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802 results for “urban data”
Data from: Trapped within the city: Integrating demography, time since isolation and population-specific traits to assess the genetic effects of urbanization
Urbanization is a severe form of habitat fragmentation that can cause many species to be locally extirpated and many others to become trapped and isolated within an urban matrix. The role of drift in reducing genetic diversity and increasing genetic differentiation is well recognized in urban populations. However, explicit incorporation and analysis of the demographic and temporal factors promoting drift in urban environments are poorly studied. Here, we genotyped 15 microsatellites in 320 fire salamanders from the historical city of Oviedo (Est. 8th century) to assess the effects of time since isolation, demographic history (historical effective population size; Ne) and patch size on genetic diversity, population structure and contemporary Ne. Our results indicate that urban populations of fire salamanders are highly differentiated, most likely due to the recent Ne declines, as calculated in coalescence analyses, concomitant with the urban development of Oviedo. However, urbanization only caused a small loss of genetic diversity. Regression modelling showed that patch size was positively associated with contemporary Ne, while we found only moderate support for the effects of demographic history when excluding populations with unresolved history. This highlights the interplay between different factors in determining current genetic diversity and structure. Overall, the results of our study on urban populations of fire salamanders provide some of the very first insights into the mechanisms affecting changes in genetic diversity and population differentiation via drift in urban environments, a crucial subject in a world where increasing urbanization is forecasted.
Data from: Influence of natural and novel organic carbon sources on denitrification in forest, degraded urban, and restored streams
Organic carbon is important in regulating ecosystem function, and its source and abundance may be altered by urbanization. We investigated shifts in organic carbon quantity and quality associated with urbanization and ecosystem restoration, and its potential effects on denitrification at the riparian–stream interface. Field measurements of streamwater chemistry, organic carbon characterization, and laboratory-based denitrification experiments were completed at two forested, two restored, and two unrestored urban streams at the Baltimore Long-Term Ecological Research site, Maryland, USA. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrate loads increased with runoff according to a power-law function that varied across sites. Stable isotopes and molar C:N ratios suggested that stream particulate organic matter (POM) was a mixture of periphyton, leaves, and grass that varied across site types. Stable-isotope signatures and lipid biomarker analyses of sediments showed that terrestrial organic carbon sources in streams varied as a result of riparian vegetation. Laboratory experiments indicated that organic carbon amendments significantly increased rates of denitrification (35.1 ± 9.4 ng N·[g dry sediment]−1·h−1; mean ± SE) more than nitrate amendments (10.4 ± 4.0 ng N·[g dry sediment]−1·h−1) across streamflow conditions and sites. Denitrification experiments with naturally occurring carbon sources showed that denitrification was significantly higher with grass clippings from home lawns (1244 ± 331 ng N·g dry sediment−1·h−1), and overall unrestored urban sites showed significantly higher denitrification rates than restored and forest sites. We found that urbanization influences organic carbon sources and quality in streams, which can have substantial downstream impacts on ecosystem services such as denitrification.
Data from: Landscape structure influences urban vegetation vertical structure
Vegetation vertical structure is important for biodiversity and ecosystem service provision. In cities, however, while variation in the spatial extent and distribution of vegetation has been widely investigated, vertical vegetation structure and its potential drivers have not. Understanding how vegetation vertical structure varies across cities and identifying the potential drivers of this variation will improve the management of urban vegetation for biodiversity and ecosystem services. We used light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data to quantify the vertical structure of vegetation across Brisbane, Australia, at 1-km2 and 1-ha spatial scales and investigated how this structure varied in response to biophysical, socioeconomic, urban form and landscape structure variables. Using model selection techniques, we found that landscape structure variables related to tree cover (tree cover extent and spatial configuration) best explained the vegetation vertical structure at both spatial scales. Biophysical and urban form variables were also important, but only in combination with landscape structure. Mean vegetation vertical complexity, foliage projective cover and canopy height at a site all decreased as the treed proportion of the surrounding urban landscape decreased. In general, these vertical structure variables also increased where patches of vegetation were clustered together spatially. Synthesis and applications. Using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data and model selection techniques, we show that the extent and vertical structure of urban vegetation are not independent and that reduced extent and increased fragmentation of urban vegetation are associated with simplification of its vertical structure. If common, this relationship means that managing urban vegetation for biodiversity and ecosystem services should not focus solely on the amount of tree cover or green space present across cities, but also on identifying where interventions to improve vegetation vertical complexity are required. Our study provides important insights into where these locations may be in cities.
