scholarly journals The impacts of different management strategies and environmental forcing in ecological communities

2006 ◽  
Vol 273 (1600) ◽  
pp. 2491-2499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Enberg ◽  
Mike S Fowler ◽  
Esa Ranta

Understanding the effects of population management on the community a target species belongs to is of key importance for successful management. It is known that the removal or extinction of a single species in a community may lead to extinctions of other community members. In our study, we assess the impacts of population management on competitive communities, studying the response of both locally stable and unstable communities of varying size (between four and 10 species) to three different management strategies; harvesting of a target species, harvesting with non-targeted catch, and stocking of the target species. We also studied the consequences of selecting target species with different relative abundances, as well as the effects of varying environmental conditions. We show here how the effects of management in competitive communities extend far beyond the target population. A crucial role is played by the underlying stability properties of the community under management. In general, locally unstable communities are more vulnerable to perturbation through management. Furthermore, the community response is shown to be sensitive to the relative density of the target species. Of considerable interest is the result that even a small (2.5%) increase in the population size of the target species through stocking may lead to extinction of other community members. These results emphasize the importance of considering and understanding multi-species interactions in population management.

2012 ◽  
Vol 279 (1744) ◽  
pp. 4058-4064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica S. Grigaltchik ◽  
Ashley J. W. Ward ◽  
Frank Seebacher

Different species respond differently to environmental change so that species interactions cannot be predicted from single-species performance curves. We tested the hypothesis that interspecific difference in the capacity for thermal acclimation modulates predator–prey interactions. Acclimation of locomotor performance in a predator (Australian bass, Macquaria novemaculeata ) was qualitatively different to that of its prey (eastern mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki ). Warm (25°C) acclimated bass made more attacks than cold (15°C) acclimated fish regardless of acute test temperatures (10–30°C), and greater frequency of attacks was associated with increased prey capture success. However, the number of attacks declined at the highest test temperature (30°C). Interestingly, escape speeds of mosquitofish during predation trials were greater than burst speeds measured in a swimming arena, whereas attack speeds of bass were lower than burst speeds. As a result, escape speeds of mosquitofish were greater at warm temperatures (25°C and 30°C) than attack speeds of bass. The decline in the number of attacks and the increase in escape speed of prey means that predation pressure decreases at high temperatures. We show that differential thermal responses affect species interactions even at temperatures that are within thermal tolerance ranges. This thermal sensitivity of predator–prey interactions can be a mechanism by which global warming affects ecological communities.


Insects ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachariah Gezon ◽  
Rebekah Lindborg ◽  
Anne Savage ◽  
Jaret Daniels

Climate change has caused many ecological changes around the world. Altered phenology is among the most commonly observed effects of climate change, and the list of species interactions affected by altered phenology is growing. Although many studies on altered phenology focus on single species or on pairwise species interactions, most ecological communities are comprised of numerous, ecologically similar species within trophic groups. Using a 12-year butterfly monitoring citizen science data set, we aimed to assess the degree to which butterfly communities may be changing over time. Specifically, we wanted to assess the degree to which phenological sensitivities to temperature could affect temporal overlap among species within communities, independent of changes in abundance, species richness, and evenness. We found that warming winter temperatures may be associated with some butterfly species making use of the coldest months of the year to fly as adults, thus changing temporal co-occurrence with other butterfly species. Our results suggest that changing temperatures could cause immediate restructuring of communities without requiring changes in overall abundance or diversity. Such changes could have fitness consequences for individuals within trophic levels by altering competition for resources, as well as indirect effects mediated by species interactions across trophic levels.


