Vegetation Types Research Articles

Hierarchical-modular framework for habitat mapping through systematic and informed integration of remote sensing data with contextual information

Accurate and up-to-date habitat maps at national or regional levels are critical for informing conservation and restoration actions. Land cover maps generated from Earth Observation (EO) data can, to varying degrees, indicate the extent of some habitat categories but these are often insufficient in terms of the level of detail required. This study introduces a hierarchical-modular framework based on the globally applicable Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Land Cover Classification System (LCCS) whereby the land cover classes can be systematically translated to habitat categories and further differentiated by referencing contextual information and expert knowledge. Application is showcased for Wales (United Kingdom) where 10 m spatial resolution land cover maps were first constructed nationally from time-series of Sentinel-1C-band radar and Sentinel-2 optical data (2018–2020). The contextual datasets derived from non-EO sources were utilised to associate dominant vegetation types to detailed habitat classes.The accuracy assessment done using field survey data highlights that habitat classes directly derived from EO, including cultivated/managed and forest types, demonstrated higher mapping accuracies (>70% User's and Producer's Accuracies) compared to those that were more heavily dependent on non-EO-derived contextual information. These included neutral grasslands and fen/marsh/swamp that demonstrated lower accuracies (<20%) but also other detailed wetland classes (user's and producer's accuracies ranging from 25 to 60%). These reduced accuracies were largely associated with discrepancies in the contextual datasets used for their differentiation and mapping, and those integrated within field validation datasets. Dependency on contextual datasets diminished as detailed habitat maps were generalized into broader categories. The study proposes that, for enhanced habitat mapping, efforts should focus not only on EO data but also on maximising the accuracy and minimizing inconsistencies in contextual datasets as well as taxonomical systems. The flexible structure of the FAO LCCS hierarchical framework is also highlighted, emphasizing its adaptability for future improvements in habitat mapping by incorporating contextual datasets and more advanced algorithms that can improve EO-derived land cover descriptions.

A coupled cartographic approach between bioclimatology and vegetation formations of Mexico

Aims: The task of classifying and naming Mexican vegetation types has been undertaken by previous botanists, ecologists, and mapping agencies. However, discrepancies remain due to the lack of criteria and joint efforts from a geographical and botanical perspective. We aim to unravel the complex interactions between climate and vegetation in Mexico using climatic data and advanced mapping techniques, display in maps the transition from land cover to vegetation maps and couple geobotanical and bioclimatological approaches to provide a sound, unified system for identifying Mexican bioclimatic physiognomic patterns. Methods: Bioclimatic mapping was developed from the Digital Climatic Atlas of Mexico data source. In addition, land cover and vegetation data were obtained from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography of Mexico regrouped as described by the Standardized Hierarchical Vegetation Classification. These data were analysed via standard map crossing technics using geographic information systems. Results and conclusions: The results revealed five ombrotypes and five thermotypes, leading to the identification of 13 different bioclimatic classes, which, when combined with physiognomic types, led us to recognize 11 forests, 3 shrublands and 3 herbaceous formations (at a scale of 1:4,000,000). The core outcome is a detailed bioclimatic/physiognomic vegetation map including forests, shrublands and areas dominated by Herbaceous/Non-Vascular formations. The map highlights the critical importance of harmonising methodologies to ensure comprehensive and accurate insights into Mexico’s bioclimatic diversity. Taxonomic reference: Villaseñor et al. (2005). Syntaxonomic reference: Velázquez et al. (2021). Abbreviations: INEGI = Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía; SECLAVEMEX = Standardized Hierarchical Vegetation Classification; WBCS = Worldwide Bioclimatic Classification System.

Integrating Sentinel 2 Imagery with High-Resolution Elevation Data for Automated Inundation Monitoring in Vegetated Floodplain Wetlands

