Austral Ecology最新文献

{"title":"Effects of Soil Attributes on Floristic Composition and Structure of Dry Forests in the Brazilian Savanna","authors":"Deivid Lopes Machado,&nbsp;Guilherme Alves da Silva Santos,&nbsp;Micael Silva de Freitas,&nbsp;Ana Paula de Souza,&nbsp;Frederico Augusto Guimarães Guilherme","doi":"10.1111/aec.70063","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70063","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Soil attributes significantly influence community patterns within dry forests, yet the factors driving regional community formation in the Brazilian savanna remain poorly understood. This study aimed to describe and compare the floristic composition, vegetation structure and soil properties across dry forests, specifically examining the impact of soil attributes on the floristic composition and structure of woody vegetation. The research was conducted in four dry forests within Goiás State, including two deciduous forests (DF) and two semideciduous forests (SF), with 25 permanent plots (20 × 20 m) established in each forest type. We inventoried tree species with a diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than or equal to 10 cm and analysed the physicochemical properties of the soil. Principal component analysis of the soil variables accounted for 86% of the floristic composition variation, whereas cluster analysis distinctly separated deciduous forests from semideciduous. The deciduous forests presented more fertile soil, whereas the semideciduous forests presented greater sand contents. Differences in floristic composition and structural parameters were evident, with the semideciduous forest at Itajá showing the highest species richness and diversity. The Jataí semideciduous forest exhibited greater structural development. We found substantial effects of soil attributes on vegetation parameters, with pH, effective cation exchange capacity, calcium content, potential acidity and sand percentage being the primary correlates of variation in floristic and structural characteristics between the two forest physiognomies. Our results highlight the relevance of soil characteristics as determinants in the differentiation of forest communities in the Cerrado, highlighting the need to deepen the understanding of soil–vegetation relationships to guide preventive conservation strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"50 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aec.70063","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143871619","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis) in Queensland, Australia: Distribution, Trends, and Threats","authors":"J. L. Silcock,&nbsp;A. J. Healy,&nbsp;K. Bradley,&nbsp;C. Arkinstall,&nbsp;R. Seaton,&nbsp;R. I. Southgate","doi":"10.1111/aec.70059","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70059","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Medium-sized Australian mammals have suffered major declines since colonisation, with many now extinct or surviving only in intensively managed, predator-free fenced reserves or on islands. The greater bilby (<i>Macrotis lagotis</i>) in Queensland is an anomaly, persisting primarily in grazed rangelands with no targeted conservation management across most of its range. There has been limited field survey effort in recent decades, and very little is known about population trends or impacts of potential threats. We conducted surveys across the Queensland range of the bilby for the first time in 30 years, combining aerial surveys over 48 000 km² with 415 2-ha track plots surveyed between 2021 and 2023. We investigated the relative influence of predation, competition, and productivity on bilby presence using landscape variables and multivariate binary logistic models. The bilby's distribution, although greatly contracted since European settlement, has stabilised and perhaps expanded since the 1990s, with a current Extent of Occurrence in Queensland of 30 901 km². Temporal fluctuations in bilby presence were observed at 25% of survey plots visited at least three times, highlighting the importance of ongoing, standardised ground surveys. Within its current distribution, bilby presence was negatively correlated with distance to wooded alluvial land systems and, less strongly, effective distance to water, and positively correlated with relative greenness of the vegetation. The effects of distance to sand dune and residual land systems were not clear and are likely to be influenced by the bilby's preference for these habitats but inability to persist in them due to elevated predator densities. Predator control in wooded alluvial systems, dunefields, and residuals close to bilby populations may be more important to the bilby's persistence in the study area than limiting the spread of artificial water sources on grazing properties; however, field work is needed to inform predator density in these landforms. Ongoing monitoring and research are needed to distinguish inter-annual fluctuations from longer term population trends and better understand temporal and spatial predator dynamics. Our results provide vital context on the status of the Queensland bilby population and will underpin future research and conservation management.