Journal of Arid Environments最新文献

{"title":"Local ecological knowledge on preferred vegetation of African savanna elephants in the semi-desert highlands of northwest Namibia","authors":"Michael Wenborn ,&nbsp;Vincent Nijman ,&nbsp;Ash Parton ,&nbsp;Magdalena S. Svensson ,&nbsp;Aho N. Nashongo ,&nbsp;Morgan Hauptfleisch","doi":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105309","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105309","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Northern Highlands of northwest Namibia are a particularly remote and arid landscape, where wildlife, habitats and local communities are increasingly at risk from future climate change events. There has previously been minimal research on the population of African savanna elephants (<em>Loxodonta africana</em>) in these Highlands. The Highlands are located just to the west of Etosha National Park. One potential factor influencing the movement of elephants from the Park into the Highlands is their food preferences. The aim of this study was to determine the preferred forage species for elephants in the Highlands. The study benefited from local ecological knowledge of community game guards, and extensive field patrols to assess the most preferred trees of elephants. Our findings indicate clear selection preference for African star chestnut (<em>Sterculia africana</em>), and <em>Commiphora</em> species such as blue-leaved corkwood (<em>Commiphora glaucescens</em>). These species grow on steep mountain slopes and elephants are climbing slopes to browse those trees. Our results indicate that some tree species are much less preferred, most of which tend to be located in valleys or lower slopes. This suggests that a major factor in the increase in elephant population in the Northern Highlands is the preferred vegetation available on the mountain slopes compared to the vegetation on the flat landscape of Etosha.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Arid Environments","volume":"227 ","pages":"Article 105309"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143136706","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":"Nurse plants, soil nutrients, and avian seed dispersal of wild chile peppers in a semiarid valley of Southern Mexico","authors":"Nadia del Carmen Ruiz-Núñez ,&nbsp;Marco Antonio Vásquez-Dávila ,&nbsp;Gladys Isabel Manzanero-Medina ,&nbsp;Alejandro Flores-Manzanero","doi":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105297","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105297","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite its economic and culinary importance, our understanding of biological aspects in natural populations of <em>Capsicum annuum</em> var. <em>glabriusculum</em> (=<em>Cag</em>) is scarce. This study examines the association of <em>Cag</em> with two plants species, <em>Celtis pallida</em> (a shrub) and <em>Neltuma laevigata</em> (a tree) by considering nursing relationships, soil properties and avian seed dispersal, in a semiarid valley of Oaxaca, Mexico. <em>Cag</em> mature plants and seedlings were measured in two sampling sites (hedgerows and original vegetation), including their associated plants (nurse). Additionally, soil properties were registered and potential disperser birds if detected were recorded. Our results reveal a positive correlation between the presence of <em>Cag</em> and nurse species, coupled with low phosphorus and high nitrogen levels in soil. <em>Cag</em>'s distribution is influenced by avian dispersers, highlighting the importance of <em>Toxostoma curvirostre</em> and <em>Mimus polyglottos</em>. Local hedgerows emerge as fundamentals for the conservation of <em>Cag</em>, serving as nurturing environments that promote micro-environmental conditions. Hence, to promote the permanence and expansion of <em>Cag</em> populations, we propose the preservation of species-specific nurse plants and the implementation of traditional agroforestry systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Arid Environments","volume":"227 ","pages":"Article 105297"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143136658","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"Interacting stressors drive landscape variation in demographic response of the endangered plant, Pectis imberbis (A. Gray)","authors":"Sara Southern ,&nbsp;Martha W. Sample ,&nbsp;Clare E. Aslan","doi":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105284","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105284","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Anthropogenic change has increased extinction events to an estimated 100 times background rates, amplifying the need for conservation interventions to protect biodiversity. Rare plant research not only provides roadmaps for species protection, but also foundational understanding of how interacting stressors drive decline and the mechanisms by which extinctions occur. <em>Pectis imberbis</em> (Gray) is a recently listed endangered forb found in the biodiverse Sky Island Archipelago in the southwestern U.S. We investigated both intrinsic and extrinsic drivers of decline for this species by relating multiple stressors to vital rates calculated for the nine known <em>P</em>. <em>imberbis</em> populations of sufficient size to allow for demographic analysis. We observed an extraordinary recruitment event in 2022 and concomitantly high population growth across most populations. Despite this, long-term analysis reveals that only two populations have growth rates at or above replacement levels and indicates the importance of stochastic recruitment events in maintaining