Ecological Indicators最新文献

{"title":"Radial growth and climate responses of healthy versus decayed subalpine conifer trees in the southeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau","authors":"Lingzhuo Luo ,&nbsp;Wenzhi Wang ,&nbsp;Zhehong Wu ,&nbsp;Yong Su","doi":"10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112845","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112845","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The forest loss and degradation caused by tree heart rot presents an increasingly challenging issue for the protection and utilization of forest resources. Yet, it is questionable whether heartwood-decayed trees can still function on par with healthy trees. Here, using tree ring data, we established basal area increment (BAI) series of healthy and heartwood-decayed fir trees at four sites (<em>Abies spectabilis</em> in Bomi; <em>A. georgei</em> Orr in Deqin as well as the Sygera Mountain; <em>A. fabri</em> Craib in Yajiageng) in the southeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). We conducted a comparative analysis of the difference in the BAI, response to climate factors and elasticity under environmental stress between the healthy and decayed fir. The results show that, in QTP, fir susceptibility to decay is uncorrelated with growth rates. However, after decaying occurs in fir trees, their radial growth is restricted in warm and humid areas (i.e., at Bomi and Yajiageng). The average BAI of healthy fir is 70.32 % and 86.32 % higher than that of decayed fir in Bomi and Yajiageng respectively (p &lt; 0.01), but no significant difference in Deqin and Sygera (p &gt; 0.05). Moreover, healthy fir exhibits a more pronounced response to climatic conditions. Almost all BAI series of healthy and decayed fir in the southeastern QTP is positively correlated with the temperature and vapor pressure deficit. Under temperature stress, decayed fir trees are less resistant at three sites. This empirical study supports that there is no correlation between conifer trees’ radial growth rate and their likelihood of heartwood decay, and provides a compelling explanation for the constrained growth of decayed fir trees. Our findings can bolster the accurate assessment of carbon sinks and the conservation of forest resources in regions prone to high-decaying risks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11459,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Indicators","volume":"169 ","pages":"Article 112845"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142661870","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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":"Region-county characteristics of spatiotemporal dynamic evolution and influencing factors on agricultural net carbon sink in Hexi region of Gansu Province","authors":"Lirong Wang ,&nbsp;Peiji Shi ,&nbsp;Jun Luo ,&nbsp;Junfeng Yin ,&nbsp;Fanyuan Cheng ,&nbsp;Jing Shi ,&nbsp;Ziyang Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112817","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112817","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Reducing emissions and enhancing carbon sinks are<!--> <!-->essential for promoting regional agriculture in a green, low-carbon manner. However, most studies have overlooked spatial dependence and heterogeneity while incomprehensively exploring the influencing factors. Taking the counties in the Hexi region as<!--> <!-->our primary focus, the<!--> <!-->net carbon sequestration<!--> <!-->and its spatial–temporal dynamic evolution<!--> <!-->process from 2000 to 2020<!--> <!-->were calculated<!--> <!-->and<!--> <!-->explored, and the factors<!--> <!-->influencing<!--> <!-->and their<!--> <!-->spatial effect decomposition were investigated.We observed that<!--> <!-->although each county has been in a state of carbon surplus<!--> <!-->during the research term, there is a spatial imbalance among them. The overall tendency of the net farming carbon sinks in<!--> <!-->the Hexi area showed fluctuations<!--> <!-->and an upward<!--> <!-->trend, with higher values observed in the eastern region than in the northwest. Ganzhou District and Shandan County play pivotal roles<!--> <!-->regarding the movement of the center of gravity concerning agricultural net carbon<!--> <!-->sequestrations. Cultivated land area per capita contributes to county-level agricultural net carbon sequestration within the Hexi region. Per capita agricultural GDP, agricultural industrial structure, and<!--> <!-->financial support for agriculture<!--> <!-->demonstrate remarkable active spillover effects. Conversely, urbanization exhibits a notable opposite spillover effect. Our results can provide a scientific basement for formulating differentiated policies for low-carbon<!--> <!-->agricultural development<!--> <!-->in the Hexi region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11459,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Indicators","volume":"169 ","pages":"Article 112817"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142662229","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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":"Hyperspectral remote sensing of chlorophyll a and pheophorbide a pigments for macrobenthos mapping on an estuarine tidal flat","authors":"Ting Zhang ,&nbsp;Dunia Rios-Yunes ,&nbsp;Bo Tian ,&nbsp;Dongyan Liu ,&nbsp;Qi Liu ,&nbsp;Karline Soetaert ,&nbsp;Yunxuan Zhou ,&nbsp;Daphne van der Wal","doi":"10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112850","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112850","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Macrobenthos play critical roles in estuarine tidal flats through bioturbation, biodeposition, and bioirrigation and serve as key elements in the food web, depending largely on microphytobenthos (MPB) and serving as prey for birds. As traditional field-based methods for determining the spatial distribution of macrobenthos are costly and time-consuming, in this study we investigated the potential of inferring macrobenthos from degradation products of chlorophyll-a, a proxy for MPB biomass. First, we identified the macrobenthic groups most closely related to the pheophorbide-a and chlorophyll-a (Pheob-a/Chl-a) ratios via in situ data, although relationships were typically not significant. We then characterized the spectral characteristics of this ratio through controlled indoor