scholarly journals Evolutionary conservatism and convergence both lead to striking similarity in ecology, morphology and performance across continents in frogs

2013 ◽  
Vol 280 (1773) ◽  
pp. 20132156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel S. Moen ◽  
Duncan J. Irschick ◽  
John J. Wiens
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Species Traits ◽  
Striking Similarity ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽  
Evolutionary Conservatism ◽  
Statistical Framework ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
Evolutionary Convergence ◽  
And Performance

Many clades contain ecologically and phenotypically similar species across continents, yet the processes generating this similarity are largely unstudied, leaving fundamental questions unanswered. Is similarity in morphology and performance across assemblages caused by evolutionary convergence or by biogeographic dispersal of evolutionarily conserved ecotypes? Does convergence to new ecological conditions erase evidence of past adaptation? Here, we analyse ecology, morphology and performance in frog assemblages from three continents (Asia, Australia and South America), assessing the importance of dispersal and convergent evolution in explaining similarity across regions. We find three striking results. First, species using the same microhabitat type are highly similar in morphology and performance across both clades and continents. Second, some species on different continents owe their similarity to dispersal and evolutionary conservatism (rather than evolutionary convergence), even over vast temporal and spatial scales. Third, in one case, an ecologically specialized ancestor radiated into diverse ecotypes that have converged with those on other continents, largely erasing traces of past adaptation to their ancestral ecology. Overall, our study highlights the roles of both evolutionary conservatism and convergence in explaining similarity in species traits over large spatial and temporal scales and demonstrates a statistical framework for addressing these questions in other systems.

Larval Feeding: Mechanisms, Rates, and Performance in Nature

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Invertebrates ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Size Spectrum ◽  
Larval Feeding ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Feeding Mechanism ◽  
Temporal And Spatial ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Bioenergetics Models ◽  
Many Particles

Larvae of many marine invertebrates must capture and ingest particulate food in order to develop to metamorphosis. These larvae use only a few physical processes to capture particles, but implement these processes using diverse morphologies and behaviors. Detailed understanding of larval feeding mechanism permits investigators to make predictions about feeding performance, including the size spectrum of particles larvae can capture and the rates at which they can capture them. In nature, larvae are immersed in complex mixtures of edible particles of varying size, density, flavor, and nutritional quality, as well as many particles that are too large to ingest. Concentrations of all of these components vary on fine temporal and spatial scales. Mechanistic models linking larval feeding mechanism to performance can be combined with data on food availability in nature and integrated into broader bioenergetics models to yield increased understanding of the biology of larvae in complex natural habitats.

scholarly journals A Comparison between One-Step and Two-Step Nesting Strategy in the Dynamical Downscaling of Regional Climate Model COSMO-CLM at 2.2 km Driven by ERA5 Reanalysis

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 260
Author(s):  
Mario Raffa ◽  
Alfredo Reder ◽  
Marianna Adinolfi ◽  
Paola Mercogliano
Keyword(s):  
Regional Climate Model ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Dynamical Downscaling ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Weather Forecast ◽  
Medium Range Weather Forecast ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
One Step

Recently, the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) has released a new generation of reanalysis, acknowledged as ERA5, representing at the present the most plausible picture for the current climate. Although ERA5 enhancements, in some cases, its coarse spatial resolution (~31 km) could still discourage a direct use of precipitation fields. Such a gap could be faced dynamically downscaling ERA5 at convection permitting scale (resolution < 4 km). On this regard, the selection of the most appropriate nesting strategy (direct one-step against nested two-step) represents a pivotal issue for saving time and computational resources. Two questions may be raised within this context: (i) may the dynamical downscaling of ERA5 accurately represents past precipitation patterns? and (ii) at what extent may the direct nesting strategy performances be adequately for this scope? This work addresses these questions evaluating two ERA5-driven experiments at ~2.2 km grid spacing over part of the central Europe, run using the regional climate model COSMO-CLM with different nesting strategies, for the period 2007–2011. Precipitation data are analysed at different temporal and spatial scales with respect to gridded observational datasets (i.e., E-OBS and RADKLIM-RW) and existing reanalysis products (i.e., ERA5-Land and UERRA). The present work demonstrates that the one-step experiment tendentially outperforms the two-step one when there is no spectral nudging, providing results at different spatial and temporal scales in line with the other existing reanalysis products. However, the results can be highly model and event dependent as some different aspects might need to be considered (i.e., the nesting strategies) during the configuration phase of the climate experiments. For this reason, a clear and consolidated recommendation on this topic cannot be stated. Such a level of confidence could be achieved in future works by increasing the number of cities and events analysed. Nevertheless, these promising results represent a starting point for the optimal experimental configuration assessment, in the frame of future climate studies.