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"50 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aec.70059","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143871743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Life-Cycle Approach to Understand Consequences of Silvopastoral Use on Two Native Tree Species of Northern Patagonia","authors":"Daniela Arpigiani,&nbsp;Valeria Aschero,&nbsp;Rosina Soler,&nbsp;Mariano M. Amoroso","doi":"10.1111/aec.70058","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70058","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Silvopastoral use in native forests could impact population dynamics of key tree species, with contrasting effects at different life cycle stages. Prior studies in South American temperate forests have mainly focused on initial stages, lacking a comprehensive understanding of the entire life cycle within productive systems. We assessed the population dynamics of two key species of mixed forests in northern Patagonia (<i>Austrocedrus chilensis</i> and <i>Nothofagus dombeyi</i>) under two silvopastoral use intensities (high vs. low), using demographic techniques and population projection models. Over 3 years, we quantified vital rates (survival, fertility, growth, reversion and stasis) and used matrix models to calculate deterministic population growth rates (<i>λ</i>). High-intensity silvopastoral use had predominantly negative effects on the elements of the projection matrices of <i>A. chilensis</i>, whereas <i>N. dombeyi</i> exhibited mostly positive or no changes. As a result, projections indicated slight population decreases for <i>A. chilensis</i> (mostly <i>λ</i> &lt; 1) at high silvopastoral use levels compared to low levels, while <i>N. dombeyi</i> showed similar projections (<i>λ</i> ≅ 1) between use levels. Decreased <i>λ</i> for <i>A. chilensis</i> resulted mainly from lower adult tree survival, while early life stages had limited influence on <i>λ</i> for these long-lived species. In summary, silvopastoral use affects population dynamics of key tree species of these mixed forests of northern Patagonia, with implications for sustainable management. Our findings highlight the importance of considering the entire life cycle and suggest targeted practices to enhance <i>A. chilensis</i> populations.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"50 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143871749","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Herbivory and Seed Banks Will Limit Regeneration and Restoration of an Endangered Subtropical Rainforest","authors":"K. French,&nbsp;C. Bland,&nbsp;J. Dawson,&nbsp;M. Dawson,&nbsp;J. Lemmon","doi":"10.1111/aec.70057","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70057","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Disturbances are an essential component of forest functionality and composition; however, when communities become disrupted, these disturbances may restrict the growth and productivity of species present. Illawarra subtropical rainforest (ISRF) is a threatened ecological community that is influenced by both native and exotic vertebrate herbivores and exotic plant pressures. The ability of ISRF to regenerate following the removal of large herbivores was assessed in fenced and unfenced sites within fragments of rainforest. To investigate the extent to which herbivory was limiting the restoration of ISRF, five native seedlings of each of eight species were planted at six sites, and growth and herbivore activity was compared between fenced and unfenced sites. We investigated seed bank capacity and composition to determine whether recruitment limitation is also preventing regeneration. Over 46 weeks, seedlings in unfenced sites experienced significantly lower growth, which varied amongst species and sites. High activity of feral deer and swamp wallabies caused significant reductions in seedling heights and the number of leaves. Herbivores reduced the growth of seedlings of <i>Brachychiton acerifolius, Planchonella australis</i>, and <i>Breynia oblongifolia</i> more than other species. <i>Pittosporum multiflorum</i> seedlings were not eaten. Only 297 seeds (10% of all seeds germinating) of 21 native species typical of ISRF communities germinated in the seed bank germination trial in the glasshouse. Most native species were missing, reflecting poor recruitment opportunities from a soil-stored seed bank. Seed banks were dominated by 21 exotic species (2125 seedlings—74% of total), presenting a significant risk to the regeneration of the community. Our results indicated that ISRF communities are unlikely to regenerate naturally and require active planting coupled with effective protective measures from all herbivores to restore fragmented vegetation.