temperature, desiccation, and species performance trends
... successfully colonize and persist under harsh conditions [14]. The results of our study also have practical applications. Environmental stress is one of the most important factors determining species performance and community organization [4, 18, 26]. Thus, being able to accurately quantify stress i ...
... successfully colonize and persist under harsh conditions [14]. The results of our study also have practical applications. Environmental stress is one of the most important factors determining species performance and community organization [4, 18, 26]. Thus, being able to accurately quantify stress i ...
Is There a Latitudinal Gradient in the Importance of Biotic Interactions?
... might result in faster adaptation and speciation. In temperate populations, he proposed that the primary selective pressures are abiotic factors, which vary in space and time but do not evolve. Furthermore, stochastic changes in community composition following geographic isolation could promote rapi ...
... might result in faster adaptation and speciation. In temperate populations, he proposed that the primary selective pressures are abiotic factors, which vary in space and time but do not evolve. Furthermore, stochastic changes in community composition following geographic isolation could promote rapi ...
Linking relative growth rates to biomass allocation
... (Poorter, 1989; Poorter et al., 1990; Villar et al., 1998; Ryser & Wahl, 2001; Ruiz-Robleto & Villar, 2005). This makes it an important issue in ecology to scale up from the properties of individual species to ecosystem processes. At the species level, the RGR is closely correlated with the trade-of ...
... (Poorter, 1989; Poorter et al., 1990; Villar et al., 1998; Ryser & Wahl, 2001; Ruiz-Robleto & Villar, 2005). This makes it an important issue in ecology to scale up from the properties of individual species to ecosystem processes. At the species level, the RGR is closely correlated with the trade-of ...
Community-weighted mean traits but not functional
... CWM-LA, CWM-SLA, and CWM-LDMC had positive correlations with soil readily available nutrients (available nitrogen, AN; available phosphorus, AP), but negative correlations with total soil nutrients (soil organic carbon is SOC, ...
... CWM-LA, CWM-SLA, and CWM-LDMC had positive correlations with soil readily available nutrients (available nitrogen, AN; available phosphorus, AP), but negative correlations with total soil nutrients (soil organic carbon is SOC, ...
Using Artificial Selection to Understand Plastic Plant Phenotypes1
... take advantage of favorable conditions. This factorial field study also provided estimates of across-environment genetic correlations for fitness, predicted to be negative across contrasting environments: e.g., the presumably most stressful and least competitive (full sun, low density) as compared w ...
... take advantage of favorable conditions. This factorial field study also provided estimates of across-environment genetic correlations for fitness, predicted to be negative across contrasting environments: e.g., the presumably most stressful and least competitive (full sun, low density) as compared w ...
Environmental responses, not species interactions
... Theory identifies three main determinants of species synchrony: environmental stochasticity, demographic stochasticity, and interspecific interactions (Loreau and de Mazancourt 2008, 2013, Gonzalez and Loreau 2009). For example, in a community composed of large populations (no demographic stochastic ...
... Theory identifies three main determinants of species synchrony: environmental stochasticity, demographic stochasticity, and interspecific interactions (Loreau and de Mazancourt 2008, 2013, Gonzalez and Loreau 2009). For example, in a community composed of large populations (no demographic stochastic ...
Crop domestication, global human-mediated migration, and the
... 2015a). Insect herbivores typically perform better on agricultural plants than on wild ancestors, due to reductions in secondary compounds during crop domestication (Harvey et al., 2007; Rodriguez-Saona et al., 2011; Dávila-Flores et al., 2013; Szczepaniec et al., 2013; Turcotte et al., 2014). Crop ...
... 2015a). Insect herbivores typically perform better on agricultural plants than on wild ancestors, due to reductions in secondary compounds during crop domestication (Harvey et al., 2007; Rodriguez-Saona et al., 2011; Dávila-Flores et al., 2013; Szczepaniec et al., 2013; Turcotte et al., 2014). Crop ...
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRODUCTIVITY AND SPECIES
... of existing functional groups. Lawton (102) proposed a model in which species may have strong, idiosyncratic effects on ecosystems. If this is the case, there is no predictable effect of species richness per se on ecosystem function. However, if the properties or functional traits of individual spec ...
... of existing functional groups. Lawton (102) proposed a model in which species may have strong, idiosyncratic effects on ecosystems. If this is the case, there is no predictable effect of species richness per se on ecosystem function. However, if the properties or functional traits of individual spec ...
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRODUCTIVITY AND SPECIES
... of existing functional groups. Lawton (102) proposed a model in which species may have strong, idiosyncratic effects on ecosystems. If this is the case, there is no predictable effect of species richness per se on ecosystem function. However, if the properties or functional traits of individual spec ...
... of existing functional groups. Lawton (102) proposed a model in which species may have strong, idiosyncratic effects on ecosystems. If this is the case, there is no predictable effect of species richness per se on ecosystem function. However, if the properties or functional traits of individual spec ...
spatial variation in molluscan assemblages from coralline turfs of
... (Hoffman, Nunez & Piccolo, 1997), and there is a large tidal range (between 4 and 9 m). Wave exposure of these shores varied from sheltered (Piedras Coloradas, Punta Mejillón and Punta Ameghino), medium exposure (Puerto Lobos and Bahı́a Camarones) to relatively exposed (Punta Ninfas, Comodoro Rivad ...