viability. Climate change is implicated in decline of <em>P</em>. <em>imberbis</em>, though evidence also suggests that browse by ungulates and competition with co-occurring plants depress vital rates. Conservation recommendations vary by population, due to positionality and jurisdictional management, but include reduction of co-occurring stressors, like installing fencing to prevent herbivory, and re-establishment of <em>P</em>. <em>imberbis</em> in climatically suitable areas. Long-term demographic monitoring of this species is warranted to quantify the contribution of stochastic events to viability, examine impacts of interacting stressors, and to project how populations will respond to climate change in this arid, biodiverse region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Arid Environments","volume":"227 ","pages":"Article 105284"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143136660","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"Site fidelity of the plains mouse, Pseudomys australis, in refuges during the transition from bust to boom","authors":"Chris R. Pavey ,&nbsp;Peter J. McDonald ,&nbsp;Jeff R. Cole ,&nbsp;Catherine E.M. Nano","doi":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105296","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105296","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Information on site fidelity of rodents in arid Australia is limited, particularly in the transition from the low (bust) to high (boom) phase of population cycles. These transitions are triggered by periods of high rainfall that can bringing flooding to arid landscapes. We marked 298 plains mice, <em>Pseudomys australis</em>, occupying four sites within drought refuges in the western Simpson Desert, Australia, during a 43 month period that included three large rain events (&gt;100 mm) over 12 months. Thirty-six individuals (12%) were recaptured between sampling sessions of which 31 (86%) were within the same site as the original capture. The interval between initial and final capture ranged from 89 to 1141 days with a mean ± SE of 306.06 ± 42.27 days. The majority of recaptures occurred within 12 months of capture (n = 28), with a smaller number between 12 and 24 months (n = 5). Three outliers consisted of two animals at 968 days and another at 1141 days. Our results show that large rain events were insufficient to cause local extinction of mice at these refuges. At least some animals persisted during large rain events or returned to refuges after standing water reduced, and subsequently bred as environmental conditions improved. We conclude that <em>P. australis</em> shows high fidelity to individual refuge sites.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Arid Environments","volume":"227 ","pages":"Article 105296"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143136661","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":"Village aliens: Self-seeding of indigenous and non-indigenous woody garden plants in a small desert village","authors":"Suzanne J. Milton ,&nbsp;W. Richard J. Dean","doi":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105295","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105295","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Garden plantings in rural villages can affect surrounding natural habitats if non-indigenous and extralimital plant species escape the gardens through dispersal and establishment. Escape from gardens initially occurs via self-seeding. We surveyed woody plant species in roadside gardens in the village of Prince Albert in the arid Karoo region of South Africa to establish which species were being planted and which were self-seeding. We classified plants by origin (non-indigenous, extralimital and locally indigenous and by dispersal structure and recorded microsites where seedlings occurred. Non-indigenous species dominated garden plantings (62% of 1081 individuals and 65% of 92 species) and included 30 legally regulated invasive species. Most (75%) non-indigenous species self-seeded, however 70% of self-seeded individuals were extralimital or locally indigenous species. The best predictor of self-seeding was planting intensity. Self-seeding occurred where supplementary water was available, and seedling density was greater in covered than open sites. Self-seeding did not differ between species with dry and fleshy fruits. The extralimital species <em>Searsia pendulina</em> was a prolific self-seeder and has potential to become invasive. Nurseries should promote locally indigenous plants or extra-limital species that do not self-seed, to reduce the risk of invasions into natural rangeland and riparian areas surrounding villages. [198 words]</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Arid Environments","volume":"227 ","pages":"Article 105295"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143136708","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"Ant community recovery in regenerating Caatinga dry forest following slash-and-burn agriculture","authors":"Katherine Bombi-Haedo ,&nbsp;Fernanda M.P. Oliveira ,&nbsp;Xavier Arnan ,&nbsp;José Domingos Ribeiro-Neto ,&nbsp;Inara R. Leal","doi":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105298","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105298","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The conversion of old-growth forests to agricultural fields, followed by abandonment, has resulted in worldwide expansion of secondary forests. Secondary succession can bring back many organisms, restoring ecosystem functions and services, but studies often focus on the recovery of