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opencc-by-4.0Jan 2022View details →

Correlation of urban avian species diversity present in heterogenous habitat types of the Silk city, Odisha, Eastern India

This is the complete metadata and the R code required to do the analysis of the paper regarding birds of Berhampur city.

opencc-by-4.0Dec 2016View details →

Fig. 1 in Habitat heterogeneity on feeding habit of two sympatric and congeneric characidae fishes in two tropical reservoirs

Fig. 1. NMDS plot showing relation of food item abundance found in the diet of Astyanax aff. bimaculatus Linnaeus, 1758 and A. parahybae Eigenmann, 1908 in Lajes and Santana reservoirs, state of rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Ap, Astyanax parahybae; Ab, Astyanax aff. bimaculatus; Ljs, Lajes; Snt, Santana).

FIGURE 4 in Fish assemblage structure related to habitat heterogeneity in rocky reefs in the Mexican Pacific coast

FIGURE 4 | Non-metric multidimensional scaling for fish assemblage data for the California Current (CC) and North Equatorial Current (NEC) in the sample sites: Caleta de chon (CH), Las Gatas (LG), Manzanillo (MZ), and Zacatoso (ZC). Horizontal and vertical scatter bars represent 95% confidence interval.

FIGURE 3 in Fish assemblage structure related to habitat heterogeneity in rocky reefs in the Mexican Pacific coast

FIGURE 3 | Rarefaction curves of species richness for the California Current (CC) and North Equatorial Current (NEC) in the sampled sites: Caleta de chon (CH), Las Gatas (LG), Manzanillo (MZ), and Zacatoso (ZC). Shaded area represents 95% confidence interval.

FIGURE 2 in Fish assemblage structure related to habitat heterogeneity in rocky reefs in the Mexican Pacific coast

FIGURE 2 | Principal component analysis of (A) sea water conditions and (B) heterogeneity components in sampling sites for the California Current (CC) and North Equatorial Current (NEC). Sampled sites: Caleta de chon (CH), Las Gatas (LG), Manzanillo (MZ), and Zacatoso (ZC). Horizontal and vertical scatter bars represent 95% of confidence interval.

FIGURE 1 in Fish assemblage structure related to habitat heterogeneity in rocky reefs in the Mexican Pacific coast

FIGURE 1 | Geographic location of the Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo bays in the Pacific Coast of Mexico and sampling sites.

publicMar 2024View details →

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Energy input, habitat heterogeneity, and host specificity drive avian haemosporidian diversity at continental scales

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opencc-zeroAug 2020View details →

Fine-scale habitat heterogeneity influences browsing damage by elephant and giraffe

Effects of large mammalian herbivores on woody vegetation tend to be heterogeneous in space and time, but the factors that drive such heterogeneity are poorly understood. We examined the influence of fine-scale habitat heterogeneity on the distribution and browsing effects of two of the largest African terrestrial mammals, the elephant and giraffe. We conducted this study within a 120-ha (500 x 2400 m) ForestGEO long-term vegetation monitoring plot located at Mpala Research Center, Kenya. The plot traverses three distinct topographic habitats ('plateau', 'steep slopes', and 'valley') with contrasting elevation, slope, soil properties, and vegetation composition. To quantify browsing damage, we focused on Acacia mellifera, a palatable tree species that occurs across the three habitat categories. Overall tree density, species richness, and diversity was highest on the steep slopes and lowest on the plateau. Acacia mellifera trees were tallest and had the lowest number of stems per tree on the steep slopes. Both elephant and giraffe avoided the steep slopes and their activity was higher during the wet season than during the dry season. Browsing damage on Acacia mellifera was lowest on the steep slopes. Elephant browsing damage was highest in the valley whereas giraffe browsing damage was highest on the plateau. Our findings suggest that fine-scale habitat heterogeneity is an important factor in predicting the distribution of large herbivores and their effects on vegetation and may interact with other drivers such as edaphic variations to influence local variation in vegetation structure and composition.

opencc-zeroDec 2020View details →

Fine-scale habitat heterogeneity favours the coexistence of supergene-controlled social forms in Formica selysi