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"50 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143871900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mother Chemical Stimulus and Aggregation Behaviour of Tadpoles in a Neotropical Foam-Nesting Frog","authors":"Juan F. C. Carrillo,&nbsp;Zaida Ortega,&nbsp;Diego J. Santana,&nbsp;Cynthia P. A. Prado","doi":"10.1111/aec.70056","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70056","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Aggregation behaviour is a common strategy among aquatic organisms to avoid predators and may result from social interactions mediated by signals and/or cues. Tadpoles of some species in the Neotropical genus <i>Leptodactylus</i> (Leptodactylidae) exhibit schooling behaviour and are escorted by an attending female. Here, we experimentally tested whether chemical skin secretion produced by attending females of <i>Leptodactylus macrosternum</i> triggers tadpole schooling behaviour. We assessed aggregation time of the tadpoles of <i>L. macrosternum</i> under three different chemical stimuli—male, non-attending female and attending female—and compared it to a control. We found that tadpoles only increased the time of aggregation under the presence of the chemical stimulus of the attending females. Tadpoles of other species from the <i>L. latrans</i> group, such as <i>L. insularum</i> and <i>L. luctator</i>, may present similar responses to the attending female chemical stimulus. The next steps would be to identify the chemical components used as signals or cues and to conduct additional behavioural experiments to better assess intra- and interspecific communication between tadpoles and attending females.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"50 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aec.70056","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143871741","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Expansion of Perna viridis Towards South Brazil: Bridging the Gap With Traditional Scientific Surveys and Citizen Science","authors":"Marcos Akira-Umeno,&nbsp;Leonardo Cirillo,&nbsp;Alexandre Ribeiro da Silva","doi":"10.1111/aec.70071","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70071","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In a world of constant change, biodiversity monitoring proves essential for the conservation of native species. Many of these changes are linked to the introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS), which alter ecosystem structure and community dynamics and directly impact native species. New records of NIS are often obtained through traditional scientific surveys. However, citizen science has provided significant insights into species distributions through volunteer observations by individuals outside of academia. Successful platforms for citizen science, such as iNaturalist, have revolutionised spatial and temporal understanding of biodiversity. Recently, the Green Mussel (<i>Perna viridis</i>), a NIS, was recorded in the states of Paraná, Rio de Janeiro and Ceará, Brazil. Nevertheless, there were no official records for other states along the Brazilian coast. This study aimed to use traditional scientific methods in conjunction with citizen science to update the distribution status of this species. Using traditional scientific surveys, one record of <i>P. viridis</i> was documented in the municipality of São Vicente, São Paulo state, while 42 records were obtained through iNaturalist, spanning the states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná and Santa Catarina. As a result, our study filled the distribution gap for this NIS along the southern Brazilian coast, highlighting the importance of citizen science in monitoring such species. Early detection of NIS is crucial for successful management, emphasising the utility of using non-traditional methods in biological invasion studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"50 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aec.70071","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143871746","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Facultative Climbing in Two Widespread Skink Species Found Along the East Coast of Australia","authors":"David A. De Angelis,&nbsp;Gio Fitzpatrick","doi":"10.1111/aec.70060","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70060","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Many primarily ground-dwelling vertebrates are known to occasionally climb trees and other vertical structures. This includes, although is relatively rarely reported among, terrestrial reptiles. The functions of facultative climbing or scansoriality are generally poorly known, although the reasons for doing so may include foraging, thermoregulation, access to favourable nesting sites and predator avoidance. The garden skink (<i>Lampropholis guichenoti</i>) and weasel skink (<i>Saproscincus mustelinus</i>) are native to Australia, widely recognised as terrestrial species that shelter and forage among leaf litter and ground debris, with the former species previously regarded as rarely or not ascending more than 30 cm from the ground. However, in spring 2017, summer 2018 and summer 2025, three <i>L. guichenoti</i> were recorded climbing to heights of 164 cm, 287 cm and 125 cm, respectively. These observations demonstrate that although it may be uncommon, <i>L. guichenoti</i> is at least capable of climbing to substantially greater heights than had previously been reported. Although basking behaviour was observed in all instances, the possible reasons for facultative climbing by this species otherwise remain largely unknown. Two observations were also made of <i>S. mustelinus</i> having climbed to heights of 92 cm and 203 cm in 2022 and 2023 respectively. This species is known to regulate its body temperature primarily through thigmothermy among terrestrial microhabitats such as decomposing litter and woody debris, and in both instances of this species climbing, similar microhabitats were available at the heights the individuals were observed. The observations presented here highlight the value of publishing observational notes on previously unreported behaviours expressed by species that may otherwise be commonly encountered or well understood.