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opennotspecifiedNov 2018View details →

FIGURE 2. Wet Mascarenan ecosystems. A in Disentangling the diversity and taxonomy of Hymenophyllaceae (Hymenophyllales, Polypodiidae) in the Mascarene archipelago, with ecological implications

FIGURE 2. Wet Mascarenan ecosystems. A. Lowland windward rainforest dominated by Sapotaceae trees, showing the understory with numerous low epiphytic and terrestrial free-sporing plants (liverworts, mosses, ferns, lycopods and spikemosses) and a few herbaceous angiosperms (especially orchids) (La Réunion, 'Mare Longue' forest, ~450 m). B. Montane rainforest dominated by Dombeyoideae (Malvaceae) trees and Alsophila spp. tree-ferns (Cyatheaceae) as emergents from the canopy (La Réunion, 'Cassé de Takamaka, Bébour', 1,100–1,200 m). C. Montane ericoid thickets (La Réunion, 'Enclos du Piton de la Fournaise', ~2,200 m). (Photographs. A, C: C. Chaussidon; B: J.-M. Tamon).

opencc-zeroDec 2010View details →

Data from: Environmental and biological controls on the diversity and ecology of Late Cretaceous through early Paleogene marine ecosystems in the U.S. Gulf Coastal Plain

The late Mesozoic through early Cenozoic is an interval of significant biologic turnover and ecologic reorganization within marine assemblages, but the timing and causes of these changes remain poorly understood. Here, we quantify the pattern and timing of changes in the diversity (richness and evenness) and ecology of local (i.e., sample level) mollusk-dominated assemblages during this critical interval using field-collected and published datasets from the US Gulf Coastal Plain. We test whether the biologic and ecologic changes observed primarily at the global level during this time are also expressed at the local level, and whether the end Cretaceous (K/Pg) mass extinction and recovery moderated these trends. To explore whether environment had any effect on these patterns, we examine data from shallow subtidal and offshore settings. Assemblages from both settings recovered to pre-extinction diversity levels rapidly, in less than 7 million years. Following initial recovery, diversity remained relatively unchanged in both settings. The trajectory of ecological restructuring was distinct for each setting in the wake of the K/Pg extinction. In offshore assemblages, the abundance and number of predatory carnivorous taxa dramatically increased, and surficial sessile suspension feeders were replaced by more active suspension feeders. In contrast, shallow subtidal assemblages did not experience ecological reorganization following the K/Pg extinction. The distinct ecological patterns displayed in each environment follow onshore-offshore patterns of innovation, whereby evolutionary novelties first appear in onshore settings relative to offshore habitats. Increased predation pressure may explain the significant ecological restructuring of offshore assemblages, whereby the explosive radiation of predators drove changes in their prey. Habitat-specific ecological restructuring, and its occurrence solely during the recovery interval, implies that disturbance and incumbency were also key in mediating these ecological changes.

opencc-zeroDec 2013View details →

Data from: Benefits and costs of ecological restoration: rapid assessment of changing ecosystem service values at a UK wetland

Restoration of degraded land is recognized by the international community as an important way of enhancing both biodiversity and ecosystem services, but more information is needed about its costs and benefits. In Cambridgeshire, U.K., a long-term initiative to convert drained, intensively farmed arable land to a wetland habitat mosaic is driven by a desire both to prevent biodiversity loss from the nationally important Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve (Wicken Fen NNR) and to increase the provision of ecosystem services. We evaluated the changes in ecosystem service delivery resulting from this land conversion, using a new Toolkit for Ecosystem Service Site-based Assessment (TESSA) to estimate biophysical and monetary values of ecosystem services provided by the restored wetland mosaic compared with the former arable land. Overall results suggest that restoration is associated with a net gain to society as a whole of $199 ha−1y−1, for a one-off investment in restoration of $2320 ha−1. Restoration has led to an estimated loss of arable production of $2040 ha−1y−1, but estimated gains of $671 ha−1y−1 in nature-based recreation, $120 ha−1y−1 from grazing, $48 ha−1y−1 from flood protection, and a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions worth an estimated $72 ha−1y−1. Management costs have also declined by an estimated $1325 ha−1y−1. Despite uncertainties associated with all measured values and the conservative assumptions used, we conclude that there was a substantial gain to society as a whole from this land-use conversion. The beneficiaries also changed from local arable farmers under arable production to graziers, countryside users from towns and villages, and the global community, under restoration. We emphasize that the values reported here are not necessarily transferable to other sites.

opencc-zeroAug 2021View details →

Enhancing ecological integrity while preserving ecosystem services: constructing soft-sediment islands in a shallow lake