Data from: Decay patterns of invasive plants and plastic trash in urban streams
Urban streams are impacted by invasion of exotic riparian plants and the accumulation of plastic trash, which alter in-stream litter subsidies, and cause changes that cascade up the aquatic food web. The impacts of these factors on urban streams is poorly understood. We compared decay rates and invertebrate colonizers of 5 litter pack types in 4 urban streams in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada: Native Red alder (Alnus rubra) and Sitka willow (Salix sitchensis), invasive English ivy (Hedera sp.), Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) and plastic trash (i.e. Styrofoam (polystyrene (PS)), plastic bag (high-density polyethylene (HDPE)), and Mylar (polyethylene terephthalate (PET). We tested 4 hypotheses: 1) exotic ivy and blackberry leaves would decay more slowly than native leaves; 2) exotic ivy and blackberry leaves would attract fewer and less diverse stream invertebrates than native leaves; 3) plastic trash would decay more slowly than leaves; and, 4) plastic trash would attract fewer and less diverse stream invertebrates than leaves. We found no difference between the leaf litter decay rates, however plastic trash decayed more slowly than leaves. Trash decay rates were faster than reported in marine environments, suggesting that plastic trash removal should be a management priority. Stream invertebrates colonized all pack types equally. We observed significant differences in litter decay rates and invertebrate assemblage alpha and Shannon–Wiener diversities across the 4 streams - likely related to differences in stream-specific environmental attributes including flashiness, stream discharge, and biological decay. We conclude that site-specific decay forces supersede litter quality in Pacific Coast urban streams.
Data from: Transition from conventional to light-emitting diode street lighting changes activity of urban bats
Light pollution is rapidly increasing and can have deleterious effects on biodiversity, yet light types differ in their effect on wildlife. Among the light types used for street lamps, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are expected to become globally predominant within the next few years. In a large-scale field experiment, we recorded bat activity at 46 street lights for 12 nights each and investigated how the widespread replacement of conventional illuminants by LEDs affects urban bats: we compared bat activity at municipal mercury vapour (MV) street lamps that were replaced by LEDs with control sites that were not changed. Pipistrellus pipistrellus was the most frequently recorded species; it was 45% less active at LEDs than at MV street lamps, but the activity did not depend on illuminance level. Light type did not affect the activity of Pipistrellus nathusii, Pipistrellus pygmaeus or bats in the Nyctalus/Eptesicus/Vespertilio (NEV) group, yet the activity of P. nathusii increased with illuminance level. Bats of the genus Myotis increased activity 4·5-fold at LEDs compared with MV lights, but illuminance level had no effect. Decreased activity of P. pipistrellus, which are considered light tolerant, probably paralleled insect densities around lights. Further, our results suggest that LEDs may be less repelling for light-averse Myotis spp. than MV lights. Accordingly, the transition from conventional lighting techniques to LEDs may greatly alter the anthropogenic impact of artificial light on urban bats and might eventually affect the resilience of urban bat populations. Synthesis and applications. At light-emitting diodes (LEDs), the competitive advantage – the exclusive ability to forage on insect aggregations at lights – is reduced for light-tolerant bats. Thus, the global spread of LED street lamps might lead to a more natural level of competition between light-tolerant and light-averse bats. This effect could be reinforced if the potential advantages of LEDs over conventional illuminants are applied in practice: choice of spectra with relatively little energy in the short wavelength range; reduced spillover by precisely directing light; dimming during low human activity times; and control by motion sensors. Yet, the potential benefits of LEDs could be negated if low costs foster an overall increase in artificial lighting.
Data from: Demography, traits, and vulnerability to urbanization: can we make generalizations?
1. Human-induced land cover change threatens species diversity and ecosystem services. The rapid pace of current change makes predicting species' declines imperative, but leaves little time for thorough study of all species. One solution is to make generalizations about species' vulnerability to urbanization based on traits common among studied species in decline. 2. To date, most generalizations about traits associated with species' declines in response to urbanization are based on presence or abundance, or detailed studies of a few species. If these generalizations broadly reflect responses to urbanization, they should hold across the mechanisms driving patterns of abundance, such as survival or reproduction. 3. Across 68 bird species in the northeastern USA, we investigated how food preference, nest location, habitat preference, migration distance, number of broods, clutch size, body mass, and an interaction between urbanization and these traits affected survival and reproduction. 4. Mass was the strongest predictor of survival, followed by number of broods, migration distance, and nest location. Nest location was the strongest predictor of reproduction, followed by migration distance. No interaction between urbanization and species' traits affected survival; however, differences in response to urbanization among species with different food preferences, migration distances, masses, nest locations, and number of broods were important in predicting reproduction. 5. Synthesis and applications. We found that some traits influenced demographic rates even though they were not associated with urbanization; identifying differences in species' baseline demographic rates, irrespective of urbanization, is needed to guide management objectives. Reproduction, but not survival, was influenced by urbanization, suggesting that management in our region of study should target increasing suitable nest sites and reducing nest predation. Determining traits associated with demographic rates and urbanization across broad geographic extents can provide new insights for species' management, and help guide conservation initiatives.