Background: Social insects vary widely in social organization, yet the genetical and ecological factors influencing this variation remain poorly known. In particular, whether spatially varying selection influences the maintenance of social polymorphisms in ants has been rarely investigated. To fill this gap, we examined whether fine-scale habitat heterogeneity contributes to the co-existence of alternative forms of social organization within populations. Single-queen colonies (monogyne social form) are generally associated with better colonization abilities, whereas multiple-queen colonies (polygyne social form) are predicted to be better competitors and monopolize saturated habitats. We hypothesize that each social form colonizes and thrives in distinct local habitats, as a result of their alternative dispersal and colony founding strategies. Here, we test this hypothesis in the Alpine silver ant, in which a supergene controls polymorphic social organization. Results: Monogyne and polygyne colonies predominate in distinct habitats of the same population. The analysis of 59 sampling plots distributed across six habitats revealed that single-queen colonies mostly occupy unconnected habitats that were most likely reached by flight. This includes young habitats isolated by water and old habitats isolated by vegetation. In contrast, multiple-queen colonies were abundant in young, continuous and saturated habitats. Hence, alternative social forms colonize and monopolize distinct niches at a very local scale. Conclusions: Alternative social forms colonized and monopolized different local habitats, in accordance with differences in colonization and competition abilities. The monogyne social form displays a colonizer phenotype, by efficiently occupying empty habitats, while the polygyne social form exhibits a competitor phenotype, thriving in saturated habitats. The combination of the two phenotypes, coupled with fine-scale habitat heterogeneity, may allow the coexistence of alternative social forms within populations. Overall, these results suggest that spatially varying selection may be one of the mechanisms contributing to the maintenance of genetic polymorphisms in social organization.

opencc-zeroFeb 2020View details →

Fine‐scale habitat heterogeneity and vole runways influence seed dispersal in Plagiobothrys nothofulvus

PREMISE: Seed dispersal allows plants to colonize new sites and contributes to gene flow among populations. Despite its fundamental importance to ecological and evolutionary processes, our understanding of seed dispersal is limited due to the difficulty of directly observing dispersal events. This is particularly true for the majority of plant species that are considered to have gravity as their primary dispersal mechanism. The potential for long-distance movement of gravity-dispersed seeds by secondary dispersal vectors is rarely evaluated. METHODS: We employ whole-genome assays of maternally inherited cpDNA in Plagiobothrys nothofulvus to resolve patterns of genetic variation due to effective (realized) seed dispersal within a 16 hectare prairie that is characterized by a mosaic of habitat types. We evaluate the effects of microgeographic landscape features extracted from micro-UAV aerial surveys on patterns of seed dispersal using landscape genetics methods. RESULTS: We found evidence of high resistance to seed-mediated gene flow (effective dispersal) within patches of P. nothofulvus, and strong genetic structure over distances of less than 20 meters. Geographic distance was a poor predictor of dispersal distance, while landscape features had stronger influences on patterns of dispersal<a name="_Hlk22028649"> (distance and direction of seed movement)</a>. Patterns of dispersal were best predicted by the combined distribution of flower patches, habitat type, and the network of vole runways, with the latter explaining the largest proportion of variation in the model. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that primary dispersal occurs mostly within microhabitats and infrequent secondary dispersal may occur over longer distances due to the activity of small mammals and other vertebrates.

opencc-zeroNov 2023View details →

Data from: Landscape heterogeneity can partially offset negative effects of habitat loss on mammalian biodiversity in agroecosystems

