African Journal of Ecology最新文献

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Diurnal Variation in the Photosynthetic Traits of Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) Trees in North Namibia 北纳米比亚黑果核树光合特性的日变化
IF 1.1 4区 环境科学与生态学
African Journal of Ecology Pub Date : 2026-02-13 DOI: 10.1111/aje.70151
Ndapandula Amuthenu, Sanna Huttunen, Pamwenafye Nanhapo, Albertina Ndeinoma, Johanna M. Toivonen
{"title":"Diurnal Variation in the Photosynthetic Traits of Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) Trees in North Namibia","authors":"Ndapandula Amuthenu,&nbsp;Sanna Huttunen,&nbsp;Pamwenafye Nanhapo,&nbsp;Albertina Ndeinoma,&nbsp;Johanna M. Toivonen","doi":"10.1111/aje.70151","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70151","url":null,"abstract":"<p><i>Sclerocarya birrea</i> (marula) trees are important components of dry and semi-dry African savanna environments due to their ecological and economical importance, including carbon storage. However, functional characteristics of these dioecious trees, such as their photosynthetic rates, remain largely unstudied. We quantified the diurnal cycle in leaf-level net photosynthetic rate (<i>A</i>), stomatal conductance (<i>g</i><sub><i>sw</i></sub>) and transpiration (<i>E</i>) in sun and shade leaves of male and female individuals of 14 <i>Sclerocarya birrea</i> trees in a northern Namibian semi-arid agroforestry system and explained the observed trends by three environmental drivers (light, temperature and humidity). A generalised additive model with a thin-plate regression spline smoother was applied to describe non-linear diurnal variation in <i>A</i>, <i>g</i><sub>sw</sub> and <i>E</i>. Results revealed a pronounced pre-midday decline in <i>A</i> for sun leaves, from 5.5 μmol CO₂ m<sup>−2</sup> s<sup>−1</sup> in the morning to 2.4 μmol CO₂ m<sup>−2</sup> s<sup>−1</sup> in the late afternoon, while shade leaves showed a continuous decrease from 3.0 to 1.8 μmol CO₂ m<sup>−2</sup> s<sup>−1</sup>. Correspondingly, <i>g</i><sub>sw</sub> declined from 0.07 to 0.04 mol m<sup>−2</sup> s<sup>−1</sup>, and <i>E</i> from 0.0012 to 0.0008 mol m<sup>−2</sup> s<sup>−1</sup> between morning and afternoon hours for sun leaves. Male trees exhibited higher <i>A</i>, <i>g</i><sub>sw</sub> and <i>E</i> than females, suggesting secondary sexual dimorphism in gas-exchange traits. Light was the best predictor of net photosynthetic rate and transpiration, whereas temperature was the best predictor of stomatal conductance. These findings highlight the complex interplay between environmental factors, leaf position and tree-specific traits in shaping the photosynthetic performance of <i>Sclerocarya birrea</i>. Consequently, this knowledge enables better-informed management and conservation strategies for this key savanna species.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"64 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.70151","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147269012","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}
引用次数: 0
Habitat Heterogeneity Shapes Bee Species Diversity and Community Structure in an East African Protected Ecosystem 生境异质性影响东非受保护生态系统中蜜蜂物种多样性和群落结构
IF 1.1 4区 环境科学与生态学
African Journal of Ecology Pub Date : 2026-02-13 DOI: 10.1111/aje.70157
Elia T. Mtuy, David J. Kavana, Dorothea C. Kipangula, Jeremiah R. Makindara
{"title":"Habitat Heterogeneity Shapes Bee Species Diversity and Community Structure in an East African Protected Ecosystem","authors":"Elia T. Mtuy,&nbsp;David J. Kavana,&nbsp;Dorothea C. Kipangula,&nbsp;Jeremiah R. Makindara","doi":"10.1111/aje.70157","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70157","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Bees are crucial in maintaining ecosystem functioning, yet their populations are declining due to human-induced threats that impact pollination services, which are essential for ecosystem viability. Understanding how different habitats shape bee community structure and diversity is crucial for effective insect conservation. In this study, we assessed the bee species composition, richness, and abundance across grassland, open woodland, and closed woodland habitats within a protected miombo woodland ecosystem, an important Zambezian regional center of endemism. Bee species diversity was comparable across habitats, with grasslands showing slightly higher diversity than woodlands. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in diversity among habitats; however, indicator species analysis revealed distinct species distributions. For example, <i>Apis mellifera</i>, <i>Macronomia fulvohirta</i>, <i>Megachile</i> spp., and <i>Xylocopa flavorufa</i> showed habitat-specific abundance patterns, reflecting niche preferences. Beta diversity results from Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) indicated overlapping bee community structures across habitats, with a similarity index of 37%. Grasslands exhibited higher diversity, which may be linked to structural openness, diverse floral resources, and lower predation, enhancing bee foraging. Open woodlands, despite low species richness, had high bee abundance, likely due to adaptable generalists like <i>Apis mellifera</i>. Closed woodlands, while supporting fewer individuals, hosted high species richness, suggesting their role in sustaining diverse bee communities. Our findings emphasise the importance of habitat connectivity and heterogeneity. Conservation managers should prioritise protecting diverse habitats to protect bee populations, ensuring the persistence of key pollination services and overall ecosystem resilience amid ongoing land-use changes.