Building mountain biodiversity: Geological and evolutionary processes

Mountain regions are unusually biodiverse, with rich aggregations of small-ranged species that form centers of endemism. Mountains play an array of roles for Earth’s biodiversity and affect neighboring lowlands through biotic interchange, changes in regional climate, and nutrient runoff. The high biodiversity of certain mountains reflects the interplay of multiple evolutionary mechanisms: enhanced speciation rates with distinct opportunities for coexistence and persistence of lineages, shaped by long-term climatic changes interacting with topographically dynamic landscapes. High diversity in most tropical mountains is tightly linked to bedrock geology—notably, areas comprising mafic and ultramafic lithologies, rock types rich in magnesium and poor in phosphate that present special requirements for plant physiology. Mountain biodiversity bears the signature of deep-time evolutionary and ecological processes, a history well worth preserving.

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Erosion rates and patterns in a transient landscape, Grand Staircase, southern Utah, USA

Geology ◽

10.1130/g45993.1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 47 (9) ◽

pp. 811-814 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kerry E. Riley ◽

Tammy M. Rittenour ◽

Joel L. Pederson ◽

Patrick Belmont

Keyword(s):

Grand Canyon ◽

Climatic Forcing ◽

Sediment Storage ◽

Erosion Rates ◽

Base Level ◽

Rock Types ◽

Alluvial Sediment ◽

Dynamic Landscapes ◽

Cosmogenic 10Be

AbstractCosmogenic 10Be concentrations in alluvial sediment are widely used to infer long-term, catchment-averaged erosion rates based on the assumption that the landscape is in mass-flux steady state. However, many landscapes are out of equilibrium over millennial time scales due to tectonic and climatic forcing. The Grand Staircase of the Colorado Plateau (North America) is a transient landscape, adjusting to base-level fall from the carving of the Grand Canyon, and is characterized by cliff-bench topography caused by differential erosion of lithologic units. The 10Be concentrations from 52 alluvial and colluvial samples, collected in nested fashion from five catchments, produced inferred erosion rates ranging from 20 to >3500 m/m.y. (or mm/k.y.). We attribute this high variance in part to lithologic-controlled steepness and hotspots of erosion related to cliff retreat along the White Cliffs (escarpment near Mt. Carmel Junction, Utah), as well as headward drainage expansion along the uppermost Pink Cliffs (escarpment within Bryce Canyon National Park). Results from the downslope Vermillion Cliffs (near Kanab) indicate lower erosion rates despite similar slope and rock types, suggesting knick-zone migration has passed that lower region of our study area. The 10Be concentrations measured along trunk streams systematically match local, subcatchment erosion rates, with muted influence from upstream sediment sources. This is consistent with intermittent sediment conveyance between cliff and bench terrain, with sediment storage and localized release associated with ephemeral arroyo systems in the region. Therefore, while detrital cosmogenic nuclide records in transient landscapes may not directly reflect upstream catchment-averaged erosion rates, 10Be inventories can provide insight into unsteady upslope-directed erosion and downslope-directed sediment conveyance in these dynamic landscapes.

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Selective extinction against redundant species buffers functional diversity

Proceedings of The Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rspb.2020.1162 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 287 (1931) ◽

pp. 20201162

Author(s):

Catalina Pimiento ◽

Christine D. Bacon ◽

Daniele Silvestro ◽

Austin Hendy ◽

Carlos Jaramillo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Diversity ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Ecological Processes ◽

Deep Time ◽

Biological Communities ◽

Extinction Rates ◽

Functional Richness ◽

Diversity Dynamics ◽

Selective Extinction

The extinction of species can destabilize ecological processes. A way to assess the ecological consequences of species loss is by examining changes in functional diversity. The preservation of functional diversity depends on the range of ecological roles performed by species, or functional richness, and the number of species per role, or functional redundancy. However, current knowledge is based on short timescales and an understanding of how functional diversity responds to long-term biodiversity dynamics has been limited by the availability of deep-time, trait-based data. Here, we compile an exceptional trait dataset of fossil molluscs from a 23-million-year interval in the Caribbean Sea (34 011 records, 4422 species) and develop a novel Bayesian model of multi-trait-dependent diversification to reconstruct mollusc (i) diversity dynamics, (ii) changes in functional diversity, and (iii) extinction selectivity over the last 23 Myr. Our results identify high diversification between 23–5 Mya, leading to increases in both functional richness and redundancy. Conversely, over the last three million years, a period of high extinction rates resulted in the loss of 49% of species but only 3% of functional richness. Extinction rates were significantly higher in small, functionally redundant species suggesting that competition mediated the response of species to environmental change. Taken together, our results identify long-term diversification and selective extinction against redundant species that allowed functional diversity to grow over time, ultimately buffering the ecological functions of biological communities against extinction.