2015 ◽  
Vol 282 (1812) ◽  
pp. 20151126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Gudmundson ◽  
Anna Eklöf ◽  
Uno Wennergren

How species respond to changes in environmental variability has been shown for single species, but the question remains whether these results are transferable to species when incorporated in ecological communities. Here, we address this issue by analysing the same species exposed to a range of environmental variabilities when (i) isolated or (ii) embedded in a food web. We find that all species in food webs exposed to temporally uncorrelated environments (white noise) show the same type of dynamics as isolated species, whereas species in food webs exposed to positively autocorrelated environments (red noise) can respond completely differently compared with isolated species. This is owing to species following their equilibrium densities in a positively autocorrelated environment that in turn enables species–species interactions to come into play. Our results give new insights into species' response to environmental variation. They especially highlight the importance of considering both species' interactions and environmental autocorrelation when studying population dynamics in a fluctuating environment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (V) ◽  
pp. 286-304
Author(s):  
Shadrack Musunkui Towett ◽  
Isaac Naibei ◽  
Williter Rop

In an attempt to bridge the gap between the budgetary allocations and actual expenditures most universities have started income generating units with the aim of boosting their operational expenses. Whereas there is the potential of the use of Income Generating Units (IGUs) to generate additional funds, most universities still experience challenges in full implementation and realization of the revenue goal. This study therefore sought to determine the financial control mechanisms affecting performance of income generating units among selected public universities. The study sought to determine the effect of internal controls, credit policies, financial risk management and internal audit on performance of income generating units in selected universities. Targeted population was all the 290 employees in the IGU departments of selected public universities. The respondents were sampled using simple random sampling so as to enable equal representation of the target population without any biasness. Data collection was done using the questionnaire to ensure sufficient data was collected from the respondents. Descriptive statistics assisted in the determination of respondent’s views and opinions on every variable. Qualitative data was analysed using content analysis into meaningful, precise and comprehensive statements and presented in quotations. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 21 and data presented in form of figures and tables. The study ensured that all ethical considerations were considered by the study. The findings were that most employed Income Generating Units in Public Universities were Collection of rental fees, Evening and executive programs and Trainings of both short and long courses while the least was established to be Sales of memorabilia and books. All the financial control mechanism investigated namely internal audit, internal control measures, risk management strategies and credit policies had large extents of adoption in the selected universities. The results of the regression analysis showed that the financial control mechanisms investigated had a significant positive relationship on performance of the IGUs. Specifically, 47% of the variation of the performance of IGUs was established to be explained by the studied factors. The study concluded that the performance of the IGUs among the selected public universities was largely accounted for by the implemented financial control measures. Therefore effective financial control mechanisms is concluded to lead to better IGU performance whereas shortcomings in the financial control mechanisms is concluded to lead to diminished returns in the IGUs. The study recommended that the management in charge of the IGU department in the public universities to prioritize the formulation, implementation and monitoring of financial control mechanisms in the IGUs. To facilitate effective financial controls, the study recommended that the management especially those in the audit section to conduct regular checks and inspections on the IGUs. Additionally, frequent reforms were recommended to address the shortcomings experienced in integrating financial control measures in IGUs.


Fishes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Kyle D. Martens ◽  
Jason Dunham

When multiple species of fish coexist there are a host of potential ways through which they may interact, yet there is often a strong focus on studies of single species without considering these interactions. For example, many studies of forestry–stream interactions in the Pacific Northwest have focused solely on the most prevalent species: Coastal cutthroat trout. To examine the potential for interactions of other fishes with coastal cutthroat trout, we conducted an analysis of 281 sites in low order streams located on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and along the central Oregon coast. Coastal cutthroat trout and juvenile coho salmon were the most commonly found salmonid species within these streams and exhibited positive associations with each other for both presence and density. Steelhead were negatively associated with the presence of coastal cutthroat trout as well as with coho salmon and sculpins (Cottidae). Coastal cutthroat trout most frequently shared streams with juvenile coho salmon. For densities of these co-occurring species, associations between these two species were relatively weak compared to the strong influences of physical stream conditions (size and gradient), suggesting that physical conditions may have more of an influence on density than species interactions. Collectively, our analysis, along with a review of findings from prior field and laboratory studies, suggests that the net effect of interactions between coastal cutthroat trout and coho salmon do not appear to inhibit their presence or densities in small streams along the Pacific Northwest.


2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrik Sparholt ◽  
Robin M. Cook

The theory of maximum sustainable yield (MSY) underpins many fishery management regimes and is applied principally as a single species concept. Using a simple dynamic biomass production model we show that MSY can be identified from a long time series of multi-stock data at a regional scale in the presence of species interactions and environmental change. It suggests that MSY is robust and calculable in a multispecies environment, offering a realistic reference point for fishery management. Furthermore, the demonstration of the existence of MSY shows that it is more than a purely theoretical concept. There has been an improvement in the status of stocks in the Northeast Atlantic, but our analysis suggests further reductions in fishing effort would improve long-term yields.