Data from: Impact of urbanization on abundance and phenology of caterpillars and consequences for breeding in an insectivorous bird
Urbanization can have marked effects on plant and animal populations' phenology, population size, predator-prey interactions and reproductive success. These aspects are rarely studied simultaneously in a single system, and some are rarely investigated, e.g. how insect phenology responds to urban development. Here, we study a tri-trophic system of trees – phytophagous insects (caterpillars) – insectivorous birds (great tits) to assess how urbanization influences i) the phenology of each component of this system, ii) insect abundance and iii) avian reproductive success. We use data from two urban and two forest sites in Hungary, central Europe, collected over four consecutive years. Despite a trend of earlier leaf emergence in urban sites there is no evidence for an earlier peak in caterpillar abundance. Thus, contrary to the frequently stated prediction in the literature, the earlier breeding of urban bird populations is not associated with an earlier peak in caterpillar availability. Despite this the seasonal dynamics of caterpillar biomass exhibited striking differences between habitat types with a single clear peak in forests, and several much smaller peaks in urban sites. Caterpillar biomass was higher in forests than urban areas across the entire sampling period, and between 8.5 and 24 times higher during the first brood's chick-rearing period. This higher biomass was not associated with taller trees in forest sites, or with tree species identity, and occurred despite most of our focal trees being native to the study area. Urban great tits laid smaller clutches, experienced more frequent nestling mortality from starvation, reared fewer offspring to fledging age, and their fledglings had lower body mass. Our study strongly indicates that food limitation is responsible for lower avian reproductive success in cities, which is driven by reduced availability of the preferred nestling diet, i.e. caterpillars, rather than phenological shifts in the timing of peak food availability.
Data from: Experimental feeding regime influences urban bird disease dynamics
Wild bird feeding often results in high densities of birds, potentially facilitating transmission of disease. Wild birds are major reservoirs of many zoonotic diseases, and although a number of avian disease outbreaks have been linked to bird feeders, urban bird-feeding and its role in disease systems remains poorly studied. We examined the impacts of typical supplementary feeding practices on the health status of feeder-visiting birds at experimental feeding stations in an urban area of New Zealand. Over an 18-month period, we screened birds captured at feeding and non-feeding properties for three pathogens and four groups of parasites to determine whether feeding altered disease dynamics. We also assessed body condition. All pathogens and parasites were detected in at least one garden bird species. Feeding stations tested positive for Salmonella enterica Typhimurium on ∼7% of occasions, confirming that structures used in feeding are a potential transmission pathway. Feeding influenced some parasite infection parameters; these effects varied among host species. In silvereyes Zosterops lateralis, helminth prevalence and abundance were lower at feeding properties compared to non-feeding properties. In contrast, Eurasian blackbirds Turdus merula at feeding properties had a higher abundance of helminths. House sparrows Passer domesticus at feeding properties had a higher abundance of feather lice. Furthermore, our feeding regime significantly affected body condition in house sparrow and silvereye, though no associations between parasite parameters and body condition indices were found. Our results demonstrate that feeding practices can have varied effects on avian health, including no observable effects for some disease agents in some host species. Disease risks are present, however, thus understanding and reducing these risks should be a key goal for all stakeholders to protect birds that use feeders and other wildlife.
Data from: Reproductive phenology of the tomato frog, Dyscophus antongili, in an urban pond of Madagascar's east coast
Based on daily monitoring around an urban pond in the coastal town of Maroantsetra, from 2003-2011, we provide an analysis of the yearly reproductive activity of the tomato frog (Dyscophus antongilii), a large-sized and prominent red-coloured microhylid frog from north-eastern Madagascar. Frogs were observed all year round but despite the lack of limited climatic seasonality in the region it was possible to observe a high activity period between January-May and a lower activity period between June-December. Freshly laid eggs were found in all months except November, and with highest incidence between January and May, while calling was heard in all months. We found a positive correlation between daily adult counts and minimum air temperature. On the contrary rainfall did not significantly predict activity, although boosts of calling and egg-laying especially in the austral winter were observed after heavy rainfall events. We define D. antongilii in Maroantsetra as a sporadic wet season breeder that reproduces at irregular intervals following heavy rain events.
