Ecosphere最新文献

{"title":"Prescribed fire leads a pine flatwoods specialist treefrog to seek local refugia","authors":"Ian Biazzo,&nbsp;Pedro F. Quintana-Ascencio","doi":"10.1002/ecs2.70296","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70296","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Pine savannas of the southeastern United States evolved with frequent low-intensity wildfires. Today, land managers use prescribed fires to restore this ecological process while also controlling vegetative fuel accumulation. Given the ubiquitous application of this management tool, studies should consider impacts on target and nontarget taxa in these systems. During fires, animal populations persist in the landscape when individuals emigrate to unburned areas or seek refugia within the burn zone; otherwise, they experience local extirpation. We examined the effect of prescribed fires on a pine flatwoods specialist frog, the pinewoods treefrog <i>Dryophytes femoralis</i>, in a frequently burned pine landscape. Treefrogs, though usually not considered explicitly in burn plans, are a good model system because they are often abundant, have both upland and wetland needs, spend most of their lives out of water, have limited mobility, and have skin susceptible to desiccation. We compared variation in abundance and survival in a before-after-control-impact study with prescribed fire as the experimental treatment. We used 240 plastic pipe refugia to sample populations in 8 circular plots over 27 months and 7 independent prescribed fires (one fire spanned two plots). Plots received prescribed fire during the growing season (March–July) in 2020 (<i>N</i> = 3 plots) or 2021 (<i>N</i> = 5 plots). We removed pipes from the plot before the burn and from another plot not getting burned that day to control for pipe removal impacts, then returned all pipes immediately after the fire. We observed 1805 individuals with 1790 additional recaptures. We modeled population trends and survival using mark-recapture techniques and mixed linear models with a Bayesian framework. Apparent survival was commensurate across plots and prescribed fire treatments after controlling for the effects of the pipe removal, and population trends were similar overall. We observed seasonal variation in survival, with populations showing lower apparent survival during wet-season months. The limited impact of low-intensity prescribed fires on apparent survival suggests that pinewoods treefrogs persist in the landscape by seeking refugia. Future work and management should consider possible refugia for target and nontarget taxa while continuing to focus on the physiognomy of pine savannas in burn plans.</p>","PeriodicalId":48930,"journal":{"name":"Ecosphere","volume":"16 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ecs2.70296","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144197275","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"DNA metabarcoding provides new insight into the diet of invasive chital deer (Axis axis) in a tropical savanna landscape","authors":"Matthew J. Quin,&nbsp;Ben T. Hirsch,&nbsp;Lin Schwarzkopf,&nbsp;Kurt Watter,&nbsp;Anthony Pople,&nbsp;Jan M. Strugnell","doi":"10.1002/ecs2.70288","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70288","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The introduction of non-native species into new environments can cause significant ecological harm and is considered a major conservation threat. As populations of invasive species continue to establish and increase across the globe, novel methods can provide new insights into their biology and potentially aid in management. In this study, we examined the diet of non-native chital deer (<i>Axis axis</i>) in a tropical savanna environment in northern Australia. Using DNA metabarcoding of fecal samples, we described the dietary items consumed by 149 individuals over a two-year sampling period and associated each item with individual body condition. The DNA metabarcoding method detected significantly more dietary items consumed by individual chital deer at each of the taxonomic levels (family, genus, and species) when compared with previous analyses. We observed marked differences in diet composition across multiple seasons and sites. Significantly more sequences from the genera <i>Terminalia</i>, <i>Diospyros</i>, <i>Jasminum</i>, and <i>Hakea</i> were detected in samples collected from individuals in poor condition during the dry season, suggesting that a different suite of food resources is being consumed by a subset of individuals during periods when forage quantity and quality is low. Most notably, our results indicated that chital are consuming a browse-dominated diet throughout the year, differing from previous macroscopy analyses which suggested chital are predominantly grazers during the wet season in northern Australia. Our findings give support for the use of DNA metabarcoding to qualitatively assess diet composition compared to macroscopic analysis and suggest that the restricted availability of food during the dry season may result in the consumption of poor quality and detrimental dietary items.