Habitat Types Research Articles

Floodplain Restoration and Its Effects on Summer Water Temperature and Macroinvertebrates in Whychus Creek, Oregon (USA)

ABSTRACTStream restoration is a proposed climate adaptation tool; however, outcomes of floodplain restoration on stream temperature have been debated. Despite a growing number of studies that investigated water temperature in restored streams, few have quantified temperature variations in new habitat types created by restored hydrogeomorphic processes to explore the effects on aquatic macroinvertebrates. We evaluated the hypotheses: (1) restoration increases habitat diversity, (2) habitat diversity increases water temperature variability, and (3) restoration increases the diversity of macroinvertebrate assemblage and temperature associations. In August 2021, we collected environmental data to describe the aquatic habitats, water temperature and quality (continuous and discrete), and macroinvertebrates in 40 riffle, pool, and off‐channel sites in a stream being restored, Whychus Creek, Oregon, USA. Our study is a site comparison of three reaches—one restored in 2012, another restored in 2016, and an unrestored (control) that will soon undergo restoration. Evaluations of the hypotheses show: (1) Habitat diversity in restored reaches is effectively three types of aquatic habitats versus only one in the control (riffles), (2) water temperature variability in habitats created by restoration (off‐channel) is high and low, and suggest a range of hyporheic connectivity and flow paths are present, and (3) restoration created a different macroinvertebrate assemblage, with 16 additional taxa in off‐channel habitats, and the range in macroinvertebrate thermal optima is approximately doubled when off‐channel macroinvertebrate thermal optima are accounted for. Our results support the idea that floodplain restoration creates more diverse thermal conditions and different macroinvertebrate communities in restored stream reaches.

Application of artificial neural network for description of the Earth remote sensing data to identify natural habitats used by European elk, Alces alces (Linnaeus, 1758), in autumn-winter period 2023

The paper presents the results of using neural networks of pixel-by-pixel image classification to decipher multichannel space images obtained by the Landsat 8 satellite. Natural habitats were identified based on differences in phytocenotic characteristics of land areas. The level of use of areas by elk was determined by the occurrence of elk presence indicators, which were the density of winter excrement piles (in spring) and the abundance of winged forms of the monoxenous ectoparasite of elk, Lipoptena cervi (Linnaeus, 1758), as measured by the number of individuals attacking the census taker (in the summer-autumn period). The material that forms the basis for deciphering was obtained by the route census method in different areas of the Leningrad Province. High values of the measured parameters were recorded in reforestation areas, in wet pine and birch forests, in aspen forests, on the edges of raised bogs and in overgrown fields – typical elk winter feeding habitats. Based on the data on the maximum values of the measured parameters, a positive correlation was established for the first time between the abundance of winged forms of L. cervi and the physiological activity of the host (the density of the piles of “winter” excrement). The paper also provides a valid reference to the material of schematic maps developed for a part of the territory of the Leningrad Province and Saint Petersburg. The scheme of the use of areas by elk is compiled on the basis of the relative index calculated from the measured parameters of the survey. Field observation areas and territories close to them were most reliably identified (90–95% accuracy). For areas not covered by field observations, the paper provides comments on the main inaccuracies of the schemes and the reasons for the identified discrepancies, based on an analysis of literary sources devoted to similar research topics. The results of the study indicate that the frequency of attacks of winged forms of L. cervi can be used as an additional criterion for assessing the stationary preferences of elk in the winter period using information on the period of active flight, and the decoding method mentioned in the paper can be used in limited areas of specific territories, including reserves, areas of hunting farms and district forestries.

Larval habitat diversity, physicochemical characterization and their effect on the density of larval malaria vectors in the city of Accra, Ghana.

