scholarly journals Impact of artificial light at night on the foraging behaviour of the European Hamster: consequences for the introduction of this species in suburban areas

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 133-148
Author(s):  
Sophie M. Dupont ◽  
Lauréline Guinnefollau ◽  
Christiane Weber ◽  
Odile Petit
Keyword(s):  
Food Sources ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Suburban Areas ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
Nocturnal Species ◽  
The Hours ◽  
Population Restoration ◽  
The Impact

Among the pressures introduced by urbanization, artificial light at night (ALAN) can be problematic, particularly for nocturnal species. Populations of European hamsters (Cricetus cricetus) have dramatically decreased in France since 1972 because of habitat loss due to urbanisation and changes in agricultural methods. The conservation project Life Alister aims to increase the abundance of this species in suburban areas via hamster release. However, the success of this population-restoration project may be compromised due to the possible effects of ALAN on the daily and seasonal cycles and behaviour of this nocturnal species. To understand how hamsters may respond to relocation, we experimentally studied the impact of ALAN on hamster foraging, a decisive behaviour for survival in natural habitats. This study assessed the behavioural responses of 18 animals when choosing between two food sources of different palatability in two different lighting conditions: artificial light (4 or 40 lux) or darkness. Our results show that hamsters avoided lighting that mimics suburban streetlights, particularly when grooming. Moreover, this study reveals that hamsters do not avoid street-lit areas when highly palatable food is present, suggesting they would be more susceptible to predation under these circumstances. Our results suggest that the adverse effects of ALAN on the behaviour of hamsters released on the outskirts of developed suburban areas could be limited by restricting the number of street lights, moderating the intensity of street lighting, or switching lights off during the hours hamsters are most active. We further recommend that wildlife managers avoid planting plants that are highly palatable to hamsters close to lighting in suburban areas to limit the risk of predation for this species.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review of Research Investigating the Combined Ecological Impact of Anthropogenic Noise and Artificial Light at Night

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wouter Halfwerk ◽  
Paul Jerem
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Ecological Impact ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Anthropogenic Noise ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
The Impact

Levels of anthropogenic noise and artificial light at night (ALAN) are rapidly rising on a global scale. Both sensory pollutants are well known to affect animal behavior and physiology, which can lead to substantial ecological impacts. Most studies on noise or light pollution to date have focused on single stressor impacts, studying both pollutants in isolation despite their high spatial and temporal co-occurrence. However, few studies have addressed their combined impact, known as multisensory pollution, with the specific aim to assess whether the interaction between noise and light pollution leads to predictable, additive effects, or less predictable, synergistic or antagonistic effects. We carried out a systematic review of research investigating multisensory pollution and found 28 studies that simultaneously assessed the impact of anthropogenic noise and ALAN on animal function (e.g., behavior, morphology or life-history), physiology (e.g., stress, oxidative, or immune status), or population demography (e.g., abundance or species richness). Only fifteen of these studies specifically tested for possible interactive effects when both sensory pollutants were combined. Four out of eight experimental studies revealed a significant interaction effect, in contrast to only three out seven observational studies. We discuss the benefits and limitations of experimental vs. observational studies addressing multisensory pollution and call for more specific testing of the diverse ways in which noise and light pollution can interact to affect wildlife.

Does artificial light at night change the impact of silver nanoparticles on microbial decomposers and leaf litter decomposition in streams?

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 1728-1739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaozhong Pu ◽  
Danjuan Zeng ◽  
Ling Mo ◽  
Wen He ◽  
Longwu Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Litter Decomposition ◽  
Leaf Litter Decomposition ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
The Impact

The negative effect of AgNP on leaf litter decomposition was alleviated by artificial light at night (ALAN).

scholarly journals Experimental illumination of natural habitat—an experimental set-up to assess the direct and indirect ecological consequences of artificial light of different spectral composition

2015 ◽  
Vol 370 (1667) ◽  
pp. 20140129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamiel Spoelstra ◽  
Roy H. A. van Grunsven ◽  
Maurice Donners ◽  
Phillip Gienapp ◽  
Martinus E. Huigens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Spectral Composition ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Impact

Artificial night-time illumination of natural habitats has increased dramatically over the past few decades. Generally, studies that assess the impact of artificial light on various species in the wild make use of existing illumination and are therefore correlative. Moreover, studies mostly focus on short-term consequences at the individual level, rather than long-term consequences at the population and community level—thereby ignoring possible unknown cascading effects in ecosystems. The recent change to LED lighting has opened up the exciting possibility to use light with a custom spectral composition, thereby potentially reducing the negative impact of artificial light. We describe here a large-scale, ecosystem-wide study where we experimentally illuminate forest-edge habitat with different spectral composition, replicated eight times. Monitoring of species is being performed according to rigid protocols, in part using a citizen-science-based approach, and automated where possible. Simultaneously, we specifically look at alterations in behaviour, such as changes in activity, and daily and seasonal timing. In our set-up, we have so far observed that experimental lights facilitate foraging activity of pipistrelle bats, suppress activity of wood mice and have effects on birds at the community level, which vary with spectral composition. Thus far, we have not observed effects on moth populations, but these and many other effects may surface only after a longer period of time.

scholarly journals Using novel methodologies to examine the impact of artificial light at night on the cortisol stress response in dispersing Atlantic salmon (Salmo salarL.) fry