Monitoring inundation in flow-dependent floodplain wetlands is important for understanding the outcomes of environmental water deliveries that aim to inundate different floodplain wetland vegetation types. The most effective way to monitor inundation across large landscapes is with remote sensing. Spectral water indices are often used to detect water in the landscape, but there are challenges in using them to map inundation within the complex vegetated floodplain wetlands. The current method used for monitoring inundation in the large floodplain wetlands that are targets for environmental water delivery in the New South Wales portion of the Murray–Darling Basin (MDB) in eastern Australia considers the complex mixing of water with vegetation and soil, but it is a time-consuming process focused on individual wetlands. In this study, we developed the automated inundation monitoring (AIM) method to enable an efficient process to map inundation in floodplain wetlands with a focus on the lower Lachlan floodplain utilising 25 Sentinel-2 image dates spanning from 2019 to 2023. A local adaptive thresholding (ATH) approach of a suite of spectral indices combined with best available DEM and a cropping layer were integrated into the AIM method. The resulting AIM maps were validated against high-resolution drone images, and vertical and oblique aerial images. Although instances of omission and commission errors were identified in dense vegetation and narrow creek lines, the AIM method showcased high mapping accuracy with overall accuracy of 0.8 measured. The AIM method could be adapted to other MDB wetlands that would further support the inundation monitoring across the basin.

Keanekaragaman Jenis Mangrove Di Kawasan Hutan Mangrove Di Desa Mirring Polewali Mandar

This study aims to determine the types of mangroves that grow in the Mirring Village Mangrove Forest Area Polewali Mandar Regency and Know the diversity of mangrove plant species that thrive in Mirring Village Polewali Mandar Regency. The population in this study are mangroves that grow in the Mirring Village mangrove forest area. The sample in this study was all types of mangroves in the Mirring Village mangrove forest area. This research uses quantitative methods. Data collection uses the striped path method, which combines the transect method with the plot method. Data analysis was done by calculating the composition of vegetation types and ecological indices of mangrove forests The results showed that the types of mangroves found in Tappina Hamlet Mirring Village there are 9 types namely Sonneratia alba, Rizhopora Stylosa, Xylocarpus muloccesnsis, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Rhizopora mucronata, Rhizophora apiculata, Bruguiera Parviflora, dolichandrone spathacea, excoecaria agallocha. Mangrove species diversity level showed moderate species diversity including trees 1.41, saplings 1.58 and seedlings 1.59. Keywords: Mangrove, Diversity, Polewali.

The joint effects of local, climatic, and spatial variables determine soil oribatid mite community assembly along a temperate forest elevational gradient.

Numerous factors influence mountain biodiversity variation across elevational gradients and recognizing the relative importance is vital for understanding species distribution mechanisms. We examined oribatid mites at nine elevations (from 600 to 2200 m a.s.l) and four vegetation types from mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests to alpine tundra on Changbai Mountain. We assessed the contribution of environmental factors (climatic and local factors) and spatial processes (geographic or elevation distances) to oribatid mite community assembly and identified 59 oribatid mite species from 38 families and 51 genera. With increasing elevation, species richness and the Shannon index declined significantly, whereas abundance followed a hump-shaped trend. Soil TP, NH4 +-N, MAT, MAP, and elevation were the critical variables shaping oribatid mite communities based on random forest analysis. Moreover, environmental and spatial factors, and oribatid mite communities were significantly correlated based on Mantel and partial Mantel tests. Local characteristics (3.9%), climatic factors (1.9%), and spatial filtering (8.8%) played crucial roles in determining oribatid mite communities across nine elevational bands (based on variation partitioning analyses of abundance data). Within the same vegetation types, spatial processes had relatively little effects, with local characteristics the dominant drivers of oribatid mite community variation. Environmental and spatial filters together shape oribatid mite community assembly and their relative roles varied with elevation and vegetation type. These findings are crucial for the conservation, restoration, and management of Changbai mountain ecosystems in the context of climate change, along with the prediction of future vertical biotic gradient pattern evolution.

Vegetation patterns associated with nutrient availability and supply in high-elevation tropical Andean ecosystems