experiments, integrated them into a hyperspectral algorithm, and mapped the spatial distribution of macrobenthos in the Western Scheldt estuary with this algorithm via PRecursore IperSpettrale della Missione Applicativa (PRISMA) hyperspectral satellite data. Specifically, the ratio was significantly (but weakly) related to the macrobenthic group of carnivorous/omnivorous/scavenger-feeding Malacostraca and bivalves and subsurface deposit-feeding Gastropoda, as verified by independent data, without showing significant relationships with many other groups. The blue spectrum was sensitive to Pheob-a/Chl-a, and a stacking model leveraging this spectrum was used to estimate the ratio. The results indicated substantial spatial heterogeneity in the estimated Pheob-a/Chl-a from the PRISMA images. The spatiotemporal relationships between these macrobenthic groups and MPB varied. Thus, while the method is not suited for macrobenthos mapping, our proposed approach paves the way for further research using hyperspectral imagery for ecological assessment, with its potential and limitations discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11459,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Indicators","volume":"169 ","pages":"Article 112850"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142662233","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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":"Robustness assessment of urban cold island network based on green infrastructure–A case study of Bengbu, China","authors":"Nana Guo,&nbsp;Xinbin Liang","doi":"10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112842","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112842","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Green infrastructure(GI) is important vehicle for mitigating urban heat islands(UHIs), and cold island areas can have real cooling effect on urban surface heat. Research on structural cooling strategies using GI network landscape connectivity as an entry point has gradually become a research hotspot; however, research lacks on enhancing GI cooling efficiency (cold island patch cooling effectiveness utilization or potential development) and dynamic construction adaptability. Tthe stability of a UCI network (UCIN) structure based on GI in different contexts can effectively enhance the efficiency and resilience of urban thermal environment regulations. This study considered the typical city of Bengbu and proposes an urban thermal environment research framework based on the robustness of UCINs, and land use and land surface temperature (LST) data, We extracted the core patches of GI by morphological spatial pattern analysis and screened UCI attributes to determine the UCIN source, constructed the resistance surface of thermal environment with the help of LST characteristics of land use, extracted UCIN corridors by the minimum cumulative resistance, and constructed the UCIN based on GI (GI-UCIN) in the mode of “source-corridor”. On this basis, the robustness characteristics of the UCIN were simulated with the help of multi-scenario network destruction experiments, the space to maintain the robustness of the UCIN structure was clarified, and the development and protection strategy of urban land classification to maintain the efficient and stable cooling effect of the GI-UCIN was proposed. The study shows that: (1) GI in Bengbu is the primary component of the UCI space, which can effectively break the spatial continuity of UHI patches; (2) GI-UCIN has the characteristics of a hollow outer dense circular structure and (3) the top 20% of GI-UCIN source nodes in the centrality ranking are key nodes in maintaining the effectiveness of the GI-UCIN. The results can provides a quantitative basis for determining the policy application point of GI development and protection oriented toward improvement of UHI; simultaneously, the research method can provides a new idea for urban cooling strategies, and further connect with urban planning and management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11459,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Indicators","volume":"169 ","pages":"Article 112842"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142661868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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":"Relationships between the spectral characteristics of dissolved organic matter and river ecological health indicators: A case study in the Shichuan River basin on a typical semi-arid and semi-humid region of China","authors":"Daoping Xi ,&nbsp;En Hu ,&nbsp;Ming Li ,&nbsp;Jian Gao","doi":"10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112836","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112836","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The spectral characteristics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in rivers are considered as potential indicators of river health status. In this study, relationships between DOM spectral properties and river ecological health indicators in Shichuan River, such as total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) content, diversity of macrobenthic invertebrates, water quality index (WQI), and trophic level index (TLI), etc., were investigated. According to the WQI values, the water quality of the Ju River and Taoqupo Reservoir was generally better than that of other river sections, while the Qinghe and the mainstream sections performed the worst. The fluorescence index (FI) and WQI reflects that the mainstream of the Shichuan River bears a significant amount of sewage input. Besides, FI showed a significant positive correlation with nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻-N), TN, TP, Chl-a, and TLI, while a significant negative correlation with WQI. The specific ultraviolet absorbance of 254 nm (SUVA₂₅₄) had a positive correlation with TLI. Indeed, the UVC humic-like component (C1) showed a significant positive correlation with the macroinvertebrates diversity. The humification index (HIX) was significantly negatively correlated with sediment pollution index. Our results suggested that DOM fluorescence characteristics had the potential to be developed as a convenient method for assessing aquatic ecological health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11459,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Indicators","volume":"169 ","pages":"Article 