scholarly journals Species assemblage turnover is greater horizontally than vertically in a complex habitat

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuang Xing ◽  
Amelia Hood ◽  
Roman Dial ◽  
Tom Fayle
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Structural Connectivity ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Environmental Filtering ◽  
Horizontal Distance ◽  
Ant Colonies ◽  
Ant Assemblages ◽  
Abiotic And Biotic Factors ◽  
Microhabitat Structure ◽  
Composition Changes

Abiotic and biotic factors structure species assembly in ecosystems both horizontally and vertically. However, the way community composition changes along comparable horizontal and vertical distances in complex three-dimensional habitats, and the factors driving these patterns, remain poorly understood. By sampling ant assemblages at comparable vertical and horizontal spatial scales in a tropical rain forest, we compared observed patterns with those predicted according to decreased resource availability in the upper canopy, environmental filtering by microclimate and microhabitat structure, presence of competition in the form of ant mosaics, and structural connectivity. We found although dissimilarity between ant assemblages increased with vertical distance, the dissimilarity was higher horizontally but was independent of distance in this dimension. Moreover, there was not a more rapid increase in horizontal distance-dissimilarity at greater heights in the canopy, as would be predicted if large competitive ant colonies drove these patterns. The pronounced horizontal and vertical structuring of ant assemblages across short distances is likely explained by a combination of microclimate and microhabitat connectivity. Our results demonstrate the importance of considering three-dimensional spatial variation in local assemblages and reveal how highly diverse communities can be supported by complex habitats.

Structural, Hydrologic, and Sediment Connectivity in a Shrub-Encroached and Restored Semiarid Grassland

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Johnson ◽  
Jason Williams ◽  
Phillip Guertin ◽  
Steven Archer ◽  
Philip Heilman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sediment Yield ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Rainfall Intensity ◽  
Overland Flow ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Structural Connectivity ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Semiarid Grassland ◽  
Concentrated Flow ◽  
Shrub Canopy

<p>Shrub encroachment of semiarid grasslands is influenced by connected runoff and erosion patterns that preferentially accumulate resources under vegetated patches (canopy microsites) and deplete interspaces. Soil loss from dryland hillslopes results when areas of bare ground become structurally and functionally connected through overland flow. Although these patterns have been well-described, uncertainty remains regarding how these feedbacks respond to restoration practices. This study compared the structure and hydrologic function of a shrub-encroached semiarid grassland treated five years prior with the herbicide, tebuthiuron, to that of an adjacent untreated grassland. Through a series of hydrologic experiments conducted at increasing spatial scales, vegetation and soil structural patterns were related to runoff and erosion responses. At a fine scale (0.5 m<sup>2</sup>), rainfall simulations (120 mm·h<sup>-1</sup> rainfall intensity; 45 min) showed herbicided shrub canopy microsites had greater infiltration capacities (105 and 71 mm·h<sup>-1</sup> terminal infiltration rates) and were less susceptible to splash-sheet erosion (3 and 26 g sediment yield) than untreated shrub canopy microsites, while interspaces were statistically comparable between study sites. Concentrated flow simulations at a coarse scale (~9 m<sup>2</sup>) revealed that gaps between the bases of vegetation (i.e. basal gaps) > 2 m<sup></sup>were positively related to both concentrated flow runoff (r = 0.72, p = 0.008) and sediment yield (r = 0.70, p = 0.012). Modeled hillslope-scale (50 m<sup>2</sup>) runoff and erosion (120 mm·h<sup>-1</sup> rainfall intensity; 45 min) indicated less soil loss in the tebuthiuron-treated site (1.78 Mg·ha<sup>-1</sup> tebuthiuron; 3.19 Mg·ha<sup>-1</sup> untreated), even though runoff was similar between sites. Our results suggest interspaces in shrub-encroached grasslands continue to be runoff sources following herbicide-induced shrub mortality and may be indicators of runoff responses at larger spatial scales. In contrast, sediment sources are limited post-treatment due to lesser sediment detachment from sheet-splash and concentrated flow processes. Reduced sediment supplies provide evidence that connectivity feedbacks that sustain a shrub-dominant ecological state may have been dampened post-treatment. Our study also highlights the utility of simple measures of structural connectivity, such as basal gaps, as an indicator of hillslope susceptibility to increased runoff and erosion.</p>

scholarly journals Diversity and distribution patterns of the Oligocene and Miocene decapod crustaceans (Crustacea: Malacostraca) of the Western and Central Paratethys