Abstract. Plants absorb nutrients and water through their roots and modulate soil biogeochemical cycles. The mechanisms of water and nutrient uptake by plants depend on climatic and edaphic conditions, as well as the plant root system. Soil solution is the medium in which abiotic and biotic processes exchange nutrients, and nutrient concentrations vary with the abundance of reactive minerals and fluid residence times. High-altitude ecosystems of the tropical Andes are interesting for the study of the association between vegetation, soil hydrology, and mineral nutrient availability at the landscape scale for different reasons. First of all, because of low rock-derived nutrient stocks in intensely weathered volcanic soils, biocycling of essential nutrients by plants is expected to be important for plant nutrient acquisition. Second, the ecosystem is characterized by strong spatial patterns in vegetation type and density at the landscape scale and hence is optimal to study soil-water–vegetation interactions. Third, the area is characterized by high carbon stocks but low rates of organic decomposition that might vary with soil hydrology, soil development, and geochemistry, all interconnected with vegetation. The páramo landscape forms a vegetation mosaic of bunch grasses, cushion-forming plants, and forests. In the nutrient-depleted nonallophanic Andosols, the plant rooting depth varies with drainage and soil moisture conditions. Rooting depths were shallower in seasonally waterlogged soils under cushion plants and deeper in well-drained soils under forest and tussock grasses (&gt;100 cm). Vegetation composition is a relevant indicator of rock-derived nutrient availability in soil solutions. The soil solute chemistry revealed patterns in plant-available nutrients that were not mimicking the distribution of total rock-derived nutrients nor the exchangeable nutrient pool but clearly resulted from strong biocycling of cations and removal of nutrients from the soil by plant uptake or deep leaching. Soils under cushion plants showed solute concentrations of Ca, Mg, and Na of about 3 times higher than forest and tussock grasses. Differences were even stronger for dissolved Si with solute concentrations that were 16 times higher than forest and 6 times higher than tussock grasses. Amongst the macronutrients derived from lithogenic sources, P was a limiting nutrient with very low solute concentrations (&lt;1 µM) for all three vegetation types. In contrast K showed greater solute concentrations under forest soils with values that were 2 to 3 times higher than under cushion-forming plants or tussock grasses. Our findings have important implications for future management of Andean páramo ecosystems where vegetation type distributions are dynamically changing as a result of warming temperatures and land use change. Such alterations may lead not only to changes in soil hydrology and solute geochemistry but also to complex changes in weathering rates and solute export downstream with effects on nutrient concentrations in Andean rivers and high-mountain lakes.

Seasonal optimisation of drone‐based photogrammetry in a heterogeneous boreal landscape

AbstractAimsUncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV), or drones, have become more affordable and easier to use, resulting in increased UAV applications in ecology and conservation. However, solar illumination, vegetation phenology and prevailing weather conditions will impact the quality of the derived products to differing degrees. In this study, we investigate how seasonal differences in solar illumination, tree foliage and weather conditions impact the accuracy of digital elevation models (DEM) and canopy height models (CHM) in a heterogeneous boreal landscape.MethodsWe compared DEMs and CHMs derived from drone photogrammetry with DEMs and CHMs produced from a drone‐mounted laser scanner across three seasons with different solar illumination, tree foliage and weather conditions during leaf‐off and leaf‐on seasons. Photogrammetric height models were evaluated across three land‐cover classes consisting of open areas, sparse‐forest and forest. The most accurate CHM for sparse‐forest was produced during summer under overcast conditions, whereas for the forest class, summer under clear skies was best.ResultsStructure from motion (SfM) photogrammetry performed well against the LiDAR survey in most cases with correlations between sampled points of up to R2 = 0.995. Root mean square errors (RMSEs) were &lt;1.5 m in all DEMs and as low as 0.31 m in autumn clear‐sky data over open terrain. CHM RMSEs were somewhat higher in all cases except under winter overcast conditions when the RMSE for sparse‐forest reached 6.03 m.ConclusionsWe have shown that SfM photogrammetry is surprisingly robust to variations in vegetation type, tree phenology and weather, and performs well in comparison with a reference LiDAR data set. Our results show that, in boreal forests, autumn is the preferred season under clear‐sky conditions for DEM generation from SfM photogrammetry across all land‐cover classes, whereas summer is preferred for CHM modelling with a small trade‐off between overcast and clear‐sky conditions over different vegetation types. These results can help potential SfM users in ecology and forestry plan missions and review the quality of products derived from drone photogrammetry products.

Response of soil microbial homeostasis to soil ecological stoichiometric balance in a World Natural Heritage area

