scholarly journals Herbivory and warming interact in opposing patterns of covariation between arctic shrub species at large and local scales

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (6) ◽  
pp. e2015158118
Author(s):  
Eric Post ◽  
Sean M. P. Cahoon ◽  
Jeffrey T. Kerby ◽  
Christian Pedersen ◽  
Patrick F. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Recent Theory ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
Biotic Factors ◽  
Shrub Species ◽  
Exclusion Experiment ◽  
Herbivore Exclusion ◽  
Abiotic And Biotic Factors

A major challenge in predicting species’ distributional responses to climate change involves resolving interactions between abiotic and biotic factors in structuring ecological communities. This challenge reflects the classical conceptualization of species’ regional distributions as simultaneously constrained by climatic conditions, while by necessity emerging from local biotic interactions. A ubiquitous pattern in nature illustrates this dichotomy: potentially competing species covary positively at large scales but negatively at local scales. Recent theory poses a resolution to this conundrum by predicting roles of both abiotic and biotic factors in covariation of species at both scales, but empirical tests have lagged such developments. We conducted a 15-y warming and herbivore-exclusion experiment to investigate drivers of opposing patterns of covariation between two codominant arctic shrub species at large and local scales. Climatic conditions and biotic exploitation mediated both positive covariation between these species at the landscape scale and negative covariation between them locally. Furthermore, covariation between the two species conferred resilience in ecosystem carbon uptake. This study thus lends empirical support to developing theoretical solutions to a long-standing ecological puzzle, while highlighting its relevance to understanding community compositional responses to climate change.

scholarly journals Mature Andean forests as globally important carbon sinks and future carbon refuges

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvaro Duque ◽  
Miguel A. Peña ◽  
Francisco Cuesta ◽  
Sebastián González-Caro ◽  
Peter Kennedy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Carbon Dynamics ◽  
Carbon Stocks ◽  
Biotic Factors ◽  
Tropical Andes ◽  
Size Dependent ◽  
The Past ◽  
Aboveground Carbon ◽  
Abiotic And Biotic Factors ◽  
Global Carbon

AbstractIt is largely unknown how South America’s Andean forests affect the global carbon cycle, and thus regulate climate change. Here, we measure aboveground carbon dynamics over the past two decades in 119 monitoring plots spanning a range of >3000 m elevation across the subtropical and tropical Andes. Our results show that Andean forests act as strong sinks for aboveground carbon (0.67 ± 0.08 Mg C ha−1 y−1) and have a high potential to serve as future carbon refuges. Aboveground carbon dynamics of Andean forests are driven by abiotic and biotic factors, such as climate and size-dependent mortality of trees. The increasing aboveground carbon stocks offset the estimated C emissions due to deforestation between 2003 and 2014, resulting in a net total uptake of 0.027 Pg C y−1. Reducing deforestation will increase Andean aboveground carbon stocks, facilitate upward species migrations, and allow for recovery of biomass losses due to climate change.

The climate change–infectious disease nexus: is it time for climate change syndemics?

2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Heffernan
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Biotic Factors ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Distinct Variable ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Abiotic And Biotic Factors

AbstractConceptualizing climate as a distinct variable limits our understanding of the synergies and interactions between climate change and the range of abiotic and biotic factors, which influence animal health. Frameworks such as eco-epidemiology and the epi-systems approach, while more holistic, view climate and climate change as one of many discreet drivers of disease. Here, I argue for a new paradigmatic framework: climate-change syndemics. Climate-change syndemics begins from the assumption that climate change is one of many potential influences on infectious disease processes, but crucially is unlikely to act independently or in isolation; and as such, it is the inter-relationship between factors that take primacy in explorations of infectious disease and climate change. Equally importantly, as climate change will impact a wide range of diseases, the frame of analysis is at the collective rather than individual level (for both human and animal infectious disease) across populations.

scholarly journals Temperature and competition interact to structure Himalayan bird communities

2018 ◽  
Vol 285 (1874) ◽  
pp. 20172593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umesh Srinivasan ◽  
Paul R. Elsen ◽  
Morgan W. Tingley ◽  
David S. Wilcove
Keyword(s):  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Range Limits ◽  
Recent Theory ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
Physiological Tolerances ◽  
Abiotic And Biotic Factors ◽  
Elevational Migration ◽  
Temperature Seasonality ◽  
Determining Factor

Longstanding theory predicts that competitive interactions set species' range limits in relatively aseasonal, species-rich regions, while temperature limits distributions in more seasonal, species-poor areas. More recent theory holds that species evolve narrow physiological tolerances in aseasonal regions, with temperature being an important determining factor in such zones. We tested how abiotic (temperature) and biotic (competition) factors set range limits and structure bird communities along strong, opposing, temperature-seasonality and species-richness gradients in the Himalayas, in two regions separated by 1500 km. By examining the degree to which seasonal elevational migration conserves year-round thermal niches across species, we show that species in the relatively aseasonal and speciose east are more constrained by temperature compared with species in the highly seasonal west. We further show that seasonality has a profound effect on the strength of competition between congeneric species. Competition appears to be stronger in winter, a period of resource scarcity in the Himalayas, in both the east and the west, with similarly sized eastern species more likely to segregate in thermal niche space in winter. Our results indicate that rather than acting in isolation, abiotic and biotic factors mediate each other to structure ecological communities.