112836"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142662293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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":"Impacts of climate change and land Use/Cover change on ecological security networks in Changbai Mountains, Northeast China","authors":"Jinyuan Ren ,&nbsp;Wen J. Wang ,&nbsp;Long Fei ,&nbsp;Lei Wang ,&nbsp;Shanfeng Xing ,&nbsp;Yu Cong","doi":"10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112849","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112849","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A robust Ecological Security Network (ESN) is essential for protecting ecological security and promoting sustainable development within mountainous regions. These regions were highly sensitive to climate change and Land Use/Cover Change (LUCC), which could result in a degradation or even loss of ecosystem services and affect the structure and connectivity of ESN. Previous studies have paid relatively little attention to the construction and change of ESNs in these regions, particularly in distinguishing the individual (climate change or LUCC) effects and their interactive effects on ESN. In this study, we investigated the changes in the structure and connectivity of ESN in observed and projected periods and explored the impacts of climate change and LUCC on these changes through factor control experiments within the Changbai Mountain region. Our results showed an increase of 19.11% in the area of ecological sources and a 29.44% decrease in the length of corridors, accompanied by a decline in the connectivity of ESN over the past 30 years. The area of ecological sources was projected to decrease by 43.18%, while the length of corridors was expected to increase by 88.5%, with an overall increase in ESN connectivity in the next 30 years. We further found that the climate change and LUCC exhibited negative impacts on the structure and connectivity of ESN. Moreover, the changes in ESN structure were primarily attributed to LUCC effects, followed by climate change effects and their interactive effects. While the changes in ESN connectivity were significantly affected by climate change effects, followed by LUCC effects and their interactive effects. Notably, the interactive effects showed positive impacts on the ESN structure and connectivity. Our study offers important references for land management and policy formulation, aiming to preserve ecological security and ensure sustainable human development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11459,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Indicators","volume":"169 ","pages":"Article 112849"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142662298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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":"Landscape ecological risk assessment and driving factors analysis based on optimal spatial scales in Luan River Basin, China","authors":"Nijuan Yang ,&nbsp;Ting Zhang ,&nbsp;Jianzhu Li ,&nbsp;Ping Feng ,&nbsp;Nina Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112821","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112821","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rapid urbanization and human activities have significantly influenced landscape ecological pattern and increased ecological risk. Landscape ecological risk (LER) assessment serves as an effective tool to capture the effects of natural evolution and human activities on ecosystems comprehensively, but the assessment result is subject to spatial scales. This paper figured out the optimal spatial scales of the Luan River Basin integrating response curves, area accuracy loss model, and semi-variation function under the appropriate resampling method. The improved landscape ecological risk index (ILERI) model was established to assess LER based on optimal spatial scales, employing spatial autocorrelation theory and Geodetector to reveal the spatio-temporal traits and influencing factors of LER. The results showed: (1) Nearest is the appropriate raster resampling method in landscape pattern analysis of Luan River Basin, and the optimal spatial granularity and amplitude are 30 m and 3200 m, respectively; (2) In 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2022, ILERI was 0.242, 0.249, 0.250 and 0.234, respectively, and LER levels were medium–low and medium predominantly, which accounted for 64.87 %, 52.28 %, 68.76 % and 70.55 %; (3) Recent data showed a decline in LER levels, with higher risks concentrated in the northwest and lower risks in the southeast. Precipitation, population density, and primary industry were the primary factors and the interaction of multiple factors played a more significant role. This study will provide reference for planning land use and managing ecological environment in the Luan River Basin.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11459,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Indicators","volume":"169 ","pages":"Article 112821"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142662295","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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":"Analyzing the structural elements, ecological characteristics, and impact assessment of local green infrastructure in the coastal zone of Estonia","authors":"V. Kaskevich ,&nbsp;M. Villoslada ,&nbsp;R.D. Ward ,&nbsp;K. Sepp","doi":"10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112824","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112824","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The aim of this study was to address the gaps in understanding and managing the resilience and connectivity of coastal Green Infrastructure (GI) in Estonia, particularly in response to increasing human-related pressures and natural changes.</div><div>By using the GUIDOS Toolbox for morphological spatial pattern analysis, the study offers a detailed mapping of the structural patterns of GI across the Estonian coast. The findings highlight significant variations in forest cover, land abandonment, and the spread of impervious surfaces, showing how these changes contribute to the fragmentation of GI.