Soil microbial biomass stoichiometry homeostasis is essential for microorganism survival and ecosystem stability. Despite its importance, research on soil microbial homeostasis in Natural World Heritage Sites (NWHS) is lacking. This study analyzed ecological stoichiometry and microbial homeostasis in surface (0–20 cm) and subsurface (20–40 cm) soils across various vegetation types in Fanjing Mountain, an NWHS in China. The objective was to explore microbial homeostasis in relation to soil ecological stoichiometry and identify key influencing factors. Results indicated that microbial biomass stoichiometry in surface soil is higher than in subsurface soil for 5 vegetation types, mirroring nutrient stoichiometry but contrasting enzyme stoichiometry. Vector length (VL) suggests higher C limitation in subsurface soil for all vegetation types, while vector angle (VA) shows P limitation in surface soil of certain types and N limitation in subsurface soil across all types. Random forest analysis revealed that the microbial carbon-nitrogen ratio (MB C/N) was mainly contributed by C/N (14.11 %), SOC (12.31 %), pH (10.52 %), NH4+-N, SWC, NO3--N in the surface soil, and NO3--N (15.74 %), altitude, SWC, SOC, C/N in the subsurface soil, whereas for the microbial carbon-phosphorus ratio (MB C/P), altitude (12.16 %), SWC (9.86 %), and AP were the main contributing factors in the surface soil, and in the subsurface soil, altitude (10.49 %), C/P, SWC, SOC, and TP. This study provides insights into ecological stoichiometry, homeostasis, and nutrient limitations in Fanjing Mountain, aiding vegetation nutrient balance management in NWHS.

Mud Volcanoes and Adjacent Vegetation Adaptation in the Rembang Zone, Indonesia: An Approach for Mud Volcano Investigation

Abstract The Rembang Zone is a physiographic zone located in the northern part of Java, Indonesia. Rembang zone includes the areas from Rembang to Tuban and reaches the island of Madura. Ten mud volcanoes were identified, each with varying levels of eruptive intensity. Locals have reported that newly erupted mud materials can disrupt soil fertility in the surrounding areas, leading to vegetation death. Interestingly, we discovered several types of vegetation at mud volcano sites that have adapted, survived, and supported vegetation succession in the surrounding areas. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the vegetation around mud volcanoes in the Rembang Zone and its mud characteristics. We employed Sankey diagram analysis to explore the adapted plant taxa at mud volcano sites in the Rembang Zone. Additionally, we assessed the substrate using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and conducted geochemical analyses on fluid and non-condensable gas using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The results of this study reveal that there are at least 10 potential mud volcano sites in the Rembang Zone that could be inhabited by vegetation from the Poaceae family (20%), Asteraceae (18%), Cyperaceae (15%), Fabaceae (13%), Euphorbiaceae (9%), and other plant families (2%). These plants tend to adapt to the mud volcano substrate composed of Fe (0.00-0.35 mg/L), Ca (2.9-0.16%), Na (0.02-23.7%), and Cl (13-74%). This demonstrates that vegetation around mud volcanoes in the Rembang Zone can adapt to high-salinity conditions. SEM observations revealed a high smectite content associated with limestone rock. The mud volcanoes frequently emit gases such as N2 (2.3-73%), CH4 (0-8.8%), and CO2 (17-95%), indicating a tendency to produce substrates with nearly water-boiling temperatures (45-105°C). These findings serve as a reference for further understanding the presence of vegetation around mud volcanoes, particularly for identifying the presence of other mud volcanoes through remote sensing.

Microfacies and Paleomire Reconstruction of Coal in the Tanjung Formation, Barito Basin, Kandangan Area, South Kalimantan

Abstract The occurrence of the Tanjung Formation as a coal-bearing formation that has thick coals and is laterally distributed along in Barito Basin causes it to be well-known as one of the biggest coal-producing basins in Indonesia. The genesis of Eocene coal formed in terrestrial depositional environment influenced by freshwater and marine transgression is the uniqueness of this coal and interesting to examine maceral’s characteristic and its microfacies, and the evolution of paleomire seam AGM-B3, AGM-B4, AGM-B5, and AGM-B6 in Kandangan area by organic petrography’s analysis and coal’s chemical analysis. The result of subbituminous coal’s petrography show vitrinite is the most abundant maceral ranging from 56,.6% - 80.36% vol, liptinite (15.27% - 39.45% vol), inertinite (0.55% - 15.18% vol), and mineral matter (0.18% - 4.36% vol) which is dominated by pyrite. Based on maceral’s assemblages, coal’s microfacies divided into four groups are (1) telovitrinite-rich group, (2) detrovitrinite-rich group, (3) telovitrinite-liptinite-rich group, (4) inertinite-rich group. The basal section of seam AGM-B6 is characterized by detrovitrinite-rich group while seam AGM-B3, AGM-B4, and AGM-B5 are characterized by telovitrinite-liptinite-rich group. The middle section only represented the inertinite-rich group in seam AGM-B3, and the top section of the coal seams, except AGM-B6, is typically represented by the telovitrinite-rich group. The vertical profile of paleomire evolution shows a repetition of topogenous mire changing into ombrogenous mire and then back to topogenous mire. The paleomire type developed includes wet forest swamp, forested peatlands, and intermittently dry forested swamp and the environmental conditions are telmatic. The correlation between paleomire’s type and coal maceral’s abundance in the Kandangan area reflects that the type of vegetation from woody plants that underwent high degradation, moderate gelification, and intensive oxidation processes triggered by a short dry season.

