Journal articles on the topic 'Ecological Niche Factor Analysis'
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1
Pettorelli, N., A. Hilborn, F. Broekhuis, and S. M. Durant. "Exploring habitat use by cheetahs using ecological niche factor analysis." Journal of Zoology 277, no. 2 (February 2009): 141–48. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2008.00522.x.
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Yorkina, Nadia, Katerina Maslikova, Olga Kunah, and Olexandr Zhukov. "ANALYSIS OF THE SPATIAL ORGANIZATION OF VALLONIA PULCHELLA (MULLER, 1774) ECOLOGICAL NICHE IN TECHNOSOLS (NIKOPOL MANGANESE ORE BASIN, UKRAINE)." Ecologica Montenegrina 17 (April 4, 2018): 29–45. http://dx.doi.org/10.37828/em.2018.17.5.
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The ecological niche of Vallonia pulchella (Muller, 1774) was investigated by means of the general factor analysis of GNESFA. It was revealed that the ecological niche of a micromollusk is determined by both edaphic factors and ecological features of vegetation. Ecological niche optima may be presented by integral variables such as marginality and specialization axes and may be plotted in geographic space. The spatial distribution of the Vallonia pulchella habitat suitability index (HSI) within the Technosols (sod-lithogenic soils on red-brown clays) is shown, which allows predicting the optimal conditions for the existence of the species.
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Afonin*, A. N., Yu Yu Kulakova, and Yu A. Fedorova. "Environmental niche modelling as tool for pest risk assessment." PLANT PROTECTION NEWS 104, no. 1 (April 19, 2021): 40–52. http://dx.doi.org/10.31993/2308-6459-2021-104-1-14422.
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The article reviews the concept and technology of pest risk assessment for the spread of quarantine species based on ecological and geographical analysis and ecological niche modeling. Using a quarantine species Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq. as an example, we calculated the ecological requirements of the species. The main ecological factors limiting the spread of I. hederacea were determined and the ecological amplitudes of the species in relation to each factor limiting its distribution were quantitatively estimated. We identified ecologically suitable habitats and compiled a map of the ecological-geographical niche of the species using specially created environmental maps based on the obtained data of the ecological limits of the species. Using the map of the ecological-geographical niche, the I. hederacea distribution risk in the regions of the Russian Federation was estimated. Similar maps can be used for basis of quantitative as well as targeted risk assessment of penetration and establishment of harmful organisms. Obtained information will be useful to compile lists of quarantine species, estimate the potential areas of geographic distribution of pests into Russian Federation, and make decisions for introduction of effective phytosanitary measures to prevent the penetration of these invasive organisms. It can also be used as the basis for organizing and conducting phytosanitary monitoring in the Russian Federation.
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Xuezhi, Wang, Xu Weihua, Ouyang Zhiyun, Liu Jianguo, Xiao Yi, Chen Youping, Zhao Lianjun, and Huang Junzhong. "Application of ecological-niche factor analysis in habitat assessment of giant pandas." Acta Ecologica Sinica 28, no. 2 (February 2008): 821–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s1872-2032(08)60030-x.
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Triolo, Stefano, Daniela Campobello, and Maurizio Sarà. "Diurnal habitat suitability for a Mediterranean steppeland bird, identified by Ecological Niche Factor Analysis." Wildlife Research 38, no. 2 (2011): 152. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr10185.
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Context The negative effects of agricultural intensification and policies, use of pesticides, fertilisers and mechanised harvesting on several populations of pseudo-steppe birds have increasingly required more detailed and effective habitat suitability models. Distribution models of farmland species are prone to incur recordings of false absence data. Ecological Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA) allows identification of environmental predictors of species distribution by using presence data only. Aims We quantified the diurnal habitat preferences and niche width of one steppe species, the stone curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus), with unfavourable conservations status in a Mediterranean area and reclassified a map with respect to habitat suitability classes according to the resulting distribution model. Methods Ecological Niche Factor Analysis was used with GIS cartography customised with habitat and anthropogenic variables recorded during field surveys carried out in four study plots (~500 ha) and at different spatial scales. Key results The stone curlew selected areas with low vegetation cover, such as fields following artichoke harvesting and tillage, close to rural buildings and unpaved roads. In contrast, the stone curlew avoided areas with high vegetation cover and areas highly disturbed by human-induced fires. The occurrence of natural vegetation was neither preferred nor avoided. The most robust model was based on a large-scale analysis (200 m from the bird location points), according to which the optimal area for stone curlew distribution during its breeding season was restricted to 1% of the entire study area. Conclusions Two uncorrelated factors, ‘marginality’ and ‘tolerance’, described the stone curlew’s niche in the area. The first index indicated selection for habitats that were marginal with respect to those available in the area, whereas the second indicated a species with a medium–wide environmental niche. In particular, the stone curlew occupied a much more restricted niche (low tolerance) in relation to individual variables. The use of customised databases at a large scale of analysis was found to more effectively reveal ecological requirements of this marginal and specialised species. Implications Our results allowed us to indicate practical land management actions for the stone curlew, such as prevention of human-induced fires and increase of pastoral activities. Our results indicated a potentially positive role of little-disturbed service roads along rural buildings in stone curlew distribution, which warrants further research. In addition, studies are needed to verify the presence of an ecological trap in artichoke fields, their preferred habitat. As we showed for the stone curlew, niche analyses conducted at a large scale using customised databases could greatly improve habitat suitability models of farmland species.
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Basille, Mathieu, Clément Calenge, Éric Marboutin, Reidar Andersen, and Jean-Michel Gaillard. "Assessing habitat selection using multivariate statistics: Some refinements of the ecological-niche factor analysis." Ecological Modelling 211, no. 1-2 (February 2008): 233–40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2007.09.006.
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Hirzel, A. H., J. Hausser, D. Chessel, and N. Perrin. "ECOLOGICAL-NICHE FACTOR ANALYSIS: HOW TO COMPUTE HABITAT-SUITABILITY MAPS WITHOUT ABSENCE DATA?" Ecology 83, no. 7 (July 2002): 2027–36. http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/0012-9658(2002)083[2027:enfaht]2.0.co;2.
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Zhukov, O. V., D. V. Kovalenko, S. S. Kramarenko, and A. S. Kramarenko. "Analysis of the spatial distribution of the ecological niche of the land snail Brephulopsis cylindrica (Stylommatophora, Enidae) in technosols." Biosystems Diversity 27, no. 1 (March 10, 2019): 62–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.15421/011910.
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The aim of our work is to describe the ecological niche of the land snail Brephulopsis cylindrica (Menke, 1828) in terms of the edaphic properties and properties of the vegetation cover and to show the spatial features of the variation of the habitat preference index within the artificial soil body – technosols (soddy-lithogenic soils on loess-like clays) using the ecological niche factor analysis (ENFA). The research was carried out at the Research Centre of the Dnipro Agrarian and Economic University in Pokrov. Sampling was carried out on a variant of artificial soil (technozems) formed on loess-like clays. The test site where the sampling was conducted consists of 7 transects of 15 samples each. Test points form a regular grid with a mesh size of 3 m. Soil mechanical impedance, aggregate-size distribution, soil electrical conductivity, vegetation physiognomic characteristics, and Didukh phytoindication scales were used as ecogeographic predictors of the mollusc’s ecological niche properties. Phytoindication assessment indicates that the technosol ecological regimes are favourable for sub-mesophytes, hemi-hydrocontrastophiles, neutrophiles, semi-eutrophs. The test for statistical significance showed that an axis of marginality of the ecological niche of B. cylindrica and axes of specialization are significantly different from the random distribution. We found that the ecological niche of the mollusc is determined by both edaphic factors and ecological features of vegetation. The marginality of B. cylindrica ecological niche over the entire period of study is determined mainly by preferences for physiognomic vegetation types, higher values of the continentality and thermality regimes. Often greater content in the soil of aggregates 1–3 mm in size coincides with greater numbers of B. cylindrica individuals. Individuals of this species avoid physiognomic type III and areas with higher soil alkalinity and mineralization detected both by means of the phytoindication approach and soil electrical conductivity data. Ecological niche optima may be presented by integral variables such as marginality and specialization axes and plotted in geographic space. The spatial distribution of the B. cylindrica habitat suitability index (HSI) within the technosols is shown, which makes it possible to predict the optimal conditions for the existence of the species.