scholarly journals Wavelet-based spatial comparison technique for analysing and evaluating two-dimensional geophysical model fields

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 223-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Saux Picart ◽  
M. Butenschön ◽  
J. D. Shutler
Keyword(s):  
Satellite Data ◽  
Fishery Management ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Original Method ◽  
Precipitation Forecast ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽  
Geographical Patterns ◽  
Marine Ecosystem Model

Abstract. Complex numerical models of the Earth's environment, based around 3-D or 4-D time and space domains are routinely used for applications including climate predictions, weather forecasts, fishery management and environmental impact assessments. Quantitatively assessing the ability of these models to accurately reproduce geographical patterns at a range of spatial and temporal scales has always been a difficult problem to address. However, this is crucial if we are to rely on these models for decision making. Satellite data are potentially the only observational dataset able to cover the large spatial domains analysed by many types of geophysical models. Consequently optical wavelength satellite data is beginning to be used to evaluate model hindcast fields of terrestrial and marine environments. However, these satellite data invariably contain regions of occluded or missing data due to clouds, further complicating or impacting on any comparisons with the model. This work builds on a published methodology, that evaluates precipitation forecast using radar observations based on predefined absolute thresholds. It allows model skill to be evaluated at a range of spatial scales and rain intensities. Here we extend the original method to allow its generic application to a range of continuous and discontinuous geophysical data fields, and therefore allowing its use with optical satellite data. This is achieved through two major improvements to the original method: (i) all thresholds are determined based on the statistical distribution of the input data, so no a priori knowledge about the model fields being analysed is required and (ii) occluded data can be analysed without impacting on the metric results. The method can be used to assess a model's ability to simulate geographical patterns over a range of spatial scales. We illustrate how the method provides a compact and concise way of visualising the degree of agreement between spatial features in two datasets. The application of the new method, its handling of bias and occlusion and the advantages of the novel method are demonstrated through the analysis of model fields from a marine ecosystem model.

scholarly journals Quantifying year-round nocturnal bird migration with a fluid dynamics model

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (179) ◽  
pp. 20210194
Author(s):  
Raphaël Nussbaumer ◽  
Silke Bauer ◽  
Lionel Benoit ◽  
Grégoire Mariethoz ◽  
Felix Liechti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Bird Migration ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽  
Bird Density ◽  
Radar Network ◽  
Seasonal Flow ◽  
Single Night ◽  
Nocturnal Bird Migration ◽  
Migrating Birds

To understand the influence of biomass flows on ecosystems, we need to characterize and quantify migrations at various spatial and temporal scales. Representing the movements of migrating birds as a fluid, we applied a flow model to bird density and velocity maps retrieved from the European weather radar network, covering almost a year. We quantified how many birds take-off, fly, and land across Western Europe to (1) track bird migration waves between nights, (2) cumulate the number of birds on the ground and (3) quantify the seasonal flow into and out of the study area through several regional transects. Our results identified several migration waves that crossed the study area in 4 days only and included up to 188 million (M) birds that took-off in a single night. In spring, we estimated that 494 M birds entered the study area, 251 M left it, and 243 M birds remained within the study area. In autumn, 314 M birds entered the study area while 858 M left it. In addition to identifying fundamental quantities, our study highlights the potential of combining interdisciplinary data and methods to elucidate the dynamics of avian migration from nightly to yearly time scales and from regional to continental spatial scales.