... (Hoffman, Nunez & Piccolo, 1997), and there is a large tidal range (between 4 and 9 m). Wave exposure of these shores varied from sheltered (Piedras Coloradas, Punta Mejillón and Punta Ameghino), medium exposure (Puerto Lobos and Bahı́a Camarones) to relatively exposed (Punta Ninfas, Comodoro Rivad ...
Rapid, landscape scale responses in riparian tundra
... Productive tundra plant communities composed of a variety of fast growing herbaceous and woody plants are likely to attract mammalian herbivores. Such vegetation is likely to respond to different-sized herbivores more rapidly than currently acknowledged from the tundra. Accentuated by currently chan ...
... Productive tundra plant communities composed of a variety of fast growing herbaceous and woody plants are likely to attract mammalian herbivores. Such vegetation is likely to respond to different-sized herbivores more rapidly than currently acknowledged from the tundra. Accentuated by currently chan ...
secondary succession in an experimentally fragmented
... fragmented landscape created in eastern Kansas, USA, in 1984. The design of the experiment permits one to assess the influence of patch size and landscape position on successional dynamics. The general trajectory of succession follows that typical of succession in much of the eastern United States. ...
... fragmented landscape created in eastern Kansas, USA, in 1984. The design of the experiment permits one to assess the influence of patch size and landscape position on successional dynamics. The general trajectory of succession follows that typical of succession in much of the eastern United States. ...
INTRODUCTION
... Extend your thinking: In North America, many top predators, such as wolves, have been driven nearly to extinction. What effect do you think this has on their main prey, deer? Write your answer on a separate sheet, and/or discuss with your classmates and teacher. ...
... Extend your thinking: In North America, many top predators, such as wolves, have been driven nearly to extinction. What effect do you think this has on their main prey, deer? Write your answer on a separate sheet, and/or discuss with your classmates and teacher. ...
Emerging patterns in the comparative analysis of phylogenetic
... employ the methods of null-model analysis of presence– absence matrices (Gotelli 2000). The role of these null models is to randomize the community data so as to remove all (but only) effects of the mechanisms under study (Gotelli & Graves 1996), that is, removing any effect of species identity on c ...
... employ the methods of null-model analysis of presence– absence matrices (Gotelli 2000). The role of these null models is to randomize the community data so as to remove all (but only) effects of the mechanisms under study (Gotelli & Graves 1996), that is, removing any effect of species identity on c ...
Effects of Air Pollution on Ecosystems and Biological Diversity in the
... air pollution is an acknowledged widespread problem, it is rarely considered in conservation planning or management. In this synthesis, the state of scientific knowledge on the effects of air pollution on plants and animals in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States is summari ...
... air pollution is an acknowledged widespread problem, it is rarely considered in conservation planning or management. In this synthesis, the state of scientific knowledge on the effects of air pollution on plants and animals in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States is summari ...
The interaction between habitat conditions, ecosystem
... The literature search yielded approximately 1,700 references that were evaluated for relevance. The final database consisted of approximately 400 references. The focus of the review was terrestrial. Single species autecological studies were generally omitted; the emphasis was placed on studies that ...
... The literature search yielded approximately 1,700 references that were evaluated for relevance. The final database consisted of approximately 400 references. The focus of the review was terrestrial. Single species autecological studies were generally omitted; the emphasis was placed on studies that ...
Understanding Natural Selection: Essential Concepts and Common
... In order to study the operation and effects of natural selection, it is important to have a means of describing and quantifying the relationships between genotype (gene complement), phenotype (physical and behavioral features), survival, and reproduction in particular environments. The concept used ...
... In order to study the operation and effects of natural selection, it is important to have a means of describing and quantifying the relationships between genotype (gene complement), phenotype (physical and behavioral features), survival, and reproduction in particular environments. The concept used ...
Carcasses provide resources not exclusively to scavengers: patterns
... Abstract. Carrion provides energy transfer to food webs as a primary trophic resource for many taxa. Ecological relationships around this pulsed resource are highly complex and are influenced by many factors, including those related to its availability and the management of carcasses by humans. In r ...
... Abstract. Carrion provides energy transfer to food webs as a primary trophic resource for many taxa. Ecological relationships around this pulsed resource are highly complex and are influenced by many factors, including those related to its availability and the management of carcasses by humans. In r ...
Productivity and carbon transfer in pelagic food webs
... the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and carbon (C) cycles. Predicted increases in rainfall and temperature due to climate change, may also increase dissolved organic matter (DOM) inflows to freshwater ecosystems in the boreal zone. N, P, C and light, are essential resources that most often limit phytop ...
... the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and carbon (C) cycles. Predicted increases in rainfall and temperature due to climate change, may also increase dissolved organic matter (DOM) inflows to freshwater ecosystems in the boreal zone. N, P, C and light, are essential resources that most often limit phytop ...