</p>","PeriodicalId":48930,"journal":{"name":"Ecosphere","volume":"16 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ecs2.70288","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144197270","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"Multiple factors explain species-specific regeneration of mangrove seedlings and saplings after a major hurricane","authors":"Veronica B. Restrepo,&nbsp;Edward Castañeda-Moya,&nbsp;John S. Kominoski,&nbsp;Elena Solohin","doi":"10.1002/ecs2.70298","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70298","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Mangroves play a crucial role in mitigating hurricane impacts in coastal ecosystems, and their adaptive traits enable regeneration and forest recovery following these disturbances. Yet, how species-specific regeneration varies across life stages and interacts with environmental conditions is poorly understood. We quantified regeneration rates of three dominant species of mangrove seedlings and saplings (<i>Avicennia germinans</i>, <i>Laguncularia racemosa</i>, and <i>Rhizophora mangle</i>) recovering from a major hurricane. We selected forests with varying light availability and phosphorus (P) gradients in the Everglades (Florida, USA). From 2020 to 2022, we measured biannual stem elongation, height, and density of seedlings and saplings, and collected porewater variables (salinity, sulfide, and inorganic nutrients) and continuous light intensity to assess species-specific drivers of regeneration. Species-specific growth rates, total height, and density varied across sites, driven by differences in porewater P and light. Growth rates of <i>R. mangle</i> seedlings and both <i>R. mangle</i> and <i>L. racemosa</i> saplings were influenced by light, while <i>A. germinans</i> growth rates were unaffected. Only <i>R. mangle</i> and <i>L. racemosa</i> saplings were influenced by porewater P, while growth of both seedlings and saplings was unaffected by porewater salinity and sulfide. Mangrove regeneration post-disturbance is explained by spatial differences in subsidies and stressors and the composition of species and life stages, underscoring complex regeneration strategies in mixed-species forests.</p>","PeriodicalId":48930,"journal":{"name":"Ecosphere","volume":"16 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ecs2.70298","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144197278","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"Integrating individual tracking data and spatial surveys to improve estimation of animal spatial distribution","authors":"Valentin Lauret,&nbsp;Nicolas Courbin,&nbsp;Olivier Scher,&nbsp;Aurélien Besnard","doi":"10.1002/ecs2.70283","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70283","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Tracking data and spatial surveys (e.g., counts) contribute to understanding animal distribution despite highlighting complementary aspects of habitat selection, from detailed insights on few individuals to raw inferences for the population, respectively. Here, we showcased how to combine individual tracking and count data to estimate habitat selection at the population level. We developed an integrated model that provides a joint estimation of habitat selection for tracking data fitted with a resource selection function (RSF) and count data fitted with a Poisson generalized linear model (GLM), both respecting the statistical conditions for converging with an inhomogeneous Poisson point process. We tested our integrated habitat selection model using simulated movement data and a real case study of GPS-tracked Sandwich terns (<i>Thalasseus sandvicensis</i>) in the French Mediterranean Sea. Simulations showed that the integrated model correctly estimated habitat selection coefficients and benefited from both data sources with better accuracy and precision than RSF and Poisson GLM alone, especially when data are limited. Overall, our study formalized an easy-to-use approach for the integration of tracking and count data to estimate habitat selection, contributing to a promising research avenue, since individual tracking and spatial survey monitoring are abundant in many ecological contexts.