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Carrascal, Luis M., Eulalia Moreno, and Ingrid M. Mozetich. "Ecological plasticity of morphological design: an experimental analysis with tit species." Canadian Journal of Zoology 73, no. 11 (November 1, 1995): 2005–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z95-236.
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To determine whether behavioural plasticity in foraging modes is contingent upon the morphology of the species, we analyzed the variability in frequency of use of foraging postures (standing versus hanging) under the selection pressure of predation risk. We studied the leg morphology of two contrasting tit species (Blue Tit, Parus caeruleus, and Crested Tit, P. cristatus). Results demonstrated that the leg morphology of the Blue Tit provides it with greater ecological plasticity in terms of foraging posture than that of the Crested Tit. Observed interspecific differences in ecological plasticity are not attributable to interspecific differences in morphological variability (between individuals within species). The morphofunctional bases of ecological plasticity in foraging posture are discussed. Morphological design may be considered an important factor in explaining niche width and potential for niche shifts, as morphology might determine the range of ecological "space" within which a species is allowed to move. The same niche shift in different species could represent different costs when morphological constraints are considered in relation to behavioural performance.
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Praca, E., and A. Gannier. "Ecological niche of three teuthophageous odontocetes in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea." Ocean Science Discussions 4, no. 5 (October 10, 2007): 785–815. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/osd-4-785-2007.
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Abstract. In the northwestern Mediterranean Sea, sperm whales, pilot whales and Risso's dolphins prey on cephalopods exclusively or preferentially. In order to evaluate their competition, we modelled their habitat suitability with the Ecological Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA) and compared their ecological niche using a discriminant analysis. We used a long term (1995–2005) small boat data set, with visual and acoustic (sperm whale) detections. Risso's dolphin had the shallowest and the more spatially restricted principal habitat, mainly located on the upper part of the continental slope (640 m mean depth). With a wider principal habitat, at 1750 m depth in average, the sperm whale used a deeper part of the slope as well as close offshore waters. Finally, the pilot whale has the most oceanic habitat (2500 m mean depth) mainly located in the central Ligurian Sea and Provençal basin. Therefore, potential competition for food between these species may be reduced by the differentiation of their ecological niches.
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Zimaroeva, А. A., O. V. Zhukov, and O. L. Ponomarenko. "Determining Spatial Parameters of the Ecological Niche of Parus Major (Passeriformes, Paridae) on the Base of Remote Sensing Data." Vestnik Zoologii 50, no. 3 (June 1, 2016): 251–58. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/vzoo-2016-0029.
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Abstract Using factor analysis of ecological niches, we found that Parus major has high marginality to such ecogeographical variables (EGVs), as normalized difference vegetation index, the altitude above sea level, the diffuse insolation, activity of chlorophyll, normalized difference water index. This species is highly specialized in relation to various vegetation indices. Based on the type of habitat preference map, we found that Parus major doesn’t implement all its potential pro-spatial niche. Considering the ecological niche of great tit on different levels of scale, we noticed certain features: first, a list of factors that influence the distribution of great tit significantly altered by changing the scale, secondly, the factors that play a significant role in spreading Parus major on level of total consideration losing their weight and relevance on closer inspection (when the scale down); third, although specialization of great tits changes with the scale of consideration but Parus major mostly specialized by vegetation index.
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Kolanowska, Marta, Katarzyna Mystkowska, Marta Kras, Magdalena Dudek, and Kamil Konowalik. "Evolution of the climatic tolerance and postglacial range changes of the most primitive orchids (Apostasioideae) within Sundaland, Wallacea and Sahul." PeerJ 4 (August 31, 2016): e2384. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.2384.
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The location of possible glacial refugia of six Apostasioideae representatives is estimated based on ecological niche modeling analysis. The distribution of their suitable niches during the last glacial maximum (LGM) is compared with their current potential and documented geographical ranges. The climatic factors limiting the studied species occurrences are evaluated and the niche overlap between the studied orchids is assessed and discussed. The predicted niche occupancy profiles and reconstruction of ancestral climatic tolerances suggest high level of phylogenetic niche conservatism within Apostasioideae.
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Valle, Mireia, Ángel Borja, Guillem Chust, Ibon Galparsoro, and Joxe Mikel Garmendia. "Modelling suitable estuarine habitats for Zostera noltii, using Ecological Niche Factor Analysis and Bathymetric LiDAR." Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 94, no. 2 (August 2011): 144–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2011.05.031.
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Wiryani, Erry, and Murningsih Murningsih. "Local community’s perspective on the current state and management of “Sendang Kalimah Toyyibah” Spring." NICHE Journal of Tropical Biology 1, no. 2 (November 22, 2018): 13. http://dx.doi.org/10.14710/niche.1.2.13-18.
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“Sendang Kalimah Toyyibah” is important spring with socio cultural value. However, the increasing activity might cause ecological changes which may affect the sustainability. This research aimed to study the condition of “Sendang Kalimah Toyyibah” based on local society’s perspective to analyze the correlation of the condition toward the management policies, and to formulate the management strategy for sustainable management of the spring. The research was conducted from April to May 2018, through field observation. The research instrument used was questionnaire with three level of likert scale measurement. Data analysis was conducted by descriptive and statistical analysis with correlation and crosstabulation. The result showed that most of the respondents agreed that the spring has changed in the last 5 years. The local factor related to the change of the spring is the development of facilities. However, the change of the spring was not followed by the change of ecological condition, such as reduced debit, decreased water quality and decreased forest coverage. The current management of “Sendang Kalimah Toyyibah” was limitation of exploitation. However, currently there is no replantation effort or development of preservation area even though some respondents suggested that some plants species is no loger found in the spring ecosystem. Suggested management plan included plantation of the spring surrounding to increase plants density and diversity.
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Sowig, P. "Niche separation in coprophagous beetles: a comparison of two multivariate approaches." Bulletin of Entomological Research 87, no. 6 (December 1997): 625–31. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0007485300038724.
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AbstractCoprophagous beetles (endocoprid and paracoprid Scarabaeidae, Hydrophilidae, and Staphylinidae) were extracted from 698 sheep droppings from a pasture in southwest Germany. To quantify the pairwise niche overlap of these species, pairwise discriminant function analysis was used to calculate the overlap of the discriminant distributions in a four-dimensional niche space. Niche separation was studied considering the following four factors: season (month) and macrohabitat when and where the dropping was deposited, dropping size, and water content of the dropping. Multiple discriminant function analysis was used to describe the distribution of species in a space defined by four discriminant functions. The first discriminant function was mostly influenced by the factor ‘season’. The importance of different factors for niche separation in different functional groupings of dung beetles is compared with results from the literature. Advantages and disadvantages of pairwise and multiple discriminant function analysis, and univariate evaluation methods are compared. The following problems and restrictions of discriminant function analyses are emphasized: (i) the usage of non-numerical variables; (ii) the calculation of niche breadths; (iii) failures, when bimodally distributed variables are considered; and (iv) the ecological interpretation of statistical significances.
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Kolanowska, Marta, Elżbieta Grochocka, and Kamil Konowalik. "Phylogenetic climatic niche conservatism and evolution of climatic suitability in Neotropical Angraecinae (Vandeae, Orchidaceae) and their closest African relatives." PeerJ 5 (May 16, 2017): e3328. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3328.
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In the present study we investigate the concept of phylogenetic niche conservatism (PNC) within the American species of angraecoid orchids (Campylocentrum and Dendrophylax) and their closest relatives in the Old World (Angraecum) using ecological niche modelling (ENM). The predicted niche occupancy profiles were matched with the outcomes of previous phylogenetic studies to reconstruct the evolution of climatic suitability within the orchid group studied and evaluate the role of niche differentiation in the speciation of Angraecinae. No correlation between preferred niches and taxonomic relationships within the orchid group studied was revealed. The climatic suitability of the majority of the species overlapped each other, either fully or partially. This pattern is also present in the species of other orchid genera. Our research confirms a significant level of PNC in Orchidaceae, even within taxa exhibiting a transatlantic disjunction. The analysis of the evolution of climatic suitability indicated that the adaptation to various climatic conditions is not a factor that has driven speciation within orchids studied.
