Ecological Research最新文献

{"title":"Investigating the use of deep learning models for land cover classification from street-level imagery","authors":"Narumasa Tsutsumida,&nbsp;Jing Zhao,&nbsp;Naho Shibuya,&nbsp;Kenlo Nasahara,&nbsp;Takeo Tadono","doi":"10.1111/1440-1703.12470","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1440-1703.12470","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Land cover classification mapping is the process of assigning labels to different types of land surfaces based on overhead imagery. However, acquiring reference samples through fieldwork for ground truth can be costly and time-intensive. Additionally, annotating high-resolution satellite images poses challenges, as certain land cover types are difficult to discern solely from nadir images. To address these challenges, this study examined the feasibility of using street-level imagery to support the collection of reference samples and identify land cover. We utilized 18,022 images captured in Japan, with 14 different land cover classes. Our approach involved using convolutional neural networks based on Inception-v4 and DenseNet, as well as Transformer-based Vision and Swin Transformers, both with and without pre-trained weights and fine-tuning techniques. Additionally, we explored explainability through Gradient-Weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM). Our results indicate that using a Vision Transformer was the most effective method, achieving an overall accuracy of 86.12% and allowing for full explainability of land cover targets within an image. This paper proposes a promising solution for land cover classification from street-level imagery, which can be used for semi-automatic reference sample collection from geo-tagged street-level photos.</p>","PeriodicalId":11434,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Research","volume":"39 5","pages":"757-765"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1440-1703.12470","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140666743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Citizen‐participatory nationwide survey of mountain streamwater chemistry in Japan in 2022: Comparison of nitrate concentrations with the 2003 survey","authors":"Soyoka Makino, Naoko Tokuchi, Daisuke Akaishi, Lina A. Koyama, Yukio Komai, Yoshimi Itaya, Nay Lin Maung, Kanae Ishimaru, Tomoki Oda, Rei Shibata, Shinya Numamoto","doi":"10.1111/1440-1703.12465","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1703.12465","url":null,"abstract":"Mountain streamwater chemistry is an effective indicator of forest condition. In 2022, we conducted a nationwide investigation of mountain streamwater chemistry in Japan, leveraging citizen‐participatory sampling. This approach involved 629 individuals with regular exposure to mountain and natural environments. Although our primary aim was to sample at locations from a 2003 study, we also welcomed samples from new sites. In total, 1414 streamwater samples were collected one time from each forested watershed at the baseflow condition. Our study focused on stream nitrate (NO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub><jats:sup>−</jats:sup>) concentration as a key indicator of anthropogenic nitrogen (N) loading impacts on forests. We compared NO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub><jats:sup>−</jats:sup> concentrations in 2022 with those from 2003 at identical sampling points. After excluding 179 points with evident human‐created features upstream, the mean NO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub><jats:sup>−</jats:sup> concentration in 2022 was 0.328 mg N L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> (<jats:italic>n</jats:italic> = 1236). Comparing data from 1088 points sampled in both years, the mean value in 2022 (0.324 mg N L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>) was significantly lower than that in 2003 (0.359 mg N L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic> &lt; 0.05). Notably, 88.5% of sampling points showed differences within ±0.25 mg N L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>. The spatial distribution pattern of mountain stream NO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub><jats:sup>−</jats:sup> concentrations in 2022 did not consistently align with large cities, industrial areas, or N deposition sources. This unique approach marked the first nationwide participatory survey for collecting mountain streamwater in Japan. Our success in ensuring sample quality through accessible explanations, manuals, and videos demonstrates the potential of citizen science. However, the quantitative evaluation of scientific accuracy remains a forthcoming challenge.","PeriodicalId":11434,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Research","volume":"99 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140637471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Topographical gradient of the structure and diversity of a woody plant community in a seasonally dry tropical forest in northwestern Madagascar","authors":"Yutaro Fujimoto,&nbsp;Takayuki Kaneko,&nbsp;Hiroki Sato,&nbsp;Ando Harilalao Rakotomamonjy,&nbsp;Zo Lalaina Razafiarison,&nbsp;Kaoru Kitajima","doi":"10.1111/1440-1703.12475","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1440-1703.12475","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Few studies have evaluated the structure and dynamics of forests in Madagascar with high levels of