Intensive, large-scale agriculture promotes the conversion of natural habitats and diversified crops into monocultures, decreasing both native vegetation cover and landscape heterogeneity, leading to landscape simplification. Yet, a key knowledge gap persists on the relative impacts of the loss of native vegetation and landscape heterogeneity on biodiversity. Addressing this gap is pressing to support policies that conciliate agricultural production and biodiversity conservation and to move forward some scientific controversies, as the "land sharing versus land sparing" and "habitat loss versus fragmentation" debates. Through a hierarchical sampling design that maximized variation, while minimizing correlation, between landscape heterogeneity and native vegetation cover, we recorded the occurrence of medium and large-bodied mammals in native vegetation and agricultural areas of 55 landscapes in a global conservation hotspot and a key commodity production area – the Brazilian savanna, Cerrado. We compared simple, additive, and interactive models to investigate the effects of landscape heterogeneity and native vegetation cover on richness and composition of native and invasive mammals. Native and invasive mammal communities were affected by both native vegetation cover and landscape heterogeneity, although the effects of the first was stronger than the later. Both aspects had positive effects on native species richness and negative on invasive species richness, indicating that the loss of native vegetation and the reduction in landscape heterogeneity lead to biotic homogenization. Yet, while landscape heterogeneity benefited most native species, the direction of its effect varied among invasive species and depended on native vegetation cover. Synthesis and applications: Besides reducing habitat loss, avoiding landscape homogenization is key for conciliating agricultural production and biodiversity conservation, pointing to the relevance of policies encouraging crop diversification. As increasing landscape heterogeneity can in part compensate the negative effects of losing native habitat on biodiversity in agroecosystems, policies can gain feasibility by adjusting the balance between native vegetation cover and landscape heterogeneity according to what best suits local restraints and demands.

opencc-zeroJan 2024View details →

Data from: Born in heterogenous landscapes: birth timing, body mass and growth of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) fawns in contrasting habitats

Although the widespread effects of global change impact almost all ecosystems, we lack a detailed understanding of how wildlife that thrive in human-dominated environments are able to adjust their life history to modifications in land use of their natural habitat. In particular, spatial variation in environmental conditions is predicted to influence development during the crucial early life phase, with marked impacts on individual performance and population dynamics for long-lived species. Large herbivores such as roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), a synanthropic species, have increased substantially in number and distribution over the last half century across Europe. Roe deer have been particularly successful, gradually colonizing agricultural landscapes to cope with a global warming-driven phenological mismatch in their natural forest habitat. However, to date, little is known about how habitat heterogeneity impacts their demographic performance in this heavily human-impacted environment. Specifically, we predicted that fawns born in predominantly cultivated local habitats would achieve faster early development due to the food subsidies obtained by their mothers from agricultural crops. Contrary to our expectations, fawns in semi-natural forest habitats were around 10% heavier at birth than those born in more mixed (by 0.163 ± 0.058 kg) and open (by 0.169 ± 0.006 kg) agricultural habitats. However, all fawns subsequently grew at a similar average rate (0.148 ± 0.058 kg/day), irrespective of their habitat. This habitat-dependent variation in birth mass appeared to be driven by reproductive phenology, as i) early-born fawns were heavier than late-born fawns, and ii) mothers living in the forest gave birth around 10 days earlier than those living in the mixed and open habitats. As natural habitats become increasingly scarce and fragmented due to the activities of humans, the prospects for many wild populations will depend on their ability to subsist in the heavily modified habitats of anthropogenic landscapes.

opencc-zeroJan 2023View details →

Soil microbial community shifts explain habitat heterogeneity in two Haloxylon species from a nutrient perspective

Haloxylon ammodendron and Haloxylon persicum (as sister taxa) are dominant shrubs in the Gurbantunggut Desert. The former grows in inter-dune lowlands while the latter in sand dunes. However, little information is available regarding the possible role of soil microorganisms in their habitat heterogeneity from a nutrient perspective in deserts. Rhizosphere is the interface of plant-microbe-soil interactions and fertile islands usually occur around the roots of desert shrubs. Given this, we applied quantitative real-time PCR combined with MiSeq amplicon sequencing to compare their rhizosphere effects on microbial abundance and community structures at three soil depths (0–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm). The rhizosphere effects on microbial activity (respiration) and soil properties had also been estimated. The rhizospheres of both shrubs exerted significant positive effects on microbial activity and abundance (e.g. eukarya, bacteria and nitrogen-fixing microbes). The rhizosphere effect of H. ammodendron on microbial activity and abundance of bacteria and nitrogen-fixing microbes was greater than that of H. persicum. However, the fertile island effect of H. ammodendron was weaker than that of H. persicum. Moreover, there existed distinct differences in microbial community structure between the two rhizosphere soils. Soil-available nitrogen, especially nitrate nitrogen was shown to be a driver of microbial community differentiation among rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils in the desert. In general, the rhizosphere of H. ammodendron recruited more copiotrophs (e.g. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria), nitrogen-fixing microbes and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, and with stronger microbial activities. This helps it maintain a competitive advantage in relatively nutrient-rich lowlands. H. persicum relied more on fungi, actinomycetes, archaea (including ammonia-oxidizing archaea) and eukarya, with higher nutrient use efficiency, which help it adapt to the harsher dune crests. This study provides insights into the microbial mechanisms of habitat heterogeneity in two Haloxylon species in the poor desert soil.