Interplay among manures, vegetable types, and tetracycline resistance genes in rhizosphere microbiome.

The rapid global emergence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is a substantial public health concern. Livestock manure serves as a key reservoir for tetracycline resistance genes (TRGs), serving as a means of their transmission to soil and vegetables upon utilization as a fertilizer, consequently posing a risk to human health. The dynamics and transfer of TRGs among microorganisms in vegetables and fauna are being investigated. However, the impact of different vegetable species on acquisition of TRGs from various manure sources remains unclear. This study investigated the rhizospheres of three vegetables (carrots, tomatoes, and cucumbers) grown with chicken, sheep, and pig manure to assess TRGs and bacterial community compositions via qPCR and high-throughput sequencing techniques. Our findings revealed that tomatoes exhibited the highest accumulation of TRGs, followed by cucumbers and carrots. Pig manure resulted in the highest TRG levels, compared to chicken and sheep manure, in that order. Bacterial community analyses revealed distinct effects of manure sources and the selective behavior of individual vegetable species in shaping bacterial communities, explaining 12.2% of TRG variation. Firmicutes had a positive correlation with most TRGs and the intl1 gene among the dominant phyla. Notably, both the types of vegetables and manures significantly influenced the abundance of the intl1 gene and soil properties, exhibiting strong correlations with TRGs and elucidating 30% and 17.7% of TRG variance, respectively. Our study delineated vegetables accumulating TRGs from manure-amended soils, resulting in significant risk to human health. Moreover, we elucidated the pivotal roles of bacterial communities, soil characteristics, and the intl1 gene in TRG fate and dissemination. These insights emphasize the need for integrated strategies to reduce selection pressure and disrupt TRG transmission routes, ultimately curbing the transmission of tetracycline resistance genes to vegetables.

Past fire dynamics in sub-Saharan Africa during the last 25,000 years: Climate change and increasing human impacts

The aim of this study is to provide the drivers of long-term fire dynamics in various regions of Sub-Saharan Africa using a synthesis of updated sedimentary charcoal records, from 25,000 years ago to the present. We used the charcoal data currently available in the Global Paleofire Database, updated with the most recent published charcoal data, to reconstruct past biomass burning across the continent. We analyzed standardized charcoal data grouped by region (central Africa, eastern Africa, southern Africa, and Indian Ocean) and by vegetation type (forest, savanna, and shrubland). Within this framework, we found that quality data were lacking to reconstruct a robust trend in biomass burning before 5000 years at the continental scale. This large spatial scale was indeed masking regional peculiarities. Our results suggest that past changes in biomass burning were nuanced and cannot be simply attributed to either climate- or humans, and that they varied from each sub-regions and vegetation type history. In central Africa, biomass burning increased after the end of the African Humid Period and the first wave of Bantu-speaking people migration, whereas in East Africa and the Indian Ocean islands, it seems that human population growth was the main driver of fire activity. In South Africa, reduced rainfall seemed to offset fire activity due to population growth by reducing potentially flammable biomass. While the diversity of methodological techniques used to produce charcoal quantification made comparisons difficult, regional patterns still emerged from these data. This synthesis thus highlights the need to increase the number of sites with charcoal data and to harmonize charcoal extraction and quantification methods across Africa to improve regional to continental assessments of fire histories.

Changes in soil bacterial community characteristics in patches of different vegetation types under different stages of restoration in the desert of northern China.

