bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Getting better with age: Lessons from the Kenya Long‐term Exclosure Experiment (KLEE)
Authors: Riginos Corinna , Kimuyu Duncan M. , Veblen Kari E. , Porensky Lauren M. , Odadi Wilfred O. , Sensenig Ryan L. , Wells Harry B. M. , Young Truman P. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe Kenya long‐term exclosure experiment (KLEE) was established in 1995 in semi‐arid savanna rangeland to examine the separate and combined effects of livestock, wildlife and megaherbivores on their shared environment. The long‐term nature of this experiment has allowed us to measure these effects and address questions of stability and resilience in the context of multiple drought‐rainy cycles. Here we outline lessons learned over the last 29 years, and how these inform a fundamental tension in long‐term studies: how to balance the need for question‐driven research with the intangible conviction that long‐term data will yield valuable findings. We highlight the value of (1) identifying experimental effects that take many years to manifest, (2) quantifying the effects of different years (including droughts) and (3) capturing the signatures of anthropogenic change. We also highlight the potential for long‐term studies to create a collaborative community of scientists that brings new questions and motivates continued long‐term study.
Past and future effects of climate on the metapopulation dynamics of a Northeast Atlantic seabird across two centuries
Authors: Jeglinski Jana W. E. , Niven Holly I. , Wanless Sarah , Barrett Robert T. , Harris Mike P. , Dierschke Jochen , Matthiopoulos Jason 
Published: December 2024

AbstractForecasting population responses to rapidly changing marine ecosystems requires mechanistic models integrating complex demographic processes, fitted to long time series, across large spatial scales. We used a Bayesian metapopulation model fit to colony census data and climatic covariates spanning 1900–2100 for all Northeast Atlantic colonies of an exemplar seabird, the Northern gannet (Morus bassanus) to investigate metapopulation dynamics under two climate scenarios. Fecundity varied non‐linearly with near‐surface air temperature and recruitment was depressed by sea surface temperature. We predict regime changes in density dependence as marine carrying capacities become constrained with increasing SST. Sensitivity to climate change varied across space and time, disadvantaging southwestern colonies whilst benefitting northern ones. Such sensitivity is noteworthy for a species previously assumed robust to climate change. We provide a spatial overview of climate sensitivities across a metapopulation to help with evidence‐based conservation management and open the way for similar mechanistic explorations for other colonial species.
Density dependence maintains long‐term stability despite increased isolation and inbreeding in the Florida Scrub‐Jay
Authors: Summers Jeremy , Cosgrove Elissa J. , Bowman Reed , Fitzpatrick John W. , Chen Nancy 
Published: December 2024

AbstractIsolation caused by anthropogenic habitat fragmentation can destabilize populations. Populations relying on the inflow of immigrants can face reduced fitness due to inbreeding depression as fewer new individuals arrive. Empirical studies of the demographic consequences of isolation are critical to understand how populations persist through changing conditions. We used a 34‐year demographic and environmental dataset from a population of cooperatively breeding Florida Scrub‐Jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens) to create mechanistic models linking environmental and demographic factors to population growth rates. We found that the population has not declined despite both declining immigration and increasing inbreeding, owing to a coinciding response in breeder survival. We find evidence of density‐dependent immigration, breeder survival and fecundity, indicating that interactions between vital rates and local density play a role in buffering the population against change. Our study elucidates the impacts of isolation on demography and how long‐term stability is maintained via demographic responses.
