scholarly journals Long-term monitoring reveals topographical features and vegetation explain winter habitat use of an arctic rodent

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xaver von Beckerath ◽  
Gita Benadi ◽  
Olivier Gilg ◽  
Benoît Sittler ◽  
Glenn Yannic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Winter Habitat ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Terrestrial Vertebrates ◽  
Dicrostonyx Groenlandicus ◽  
Term Monitoring

The quality of wintering habitats, such as depth of snow cover, plays a key role in sustaining population dynamics of arctic lemmings. However, few studies so far investigated habitat use during the arctic winter. Here, we used a unique long-term time series to test whether lemmings are associated with topographical and vegetational habitat features for their wintering sites. We examined yearly numbers and distribution of 22,769 winter nests of the collared lemming Dicrostonyx groenlandicus (Traill, 1823) from an ongoing long-term research on Traill Island, Northeast Greenland, collected between 1989 and 2019, and correlated this information with data on dominant vegetation types, elevation and slope. We found that the number of lemming nests was highest in areas with a high proportion of Dryas heath, but was also correlated with other vegetation types, suggestingsome flexibility in resource use of wintering lemmings. Furthermore, lemmings showed a higher use for sloped terrain, probably as it enhances the formation of deep snow drifts which increases the insulative characteristics of the snowpack and protection from predators. With global warming, prime lemming winter habitats may become scarce through alteration of snow physical properties, potentially resulting in negative consequence for the whole community of terrestrial vertebrates.

scholarly journals Long-term monitoring reveals topographical features and vegetation explain winter habitat use of an Arctic rodent

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xaver von Beckerath ◽  
Gita Benadi ◽  
Olivier Gilg ◽  
Benoît Sittler ◽  
Glenn Yannic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Snow Cover ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Winter Habitat ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Terrestrial Vertebrates

AbstractCollapsing lemming cycles have been observed across the Arctic, presumably due to global warming creating less favorable winter conditions. The quality of wintering habitats, such as depth of snow cover, plays a key role in sustaining population dynamics of arctic lemmings. However, few studies so far investigated habitat use during the arctic winter. Here, we used a unique long-term time series to test whether lemmings are associated with topographical and vegetational habitat features for their winter refugi. We examined yearly numbers and distribution of 22,769 winter nests of the collared lemming Dicrostonyx groenlandicus from an ongoing long-term research on Traill Island, Northeast Greenland, collected between 1989 and 2019, and correlated this information with data on dominant vegetation types, elevation and slope. We specifically asked if lemming nests were more frequent at sites with preferred food plants such as Dryas octopetala x integrifolia and at sites with increased snow cover. We found that the number of lemming nests was highest in areas with a high proportion of Dryas heath, but also correlated with other vegetation types which suggest some flexibility in resource use of wintering lemmings. Conversely, they showed a distinct preference for sloped terrain, probably as it enhances the formation of deep snow drifts which increases the insulative characteristics of the snowpack and protection from predators. With global warming, prime lemming winter habitats may become scarce through alteration of snow physical properties, potentially resulting in negative consequence for the whole community of terrestrial vertebrates.

scholarly journals The Observatorio Astronómico Nacional - Tonantzintla: Site Evaluation

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (S260) ◽  
Author(s):  
H.M. Hernández-Toledo ◽  
L.A. Martínez-Vázquez ◽  
A. Pani-Cielo
Keyword(s):  
Ccd Photometry ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Astronomy Education ◽  
Site Evaluation ◽  
New Instrumentation ◽  
Sky Conditions ◽  
Alternative Solutions ◽  
Term Monitoring

AbstractThe objective of this contribution is to present some results of an evaluation on the local conditions at the site that were considered in order to propose that the Observatorio Astronómico Nacional, Tonantzintla, (OAN-Tonantzintla) become a National Facility for Astronomy Education. The evaluation included a quantitative diagnostic (CCD photometry) on the quality of the local sky. The attributes of the 1-m telescope, the current instrumentation and a well planned upgrading that includes new instrumentation is considered at the basis for a successful transition maintaining the attractiveness of the site for astronomy education. A 3-year upgrading program actually in progress at UNAM is providing funding for that purpose. Physics and astronomy programs at college and graduated levels at UNAM will benefit from this, yielding clear connections among astronomy researchers and educators and students at various levels. Although the OAN-Tonantzintla faces the danger of deteriorating its sky conditions, we are maintaining awareness of the night sky characteristics in long-term monitoring campaigns and encouraging the local authorities to find alternative solutions to this problem.

scholarly journals Monitoring Selected Species of Mammals in Grand Teton National Park in 2001

2001 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 82-87
Author(s):  
Brian Miller ◽  
Hank Harlow
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Population Composition ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
Needed Information ◽  
Mammal Distribution ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Term Monitoring