</p>","PeriodicalId":48930,"journal":{"name":"Ecosphere","volume":"16 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ecs2.70283","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144140728","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"Traditional water structures in villages support amphibian populations within a protected landscape","authors":"Jose W. Valdez,&nbsp;Jeremy Dertien,&nbsp;Haruna Fimmel,&nbsp;Tim Eric Kaufmann,&nbsp;Carolin Kremer,&nbsp;Leonie Schilling,&nbsp;Lena Hartmann,&nbsp;Isabell Hummel,&nbsp;Horst Paul Uellendahl,&nbsp;Asha Majeed,&nbsp;Henrique M. Pereira","doi":"10.1002/ecs2.70294","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70294","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Amphibians are among the most globally threatened vertebrates, with habitat loss and degradation being the primary drivers of their decline. While natural waterbodies are essential for amphibian survival, artificial habitats can also serve as important refuges, particularly in human-altered landscapes. This study investigates the role of artificial waterbodies in supporting amphibian populations within villages and disturbed areas of Peneda-Gerês National Park (PNPG), a protected area in northern Portugal. We surveyed 162 waterbodies, 68 artificial (tanks, drains, fountains, and cave-like structures) and 94 natural (ponds, streams, stream pockets, and caves) sites within human-altered areas to assess community composition, species richness, Shannon diversity, relative abundance, proportion of occupied sites, and breeding activity. We recorded 10 amphibian species, with species composition showing moderate overlap between the two habitat types, indicating both shared and distinct species assemblages. Natural waterbodies had higher observed species richness (nine species) than artificial sites (seven species). Shannon diversity was greater in natural waterbodies for adults, while juvenile/larvae diversity was greater in artificial habitats. <i>Rana iberica</i> was the most widespread species, found across all waterbody types but predominantly in natural sites. <i>Salamandra salamandra</i> juveniles/larvae were also primarily found and bred in natural habitats, especially stream pockets. In contrast, <i>Lissotriton boscai</i> and <i>Triturus marmoratus</i> were more commonly found and bred in artificial waterbodies, particularly historic water tanks. Natural waterbodies had a higher proportion of their sites occupied (76.6%) compared to artificial ones (51.5%), with stream pockets having the highest at 96.6% and other natural sites around two-thirds. Among artificial sites, tanks were highest with 62.5% occupied. Breeding occurred in one-fifth of surveyed sites, with breeding events recorded in half of stream pockets and over a quarter of tanks. Tanks supported the highest number of breeding species (four of five), compared to three in natural habitats. These findings highlight the importance of water tanks, traditionally used for laundry and water storage, in supporting amphibians in PNPG. They underscore the need to conserve both natural and artificial habitats to protect amphibian biodiversity, especially in human-altered landscapes where artificial waterbodies provide crucial refuges as climate change reduces natural breeding sites.</p>","PeriodicalId":48930,"journal":{"name":"Ecosphere","volume":"16 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ecs2.70294","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144140690","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"Divergent responses of insectivorous bats and flying insects to experimental LED illumination of different spectra","authors":"Kylie A. Robert,&nbsp;Alicia M. Dimovski,&nbsp;Peter Contos,&nbsp;Nyil Khwaja,&nbsp;Stephen R. Griffiths","doi":"10.1002/ecs2.70291","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70291","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Artificial light at night poses a global threat to biodiversity and is increasing at a rate greater than any other pollutant. We conducted a field experiment to investigate the effects of short-term nighttime illumination on nocturnal flying insects and insectivorous bats in previously unlit remnant bushland. We compared these organisms' responses to three types of light-emitting diode (LED) lights, each with a unique spectral composition (cool white [CW], λ<i>P</i> 457 nm; filtered white [FW], λ<i>P</i> 586 nm; and amber [A], λ<i>P</i> 601 nm), as well as a control (C) group without illumination. Our findings revealed that both CW and FW LEDs significantly increased the total activity of flying insects, particularly the orders Diptera, Coleoptera, and Hymenoptera. By contrast, total bat activity was independent of light treatment, but there was a marginally non-significant effect on bats presumed to be light sensitive. Amber lights appear to mitigate the disruptive effects of light on at least one light sensitive bat species. Intriguingly, despite a positive association in one bat species with insect abundance, there was no corresponding increase in feeding activity around illuminated sites in this or any other species. These observations suggest that bats may not solely exploit the attraction of insects to LED lights as a feeding resource and that those species that persist in these environments are perhaps more light tolerant than light exploitive. Overall, our study highlights potentially complex responses of Australian insectivorous bats and flying insects to short-term LED lighting and contributes further insights into the ecological consequences of nighttime lighting.