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. cov051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhian C. Newman ◽  
Tim Ellis ◽  
Phil I. Davison ◽  
Mark J. Ives ◽  
Rob J. Thomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Response ◽  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals The impact of streetlights on an aquatic invasive species: Artificial light at night alters signal crayfish behaviour

2016 ◽  
Vol 176 ◽  
pp. 143-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Rhidian Thomas ◽  
Joanna James ◽  
Rhian Claire Newman ◽  
William D. Riley ◽  
Siân W. Griffiths ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Aquatic Invasive Species ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
Signal Crayfish ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Chronic exposure to dim light at night suppresses immune responses in Siberian hamsters

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 468-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy A. Bedrosian ◽  
Laura K. Fonken ◽  
James C. Walton ◽  
Randy J. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Delayed Type Hypersensitivity ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Siberian Hamsters ◽  
Survival And Reproduction ◽  
The Impact

Species have been adapted to specific niches optimizing survival and reproduction; however, urbanization by humans has dramatically altered natural habitats. Artificial light at night (LAN), termed ‘light pollution’, is an often overlooked, yet increasing disruptor of habitats, which perturbs physiological processes that rely on precise light information. For example, LAN alters the timing of reproduction and activity in some species, which decreases the odds of successful breeding and increases the threat of predation for these individuals, leading to reduced fitness. LAN also suppresses immune function, an important proxy for survival. To investigate the impact of LAN in a species naive to light pollution in its native habitat, immune function was examined in Siberian hamsters derived from wild-caught stock. After four weeks exposure to dim LAN, immune responses to three different challenges were assessed: (i) delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), (ii) lipopolysaccharide-induced fever, and (iii) bactericide activity of blood. LAN suppressed DTH response and reduced bactericide activity of blood after lipopolysaccharide treatment, in addition to altering daily patterns of locomotor activity, suggesting that human encroachment on habitats via night-time lighting may inadvertently compromise immune function and ultimately fitness.

scholarly journals Wavelength-dependent effects of artificial light at night on phytoplankton growth and community structure

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Diamantopoulou ◽  
Eleni Christoforou ◽  
Davide M. Dominoni ◽  
Eirini Kaiserli ◽  
Jakub Czyzewski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Studies ◽  
Red Light ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Light Sources ◽  
Primary Producers ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
Dark Control ◽  
Terrestrial Habitats ◽  
The Impact

AbstractArtificial light at night (ALAN) is increasingly recognised as a disruptive form of environmental pollution, impacting many physiological and behavioural processes that may scale up to population and community-level effects. Mounting evidence from animal studies show that the severity and type of the impact depends on the wavelength and intensity of ALAN. This knowledge has been instrumental for informing policy-making and planning for wildlife-friendly illumination. However, most of this evidence comes from terrestrial habitats, while research testing alternative wavelength illumination in marine environments is lagging behind. In this study we investigated the effect of such alternative ALAN colours on marine primary producers. Specifically, we tested the effect of green, red, and natural white LED illumination at night, compared to a dark control, on the growth of a green microalgae as well as the biomass, diversity and composition of a phytoplankton assemblage. Our findings show that green ALAN boosted chlorophyll production at the exponential growth stage, resulting in higher biomass production in the green algae Tetraselmis suesica. All ALAN wavelengths affected the biomass and diversity of the assemblage with the red and green ALAN having the stronger effects, leading to higher overall abundance and selective dominance of specific diatom species compared to white ALAN and the dark control.SynthesisOur work indicates that the wavelength of artificial light sources in marine areas should be carefully considered in management and conservation plans. In particular, green and red light should be used with caution in coastal areas, where there might be a need to strike a balance between the strong effects of green and red light on marine primary producers with the benefit they bring to other organisms.

scholarly journals Effect of artificial light at night on sleep and metabolism in weaver birds

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANUPAMA YADAV ◽  
RAJ KUMAR ◽  
JYOTI TIWARI ◽  
VAIBHAV VAISH ◽  
SHALIE MALIK ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Acute Exposure ◽  
Plasma Metabolites ◽  
Past Century ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Behavioral Alterations ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
Acute And Chronic Exposure ◽  
The Impact

Artificial light at night is constantly minimizing the span of dark nights' from the natural light-dark cycle of earth. Over the past century, the 'lightscape' of earth has completely changed owing to technological advancements which subsequently changed the lifestyle of human as well as nearby animal species. This motivated the present study, wherein we investigated the impact of light light at night (LAN) on behavior and physiology of a diurnal passerine finch,baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus). A group of bird (N=10) exposed to 12L:12D photoperiod was initially subjected to dark nights (0 lux) for a period of 10 days followed by 5 lux; night light for a span of 4 weeks. First week in LAN served as acute treatment with respect to fourth week (chronic). Acute exposure had more pronounced impact on the behavioral and physiological observations when compared with chronic treatment. The results reveal significant increase in nighttime activity, sleep loss, significant inclusion of drowsiness behavior during the day in response to LAN. Besides these behavioral alterations, changes in physiological parameters such as; reduction in body mass, loss of gradient between pre and post-prandial blood glucose levels, elevation in plasma corticosterone levels were more prominent during acute exposure of LAN. Plasma metabolites such as triglycerides, total protein, SGOT and creatinine concentrations also hiked in response to LAN treatment. Thus, the study broadly enumerates the impact of acute and chronic exposure of LAN on behavior and physiology of birds.

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