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POPOVA, Natalia Valentinovna, and Tatiana Anatolieva TRIFONOVA. "ANALYSIS OF ECOLOGICAL NICHES OF ORGANIC HORIZONS IN VARIOUS PHYTOCENOSIS-SOIL ECOSYSTEMS." Periódico Tchê Química 16, no. 31 (January 20, 2019): 503–16. http://dx.doi.org/10.52571/ptq.v16.n31.2020.509_periodico31_pgs_503_516.pdf.
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The resistance of ground ecosystems to climatic influences is largely determined by the soil cover condition, where the organogenic horizon (ground litter) plays a crucial role. The interaction between vegetative waste and micro- and meso-organisms is regulated by temperature, humidity, physicochemical parameters of the environment, which altogether form an ecological niche of such an organogenic horizon. This paper aims to analyze the formation of ground organogenic horizons in various combinations of bio-climatic factors (ecological niches) and hence identify their association with soil-phytocenotic communities – various ground ecosystems. The study used the following methods: expert assessments, mapping, geographic forecasting, mathematical methods (correlation, dispersion, regression analysis, information-statistical method for assessing the intercomponent conjugacy of phenomena and factors), taxonomic method for categorizing the ground ecological niches. The quantitative parameters of soil-climatic factors (amount of ground litter, t/ha, active temperatures above 10 °C, precipitation ratio, redox potential, mV) that affect formation and development of ground organic horizons, were assessed. Four types of ecological niches formed in various ecosystems of the Earth were identified. The findings can be useful for a comparative analysis of the functioning of various ground ecosystems, the choice of methods for their rehabilitation and forecasting of their evolution in changing climate.
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Costa, H., V. Medeiros, E. B. Azevedo, and L. Silva. "Evaluating ecological-niche factor analysis as a modelling tool for environmental weed management in island systems." Weed Research 53, no. 3 (March 15, 2013): 221–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/wre.12017.
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Zamani, N., M. GHandali, W. Zamani, J. Mousavi, and SH Karami. "Modeling of Iranian Cheetah Habitat using Ecological Niche Factor Analysis (Case Study: Dare Anjir Wildlife Refuge)." Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology 4, no. 14 (March 1, 2016): 1–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.18869/acadpub.ijae.4.14.1.
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Koshy, M., Robert F. Inger, H. B. Shaffer, and R. Bakde. "Ecological structure of a herpetological assemblage in South India." Amphibia-Reptilia 8, no. 3 (1987): 189–202. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156853887x00234.
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AbstractWe collected detailed microhabitat information on 1460 specimens comprising 52 species of amphibians and reptiles from a small area of tropical evergreen forest in South India. Although most individuals were found in non-riparian situations, the number caught in and along streams was higher than expected on the basis of collecting effort. Very few animals were caught under logs and rocks. When niche breadth values are corrected for variation in sample size, we find no correlation between magnitude of niche breadth and general habitat usage, such as terrestriality vs. arboreality. A cluster analysis of 28 common species using niche overlap values reveals one group of 6 terrestrial species with very high niche overlap values and high co-occurrence within collecting sorties; this group probably represents a genuine terrestrial guild. Another set of 4 terrestrial species is peripherally associated with the first 6, whereas the remaining species show generally low overlap values. Altitudinal restriction is an almost ubiquitous feature of the distribution of species in this fauna, with distinct groups of low (below 300 m), intermediate (300-399 m), and high altitude (above 399 m) taxa roughly corresponding to major shifts in forest types. At a broader level of analysis, we find considerable evidence for local endemism within partially isolated hill ranges in the Western Ghats, suggesting that geographic isolation may be an important contributing factor to the diversity of the South Indian herpetofauna.
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D’Addario, Maristella, Octavio Monroy-Vilchis, Martha M. Zarco-González, and Dídac Santos-Fita. "Potential distribution of Aquila chrysaetos in Mexico: Implications for conservation." Avian Biology Research 12, no. 1 (January 1, 2019): 33–41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1758155918823424.
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The golden eagle ( Aquila chrysaetos) has been poorly studied in Mexico. Even though it is listed as threatened in this country, partly because of habitat fragmentation and direct persecution, little is known of its distribution. We assessed the potential distribution of this species in Mexico using ecological niche modelling (ecological niche factor analysis, artificial neural network, genetic algorithm for rule-set production, environmental distance, support vector machine, MaxEnt) and the weighted average ensemble method. The models were evaluated using the area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristics. We applied a threshold of 50% probability to obtain high-suitability areas and considered marginality and specialization calculated by ecological niche factor analysis and the most important variables to the model. We assessed and evaluated the percentage of high-suitability area occurring in all Mexican natural protected areas. The performance of the ensemble model was high (area under the curve = 0.93) and the most important variables contributing to the model were grasslands and tree cover percentage. The resulting high-suitability area is considerably fragmented, it comprises 16% of the country and just 8% of it is located in natural protected areas. We propose some urgent actions and conservation measures to face the main problems that are threatening the species in Mexico.
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Yang, S., T. Pan, X. Wang, Y. Sun, Y. Zhang, C. Zhao, Y. Gai, Z. Wang, and H. Zhang. "Dominant aquatic species and their hydrological niches in freshwater ecosystems in a developing city." Marine and Freshwater Research 70, no. 5 (2019): 615. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/mf18336.
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Maintenance of appropriate hydrological niches is crucial to aquatic organisms. This study identified keystone species using the Ecopath with Ecosim food web model for hydrological niche analysis in Jinan City, the first pilot city of the Water Ecological Civilisation Project in China. The niche breadth of keystone species was analysed using Levins’ breadth model. Results revealed 35 keystone species in the aquatic ecosystems of Jinan City, including 5 phytoplankton, 7 zooplankton, 9 zoobenthos and 14 fish species. Streamflow was the most important hydrological factor affecting the phytoplankton, zooplankton, zoobenthos and fish communities in the study area, and excess variation in streamflow had an adverse effect on the normal evolution of the four biotic communities. We found that: (1) higher trophic levels in the food web contained more keystone species in the corresponding community; (2) carbon is an important element constraining the food web structure, and the magnitude of its effect on energy flow determines the degree of importance of the keystone species in the food web; and (3) changes to the survey season and at the spatiotemporal scale will have strong effects on the results of hydrological niche analysis and, to reduce these effects, it will be important to lengthen the spatial and temporal scales to cover both dry and flood seasons in the future. These results may provide an important basis for decision making regarding ecological scheduling and remediation of rivers in the study area, and potentially regions worldwide, thus facilitating aquatic ecological remediation and sustainable water resource management.
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Praca, E., and A. Gannier. "Ecological niches of three teuthophageous odontocetes in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea." Ocean Science 4, no. 1 (February 7, 2008): 49–59. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/os-4-49-2008.
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Abstract. In the northwestern Mediterranean Sea, sperm whales, pilot whales and Risso's dolphins prey exclusively or preferentially on cephalopods. In order to evaluate their competition, we modelled their habitat suitability with the Ecological Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA) and compared their ecological niches using a discriminant analysis. We used a long term (1995–2005) small boat data set, with visual and acoustic (sperm whale) detections. Risso's dolphin had the shallowest and the more spatially restricted principal habitat, mainly located on the upper part of the continental slope (640 m mean depth). With a wider principal habitat, at 1750 m depth in average, the sperm whale used a deeper part of the slope as well as the closest offshore waters. Finally, the pilot whale has the most oceanic habitat (2500 m mean depth) mainly located in the central Ligurian Sea and Provençal basin. Therefore, potential competition for food between these species may be reduced by the differentiation of their habitats.
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Wang, Yan, Mei Han, and Xue Hui Zhang. "The Niche Vision of the Development of Higher Education for the Deaf in China." Advanced Materials Research 860-863 (December 2013): 2987–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.860-863.2987.