plant rather than animal communities. Here, we investigate whether ground and arboreal ant species and functional groups recover during secondary succession in the Caatinga dry forest. We adopted a space-for-time chronosequence approach with 10 regenerating forest stands following slash-and-burn agriculture (8–54 years old) and five old-growth forest stands (no record of agriculture for over 100 years). We recorded 71 ant species (59 ground species, 27 arboreal, and 15 in both strata) belonging to 26 genera and six subfamilies. We found no significant differences in both taxonomic and functional diversities between regenerating and old-growth forest stands, considering the whole community and ground and arboreal ants separately. However, increases in plant biomass were positively related to taxonomic and functional diversities of ground ants, while arboreal ants remained unaltered across the entire biomass gradient. Species and functional group compositions did not differ between forest type. Nevertheless, increased similarity in plant biomass between regenerating and old-growth forests was positively related to species similarity for the whole ant community and ground ants, while arboreal ant species composition remained unresponsive. These findings suggest that either ant communities are not significantly altered by slash-and-burn agricultural practices or they recover quickly during secondary succession. Given that previous studies have documented the loss of ant species and functional groups due to increasing disturbance, it is reasonable to expect that these communities recover quickly as secondary succession progresses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Arid Environments","volume":"227 ","pages":"Article 105298"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143136659","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"Grain size characteristics of the reticulate dunes of the Hobq Desert","authors":"Chao Guan ,&nbsp;Eerdun Hasi ,&nbsp;Kesi Tang","doi":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105279","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105279","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates grain-size variations in surface sediments across typical reticulate dunes at the western fringe of the Hobq Desert, China. The relationship between grain size and changes in dune morphology is characterized by analyzing sediment samples from various parts of dunes. The results indicate that, on the primary ridge, mean grain size becomes finer from the toe of the stoss slope to the top of the dune crest, with further variations down the lee slope before coarsening again within inter-dune areas. Grain-size patterns differ for the secondary ridge, where grains are finer at the stoss slope and dune crest under north wind conditions, while the toe of the lee slope has coarser sediment. The coarse grain size on the primary ridge can be attributed to the underlying sediment, which is dominated by disorderly coarse particles with multiple peaks at sizes less than or equal to 2.5 Φ. Coarser grains on the lee slope of the secondary ridge result primarily from airflow deflection at the lee slope. The stoss slope of the secondary ridge erodes as oblique airflow interacts with the dune, deflecting the airflow along its lee slope to promote longitudinal sand transport in this area. This phenomenon also causes fluctuations in mean grain size along the north-south axis of the primary ridge. The observed grain-size distribution response to changes in dune morphology appears largely influenced by the presence of a “short secondary ridge” under north wind conditions. These ridges create a narrow gap, accelerating the west wind and contributing to the coarse grain sizes on the lee slopes. This research may enhance understanding of reticulate dune development mechanisms in dual wind environments, shedding light on the dynamic sedimentary processes of these complex structures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Arid Environments","volume":"226 ","pages":"Article 105279"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142757649","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":"The potential distribution of Cereus (Cactaceae) species in scenarios of climate crises","authors":"Danilo T. Amaral ,&nbsp;João Victor M. Oliveira ,&nbsp;Evandro M. Moraes ,&nbsp;Daniela C. Zappi ,&nbsp;Nigel P. Taylor ,&nbsp;Fernando F. Franco","doi":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105285","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105285","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate change represents one of the most critical threats to global biodiversity, impacting species worldwide. The family Cactaceae, found predominantly in xeric habitats, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. To assess the potential impacts of climate change, ecological niche models (ENMs) have become essential tools in ecology, biogeography, and conservation. Here, we used ENMs algorithms, such as MaxEnt, Generalized Linear Models (GLM), and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), to forecast the future distribution of <em>Cereus</em> species (Cactaceae), focusing on their response to climate change. Our analysis targeted five species, utilizing shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) to project their distribution from 2030 to 2090, comparing these with models for the last glacial maximum (∼21 ka). Our results suggest that <em>C. stenogonus</em> K.Schum. and <em>C. bicolor</em> Rizzini &amp; Mattos are prone to experience a decline in distribution range, independent of the