Malaria is more prevalent in rural areas due to fewer mosquito breeding habitats in urban settings. However, urban factors such as irrigated farming, open sewers, and discarded containers create mosquito breeding sites. This study investigates the diversity and distribution of larval habitats and the impact of physicochemical characteristics on the presence and density of Anopheles gambiae s.l. larvae in Accra, Ghana. Larval surveys and collections were conducted at fifteen locations in Accra, divided into five categories: Irrigated Urban Farming (IUF), Lower Socioeconomic Status (LS), Middle Socioeconomic Status (MS), High Socioeconomic Status (HS), and Peri-urban (PU) areas. Physicochemical parameters were measured, and species identification was performed using morphological and molecular methods. A total of 727 breeding habitats were identified, with 65.34% (475/727) positive for Anopheles larvae. Drainage ditches were the most common habitat type (48.21%, 229/475). The highest abundance of An. gambiae s.l. was found in IUF sites (6,244/22,919), especially during the rainy season (77.01%, 17,650/22,919; R2 = 3.46, P = 0.000). Polluted habitats, including household effluents, had higher ammonium levels (3.4 mg/L NH -N) compared to unpolluted ones (1.3 mg/L NH -N). Other distinguishing parameters included dissolved oxygen (34% vs 52.9%), conductivity (5106 μS/cm vs 2049 μS/cm), and total dissolved solids (3181 mg/L vs 1255 mg/L). The predominant malaria vector was An. coluzzii(54.4%, 368/677). Additionally, the invasive An. stephensi, previously unreported in Ghana, was detected. Malaria vectors breed in diverse and often polluted urban habitats, with high larval densities in urban agricultural areas. The detection of the invasive An. Stephensi highlights the need for continuous monitoring and vector control strategies in urban settings.

Ecomorphological study of Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) distal phalanx: Insights from 3D geometric morphometrics for paleoenvironmental reconstructions

Reindeer mobility patterns exhibit significant variability in modern ecosystems, especially between open and wooded environments. This variability makes it difficult to reconstruct past reindeer migration patterns, which is key to understand the role of reindeer herds in the sustenance and territorial organization of Prehistoric hunter-gatherer societies. By examining morphology associated with different habitats and movement patterns, insights into prehistoric reindeer behavior can be obtained. Investigating the relationship between locomotor anatomy and substrate type in present-day animals allows for paleoecological inferences, as previous research indicates that an animal's environment affects bone morphology. In the present study, 3D geometric morphometrics is employed to examine the influence of habitat type and mobility patterns on distal phalanx morphology from extant caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou). Our analysis reveals significant morphological adaptations linked to different habitats (boreal forest, mountain, and tundra) and mobility types (sedentary, migratory, and altitudinal). However, the potential impact of sex remains uncertain due to incomplete data. The significant variations in shape and size of caribou distal phalanges across different habitats and mobility types underscore the complex interactions between morphology, ecology, and evolutionary pressures.

Habitat-mediated direct and indirect interactions in a marine sedimentary system from Atlantic Canada

Trophic cascades focusing on direct (consumptive) effects have been well studied in marine ecosystems. However, less attention has been given to cascades involving indirect interactions embedded in distinct habitats. We focused on the interactions between a non-indigenous predator (the green crab Carcinus maenas), a consumer (the mud crab Panopeus herbstii), and a prey species (juvenile eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica). These interactions were studied in 3 small yet distinct habitats of increasing complexity: bare sediments, patches of blue mussels Mytilus edulis (BM), and a unique habitat consisting of giant Irish moss Chondrus crispus and mussels combined (IMBM). In the field, green crab predation rates on mud crabs were estimated in each of the abovementioned habitats using tethering experiments. The results showed that green crab foraging was most effective in bare sediments and least effective in IMBM, i.e. the least and most complex habitats, respectively. Trials conducted in the laboratory with mud crabs foraging over oysters showed a similar outcome: oyster mortality rates declined with increased habitat complexity. However, when trials were conducted in the presence of a green crab, this pattern reversed, and oyster mortality was lowest in bare sediments. Mud crab behavior was consistent with these results: in the presence of a green crab, mud crabs were less active and spent more time sheltering, whereas in its absence, the opposite pattern was observed, especially in bare sediments. These behaviorally driven indirect interactions are dependent on the presence of a non-indigenous predator and mediated by the type of habitat.

Taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of anuran assemblages across habitats and seasons in a Neotropical savanna

AbstractDifferences between habitats and seasonal changes in climate are some of the main factors responsible for shaping diversity patterns and biological community structures. In this context, anurans are considered excellent models for ecological studies due to their high sensitivity to environmental changes. This study analyzed how differences between open and forested formations and seasonality influence the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of anuran assemblages in an area of Neotropical savanna. Parameters of taxonomic (species richness—SR), functional (functional diversity—SES.FD, functional dispersion—FDis, and functional redundancy—FR), and phylogenetic diversity (phylogenetic species variability—PSV and phylogenetic species richness—PSR) were used to quantify spatiotemporal changes in the anuran assemblages. Sampling was carried out over 15 months, using pitfall traps and active searches. In total, we recorded 598 individuals belonging to 21 species and seven families. Species composition, SR, and PSR differed between habitats and seasons, the latter two being higher in open formations during the rainy season. SES.FD differed seasonally and was higher in the dry season. FDis, FR, and PSV did not differ between treatments. Anurans from forested formations were functionally and phylogenetically clustered during the rainy season, while those from open formations were functionally clustered during the same season. Habitat type and seasonal variation were important in determining the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of the anuran assemblages. However, changes in climate and land use are expected to negatively impact the ecological and evolutionary diversity of these organisms in the Cerrado, reinforcing the importance of conservation policies and actions.Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.

Eco-Morphological Responses of Camponotus japonicus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) to Varied Climates and Habitats.

Ants are a highly adaptable group of insects that have globally established themselves in diverse climates and habitats. This study investigates the influence of climate and habitat on the morphological traits of Camponotus japonicus across 22 sites in mainland China. These sites span three climate zones (mid-temperate, warm temperate, and subtropical) and three habitat types (urban parks, farmlands, and sparse woodlands). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to determine the principal axis of morphological variation, while hypervolume analysis and centroid distance calculation were used to verify the environmental filtering hypothesis and the optimal transfer hypothesis. The results support both hypotheses showing that climate and habitat significantly affect the morphological space of C. japonicus workers. In particular, the morphological space is more constrained in mid-temperate farmlands, while workers in sparse woodlands exhibit greater morphological variation. In contrast, urban parks are characterized by higher stability and reduced morphological differences. Additionally, robust regression analysis reveals that environmental factors such as temperature, precipitation, humidity, and altitude are closely linked to the morphological traits of the workers. Understanding how ant morphology responds to external environmental changes enhances our understanding of their adaptability and their essential ecological roles across various ecosystems.

An approach to designing efficient implementation of 30×30 terrestrial conservation commitments

AbstractIn response to biodiversity declines worldwide, over 190 nations committed to protect 30% of their lands and waters by 2030 (hereafter, 30×30). Systematic conservation planning and return on investment analysis can be helpful tools for determining where protection efforts could deliver the most efficient and effective reserve design, and supporting decision‐making when trade‐offs among objectives are required. Here, we propose a framework for efficient “30×30” implementation and apply it to the state of California (USA). Because conservation of a region's full suite of biodiversity is the primary objective of the global initiative, we prioritized representation in our analysis. We used Zonation to identify networks that close the gap in representation of major habitat types in California's protected area network and that also conserve the places important for biodiversity or climate change mitigation. We identified networks that are efficient relative to metrics likely to be important in implementation including land acquisition cost, number of transactions, and conservation benefit per hectare, and we illustrate not only trade‐offs associated with these metrics but also differences in the co‐benefits achieved. Five of the eight major habitat types in California are not currently protected at a 30% level statewide, and if representation was achieved solely through private land acquisition, targets could be met for as little as $5.84 billion, with as few as 364 transactions, or with 2.18 million additional conserved hectares. Implementation of 30×30 will likely require more flexibility than a single network design. A “no regrets” action would be to protect properties that were prioritized across all networks and additional implementation should include properties with characteristics of any of the individual networks. Our analytical framework and implementation guidance can be applied to other geographies and jurisdictions to increase the likelihood of both meeting 30×30 targets and delivering the conservation benefits they aim to secure.