Multi‐Trophic Level Responses to Marine Heatwave Disturbances in the California Current Ecosystem
Authors: Chen Tz‐Chian , Kahru Mati , Landry Michael R. , Ohman Mark D. , Thompson Andrew R. , Stukel Michael R. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTMarine heatwaves (MHWs) caused by multiple phenomena with days to months duration are increasingly common disturbances in ocean ecosystems. We investigated the impacts of MHWs on pelagic communities using spatially resolved time‐series of multiple trophic levels from the Southern California Current Ecosystem. Indices of phytoplankton biomass mostly declined during MHWs because of reduced nutrient supply (excepting Prochlorococcus) and were generally more sensitive to marine heatwave intensity than duration. By contrast, mesozooplankton (as estimated by zooplankton displacement volume) were somewhat more strongly correlated with MHW duration than intensity. Zooplankton anomalies were also positively correlated with fucoxanthin (diatom) anomalies, highlighting possible bottom‐up influences during MHWs. Mobile consumers (forage fish) showed more complex responses, with fish egg abundance declining during MHWs but not correlating with any MHW characteristics. Our findings provide partial evidence of how MHW characteristics can shape variable ecological responses due to the differing life spans and behaviours of different trophic levels.
Territory Sizes and Patterns of Habitat Use by Forest Birds Over Five Decades: Ideal Free or Ideal Despotic?
Authors: Zammarelli Miranda B. , Ayres Matthew P. , ter Hofstede Hannah M. , Lutz David A. , Holmes Richard T. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTRelations among territoriality, abundance and habitat suitability are fundamental to the ecology of many animal populations. Theory suggests two classes of possible responses to increasing abundance in territorial species: (1) the ideal free distribution (IFD), which predicts smaller territory sizes and decreased fitness as individuals adaptively pack into suitable habitats, and (2) the ideal despotic distribution (IDD), which predicts stable territory sizes and fitness in preferred habitats for dominant individuals and increased use of marginal habitats, reduced fitness and changes in territory sizes for subordinate individuals. We analysed the territory sizes and locations of seven migratory songbird species occupying a 10‐ha plot in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire, USA over a 52‐year period. Species varied in abundance over years from twofold to 22‐fold, and all species displayed clear patterns of habitat preference within the study plot. Consistent with IFD, and contrary to IDD, territory sizes decreased with local abundance for all species, irrespective of habitat preferences. There was at least a twofold variation in territory size within years. Conformity of territory size to predictions of the IFD argues for the efficacy of territorial defence in songbirds and has general consequences for population dynamics.
A Natural Disaster Exacerbates and Redistributes Disease Risk Among Free‐Ranging Macaques by Altering Social Structure
Authors: Motes‐Rodrigo Alba , Albery Gregory F. , Negron‐Del Valle Josue E. , Philips Daniel ,   Cayo Biobank Research Unit, Platt Michael L. , Brent Lauren J. N. , Testard Camille 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTClimate change is intensifying extreme weather events, with severe implications for ecosystem dynamics. A key behavioural mechanism whereby animals may cope with such events is by altering their social structure, which in turn could influence epidemic risk. However, how and to what extent natural disasters affect disease risk via changes in sociality remains unexplored in animal populations. By simulating disease spread in free‐living rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) before and after a hurricane, we demonstrate doubled pathogen transmission rates up to 5 years following the disaster, equivalent to an increase in pathogen infectivity from 10% to 20%. Moreover, the hurricane redistributed the risk of infection across the population by exacerbating sex‐related differences. Overall, we demonstrate that natural disasters can amplify and redistribute epidemic risk in animals via changes in sociality. These observations provide unexpected further mechanisms by which extreme weather events can threaten wildlife health, population viability and spillover to humans.
Temporal Changes in the Role of Species Sorting and Evolution Determine Community Dynamics
Authors: Hoffmann Julius , Hogle Shane , Hiltunen Teppo , Becks Lutz 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTEvolutionary change within community members and shifts in species composition via species sorting contribute to community and trait dynamics. However, we do not understand when and how both processes contribute to community dynamics. Here, we estimated the contributions of species sorting and evolution over time (60 days) in bacterial communities of 24 species under selection by a ciliate predator. We found that species sorting contributed to increased community carrying capacity, while evolution contributed to decreased anti‐predator defences. The relative roles of both processes changed over time, and our analysis indicates that if initial trait variation was in the direction of selection, species sorting prevailed, otherwise evolution drove phenotypic change. Furthermore, community composition, population densities and genomic evolution were affected by phenotypic match–mismatch combinations of predator and prey evolutionary history. Overall, our findings help to integrate when and how ecological and evolutionary processes structure communities.