Effects of abiotic and biotic factors on Vibrio harveyi ATCC 14126T survival dynamics in seawater microcosms

2019 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Orruño ◽  
C Parada ◽  
E Ogayar ◽  
VR Kaberdin ◽  
I Arana
Keyword(s):  
Vibrio Harveyi ◽  
Biotic Factors ◽  
Abiotic And Biotic Factors

Effect of Weather Factors on the Variability of Economic Characteristics in Sunflower Hybrids

2019 ◽  
pp. 70-84
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Economic Traits ◽  
Weather Factors

This article presents the results of twelve-year trials of the Region and Ryabota simple hybrids and the three-line hybrid Kameniar breeding laboratory of IOC NAANU hybrid labs, and analyzes their adaptation to ongoing climate change. The purpose of our work was to determine the formation of major economic traits in sunflower hybrids, depending on the agro-climatic conditions of the year.

scholarly journals Effect of Temperature on Sowing Dates of Wheat under Arid and Semi-Arid Climatic Regions and Impact Quantification of Climate Change through Mechanistic Modeling with Evidence from Field

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 927
Author(s):  
Jamshad Hussain ◽  
Tasneem Khaliq ◽  
Muhammad Habib ur Rahman ◽  
Asmat Ullah ◽  
Ishfaq Ahmed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Arid Region ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Seasonal Temperature ◽  
Sowing Dates ◽  
Rcp 8.5 ◽  
Semi Arid Region ◽  
Semi Arid

Rising temperature from climate change is the most threatening factor worldwide for crop production. Sustainable wheat production is a challenge due to climate change and variability, which is ultimately a serious threat to food security in Pakistan. A series of field experiments were conducted during seasons 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 in the semi-arid (Faisalabad) and arid (Layyah) regions of Punjab-Pakistan. Three spring wheat genotypes were evaluated under eleven sowing dates from 16 October to 16 March, with an interval of 14–16 days in the two regions. Data for the model calibration and evaluation were collected from field experiments following the standard procedures and protocols. The grain yield under future climate scenarios was simulated by using a well-calibrated CERES-wheat model included in DSSAT v4.7. Future (2051–2100) and baseline (1980–2015) climatic data were simulated using 29 global circulation models (GCMs) under representative concentration pathway (RCP) 8.5. These GCMs were distributed among five quadrants of climatic conditions (Hot/Wet, Hot/Dry, Cool/Dry, Cool/Wet, and Middle) by a stretched distribution approach based on temperature and rainfall change. A maximum of ten GCMs predicted the chances of Middle climatic conditions during the second half of the century (2051–2100). The average temperature during the wheat season in a semi-arid region and arid region would increase by 3.52 °C and 3.84 °C, respectively, under Middle climatic conditions using the RCP 8.5 scenario during the second half-century. The simulated grain yield was reduced by 23.5% in the semi-arid region and 35.45% in the arid region under Middle climatic conditions (scenario). Mean seasonal temperature (MST) of sowing dates ranged from 16 to 27.3 °C, while the mean temperature from the heading to maturity (MTHM) stage was varying between 12.9 to 30.4 °C. Coefficients of determination (R2) between wheat morphology parameters and temperature were highly significant, with a range of 0.84–0.96. Impacts of temperature on wheat sown on 15 March were found to be as severe as to exterminate the crop before heading. The spikes and spikelets were not formed under a mean seasonal temperature higher than 25.5 °C. In a nutshell, elevated temperature (3–4 °C) till the end-century can reduce grain yield by about 30% in semi-arid and arid regions of Pakistan. These findings are crucial for growers and especially for policymakers to decide on sustainable wheat production for food security in the region.

scholarly journals Effects of Dysbiosis and Dietary Manipulation on the Digestive Microbiota of a Detritivorous Arthropod

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 148
Author(s):  
Marius Bredon ◽  
Elisabeth Depuydt ◽  
Lucas Brisson ◽  
Laurent Moulin ◽  
Ciriac Charles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crucial Role ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Ecological Interactions ◽  
Dietary Manipulation ◽  
Biotic Factors ◽  
Abiotic And Biotic Factors ◽  
And Function ◽  
Multicellular Organisms ◽  
Over Time