endemism. Ankarafantsika National Park holds the largest of the remaining primary dry forests in northwestern Madagascar, where most of the forests have been lost or degraded by fire and other human activities. In this primary forest, we established a 15-ha forest dynamics monitoring plot and mapped and identified all woody stems with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥5 cm. The forest stand was characterized by small-sized individuals (75% of stems with DBH &lt;10 cm, with 99% of trees with height &lt;15 m), encompassing 35,758 tree and 513 liana individuals belonging to 160 species in 53 families (including 20 species of lianas accounting for 1.4% of the stems). Most species-rich families were Rubiaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, and Malvaceae, which together encompassed 43 tree species and 23% of all tree individuals. The plot was located on a hill consisting of white sand at elevations from 150 to 200 m, with a gentle slope down from southwest to northeast. Over this elevation gradient, stem density and species diversity increased with elevation, while tree height and diameter decreased. The most abundant two species, <i>Drypetes perrieri</i> (Putranjivaceae) and <i>Noronhia alleizettei</i> (Oleaceae) are evergreen, suggesting the importance of a nutrient conservation strategy. These results provide the foundational knowledge necessary for the conservation and restoration of natural semi-deciduous dry forests that used to cover large areas in northwestern Madagascar until recently.</p>","PeriodicalId":11434,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Research","volume":"39 5","pages":"705-716"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1440-1703.12475","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140634159","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating the potential of interpopulation outbreeding to rescue plant populations facing reproductive failures","authors":"Shota Sakaguchi,&nbsp;Shigeru Fukumoto,&nbsp;Kazutoshi Masuda,&nbsp;Hiroaki Setoguchi,&nbsp;Shun K. Hirota,&nbsp;Yoshihisa Suyama,&nbsp;Daisuke Fujiki,&nbsp;Reiichi Miura,&nbsp;Kazuki Yamamoto,&nbsp;Misyo Ota,&nbsp;Masae I. Ishihara","doi":"10.1111/1440-1703.12472","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1440-1703.12472","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The overabundance of sika deer has become a significant threat to plant communities across Japan. As a result of the deer overgrazing, rare plants are undergoing a demographic bottleneck, leading to a loss of genetic diversity. Genetic diversity is crucial for the reproductive success of self-incompatible plants, and it also provides evolutionary potential, which increases their long-term population viability. Therefore, it is essential to appropriately manage the remaining genotypes to conserve local genetic resources. In this study, we exemplify this, via a conservation genetic analysis of <i>Parasenecio peltifolius</i> populations impacted by deer. Genetic data revealed that the small populations confined to isolated refugial sites consisted of effectively single genets. Recent reproductive failures in these populations may be attributed to the loss of genotypic diversity. Despite the bottlenecks, the remaining genets exhibited high individual heterozygosity, which is a good indicator that they have not been affected by severe inbreeding. Hybrid simulations suggested that interpopulation outbreeding between the unique genotypes can be a viable option to promote sexual reproduction and re-establish genetic diversity within the local populations. Establishing artificial progenies in botanical gardens can serve as a vital genetic resource for the long-term viability of threatened <i>P. peltifolius</i> populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":11434,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Research","volume":"39 5","pages":"694-704"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140629269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Grassland flora of ultramafic areas in Northern Pindus (Greece)","authors":"Evangelos Filis,&nbsp;Dimitrios Kyrkas,&nbsp;Nikolaos Mantzos,&nbsp;Panayiotis G. Dimitrakopoulos,&nbsp;Georgios Fotiadis,&nbsp;Maria Konstantinou","doi":"10.1111/1440-1703.12469","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1440-1703.12469","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In Europe, the largest and most floristically diverse ultramafic (serpentine) outcrops are located on the Balkan Peninsula. In Greece, the Northern Pindus mountain range is characterized as a floristic diversity hotspot, due to the presence of large ultramafic outcrops that harbor a large number of nickel (Ni) hyperaccumulators with potential use in agromining. The work presented here is part of a more in-depth study of floristic composition and ecology of plant communities in ultramafic grasslands of the Northern Pindus mountain range. In 2021–2022, 120 relevés in three subareas (sA1, sA2, and sA3) were sampled according to the Braun-Blanquet method. We identified 493 plant taxa belonging to 61 families. The most abundant families were Asteraceae, Poaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, and Caryophyllaceae. A total of 22 plant taxa are endemic to Greece. Ninety-five taxa are of Balkan origin while 158 taxa are distributed to the broader Mediterranean region. The highest number of plant life-forms are hemicryptophytes (56.39%) and therophytes (23.33%). Eight Ni hyperaccumulators including <i>Centaurea thracica</i>, <i>Bornmuellera baldaccii</i>, <i>Bornmuellera emarginata</i>, <i>Bornmuellera tymphaea</i>, <i>Noccaea boeotica</i>, <i>Noccaea tymphaea</i>, <i>Odontarrhena chalcidica</i>, and <i>Odontarrhena smolikana</i> were recorded.