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Abandoned Railways Support Greater Functional and Phylogenetic Plant Diversity Than Adjacent Grassy Meadows in Agricultural Landscape
ABSTRACTLinear structures such as woodlots and hedgerows offer many benefits to ecosystems, including enhancing biodiversity, increasing the abundance of plants and animals, and providing a wide range of ecosystem services. However, agriculture expansion has deteriorated and destroyed these elements in the farmland landscape. Humanâmade structures like road verges, electricity pylons, or railways may enhance biodiversity in intensive farmland, replacing natural woody elements. We aimed to explore whether abandoned railway lines in agricultureâdominated landscapes can serve as alternative habitats for plant species. We evaluated the taxonomical, functional, and phylogenetic diversity, along with the community composition of plants, in 25 sites along abandoned railway lines and 25 reference sites in adjacent semiânatural grasslands. We found no significant difference in species richness and Shannon diversity between grasslands and abandoned railway vegetation, but we observed distinct differences in functional and phylogenetic diversity. Moreover, the vegetation along abandoned railways is not a variant of surrounding semiânatural grasslands but comprises a novel vegetation type composed of species associated mainly with crops, ruderal, and forest habitats. Abandoned railway lines are characterized by specific abiotic conditions providing a set of opportunities for shaping distinct plant communities in an intensively managed agricultural landscape, fulfilling the concept of a novel ecosystem. Abandoned railways offer a unique opportunity for conservation and can serve as valuable dispersal corridors and habitats for plants, increasing functional and phylogenetic diversity in agricultural landscapes. Combining ecological restoration techniques and sustainable land management practices can help support plant diversity on abandoned railways.
Nieczynne linie kolejowe jako waĆŒne siedlisko dla ptakĂłw i owadĂłw zapylajÄ cych w krajobrazie rolniczym
Among the trees: shade promotes the growth and higher survival of juvenile toads
getation, including trees, significantly shapes microhabitats for amphibians due to the leaf litter input, providing stable shelter, creating a microclimate or indirectly through trophic interactions. It is known that some species can survive in a highly modified urban environment. Species associated with open space can find stable habitats in urban and human-transformed areas, but is the impact of shading (presence of canopy cover) significant in their case? We focus on the effect of solar exposure on the growth rate of juvenile green toads Bufotes viridis in fruit and canopy manipulation treatments. The main aim of the study was to examine the selected habitat traits promoting post-metamorphic growth of the green toad in semi-open enclosures. We investigated differences between exposure/land cover variants, i.e., sunny site (open area with direct solar exposure) and shadow site (shady site with a tree canopy cover). Using imitation fruits and real cherry plum Prunus cerasifera fruits (non-native tree species), we checked whethÂer amphibian growth is related to the additional structure that fruit lying on the ground created (a more heterogeneous surface structure) or to a trophic character (additional food source due to attracting inverÂtebrates). We conducted a 40-day rearing experiment in three variants with two replications in semi-open enclosures with 20 juvenile toads each. We found differences in snout-vent length and body mass index inÂvestigated due to site exposure during post-metamorphic growth. The survival rate of juvenile toads in the shaded site was higher than in sunny sites. We demonstrated a positive effect of the treeâs shade, regardless of the fleshy fruitâs presence on the ground. Toads benefit from developing at sites with reduced solar exÂposure (i.e., with a tree canopy), resulting in intensive growth and higher survival rate. Thus, there is an opportunity for planners and urban authorities to manage habitats for amphibian conservation purposes by creating a shaded zone, even for open habitat species, especially in transformed areas such as cities. Our results indicate that the beneficial effect of the lying fruit on the growth of juveniles is limited to specific conditions, and understanding this requires further research.
Sown wildflower meadows: Can they replace natural meadows in urban spaces for bees, butterflies and hoverflies?
Abstract The decline in pollinator populations is partly due to human practices that have contributed to the loss of wild and flowerârich habitats. In cities, especially city centres, urban green spaces, which are usually small, are often sown with wildflower meadows. The study compared the number and species richness of three main groups of pollinating insects (wild bees, butterflies and hoverflies) for two types of meadows in Warsaw: sown wildflower meadows and the natural meadows. The research results showed that there was no difference in the composition of insectâpollinated plants between the meadow types. There was also no difference between the meadow types concerning the species richness of butterflies, bees and hoverflies. However, it was confirmed that the number of butterflies was twice as high in natural meadows than it was in sown floral meadows, while in the case of wild bees and hoverflies, no such differences were found. The study confirmed that areas sown with wildflowers, usually of small area, concentrate pollinating insects and have a similar value for pollinators as larger areas of natural meadow. Sown wildflower meadows, if properly cared for, can ensure the richness of melliferous plant species and thus positively affect the diversity and number of pollinators. Sown meadows can compensate insects for the absence of large, natural meadows, especially in the fragmented spaces in cities.