2016 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 471-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matúš Hyžný
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Decapod Crustacean ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Homogeneous Distribution ◽  
Decapod Crustaceans ◽  
Central Paratethys ◽  
The North ◽  
Marine Habitats

AbstractDecapod associations have been significant components of marine habitats throughout the Cenozoic when the major diversification of the group occurred. In this respect, the circum-Mediterranean area is of particular interest due to its complex palaeogeographic history. During the Oligo-Miocene, it was divided in two major areas, Mediterranean and Paratethys. Decapod crustaceans from the Paratethys Sea have been reported in the literature since the 19thcentury, but only recent research advances allow evaluation of the diversity and distribution patterns of the group. Altogether 176 species-level taxa have been identified from the Oligocene and Miocene of the Western and Central Paratethys. Using the three-dimensional NMDS analysis, the composition of decapod crustacean faunas of the Paratethys shows significant differences through time. The Ottnangian and Karpatian decapod associations were similar to each other both taxonomically and in the mode of preservation, and they differed taxonomically from the Badenian ones. The Early Badenian assemblages also differed taxonomically from the Late Badenian ones. The time factor, including speciation, immigration from other provinces and/or (local or global) extinction, can explain temporal differences among assemblages within the same environment. High decapod diversity during the Badenian was correlated with the presence of reefal settings. The Badenian was the time with the highest decapod diversity, which can, however, be a consequence of undersampling of other time slices. Whereas the Ottnangian and Karpatian decapod assemblages are preserved virtually exclusively in the siliciclastic “Schlier”-type facies that originated in non-reefal offshore environments, carbonate sedimentation and the presence of reefal environments during the Badenian in the Central Paratethys promoted thriving of more diverse reef-associated assemblages. In general, Paratethyan decapods exhibited homogeneous distribution during the Oligo-Miocene among the basins in the Paratethys. Based on the co-occurrence of certain decapod species, migration between the Paratethys and the North Sea during the Early Miocene probably occurred via the Rhine Graben. At larger spatial scales, our results suggest that the circum-Mediterranean marine decapod taxa migrated in an easterly direction during the Oligocene and/or Miocene, establishing present-day decapod communities in the Indo-West Pacific.

scholarly journals A new uncertainty estimation approach with multiple datasets and implementation for various precipitation products

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 2061-2081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xudong Zhou ◽  
Jan Polcher ◽  
Tao Yang ◽  
Ching-Sheng Huang
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Heterogeneity ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Variance Partitioning ◽  
Uncertainty Estimation ◽  
The Other ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Multiple Datasets ◽  
Uncertainty Estimates ◽  
Spatiotemporal Scales