2005 ◽  
Vol 68 (6) ◽  
pp. 1217-1221 ◽  
Author(s):  
PAVEL KRCMAR ◽  
EVA RENCOVA

A sensitive and rapid method for the quantitative detection of bovine-, ovine-, swine-, and chicken-specific mitochondrial DNA sequences based on real-time PCR has been developed. The specificity of the primers and probes for real-time PCR has been tested using DNA samples of other vertebrate species that may also be present in rendered products. The quantitative detection was performed with dual-labeled probes (TaqMan) using absolute quantification with external standards of single species meat-and-bone meals. This method facilitates the detection of 0.01% of the target species–derived material in concentrate feed mixtures and fish meals.


Author(s):  
F Yasmin ◽  
KS Huque ◽  
SA Chowdhury ◽  
MAH Miyan

To increase goat-meat production, this study has been aimed to evaluate goat-meat production potentiality using different management strategies of goat-population rather than goat-meat productivity management in Bangladesh. Simulation Matrix (SIMM) model was used under three scenarios of goat-population management strategies such as Scenario1(Base rate): 2 kids/year production with 30% kid mortality, Scenario 2: Production of 6 kids/year with 30% kid mortality and Scenario 3: Production of 6 kids/year with 10% kid mortality to analyze their impact on goat-meat production in Bangladesh. Results showed on average only 270.09 thousand ton /year of goat-meat can produce at the existing rate (2 kids Production/year with 30% kid mortality). If it is possible to increase kid production up to 6 then can produce on average 23714.4 thousand ton/year of goat-meat. Further, it is possible to reduce the kid mortality rate up to 10%, goat-meat is the highest 932430.0 thousand ton/year. Result indicated a great positive impact of goat-population management strategies on goat-meat production. Therefore, 10% kid mortality rate with 6 kids/year production of goat-population management could be suitable management or best strategy for higher goat-meat production in Bangladesh. Bangladesh J. of Livestock Res. 21-25: 118-126, 2018


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen P. De Lisle ◽  
Gonzalo Hernando ◽  
Daniel I. Bolnick

AbstractWithin-species variation is a salient feature of natural populations, of substantial importance for species interactions. However, the community consequences of sexual dimorphism, one of the most ubiquitous sources of within-species variance, remains poorly understood. Here, we extend classical models of consumer-resource dynamics to explore the ecological consequences of consumer sexual dimorphism. We show that sexual dimorphism in consumer attack rates on two different resource species promotes coexistence between those resources, mitigating the effects of both apparent competition and direct interspecific competition. Consumer sexual dimorphism can prevent exclusion of a resource with inferior growth rates because reduction in any of the two resources reduces consumer density, generating negative frequency dependence that stabilizes coexistence between resources. Our work highlights ecological sex differences as a potentially key factor governing the assembly of ecological communities, illustrating that the specific source of within-species variance can have important implications for community ecology.


2007 ◽  
Vol 56 (1-6) ◽  
pp. 101-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chr. Wehenkel ◽  
F. Bergmann ◽  
H.-R. Gregorius

Abstract Studies on plant communities of various annual species suggest that there are particular biotic interactions among individuals from different species which could be the basis for long-term species coexistence. In the course of a large survey on species-genetic diversity relationships in several forest tree communities, it was found that statistically significant differences exist among isozyme genotype frequencies of conspecific tree groups, which differ only by species identity of their neighbours. Based on a specific measure, the association of the neighbouring species with the genotypes of the target species or that of the genotypes with the neighbouring species was quantified. Since only AAT and HEK of the five analysed enzyme systems differed in their genotype frequencies among several tree groups of the same target species, a potential involvement of their enzymatic function in the observed differences was discussed. The results of this study demonstrate a fine-scale genetic differentiation within single tree species of forest communities, which may be the result of biotic interactions between the genetic structure of a species and the species composition of its community. This observation also suggests the importance of intraspecific genetic variation for interspecific adaptation.


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