Raw data: Local habitat factors and spatial connectivity jointly shape an urban insect community
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">As the world becomes more and more urbanized, it is increasingly important to understand the impacts of urban landscapes on biodiversity. Urbanization can change local habitat factors and decrease connectivity among local habitats, with major impacts on the structure of natural food webs. However, most studies have focused on single species, or compared rural to urban habitats, which do not inform us on how to design and manage cities to optimize biodiversity. To understand the local and spatial drivers of ecological communities within urban landscapes, we assessed the relative impact of local habitat factors (sunlight exposure and leaf litter) and spatial connectivity on an oak-associated herbivore community within an urban landscape. From the local habitat factors, leaf litter but not sunlight exposure was related to herbivore species richness, with leaf litter contributing to the maintenance of high species richness on isolated trees. Guilds and species differed strongly in their response to local habitat factors and connectivity, resulting in predictable variation in insect community composition among urban oaks. <span>Taken together, our study shows an interactive effect of local and spatial factors on species richness and species composition within an urban context, with guild- and species-specific life histories determining the response of insects to urban landscapes. </span>To maintain biodiversity in the urban landscape, preserving a dense network of local habitats is essential. Moreover, allowing leaf litter to accumulate can be a simple, cost-effective conservation management practice.</p>
LiDAR-derived voxel-based leaf area density distribution data of urban trees
<p>This dataset includes 3D tree models and radiative transfer codes used in a paper entitled "Simulating the 3D distribution of absorbed shortwave radiation in a tree crown: comparison of simplified and Monte Carlo models" submitted to the JGR: Atmospheres.</p>
Data from: On the role of water table depth and urbanization on groundwater drought susceptibility
<p>Propagation of meteorological drought to groundwater drought is mediated by a range of natural and human-induced drivers. Using long-term (1978–2020)<em> in-situ</em> groundwater level depth (GWD) time series from 2,928 pairs of monitoring wells, this study assesses the role of two such drivers, viz., GWD and urbanization, on groundwater drought characteristics. Results show that locations with deeper GWD often experience less frequent but more intense groundwater droughts with longer average duration. In contrast, urbanization is generally associated with a reduction in groundwater drought duration and an increase in its frequency. Relative to the influence of GWD, urbanization's imprint on groundwater drought characteristics is muted. These findings can aid in improved assessment of groundwater drought risks, and for devising more effective drought adaptation measures.</p>
Urban tolerance data for African insectivorous bats
<p>With increasing urbanization, particularly in developing countries, it is important to understand how local biota will respond to such landscape changes. Bats comprise one of the most diverse groups of mammals in urban areas, and many species are threatened by habitat destruction and land use change. Yet, in Africa, the response of bats to urban areas is relatively understudied. Therefore, we collated data on urban presence, phylogenetic relationship, and ecological traits of 54 insectivorous bats in Africa from available literature to test if their response to urbanization was phylogenetically and/or ecologically driven. Ancestral state reconstruction of urban tolerance, defined by functional group and presence observed in urban areas, suggests that ancestral African bat species could adapt to urban landscapes, and significant phylogenetic signal for urban tolerance indicates that this ability is evolutionarily conserved and mediated by pre‐adaptations. Specifically, traits of high wing loading and aspect ratio, and flexible roosting strategies, enable occupancy of urban areas. Therefore, our results identify the traits that predict which bat species will likely occur in urban areas, and which vulnerable bat clades conservation efforts should focus on to reduce loss of both functional and phylogenetic diversity in Africa. We, additionally, highlight several gaps in research that should be investigated in future studies to provide better monitoring of the impact urbanization will have on African bats.</p>
AALTO - Analysis of Drone Propagation With Ray Tracing From Sub-6 GHz Upto TeraHertz Frequencies in a Real World Urban Environment - DATA
<p>The data set includes simulation results from radio propagation modelling of TERAWAY links (at W, D and THz bands) in realistic 3D propagation environments. The modelling is performed using a Ray Tracing Tool developed in MATLAB environment at Aalto University. Ray tracing technique used in this tool is based on Image Theory (IT) algorithm. Unlike a quasi three-dimensional environment, it supports ray tracing in full three dimension. </p> <p>This data set contains propagation modelling results of the TERAWAY link. Output data includes (but is not limited to): Multipath component IDs, Path Distance (meter), Angle of Arrival AoA (degree), Angle of Departure AoD (degree), Direction of Arrival DoA (degree), Direction of Departure DoD (degree), E-Field (Volt/meter), H-Field (Ampere/meter), Phase (Radians), Power (Watts), Number of reflections a path experienced, Number of diffractions a path experienced, information that is it ground reflected path or not, Receiver location (x and y coordinates), information that is it rooftop path or not.</p>
