasing NEE. Our findings underscore the co-limitation of N and P resources for CUEe in the alpine grassland ecosystem and identify community structure and climate factors as key drivers of CUEe variations following nutrient enrichment.

Non-Linear Relationships between Fine Root Functional Traits and Biomass in Different Semi-Arid Ecosystems on the Loess Plateau of China

As a key soil carbon process, changes in plant root growth may have a dramatic impact on the global ecosystem’s carbon cycle. Fine root functional traits and fine root biomass can be used as important indexes of plant root growth. Compared with the much better understood relationships between aboveground plant functional traits and aboveground biomass, knowledge on the relationships between fine root functional traits and belowground biomass still remains limited. In this study, plant fine roots in 30 abandoned lands, 9 woodlands, 29 alfalfa grasslands, 30 Caragana shrublands and 29 croplands were sampled at 0–20 and 20–40 cm soil depths in Zhonglianchuan, Yuzhong County, Gansu Province, China (36°02′ N, 104°24′ E), to clarify the characteristics of the relationships between fine root functional traits (e.g., diameter, specific root area (SRA) and specific root length (SRL)) and fine root biomass at 0–20 and 20–40 cm soil depths. The results showed that the relationships between the fine root functional traits and fine root biomass in these ecosystems were robust, allowing for the use of an allometric growth model at both 0–20 and 20–40 cm soil depths (p < 0.05). Specifically, the relationship between root diameter and fine root biomass was consistent with highly significant positive power, while highly significant negative power relationships of SRA and SRL with fine root biomass were observed (p < 0.01, except the root diameter–biomass models in the woodlands in the 0–20 cm soil layer (p = 0.017) and 20–40 cm soil layer (p = 0.025)). The results can provide some parameters for these terrestrial ecosystem process models. From this perspective, our study is beneficial in the construction of suitable strategies to increase plant biomass, which will help with the restoration of the semi-arid region of the Loess Plateau of China.

Aridity shapes distinct biogeographic and assembly patterns of forest soil bacterial and fungal communities at the regional scale

Climate change is exacerbating drought in arid and semi-arid forest ecosystems worldwide. Soil microorganisms play a key role in supporting forest ecosystem services, yet their response to changes in aridity remains poorly understood. We present results from a study of 84 forests at four south-to-north Loess Plateau sites to assess how increases in aridity level (1- precipitation/evapotranspiration) shapes soil bacterial and fungal diversity and community stability by influencing community assembly. We showed that soil bacterial diversity underwent a significant downward trend at aridity levels >0.39, while fungal diversity decreased significantly at aridity levels >0.62. In addition, the relative abundance of Actinobacteria and Ascomycota increased with higher aridity level, while the relative abundance of Acidobacteria and Basidiomycota showed the opposite trend. Bacterial communities also exhibited higher similarity-distance decay rates across geographic and environmental gradients than did fungal communities. Phylogenetic bin-based community assembly analysis revealed homogeneous selection and dispersal limitation as the two dominant processes in bacterial and fungal assembly. Dispersal limitation of bacterial communities monotonically increased with aridity levels, whereas homogeneous selection of fungal communities monotonically decreased. Importantly, aridity also increased the sensitivity of microbial communities to environmental disturbance and potentially decreased community stability, as evidenced by greater community similarity-environmental distance decay rates, narrower habitat niche breadth, and lower microbial network stability. Our study provides new insights into soil microbial drought response, with implications on the sustainability of ecosystems under environmental stress.

