Moose browsing and forage availability: a scale-dependent relationship?

2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 372-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Månsson ◽  
Henrik Andrén ◽  
Åke Pehrson ◽  
Roger Bergström
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Information Criterion ◽  
Site Productivity ◽  
Multi Scale ◽  
Forage Availability ◽  
Dependent Relationship ◽  
South Central ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moose Browsing

Scale dependence is a fundamentally important topic in ecology because it determines whether results can be generalized over different spatial scales. We studied the relationship between forage consumption by moose ( Alces alces (L., 1758)) and forage availability across six nested spatial scales in south-central Sweden. By using multiple regression, we concluded that the amount of available forage was the best single variable explaining absolute consumption, irrespectively of scale. Forage species diversity, site productivity, and moose density were also important for predicting forage consumption, but their effects differed across the different spatial scales. A multiple regression including forage availability, moose density, site productivity, and forage diversity explained between 31% and 49% of the variation in forage consumption. The importance of a moose index as an explanatory variable decreased with increasing spatial scale, whereas the importance of site productivity increased. According to model selection based on Akaike's information criterion, the same model was ranked highest at the four smallest spatial scales, whereas the top-ranked models at the two largest spatial scales differed. Furthermore, the relationship between consumption and forage availability changed from underutilization at small scales to proportional use at the home range level. Thus, for a comprehensive understanding of moose browsing in relation to food resources, we conclude that a multi-scale approach is necessary.

Multi-scale evaluation of the environmental controls on burn probability in a southern Sierra Nevada landscape

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 815 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean A. Parks ◽  
Marc-André Parisien ◽  
Carol Miller
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Multi Scale ◽  
Dependent Relationship ◽  
Environmental Controls ◽  
Burn Probability ◽  
Meaningful Relationship ◽  
The Relationship

We examined the scale-dependent relationship between spatial fire likelihood or burn probability (BP) and some key environmental controls in the southern Sierra Nevada, California, USA. Continuous BP estimates were generated using a fire simulation model. The correspondence between BP (dependent variable) and elevation, ignition density, fuels and aspect was evaluated at incrementally increasing spatial scales to assess the importance of these explanatory variables in explaining BP. Results indicate the statistical relationship between BP and explanatory variables fluctuates across spatial scales, as does the influence of explanatory variables. However, because of high covariance among these variables, it was necessary to control for their shared contribution in order to extract their ‘unique’ contribution to BP. At the finest scale, fuels and elevation exerted the most influence on BP, whereas at broader scales, fuels and aspect were most influential. Results also showed that the influence of some variables tended to mask the true effect of seemingly less important variables. For example, the relationship between ignition density and BP was negative until we controlled for elevation, which led to a more meaningful relationship where BP increased with ignition density. This study demonstrates the value of a multi-scale approach for identifying and characterising mechanistic controls on BP that can often be blurred by strong but correlative relationships.

scholarly journals The relationship between the spatial scaling of biodiversity and ecosystem stability

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Delsol ◽  
Michel Loreau ◽  
Bart Haegeman
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Spatial Separation ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Ecosystem Stability ◽  
Spatial Scaling ◽  
Multi Scale ◽  
Spatial Dependencies ◽  
Species Area ◽  
Ecosystem Level ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractEcosystem stability and its link with biodiversity have been mainly studied at the local scale. Here we present a simple theoretical model to address the joint dependence of diversity and stability on spatial scale, from local to continental. The notion of stability we use is based on the temporal variability of an ecosystem-level property, such as primary productivity. In this way, our model integrates the well-known species-area relationship (SAR) with a recent proposal to quantify the spatial scaling of stability, called the invariability-area relationship (IAR). To explore the possible links between the two relationships, we contrast two assumptions about the spatial decay of correlations. In case species differences determine spatial decorrelation, the IAR is a duplicate of the SAR; in case decorrelation is directly determined by spatial separation, the IAR is unrelated to the SAR. We apply the two model variants to explore the effects of species loss and habitat destruction on stability, and find a rich variety of multi-scale spatial dependencies. Our work emphasizes the importance of studying diversity and stability across spatial scales, and provides a point of reference for mechanistic models and data analyses.

scholarly journals Multi-scale Cover Selection by White-tailed Deer, Odocoileus virginianus, in an Agro-forested Landscape

2009 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
Tim L. Hiller ◽  
Henry Campa ◽  
Scott R. Winterstein
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scale ◽  
Odocoileus Virginianus ◽  
Resource Selection ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Multi Scale ◽  
South Central ◽  
Hierarchical Selection ◽  
And Behavior