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"64 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147280074","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}
引用次数: 0
Movement in Juvenile Bushveld Lizards (Heliobolus lugubris) 幼年丛林蜥蜴(Heliobolus lugubris)的运动
IF 1.1 4区 环境科学与生态学
African Journal of Ecology Pub Date : 2026-02-13 DOI: 10.1111/aje.70158
Douglas A. Eifler, Ntshotlang Sebati, Maria A. Eifler
{"title":"Movement in Juvenile Bushveld Lizards (Heliobolus lugubris)","authors":"Douglas A. Eifler,&nbsp;Ntshotlang Sebati,&nbsp;Maria A. Eifler","doi":"10.1111/aje.70158","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70158","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Differences in body size and development can result in ecological variation with age, although juveniles often are understudied. Among bushveld lizards, juveniles are morphologically distinct from adults, with their movement and coloration mimicking beetles. We examined movement in a population of juvenile bushveld lizards in southwestern Botswana. In our study population, juveniles were active foragers, exhibiting both high moves per minute (MPM) and percent time moving (PTM) relative to other lizards. We also measured first passage time (FPT; radii = 1, 3, and 5 m), which revealed that foraging juveniles use area restricted searching. Across the limited range of scales we examined, FPT increased linearly, possibly indicating directional persistence. Further studies on the implications of our findings are merited.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"64 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147280073","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}
引用次数: 0
Habitat Modification by Grazing Lawns Reduces Soil Mite Diversity in a South African National Park 在南非国家公园,放牧草坪对生境的改变减少了土壤螨的多样性
IF 1.1 4区 环境科学与生态学
African Journal of Ecology Pub Date : 2026-02-12 DOI: 10.1111/aje.70153
Claire Grootboom, Igshaan Samuels, Adriaan Engelbrecht, Mmoto Masubelele
{"title":"Habitat Modification by Grazing Lawns Reduces Soil Mite Diversity in a South African National Park","authors":"Claire Grootboom,&nbsp;Igshaan Samuels,&nbsp;Adriaan Engelbrecht,&nbsp;Mmoto Masubelele","doi":"10.1111/aje.70153","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70153","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Soil mesofauna are an integral part of the functioning of an ecosystem. They are relatively small in body size, occur in varying habitats and operate in a range of ecological niches. Soil mites are quite sensitive to changes in their environment and contribute to several important ecosystem services in their environments. This investigation aimed to determine how soil mite communities change in and around lawns in the Bontebok National Park (BNP). Sites that were sampled were categorised into lawns, ecotones and natural vegetation. Soils were collected to analyse physio-chemical parameters and to evaluate species composition of soil dwelling mites. Shannon and Simpson indices were used to determine species diversity of the different zones sampled and soil properties were used to generate PCAs and boxplots. There were changes in mite populations and community structure that were noticed in and around grazing lawns in the park, with a great reduction in diversity in lawns and the highest diversity seen in the ecotones. Lawns had higher proportions of macro and micronutrients, in addition to higher heavy metal content, which affected the oribatid mite populations inhabiting those areas. The establishment of lawns in the BNP had a negative impact on the mite populations in the park. This can be a major concern to soil mite communities in the park as they act as a vital component of the ecosystem, and contribute importantly to the overall functioning of their environment.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"64 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.70153","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147268939","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}
引用次数: 0
Managing Uganda's Biodiversity Amid Climate and Societal Change 在气候和社会变化中管理乌干达的生物多样性
IF 1.1 4区 环境科学与生态学
African Journal of Ecology Pub Date : 2026-02-10 DOI: 10.1111/aje.70150
Patrick A. Omeja, Martin Golooba, Emmanuel A. Opito, Charles Tumwesigye, Colin A. Chapman