In desert areas, the process of mobile sandy land changing to semi-fixed sandy land and eventually to fixed sandy land after undergoing vegetation restoration is inevitable. The presence of shrub patches and herb patches is common in this restoration process. No relevant studies have reported the soil bacterial community characteristics of different vegetation-type patches (shrub patches and herb patches) under different stages of restoration. Therefore, we utilized long-established experimental plots to collect soil from 0-20 cm soil layer under shrub patches (dominated by Salix psammophila) and herb patches under different stages of restoration (i.e., mobile sand land, semi-fixed sand land, and fixed sand land), by determining soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activities, and soil bacterial communities. Our results found that soil bacterial α-diversity under different restoration stages showed higher shrub patches than herb patches. The dominant bacterial communities (phyla) in shrub patches and herb patches at different recovery stages were Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidota. When the mobile sandy land returned to fixed sandy land, the relative abundance of Actinobacteria and Bacteroidota gradually decreased under shrub patches and herb patches, while the relative abundance of Proteobacteria increased significantly. In addition, herb patches significantly increased the relative abundance of bacteria (genus) relative to shrub patches at different stages of recovery. Soil nutrients, soil fine particles, and soil enzyme activities were significantly higher under shrub patches than under herb patches when fixed sandy land due to differences in life form and architecture between shrub patches and herb patches. Based on this, soil bacterial community composition and diversity under shrub patches were driven by more soil properties during the restoration of sandy land. This study complements the dynamic recovery processes and driving mechanisms of soil bacterial community structure under different vegetation patches in sandy areas, especially in the context of global climate change.

Unraveling local and regional determinants of high plant diversity at marine rocky outcrops in Uruguay

AbstractQuestionsMarine rocky outcrops are model systems of community assembly under harsh conditions. The prevailing environmental conditions that determine a coast–inland gradient of stress and disturbance impose a strong environmental filter on community assembly. However, the Atlantic rocky outcrops of Uruguay challenge this assumption as they exhibit high plant diversity at small spatial scales. We investigated this study system to answer: (1) which environmental factors determine diversity at the local scale; (2) and how does the regional pool influence species composition along the coast–inland gradient?MethodsWe analyzed the local and regional determinants of plant community assembly in four rocky sites along the Uruguayan coast. Through a random sampling approach stratified by distance to the coast, we recorded species occurrences and microenvironmental conditions. Observed taxa were assigned into different species assemblages according to their typical vegetation type. Generalized Linear Model (GLM)–Poisson regression, quantile regressions and hierarchical cluster analyses were used to identify the factors underlying local richness and the spatial vegetation structure.ResultsNine different vegetation types generate a mass effect that enhances local diversity. Unexpectedly, 56% of the species are from non‐marine environments — e.g. grasslands or hydrophilous herblands. Species assemblages were spatially clustered, with a turnover of these clusters along the coast–inland gradient. Elevation, distance to the coast and vegetation cover promoted richness, likely due to an attenuation of marine filters. Meanwhile, substrate availability reduced richness, likely due to competitive exclusion as a result of more resources and homogeneous microenvironmental conditions.ConclusionsThe high local diversity along the marine rocky outcrops of Uruguay is best explained by a functionally diverse regional species pool, which interacts with local heterogeneity, and by conditions that enhance or attenuate the effect of marine stress. Effective conservation and management strategies are key to minimize the detrimental effects of urbanization, fragmentation, and non‐native plant invasions on these diverse habitats.

Grazing effects on vegetation: Biodiversity, management, and restoration

AbstractIn many regions, wild large herbivores have maintained open landscapes up to and including historic times, but, more recently, have been largely replaced by domestic livestock. By employing extensive and traditional grazing and browsing regimes, conservation actions support biodiversity and recovery in natural and degraded areas. However, grazing also plays other important ecological roles, for example, in the maintenance and/or recovery of important ecosystem services, such as biomass production and carbon sequestration. Understanding herbivore effects on plant composition and functional diversity, and ecosystem functioning and services, is essential for informing ecological theory and practice. The current Special Issue highlights that the effects of grazing on vegetation are strongly context‐dependent. The articles identify at least three major factors acting in concert, which are responsible for contrasting diversity and functional patterns of vegetation subjected to herbivores: (i) herbivore identity; (ii) grazing intensity; and (iii) vegetation type. Insights from this Special Issue imply that long‐term experiments across different habitat types and in underrepresented regions are needed to provide valuable information for grazing planning and management. They also demonstrate that integrating indigenous and traditional ecological knowledge, and considering socio‐economic contexts, can provide opportunities for improving sustainable grazing management.