Age-related nest-site segregation in a solitary nesting population of white stork Ciconia Ciconia
Abstract Background Habitat selection plays a crucial role in avian reproductive success, with nest-site characteristics and individual traits influencing breeding outcomes. This study investigates the relationship between breederâs age and nest-site selection in a population of white storks Ciconia ciconia, a long-lived, site-faithful species nesting solitarily in Western Poland. Using data collected from 2006 to 2024 on ring recoveries, nest dimensions, productivity, and habitat characteristics, we analyzed the age at which birds were first recorded on specific nests. Results Results revealed that older individuals were more likely to occupy larger nests and nests with higher productivity in previous years, suggesting the use of public information and a preference for high-quality sites. Interestingly, nest surface area, rather than height, was correlated with breederâs age, while land cover surrounding the nest had a sex-specific effect. Older individuals also appeared to prefer nests with higher occupancy rates. Older females avoided human-altered habitats, whereas no such relationship was observed for males. Contrary to expectations, age-related differences were not associated with preferred foraging habitats like meadows and pastures. Conclusions These findings highlight that age-based segregation in nest-site selection reflects experience and competition, with older birds optimizing breeding success by leveraging key environmental and social cues. The results suggest that younger individuals may occupy suboptimal habitats, possibly due to competition or inexperience. Future studies should explore the role of site fidelity, age-assortative mating, and anthropogenic influences, such as supplementary feeding, to fully understand the dynamics of nest-site selection in white storks.
Maternal cafeteria diet adversely affects the reproductive parameters of rat offspring in a sex-specific manner
The effect of soil physicochemical properties on intraspecific variability of pollen morphology in Staphylea pinnata L.
Konsumenci nasion jako waĆŒny element hipotezy biotycznej odpornoĆci w ograniczaniu rozprzestrzeniania siÄ obcych i inwazyjnych gatunkĂłw roĆlin
Pollinator assemblages in grasslands along river valleys depend on the urban matrix and local habitat scale variables
Effect of Osmia bicornis supplemental pollination on seed yield of forest seed orchards
AbstractOur study investigated the possibility of using the red mason bee Osmia bicornis as a pollinator of forest seed orchards of frequently grown European trees: insectâ-âpollinated Tilia cordata and Prunus avium. Moreover, we checked whether the presence of O. bicornis has an impact on the pollination results of Quercus petraea, which is windâ-âpollinated. Data were collected from 8 forest seed orchards in western Poland between 2018 and 2020. We assessed whether the presence of O. bicornis populations affects the number and mass of seeds and seed quality. Supplementing forest orchards with O. bicornis affected seed yield. The generalized linear mixed models indicated that the number of seeds and the proportion of viable seeds, but not seed mass, were higher in the Tilia cordata trees, when additionally pollinated with O. bicornis added as a pollinator.
How do urbanization and alien species affect the plant taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity in different types of urban green areas?
AbstractHuman pressure on urban landscapes has serious consequences for urban plant species. Therefore, environmental and anthropogenic factors affect the assembly of urban wildlife in plant communities. For biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services in urban areas, it is crucial to understand the impacts of urbanization as well as the introduction of alien plant species on urban plant communities. On 47 sites in PoznaĆ (W Poland), we studied variation within and between three management greenery habitats, i.e., urban parks, greenery associated with housing estates, and urban grasslands, as they relate to taxonomical, functional, and phylogenetic alpha and beta diversity. We also examined how urbanization (measured by ISA) and alien plant species relate to vegetation compositional differences. We found that both urbanization and alien plant species cover decreased alpha diversity, while urbanization had various impacts on beta diversity within each studied habitat. Our results suggest that human pressure leads to similarities in the urban flora, where plant species with specific functional traits adapted to the urban environment. To achieve sustainable urbanization, urban planners should not only create diverse green spaces but also eliminate alien plants, increasing the role of urban land management in promoting the wildness of plant biodiversity in cities.
Seed mass and seed resources â testing the defense trade-off hypothesis in woody plants
Physical and chemical defenses of seeds are essential for plant survival and reproduction. By protecting their seeds from herbivores and other threats, plants can ensure that their offspring have a betÂter chance of surviving and growing into adult plants. Plant seed-size variation can affect their ability to allocate defense resources and nutrients. Smaller seeds tend to contain fewer resources and are likely to be more constrained in resource allocation to defense or to nutrient supply for the germinating seedling than larger seeds. In this study, we hypothesized that (1) the trade-off between physical and chemical defenses and reserve materials (in this study TNC content) in seeds is related to the allocation of those resources to seeds, 2) the direction of allocation of these resources is mediated by seed size. Based on seeds of 77 woody plant species collected in the KĂłrnik Arboretum located in western Poland, we measured several physical and chemical seed traits: seed mass, total phenols, tannin content, crude fiber, lignin content, and total non-structural carbohydrates. We revealed that chemical defense (phenol content) and total non-structural carbohydrates increased with seed mass, whereas physical defense (fiber content) had the opposite effect. We found that the trade-off between physical and chemical defense in plants was often mediated by seed size.