opencc-zeroFeb 2023View details →

Habitat and not topographic heterogeneity constrains the range sizes of African mammals

Aim: The extinction risks of species are influenced by their geographical range sizes, as species with smaller ranges are more likely to go extinct following disturbance events. Theoretically, heterogeneous landscapes can maintain small-ranged species, because they facilitate the coexistence of taxa that are each constrained to distinct abiotic conditions. However, we do not fully understand whether this process is more attributable to variation in habitat types (habitat heterogeneity) or physical elevations (topographic heterogeneity) across landscapes. Here, we compare the influences of habitat versus topographic heterogeneity on mammalian range sizes in Africa. Location: Africa. Taxon: Mammalia. Methods: We built a phylogenetic generalized least squares model to predict the range sizes of 1033 mammalian species from their functional traits and abiotic conditions. We assessed how the performance of the model changed when we incorporated measures of the local habitat and, separately, topographic heterogeneity that species experience. Results: Habitat and topographic heterogeneity are weakly correlated across Africa (ρ = 0.14). Habitat heterogeneity is inversely related to range size (model coefficient = −0.88). Incorporating habitat heterogeneity significantly decreased the model's AICc, increased its likelihood and increased the proportion of variance that is explained in the range sizes of species. Conversely, topographic heterogeneity is not significantly related to range size and had no impact on the model's AICc, likelihood or predictive performance. This contrast between habitat and topographic heterogeneity is particularly prevalent in carnivorous mammalian clades. Results at multiple spatial resolutions differed minimally. Main Conclusions: Our findings advance ecological theory by demonstrating that a landscape's variation in habitats, and not in elevations, relates inversely with mammalian range size and therefore facilitates the coexistence of small-ranged mammals. Conservation efforts in regions of high habitat heterogeneity will be critical to prevent extinctions in Africa's biodiverse mammalian species.

opencc-zeroFeb 2023View details →

Data from: Habitat heterogeneity determines species richness on small habitat islands in a fragmented landscape

Aim: The small-island effect (SIE), as an exception to the species-area relationship, has received much attention in true island systems. However, the prevalence and related patterns of the SIE have not been well evaluated in habitat island systems. Here, we aimed to identify the existence of SIE for habitat islands in fragmented landscapes and determine the key factors influencing species richness on small habitat islands. Location: Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. Taxon: Vascular plants. Methods: Based on 78 grassland fragments in fragmented landscapes of the agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China, we used piecewise regression, path analysis, and null models to investigate the SIE of the species-area relationship. We then used a multi-model selection to evaluate the impacts of four influencing factors (instability, isolation, habitat heterogeneity, and surrounding productivity) on species richness (including habitat specialists and generalists) on small habitat islands within the range of SIE. Results: We found an obvious threshold of 5.1 ha in the species-area relationship, below which habitat island area had no direct and indirect effects on species richness. Small habitat islands (< 5.1 ha) host a lower percentage of habitat specialists and a higher percentage of generalists. On small habitat islands, species richness was positively affected by habitat heterogeneity while negatively affected by instability and isolation. Habitat heterogeneity had the strongest effect on species richness, positively affecting specialist richness while negatively affecting generalist richness. Main conclusions: There is a SIE in fragmented landscapes of the agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China, which should be considered in biodiversity conservation. Habitat heterogeneity had a key role in determining the pattern of species richness, especially for small islands. Habitat specialists and generalists had different SIE-related patterns. Our study highlights the importance of considering different ecological groups of species to improve our understanding of the SIE in fragmented habitats.