Characterizing Vegetation Phenology Shifts on the Loess Plateau over Past Two Decades

Phenology is a critical mirror reflecting vegetation growth and has a major impact on terrestrial ecosystems. The Loess Plateau (LP) is a paramount ecological zone in China that has experienced considerable vegetation changes. However, understanding the dynamics of vegetation phenology is limited by ambiguous vegetation interpretation and anthropogenic-induced forces. This study combined the multi-climatic and anthropogenic datasets to characterize the interactions between phenology shifts and environmental variables. The principal findings were as follows: (1) Phenological shifts exhibit spatial heterogeneity and an interannually increasing trend in greenness (R2 > 0.6, p < 0.05). Notably, SOS (the start of the growing season) advances while EOS (the end of the growing season) delays in both the southeastern and northwestern regions. (2) SOS and EOS, primarily in the range of 100–150 and 285–320 days, respectively. Phenological changes vary depending on vegetation types. The forest has an early SOS, within 80–112 days, and a delayed EOS, within 288–320 days. The SOS of shrub is mainly within 80–144 days. (3) EOS shows a strong response to the preseason of each climate variable. Precipitation (R = 0.76), soil moisture (R = −0.64), and temperature (R = 0.89) are the governing determinants in shaping vegetation phenology. In addition, agriculture and urbanization play a significant role in shaping the spatial variations of SOS. These findings provide a basis for a systematic understanding of the processes that affect vegetation growth, which is crucial for maintaining the health and sustainability of arid and semiarid ecosystems.

Natural History of the Genus Elasmoderus Saussure, 1888 (Orthoptera: Tristiridae), an Endemic and Eremic Element of the Transitional Coastal Desert of Chile.

The genus Elasmoderus belongs to the family Tristiridae, an orthopteran group that is distributed across the transitional region of South America and represented in the Andean areas of Peru, Argentina, and Chile. The species of Elasmoderus have morphological adaptations that make them especially suited for surviving in extreme arid environments and are an endemic and eremic group of the north-central region of Chile. On the basis of field samplings, direct observations, and a comprehensive literature review, we collected information about the genus Elasmoderus. The objectives of this research were: (i) to provide updated information on the geographical distribution range of the species of the genus Elasmoderus, and (ii) to collect and synthesize the most relevant information on the natural history and ecology of this orthopteran group as a basis for future long-term studies of its populations. Although this genus is underrepresented compared to other orthopteran families, it has developed interesting adaptations to extreme arid environments that remain unstudied to this date. E. lutescens is known to be one of the species with a wider latitudinal distribution, mostly on the coast and longitudinal valley of Atacama. E. minutus has a more restricted distribution, whereas E. wagenknechti is concentrated in coastal and interior environments of the Coquimbo region, an area where it reaches high population densities, thus affecting crops and natural vegetation and polluting water sources. Our findings underscore the importance of conducting comprehensive research on native insect groups that are poorly known but crucial for arid and semiarid ecosystems. These data will serve as a starting point for conducting long-term studies on this orthopteran group to gain a better understanding of the importance and role of these species in the semiarid ecosystems of northern Chile.

Biocrusts intensify grassland evapotranspiration through increasing evaporation and reducing transpiration in a semi-arid ecosystem

Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are living ground covers that result from intimate associations between soil particles and organisms, which can modify soil properties and support fundamental ecosystem functions in drylands. Despite numerous studies concerning effects of biocrusts on soil hydrological processes, their impacts on grassland evapotranspiration have remained unanswered. By using micro-lysimeters, we conducted in-situ monitoring of evapotranspiration of bare soil vs. cyanobacterial-moss mixed biocrusts, gramineous grass vs. gramineous grass with biocrusts, and leguminous grass vs. leguminous grass with biocrusts over two months in a semi-arid ecosystem. Results suggested that compared to the bare soil, the biocrusts significantly increased soil evaporation rate by 20.9 %. Underneath gramineous and leguminous grasses, the biocrusts increased the average evapotranspiration rate by 9.4 % and 13.4 %. The evaporation of biocrusts contributed 8.1–10.6 % to the average evapotranspiration rate and 8.2–12.6 % to the cumulative evapotranspiration amount. Additionally, the biocrusts increased soil moisture by 12.5 % and decreased temperature by 3.4 % at 10 cm depth compared to the bare soil. However, the biocrusts beneath grasses led to a reduction in soil moisture by 10.0 % and 20.0 %, while causing an increase in temperature by 9.9 % and 2.9 %, respectively. Enhanced evaporation of the biocrusts could be mainly attributed to their higher water retention ability in comparison to the bare soil. Meanwhile, beneath grasses, the biocrusts decreased soil water content in deeper layers, potentially limited grass transpiration by reducing water availability for grass roots. Based on these results, we concluded that the biocrusts intensify grassland evapotranspiration through increasing soil evaporation and reducing grass transpiration. Our findings highlight that biocrusts play a crucial role in modulating surface water fluxes, potentially exert remarkable effects on dryland vascular plants development and ecosystem stability.