Our objective is to establish a long-term monitoring project that will assess the abundance and densities of selected species of mammals at sites representing five defined vegetation types found in Grand Teton National Park. The term monitoring implies data collection over multiple years. Taking long term estimations of population composition before, during, and after biotic and abiotic changes provides needed information to assess the impacts of such changes and furnish useful options for management decisions. This standardized monitoring plan will provide information on small and medium-sized mammals that will (1) assess species use of habitat, (2) monitor changes in species composition as a result of environmental change, such as precipitation and temperature, (3) produce predictive models of small and medium-sized mammal distribution based on vegetation type, and (4) analyze the impact of wolf colonization on the mammal (and plant) community.

scholarly journals What is the most efficient and effective method for long-term monitoring of alpine tundra vegetation?

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 127-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven D. Mamet ◽  
Nathan Young ◽  
Kwok P. Chun ◽  
Jill F. Johnstone
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Rare Species ◽  
Alpine Tundra ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Vegetation Monitoring ◽  
Tundra Vegetation ◽  
Long Term Monitoring ◽  
Term Monitoring

Nondestructive estimations of plant community characteristics are essential to vegetation monitoring programs. However, there is no universally accepted method for this purpose in the Arctic, partly because not all programs share the same logistical constraints and monitoring goals. Our aim was to determine the most efficient and effective method for long-term monitoring of alpine tundra vegetation. To achieve this, we established 12 vegetation-monitoring plots on a south-facing slope in the alpine tundra of southern Yukon Territory, Canada. Four observers assessed these plots for vascular plant species abundance employing three methods: visual cover (VC) and subplot frequency (SF) estimation and modified point-intercept (PI) (includes rare species present but not intersected by a pin). SF performed best in terms of time required per plot and sensitivity to variations in species richness. All methods were similarly poor at estimating relative abundance for rare species, but PI and VC were substantially better at high abundances. Differences among methods were larger than among observers. Our results suggest that SF is best when the monitoring focus is on rare species or species richness across extensive areas. However, when the focus is on monitoring changes in relative abundance of common species, VC or PI should be preferred.

Migratory vertebrates shift migration timing and distributions in a warming Arctic

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-131
Author(s):  
Thomas K. Lameris ◽  
Jeroen Hoekendijk ◽  
Geert Aarts ◽  
Aline Aarts ◽  
Andrew M. Allen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Review Literature ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Migration Timing ◽  
Warming Climate ◽  
Distribution Shifts ◽  
Term Monitoring

Abstract Climate warming in the Arctic has led to warmer and earlier springs, and as a result, many food resources for migratory animals become available earlier in the season, as well as become distributed further northwards. To optimally profit from these resources, migratory animals are expected to arrive earlier in the Arctic, as well as shift their own spatial distributions northwards. Here, we review literature to assess whether Arctic migratory birds and mammals already show shifts in migration timing or distribution in response to the warming climate. Distribution shifts were most prominent in marine mammals, as expected from observed northward shifts of their resources. At least for many bird species, the ability to shift distributions is likely constrained by available habitat further north. Shifts in timing have been shown in many species of terrestrial birds and ungulates, as well as for polar bears. Within species, we found strong variation in shifts in timing and distributions between populations. Ou r review thus shows that many migratory animals display shifts in migration timing and spatial distribution in reaction to a warming Arctic. Importantly, we identify large knowledge gaps especially concerning distribution shifts and timing of autumn migration, especially for marine mammals. Our understanding of how migratory animals respond to climate change appears to be mostly limited by the lack of long-term monitoring studies.

scholarly journals WiMonitor: Continuous Long-Term Human Vitality Monitoring Using Commodity Wi-Fi Devices

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaopeng Niu ◽  
Shengjie Li ◽  
Yue Zhang ◽  
Zhaopeng Liu ◽  
Dan Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Home Environment ◽  
Continuous Monitoring ◽  
Elderly Care ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Daily Monitoring ◽  
Activity Intensity ◽  
Device Free ◽  
Term Monitoring

For a large population of elderly who live alone, a continuous long-term daily monitoring system is critical and imminently needed to enhance the quality of their lives. Continuous monitoring of vitality information (i.e., which area the elder is staying in, the motion state and activity intensity of an elder) is essential for elderly care. In this paper, we use existing commodity Wi-Fi devices to design and implement a long-term device-free human daily vitality system, WiMonitor. Our system can continuously capture the target’s vitality information in a multi-room home environment without compromising the privacy of the target. In a continuous 22-day experiment, WiMonitor successfully captures the human vitality information accurately. We believe our system can provide valuable long-term monitoring data for both researchers and health care personnel.

scholarly journals Long-term warming manipulations reveal complex decomposition responses across different tundra vegetation types