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The development of higher education for the deaf has always been concerned by countries , many scholars have carried out analysis and research from different aspects.The paper from a new Angle of view about the ecological niche theory, illustrate the relationship between ecological niche theory and the development of higher education for the deaf in China, and the ability to adapt to ,improve ability and possess ability as the three important ecological factors in the development of higher education of the deaf.
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Galparsoro, Ibon, Ángel Borja, Juan Bald, Pedro Liria, and Guillem Chust. "Predicting suitable habitat for the European lobster (Homarus gammarus), on the Basque continental shelf (Bay of Biscay), using Ecological-Niche Factor Analysis." Ecological Modelling 220, no. 4 (February 2009): 556–67. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2008.11.003.
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Moyo, Sydney, Hayat Bennadji, Danielle Laguaite, Anna A. Pérez-Umphrey, Allison M. Snider, Andrea Bonisoli-Alquati, Jill A. Olin, et al. "Stable isotope analyses identify trophic niche partitioning between sympatric terrestrial vertebrates in coastal saltmarshes with differing oiling histories." PeerJ 9 (July 16, 2021): e11392. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11392.
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Bioindicator species are commonly used as proxies to help identify the ecological effects of oil spills and other stressors. However, the utility of taxa as bioindicators is dependent on understanding their trophic niche and life history characteristics, as these factors mediate their ecological responses. Seaside sparrows (Ammospiza maritima) and marsh rice rats (Oryzomys palustris) are two ubiquitous terrestrial vertebrates that are thought to be bioindicators of oil spills in saltmarsh ecosystems. To improve the utility of these omnivorous taxa as bioindicators, we used carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis to quantify their trophic niches at saltmarshes in coastal Louisiana with differing oiling histories. We found that rats generally had lower trophic positions and incorporated more aquatic prey relative to seaside sparrows. The range of resources used (i.e.,trophic niche width) varied based on oiling history. Seaside sparrows had wider trophic niches than marsh rice rats at unoiled sites, but not at oiled sites. Trophic niche widths of conspecifics were less consistent at oiled sites, although marsh rice rats at oiled sites had wider trophic niches than rats at unoiled sites. These results suggest that past oiling histories may have imparted subtle, yet differing effects on the foraging ecology of these two co-occurring species. However, the temporal lag between initial oiling and our study makes identifying the ultimate drivers of differences between oiled and unoiled sites challenging. Even so, our findings provide a baseline quantification of the trophic niches of sympatric seaside sparrows and marsh rice rats that will aid in the use of these species as indicators of oiling and other environmental stressors in saltmarsh ecosystems.
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Yang, S., X. Pan, C. Sun, S. Shang, C. Zhang, C. S. Zhao, B. Dong, and Z. Zhang. "Analysing the ecological niche of water quality of key species in the aquatic ecosystem in Jinan City." Marine and Freshwater Research 70, no. 5 (2019): 656. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/mf18339.
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The construction of hydrogeological cities in China has attracted attention from researchers worldwide. This study surveyed the major urban hydroecological river channels and selected 59 stations for hydroecological field sampling. The Ecopath model was used to screen for key river species, and niche analysis was performed to study the niche breadth and overlap between the key species and water quality factors. Sixteen key fish species were screened out; Pseudorasbora parva had the highest niche breadth (2.952). Of the 16 screened key species, Carassius auratus had the largest niche overlap (11.977). Seven key zooplankton species were screened out. Phryganella nidulus had the highest niche breadth (2.070). Of the seven screened key species, P. hemisphaerica had the largest niche overlap (9.065). Of the nine screened key species, Bithynia fuchsiana had the largest niche overlap. These findings provide a reliable theoretical basis for ecological restoration, and serve as a methodological reference for sustainable water resources management.
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Wagner, Hermann, and Harald Luksch. "Effect of Ecological Pressures on Brains: Examples from Avian Neuroethology and General Meanings." Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C 53, no. 7-8 (August 1, 1998): 560–81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/znc-1998-7-810.
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Abstract Comparative neuroethological research emphasizes that brains of animals have been shaped by the specific demands and constraints imposed by the ecological niche that a species occupies. Since avian species have developed very diverse life styles and occupy extreme ecological niches, bird brains should show many specializations, which may be revealed in species that have survived under high ecological pressures. In this paper, we will give several examples of adaptations, in which we are able to correlate structural and physiological specializations to the specific ecological demands: adaptations found to nocturnal hunting in barn owls, the characteristics of bird song and its underlying neurobiological correlates, retinopetal projections and their relation to peripheral attentional switching, looming detection, and adaptations related to memory capacities of food-storing birds. We stress especially that the analysis of the animal’s ecological situation is important in understanding the factors that shaped both behavior and the neuronal substrate.
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Oviedo, Lenin. "Dolphin sympatric ecology in a tropical fjord: habitat partitioning by bathymetry and topography as a strategy to coexist." Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 87, no. 5 (October 2007): 1327–35. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0025315407056366.
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Sympatric species need to avoid pervasive competition to counter its suppressor effects. Dietary divergence and habitat partitioning are strategies for coexistence. Golfo Dulce is a tropical fjord located in the southern Pacific waters of Costa Rica. This embayment is characterized by the mixture of neritic and oceanic-like features. Sympatric populations of spotted and bottlenose dolphins share this particular marine ecosystem. To analyse the means of coexistence among both dolphin populations, an approach using the marginality and specialization indices of ecological niche factor analysis was used to establish separation between realized niches of both species. Habitat partitioning is sustained by difference in habitat use; bathymetry and topography separated both species' ecological niches. Dietary divergence could not be concluded because of lack of accurate dietary information. Nevertheless, it is likely to be separated by consumption of demersal prey by Tursiops truncatus, and pelagic prey by Stenella attenuata, accordingly with the differences in habitat use. Golfo Dulce could be perceived as an area of conservation importance: a geographical unit considered to contain special conservation values for both dolphin species.
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Sun, Jiancai, Yonghui Li, Deting Deng, Sha Yang, Yukun Wu, and Huilan Shi. "Niche analysis of dominant species in alpine desert grassland communities in Qaidam Basin." E3S Web of Conferences 257 (2021): 03021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202125703021.
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Community dominant plants and their ecological niche research is the focus of community ecology research. To explore the niche characteristics of desert dominant plants and the relationship between them and soil factors in Qaidam Basin, and to provide a basis for the construction of desert plant communities and the sustainable management of natural resources in Qaidam Basin. Taking 13 desert plant communities in Qaidam Basin, Qinghai Province as the research objects, this paper analyzed the characteristics of desert plant communities and dominant species based on soil physical and chemical properties, and calculated the niche width and niche overlap of dominant plants. The dominant plants are, Haloxylon ammodendron, Tamarix chinensis, Achnatherum splendens, Poacynum hendersonii, Reaumuria songonica, Phragmites australiss, Sympegma regelii, and Ajania Tenuifolia, Artemisia sphaerocephala, Ceratoides latens, Pearl russianthistle, Scirpustriquter. There were different degree of niche overlap among species in the community. In addition, CCA sequencing showed that different species had different requirements on the environment, and the distribution of dominant species was mainly affected by soil total nitrogen and soil organic matter.
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WINCK, GISELE R., FABIO HATANO, DAVOR VRCIBRADIC, MONIQUE VAN SLUYS, and CARLOS F. D. ROCHA. "Lizard assemblage from a sand dune habitat from southeastern Brazil: a niche overlap analysis." Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências 88, suppl 1 (April 29, 2016): 677–87. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765201620150335.
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ABSTRACT Communities are structured by interactions of historical and ecological factors, which influence the use of different resources in time and space. We acquired data on time of activity, microhabitat use and diet of a lizard assemblage from a sand dune habitat in a coastal area, southeastern Brazil (Restinga de Jurubatiba). We analyzed the data of niche overlap among species in these three axes (temporal, spatial and trophic) using null models. We found a significant overlap within the trophic niche, whereas the overlap for the other axes did not differ from the expected. Based on this result, we discuss the factors acting on the structure of the local lizard community.
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GURGEL-GONÇALVES, RODRIGO, and REINALDA BANDEIRA SILVA. "Analysis of the geographical distribution of Psammolestes Bergroth (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) in South America, with new records of Psammolestes tertius Lent & Jurberg." Zootaxa 2033, no. 1 (March 11, 2009): 41–48. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.2033.1.4.