Differentiation of <i>Juniperus deltoidеs</i> R.P. Аdams in the Crimean-Caucasian Region According to the Variability of Microsatellite DNA Markers

*e-mail: hantemirova@ipae.uran.ru The structure of genetic variability of the prickly juniper Juniperus deltoides R.P. Adams (family Cupressaceae), an important component of Mediterranean arid and semi-arid ecosystems was studied. We used for the first time 5 nuclear microsatellite loci developed for another juniper species J. cedrus Webb Berthel. to genotype samples from 5 populations of J. deltoides located at the northeastern limit of the range in Eurasia (Western Crimea, Transcaucasia) and one Balkan population (Bulgaria). J. deltoides is characterized by an average level of genetic variability (He varies from 0.428 to 0.602) with the lowest values in the Crimean populations. Phylogenetic analyses revealed three genetic groups: Western Crimea, Transcaucasia (Krasnodar Territory) and Bulgarian population. Application of AMOVA to these groups showed statistically significant differentiation (9.9% of total variability, P 0.001). The first two groups correspond to the previously identified Asian group of J. deltoides, and the third group corresponds to the Balkan group. The differentiation of the Crimean populations from geographically close Caucasian populations is shown by us for the first time.

Vegetation factors and atmospheric dryness regulate the dynamics of ecosystem water use efficiency in a temperate semiarid shrubland

Ecosystem water use efficiency (WUE), a key indicator of the coupling between carbon and water cycle, has been widely used to quantify ecosystem responses to climate change. However, large uncertainties remain regarding the dynamics and driving factors of WUE in temperate semiarid shrublands. Using eddy-covariance measurements, we investigated the role of vegetation and hydrometeorological factors in affecting the temporal dynamics of WUE (GPP/ET, where GPP and ET represent gross primary production and evapotranspiration, respectively) over a semiarid shrubland of northern China during 2012–2016. Daily WUE was lower (<1.5 g C kg−1 H2O) in early-spring and late-autumn, and higher (2.0–7.0 g C kg−1 H2O) in summer months (June–August). Annual (January–December) WUE (1.43–1.78 g C kg−1 H2O) was higher than most values previously reported for semiarid and arid shrubland ecosystems. Vegetation factors such as surface conductance (gs) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) played a primary role in promoting monthly WUE during the warm and moist growing-season (April–October), while high vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and low root-zone soil water content (SWC) were key hydrometeorological factors that imposed constraints on daily WUE. Using both a machine-learning model and a data-binning algorithm, we showed that NDVI and VPD were the most important factors regulating WUE dynamics. Ongoing climate warming and increasingly frequent extreme events (e.g., droughts and heatwaves) are expected to induce high VPD, which in turn could reduce ecosystem WUE and undermine ecosystem carbon sequestration in semiarid shrublands. In addition, increasing vegetation cover in the studied area owing to continued restoration efforts is expected to enhance ecosystem WUE, and may result in stronger vegetation controls on WUE dynamics.