Critical Zone Observatories: Building a network to advance interdisciplinary study of Earth surface processes

2008 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. P. Anderson ◽  
R. C. Bales ◽  
C. J. Duffy
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Transport ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Critical Zone ◽  
Watershed Scale ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Tectonic Processes ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approaches ◽  
Dynamic Interface ◽  
Interdisciplinary Study

AbstractWe live at the dynamic interface between the solid Earth and its outer fluid envelopes. This interface, extending from the outer vegetation canopy to the base of active groundwater, was recently named the Critical Zone because it supports life and is increasingly impacted by human actions. Understanding the complex interactions between processes that operate in and shape the Critical Zone requires interdisciplinary approaches that span wide spatial and temporal scales. Tectonic processes, weathering, fluid transport, and biological processes control the function and structure of the Critical Zone. Three Critical Zone Observatories recently established by the U.S. National Science Foundation are designed to integrate studies of process interactions up to the watershed scale. A goal of the program is to build the three independently conceived observatories into a network from which broader understanding — larger spatial scales but also deeper insight — can emerge.

Community Ecology of Stream Fishes: Concepts, Approaches, and Techniques

2010 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Environmental Heterogeneity ◽  
Environmental Variability ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Stream Fish ◽  
Metapopulation Dynamics ◽  
Stream Fishes ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽  
Trade Offs

<em>Abstract</em>.—Stream fishes carry out their life histories across broad spatial and temporal scales, leading to spatially structured populations. Therefore, incorporating metapopulation dynamics into models of stream fish populations may improve our ability to understand mechanisms regulating them. First, we reviewed empirical research on metapopulation dynamics in the stream fish ecology literature and found 31 papers that used the metapopulation framework. The majority of papers applied no specific metapopulation model, or included space only implicitly. Although parameterization of spatially realistic models is challenging, we suggest that stream fish ecologists should incorporate space into models and recognize that metapopulation types may change across scales. Second, we considered metacommunity theory, which addresses how trade-offs among dispersal, environmental heterogeneity, and biotic interactions structure communities across spatial scales. There are no explicit tests of metacommunity theory using stream fishes to date, so we used data from our research in a Great Plains stream to test the utility of these paradigms. We found that this plains fish metacommunity was structured mainly by spatial factors related to dispersal opportunity and, to a lesser extent, by environmental heterogeneity. Currently, metacommunity models are more heuristic than predictive. Therefore, we propose that future stream fish metacommunity research should focus on developing testable hypotheses that incorporate stream fish life history attributes, and seasonal environmental variability, across spatial scales. This emerging body of research is likely to be valuable not only for basic stream fish ecological research, but also multispecies conservation and management.

Satellite-based monitoring of biodiversity

2019 ◽  
pp. 20-36
Author(s):  
Nathalie Pettorelli
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Satellite Remote Sensing ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Species Traits ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Multiple Spatial Scales ◽  
Satellite Information ◽  
Monitoring Of Biodiversity ◽  
Composition Structure

This chapter explores how satellite information can help track biodiversity at multiple spatial scales and resolutions. To attempt to capture the various organisational dimensions of biodiversity, the chapter focuses on six classes of variables: genetic structure and composition, species populations, species traits, ecosystem extent and structure, ecosystem composition, and ecosystem functions. From helping map species and ecosystem distribution to supporting the monitoring of ecosystem composition, structure, and functioning, this contribution provides a series of examples that demonstrate how satellite remote sensing can open multiple opportunities for various stakeholders to improve on the management of wildlife. The chapter concludes with a discussion on limitations and possible ways forward.