Resource selection studies are commonly conducted at a single spatial scale, but this likely does not fully or accurately assess the hierarchical selection process used by animals. We used a multi-spatial scale approach to quantify White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) cover selection in south-central Michigan during 2004–2006 by varying definitions of use and availability and ranking the relative importance of cover types under each study design. The number of cover types assigned as selected (proportional use > proportional availability) decreased from coarse (landscape level) to fine (within home range) scales, although at finer scales, selection seemed to be more consistent. Although the relative importance changed substantially across spatial scales, two cover types (conifers, upland deciduous forests) were consistently ranked as the two most important, providing strong evidence of their value to deer in the study area. Testing for resource selection patterns using a multi-spatial scale approach would provide additional insight into the ecology and behavior of a particular species.

scholarly journals Nest fidelity is driven by multi-scale information in a long-lived seabird

2014 ◽  
Vol 281 (1793) ◽  
pp. 20141692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Robert ◽  
Vítor H. Paiva ◽  
Mark Bolton ◽  
Frédéric Jiguet ◽  
Joël Bried
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Longitudinal Data ◽  
Breeding Success ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Breeding Strategy ◽  
Multi Scale ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Storm Petrel

Although the reproductive success of most organisms depends on factors acting at several spatial scales, little is known about how organisms are able to synthesize multi-scale information to optimize reproduction. Using longitudinal data from a long-lived seabird, Monteiro's storm-petrel, we show that average breeding success is strongly related to oceanic conditions at the population level, and we postulate that (i) individuals use proximal information (their own reproduction outcome in year t ) to assess the qualities of their mate and nest and to decide to retain them or not in year t + 1; (ii) the intensity of these responses depends on the quality of the oceanic environment in year t , which affects the predictability of reproduction outcome in year t + 1. Our results confirm that mate and nest fidelities are higher following successful reproduction and that the relationship between the success of a given pair and subsequent nest fidelity is stronger in years with unfavourable oceanic conditions, suggesting that individuals rely on distant information to modulate their use of proximal information and adjust their breeding strategy.

scholarly journals FIIND: Ferret Interactive Integrated Neurodevelopment Atlas

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e25312
Author(s):  
Roberto Toro ◽  
Rembrandt Bakker ◽  
Thierry Delzescaux ◽  
Alan Evans ◽  
Paul Tiesinga
Keyword(s):  
Brain Development ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
Mammalian Brain ◽  
Cortical Connectivity ◽  
Multi Scale ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Web Platform ◽  
Human Neuroimaging

The first days after birth in ferrets provide a privileged view of the development of a complex mammalian brain. Unlike mice, ferrets develop a rich pattern of deep neocortical folds and cortico- cortical connections. Unlike humans and other primates, whose brains are well differentiated and folded at birth, ferrets are born with a very immature and completely smooth neocortex: folds, neocortical regionalisation and cortico-cortical connectivity develop in ferrets during the first postnatal days. After a period of fast neocortical expansion, during which brain volume increases by up to a factor of 4 in 2 weeks, the ferret brain reaches its adult volume at about 6 weeks of age. Ferrets could thus become a major animal model to investigate the neurobiological correlates of the phenomena observed in human neuroimaging. Many of these phenomena, such as the relationship between brain folding, cortico-cortical connectivity and neocortical regionalisation cannot be investigated in mice, but could be investigated in ferrets. Our aim is to provide the research community with a detailed description of the development of a complex brain, necessary to better understand the nature of human neuroimaging data, create models of brain development, or analyse the relationship between multiple spatial scales. We have already started a project to constitute an open, collaborative atlas of ferret brain development, integrating multi-modal and multi-scale data. We have acquired data for 28 ferrets (4 animals per time point from P0 to adults), using high-resolution MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). We have developed an open-source pipeline to segment and produce – online – 3D reconstructions of brain MRI data. We propose to process the brains of 16 of our specimens (from P0 to P16) using high-throughput 3D histology, staining for cytoarchitectonic landmarks, neuronal progenitors and neurogenesis. This would allow us to relate the MRI data that we have already acquired with multi-dimensional cell-scale information. Brains will be sectioned at 25 μm, stained, scanned at 0.25 μm of resolution, and processed for real-time multi-scale visualisation. We will extend our current web-platform to integrate an interactive multi-scale visualisation of the data. Using our combined expertise in computational neuroanatomy, multi-modal neuroimaging, neuroinformatics, and the development of inter-species atlases, we propose to build an open-source web platform to allow the collaborative, online, creation of atlases of the development of the ferret brain. The web platform will allow researchers to access and visualise interactively the MRI and histology data. It will also allow researchers to create collaborative, human curated, 3D segmentations of brain structures, as well as vectorial atlases. Our work will provide a first integrated atlas of ferret brain development, and the basis for an open platform for the creation of collaborative multi-modal, multi-scale, multi-species atlases.