A Functional Response in Resource Selection Links Multiscale Responses of a Large Carnivore to Human Mortality Risk
Authors: Dougherty Kyle D. , Dellinger Justin A. , Cristescu Bogdan , Gammons Daniel J. , Garcelon David K. , Higley J. Mark , Martins Quinton E. , Riley Seth P. D. , Sikich Jeff A. , Stephenson Thomas R. , Vickers T. Winston , Wengert Greta M. , Wilmers Christopher C. , Wittmer Heiko U. , Benson John F. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTTheory suggests that animals make hierarchical, multiscale resource selection decisions to address the hierarchy of factors limiting their fitness. Ecologists have developed tools to link population‐level resource selection across scales; yet, theoretical expectations about the relationship between coarse‐ and fine‐scale selection decisions at the individual level remain elusive despite their importance to fitness. With GPS‐telemetry data collected across California, USA, we evaluated resource selection of mountain lions (Puma concolor; n = 244) relative to spatial variation in human‐caused mortality risk. With hierarchical resource selection, coarse‐scale selection determines availability at finer scales. This simple relationship allowed us to demonstrate that functional responses in resource selection explicitly link individual‐level resource selection decisions across scales. We show that individuals proactively avoiding risk when selecting home ranges are freed to relax this avoidance when making decisions within home ranges. However, individuals also exhibit reactive avoidance of risk at the finest scales along movement paths.
Pollination Across the Diel Cycle: A Global Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Kendall Liam , Nicholson Charlie C. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTThe daily transition between day and night, known as the diel cycle, is characterised by significant shifts in environmental conditions and biological activity, both of which can affect crucial ecosystem functions like pollination. Despite over six decades of research into whether pollination varies between day and night, consensus remains elusive. We compiled the evidence of diel pollination from 135 studies with pollinator exclusion experiments involving 139 angiosperms. We used phylogenetic multi‐level meta‐analysis to test the influence of environmental conditions and plant functional traits on diel pollination differences. Our synthesis revealed an overall lack of difference in pollination between day and night; many plant species (90% of studied spp.) exhibit similar pollination success across the diel cycle. Diel pollination differences were partially explained by elevation: nocturnal pollination success was greater at low elevations, whereas diurnal pollination was more beneficial at higher elevations. Furthermore, floral traits related to pollinator attraction (odour, colour) and anthesis time influenced diel pollination differences. In the light of increasing anthropogenic pressures on biodiversity, as well as unique challenges for nocturnal biota, this synthesis underscores the diel complementarity of pollinators for many flowering plants and the importance of considering both nocturnal and diurnal pollinators in agricultural and conservation contexts.
modelRxiv: A Platform for the Dissemination and Interactive Display of Models
Authors: Harris Keith D. , Hadari Guy , Greenbaum Gili 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTModelling the dynamics of biological processes is ubiquitous across the ecological and evolutionary disciplines. However, the increasing complexity of these models poses a challenge to the dissemination of model‐derived results. Often only a small subset of model results are made available to the scientific community, with further exploration of the parameter space relying on local deployment of code supplied by the authors. This can be technically challenging, owing to the diversity of frameworks and environments in which models are developed. To address this issue, we developed a platform that serves as an interactive repository of biological models, called modelRxiv. To facilitate adding models to modelRxiv, we utilise large‐language models (LLMs) to make the platform language‐agnostic. The platform provides a unified interface for the analysis of models that do not require any technical understanding of the model implementation, thus improving the accessibility, reproducibility and validation of ecological and evolutionary models.