</p>","PeriodicalId":11434,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Research","volume":"39 4","pages":"531-542"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1440-1703.12469","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140625054","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of distance from the sea and bedrock on foliar mineral contents in Japanese forests: Implications for mineral acquisition by folivores","authors":"Goro Hanya,&nbsp;Shogo Kato,&nbsp;Shumpei Kitamura,&nbsp;Yosuke Kurihara,&nbsp;Takeaki Honda,&nbsp;Takafumi Suzumura,&nbsp;Tamihisa Ohta","doi":"10.1111/1440-1703.12471","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1440-1703.12471","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Minerals are among the important nutritional components that are indispensable for animals. In particular, the acquisition of sodium is important for plant-feeding animals because sodium may be deficient for these animals as plants do not need sodium. This study compiled data on the mineral contents of leaves in 28 forests in Japan, with special emphasis on the effect of distance from the sea and bedrock type. The aim of this study was to provide basic data on mineral availability for forest-dwelling folivores, which provide important baseline data for understanding the mineral acquisition strategy of plant-feeding animals. Sodium and phosphorus contents of live leaves were lower than the levels required for folivores (captive non-human primates and ungulates). The effect of the distance from the sea was evident only for magnesium and sodium. The sodium content of live leaves was high enough to satisfy folivores' requirements at only a few hundred meters from the sea. The live leaves in forests growing on sedimentary bedrocks contained more minerals than those on granite/rhyolite. Seasonality was also evident based on repeated sampling at three study sites. The mineral contents of dead leaves at the three study sites showed similar inter-site and inter-season variations to those of live leaves. Phosphorus and potassium contents in dead leaves were consistently lower and iron content was consistently higher than in live leaves.</p>","PeriodicalId":11434,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Research","volume":"39 5","pages":"659-675"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140577199","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Stress response and phytoextraction potential of two Noccaea caerulescens populations in multicontaminated soil","authors":"Mohammad Chafik Sherri,&nbsp;Catherine Sirguey,&nbsp;Ali Kanso,&nbsp;Kassem Hamze,&nbsp;Stéphanie Ouvrard","doi":"10.1111/1440-1703.12466","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1440-1703.12466","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Multicontamination of soils by various organic and inorganic pollutants is considered as an obstacle for the development of hyperaccumulator plants and phytoextraction of metals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in combination with trace elements on the antioxidant response and phytoextraction efficiency of two populations of the hyperaccumulator <i>Noccaea caerulescens</i> from either a metalliferous (Ganges) or a nonmetalliferous (Chavignée) site. Plants were grown for 17 days in soil containing moderate concentrations of trace elements and under the effect of phenanthrene (PHE), a PAH stress model. In general, exposure to PHE resulted in a reduction of growth parameters, together with the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes and compounds and limitations in nutrient uptake and heavy metal extraction in <i>N. caerulescens</i>. Variations were observed in the extent of enzymatic activities and the amount of metals extracted between the two populations studied. Plants from Chavignée exhibited a slightly more tolerant response to PHE stress than those from Ganges. The presence of PHE in the soil proved highly toxic to <i>N. caerulescens</i>, resulting in low numbers of survivors. Nevertheless, the differences observed between the two populations with regard to growth, metal extraction, and antioxidant defense responses suggest that the difference in defense capacity may ensure different tolerance. This difference may be linked to adaptations acquired by each population according to the soil type from which it originates. However, these results need to be confirmed by further experiments.