{"title":"Managing Uganda's Biodiversity Amid Climate and Societal Change","authors":"Patrick A. Omeja,&nbsp;Martin Golooba,&nbsp;Emmanuel A. Opito,&nbsp;Charles Tumwesigye,&nbsp;Colin A. Chapman","doi":"10.1111/aje.70150","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70150","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Uganda is home to remarkable biodiversity, supports diverse ecosystems ranging from glacier-topped mountains, tropical rain forests, to semi-arid systems, has a well-established and effective protected areas system, and benefits substantially from nature tourism. However, Uganda will face significant challenges if it is to maintain these riches. For example, the country's population is growing rapidly and is expected to surpass 100 million by 2050, more than 80% of households depend directly on natural resources for their livelihoods, and agricultural land has expanded by about 1% per year. Furthermore, Uganda is one of the world's most climate-vulnerable countries, and flooding and droughts are predicted to become much more common. Such changes will increase demands on natural resources, including those in protected areas. Uganda's government is aware of these challenges and has become a regional leader in environmental policy by taking a proactive approach. However, Uganda is struggling to educate its citizens and build the capacity for effective protection. Here we evaluate Uganda's conservation status and the threats to biodiversity from societal and climate change. We consider the current capacity and institutional infrastructure available to conserve the country's biodiversity, focusing on training and research, policy implementation and capacity in the field. Despite major challenges, clear pathways to a bright future are available.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"64 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.70150","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147268903","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}
引用次数: 0
Using Natural History Collections to Determine the Relative Changes in Diversity and Distribution of Freshwater Molluscs in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa 利用自然史资料确定南非夸祖鲁-纳塔尔省淡水软体动物多样性和分布的相对变化
IF 1.1 4区 环境科学与生态学
African Journal of Ecology Pub Date : 2026-02-09 DOI: 10.1111/aje.70146
Matabaro Ziganira, Matthew J. Burnett, Wynand Malherbe, Colleen T. Downs
{"title":"Using Natural History Collections to Determine the Relative Changes in Diversity and Distribution of Freshwater Molluscs in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa","authors":"Matabaro Ziganira,&nbsp;Matthew J. Burnett,&nbsp;Wynand Malherbe,&nbsp;Colleen T. Downs","doi":"10.1111/aje.70146","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70146","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Research using natural history collections to track anthropogenic activities has recently been on the rise. Natural history collections have been utilised beyond their traditional taxonomic and systematic roles, generating data that shape present and future research. We evaluated the value of natural history collections in answering questions about the changes in the occurrence of freshwater mollusc species in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, over the past 124 years. The historical records were sourced from four natural history collections databases in South Africa. Specimen records were curated and validated against two independent online platforms. The number of shells and diversity among collections were compared, and trends in the database were analysed. We recorded a significant decline in the number of specimens collected between 1897 and 1960, and after 1980 and 2021, respectively. The majority of freshwater mollusc specimens that were collected belonged to <i>Bulinus tropicus</i> (Krauss, 1848) (307 records), followed by <i>Pseudosuccinea columella</i> (Say, 1817) (270 records) and <i>Radix natalensis</i> (Krauss, 1848) (268 records), while 34% of specimens collected received one observation each. Three species database records exhibited positive observation trends, while two species showed negative database record trends. We also found that potentially declining species database records accounted for 52% of the total freshwater molluscs in KwaZulu-Natal. The broad-scale compositional shift of endemic species and the greater prevalence of invasive species may be exacerbated by inadequate sampling and a lack of long-term monitoring programs at selected sites. We argue that random sampling and donations are insufficient to sustain the growth of these collections. National programs, such as the River Eco-Status Monitoring Programme (REMP) and Freshwater Biodiversity Information System (FBIS), have the opportunity to identify and include new key biodiversity sites for biomonitoring of biodiversity. Thus, an increase in financial and skills investment is advocated to monitor biodiversity and the emergence of future diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"64 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.70146","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147268935","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}