Seasonal Assembly of Nectar Microbial Communities Across Angiosperm Plant Species: Assessing Contributions of Climate and Plant Traits
Authors: Cecala Jacob M. , Landucci Leta , Vannette Rachel L. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTPlant–microbe associations are ubiquitous, but parsing contributions of dispersal, host filtering, competition and temperature on microbial community composition is challenging. Floral nectar‐inhabiting microbes, which can influence flowering plant health and pollination, offer a tractable system to disentangle community assembly processes. We inoculated a synthetic community of yeasts and bacteria into nectars of 31 plant species while excluding pollinators. We monitored weather and, after 24 h, collected and cultured communities. We found a strong signature of plant species on resulting microbial abundance and community composition, in part explained by plant phylogeny and nectar peroxide content, but not floral morphology. Increasing temperature reduced microbial diversity, while higher minimum temperatures increased growth, suggesting complex ecological effects of temperature. Consistent nectar microbial communities within plant species could enable plant or pollinator adaptation. Our work supports the roles of host identity, traits and temperature in microbial community assembly, and indicates diversity–productivity relationships within host‐associated microbiomes.
Current and Historical Resource Nitrogen Supply Affects the Eco‐Physiological Traits and the Ionome of a Diazotrophic Cyanobacterium
Authors: Wagner Nicole D. , Prater Clay , Robbins Caleb J. , Osburn Felicia S. , Wang Jingyu , Jeyasingh Punidan D. , Scott J. Thad 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTDiazotrophic cyanobacteria can overcome nitrogen (N)‐limitation by fixing atmospheric N2; however, this increases their energetic, iron, molybdenum, and boron costs. It is unknown how current and historic N‐supplies affect cyanobacterial elemental physiology beyond increasing demands for elements involved in N‐fixation. Here, we examined the changes in pigment concentrations, N‐storage, and the ionome (i.e., multivariate elemental composition) of the freshwater diazotroph Dolichospermum flosaquae adapted to an N‐gradient for two temporal scales: 27 days and 45 months. We found short‐term adaptation of Dolichospermum to low N‐supply decreased pigment concentrations, N‐storage, N:carbon (C), and increased boron:C, calcium:C, and magnesium:C than high N‐supply adapted populations. Dolichospermum adapted to low N‐supplies for 45 months had higher pigment concentrations, N‐storage, and lower boron:C, calcium:C, magnesium:C, and phosphorus:C than the short‐term adapted populations when grown in low N‐supplies. Our results highlight the connections between the ionome and physiology, identifying the previously unrecognised roles of elements that can be used to advance physiological patterns.
Investigating Loading Path–Dependent Fatigue Behavior of Nonlinear Viscoelastic Adhesive Bonding Butt Joints Under Tension–Torsion Multipath Cyclic Loading
Authors: Zhang Jin‐Yang , Jia Hong , Zhang Jun 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTThe tension–torsion multipath cyclic loading experiments of the nonlinear viscoelastic adhesive bonding butt joints were conducted with the asymmetric strain‐control mode, and the effect of loading path and strain strength on the mechanical behavior of the joint was observed through the dissipated energy and the cyclic stress response. It was found that the loading path had influences on the fatigue damage and nonproportional strain loading path had additional fatigue damage to the joints. Meanwhile, the initial decline rate of dissipated energy and cyclic stress increased with the increase of equivalent mean strain (EMS) and equivalent strain amplitude (ESA) have been observed. In addition, the uniaxial cyclic damage model was extended to a tension–torsion fatigue damage model by adding a path factor into the tensile and torsional cyclic damage model. The model calculated results showed that the proposed model could better predict the loading path–dependent fatigue behavior of the joint.