Historical biogeography and the evolution of habitat preference in the North American camel spider family, Eremobatidae (Arachnida:Solifugae)

Abiotic variables can influence species distributions, often restricting taxa to an acquired climatic signature or conversely, related species are conserved in the same ecological space over millions of years. An investigation into how abiotic change has shaped geographic distributions of taxa may be key to understanding diversification of lineages, and in the absence of reliable morphological characteristics, such information may support taxonomic units at multiple scales.Here, we examine the historical biogeography and patterns of habitat preference within the North American solifuge family, Eremobatidae. A previous study demonstrated that a major taxonomic revision of Eremobatidae is warranted, however recent studies demonstrate high levels of morphological convergence within the group, thus a re-classification of generic boundaries using additional information must be prioritized before we can formally begin solid revisionary efforts. In this study, we aimed to reconstruct a well-resolved phylogenetic hypothesis of Eremobatidae by filtering UCE loci based on informativeness, by mitigating the effect of cogenic UCE on phylogenetic estimation, and by supplementing our curated UCE loci with mitochondrial information. Using our preferred topology, in conjunction with published estimated divergence dates for Eremobatidae, we inferred a time-calibrated phylogenetic hypothesis to inform the historical biogeography and patterns of habitat preference. The two major habitat types that were observed for Eremobatidae were warm deserts for early diverging taxa and a subsequent evolution to cold deserts and Mediterranean California ecoregions for later diverging taxa. Eremobatid niche space, determined by temperature and precipitation, has been conserved for at least 25 million years in North America, supporting a warm desert origin, and thus supporting high species richness in the Sonoran and Mexican Plateau. Overall, our study provides support for new generic level designations within Eremobatidae.

Spatiotemporal Distribution and Habitat Characteristics of Shorebirds in the Coastal Wetlands of Dalian, Liaoning, China

The coast of Dalian in Liaoning Province, China, is one of the most important habitats for migratory shorebirds along the East Asia–Australasian Flyway. However, the coastal areas of Dalian have been modified extensively by various projects, including reclamation and the construction of aquaculture and port facilities, embankment buildings, cross-sea passages, and wind farms, which have led to significant damage to the coastal habitats of shorebirds. Assessing the spatiotemporal distribution and habitat characteristics of shorebirds is of great importance to biodiversity conservation. The present study involved a 15-month-long survey of shorebirds in nine coastal wetlands of Dalian from August 2021 to October 2022. In total, 31 species of shorebirds, belonging to five families, were recorded. Migratory shorebirds were the most frequently observed, accounting for 77% of the recorded shorebirds. Dunlin (Calidris alpina), Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), Eurasian curlew (Numenius arquata), and Far Eastern curlew (Numenius madagascariensis) were the most abundant species. Both species richness and species abundance peaked in May and again in September. The Zhuanghe Estuary boasted the highest species diversity, while the Huli Estuary wetland exhibited the greatest species abundance. The type of habitat and the spatial extent of natural wetlands were the main variables influencing the spatial distribution of waterbirds. By identifying the population characteristics and habitat status of shorebirds in Dalian, the results provide support for shorebird conservation and habitat management.

Survey effort and targeted landbird community metrics at Indiana lowland forest restoration sites.

Many sampling and analytical methods can estimate the abundance, distributions, and diversity of birds and other wildlife. However, challenges with sample size and analytical capacity can make these methods difficult to implement for resource-limited monitoring programs. To apprise efficient and attainable sampling designs for landbird monitoring programs with limited observational data, we used breeding season bird point survey data collected in 2016 at four forest restoration sites in Indiana, USA. We evaluated three subsets of observed species richness, total possibly breeding landbirds, Partners in Flight Regional Conservation Concern (PIF RCC) landbirds, and interior forest specialists (IFSs). Simulated surveys based on field data were used to conduct Bayesian Michaelis-Menten curve analyses estimating observed species as a function of sampling effort. On comparing simulated survey sets with multiple habitat types versus those with one habitat, we found that those with multiple habitat types had estimated 39%-83% greater observed PIF RCC species richness and required 41%-55% fewer visits per point to observe an equivalent proportion of PIF RCC species. Even with multiple habitats in a survey set, the number of visits per point required to detect 50% of observable species was 30% higher for PIF RCC species than for total breeding landbird species. Low detection rates of IFS species at two field sites made precise estimation of required effort to observe these species difficult. However, qualitatively, we found that only sites containing mature forest fragments had detections of several bird species designated as high-confidence IFS species. Our results suggest that deriving specialized species diversity metrics from point survey data can add value when interpreting those data. Additionally, designing studies to collect these metrics may require explicitly planning to visit multiple habitat types at a monitoring site and increasing the number of visits per survey point. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1954-1968. © 2024 The Author(s). Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.