Comparing grass biomass estimation methods for management decisions in a semi‐arid landscape

AbstractAimsEnvironmental managers require reliable and cost‐efficient monitoring methods for effective decision‐making. Understanding forage availability is important for managing wild, vertebrate herbivore populations. We developed a process for exploring the accuracy and cost efficiency of various biomass estimation techniques for a case study where semi‐arid woodland restoration is threatened by kangaroo grazing, with the aim of determining which method was most fit for purpose in a given decision context.LocationWyperfeld National Park, southeastern Australia.MethodsGrass biomass was estimated using a variety of methods, then compared to clipped biomass using linear models. Biomass estimation methods were either field‐based (i.e., rising plate meter, multispectral radiometer) or satellite‐based (i.e., Landsat satellite imagery, AussieGRASS forage production model). Sampling occurred across open and wooded semi‐arid vegetation types. We compared methods based on accuracy, the ability of each method to accurately predict a ‘forage‐switch’ threshold, cost, and the suitability for the management context.ResultsFor this case study, the multispectral radiometer was the most precise, yet most expensive, biomass estimation method over a single survey. However, satellite imagery proved to be the most cost‐efficient and fit for purpose, as it was inexpensive and most accurately estimated biomass around a forage‐switch threshold, second only to the multispectral radiometer. Accuracy of all methods was improved by including tree cover in the regression models.ConclusionsWe demonstrate a process for exploring which biomass estimation tool might be preferred for a given decision context, highlighting accuracy, consideration of tolerance to uncertainty and risk, the spatial and temporal scale of information required, and budget constraints.

Using integrated step selection to determine effects of predation risk on bison habitat selection and movement

AbstractAnimal movement is a fundamental mechanism that shapes communities and ecosystems. Ungulates alter the ecosystems they inhabit and understanding their movements and distribution is critical for linking habitat with population dynamics. Predation risk has been shown to strongly influence ungulate movement patterns, such that ungulates may select habitat where predation risk is lower (refugia), adjust movement rates, temporal patterns, or selection of cover variables in areas with greater predation risk. We evaluated potential predation avoidance behavior in a population of plains bison inhabiting the north rim of Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA) and adjacent Kaibab National Forest (KNF). The KNF has year‐round hunting managed by Arizona Game and Fish Department, whereas hunting is not allowed in GRCA. Human‐maintained water sources on the KNF are particularly important resources for bison wherein they may be exposed to higher predation risk to access these resources. We used 2‐h GPS locations for three years from 31 bison (n = 9 males; n = 22 females), and integrative step selection analysis to test four hypotheses about the potential for bison to reduce their risk from human predation by avoiding areas of high predation risk; moving faster in areas with high predation risk; entering high‐risk areas at night when risk is reduced; and entering high‐risk areas in habitats that provide cover (coniferous forest). The highest performing model indicated bison movement was 1.3 times faster per 2‐h step interval than in areas with no hunting across all vegetation classes (coniferous forest, shrub, quaking aspen, grass‐forb meadow) and across all topography classes (valley, slope, ridge). Bison moved more slowly in grass‐forb meadows than all other vegetation types, and in valleys relative to slopes and ridges. Several radio‐collared individuals had no GPS locations in KNF for the duration of the study. Bison avoided predation risk using two strategies: moving faster while in the KNF, and fully avoiding high‐risk areas by remaining within GRCA. Management that manipulates or reduces timing of hunting seasons may reduce perceived predation risk and encourage bison to distribute into the KNF and across a broader range of available habitat.

Sensitivity of temperate vegetation to precipitation is higher in steppes than in deserts and forests

Recognizing the sensitivity of vegetation to precipitation is fundamental to monitoring and assessing ecosystem health and predicting ecosystem response to climate change. However, there is a lack of detailed, large-scale assessment of the sensitivity of temperate vegetation to climate variability. We analyzed the spatiotemporal trends of NDVI in Inner Mongolia (IM) for the period from 2000 to 2020, evaluated the sensitivity of NDVI to precipitation by constructing a linear mixed-effects model, and assessed the relative importance of an array of biotic and abiotic factors in affecting the vegetation sensitivity to precipitation using random forest models. We found that (1) the NDVI in IM had a significant or slight increase in 80.86% of the region during the studied two decades, though it showed a large inter-annual fluctuation, and the areas with stable or decreasing NDVI were mainly in the desert areas. Precipitation and wind speed were the two major drivers for the NDVI changes. (2) The typical steppes demonstrated the highest sensitivity to precipitation, followed by desert steppes and forest steppes, broad-leaved forests, and deserts and coniferous forests. (3) The major factor affecting the vegetation sensitivity to precipitation varied with vegetation types; it is temperature in the coniferous forests, forest steppes and steppe deserts, but it is the sunshine hours in the deciduous broad-leaved forests, the typical steppes, and the desert steppes. The high sensitivity of the typical steppe vegetation to precipitation is related with its location on climate gradient, it has a high production potential but limited by precipitation under a semiarid climate. Our analysis deepens the understanding of the NDVI sensitivity to precipitation and its influencing factors in different vegetation regions, and is valuable for predicting vegetation changes and developing vegetation management strategies to adapt to climate changes.