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"50 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aec.70060","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143871899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impacts of a Potential HPAI H5N1 Incursion on Australian Wildlife","authors":"Sara Ryding,&nbsp;Tobias A. Ross,&nbsp;Marcel Klaassen,&nbsp;Michelle Wille","doi":"10.1111/aec.70048","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70048","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Avian influenza HPAI H5N1 is catastrophic and will likely have negative consequences for Australian wildlife.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"50 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aec.70048","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143871747","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Intraspecific and Interspecific Indirect Competition on Foraging Activity in Subtropical Facultative and Obligatory Shredder Organisms","authors":"Giovana Rech Durigon,&nbsp;Emanuel Rampanelli Cararo,&nbsp;Cássia Alves Lima-Rezende,&nbsp;Renan de Souza Rezende","doi":"10.1111/aec.70070","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70070","url":null,"abstract":"<p>While the recognised influence of resource competition on the structure of aquatic ecosystems is well-established, its effects on allochthonous matter dynamics in streams, particularly regarding interspecific and intraspecific indirect competition, remain understudied and inadequately understood. In this investigation, we explored the impacts of interspecific and intraspecific indirect competition on leaf litter consumption by the shredder organisms <i>Phylloicus</i> spp. and <i>Aegla</i> spp. The effects of indirect competition were evaluated through a microcosm experimental setup, comprised of two controls and three treatments: (i) <i>Phylloicus</i> control competition-free; (ii) <i>Aegla</i> control competition-free; (iii) intraspecific competition within <i>Aegla</i>; (iv) intraspecific competition within <i>Phylloicus</i>; and (v) interspecific competition. In the competition-free controls, a single organism occupied a 2 L microcosm, whereas in indirect competitive pressure treatments, two organisms were introduced into a 4 L microcosm with a 0.05-mm mesh partition. Our findings revealed that interspecific indirect competition had a disproportionately higher impact on <i>Phylloicus</i>, whereas intraspecific indirect competition had a more pronounced effect on <i>Aegla</i>. <i>Phylloicus</i> demonstrated superior shredding efficiency compared to <i>Aegla</i>, possibly due to <i>Aegla</i>'s broader feeding range and distinctive leaf litter utilisation strategies. The presence of potential competitors led to reduced consumption rates in <i>Phylloicus</i>, highlighting its sensitivity to competition. Furthermore, <i>Aegla</i>'s predatory behaviour and cannibalism likely intensified intraspecific indirect competition within the species. These results underscore the pivotal role of indirect competition in shaping the feeding behaviour of shredder organisms in leaf litter banks, ultimately influencing plant matter fragmentation in aquatic ecosystems.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"50 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aec.70070","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143871748","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Habitat Exploration and Foraging in a Dominant Hover Fly (Melangyna) is Sex-Dependent","authors":"Manuel E. Lequerica Támara,&nbsp;Tanya Latty,&nbsp;Caragh G. Threlfall,&nbsp;Dieter F. Hochuli","doi":"10.1111/aec.70067","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70067","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Distinct behaviours between males and females within the same species can promote differences in the use of resources between sexes, which can have profound consequences on ecosystem processes, such as pollination. Despite this, studies on floral visitation often focus on the relationships between floral visitors and plants at the species level, neglecting the intraspecific differences between male and female insect floral visitors. This study investigates intraspecific differences in the use of floral resources by male and female <i>Melangyna</i>, a dominant group of hover flies. Our year-long observations reveal distinct behaviours in hovering and foraging between the sexes and among the seasons. We also present evidence of sexual dimorphism, with males being larger than females. These behavioural and physical differences lead to distinct use of floral resources by each sex, which could have significant implications for plant reproduction. Our findings underscore the need to consider intraspecific sexual differences in future studies on floral visitation and pollination.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"50 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aec.70067","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143871696","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}