The effect of obligate hyperparasitoids on biological control: Differential
... Abstract : Obligate hyperparasitoids are widely considered an important ecological disturbance to biological control of insect pests, as they develop at the expense of primary parasitoids. However, supporting evidence is largely derived from direct trophic interactions in simple food webs. Yet, a m ...
... Abstract : Obligate hyperparasitoids are widely considered an important ecological disturbance to biological control of insect pests, as they develop at the expense of primary parasitoids. However, supporting evidence is largely derived from direct trophic interactions in simple food webs. Yet, a m ...
Soil community composition and ecosystem processes D. A. NEHER
... or rare, soil communities will approach equilibrium and be dominated by a few taxa that can out-compete all other taxa. However, attainment of steadystate equilibrium in agricultural or natural ecosystems is rare (Richards, 1987). There is little data to support this hypothesis but temporal patterns ...
... or rare, soil communities will approach equilibrium and be dominated by a few taxa that can out-compete all other taxa. However, attainment of steadystate equilibrium in agricultural or natural ecosystems is rare (Richards, 1987). There is little data to support this hypothesis but temporal patterns ...
Lecture V: Natural Selection & Adaptations
... A. Based on Darwin’s observations in the Galapagos: 1. Darwin’s described evolution as descent with modification. -structural or functional changes occur from one group of descendants to the next, and so on. ...
... A. Based on Darwin’s observations in the Galapagos: 1. Darwin’s described evolution as descent with modification. -structural or functional changes occur from one group of descendants to the next, and so on. ...
Integrating spatial and temporal approaches to understanding
... since N increases linearly with spatial scale and S increases less than linearly, the exponent of the SAR is predicted to decline with scale. This prediction successfully describes variation in the SAR across a range of spatial scales in bird and tree communities (Harte et al. 2008, 2009). While max ...
... since N increases linearly with spatial scale and S increases less than linearly, the exponent of the SAR is predicted to decline with scale. This prediction successfully describes variation in the SAR across a range of spatial scales in bird and tree communities (Harte et al. 2008, 2009). While max ...
Neo-Darwinists and Neo-Aristotelians: how to talk about natural
... being explained away or reduced to principles of the non-living matter that form its constituent parts. This paper is concerned with the purposive characteristics of living activity generally, and not with the more obvious purposive nature of conscious human behavior and thought, although this might ...
... being explained away or reduced to principles of the non-living matter that form its constituent parts. This paper is concerned with the purposive characteristics of living activity generally, and not with the more obvious purposive nature of conscious human behavior and thought, although this might ...
Ecology
Ecology (from Greek: οἶκος, ""house""; -λογία, ""study of"") is the scientific analysis and study of interactions among organisms and their environment. It is an interdisciplinary field that includes biology and Earth science. Ecology includes the study of interactions organisms have with each other, other organisms, and with abiotic components of their environment. Topics of interest to ecologists include the diversity, distribution, amount (biomass), and number (population) of particular organisms; as well as cooperation and competition between organisms, both within and among ecosystems. Ecosystems are composed of dynamically interacting parts including organisms, the communities they make up, and the non-living components of their environment. Ecosystem processes, such as primary production, pedogenesis, nutrient cycling, and various niche construction activities, regulate the flux of energy and matter through an environment. These processes are sustained by organisms with specific life history traits, and the variety of organisms is called biodiversity. Biodiversity, which refers to the varieties of species, genes, and ecosystems, enhances certain ecosystem services.Ecology is not synonymous with environment, environmentalism, natural history, or environmental science. It is closely related to evolutionary biology, genetics, and ethology. An important focus for ecologists is to improve the understanding of how biodiversity affects ecological function. Ecologists seek to explain: Life processes, interactions and adaptations The movement of materials and energy through living communities The successional development of ecosystems The abundance and distribution of organisms and biodiversity in the context of the environment.Ecology is a human science as well. There are many practical applications of ecology in conservation biology, wetland management, natural resource management (agroecology, agriculture, forestry, agroforestry, fisheries), city planning (urban ecology), community health, economics, basic and applied science, and human social interaction (human ecology). For example, the Circles of Sustainability approach treats ecology as more than the environment 'out there'. It is not treated as separate from humans. Organisms (including humans) and resources compose ecosystems which, in turn, maintain biophysical feedback mechanisms that moderate processes acting on living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components of the planet. Ecosystems sustain life-supporting functions and produce natural capital like biomass production (food, fuel, fiber and medicine), the regulation of climate, global biogeochemical cycles, water filtration, soil formation, erosion control, flood protection and many other natural features of scientific, historical, economic, or intrinsic value.The word ""ecology"" (""Ökologie"") was coined in 1866 by the German scientist Ernst Haeckel (1834–1919). Ecological thought is derivative of established currents in philosophy, particularly from ethics and politics. Ancient Greek philosophers such as Hippocrates and Aristotle laid the foundations of ecology in their studies on natural history. Modern ecology became a much more rigorous science in the late 19th century. Evolutionary concepts relating to adaptation and natural selection became the cornerstones of modern ecological theory.