Associations between natural blue and green space and preschool children's movement behaviours

Abstract Natural outdoor environments provide important settings for children to engage in physical activity. It is unclear if these relationships also exist in preschool aged children. We examined associations between amount and type of neighbourhood vegetation and blue space, proximity to the beach and preschooler's device‐measured movement behaviours. Accelerometer data from 1081 preschool children were processed into physical activity and sedentary behaviours using a machine learned random forest physical activity classification model specifically developed for children under five. High‐resolution aerial imagery data and Geographic Information Systems were used to identify total percentage of neighbourhood vegetation and vegetation components (grass, shrubs and trees) and presence and total percentage of blue space (ocean, riverways and lakes and swamps) for 500, 1600 and 5000 m service areas around children's residences. Distance to the closest beach, patrolled beach, and dog beach were also calculated. Amount of neighbourhood vegetation was inversely associated with boys sedentary time in the 500 m (β = −0.91 min/day, p = 0.006, 95% CI [−1.55, −0.33]) and 1600 m (β = −1.30 min/day, p = 0.001, 95% CI [−2.08, −0.53]) service area, and positively associated with walking time in the 1600 m (β = 0.12 min/day, p = 0.045, 95% CI [0.02, 0.22]) service area. The presence of local riverways was positively associated with girls walking time in the 1600 m (β = 2.34 min/day, p = 0.009, 95% CI [0.59, 4.09]), and 5000 m (β = 1.67 min/day, p = 0.019, 95% CI [0.27, 3.06]) buffer. Distance to dog beach was positively associated with boys sedentary behaviours. Presence of lake and swamps were negatively associated with boys walking, and presence of riverways was negatively associated with girls moderate‐to‐vigorous activities and games and boys running in the 5000 m service area. These findings suggest higher amounts of neighbourhood vegetation and certain types of blue space such as riverways and dog beaches could facilitate positive movement behaviours in young children. Our findings that natural outdoor environments are associated with preschool children's movement behaviours add to evidence which could contribute to policy implications for urban planning and the provision and protection of natural environments within cities. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Ecological drivers of taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of bryophytes in an oceanic island.

Montane oceanic islands possess unique geographic and ecological attributes, rendering them valuable for assessing patterns and drivers of alpha and beta taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity along elevational gradients. Such comparisons of diversity facets can provide insights into the mechanisms governing community assembly on islands. Herein, we aimed to characterize taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic bryophyte diversity on Madeira Island within and across areas at varying elevations. We also assessed how these diversity facets for the alpha and beta components relate to ecological and anthropogenic factors. We estimated and compared alpha and beta taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity using 80 plots of 0.5 m × 0.5 m across the whole elevational gradient of the island. We compiled trait databases and supplemented them with our own observations. Phylogenetic information was sourced from the Moss and Liverwort Tree of Life. To assess the impact of ecological and anthropogenic factors on the three facets, we applied linear mixed-effects models and generalized dissimilarity models to alpha- and beta-diversity matrices, respectively. All facets of diversity exhibited strong correlations within both mosses and liverworts, indicating a substantial congruence when alpha and beta are analyzed separately. The bryophyte groups categorized by the growth form demonstrated contrasting patterns, aligning with their distinctive ecological requirements. While a mid-elevation peak emerged as a common pattern across the three facets of alpha diversity, beta diversity often displayed the opposite trend. Although the relative influence of environmental factors varied depending on the diversity facet and bryophyte grouping considered, we found that alpha and beta diversity of bryophytes are more influenced by climatic factors and the predominant type of vegetation than by anthropogenic factors. In the current context of global change, these results should be interpreted with caution, but they point to the resilience of bryophytes to survive in relatively well-preserved natural microhabitats within anthropogenic landscapes. In this study on Madeira Island, we investigated patterns and drivers of alpha and beta taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity along elevational gradients. We found that alpha and beta diversity of bryophytes are more strongly influenced by climatic factors and the predominant type of vegetation than by anthropogenic factors.