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrín Björnsdóttir ◽  
Isabel C Barrio ◽  
Ingibjörg Svala Jónsdóttir
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Plant Litter ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Tundra Vegetation ◽  
Tea Bag Index ◽  
Induced Changes

In a rapidly warming tundra, ecosystems will undergo major environmental changes which are predicted to significantly alter below–ground processes, such as decomposition of plant litter. Making use of International Tundra Experiment sites (ITEX), established approximately two decades ago, we examined long–term impacts of warming on decomposition. We used the Tea Bag Index (TBI) methodology to measure the annual mass loss (%) of two tea types as a proxy for potential decomposition rates, across five tundra vegetation types. Direct effects of warming were assessed by comparing mass loss within and outside warming manipulations. Indirect effects of warming, such as those caused by warming–induced changes in plant community composition, were assessed through the relationship between mass loss of tea and biotic and abiotic local conditions. We found positive effects of warming on decomposition, although the responses varied between vegetation and tea types. Interestingly, we found support for the indirect influence of long–term warming on decomposition through warming–induced changes in the composition of plant communities. Our findings demonstrate the complexity in decomposition responses to warming across different vegetation types and highlight the importance of long–term legacies of warming in decomposition responses across the Arctic.

Fire-mediated patterns of habitat use by male moose (Alces alces) in Alaska

2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 183-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.L. Brown ◽  
K. Kielland ◽  
E.S. Euskirchen ◽  
T.J. Brinkman ◽  
R.W. Ruess ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Brownian Bridge ◽  
Alces Alces ◽  
Fire Severity ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Winter Habitat ◽  
The Past ◽  
High Severity

Fire severity is an important control over regeneration of deciduous species and can influence the overall quality of habitat for herbivores, such as moose (Alces alces (Linnaeus, 1758)), but the relationships between availability and duration of biomass production and moose habitat use are largely unknown. We evaluate the relative influence of a regenerating burn, paying particular attention to fire severity, on winter forage production and duration, offtake, nutritional quality, and seasonal moose habitat use. We used data from 14 GPS collared male moose in the 20-year-old Hajdukovich Creek Burn (HCB) in interior Alaska, USA, to generate seasonal dynamic Brownian bridge movement models. Within HCB, moose selected for low-severity sites more than high- and moderate-severity sites during the winter. Over the past decade, willow (species of the genus Salix L.) biomass production in low-severity sites has doubled and is likely influencing winter habitat selection patterns. In summer, moose selected for high-severity sites where there is a more abundant understory layer (e.g., stem densities) providing both forage and cover. The initial pulse of biomass production in high-severity sites, as well as the delay in growth and maturation of vegetation in low-severity sites, indicate that differing distributions of wildfire severity can create a dynamic mosaic of habitat patches that may extend the value of burns over time for moose.

Long-Term Monitoring in the Netherlands Suggests that Lichens Respond to Global Warming

2002 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. van Herk ◽  
A. Aptroot ◽  
H. F. van Dobben
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Tropical Species ◽  
Epiphytic Lichen ◽  
Nutrient Demand ◽  
Long Term Monitoring ◽  
Term Monitoring ◽  
Lichen Flora

AbstractThere is evidence to suggest that part of the recent changes in the lichen flora of the Netherlands is attributable to an increase in temperature. Changes which have occurred over the last 22 years were studied in detail, and were subjected to a statistical treatment by comparing the change of species to their latitudinal distribution and to ecological determinants.All 329 epiphytic and terrestrial lichen species occurring in the Netherlands were considered in relation to their world distribution. Arctic-alpine/boreo-montane species appear to be declining, while (sub)tropical species are invading. The proportion of increasing species is by far the largest among the wide-tropical lichens (83%), and smallest among the arctic-alpine/boreo-montane lichens (14%). None of the wide-tropical species was found to decrease, while 50% of the arctic-alpine/boreomontane species show a decline.Long-term monitoring of the epiphytic lichen flora in the province of Utrecht from 1979 onwards shows that the total number of taxa present increased from 95 in 1979 to 172 in 2001, while the average number of taxa per site increased from 7·5 to 18·9. The rate of increase was greatest by far between 1989 and 1995. The majority of the species (152 taxa or 85%) show a gross increase, only 17 species (10%) show a decrease.A detailed analysis of these data using multiple regression suggests global warming as an additional cause for recent changes, next to decreasing SO⊂2 and increasing NH⊂3. Changes appear to be correlated initially (1979-1995) only with toxitolerance and nutrient demand. Changes between 1995 and 2001, however, appear positively correlated to both temperature and nutrient demand, indicating a recent and significant shift towards species preferring warm circumstances, independent from, and concurrent with changes due to nutrient availability.This is the first paper reporting long-term floristic changes for lichens that appear to be correlated significantly with increasing temperatures. We suggest that future lichen monitoring programmes also pay attention to effects of climatic change, instead of focusing on air pollution effects only.

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