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The genus Psammolestes is comprised of three recognized Rhodniini species: P. arthuri, P. coreodes, and P. tertius. The geographical distribution of these triatomines in South America was analyzed using ecological niche modeling. Additionally, temperature, precipitation, and altitude limits for these species were estimated. The genetic algorithm for rule-set production (GARP) was applied to predict their geographical distribution. The models used were able to predict, with high probabilities, the occurrence of P. tertius in open woodlands of South America (mainly Cerrado and Caatinga ecoregions), making it the Psammolestes species with the widest distribution. P. arthuri presented a discontinuous potential distribution covering the Venezuelan Llanos and southeastern/southwestern fringes of Amazonia. P. coreodes presented the southernmost area of distribution, occurring mainly in the Argentinean Chaco. The models also support potential areas of co-occurrence for P. tertius and P. coreodes in southwestern Brazil. Clear ecological niche differences were observed for the three species: while P. arthuri occurred in warm and humid areas, P. coreodes occupied the driest and coldest areas. P. tertius presented intermediate climatological limits and occurred in the highest altitudes. Although climatic factors may determine the triatomine distribution, biotic factors, such as the association with thornbirds (Phacellodomus), may also influence the geographical distribution of Psammolestes species. Finally, this study confirms the usefulness of ecological niche modeling as a tool for studies on biogeographical aspects of triatomines.
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Ponomarenko, Olexander, Myhaylo Banik, and Olexander Zhukov. "Assessing Habitat Suitability for the Common Pochard, Aythya Ferina (Anseriformes, Anatidae) at different Spatial Scales in Orel’ River Valley, Ukraine." Ekológia (Bratislava) 40, no. 2 (June 1, 2021): 154–62. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/eko-2021-0018.
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Abstract The habitat suitability for the Common Pochard, a duck species in decline, was studied in the middle reaches of the Orel’ River, Central Ukraine, in 2015–2017. The ducks were counted on their breeding grounds with the use of the ground survey technique. The positions of individual birds were estimated by GPS and plotted on the Google Earth map. The Ecological Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA) was applied to assess the habitat suitability. Sentinel-2 image was used to extract 13 ecogeographical variables and to get two measures of the ecological niche (marginality and specialization). The ENFA procedure was applied twice at landscape and sub-landscape levels to describe the habitat selection across sequential spatial scales. Both the axes of marginality and specialization of the ecological niche of the species proved to be significantly different from the random alternatives. At landscape level, the distribution may be predicted with the use of Aerosol/Coastal, Vegetation and Hydrothermal Composite indices (marginality) and Modified Normalized Difference Water (MNDW) Index along with several vegetation indices (specialization). At sub-landscape level, MNDW played a crucial role. The importance of MNDW is mediated by the preference for the wetlands with the stretches of open water which are used by the ducks to initiate flight safely and to optimize diving possibilities. The ENFA is a reliable tool for the assessment of the habitat suitability and for setting the conservation priorities for the Common Pochard.
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Verma, Sanjeev. "Niche level segmentation of green consumers." South Asian Journal of Business Studies 6, no. 3 (October 2, 2017): 274–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/sajbs-05-2016-0040.
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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to find the niche segmentation of green consumers as a solution to psychographic or demographic predicament. Age cohort and generational cohort (Gen Y and Gen Z) of young consumers are studied for individualization and customization. Design/methodology/approach Age cohorts (Gen Z and Gen Y customers) have their unique needs. Both Gen Y (1981-1995) and Gen Z (post-1995) belong to the young consumer segment in the age group of 20-30 years but their generational cohorts are different. Strategic marketing advocates both generational marketing based on age cohorts and segmented marketing for young consumers. Strategic marketing faces cross-road between youth segmentation and generational cohort (Gen Z and Gen Y) due to intersection between the two during the 20-30 age group. Primary data using the ecological conscious consumer behavior (ECCB) scale was collected and analyzed for understanding the individual and relative importance of psychographic and demographic factors in influencing green behavior. The traditional youth segment is sliced into four sub-groups (Young Nest 1-4), and their interaction effect with post hoc analysis was done for the identification of sources of difference between different age cohorts. The findings of the study were compared with previous studies and unique contributions of this study were identified. Findings The findings indicate multiple niche young segments with demographic as the primary criterion and psychographic as the building block. Niche level and individual level segments emerge due to the interaction of various factors within a given age cohort. The findings confirm the identity development process which considered age as an important factor that affects varying choices throughout life from adolescence to adulthood. Practical implications The findings of this study may be used for effective targeting and positioning strategy of green marketing. In the time of analytics, age cohorts and generational cohort of young consumers can be approached differently for yielding better environmental results. The magnified niche level segmentation of young consumers may be used to develop individualized and customized promotions for young customers in Young Nest 1-4 for an enhanced ECCB. Originality/value Previous studies have focused more on consumer characteristics (demographic or psychographic) and their relative importance but niche level segmentation within given demographic segment was not attempted before. This study is unique in offering microscopic analysis of age cohorts of young consumers (Young Nest 1-4) and their interaction with other demographic variables (gender and income) for niche level segmentation.
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Wang, Xiao Hong, Ya Jing Liu, and Li Na Guo. "The Invasive Species Risk Assessment and Prediction System Based on GIS." Applied Mechanics and Materials 675-677 (October 2014): 1052–57. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.675-677.1052.
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With the international economic and trade exchanges, biological invasion has become an important factor in the threat of biological diversity and ecological environment. In order to prevent and control exotic species invasion, using of GIS-based geospatial technology to the potential distribution of invasive species risk assessment can provide the basis for ecological management of invasive alien species better, thus reducing the economic losses due to invasive alien species caused to our country. To this point, the study had done a secondary development based on ArcGIS Engine component. It used niche model to analysis and study potential suitable distribution of alien pests in China, conduct a risk assessment to them. The receiver operating characteristic curve was applied to access the prediction accuracy Analyzed the impact of the distribution of invasive alien species` main environmental variables. It provided a theoretical basis for ecological management of invasive alien species.
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Korzhenevsky, V. V., Yu V. Plugatar, Yu V. Korzhenevskaya, and A. A. Abramenkov. "Regenerative niche Malva alcea L. in the Crimean mountains." Plant Biology and Horticulture: theory, innovation, no. 154 (October 21, 2020): 7–22. http://dx.doi.org/10.36305/2712-7788-2020-1-154-7-22.
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The issue of the presence of a regenerative niche Malva alcea, recently discovered on the Ai-Petrinskaya Yila, is being discussed. This species is typical polycarpic grass, rooted, hemicryptophytes with summer-green vegetation type, entomogamous, barohor with generative propagation. The range of Malva alcea covers almost the whole of Europe, includingGreat Britain; it is also found inNorth America. To obtain an ambiguous answer, we used the original program for calculating the packing density of community species on gradients of factor conditions and resource factors: (illumination-shading, thermal mode, ombro mode, cryo mode, continentality, moistening, variability of moisture, substrate acidity, salt regime (anionic composition), carbonate content, nitrogen content, granulometric (mechanical) composition (porosity) of the substrate). Most often, the species can be found in the syntaxons included in the class - Onopordetea acanthii subsp. acanthii Braun-Blanquet 1964 em. Julve 1993, order - Onopordetalia acanthii subsp. acanthii Braun-Blanquet & Tüxen 1943 em. Görs 1966, union - Onopordion acanthii subsp. acanthii Braun-Blanquet 1936, which summarize the thermophilic ruderal communities of tall weed species. Based on the analysis results, it can be stated that the introduced species successfully occupied its ecological niche due to the successful differentiation of its fundamental niche into the realized niche of the existing plant community, as well as due to the availability of free resources in the ecotope, as evidenced by the negative value of the excess coefficient of the packing density curve.
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Jin, Wei-Tao, David S. Gernandt, Christian Wehenkel, Xiao-Mei Xia, Xiao-Xin Wei, and Xiao-Quan Wang. "Phylogenomic and ecological analyses reveal the spatiotemporal evolution of global pines." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 118, no. 20 (May 3, 2021): e2022302118. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2022302118.