1. Ecosystems are increasingly managed to provide multiple benefits to humans, which often degrades their ecological integrity. This strongly applies to aquatic ecosystems, in which engineering can enhance flood protection, drinking water supply, fisheries and recreation. Although these activities typically increase ecosystem functionality to humans, they often impair key aspects of biodiversity and natural functioning. 2. Classical restoration of such degrading freshwater ecosystems can lead to societal opposition, if returning to a former ecosystem state affects previously acquired ecosystem services. Innovative nature-based solutions are therefore needed that enhance natural values in ecosystems, without affecting existing services. 3. We present a large-scale project aiming to increase the ecological integrity of a human-modified freshwater lake, while maintaining its services to humans. The freshwater lake Markermeer in the Netherlands was formed by closing off an estuary for flood protection. The ecological integrity of this lake diminished over time, likely because a declining primary productivity impaired biodiversity at higher trophic levels. This decline is associated with a lack of gradual land-water transitions, strong resuspension of fine sediments, a low nutrient availability and lack of dynamics typically to be expected in a natural temperate freshwater lake. Restoring the lake to its former marine state would conflict with current ecosystem services. 4. A nature-based solution was initiated in 2016, consisting of constructing a five-island archipelago from the lake's own soft-sediments called the "Marker Wadden". The project aims to increase the lake's primary production by creating gradual land-water transitions, more heterogeneity in water depths, and decreasing turbidity by creating shelter and deep sinks reducing fine-sediment resuspension by wind – thus introducing currently missing elements that are typical for natural lakes. We present the underlying ecological framework and first scientific results of this innovative on-going project. 5. Within four years, the Marker Wadden project shows how forward-looking sustainable development of lake ecosystems using a rewilding approach can enhance natural processes and attract birds and fish, without conflicting with existing ecosystem services. This inspires new directions for halting and reversing the degradation of other vital ecosystems worldwide.

opencc-zeroDec 2022View details →

Effects of multiple types' ecological factors on the body mass of small rodents in a forest ecosystem

The body mass of animals is directly or indirectly affected by multiple ecological factors. However, the effects of ecological factors on body mass are controversial, and a comprehensive study dealing with diverse ecological factors is rare. This study was performed to determine the effects of ecological factors on the body mass of small rodents in a natural deciduous forest located on Mt. Gariwang, Pyeongchang, and Jeongseon, South Korea from May 2019 to October 2020. We classified ecological factors into topographic, climatic, cover, and demographic factors. Three forest-dwelling small rodent species, striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius), Korean field mouse (A. peninsulae), and red-backed vole (Myodes regulus), were captured using the capture-mark-recapture method. The findings showed that the body mass of three rodent species was not regulated by topographic factors. In addition, a high ambient temperature resulted in a heavy body mass for A. agrarius and A. peninsulae, and the A. agrarius body mass was negatively affected by extreme rainfall. The body mass of each rodent species had a specific response to the cover factors: ground vegetation, understory vegetation, or downed trees. The three species showed sexual dimorphism and two Apodemus species competed with each other. This study reveals that ecological factors affecting body mass differ among species. Our findings contribute to enhancing the understanding of variation in the body mass of animals, particularly small rodents, in response to diverse ecological factors.

Figure 9 in Natural history and ecology of the slender crayfish (Faxonius compressus): an ecosystem engineer in the Western Highland Rim, USA

Figure 9. The mean carapace length of Faxonius compressus collected across 33 sites, based on the macrohabitat type and the water depth at which they were collected. Boxes indicate the treatments̍ interquartile range, and points represent our raw data.

Figure 6 in Natural history and ecology of the slender crayfish (Faxonius compressus): an ecosystem engineer in the Western Highland Rim, USA

Figure 6. The density of burrows counted within a 0.25 m2 quadrat based on three separate macrohabitat types across 33 different sites. Boxes indicate the treatments̍ interquartile range, and points represent our raw data.

Figure 5 in Natural history and ecology of the slender crayfish (Faxonius compressus): an ecosystem engineer in the Western Highland Rim, USA

Figure 5. Fish species that we documented utilising crayfish burrows. Note that not all photographs depict the fish utilising crayfish burrows. (A) Fantail darter, Etheostoma flabellare. (B) Rainbow darter, Etheostoma caeruleum. (C) Saffron darter, Etheostoma flavum. (D) Redline darter, Etheostoma rifilineatum. (E) Gaurdian darter, Etheostoma oophylax. (F) Banded sculpin, Cottus carolinae.

Figure 1 in Natural history and ecology of the slender crayfish (Faxonius compressus): an ecosystem engineer in the Western Highland Rim, USA

Figure 1. (A) Adult male slender crayfish, Faxonius compressus. (B) Morphology of F. compressus claw.

Figure 4 in Natural history and ecology of the slender crayfish (Faxonius compressus): an ecosystem engineer in the Western Highland Rim, USA

Figure 4. Co-occurring crayfish species encountered alongside Faxonius compressus within our study area. (A) The hillbilly hairy crayfish, Cambarus polypilosus. (B) Saddleback crayfish, Faxonius durrelli. (C) A juvenile F. durrelli using a hyporheic burrow. (D) An adult big claw crayfish, Faxonius placidus, using a hyporheic burrow.

Figure 2 in Natural history and ecology of the slender crayfish (Faxonius compressus): an ecosystem engineer in the Western Highland Rim, USA

Figure 2. (A) Typical view of Faxonius compressus habitat with an abundance of chert gravel and cobble. Large boulders are rare or entirely absent. (B) Benthic view of typical F. compressus habitat, with ample interstitial space allowing for the excavation of interstitial burrows. (C,D) Examples of F. compressus hyporheic burrows within the chert substrate on the stream benthos.

Figure 8 in Natural history and ecology of the slender crayfish (Faxonius compressus): an ecosystem engineer in the Western Highland Rim, USA

Figure 8. The number of Faxonius compressus collected across 33 sites based on the macrohabitat type and the water depth at which they were collected. Boxes indicate the treatments̍ interquartile range, and points represent our raw data.

Figure 7 in Natural history and ecology of the slender crayfish (Faxonius compressus): an ecosystem engineer in the Western Highland Rim, USA

Figure 7. The relationship between estimated water depth and the density of burrows counted within a 0.25 m2 quadrat. Black circles represent our raw data, and the dashed line presents the linear relationship between water depth and burrow density.