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Future Changes in Wave Conditions at the German Baltic Sea Coast Based on a Hybrid Approach Using an Ensemble of Regional Climate Change Projections

Water ◽

10.3390/w13020167 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 167

Author(s):

Norman Dreier ◽

Edgar Nehlsen ◽

Peter Fröhle ◽

Diana Rechid ◽

Laurens M. Bouwer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

21St Century ◽

Wind Wave ◽

Regional Climate ◽

Hybrid Approach ◽

Wave Modelling ◽

Long Term Changes ◽

Mean Wave Period ◽

Wave Conditions ◽

Sea Coast

In this study, the projected future long-term changes of the local wave conditions at the German Baltic Sea coast over the course of the 21st century are analyzed and assessed with special focus on model agreement, statistical significance and ranges/spread of the results. An ensemble of new regional climate model (RCM) simulations with the RCM REMO for three RCP forcing scenarios was used as input data. The outstanding feature of the simulations is that the data are available with a high horizontal resolution and at hourly timesteps which is a high temporal resolution and beneficial for the wind–wave modelling. A new data interface between RCM output data and wind–wave modelling has been developed. Suitable spatial aggregation methods of the RCM wind data have been tested and used to generate input for the calculation of waves at quasi deep-water conditions and at a mean water level with a hybrid approach that enables the fast compilation of future long-term time series of significant wave height, mean wave period and direction for an ensemble of RCM data. Changes of the average wind and wave conditions have been found, with a majority of the changes occurring for the RCP8.5 forcing scenario and at the end of the 21st century. At westerly wind-exposed locations mainly increasing values of the wind speed, significant wave height and mean wave period have been noted. In contrast, at easterly wind-exposed locations, decreasing values are predominant. Regarding the changes of the mean wind and wave directions, westerly directions becoming more frequent. Additional research is needed regarding the long-term changes of extreme wave events, e.g., the choice of a best-fit extreme value distribution function and the spatial aggregation method of the wind data.

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Urban Ecological Restoration

Nature and Culture ◽

10.3167/nc.2010.050301 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 227-230 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Paul H. Gobster

Keyword(s):

Ecological Restoration ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Indigenous Species ◽

Reference Sites ◽

Urban Context ◽

Ecological Processes ◽

Fixed Set ◽

Natural Diversity ◽

Urban Ecological Restoration

What does ecological restoration mean in an urban context? More than half of the world’s population now lives in cities, and in response to the dynamic patterns of urbanization, a growing number of ecologists, land managers, and volunteers are focusing their efforts in and around cities to restore remnants of natural diversity (Ingram 2008). Ecological restoration is still a quite youthful field, yet many scientists and practitioners hold a relatively fixed set of criteria for what defines a successful restoration project, irrespective of where sites are located. Among the criteria commonly stated, sites should be composed of indigenous species, have a structure and diversity characteristic of currently undisturbed or historically documented “reference” sites, and be maintained through ecological processes such as fire that ensure long-term sustainability with minimal human assistance (Ruiz-Jaén and Aide 2005; SER International 2004). Application of these criteria has led to many ecologically successful restorations, but some ecologists in the field have begun to question whether the same standards can be realistically applied to sites such as those within urban areas that have been radically altered by past human activity (e.g., Martínez and López-Barerra 2008) or are being influenced by novel conditions that result in unpredictable trajectories (Choi 2007). Perhaps more significantly, it is becoming increasingly recognized that the broader viability of restoration projects, especially those in urban areas, hinges on how socially successful they are in gaining public acceptance for restoration activities and practices, building constituencies to assist with implementation and maintenance, and addressing a broader set of sustainability goals that reach beyond the protection of native biodiversity (e.g., Choi et al. 2008; Hobbs 2007; Rosenzweig 2003).