Scaling Issues in Landscape Ecology

2019 ◽  
pp. 14-41
Author(s):  
Kimberly A. With
Keyword(s):  
Landscape Ecology ◽  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Ecological Forecasting ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
Patterns And Processes ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Over Time

Spatial patterns are ubiquitous in nature, and ecological systems exhibit patchiness (heterogeneity) across a range of spatial and temporal scales. Landscape ecology is explicitly concerned with understanding how scale affects the measurement of heterogeneity and the scale(s) at which spatial pattern is important for ecological phenomena. Patterns and processes measured at fine spatial scales and over short time periods are unlikely to behave similarly at broader scales and extended time periods. An understanding of pattern-process linkages, a major research focus in landscape ecology, thus requires an understanding of how patterns change with scale, spatially and temporally. The development of methods for extrapolating information across scales is necessary for predicting how landscapes will change over time as well as for ecological forecasting. This chapter explores how scaling issues affect ecological investigations, discusses problems in identifying the correct scale for research, and outlines when and how ecological data can be extrapolated.

Strategies for Restoring River Ecosystems: Sources of Variability and Uncertainty in Natural and Managed Systems

2003 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variation ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variability ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
River Ecosystems ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽  
Lower Productivity ◽  
Biological Attributes ◽  
Stream Biota

<em>Abstract</em>.—Productivity and biodiversity of stream and river ecosystems vary at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Spatial variation in productivity of salmonid fishes varies over two orders of magnitude worldwide and shows lesser, but still considerable, variation at the regional and watershed level. Spatial variation in production and diversity is related to variation in physical, chemical, and biological attributes of watersheds and channels. Channel constraint, gradient, and size are key factors in determining productivity and diversity. Constrained reaches generally support different species and lower productivity than lower-gradient, unconstrained channels. Variation in the condition of stream reaches is greatly influenced by disturbances. Severe disturbances fundamentally change the functional and structural properties of stream ecosystems and alter the way in which the surrounding watershed interacts with the stream. Periodic occurrence of disturbances and the process of recovery play a key role in maintaining spatial and temporal variability in stream conditions and thereby contribute to the productivity and diversity of stream biota. Land use by humans alters the frequency and characteristics of disturbances. As a result, human-altered disturbance patterns often homogenize channel conditions across a watershed rather than introducing diversity. Watershed restoration plans need to recognize the role variability and disturbance play in maintaining the productivity and diversity of stream biota. Incorporating this understanding into watershed management and restoration will require scientists, managers, and policy makers to view watersheds at much longer temporal and larger spatial scales than is currently done.

scholarly journals Human-induced reductions in fish predator boldness decrease their predation rates in kelp forests

2019 ◽  
Vol 286 (1900) ◽  
pp. 20182745 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Kennedy Rhoades ◽  
Steve I. Lonhart ◽  
John J. Stachowicz
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Predatory Fish ◽  
Kelp Forests ◽  
Fish Predator ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽  
Predatory Fishes ◽  
Predation Rates

Humans have restructured food webs and ecosystems by depleting biomass, reducing size structure and altering traits of consumers. However, few studies have examined the ecological impacts of human-induced trait changes across large spatial and temporal scales and species assemblages. We compared behavioural traits and predation rates by predatory fishes on standard squid prey in protected areas of different protection levels and ages, and found that predation rates were 6.5 times greater at old, no-take (greater than 40 years) relative to new, predominantly partial-take areas (approx. 8 years), even accounting for differences in predatory fish abundance, body size and composition across sites. Individual fishes in old protected areas consumed prey at nearly twice the rate of fishes of the same species and size at new protected areas. Predatory fish exhibited on average 50% longer flight initiation distance and lower willingness to forage at new protected areas, which partially explains lower foraging rates at new relative to old protected areas. Our experiments demonstrate that humans can effect changes in functionally important behavioural traits of predator guilds at large (30 km) spatial scales within managed areas, which require protection for multiple generations of predators to recover bold phenotypes and predation rates, even as abundance rebounds.

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