Changes in Soil Hydrological Retention Properties and Controlling Factors on Shaded and Sunny Slopes in Semi-Arid Alpine Woodlands

Slope orientation significantly influences soil’s physicochemical properties and the soil hydrological environment. However, the regulatory mechanisms and effects, particularly in semi-arid highlands, remain poorly understood. This study investigated soil physicochemical and hydrological properties on shaded and sunny slopes. Results indicated that in the 0–20 cm soil layer, the water-holding capacity was higher on sunny slopes, while water retention in the 10–20 cm layer was significantly higher on shaded slopes. This suggests that vegetation on shaded slopes experiences less soil erosion due to higher topsoil water retention. Additionally, slope orientation altered soil properties: the electrical conductivity (EC) of the 0–20 cm soil layer was significantly higher on shaded slopes. Nutrient elements such as Ca, Cu, and Zn were also relatively higher on shaded slopes, whereas soil organic matter was significantly lower compared to sunny slopes. Overall, soil water-holding capacity and supply were primarily controlled by EC, followed by capillary porosity and nutrient elements like Ca, Mn, and Fe. Therefore, slope orientation has a significant effect on soil hydrological properties, with stronger topsoil water retention on shaded slopes. These findings offer valuable insights for vegetation restoration in semi-arid highland ecosystems.

Evaluating dynamic soil quality by the soil management assessment framework (SMAF) in the watershed scale in a semi-arid Mediterranean ecosystem in Turkey

Soil is an indispensable and important natural resource and it is necessary to manage and monitor soil quality with appropriate methods in order to ensure the sustainability of the soil. The aim of this study is to determine the current state of soil quality in different land uses where soil functions change. This study was carried out in the Karasu river watershed with an area of 19,178 ha where Entisols soil order is dominant, located Andırın, Kahramanmaraş. The Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) method and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to assess the dynamic soil quality in watershed scale. In the evaluation of soil quality, random samples were taken from a total of 360 topsoil layers (0−30) according to land use and physiography. Soil indicators such as bulk density, aggregate stability, total organic carbon, pH, electrical conductivity, available phosphorus (P), potassium (K), available water amount and water-filled pore volume were selected to create the minimum data set (MDS). The results showed that the productivity, environmental protection, waste recycling quality scores and general soil quality index of forest lands are higher than agricultural lands. According to expert opinion, general soil quality scores were found to be 0.86 in forest land, 0.78 in crop land and 0.83 in grassland, while in PCA, general soil quality scores were calculated as 0.85 in forest land, 0.79 in crop land and 0.78 in grassland. Contribution level of soil functions to management targets was observed in water relations function the most. The contribution levels of the water relations function to the productivity, environmental protection and waste recycling management targets are 0.38, 0.32 and 0.34 in forest lands, 0.42, 0.33 and 0.35 in croplands, respectively; It was showed that 0.40, 0.33 and 0.36 in grasslands. Contribution rates of productivity, environmental protection and waste recycling management targets to soil quality were 30%, 37% and 33%, respectively, in forest lands; 29%, 37% and 34% in crop lands; It has been determined as 30%, 36% and 34% in the grasslands. Negative effects such as heavy rainfall in the watershed, wrong agricultural practices (excessive fertilization and irrigation, improper tillage, and crop selection, etc.) and excessive grazing have led to soil degradation and erosion, reducing the soil function capacity of agricultural lands and meadows. In order to increase the functional capacity of the soil, a soil management approach aimed at protection, improvement and sustainability must be adopted and implemented.

Trends, turning points, and driving forces of desertification in global arid land based on the segmental trend method and SHAP model

ABSTRACT Desertification is a form of land degradation observed in arid, semiarid, and dry subhumid ecosystems. Assessing the global trends and drivers of desertification in arid land is crucial for developing effective land restoration policies and mitigating desertification. We aimed to evaluate global segmental trends in desertification in arid land using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer images from 2000 to 2022. By constructing a robust MSAVI-Albedo Desertification Distance Index (DDI), we assessed the segmented development characteristics of desertification on Google Earth Engine. Additionally, we employed the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) model and machine learning methods to analyze the individual and interactive driving mechanisms of desertification. The results indicated an overall reduction in desertification, with approximately 23.21 million km2 (39% of the global arid region area) exhibiting negative trends in DDI. Approximately 31% of the land area showed a DDI of −0.002/y. Precipitation was consistently the primary factor influencing desertification, with an average SHAP value of 11.42. Secondary influencing factors included potential evapotranspiration, soil moisture, and vapor pressure differences. Notably, the coupling between precipitation and soil moisture exhibited the most significant impact on the desertification process, with SHAP coupling values of approximately 3.28 and 5.06 before and after the DDI turning point, respectively. These findings provide new insights into desertification on a global scale and offer valuable scientific support for promoting effective prevention and control measures.