scholarly journals Plant structure predicts leaf litter capture in the tropical montane bromeliad Tillandsia turneri

2016 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 686-691
Author(s):  
F. Ospina-Bautista ◽  
J. V. Estévez Varón
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Akaike Information Criterion ◽  
Ecosystem Functioning ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Information Criterion ◽  
Plant Structure ◽  
Litter Accumulation ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Leaves intercepted by bromeliads become an important energy and matter resource for invertebrate communities, bacteria, fungi, and the plant itself. The relationship between bromeliad structure, defined as its size and complexity, and accumulated leaf litter was studied in 55 bromeliads of Tillandsia turneri through multiple regression and the Akaike information criterion. Leaf litter accumulation in bromeliads was best explained by size and complexity variables such as plant cover, sheath length, and leaf number. In conclusion, plant structure determines the amount of litter that enters bromeliads, and changes in its structure could affect important processes within ecosystem functioning or species richness.

The Relationship of Compliance with Coping Strategies and Self-Esteem

2003 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gisli H. Gudjonsson ◽  
Jon Fridrik Sigurdsson
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Sex Difference ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Stressful Situation ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Summary: The Gudjonsson Compliance Scale (GCS), the COPE Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were administered to 212 men and 212 women. Multiple regression of the test scores showed that low self-esteem and denial coping were the best predictors of compliance in both men and women. Significant sex differences emerged on all three scales, with women having lower self-esteem than men, being more compliant, and using different coping strategies when confronted with a stressful situation. The sex difference in compliance was mediated by differences in self-esteem between men and women.

Urbanization impacts on production and recruitment of Fundulus heteroclitus in salt marsh creeks

2020 ◽  
Vol 645 ◽  
pp. 187-204
Author(s):  
PJ Rudershausen ◽  
JA Buckel
Keyword(s):  
Salt Marsh ◽  
Salt Marshes ◽  
Fundulus Heteroclitus ◽  
Multiple Factor Analysis ◽  
Southeastern Usa ◽  
Density Dependent ◽  
Dependent Relationship ◽  
Juvenile Abundance ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Throw Trap

It is unclear how urbanization affects secondary biological production in estuaries in the southeastern USA. We estimated production of larval/juvenile Fundulus heteroclitus in salt marsh areas of North Carolina tidal creeks and tested for factors influencing production. F. heteroclitus were collected with a throw trap in salt marshes of 5 creeks subjected to a range of urbanization intensities. Multiple factor analysis (MFA) was used to reduce dimensionality of habitat and urbanization effects in the creeks and their watersheds. Production was then related to the first 2 dimensions of the MFA, month, and year. Lastly, we determined the relationship between creek-wide larval/juvenile production and abundance from spring and abundance of adults from autumn of the same year. Production in marsh (g m-2 d-1) varied between years and was negatively related to the MFA dimension that indexed salt marsh; higher rates of production were related to creeks with higher percentages of marsh. An asymptotic relationship was found between abundance of adults and creek-wide production of larvae/juveniles and an even stronger density-dependent relationship was found between abundance of adults and creek-wide larval/juvenile abundance. Results demonstrate (1) the ability of F. heteroclitus to maintain production within salt marsh in creeks with a lesser percentage of marsh as long as this habitat is not removed altogether and (2) a density-dependent link between age-0 production/abundance and subsequent adult recruitment. Given the relationship between production and marsh area, natural resource agencies should consider impacts of development on production when permitting construction in the southeastern USA.

The Relationship Between The Perception of Elderly’s Health Status and Health Behaviors in Nakhon Nayok Province, Thailand

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 420-423
Author(s):  
Prapada Watcharanat ◽  
Prasong Tanpichai ◽  
Ravee Sajjasophon
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Multiple Regression Analysis ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Congenital Diseases ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose: This research aims to study the relationship between perception of elderly’s health and health behaviors in Nakhon Nayok province, Thailand Methods: This research was a cross-sectional study. The questionnaire was used to collect the data. This research was conducted in Nakhon Nayok province. The sample size was 270 which applied Taro Yamane's formula at a significant level 0.05. The descriptive statistics was implemented to describe the variables by presenting the frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis was applied to analyze the relationship between perception of elderly’s health and health behaviors. The statistical significance was considered to reject Hypothesis-null at < 0.05. Results: From a total of 270 people, more than 58.22% of the elderly perceived that they had moderate health conditions. Most elderly had congenital diseases (62.2%). The multiple regression analysis results showed that health status perception and health status perception when compared to their cohort related significantly to health behavior. Conclusion: The government should support the elderly on participation, trust, engagement, and cultural concern of the people in the community, which can contribute to promoting the physical, mental and social condition of the elderly.

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