引用次数: 0
Effects of Water Impoundments on the Distribution and Activity of Elephants in the Southern Kruger National Park 水库对南克鲁格国家公园大象分布和活动的影响
IF 1.1 4区 环境科学与生态学
African Journal of Ecology Pub Date : 2026-02-09 DOI: 10.1111/aje.70154
B. B. Twala, S. P. Ngcobo, R. A. McCleery, T. Dalu, C. Dutton, S. M. Ferreria, L. Munyai, A. Subalusky, M. D. Voysey, C. Coetsee, B. Wigley, D. M. Parker
{"title":"Effects of Water Impoundments on the Distribution and Activity of Elephants in the Southern Kruger National Park","authors":"B. B. Twala,&nbsp;S. P. Ngcobo,&nbsp;R. A. McCleery,&nbsp;T. Dalu,&nbsp;C. Dutton,&nbsp;S. M. Ferreria,&nbsp;L. Munyai,&nbsp;A. Subalusky,&nbsp;M. D. Voysey,&nbsp;C. Coetsee,&nbsp;B. Wigley,&nbsp;D. M. Parker","doi":"10.1111/aje.70154","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70154","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Artificial water impoundments (reservoirs) in African savannahs can significantly influence the distribution and behaviour of water-dependent species, particularly elephants (<i>Loxodonta africana</i>). Our study investigates the impact of such water sources on the spatio-temporal distribution and activity patterns of elephants in the southern Kruger National Park, South Africa. We conducted a paired catchment camera trap study between 2023 and 2024, comparing 11 dammed and 11 undammed seasonal drainages over two seasons (wet and dry). Our aim was to evaluate how water impoundments affected elephant space use, activity levels, and their diel behaviour. Our findings reveal that water impoundments have a strong influence on elephant activity, particularly during the dry season when elephants frequently clustered around these water sources. Moreover, the interaction between season and proximity to water played a key role in shaping elephant activity patterns. Our study highlights the need to consider the ecological implications of water provisioning strategies in wildlife management. We recommend promoting landscape heterogeneity and minimising potential adverse effects on vegetation and other species.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"64 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147315494","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}
引用次数: 0
Habitat Influence on Epigeic Spider Diversity in Silaka, Langeni and Kambi Forests, Eastern Cape, South Africa 生境对南非东开普省Silaka、Langeni和Kambi森林表蜘蛛多样性的影响
IF 1.1 4区 环境科学与生态学
African Journal of Ecology Pub Date : 2026-02-06 DOI: 10.1111/aje.70149
Sandile Mdazu, Caswell Munyai, Augustine Niba
{"title":"Habitat Influence on Epigeic Spider Diversity in Silaka, Langeni and Kambi Forests, Eastern Cape, South Africa","authors":"Sandile Mdazu,&nbsp;Caswell Munyai,&nbsp;Augustine Niba","doi":"10.1111/aje.70149","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70149","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In this paper, we explore spider diversity and the effects of habitat types on spider distribution in the three different types of habitats in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This serves as an invaluable tool for biodiversity assessment while documenting the presence of spiders taxa across different habitats in the selected study areas. Spiders were collected using pitfall traps in Langeni forest, Kambi forest and Silaka Nature reserve. Two of these sites are situated in Mthatha and one in Port St Johns. A total of 12 families represented by 19 genera and 43 species/morphospecies were recorded. Habitat type did not significantly influence spider abundance. This present study provides an important insight into the composition and relative abundance of epigeic spiders in the a priori selected study sites. Even though the analysis of the sampling effort points the low species richness to under sampling, the dataset provides an indication of the families and guilds present in the studied forests during the period of study. The results also indicate that local habitat conditions may have an influence on the spider community structure. These data contribute to the growing knowledge of South African arachnology knowledge but due to limitations associated with the sampling, the data should be viewed as preliminary.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"64 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.70149","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146139495","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}
引用次数: 0
Ecological Paradoxes of Conflict: The Dual Impact of Armed Conflicts and Humanitarian Crises on Africa's Ecosystems 冲突的生态悖论:武装冲突和人道主义危机对非洲生态系统的双重影响
IF 1.1 4区 环境科学与生态学
African Journal of Ecology Pub Date : 2026-02-06 DOI: 10.1111/aje.70155
Luca Luiselli, Mathias Behangana, Andrew D. Walde, Fabio Petrozzi, Achilles Byaruhanga