Abstract. Ensemble estimates based on multiple datasets are frequently applied once many datasets are available for the same climatic variable. An uncertainty estimate based on the difference between the ensemble datasets is always provided along with the ensemble mean estimate to show to what extent the ensemble members are consistent with each other. However, one fundamental flaw of classic uncertainty estimates is that only the uncertainty in one dimension (either the temporal variability or the spatial heterogeneity) can be considered, whereas the variation along the other dimension is dismissed due to limitations in algorithms for classic uncertainty estimates, resulting in an incomplete assessment of the uncertainties. This study introduces a three-dimensional variance partitioning approach and proposes a new uncertainty estimation (Ue) that includes the data uncertainties in both spatiotemporal scales. The new approach avoids pre-averaging in either of the spatiotemporal dimensions and, as a result, the Ue estimate is around 20 % higher than the classic uncertainty metrics. The deviation of Ue from the classic metrics is apparent for regions with strong spatial heterogeneity and where the variations significantly differ in temporal and spatial scales. This shows that classic metrics underestimate the uncertainty through averaging, which means a loss of information in the variations across spatiotemporal scales. Decomposing the formula for Ue shows that Ue has integrated four different variations across the ensemble dataset members, while only two of the components are represented in the classic uncertainty estimates. This analysis of the decomposition explains the correlation as well as the differences between the newly proposed Ue and the two classic uncertainty metrics. The new approach is implemented and analysed with multiple precipitation products of different types (e.g. gauge-based products, merged products and GCMs) which contain different sources of uncertainties with different magnitudes. Ue of the gauge-based precipitation products is the smallest, while Ue of the other products is generally larger because other uncertainty sources are included and the constraints of the observations are not as strong as in gauge-based products. This new three-dimensional approach is flexible in its structure and particularly suitable for a comprehensive assessment of multiple datasets over large regions within any given period.

scholarly journals Synthesis and crystal structure of a new polymorph of potassium europium(III) bis(sulfate) monohydrate, KEu(SO4)2·H2O

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 242-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avijit Kumar Paul
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Topological Analysis ◽  
Structural Connectivity ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Monoclinic Space Group ◽  
Hydrothermal Conditions ◽  
Metal Sulfate ◽  
Synthesis And Crystal Structure ◽  
Trigonal Prismatic

The mixed-metal sulfate, KEu(SO4)2·H2O, has been obtained as a new polymorph using hydrothermal conditions. The crystal structure is isotypic with NaCe(SO4)2·H2O and shows a three-dimensional connectivity of the tetrahedral sulfate units with EuIII and KI ions. Tricapped trigonal–prismatic EuO9 units and square-antiprismatic KO8 units link the SO4 tetrahedra, building the three-dimensional structure. Topological analysis reveals the existence of two nodes with 6- and 10-connected nets. The compound was previously reported [Kazmierczak & Höppe (2010). J. Solid State Chem. 183, 2087–2094] in the monoclinic space group P21/c with a similar structural connectivity and coordination environments to the present compound.

scholarly journals Assimilation of stratospheric and mesospheric temperatures from MLS and SABER into a global NWP model

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 8455-8490 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. W. Hoppel ◽  
N. L. Baker ◽  
L. Coy ◽  
S. D. Eckermann ◽  
J. P. McCormack ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Forecast Model ◽  
Temperature Structure ◽  
Deep Circulation ◽  
Zonal Winds ◽  
Mesospheric Temperature ◽  
Standard Deviations ◽  
Nwp Model

Abstract. The forecast model and three-dimensional variational data assimilation components of the Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS) have each been extended into the upper stratosphere and mesosphere to form an Advanced Level Physics High Altitude (ALPHA) version of NOGAPS extending to ~100 km. This NOGAPS-ALPHA NWP prototype is used to assimilate stratospheric and mesospheric temperature data from the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) and the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Radiometry (SABER) instruments. A 60-day analysis period in January and February, 2006, was chosen that includes a well documented stratospheric sudden warming. SABER temperatures indicate that the SSW caused the polar winter stratopause at ~40 km to disappear, then reform at ~80 km altitude and slowly descend during February. The NOGAPS-ALPHA analysis reproduces this observed stratospheric and mesospheric temperature structure, as well as realistic evolution of zonal winds, residual velocities, and Eliassen-Palm fluxes that aid interpretation of the vertically deep circulation and eddy flux anomalies that developed in response to this wave-breaking event. The observation minus forecast (O-F) standard deviations for MLS and SABER are ~2 K in the mid-stratosphere and increase monotonically to about 6 K in the upper mesosphere. Increasing O-F standard deviations in the mesosphere are expected due to increasing instrument error and increasing geophysical variance at small spatial scales in the forecast model. In the mid/high latitude winter regions, 10-day forecast skill is improved throughout the upper stratosphere and mesosphere when the model is initialized using the high-altitude analysis based on assimilation of both SABER and MLS data.