Data from: Herbivory on the pedunculate oak along an urbanization gradient in Europe: effects of impervious surface, local tree cover and insect feeding guild
<p><span>Urbanization is recognized as an important driver of the diversity and abundance of tree associated insect herbivores, but its consequences for insect herbivory are controversial. A likely source of variability among studies is the insufficient consideration of intra-urban variability in forest cover. W</span>ith the help of citizen scientists, we investigated the independent and interactive effect of urbanization and local canopy cover on insect herbivory in the pedunculate oak (<em>Quercus robur</em>) throughout most of its geographic range in Europe. We found that the damage caused by chewing insect herbivores as well as the incidence of leaf-mining and gall-inducing herbivores consistently decreased with increasing urbanization around focal oaks. Herbivory by chewing herbivores increased with increasing forest cover, regardless of urbanization. In contrast, an increase in local canopy cover buffered the negative effect of urbanization on leaf-miners and strengthened its effect on gall-inducers. These results show the complexity of plant-herbivore interactions in urbanized areas, highlighting that the presence of local canopy cover within cities has the potential to attenuate or modify the effect of urbanization on biotic interactions.</p>
Data for "Revealing the sources and sinks of negative cluster ions in an urban environment through quantitative analysis"
<p>This file consists of the detection efficiency of APi-TOF, the time series of total negative cluster ions and CS in urban Beijing, and the average spectrums of negative clusters ions measured by APi-TOF during haze and clean periods in urban Beijing, which have been analyzed in the manuscript "Revealing the sources and sinks of negative cluster ions in an urban environment through quantitative analysis". For more details, please contact the author (rujing.yin@helsinki.fi).</p>
Effect of urban heat island mitigation strategies on precipitation and temperature in Montreal, Canada: case studies - Data from numerical experiments
<p>Surface data from the numerical experiments for the paper : "Effect of urban heat island mitigation strategies on precipitation and temperature in Montreal, Canada: case studies", submitted in PLOS Climate. </p> <p>The data is in NetCDF, structure as follow: 1 file per initialization date that contains the model outputs for the surface variables (air temperature, dew-point, relative humidity) and 1 file per initialization date that contains the accumulated precipitation. </p>
Figure data of "Variation in chemical composition and volatility of oxygenated organic aerosol in different rural, urban, and mountain environments"
<p>This dataset involves the data that is used for the figures in "Variation in chemical composition and volatility of oxygenated organic aerosol in different rural, urban, and mountain environments".</p>
Bold Park reptile species capture data for: Decadal abundance patterns in an isolated urban reptile assemblage: Monitoring under a changing climate
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Fenced pitfall trapping in four sampling sites <span>representing different habitats and fire history</span> over the primary reptile activity period for 35 consecutive years with over 17000 individuals captured during 3300 days of sampling; the trapping regime was modified for the last 28 years.</span></p>
Code & Data for Moving the 15-minute city beyond the urban core: the role of accessibility and public transport in The Netherlands
<p>Code & Data for Moving the 15-minute city beyond the urban core: the role of accessibility and public transport in The Netherlands</p>
ScienceDex guides
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These curated guides explain access requirements, typical timelines, costs, and reuse considerations for widely used research datasets.
Allen Brain Atlas
Allen Brain Atlas is an Allen Institute collection of brain map atlases, datasets, APIs, and analysis tools covering mouse, human, and non-human primate brain resources.
Annotated Behaviour and Observability Dataset (ABODe)
ABODe is a University of Edinburgh DataShare dataset for behavior classification in group-housed mice using home-cage video, identities, bounding boxes, ground-plate positions, and annotator labels.
DANDI Archive for NWB datasets
DANDI is a BRAIN Initiative archive for publishing and sharing neurophysiology data, including electrophysiology, optophysiology, and behavioral data packaged as NWB and related standards.
International Brain Laboratory public data
The International Brain Laboratory public data releases expose standardized mouse decision-making experiments, including Neuropixels recordings, widefield calcium imaging, behavior, and session metadata accessed through the ONE API.
OpenNeuro
OpenNeuro is a free, open platform for sharing neuroimaging datasets, with public search, dataset pages, and download paths for web, S3, DataLad, and the OpenNeuro CLI.