Soil depth and catchment geomorphology: A field, vegetation and GIS based assessment

Soil depth is closely related to topography and influences vegetation health and landscape productivity at both hillslope and catchment scales. Soil depth also influences land management and ecosystem sustainability. However, comprehensive hillslope and catchment scale soil depth data remain scarce. In response, this study investigates the relationship between soil depth, surface and bedrock topographic metrics (elevation, slope, aspect, and SAGA topographic wetness index - SWI), and pasture response within a semi-arid hillslope ecosystem in south-eastern Australia. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was used as an indicator of vegetation health. A dataset of 183 soil depth measurements was collected using a petrol-powered auger across a 6-ha catchment. Our findings reveal that the relationships between soil depth, topography and vegetation response are complex. There was a general increase in soil depth downslope, indicating potential fluvial transport processes involving erosion and deposition. A subtle increase in NDVI was observed upslope. Soil depth showed no strong correlations with aspect or SWI, but a weak inverse relationship was observed with slope angle. Notably, NDVI displayed a positive correlation with SWI while showing an inverse correlation with slope. Furthermore, the study highlights instances of shallower soils and reduced grass cover beneath two isolated trees, potentially attributable to cattle movement. Soil erosion rates for the catchment are known and soil production rates can be estimated. The data suggests that under current land use practices, soil is being lost at a rate faster than it is being produced. These findings provide valuable insights for land management strategies and sustainable ecosystem maintenance, while demonstrating the complexity of the soil-landscape system.

Adaptive convergence and divergence underpin the diversity of Asteraceae in a semi-arid lowland region

Asteraceae is the most diverse family primarily found in semi-arid areas and species from the same botanical family have comparable phenotypes, occupy semi-arid habitats, and have adaptive convergences to environmental stress. Such characteristics aid in understanding adaptive radiations of recent groups on a regional scale and their successful establishment in habitats with challenging climatic and edaphic conditions. We investigated the adaptive convergence of the family as well as the fragile balance between fine-scale variation in adaptive traits and general convergence towards stress-tolerance and adaptation to aridity, using thorough field surveys and trait-based ecological approaches. Data was collected between 2020 and 2022 using the quadrat approach encompassed across 60 sites and five habitat types. Multivariate statistical methodologies were applied to analyze plant traits and soil variables. The tribes Cichorieae, Cardueae, and Heliantheae emerged as dominant contributors to the flora, illustrating their adaptability to varied ecological conditions. Microphyll emerged as the dominant leaf type, and therophytes prevailed as the most abundant life form. Urban habitats exhibited heightened sensitivity to Asteraceae species, as reflected in diversity indices. Canonical Correspondence Analysis demonstrated the significant influence of soil moisture, pH, phosphorus, and soil saturation on species distribution, with indicator species analysis highlighting habitat-specific plant-environment relationships. The study further classified species into adaptive strategies using CSR (competitive strategy-stress tolerant strategy-ruderal strategy) categorization. While some species exhibited pronounced R or S strategies, a majority demonstrated mixed strategies, such as R/CR, R/CSR, CS/CSR, emphasizing the versatility of adaptation strategies within the Asteraceae family. The findings underscore the intricate interplay between environmental variables and Asteraceae phylogenetic and functional diversity, highlighting the significance of soil properties in influencing plant distribution in semi-arid ecosystems. This research contributes valuable insights into the ecological dynamics of Asteraceae, shedding light on their responses to diverse environmental conditions and providing a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing their spatial distribution.