{"title":"Ecological Paradoxes of Conflict: The Dual Impact of Armed Conflicts and Humanitarian Crises on Africa's Ecosystems","authors":"Luca Luiselli,&nbsp;Mathias Behangana,&nbsp;Andrew D. Walde,&nbsp;Fabio Petrozzi,&nbsp;Achilles Byaruhanga","doi":"10.1111/aje.70155","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70155","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Armed conflicts and humanitarian crises across Africa generate profound yet understudied ecological consequences, reshaping ecosystems through complex processes of degradation and regeneration. This review synthesises evidence from across the continent to examine how warfare, displacement, and refugee settlements alter land use, biodiversity, and conservation outcomes. Conflicts weaken governance, disrupt protected area management, and enable illegal logging, mining, poaching, and unsustainable resource extraction, driving deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and wildlife decline. Refugee settlements, often located near ecologically sensitive areas, intensify pressures on forests, water, and arable land through high demand for fuelwood, food, and construction materials. Quantitative studies, including standardised biodiversity surveys in northern Uganda, reveal striking declines in amphibian, reptile, and plant diversity in refugee-impacted areas compared to nearby controls. Moreover, empirical evidence from Central and East Africa documents sharp increases in bushmeat trade and consumption during and after periods of armed instability. Yet conflict can also produce paradoxical positive effects, where human abandonment allows vegetation recovery and wildlife resurgence, as documented in Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park and other war-affected landscapes. These contrasting dynamics highlight the dual role of conflict as both a driver of ecological collapse and a catalyst for ecosystem resilience. Integrating social science, ecology, and conflict studies is essential to develop conservation strategies that address both human welfare and biodiversity protection. By framing conflict and displacement as intertwined socio-ecological processes, our study highlights the urgent need for interdisciplinary approaches to manage Africa's vulnerable ecosystems under conditions of chronic instability.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"64 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.70155","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146139497","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}
引用次数: 0
Drivers of Odonata Alpha and Beta Diversity Across Lentic and Lotic Habitats in Northeastern Algeria 阿尔及利亚东北部lltic和Lotic生境中Odonata α和β多样性的驱动因素
IF 1.1 4区 环境科学与生态学
African Journal of Ecology Pub Date : 2026-01-29 DOI: 10.1111/aje.70152
Kelthoum Salhi, Abdelmadjid Chelli, Rassim Khelifa, Amina Yalles-Satha, Hichem Amari, Mohamed Gana, Rabah Zebsa, Selma Salhi, Mohammed Khalil Mellal
{"title":"Drivers of Odonata Alpha and Beta Diversity Across Lentic and Lotic Habitats in Northeastern Algeria","authors":"Kelthoum Salhi,&nbsp;Abdelmadjid Chelli,&nbsp;Rassim Khelifa,&nbsp;Amina Yalles-Satha,&nbsp;Hichem Amari,&nbsp;Mohamed Gana,&nbsp;Rabah Zebsa,&nbsp;Selma Salhi,&nbsp;Mohammed Khalil Mellal","doi":"10.1111/aje.70152","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70152","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Lentic and lotic habitats support distinct aquatic communities, yet how environmental gradients and anthropogenic pressure differentially shape diversity patterns across these habitat types remains poorly understood. Here, we examined Odonata alpha and beta diversity across lentic and lotic habitats in northeastern Algeria to assess habitat-specific responses to environmental and anthropogenic drivers. We sampled adult Odonata and measured local environmental variables at 35 sites, complemented by climatic and anthropogenic data from global datasets. Alpha diversity was quantified using coverage-based Hill numbers, beta diversity was partitioned into turnover and nestedness components and environmental drivers were assessed using constrained ordination and generalised linear mixed models. We recorded 40 species, with significantly higher asymptotic richness and Simpson diversity in lotic than lentic habitats. Human Footprint Index (HFI) exhibited habitat-dependent effects on species richness (HFI × habitat: <i>β</i> = −0.352, 95% CI: −0.673 to −0.030), with lotic habitats showing negative responses to anthropogenic pressure while lentic habitats exhibited a positive association. Community composition differed significantly between habitat types and was primarily structured by altitude. Beta diversity was dominated by turnover rather than nestedness, with significantly higher total dissimilarity in lentic habitats. Our findings suggest that conservation strategies for Mediterranean Odonata diversity require a landscape approach that protects both habitat types while recognising their differential sensitivity to human impacts.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"64 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146196991","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}
引用次数: 0
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