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How coniferous forests evolved in the Northern Hemisphere remains largely unknown. Unlike most groups of organisms that generally follow a latitudinal diversity gradient, most conifer species in the Northern Hemisphere are distributed in mountainous areas at middle latitudes. It is of great interest to know whether the midlatitude region has been an evolutionary cradle or museum for conifers and how evolutionary and ecological factors have driven their spatiotemporal evolution. Here, we investigated the macroevolution of Pinus, the largest conifer genus and characteristic of northern temperate coniferous forests, based on nearly complete species sampling. Using 1,662 genes from transcriptome sequences, we reconstructed a robust species phylogeny and reestimated divergence times of global pines. We found that ∼90% of extant pine species originated in the Miocene in sharp contrast to the ancient origin of Pinus, indicating a Neogene rediversification. Surprisingly, species at middle latitudes are much older than those at other latitudes. This finding, coupled with net diversification rate analysis, indicates that the midlatitude region has provided an evolutionary museum for global pines. Analyses of 31 environmental variables, together with a comparison of evolutionary rates of niche and phenotypic traits with a net diversification rate, found that topography played a primary role in pine diversification, and the aridity index was decisive for the niche rate shift. Moreover, fire has forced diversification and adaptive evolution of Pinus. Our study highlights the importance of integrating phylogenomic and ecological approaches to address evolution of biological groups at the global scale.
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Camp, Carlos D., Jessica A. Wooten, Sean P. Graham, and Thomas K. Pauley. "Ecological limits to local species richness in Dusky Salamanders (genus Desmognathus)." Canadian Journal of Zoology 95, no. 1 (January 2017): 31–39. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2016-0071.
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Species richness commonly varies with elevation, but in many montane regions, the greatest number of species occurs at mid-elevations. A recent regional analysis showed this pattern in Appalachian salamanders of the genus Desmognathus Baird, 1850. The authors proposed that the phylogenetic niche conservatism of these salamanders causes species to accumulate at intermediate elevations, which are characterized by the ancestral climate for the genus. They further suggested that physiological tolerances limit dispersal into higher or lower elevations. We tested this hypothesis using geographic information systems (GIS) based analysis of 235 local Desmognathus communities. Consistent with the regional analysis, local species richness was greatest at mid-elevations. However, the number of species is not limited by physiological tolerances but appears to be restricted ecologically by climate variables favoring aridity, as well as by biotic factors. Whether such ecological limits on species richness at the local level influences richness across regions or evolutionary clades remains to be tested.
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De los Ríos-Escalante, Patricio, and Andrés Mansilla. "On the geographic distribution of Boeckella brevicaudata (Brady, 1875) (Copepoda, Calanoida) and its species associations in seasonal ephemeral pools in the Magallanes region (53°S, Chile)." Crustaceana 87, no. 5 (2014): 540–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/15685403-00003308.
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The distribution of crustaceans of inland waters in southern Patagonia is characterized by the presence of sub-Antarctic and southern South American species. The aims of the present study were to study the geographical distribution of the calanoid copepod Boeckella brevicaudata (Brady, 1875) and the community structure of the zooplankton assemblages in which this species occurs. This last purpose was approached by applying null-models analyses based on species co-occurrence and niche-sharing. The species itself inhabits sub-Antarctic islands as well as southern South America. The results of the co-occurrence null model analysis revealed that the communities with this species have no regulating factors, whereas the niche overlap null model analysis revealed that these species share the same ecological niche. We thus found low abundances for all species, with specifically low B. brevicaudata abundance, at low mineral contents of the water. The results obtained were similar among sites in southern Argentinean and southern Chilean Patagonia, and on sub-Antarctic islands of which data were available.
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Korzhenevsky, V. V., A. A. Abramenkov, and A. A. Kvitnitskaya. "The realized niche is Agropyron dasyanthum Ledeb. in the dune landscape of the Crimea." Plant Biology and Horticulture: theory, innovation, no. 156 (December 31, 2020): 79–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.36305/2712-7788-2020-3-156-79-97.
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The realized niche of the community, which is part of the association Astragalo borysthenici-Ephedsretum Korzh. et Klyukin 1990 (union Verbascion pinnatifidi Korzh. et Klukin 1990, order Festucetalia vaginatae Soo 1957, class Festucetea vaginatae Soo 1968 em Vicherek 1972) described on a leaning dune, is discussed. Its composition is dominated by polycarpic grasses, represented by ephemerals and ephemeroids with a semi-rosette type of vegetation and a deep taproot system. An attempt has been made to predict the survival of the species found in Agropyron dasyanthum Ledeb., known as the endemic of the Lower Dnieper sands. To assess the ecological structure of the realized niche of the phytocenosis and the correspondence to it of the potential niche of fluffy flowering wheatgrass, an original program for calculating the packing density of community species on the gradients of factor-conditions and factor-resources was used: acidity of the substrate, salt regime (anionic composition), carbonate content, nitrogen content, granulometric (mechanical) composition (porosity) of the substrate). The result of the analysis was an unambiguous conclusion that Agropyron dasyanthum Ledeb. in the new conditions of the shell-detritus substrate, it ideally fit into the conditions of the climatope and, more or less, into the structure of the edaphotope. The real threat to the community is theanthropogenic impact and loss of productivity in the Sea of Azov.
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Mytsyk, L. P. "Terminological niche of scientific concept and its dynamics (on the example of ecological and botanical names)." Ecology and Noospherology 27, no. 3-4 (October 25, 2016): 117–27. http://dx.doi.org/10.15421/031620.
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On the example of the concepts of «lawn», «phytocoenosis», «ecology» outlines the general laws of the gradual transformation of foreign-language professional word in the scientific term. It is proposed the following definition of the latter concepts. Ecology is a science about relationships of an organism or community of organisms with environmental factors (natural and anthropogenic). The process of formation of a new term, its approval as a full and irreplaceable in the professional language as well as the accuracy and appropriateness of the use will be more clear and expressive, if they come from an analysis of the concept of niche terminology. These words («terminological niche») is called a set of practical and scientific factors that provide or may provide a normal appearance and communicative functioning of the term. Under «normal functioning» of the term we mean the state of its constant use in any style and genre of contemporary normative language understood by the reader according to the signified concept. The proposed understanding of the terminological niche allows in readable position to see the rule that each term pass through the following stages of its development. 1. Free terminological niche stage. At this time, there is no any name of the material or intellectual object (object, phenomenon, point of view, and so on) after the formation of it in reality or in the mind of the author. Between the cause (the appearance of the object) and the effect (the formation of its name), there is a time gap that exists within minutes, but can last for years. 2. Stage of filling the free terminological niche (formation of the term). This time is characterized, among other things, by the existence of professional words mostly as synonymous new object names with their «desire» to leave (as a result of competitive relations of different professional words) to the level of a full indispensable term within the normative language and the specific term system. At the beginning of this stage of professional words (the term precursors) can be used in the narrow circle of specialists or be banned. This is the primary latent (hidden) state of the term. 3. The stage completely filled a niche – during the maturity of the term, its stay at the height of the functional capacity, the situation is universal acceptance of relevant specific of the term designated of its concept. 4. Step regressive niche is time of regression, degradation of the term, which is manifested, among other things, to homonymy, secondary synonymy, reducing in the frequency of use of the term in written and oral texts. 5. Stage of dead niche. The situation is of exhaustion factors that ensure the normal funtioning of the term and the lack of its use in texts. The ability to save the historical meaning of the term indicates the presence of a secondary latent niche. The adjustments in the above-proposed scheme can make cases of return the names of the past and rename concepts. It is shown that the terms are characterized by emotional and expressive component at all stages of their existence. The intensity of expression varies from a minimum periodic manifestations to the maximum expressiveness, which can significantly distort the content of the concept, as is often the case with the term «ecology».
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Espindola, Sayra, Juan L. Parra, and Ella Vázquez-Domínguez. "Fundamental niche unfilling and potential invasion risk of the slider turtle Trachemys scripta." PeerJ 7 (October 17, 2019): e7923. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7923.