scholarly journals COMPUTATIONAL MICROSTRUCTURE-BASED ANALYSIS OF RESIDUAL STRESS EVOLUTION IN METAL-MATRIX COMPOSITE MATERIALS DURING THERMOMECHANICAL LOADING

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 241
Author(s):  
Ruslan Balokhonov ◽  
Varvara Romanova ◽  
Eugen Schwab ◽  
Aleksandr Zemlianov ◽  
Eugene Evtushenko
Keyword(s):  
Residual Stress ◽  
Metal Matrix ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Matrix Composites ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Irregular Shapes ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Stress Formation ◽  
Mechanical Fragmentation

A technique for computer simulation of three-dimensional structures of materials with reinforcing particles of complex irregular shapes observed in the experiments is proposed, which assumes scale invariance of the natural mechanical fragmentation. Two-phase structures of metal-matrix composites and coatings of different spatial scales are created, with the particles randomly distributed over the matrix and coating computational domains. Using the titanium carbide reinforcing particle embedded into the aluminum as an example, plastic strain localization and residual stress formation along the matrix-particle interface are numerically investigated during cooling followed by compression or tension of the composite. A detailed analysis is performed to evaluate the residual stress concentration in local regions of bulk tension formed under all-round and uniaxial compression of the composite due to the concave and convex interfacial asperities.

Towards an Efficient Validation of Dynamical Whole-brain Models

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin J. Wischnewski ◽  
Simon B. Eickhoff ◽  
Viktor K. Jirsa ◽  
Oleksandr V. Popovych
Keyword(s):  
Structural Connectivity ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Bayesian Optimization ◽  
High Dimensional ◽  
Brain Dynamics ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Phase Oscillators ◽  
Dimensional Parameter ◽  
Whole Brain ◽  
Brain Models

Abstract Simulating the resting-state brain dynamics via mathematical whole-brain models requires an optimal selection of parameters, which determine the model’s capability to replicate empirical data. Since the parameter optimization via a grid search (GS) becomes unfeasible for high-dimensional models, we evaluate several alternative approaches to maximize the correspondence between simulated and empirical functional connectivity. A dense GS serves as a benchmark to assess the performance of four optimization schemes: Nelder-Mead Algorithm (NMA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy (CMAES) and Bayesian Optimization (BO). To compare them, we employ an ensemble of coupled phase oscillators built upon individual empirical structural connectivity of 105 healthy subjects. We determine optimal model parameters from two- and three-dimensional parameter spaces and show that the overall fitting quality of the tested methods can compete with the GS. There are, however, marked differences in the required computational resources and stability properties, which we also investigate before proposing CMAES and BO as efficient alternatives to a high-dimensional GS. For the three-dimensional case, these methods generated similar results as the GS, but within less than 6% of the computation time. Our results contribute to an efficient validation of models for personalized simulations of brain dynamics.

scholarly journals Stratospheric ozone depletion during the 1995–1996 Arctic winter: 3-D simulations on the potential role of different PSC types

2001 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 1163-1181 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Hendricks ◽  
F. Baier ◽  
G. Günther ◽  
B. C. Krüger ◽  
A. Ebel
Keyword(s):  
Ozone Depletion ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Stratospheric Ozone ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Particle Growth ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Formation Mechanisms ◽  
Three Dimensional Model ◽  
Type Ia