SSP scenario. Overall, the results also indicate that the effects of anthropogenic climate change differ from those of natural Pleistocene aridification, refuting our previous expectations. This work contributes to understanding how the distribution of drought-adapted vegetation could be influenced by climate change and highlights the need for informed conservation efforts to mitigate the potential adverse effects on cactus biodiversity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Arid Environments","volume":"226 ","pages":"Article 105285"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142747595","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"Potential effects of climate change on cacti distribution and conservation in North American drylands","authors":"Fábio Suzart de Albuquerque ,&nbsp;Miguel Ángel Macías-Rodríguez ,&nbsp;Alberto Búrquez ,&nbsp;Arnóbio de Mendonça Barreto Cavalcante","doi":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105282","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105282","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate change is expected to adversely impact dryland biodiversity by reducing habitat suitability, especially for cacti species. One way to mitigate such effects on cacti is to reinforce the integrity of areas of high importance for their conservation, also known as high-value conservation areas (HVCA). To better understand the distribution of HVCA and their potential vulnerability to climate change, we produced habitat suitability maps for 393 cacti species across North American drylands. We then used spatial analysis to assess hot spots of cacti' habitat suitability and their overlap and mismatch. A total of 217 (55.2%) species had their habitat suitability primarily influenced by measures of precipitation (170 species), precipitation seasonality in particular, and temperature (77 species). Our study reveals climate change will impact cacti habitat suitability across North America's drylands. We also report a strong overlay among HVCA in current and future climate scenarios. Results show that most HVCA is not represented by protected areas. This research emphasizes the need for managers and conservationists to consider the influence of climate when selecting areas for conservation and to anticipate the potential effects of climate change on the spatial configuration of priority areas for the conservation of cacti species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Arid Environments","volume":"226 ","pages":"Article 105282"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142747503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"Navigating climate shifts for an endemic lizard from a semi-arid environment","authors":"Mateus Almeida Santos ,&nbsp;Bianca Barros Zaballa ,&nbsp;Flávia dos Santos Bomfim ,&nbsp;Thieres Santos Almeida ,&nbsp;Hugo Andrade ,&nbsp;Fernanda Melo Gomes ,&nbsp;Luisa Maria Diele-Viegas","doi":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105281","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jaridenv.2024.105281","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ecological niche models (ENMs) are crucial for understanding species distribution and identifying areas maintaining climatic stability over time (i.e., thermal refugia). Human-induced global climate change underscores the importance of such refugia, which directly impacts species distribution, especially for ectothermic species relying on the environmental temperature to keep their metabolism active. <em>Tropidurus cocorobensis</em> is an endemic, heliothermic, and generalist lizard from Caatinga, a heterogeneous semi-arid domain characterized by low and irregular precipitation patterns and high temperature and solar radiation. Despite its endemism, there is no information concerning temporarily stable (refugial) and unstable (recently colonized) regions for its occurrence, nor future predictions of local thermal suitability in different climate change scenarios. Using ENMs, we assessed Caatinga's past, present, and future thermal suitability for <em>T. cocorobensis,</em> identifying potential changes in its thermal refugia over time. Our results indicated Depressão Sertaneja Meridional (DSM) and Campo Maior Complex (CMC) as climatically stable Caatinga Ecoregions, serving as climate refugia for <em>T. cocorobensis.</em> While DSM covers much of the species' current distribution, CMC lacks occurrence data. Contrastingly, the Chapada Diamantina Complex, a known habitat for the species, was not recovered as a climate refugia nor was suitable for future scenarios, therefore representing a climatically unstable area. Future projections indicate a potential expansion of <em>T. cocorobensis'</em> climate refugia, possibly linked to the species' generalist habits. However, the optimistic outlook for this species may not mirror the overall well-being of the Caatinga domain since generalist species often fill niches left by specialists unable to adapt to stressful environments. Future studies should prioritize comparing the climatic refugia of specialist and generalist species envisioning a comprehensive understanding of the ecological dynamics within the Caatinga ecosystem. This approach will be crucial for formulating effective conservation strategies amid the ongoing challenges of climate change in this domain.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Arid Environments","volume":"226 ","pages":"Article 105281"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142705216","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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}