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Background How species colonize new environments is still a fundamental question in ecology and evolution, assessable by evaluating range characteristics of invasive species. Here we propose a model approach to evaluate environmental conditions and species features to predict niche changes in non-equilibrium contexts. It incorporates potentially range-limiting processes (fundamental niche), hence allowing for better predictions of range shifts, differentiation of analog and non-analog conditions between the native and non-native (invaded) ranges, and identification of environmental conditions not currently available but likely in the future. We apply our approach with the worldwide invasive slider-turtle Trachemys scripta. Methods We estimated the native and non-native realized niches of T. scripta and built its fundamental niche based on key features of the turtle’s temperature physiological tolerance limits and survival-associated factors. We next estimated response functions adjusted to the physiological predictor variables and estimated habitat suitability values, followed by a comprehensive set of analyses and simulations to compare the environmental conditions occupied by T. scripta (at its native and non-native ranges). Results Climatic space analysis showed that the T. scripta’s non-native realized niche is 28.6% greater than the native one. Response curves showed that it does not use its entire range of temperature tolerances (density curves for native: 5.3–23.7 °C and non-native: 1.7–28.4 °C ranges). Whether considering the mean temperature of the warmest or the coldest quarter, it occupies a wider range of temperatures along its non-native distribution. Results of the response curves for worldwide (global) and across Mexico (regional) comparisons showed it occupies analog and non-analog conditions between its native and invaded ranges, exhibiting also unoccupied suitable climatic conditions. Discussion We demonstrate that T. scripta occupies a wider subset of its fundamental niche along its non-native range (within its physiological tolerances), revealing that the species observed niche shift corresponds to a different subset of its fundamental niche (niche unfilling). We also identified suitable environmental conditions, globally and regionally, where the slider turtle could potentially invade. Our approach allows to accurately predict niche changes in novel or non-equilibrium contexts, which can improve our understanding about ecological aspects and geographic range boundaries in current and potential invasions.
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Chiatante, Gianpasquale. "Heterospecific social attraction in migrant birds: habitat niche overlap between two threatened shrikes." Wildlife Research 46, no. 1 (2019): 25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr18031.
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Context Effective biodiversity conservation requires information about a species’ ecology and its relationship with the geographical context. To achieve this efficiently, species distribution models can be developed, also taking into account species associations. Aims I aimed to illustrate the habitat requirements of two threatened passerines of semi-open landscapes, i.e. the lesser grey shrike, Lanius minor, and the woodchat shrike, Lanius senator, in southern Italy. Further, I assessed whether there is heterospecific social attraction between them, by assessing how their habitat niches overlap. Methods Data were collected by territory mapping during the 2009–13 breeding seasons. The habitat requirements of the species were investigated with the help of ecological niche factor analysis (ENFA). In addition, the areas of sympatry between the two species were defined by indicator kriging and the habitat niche overlap was analysed using the generalised linear model (GLM). Key results The results showed that these two species inhabit open areas, with scattered vegetation such as shrubs and trees, while avoiding intensively cultivated permanent crops, such as vineyards and olive groves. Moreover, a little difference was observed in the percentage cover of shrublands, which were higher in the woodchat shrike territories than in the lesser grey ones. The strong overlap in their habitat niches suggests heterospecific social attraction between them, especially because of the species rarity. Conclusions The lesser grey and the woodchat shrike were found to occur in very similar environments, by evidencing the overlap of their macrohabitat niches. This suggests the presence of heterospecific social attraction, corroborating the understudied hypothesis that this phenomenon is valid for migrant birds as well. The lesser grey shrike, in particular, may use occurrences of the woodchat shrike as a cue for assessing habitat quality and, thus, to establish its territory. Implications Considering the high habitat niche overlap, habitat changes occurring in the landscape might affect them equally. Furthermore, the use of heterospecific social information in habitat selection potentially has many important conservation implications. Indeed, by reproducing the appropriate information, birds could be attracted to specific sites known to be high-quality habitat.
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MOTA-VARGAS, CLAUDIO, OCTAVIO R. ROJAS-SOTO, CARLOS LARA, CITLALLI CASTILLO-GUEVARA, and CLAUDIA BALLESTEROS-BARRERA. "Geographic and ecological analysis of the Bearded Wood Partridge Dendrortyx barbatus: some insights on its conservation status." Bird Conservation International 23, no. 3 (July 12, 2012): 371–85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0959270912000329.
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SummaryDelimiting the distribution of a species is a complex task because many determining factors are difficult to assess in the field. This is important because distribution is a key factor in the decision-making process for conservation. One example is the Bearded Wood Partridge Dendrortyx barbatus, a species endemic to the temperate forests of the Sierra Madre Oriental (SMO) mountain range in Mexico. Lack of knowledge of its distribution has generated confusion over the assignment of the correct risk category. With the aim of predicting the distribution area of the Bearded Wood Partridge and contributing to strategies for its conservation, we updated and extended the knowledge of its distribution by modelling its ecological niche using GARP and MaxEnt algorithms. We also analysed its environmental distribution using principal components analysis, and contrasted the two most important environmental variables with the species’s distribution based on vegetation type. We found that the area potentially occupied by this species covers 17,956 km2 according to GARP and 12,974 km2 according to MaxEnt. We suggest that there is a biogeographic barrier which limits the distribution of this species in the southern part of its range. The abiotic variables that best explain its distribution are average annual precipitation and elevation, both of which coincide well with the distribution of cloud forest. A redefinition of the current range as recognised by IUCN is proposed along with the need to change its national risk category.
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Muñoz, Alberto, Xavier Santos, and Ángel M. Felicísimo. "Local-scale models reveal ecological niche variability in amphibian and reptile communities from two contrasting biogeographic regions." PeerJ 4 (October 6, 2016): e2405. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.2405.
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Ecological Niche Models (ENMs) are widely used to describe how environmental factors influence species distribution. Modelling at a local scale, compared to a large scale within a high environmental gradient, can improve our understanding of ecological species niches. The main goal of this study is to assess and compare the contribution of environmental variables to amphibian and reptile ENMs in two Spanish national parks located in contrasting biogeographic regions, i.e., the Mediterranean and the Atlantic area. The ENMs were built with maximum entropy modelling using 11 environmental variables in each territory. The contributions of these variables to the models were analysed and classified using various statistical procedures (Mann–WhitneyUtests, Principal Components Analysis and General Linear Models). Distance to the hydrological network was consistently the most relevant variable for both parks and taxonomic classes. Topographic variables (i.e., slope and altitude) were the second most predictive variables, followed by climatic variables. Differences in variable contribution were observed between parks and taxonomic classes. Variables related to water availability had the larger contribution to the models in the Mediterranean park, while topography variables were decisive in the Atlantic park. Specific response curves to environmental variables were in accordance with the biogeographic affinity of species (Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean species) and taxonomy (amphibians and reptiles). Interestingly, these results were observed for species located in both parks, particularly those situated at their range limits. Our findings show that ecological niche models built at local scale reveal differences in habitat preferences within a wide environmental gradient. Therefore, modelling at local scales rather than assuming large-scale models could be preferable for the establishment of conservation strategies for herptile species in natural parks.
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Barinova, Sophia, Moti Tavassi, and Eviatar Nevo. "Algal communities of the Hadera River (Israel) under dramatic niche changes." Open Life Sciences 5, no. 4 (August 1, 2010): 507–21. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/s11535-010-0033-1.
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AbstractThe Hadera River is the most polluted among the Mediterranean coastal rivers of Israel due to abundant E. coli, high concentrations of heavy metals and nutrients, and high temperatures. In 2003–2008 we found 191 species of algae and cyanobacteria belonging to seven taxonomic divisions. The upper reaches were dominated by cyanobacteria and exhibited levels of toxic pollution. Downstream, the ecological niches of algal communities dramatically changed: upper stream diversity first increased and then decreased due to the influx of rainwater in the tidal zone during winter. On one hand, seasonal dynamics show that in winter, inorganic contamination was reduced because of dilution by the influx of rainwater, but, on the other hand, organic pollution increased from agriculture. Down the river, diversity increases and the community composition undergoes considerable change. In summer, algal blooms indicate a reduction of stress and aid in the river’s self-purification. The WESI indices and RPI show steady year-round stressful conditions for algal photosynthesis with increasing instability in the river. Perpetuation of the current situation would disturb the self-purification capacity of the river ecosystem through destruction of biotic components. Statistical analysis (CCA) reveals the impact of wastewater as the most important stress factor for the Hadera River ecosystem, which is an exceptionally strong example of self-purification.