Fingerprint localisation for fine‐scale wildlife tracking using automated radio telemetry

Abstract Automated radio telemetry systems are one of the most widely applicable methods for tracking wildlife at fine spatiotemporal scales. A growing trend is for these systems to apply large networks of receivers to detect radio signal strength (RSS) from radio‐tagged individuals. Analytical methods to derive position estimates using RSS localisation, however, are relatively underdeveloped in the field of wildlife tracking. Here, we apply approaches from indoor positioning systems to develop a new method, radio fingerprinting, for localising radio‐tagged animals in structurally complex, outdoor environments. This method characterises the RSS patterns at known locations to generate a radio map of the study area, which is then used to predict the location of new RSS patterns. We conducted field tests to evaluate the localisation accuracy of radio fingerprinting relative to multilateration, a commonly used method for RSS localisation. To do so, we established an experimental receiver network covering multiple habitat types and compared the localisation accuracy of radio fingerprinting to multilateration. Additionally, we evaluated how a variety of features characteristic of typical tracking data sets affected the accuracy of both methods. While both methods had a similar median error under ideal conditions (~30 m), radio fingerprint localisation method offered several advantages over multilateration. Multilateration localisation estimates were highly affected by missed detections from the nearest receiver to the test point, which occurred in 30% of cases. In these cases, the median error was 103 m, over a 3.5‐fold increase. Distance to the nearest receiver also biased multilateration estimates with error increasing as the distance increased. Additionally, errors from multilateration estimates were higher in more densely vegetated areas. In contrast, fingerprinting position estimates were largely robust to each of these scenarios. Automated radio telemetry enables the fine‐scale, continuous tracking of range‐resident animals. We present radio fingerprinting as a localisation method in outdoor environments where standard localisation methods are error‐prone due to habitat heterogeneity and missed detections. This approach can be applied to any automated radio telemetry hardware and to any study system where a radio map can be generated.

Reef fish biodiversity and occurrence of endangered sharks within a small marine protected area off Sint Maarten, Dutch Caribbean

AbstractMarine protected areas (MPAs) are common conservation tools supporting the protection of threatened marine fishes, such as sharks. However, the creation of shark MPAs has been less common in the Greater Caribbean region despite a growing need and opportunity. In this study, we evaluated the occurrence of shark and reef fish biodiversity off Sint Maarten, Dutch Caribbean, with a particular emphasis on endangered shark presence within the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area (MPA). We utilized baited remote underwater video systems (BRUVs) to gather non-invasive data on the abundance and diversity of reef fish and shark species inside and outside the local MPA. Generalized linear models (GLMs) revealed no significant effect of protection status on the presence of the endangered Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi). However, we found a significant influence of depth on shark occurrence, as well as an effect of habitat type on shark and reef fish biodiversity, with reef habitats showing the greatest significance. These results suggest that the effect of small coastal MPAs on bolstering local endangered species conservation in the Dutch Caribbean is likely to vary according to habitat features and how those species utilize those habitats across various life stages. These findings have implications for adaptive MPA management, which should be informed by the ecology and habitat preferences of target species to achieve maximum benefits for biodiversity conservation.