The crossroads of tradition and modern technology: integrative approaches to studying carnivores in low density ecosystems

The study of large carnivores in semi-arid ecosystems presents inherent challenges due to their low densities, extensive home ranges, and elusive nature. We explore the potential for the synthesis of traditional knowledge (i.e. art of tracking) and modern technology to address challenges in conservation and wildlife research in these challenging environments. Our research focuses on the African lion (Panthera leo) in the Central Kalahari region of Botswana as a model system to demonstrate the potential of this integrative approach. Combining GPS tracking and traditional San trackers’ expertise, we present two case studies: (1) the individual identification of lions via a combination of tracking and footprint analysis and (2) the monitoring of territorial behavior through a combination of GPS technology (i.e. GPS collars and handheld GPS devices) and non-invasive tracking. These approaches enhance our understanding of carnivore ecology as well as support conservation efforts by offering a non-invasive, cost-effective, and highly accurate means of monitoring populations. Our findings underscore the value of merging traditional tracking skills with contemporary analytical and technological developments to offer new insights into the ecology of carnivores in challenging environments. This approach not only improves data collection accuracy and efficiency but also fosters a deeper understanding of wildlife, ensuring the conservation and sustainable management of these species. Our work advocates for the inclusion of indigenous knowledge in conservation science, highlighting its relevance and applicability across various disciplines, thereby broadening the methodologies used to study wildlife, monitor populations, and inform conservation strategies.

Long-term fertilization increases soil but not plant or microbial N in a Chihuahuan Desert grassland

Abstract. Although the negative consequences of increased nitrogen (N) supply for plant communities and soil chemistry are well known, most studies have focused on mesic grasslands, and the fate of added N in arid and semi-arid ecosystems remains unclear. To study the impacts of long-term increased N deposition on ecosystem N pools, we sampled a 26-year-long fertilization (10 g N m−2 yr−1) experiment in the northern Chihuahuan Desert at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR) in New Mexico. To determine the fate of the added N, we measured multiple soil, microbial, and plant N pools in shallow soils at three time points across the 2020 growing season. We found small but significant increases with fertilization in soil-available NO3--N and NH4+-N, yet the soil microbial and plant communities do not appear to be taking advantage of the increased N availability, with no changes in biomass or N content in either community. However, there were increases in total soil N with fertilization, suggesting increases in microbial or plant N earlier in the experiment. Ultimately, the majority of the N added in this multi-decadal experiment was not found in the shallow soil or the microbial or plant community and is likely to have been lost from the ecosystem entirely.

Predictive modeling of green water availability: The role of annual plants as an ecological indicator in dryland ecosystems

Green water is primarily associated with the appearance of annual plants and plays a significant role in biomass production in both arid and semi-arid ecosystems. Herein, we aim to estimate the optimal threshold for determining the presence or absence of annual plants and use them as an ecological indicator to assess potential green water areas in Kuwait as a case study. We integrate remote sensing techniques and MaxEnt modeling. The AUC for the annual plant distribution with all examined factors is 0.847, and the standard deviation is 0.050. The results demonstrated that potential locations with high levels of green water cover <20% of the country. The annual plant distribution was significantly correlated with several types of perennial plants, maximum temperature, precipitation, and sandy soils. It was also found that annual plants are controlled by the spring and winter temperature decline and the timing of precipitation occurrence, especially the pattern and amount of rainfall received in November. Sandy loam and loam soils were found to be ideal for annual plants, although land depressions and soil types are crucial factors in determining annual plant distribution. Additionally, annual plants enhanced the growth of several perennial communities. To reiterate, our study's model helped to comprehend the significance of annual plants as an ecological indicator in sustaining soil moisture over a prolonged period, as well as factors controlling the distribution of annual plants. The developed model and indicators could support decision-makers in determining appropriate locations with adequate levels of green water for revegetation planning in arid landscapes.