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Long-term changes of river discharge regime in Latvia

Hydrology Research ◽

10.2166/nh.2008.033 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 133-141 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Maris Klavins ◽

Valery Rodinov

Keyword(s):

Climate Variability ◽

River Discharge ◽

Water Resource Management ◽

Regional Climate ◽

Hydrological Regime ◽

High Water ◽

Regime Changes ◽

Long Term Changes ◽

Discharge Regime

The study of changes in river discharge is important for regional climate variability characterization and for development of an efficient water resource management system. The hydrological regime of rivers and their long-term changes in Latvia were investigated. Four major types of river hydrological regimes, which depend on climatic and physicogeographic factors, were characterized. These factors are linked to the changes observed in river discharge. Periodic oscillations of discharge, and low- and high-water flow years are common for the major rivers in Latvia. A main frequency of river discharge regime changes of about 20 and 13 years was estimated for the studied rivers. A significant impact of climate variability on the river discharge regime has been found.

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Techniques for analyses of trends in GRUAN data

Atmospheric Measurement Techniques ◽

10.5194/amt-8-1673-2015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 1673-1684 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

G. E. Bodeker ◽

S. Kremser

Keyword(s):

Measurement Uncertainty ◽

Trend Analysis ◽

Global Climate ◽

Regional Climate ◽

Added Value ◽

Least Squares Regression ◽

Target Uncertainty ◽

Reference Quality ◽

Measurement Uncertainties

Abstract. The Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Reference Upper Air Network (GRUAN) provides reference quality RS92 radiosonde measurements of temperature, pressure and humidity. A key attribute of reference quality measurements, and hence GRUAN data, is that each datum has a well characterized and traceable estimate of the measurement uncertainty. The long-term homogeneity of the measurement records, and their well characterized uncertainties, make these data suitable for reliably detecting changes in global and regional climate on decadal time scales. Considerable effort is invested in GRUAN operations to (i) describe and analyse all sources of measurement uncertainty to the extent possible, (ii) quantify and synthesize the contribution of each source of uncertainty to the total measurement uncertainty, and (iii) verify that the evaluated net uncertainty is within the required target uncertainty. However, if the climate science community is not sufficiently well informed on how to capitalize on this added value, the significant investment in estimating meaningful measurement uncertainties is largely wasted. This paper presents and discusses the techniques that will need to be employed to reliably quantify long-term trends in GRUAN data records. A pedagogical approach is taken whereby numerical recipes for key parts of the trend analysis process are explored. The paper discusses the construction of linear least squares regression models for trend analysis, boot-strapping approaches to determine uncertainties in trends, dealing with the combined effects of autocorrelation in the data and measurement uncertainties in calculating the uncertainty on trends, best practice for determining seasonality in trends, how to deal with co-linear basis functions, and interpreting derived trends. Synthetic data sets are used to demonstrate these concepts which are then applied to a first analysis of temperature trends in RS92 radiosonde upper air soundings at the GRUAN site at Lindenberg, Germany (52.21° N, 14.12° E).

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Long-term UVB exposure promotes predator-inspection behaviour in a fish

Biology Letters ◽

10.1098/rsbl.2017.0497 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 20170497 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Simon Vitt ◽

Janina E. Zierul ◽

Theo C. M. Bakker ◽

Ingolf P. Rick

Keyword(s):

Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽

Stratospheric Ozone ◽

Ultraviolet B ◽

Antipredator Behaviour ◽

Uvb Radiation ◽

Ecological Processes ◽

Predator Prey ◽

Natural Sunlight ◽

Predator Inspection

Ultraviolet-B radiation (UVB) reaching the earth's surface has increased due to human-caused stratospheric ozone depletion. Whereas the harmful effects of UVB on aquatic organisms are well studied at the molecular and cellular level, recent studies have also begun to address behavioural changes caused by sublethal amounts of UVB. However, the behavioural consequences of long-term exposure to ecologically relevant UVB levels over several life stages are virtually unknown, particularly with regard to predator–prey behaviour. We found increased predator-inspection behaviour together with a smaller body length in three-spined sticklebacks ( Gasterosteus aculeatus ) after fish were exposed for about seven months to natural sunlight conditions with enhanced UVB, compared with full siblings exposed to natural sunlight only. The observed change in antipredator behaviour may reflect a direct behavioural response mediated through UVB-induced oxidative stress during development. Alternatively, the smaller body size in UVB-exposed fish may result in an increased inspection effort allowing them to spend more time foraging. Our findings suggest that, within the scope of environmental change, UVB radiation constitutes an important stress factor by eliciting behavioural responses that influence crucial ecological processes, such as predator–prey interactions.