Is my fishing gear impacting the habitat? An impact assessment in four fisheries in the Northwest Mexican Pacific

The impacts of fishing activities on habitats for commercially important species may, directly and indirectly, influence species and associated communities. These effects include those on target species, bycatch species, habitats, etc. In this study, the impact of small-scale fisheries on habitats was evaluated in four fishing communities from the Northwest Mexican Pacific. The species and size selectivity of several fishing gear were evaluated, and the spatial distribution of catches was studied to assess the impacts of fishing gear using a Consequence Spatial Analysis (CSA). Our results showed that in finfish fisheries from Guaymas and Isla Natividad, the catch of the target species represents more than 75% of the total catch and in El Rosario, the catch represents less than 50%. We assessed 42 habitat types in four communities, which were qualified with low-risk scores. The fishing gears used to target commercial species are selective to optimal sizes above their maturity size. The results contribute to improving management in data-poor fisheries by evaluating the impacts of fishing on habitats and discussing their relevance for implementation.

Roe deer exposure to trace metals and pesticides in forests and agricultural plains of North-eastern France.

Human activities related to agriculture and industrial development result in the emission of different types of pollutants in the environment. The phytosanitary pressure depends on the time of the year, the type of habitat, and the used treatments. Wildlife, particularly ungulates, can be exposed to pesticides and trace metals through their herbivorous diet directly impregnated by the environmental contamination. Wild game thus plays a sentinel role but can also represent a risk for human health by exposing venison consumers to these contaminants. The present study explored this dual problem in two types of habitat: forests and agricultural plains located in North-eastern France. Samples of liver and muscle were taken from ten roe deer, five caught on the forests and five others in the plains, to determine contaminant levels. There was no significant difference in contamination of roe deer livers according to the habitat for three trace metals (chromium, nickel, and copper), while lead concentrations were higher in samples from the plain (0.85 vs. 0.74mg·kg-1 dry matter DM; P < 0.01). Conversely, zinc concentrations were higher in forest roe deer (110 vs. 95mg·kg-1 DM; P < 0.05). Cadmium concentrations did not differ significantly between the two habitats, but forest samples showed strong inter-individual variability, with some values close to those observed on the plains and others higher (1.8 vs. 0.3mg·kg-1 DM for forest and plain, respectively; P = 0.11). Mercury was not detected in any sample. The majority of pesticides investigated were not detected. Only a few pesticides were in trace amount (from 1 to 8µg·kg-1 fresh matter), either in the liver (e.g., heptachlor and oxychlordane) or in both tissues, liver and muscle (e.g., pyridalyl). Some compounds were only detected in plain (e.g., cypermethrin and fenpropidin) and others in forest (piperonyl butoxide and pyridalyl) samples. Analyses mainly detected insecticides in samples taken from forests and agricultural plains. Fungicides and a few herbicides were mainly detected in plain sampled animals. Pesticides and copper concentrations in roe deer tissues were lower than maximum residue levels established for farm (copper) or wild terrestrial (pesticides) animals. Cadmium concentrations were also lower than the maximum level for most samples, except for some forest roe deer. However, both forest and plain roe deer exceeded the maximum level for lead in liver. Human exposure was simulated according to different amounts of meat consumed and compared with toxicological reference values. This study highlighted an overall low risk to human health for both pesticides, copper and lead, with more reservations about cadmium for some roe deer shot in forest. The differences in roe deer contamination between forests and agricultural plains for some trace elements and organic pollutants confirmed the sentinel role of this species.

Comparative analysis of the genomes and aflatoxin production patterns of three species within the Aspergillus section Flavi reveals an undescribed chemotype and habitat-specific genetic traits

Aflatoxins are the most dangerous mycotoxins for food safety. They are mainly produced by Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus, and A. minisclerotigenes. The latter, an understudied species, was the main culprit for outbreaks of fatal aflatoxicosis in Kenya in the past. To determine specific genetic characteristics of these Aspergillus species, their genomes are comparatively analyzed. Differences reflecting the typical habitat are reported, such as an increased number of carbohydrate-active enzymes, including enzymes for lignin degradation, in the genomes of A. minisclerotigenes and A. parasiticus. Further, variations within the aflatoxin gene clusters are described, which are related to different chemotypes of aflatoxin biosynthesis. These include a substitution within the aflL gene of the A. parasiticus isolate, which leads to the translation of a stop codon, thereby switching off the production of the group 1 aflatoxins B1 and G1. In addition, we demonstrate that the inability of the A. minisclerotigenes isolates to produce group G aflatoxins is associated with a 2.2 kb deletion within the aflF and aflU genes. These findings reveal a relatively high genetic homology among the three Aspergillus species investigated. However, they also demonstrate consequential genetic differences that have an important impact on risk-assessment and food safety.