Disentangling the Impact of Forest Management Intensity Components on Soil Biological Processes
Authors: Klein‐Raufhake Theresa , Hölzel Norbert , Schaper Jens Jakob , Elmer Michael , Fornfeist Max , Linnemann Britta , Meyer Michael , Neuenkamp Lena , Rentemeister Katharina , Santora Lea , Wöllecke Jens , Hamer Ute 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTTemperate forests cover 25% of the world's forest area and most of them are managed for timber production. To increase yields, native deciduous trees have been commonly replaced by fast‐growing conifers, especially in Western and Central Europe. Despite the importance of forest soils for a variety of ecosystem functions, the effects of forest management intensity on soil biological processes have not yet been sufficiently understood. Using a standardized sampling protocol that covers 200 plots across four regions with different abiotic site conditions, our study aims at disentangling the effects of individual components of forest management intensity such as (i) share of native deciduous trees, (ii) timber harvesting volume, and (iii) natural deadwood volume on soil biological processes. Our findings indicate that the effects of management practices on soil biological processes are as important as abiotic factors, such as subsoil pH value and soil texture. Piecewise structural equation modeling revealed that forest management has both direct and indirect effects on soil biological processes via humus form and topsoil pH. Generally, the ratio of deciduous and coniferous trees had the most significant effect on nutrient cycling and soil properties, followed by nutrient extraction through timber harvesting and natural deadwood volume. The strength of the observed effects was modified by regional variations in climate, topography, and bedrock. Our findings underline the high diagnostic value of humus form as an indicator of biological processes in mineral topsoil (particularly pH, C/N, and microbial characteristics can be predicted) that can guide forest managers in evaluating soil quality and identifying management impacts.
Desire: A Theological Reappraisal
Authors: Ward Graham 
Published: December 2024

AbstractDesire and its cognates—longing, yearning—do a lot of hard work in modern theology, the work grounded in philosophical precedents going back at least as far as the early German Romantics. These precedents helped to inaugurate the twentieth century explorations of psychoanalysis. And so, desire re‐entered theological conversation and some lessons were learnt; most evidently about bringing the body back to the soul and the spirit. Despite the impact of Nygren’s Agape and Eros thesis, the range ‘desire’ covers now in modern theology admits no dualism between caritas and eros, and has actively promoted discussions that move fluidly between philosophy and theology. But a question remains that this essay can only begin to explore: what is desire? The question arises because, as theologians concerned with concepts closely allied to desiring, yearning, and longing—concepts such as grace, participation, friendship, love, and formation, for example—we employ it as if we knew what it is, and the mechanics of its operations are self‐evident. But desire, this essay argues, is obscure and multiple, elusive, deceptive, and slippery. And that has theological implications.
Segmental vitiligo: autoimmune pathogenesis, neuronal mechanisms, and somatic mosaicism
Authors: Lin Xiran , Meng Xianmin , Lin Jingrong 
Published: December 2024

AbstractVitiligo is a common depigmentation disorder classified into nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV) and segmental vitiligo (SV). SV accounts for 5–27.9% of patients with vitiligo. The primary pathogenesis of NSV involves the autoimmune‐mediated destruction of melanocytes. Recently, an autoimmune pathogenesis of SV was identified. High levels of melanocyte antigen‐specific CD8+ T cells are found in early SV lesional skin infiltrating around melanocytes along the basal layer. Mixed vitiligo suggests an overlap in pathogenesis between SV and NSV. In active SV, serum innate immune cytokines, and CD8+ T cell cytokines are increased. Oxidative stress in SV may activate autoimmune responses. SV pathogenesis is associated with a local cytotoxic response targeting epidermal melanocytes. Theories have been put forward to explain the segmental pattern in SV. The previous basis of the neurogenic theory that SV results from dermatomes is no longer accepted. However, there are still research reports supporting this theory. Evaluating the distribution pattern of SV lesions has provided clues to the mosaicism detection of suspected melanocytic defects at the site of SV lesions, supporting this theory. Evidence points to a cytotoxic response targeting mosaic melanocytes. Understanding SV's autoimmune pathogenesis prompts a reevaluation of immunosuppressive medical treatments for SV. The excellent results of autologous melanocyte transplantation in SV lesions compared with the moderate to limited results in patients with NSV support the mosaicism theory.