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GEOLOGICAL STUDY AND MINING PLAN IMPORTANCE FOR MITIGATING ALKALI SILICA REACTION IN AGGREGATE QUARRY OPERATION

Jurnal Teknologi ◽

10.11113/jt.v78.9486 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 78 (7-3) ◽

Author(s):

Edy Tonnizam Mohamad ◽

Bhatawdekar Ramesh Murlidhara ◽

Mohd Nur Asmawisham Bin Alel ◽

Danial Jahed Armaghani

Keyword(s):

Aggregate Demand ◽

Peninsular Malaysia ◽

Alkali Silica Reaction ◽

Petrographic Analysis ◽

Kuala Lumpur ◽

Developing Regions ◽

Geological Structures ◽

Rock Types ◽

Mine Plan

More than 80 million tonnes of construction aggregate are produced in Peninsular Malaysia. Majority of construction aggregate are produced from granite. Developing regions of Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Selangar utilize granite aggregates. Normally it is considered aggregates as non-alkali reactive. Geological study can identify various rock types, geological structures, and reactive minerals which contribute to Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR). Deformed granites formed through faulting results in reduction of quartz grain size. Microcrystalline quartz and phyllosilicates are found in granites in contact with country rocks. Secondary reactive minerals such as chalcedony and opal may be found in granite. Alkali Silica reaction is slow chemical reaction in concrete due to reactive silica minerals in aggregates, alkalis in cement and moisture. For long term durable concrete, it is essential to identify potential alkali silica reactive aggregates. Lack of identifying reactive aggregates may result spalling, cracking in concrete and ultimately ASR can result in hazard to concrete structure. This paper deals with geological study of any aggregate quarry to identify rock type and geological structures with laboratory test –petrographic analysis and bar mortar test can identify type of aggregates being produced. Mine plan with Surpac software can be developed for systematic working for aggregate quarry to meet construction aggregate demand.

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A floristic description of the Afromontane fynbos communities on Platberg, Eastern Free State, South Africa

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v50i1.215 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 50 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Robert F. Brand ◽

Pieter J. Du Preez ◽

Leslie R. Brown

Keyword(s):

Natural Resources ◽

Plant Communities ◽

Conservation Management ◽

Alien Invasive Species ◽

Ecological Processes ◽

The North ◽

Shrub Community ◽

Management Plans ◽

Twinspan Classification

Within the Platberg area and the wider Drakensberg region, the shrinking natural resources and the threat posed to biodiversity are of concern to conservation management and require an understanding of long-term ecological processes. The vegetation of Platberg was investigated as part of an ecological survey to establish Afromontane floristic links to the Drakensberg as well as for the management of natural resources. From a TWINSPAN classification, refined by the Braun-Blanquet method, four main plant communities were identified, which were subdivided into fynbos, wetland, a woody/shrub community and grassland. A classification and description of the fynbos are presented in this article.The analysis showed the fynbos divided into two communities comprising four sub-communities and seven variants. The fynbos community had an average of 28.34 species per relevé, ranging from 14 to 54 species per sample plot. Twenty-four endemic or near-endemic Drakensberg Alpine Centre (DAC) species and 22 exotic (alien-invasive) species were recorded. Numerous floristic links with the DAC, Cape flora fynbos and grassland bioregions to the north and west were also found. The description of the fynbos plant communities can serve as a basis for the formulation of management plans for the area.

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Men's and Women's Mating Preferences: Distinct Evolutionary Mechanisms?

Current Directions in Psychological Science ◽

10.1111/1467-8721.00175 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 88-93 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Lynn Carol Miller ◽

Anila Putcha-Bhagavatula ◽

William C. Pedersen

Keyword(s):

Sexual Functioning ◽

Large Female ◽

Detailed Knowledge ◽

Short Term ◽

Evolutionary Mechanisms ◽

Men And Women ◽

Mating Preferences ◽

Chemical Mechanisms ◽

Species Comparisons

Have men and women evolved sex-distinct mating preferences for short-term and long-term mating, as postulated by some evolutionary theorists? Direct tests of assumptions, consideration of confounds with gender, and examination of the same variables for both sexes suggest men and women are remarkably similar. Furthermore, cross-species comparisons indicate that humans do not evidence mating mechanisms indicative of short-term mating (e.g., large female sexual skins, large testicles). Understanding human variability in mating preferences is apt to involve more detailed knowledge of the links between these preferences and biological and chemical mechanisms associated with sexual motivation, sexual arousal, and sexual functioning.

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