Domestic dogs and vultures feed on the same carcasses in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India

AbstractVultures are essentially scavengers but their population decline is exacerbated by competition with stray dogs for carcasses. Our study, using camera traps to monitor carcass visitation, revealed dietary overlap and competition intensity are linked more to carcass size than habitat type. Addressing dog presence is critical for vulture survival.

Emergent Properties and Robustness of Species–Habitat Networks for Global Terrestrial Vertebrates

ABSTRACTAimHabitat loss is the dominant cause of biodiversity decline around the world, yet the complexity and stability of terrestrial assemblages related to suitable habitats have been almost unknown on a global scale.LocationGlobal.Time PeriodContemporary.Major Taxa StudiedMammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Amphibia.MethodsWe constructed gridded maps of species–habitat networks of terrestrial vertebrates based on global species distributions and a recently developed habitat type dataset. Then, we investigated the biogeographic patterns of emergent network structures and analysed network robustness to habitat loss by simulating habitat removals on a global scale.ResultsWe found that, compared with reptiles and amphibians, the species–habitat networks of mammals and birds were characterised by higher habitat diversity, connectance and modularity. All four taxonomical groups have high robustness globally, but after adjusting for species and habitat diversity, we found a variation of surplus and deficiency of network structures and robustness. Temperature and precipitation contributed most to relative network robustness globally, whereas geographical and human population factors played important roles in scattered regions on all continents.Main ConclusionsOverall, we provide novel insights into the biogeographic patterns of species–habitat connections through a network approach, which can help to identify gaps for reestablishing species–habitat links to improve conservation outcomes.

Maltese Coastline Never Sleeps: The Effects of Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) on the Local Infralittoral Assemblages—A Case Study

Aside from the most notorious threats, the Mediterranean Sea faces novel and poorly explored impacts from artificial light at night (ALAN), which influences natural light–dark cycles and affects marine ecosystems. This study investigates the impact of ALAN on coastal infralittoral assemblages in Malta, where such effects remain unexplored. Using Baited Remote Underwater Videos (BRUVs), we examined the influence of different light intensities on species assemblages and behaviour at two sites: a light-polluted harbour and a darker reef area. Our findings reveal significant differences in fish community composition between light treatments and habitats. Among the 23,955 individuals recorded across multiple taxa, Boops boops accounted for 80% of observations. From our results, light intensity had a more substantial impact on community structure than habitat type, with species-specific responses to light. Predatory species such as Trachurus trachurus displayed increased activity under high-intensity white light, while Apogon imberbis and Serranus scriba were more abundant under red light, irrespective of habitat. These results underscore the role of ALAN in altering marine community dynamics and emphasise the need for sustainable management strategies to mitigate its impact on the biodiversity of the Mediterranean. This study provides initial empirical evidence of ALAN’s effects in Maltese waters, contributing to broader efforts to understand and manage light pollution in marine ecosystems.

Investigating early childhood education students’ ideas about microorganisms

ABSTRACT Various age groups of students often hold alternative ideas regarding aspects of microorganisms, such as their biological functions, activity and typical habitats. Taking into account that (a) although there are research data on school students’ ideas about microorganisms, there do not seem to be much data on the ideas of university students, and (b) the ideas early childhood education students hold about microorganisms are of particular importance as preschool educators are called to support the building of a proper understanding of microorganisms by preschoolers, we investigated the ideas of 84 early childhood education students about microorganisms, focusing on their perceived locations, beneficial/harmful activities and biological functions. The results reveal a significant number of students associating microorganisms with surfaces, objects we touch and the human body. The prevailing conceptualisation portrays microorganisms as a threat to human health, with the most common harmful activity being the induction of diseases and the most beneficial activity being the stimulation of antibody production that follows the intrusion of microorganisms into the body. Regarding biological functions, there is a limited understanding, with only about one-third of students attributing all essential functions to microorganisms. We discuss relevant literature and explore the potential implications of our findings.