Abstract. The sensitivity of modelled ozone depletion in the winter Arctic stratosphere to different assumptions of prevalent PSC types and PSC formation mechanisms is investigated. Three-dimensional simulations of the winter 1995/96 are performed with the COlogne Model of the Middle Atmosphere (COMMA) by applying different PSC microphysical schemes. Model runs are carried out considering either liquid or solid PSC particles or a combined microphysical scheme. These simulations are then compared to a model run which only takes into account binary sulfate aerosols. The results obtained with the three-dimensional model agree with trajectory-box simulations performed in previous studies. The simulations suggest that conditions appropriate for type Ia PSC existence (T < TNAT ) occur over longer periods and cover larger areas when compared to conditions of potential type Ib PSC existence. Significant differences in chlorine activation and ozone depletion occur between the simulations including only either liquid or solid PSC particles. The largest differences, occurring over large spatial scales and during prolonged time periods, are modelled first, when the stratospheric temperatures stay below TNAT , but above the threshold of effective liquid particle growth and second, in the case of the stratospheric temperatures remaining below this threshold, but not falling below the ice frost point. It can be generally concluded from the present study that differences in PSC microphysical schemes can cause significant fluctuations in ozone depletion modelled for the winter Arctic stratosphere.Key words. Atmospheric composition and structure (aerosols and particles; cloud physics and chemistry; middle atmosphere composition and chemistry)

scholarly journals Scale-dependent environmental filtering of ground-dwelling predators in winter wheat and adjacent set-aside areas in Hungary

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 751-763
Author(s):  
Jana Růžičková ◽  
Ferenc Kádár ◽  
Ottó Szalkovszki ◽  
Anikó Kovács-Hostyánszki ◽  
András Báldi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Environmental Filtering ◽  
Landscape Scale ◽  
Dispersal Ability ◽  
Field Scale ◽  
Wheat Field ◽  
Activity Density

Abstract Agricultural intensification may act as an environmental filter shaping invertebrate assemblages at multiple spatial scales. However, it is not fully understood which scale is the most influential. Therefore, we utilized a hierarchical approach to examine the effect of local management (inorganic fertilization and soil properties; within-field scale), habitat type (winter wheat field and set-aside field; between-field scale) and landscape complexity (landscape scale) on assemblage structure and functional diversity of two important groups of natural enemies, carabids and spiders, in a cultivated lowland landscape in Hungary. Environmental filtering affected natural enemies at different spatial scales; likely as a result of enemies’ different dispersal ability and sensitivity to fertilizer use. Carabids were strongly affected at the within-field scale: positively by soil pH, negatively by soil organic matter and fertilization. At the between-field scale, carabids had higher activity density in the set-aside fields than in the winter wheat fields and simple landscapes enhanced carabids diversity, species richness and activity density at the landscape scale. Spiders were more abundant and species-rich in the set-aside fields than in the winter wheat fields. Although highly mobile (macropterous) carabids might disperse to arable crops from greater distances, while spiders possibly depended more on the proximity of set-aside fields, the winter wheat fields (where pest control should be delivered) were utilized mostly by common agrobiont species. Increasing crop heterogeneity within arable fields could be a potential option to increase the diversity of carabids and spiders in the studied region.

scholarly journals Large-scale functional coactivation patterns reflect the structural connectivity of the medial prefrontal cortex

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale T Tovar ◽  
Robert S Chavez
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Medial Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Structural Connectivity ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Machine Learning Techniques ◽  
Affective Processing ◽  
Affective Neuroscience ◽  
Psychological Phenomena

Abstract The medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) is among the most consistently implicated brain regions in social and affective neuroscience. Yet, this region is also highly functionally heterogeneous across many domains and has diverse patterns of connectivity. The extent to which the communication of functional networks in this area is facilitated by its underlying structural connectivity fingerprint is critical for understanding how psychological phenomena are represented within this region. In the current study, we combined diffusion magnetic resonance imaging and probabilistic tractography with large-scale meta-analysis to investigate the degree to which the functional co-activation patterns of the MPFC is reflected in its underlying structural connectivity. Using unsupervised machine learning techniques, we compared parcellations between the two modalities and found congruence between parcellations at multiple spatial scales. Additionally, using connectivity and coactivation similarity analyses, we found high correspondence in voxel-to-voxel similarity between each modality across most, but not all, subregions of the MPFC. These results provide evidence that meta-analytic functional coactivation patterns are meaningfully constrained by underlying neuroanatomical connectivity and provide convergent evidence of distinct subregions within the MPFC involved in affective processing and social cognition.

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