</div><div>Our analysis revealed that the Northeast region suffers from severe fragmentation due to extensive industrial activities, whereas the Southwest is predominantly impacted by intensive agriculture, leading to reduced habitat connectivity. Despite having extensive protected areas, the Western Coast displayed large levels of fragmentation, primarily driven by unmanaged land abandonment and encroachment expansion. Specifically, the fragmentation index was highest in the industrialized Northeast and lowest in less developed areas, albeit still significant due to localized human activities. These findings highlight the importance of targeted GI planning that integrates ecological, socio-economic, and spatial dimensions to minimize fragmentation, enhance ecological corridors, and promote sustainable land-use practices. Strategic planning must also account for potential climate change impacts to ensure the resilience and adaptability of GI networks, securing ecosystem services and supporting both ecological and human communities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11459,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Indicators","volume":"169 ","pages":"Article 112824"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142662296","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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":"Applying a coupled model framework to assess global climate change impacts on the river-type harmful algal blooms in the middle and lower reaches of the Hanjiang River, China","authors":"Gaolei Zhao ,&nbsp;Kefeng Li ,&nbsp;Shimin Tian ,&nbsp;Ruifeng Liang ,&nbsp;Yuanming Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112834","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112834","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Global climate change (GCC), characterized by warming, affects the hydrological conditions at the basin scale and whether harmful algal blooms (HABs) occur at the scale of river ecological systems. Research on HABs mainly focuses on oceans and lakes, and there is still less research on the effects of GCC on river-type HABs that differ from oceans and lakes in hydrodynamic, water temperature, and nutrient conditions. This study constructed a coupled model framework that includes the GCC model, downscaling model, hydrological model, hydrodynamic model, and eutrophication model, analyzing and exploring the effect of changes in the aquatic ecological environment caused by GCC on river-type HABs in the middle and lower reaches of the Hanjiang River (MLHR). Firstly, based on the three GCC models and statistical downscaling model in CMIP6, high-precision meteorological factors such as future precipitation and temperature were obtained. Secondly, a coupled model based on SWAT and MIKE21-ECOLab was used with the digital elevation model (DEM), land use, soil, meteorological, pollution source, and measured terrain data in the MLHR Basin, which was validated by observed data. Thirdly, there has not been a significant increase in Chl-a, and the impact of GCC has not fundamentally changed the temporal and spatial distribution of HABs. Fourthly, this study proposed to use 0.2 m/s (Corresponding discharge 1160 m³/s) as the hydrodynamic condition for preventing and controlling HABs in the Shayang section.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11459,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Indicators","volume":"169 ","pages":"Article 112834"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142662294","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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":"Warning in the woods: Species-specific and functional responses of the understorey along a deer browsing intensity gradient in a mixed temperate forest in France","authors":"Xavier Lecomte,&nbsp;Christophe Baltzinger,&nbsp;Anders Mårell","doi":"10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112766","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112766","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding and predicting responses of plant community diversity and ecosystem functioning to disturbance is essential to achieving forest conservation and management goals. In recent decades, the abundance and geographic distribution of wild ungulates have expanded in many parts of Europe due to, among other factors, land-use changes, hunting regulations and lack of predators. The study aims to explore the effects of deer browsing and grazing intensity, estimated through a browsing index on woody and semi-woody plants, on understorey vegetation composition, analysing both taxonomic and functional diversity. Specifically, we aim to test the intermediate disturbance hypothesis (IDH), which states that plant biodiversity peaks at intermediate levels of browsing intensity regarding plant species richness and functional groups. We also aim to identify species revealing different levels of browsing intensity, accounting for plant functional traits. Our results revealed that intermediate levels of browsing intensity, through species replacement, strongly and positively affected total species richness. This result is consistent with the IDH prediction, but distinct patterns varied across plant functional types. Moreover, increasing browsing intensity favoured disturbance-tolerant species by replacing functional traits. These species were characterised by ruderal traits, including high specific leaf area, low leaf dry matter content, small height and seed mass, annual and short lifespans. However, although browsing intensity increased functional richness and decreased functional redundancy, indicator species analysis revealed that high browsing intensity favoured highly competitive, browsing-tolerant perennial species. These results suggest that annual species may fail to colonise the understorey even if they are favoured by deer browsing, thereby affecting the functioning and the stability of ecosystem, with a potential homogenisation of understorey vegetation. Although confounding effects cannot be ruled out (e.g., local vegetation structure and diversity), our study highlights the need to consider functional diversity when assessing deer effects on vegetation to draw a complete picture of plant-large herbivore interactions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11459,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Indicators","volume":"169 ","pages":"Article 112766"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142662297","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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}