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Mulligan, Roisín C., and L. Dennis Gignac. "Bryophyte community structure in a boreal poor fen: reciprocal transplants." Canadian Journal of Botany 79, no. 4 (April 1, 2001): 404–11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/b01-013.
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The ability of four boreal bryophytes (Sphagnum angustifolium (C. Jens ex Russ.), Sphagnum fuscum (Schimp.) Klinggr., Sphagnum magellanicum Brid., and Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt.) to live in each others' habitats was examined in a 1-year reciprocal transplant experiment conducted in a poor fen peatland in northern Alberta, Canada. Growth in length was determined by measuring increase in shoot length, and growth in dry weight was determined by subtracting final dry weight from initial predicted dry weight. Species tolerance ranges, which approximate to fundamental niches, were determined by the significant differences in growth among the species. Stepwise regression analyses indicated that depth to water was the most important factor for all species except S. fuscum. Pleurozium schreberi exhibited the narrowest potential distribution, indicating that its present distribution is likely the result of habitat limitation. Although S. magellanicum and S. angustifolium exhibited wide potential ecological amplitude, the distributions of these species are partially limited by habitat. Sphagnum fuscum was able to grow in all habitats, and its distribution is not limited by any of the habitat factors measured.Key words: peatland, moss, community structure, Sphagnum, Pleurozium schreberi, niche.
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Li, Fangru, Shang Wang, Qing He, Wenhui Zhang, Dongyi Guo, Yidi Zhang, Wanming Hai, Yuxuan Sun, Hailiang Dong, and Weiguo Hou. "Minerals Determined a Special Ecological Niche and Selectively Enriched Microbial Species from Bulk Water Communities in Hot Springs." Microorganisms 9, no. 5 (May 10, 2021): 1020. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9051020.
Full textAbstract:
Minerals provide physical niches and supply nutrients or serve as electron donors/acceptors for microorganism survival and growth, and thus minerals and microbes co-evolved. Yet, little is known about how sediment minerals impact microbial community assembly in hot springs and to what extent mineralogical composition influences microbial community composition and diversity. Here the influences of minerals on thermophiles in Tengchong hot springs were revealed by network analysis of field samples, as well as in-situ microcosm experiments with minerals. A molecular ecological network was constructed based on high throughput sequencing data of 16S rRNA gene, with a combination of water geochemistry and sedimentary mineralogical compositions. Six modules were identified and this highly modular network structure represents the microbial preference to different abiotic factors, consequently resulting in niche partitioning in sedimentary communities in hot springs. Diverse mineralogical compositions generated special niches for microbial species. Subsequently, the in-situ microcosm experiments with four minerals (aragonite, albite, K-feldspar, and quartz) and spring water were conducted in a silicate-hosted alkaline spring (i.e., Gmq) and a carbonate-hosted neutral hot spring (i.e., Gxs) for 70 days. Different microbial preferences were observed among different mineral types (carbonate versus silicate). Aragonite microcosms in Gmq spring enriched archaeal genera Sulfophobococcus and Aeropyrum within the order Desulfurococcales by comparison with both in-situ water and silicate microcosms. Sulfophobococcus was also accumulated in Gxs aragonite microcosms, but the contribution to overall dissimilarity is much lower than that in Gmq spring. Besides, Caldimicrobium was a bacterial genus enriched in Gxs aragonite microcosms, in contrast to in-situ water and silicate microcosms, whereas Candidatus Kryptobacter and Thermus were more abundant in silicate microcosms. The differences in microbial accumulations among different mineral types in the same spring implied that mineral chemistry may exert extra deterministic selective pressure in drawing certain species from the bulk water communities, in addition to stochastic absorption on mineral surface. Taken together, our results highlight the special niche partitioning determined by mineralogical compositions and further confirm that minerals could be used as “fishing bait” to enrich certain rare microbial species.
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Gebru, Belay Manjur, Sonam Wangyel Wang, Sea Jin Kim, and Woo-Kyun Lee. "Socio-Ecological Niche and Factors Affecting Agroforestry Practice Adoption in Different Agroecologies of Southern Tigray, Ethiopia." Sustainability 11, no. 13 (July 8, 2019): 3729. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su11133729.
Full textAbstract:
This study was carried out in the southern zone of Tigray to identify and characterize traditional common agroforestry practices and understand the existing knowledge of farm households on the management of trees under different agroforestry in different agroecologies. We conducted reconnaissance and diagnostic surveys by systematically and randomly selecting 147 farming households in the three agroecologies of the study area. A logit regression model was employed to determine how these factors influence farmers’ adoption decision. The findings indicate that a majority of the households (46.3%) were engaged in homestead agroforestry practices (AFP), followed by live fence (25.9%) and farmland or parkland (15%) agroforestry practices. The study identified Carica papaya, Malus domestic, Persea americana, Mangifera indica, Ziziphus spina-christi, and Balanites aegyptiaca as the most dominant fruit tree species found in the home garden agroforestry. In total, 68% of the households had some of these fruit trees around their home gardens. We also established the three most dominant agricultural production systems as: i) Agricultural production system, composed of fruit tree + cereal crops + Ziziphus spina-christi + Balanites aegyptiaca and/or acacia species; ii) agricultural production system, consisting of cash crops, like Coffee arabica and Catha edulies + fruit trees + Cordia africana + Balanites aegyptiaca and/or acacia species; and iii) agricultural production, composed of fruit trees + vegetables within a boundary of Sesbania sesban and other acacia species in the modern irrigated land. Furthermore, 90.16% of the households in the highlands reported a shortage of farmland for planting trees as the main constraint. About 34.44% farmers reported using leaves of Cordia africana, Balanites aegyptiaca, pods of acacia species, and crop residue as the main source of animal fodder. In total, 86.4% of the households also recognized the importance of multipurpose trees for soil fertility enhancement, control of runoff, microclimate amelioration, environmental protection, and dry season animal fodder. According to the logit model analysis, sex, family size, educational level, and landholding significantly (p < 0.05) influence the household’s role in the adoption of agroforestry practices. Based on these findings, farmers used different adaptation strategies, such as planting of multi-purpose trees (34.7%), conservation tillage to minimize both erosion and runoff potentials as soil conservation strategies (27.2%), varying planting dates, use of drought tolerant crop varieties (16.3%), and others based on farmers’ indigenous knowledge passed down from generation to generation. We conclude that agroforestry practices are important components of farming systems in Tigray, resulting in diversified products and ecological benefits that improve socio-ecological resilience. Therefore, we recommend that agroforestry practices are mainstreamed into development plans, especially in agriculture.
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Lisón, F., Haz A., and J. F. Calvo. "Preferencia de hábitat del murciélago hortelano meridional Eptesicus isabellinus (Temminck, 1840) en ambientes mediterráneos semiáridos." Animal Biodiversity and Conservation 37, no. 1 (June 2014): 59–67. http://dx.doi.org/10.32800/abc.2014.37.0059.
Full textAbstract:
Several molecular studies have recently reported the presence of a second species of the genus Eptesicus in the Iberian peninsula, the meridional serotine bat, E. isabellinus. This species is present in the south of Iberia and it seems to have an allopatric distribution with its twin species, E. serotinus. Ecological studies are now needed to understand the biology of E. isabellinus in southeast Spain. In this study, we used presence–only data for E. isabellinus to perform an ecological niche factor analysis (ENFA) and to create a habitat suitability map (HSM). Our results show that the species has a low marginality index, suggesting it is well adapted to the semiarid conditions of the study area. The main habitats used by E. isabellinus are water courses, scrublands, and zones with high primary productivity. The species avoids non–irrigated cropland and shows no preference for human settlements or irrigated cropland. This study provides information about the ecology of E. isabellinus in southeast Spain and allows us to discuss relevant aspects for its conservation.