The crucial role of microbes in the evolution, development, health, and ecological interactions of multicellular organisms is now widely recognized in the holobiont concept. However, the structure and stability of microbiota are highly dependent on abiotic and biotic factors, especially in the gut, which can be colonized by transient bacteria depending on the host’s diet. We studied these impacts by manipulating the digestive microbiota of the detritivore Armadillidium vulgare and analyzing the consequences on its structure and function. Hosts were exposed to initial starvation and then were fed diets that varied the different components of lignocellulose. A total of 72 digestive microbiota were analyzed according to the type of the diet (standard or enriched in cellulose, lignin, or hemicellulose) and the period following dysbiosis. The results showed that microbiota from the hepatopancreas were very stable and resilient, while the most diverse and labile over time were found in the hindgut. Dysbiosis and selective diets may have affected the host fitness by altering the structure of the microbiota and its predicted functions. Overall, these modifications can therefore have effects not only on the holobiont, but also on the “eco-holobiont” conceptualization of macroorganisms.

scholarly journals The effects of ENSO, climate change and human activities on the water level of Lake Toba, Indonesia: a critical literature review

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hendri Irwandi ◽  
Mohammad Syamsu Rosid ◽  
Terry Mart
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Southern Oscillation ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Climate Projections ◽  
Continuous Increase ◽  
The Future

AbstractThis research quantitatively and qualitatively analyzes the factors responsible for the water level variations in Lake Toba, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia. According to several studies carried out from 1993 to 2020, changes in the water level were associated with climate variability, climate change, and human activities. Furthermore, these studies stated that reduced rainfall during the rainy season due to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the continuous increase in the maximum and average temperatures were some of the effects of climate change in the Lake Toba catchment area. Additionally, human interventions such as industrial activities, population growth, and damage to the surrounding environment of the Lake Toba watershed had significant impacts in terms of decreasing the water level. However, these studies were unable to determine the factor that had the most significant effect, although studies on other lakes worldwide have shown these factors are the main causes of fluctuations or decreases in water levels. A simulation study of Lake Toba's water balance showed the possibility of having a water surplus until the mid-twenty-first century. The input discharge was predicted to be greater than the output; therefore, Lake Toba could be optimized without affecting the future water level. However, the climate projections depicted a different situation, with scenarios predicting the possibility of extreme climate anomalies, demonstrating drier climatic conditions in the future. This review concludes that it is necessary to conduct an in-depth, comprehensive, and systematic study to identify the most dominant factor among the three that is causing the decrease in the Lake Toba water level and to describe the future projected water level.

scholarly journals A SWOT Analysis Approach for a Sustainable Transition to Renewable Energy in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 3933
Author(s):  
Solomon E. Uhunamure ◽  
Karabo Shale
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Regional Integration ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Analysis Approach ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources

South Africa is been faced with erratic power supply, resulting in persistent load shedding due to ageing in most of its coal-fired power plants. Associated with generating electricity from fossil fuel are environmental consequences such as greenhouse emissions and climate change. On the other hand, the country is endowed with abundant renewable energy resources that can potentially ameliorate its energy needs. This article explores the viability of renewable energy using the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis approach on the key renewable potential in the country. The result indicates that geographic position, political and economic stability and policy implementation are some of the strengths. However, Government bureaucratic processes, level of awareness and high investment cost are some of the weaknesses. Several opportunities favour switching to renewable energy, and these include regional integration, global awareness on climate change and the continuous electricity demand. Some threats hindering the renewable energy sector in the country include land ownership, corruption and erratic climatic conditions. Some policy implications are suggested based on the findings of the study.

scholarly journals Effects of Grazer Exclusion on Carbon Cycling in Created Freshwater Wetlands

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 805
Author(s):  
Delanie M. Spangler ◽  
Anna Christina Tyler ◽  
Carmody K. McCalley
Keyword(s):  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Carbon Cycling ◽  
Belowground Biomass ◽  
Freshwater Wetlands ◽  
Wetland Creation ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Exclusion Experiment ◽  
Herbivore Exclusion ◽  
Sequestration Potential ◽  
Natural Wetlands

Wetland ecosystems play a significant role in the global carbon cycle, and yet are increasingly threatened by human development and climate change. The continued loss of intact freshwater wetlands heightens the need for effective wetland creation and restoration. However, wetland structure and function are controlled by interacting abiotic and biotic factors, complicating efforts to replace ecosystem services associated with natural wetlands and making ecologically-driven management imperative. Increasing waterfowl populations pose a threat to the development and persistence of created wetlands, largely through intensive grazing that can shift vegetation community structure or limit desired plant establishment. This study capitalized on a long-term herbivore exclusion experiment to evaluate how herbivore management impacts carbon cycling and storage in a created wetland in Western New York, USA. Vegetation, above- and belowground biomass, soil carbon, carbon gas fluxes and decomposition rates were evaluated in control plots with free access by large grazers and in plots where grazers had been excluded for four years. Waterfowl were the dominant herbivore at the site. Grazing reduced peak growing season aboveground biomass by over 55%, and during the summer, gross primary productivity doubled in grazer exclusion plots. The shift in plant productivity led to a 34% increase in soil carbon after exclusion of grazers for five growing seasons, but no change in belowground biomass. Our results suggest that grazers may inhibit the development of soil carbon pools during the first decade following wetland creation, reducing the carbon sequestration potential and precluding functional equivalence with natural wetlands.

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