</p>","PeriodicalId":48930,"journal":{"name":"Ecosphere","volume":"16 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ecs2.70291","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144140688","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"Acoustic exposure reveals variation in curtailment effectiveness at reducing bat fatality at wind turbines","authors":"Trevor Peterson,&nbsp;Adam Rusk,&nbsp;Caroline Byrne,&nbsp;Seta Aghababian,&nbsp;Sydney Edwards","doi":"10.1002/ecs2.70277","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70277","url":null,"abstract":"<p>As the global transition to renewable energy generation continues, so does the need to reduce wind turbine-related bat mortality. Curtailing turbine operation to prevent rotor movement at low wind speeds not only lowers risk but also decreases renewable energy production. Adjusting curtailment criteria according to seasonal patterns in bat activity could reduce energy loss, but determining whether the resulting curtailment alternative sufficiently lowered risk to bats would require a more sensitive measure of bat mortality than carcass counts can provide. We deployed turbine-mounted acoustic bat detectors at two wind energy facilities to (1) explore seasonal and spatial variation in bat activity in and near the rotor-swept zone of turbines, (2) confirm the efficacy of acoustic exposure to turbine operation as a measure of bat fatality risk, and (3) evaluate seasonal variation in reduction in acoustic exposure among curtailment alternatives with varying cut-in wind speeds. Biweekly distribution of acoustic bat activity was similar among facilities, and acoustic exposure to rotating turbine blades was closely correlated with bat fatality estimates, corroborating previous studies. Curtailment strategies with higher cut-in speeds reduced the percentage of acoustic exposure by a consistent margin across biweekly intervals, but differences in the rate of acoustic exposure among strategies were far greater during late summer and early fall, when bat activity levels were highest. In other words, the relative protectiveness of curtailment strategies did not vary greatly throughout the year, but the choice of curtailment strategy during periods of high bat activity could substantially affect bat fatality rates. Small changes in cut-in speed (e.g., 0.5 m/s) resulted in clear reductions in acoustic exposure that were measurable at biweekly intervals, providing sensitive feedback on curtailment effectiveness. Site-specific data from turbine-mounted acoustic detectors could therefore provide more sensitive feedback on curtailment effectiveness than carcass searches, which cannot typically detect differences in fatality rates among curtailment strategies with similar cut-in speeds. Acoustic exposure also provides useful practical feedback for wind energy facility operators on how best to design curtailment strategies around site-specific patterns in bat activity and balance the simultaneous goals of generating renewable energy and protecting bats.</p>","PeriodicalId":48930,"journal":{"name":"Ecosphere","volume":"16 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ecs2.70277","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144135722","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"A novel method for fine-scale retrospective isotope analysis in mammals using eye lenses","authors":"Kazuki Miura,&nbsp;Jun Matsubayashi,&nbsp;Chikage Yoshimizu,&nbsp;Hino Takafumi,&nbsp;Yuri Shirane,&nbsp;Tsutomu Mano,&nbsp;Hifumi Tsuruga,&nbsp;Ichiro Tayasu","doi":"10.1002/ecs2.70276","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70276","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Understanding individual variations in animal behavior is crucial for ecology, evolution, conservation, and wildlife management. However, traditional bio-logging methods have often impeded the reconstruction of long-term behavioral patterns in mammals because of cost, battery life, and device size constraints. This study proposes and evaluates a novel method using retrospective isotope analysis of eye lenses to reconstruct mammalian feeding history, focusing on brown bears (<i>Ursus arctos</i>). We devised a protocol for longitudinal segregation of fragile mammalian lenses and sequentially analyzed lens fragments for carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N, respectively) in