</p>","PeriodicalId":11434,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Research","volume":"39 4","pages":"511-530"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140610002","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reproductive ecology of free-ranging striped hyena Hyaena hyaena in central Israel","authors":"Ezra Hadad,&nbsp;Amir Balaban,&nbsp;Jakub Z. Kosicki,&nbsp;Reuven Yosef","doi":"10.1111/1440-1703.12467","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1440-1703.12467","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The striped hyena is one of the most secretive and enigmatic mammal species. Despite some success in describing their distribution and analyzing population trends, further understanding of the factors affecting reproductive success is needed. Therefore, we present the first analysis of the reproductive success of this species in the wild. We measured the reproductive success of female striped hyenas in at least one litter over 15 breeding seasons. We inspected 33 dens with 67 breeding events during this time and recorded 151 young hyenas. The dens were inhabited for an average of 2 years, with litter sizes ranging from 1 to 4 per reproductive female and most young born between January and June. We also found that litter size was positively associated with lowland areas and shrubs near the den. Despite methodological limitations that we could not overcome given the enigmatic nature of this species, our discovery is crucial because we have shown that reproductive success depends on the habitat in which dens are located, thus ensuring consistent reproductive success over the long-term cycle.</p>","PeriodicalId":11434,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Research","volume":"39 5","pages":"685-693"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1440-1703.12467","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140609978","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nickelophilic root foraging by the nickel hyperaccumulator, Streptanthus polygaloides subsp. undulatus (Brassicaceae)","authors":"Katherine A. Mincey,&nbsp;Robert S. Boyd","doi":"10.1111/1440-1703.12468","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1440-1703.12468","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Root foraging may allow hyperaccumulator plants to enhance element accumulation. This study compared root proliferation of two annual serpentine endemics: <i>Streptanthus polygaloides</i> (Ni hyperaccumulator) and <i>Streptanthus insignis</i> (nonhyperaccumulator). In a greenhouse experiment, pots were divided by a sealed partition, Ni-amended soil (800 mg kg ⁻¹) in one half, unamended soil in the other. Seeds were germinated over the partition, allowing roots to explore both soils. After 5 months, roots from each side of each pot were harvested, washed, dried, and weighed. <i>Streptanthus polygaloides</i> root biomass was significantly (twofold) greater in Ni-amended soil whereas <i>S. insignis</i> root biomass was similar in the two soils. In a lab experiment, seedlings were grown in vertical agar-filled petri dishes to determine if Ni affected seedling root growth. Seedlings were placed on either side of a central filter paper strip soaked in either NiCl₂ solution or deionized water. Growth direction of the primary root (toward, away, neutral) and lateral root numbers and lengths were recorded. For seedlings, primary root direction and lateral root numbers/lengths were significantly increased toward Ni-soaked filter paper only for <i>S. polygaloides</i>. We conclude that <i>S. polygaloides</i> exhibited positive root foraging responses. These may enhance Ni uptake and we suggest the term “nickelophilic root foraging” be applied to this behavior.</p>","PeriodicalId":11434,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Research","volume":"39 4","pages":"500-510"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1440-1703.12468","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140609982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Heritability of walnut seed size and the benefits of large seeds","authors":"Noriko Tamura","doi":"10.1111/1440-1703.12464","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1440-1703.12464","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Japanese walnuts (<i>Juglans mandshurica</i>) are known to be seed-dispersed by the hoarding of two species of rodents, Japanese squirrels (<i>Sciurus lis</i>) and large Japanese field mice (<i>Apodemus speciosus</i>). The previous study showed that the squirrel transported and stored larger walnut seeds farther, whereas the mice transported smaller seeds farther. Divergent selection by different seed dispersers may play an important role in differentiation between local walnut populations, in which understanding seed size heritability is crucial. This study aims to determine how the seed size selected by rodents affects the initial growth of walnuts and to what extent walnut seed size is genetically determined. Sixty walnut seeds were collected from a small seed-producing tree, and 50 walnut seeds from a large seed-producing tree were sown and grown for 18 years. The seed size produced from each tree showed that the heritability of seed size was high (<i>h</i>^<i>2</i> = 0.52). When 50 smaller and 50 larger walnut seeds were planted under the same conditions, the dry weight of shoots and roots of the larger seeds was significantly greater than that of the smaller seeds, and root length was also significantly longer in the larger seeds. Seed size is heritable, so if squirrels are inhabiting, larger seeds, which are advantageous for regeneration, will be selected, and walnut trees producing larger seeds will be passed on to the next generation. Because selective hoarding has implications for seed establishment success, inhabiting a suitable seed disperser, the squirrel, is more critical for walnut regeneration than previously assumed.</p>","PeriodicalId":11434,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Research","volume":"39 5","pages":"676-684"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140577566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}