seven bears. We verified the reproducibility of the protocol by comparing isotopic patterns within lens pairs of the same bear. The results successfully reconstructed time-series feeding histories, capturing dietary shifts during the lactation-weaning process, reflected by δ¹⁵N from all bears and changes in corn crop (<i>Zea mays</i>) consumption primarily indicated by δ¹³C from nuisance bears. The reconstructed δ¹⁵N lactation-weaning signal suggested that higher-resolution isotopic information is preserved for 1–2 years after birth, with resolution declining as eye lens growth slows. The similarity of patterns between the same lens pairs supports the reliability of the method. This novel approach for reconstructing the time-series feeding history of various mammals is simple and effective.</p>","PeriodicalId":48930,"journal":{"name":"Ecosphere","volume":"16 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ecs2.70276","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144135708","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"Ecological scenarios: Embracing ecological uncertainty in an era of global change","authors":"K. Clark-Wolf,&nbsp;W. E. Moss,&nbsp;B. W. Miller,&nbsp;I. Rangwala,&nbsp;H. R. Sofaer,&nbsp;G. W. Schuurman,&nbsp;D. Magness,&nbsp;A. J. Symstad,&nbsp;J. D. Coop,&nbsp;D. B. Bachelet,&nbsp;J. J. Barsugli,&nbsp;A. Ciocco,&nbsp;S. D. Crausbay,&nbsp;T. Hoecker,&nbsp;J. S. Lewinsohn,&nbsp;M. F. Oldfather,&nbsp;O. M. W. Richmond,&nbsp;R. Rondeau,&nbsp;A. Runyon,&nbsp;R. E. Russell,&nbsp;J. L. Wilkening","doi":"10.1002/ecs2.70278","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70278","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Scenarios, or plausible characterizations of the future, can help natural resource stewards plan and act under uncertainty. Current methods for developing scenarios for climate change adaptation planning are often focused on exploring uncertainties in future climate, but new approaches are needed to better represent uncertainties in ecological responses. Scenarios that characterize how ecological changes may unfold in response to climate and describe divergent and surprising ecological outcomes can help natural resource stewards recognize signs of nascent ecological transformation and identify opportunities to intervene. Here, we offer principles and approaches for more fully integrating ecological uncertainties into the development of future scenarios. We provide examples of how specific qualitative and quantitative methods can be used to explore variation in ecological responses to a given climate future. We further highlight opportunities for ecological researchers to generate actionable projections that capture uncertainty in both climatic and ecological change in meaningful and manageable ways to support climate change adaptation decision making.</p>","PeriodicalId":48930,"journal":{"name":"Ecosphere","volume":"16 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ecs2.70278","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144125971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"Megaherbivores suppress precipitation-driven plant irruptions in a tropical savanna","authors":"Harry B. M. Wells,&nbsp;Duncan M. Kimuyu,&nbsp;Kari E. Veblen,&nbsp;Truman P. Young","doi":"10.1002/ecs2.70239","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70239","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Irruptions in plant and animal populations are not uncommon, but the factors underlying irruptions are rarely explored quantitatively. In addition, it has been suggested that these irruptions may be reduced by predators or herbivores, but there is a paucity of controlled experimental evidence. Using data from the Kenya Long-term Exclosure Experiment (KLEE), we show that populations of perennial <i>Hibiscus</i> spp. (primarily <i>Hibiscus flavifolius</i>) show multiple short-term irruptions a year after rainy periods, increasing in abundance in some cases by more than an order of magnitude before declining in ensuing months and years. We demonstrate that these irruptions are largely limited to experimental plots from which large mammalian herbivores have been excluded, particularly megaherbivores (elephants, mostly). This represents a rare controlled, replicated experimental demonstration of top-down regulation of irruptions. African elephants and giraffes are often at greater risk of local extirpation than other large mammals, and their absence appears to destabilize this African savanna ecosystem.</p>","PeriodicalId":48930,"journal":{"name":"Ecosphere","volume":"16 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ecs2.70239","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144118062","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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}