Age, brood fate, and territory quality affect nest-site fidelity in white stork Ciconia ciconia
Abstract Background A particular type of site fidelity is faithfulness to the nest site, where birds are not only reoccupying breeding territories but also reusing nests built in previous breeding seasons. Staying faithful to the nest site is believed to be an adaptive strategy, and based on the ability to predict an individual's own breeding success, a hypothesis of âwin-stay:loose-switchâ was proposed. In this study, we aimed to resolve which factors affect the nest-site fidelity of white stork Ciconia ciconia, species known for reusing nests available in the breeding sites. Basing on ring recoveries from 31 years of studies in Western and Southern Poland, we analysed the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on nest-site fidelity. Results We found that increasing age and breeding success (i.e. producing any fledglings or not) increased the probability of reusing the nest, but in the oldest individuals, the probability decreased. In turn, the probability of breeding success increased with age, the increasing number of reproductive events on the particular nest, and the presence on the nest in the previous year. However, the oldest individuals had lower probability of success, as the relationship was curvilinear. The number of fledglings, however, was influenced only by an individual's age. The number of reproductive events on the nest was, in turn, affected by age, with the youngest and oldest individuals using the current nest for the least number of years. Conclusions Our study shows that the decision process of whether to stay faithful to the nest or switch is based on the experience from the previous breeding event, consistently with the âwin-stay:loose-switchâ hypothesis. Our results also show that site fidelity benefits white storks, as the probability of breeding success increases if the nest is reused. Results also show the senescence effect that lowers breeding success and site fidelity probabilities.
Maternal cafeteria diet influences kisspeptin (Kiss1), kisspeptin receptor(Gpr54), and sirtuin (Sirt1) genes, hormonal and metabolic profiles, and reproductive functions in rat offspring in a sex-specific manner
Abstract Kisspeptin (KP, encoded by Kiss1, binding to the Gpr54 receptor) is a neuropeptide conveying information on the metabolic status to the hypothalamicâpituitaryâgonadal axis. KP acts together with dynorphin A (encoded by Pdyn) and neurokinin B (encoded by Tac2) to regulate reproduction. KP is crucial for the onset of puberty and is under the control of sirtuin (encoded by Sirt1). We hypothesize that the maternal cafeteria (CAF) diet has adverse effects on the offspringâs hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive functions due to sex-specific alterations in the expression of Kiss1, Gpr54, Pdyn, Tac2, and Sirt1 in the hypothalamus, and Kiss1, Gpr54, and Sirt1 in the liver. Rats were fed a CAF diet before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and during lactation. The vaginal opening was monitored. Offspring were sacrificed in three age points: PND 30, PND 35, and PND 60 (females) and PND 40, PND 45, and PND 60 (males). Their metabolic and hormonal status was assessed. mRNA for Kiss1, Gpr54, Pdyn, Tac2, and Sirt1 were measured by real-time PCR in the hypothalamus and/or livers. We found that CAF offspring had lower weight and altered body composition; increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels, sex-specific changes in glucose and insulin levels; sex-dependent changes in Sirt1/Kiss1 mRNA ratio in the hypothalamus; sex-specific alterations in Kiss1 and Sirt1 mRNA in the liver with more diversity in males; and a delayed puberty onset in females. We concluded that the motherâs CAF diet leads to sex-specific alterations in metabolic and reproductive outcomes via Kiss1/Gpr54 and Sirt1 systems in offspring.
Leveraging social media and other online data to study animal behavior
The widespread sharing of information on the Internet has given rise to ecological studies that use data from digital sources including digitized museum records and social media posts. Most of these studies have focused on understanding species occurrences and distributions. In this essay, we argue that data from digital sources also offer many opportunities to study animal behavior including long-term and large-scale comparisons within and between species. Following Nikko Tinbergenâs classical roadmap for behavioral investigation, we show how using videos, photos, text, and audio posted on social media and other digital platforms can shed new light on known behaviors, particularly in a changing world, and lead to the discovery of new ones.
Osmia3DNest - Novel designed 3D printed artificial nest for solitary cavityânesting bees
Abstract The availability and appropriateness of nesting sites significantly influence the reproductive success and overall welfare of wild bees. Humanâinduced factors contribute to the destruction of natural nesting habitats. To address these limitations, innovative solutions such as the development of artificial nests, offer alternative nest sites to support wild bee populations. We designed the Osmia3DNest, a 3D printed standardized nest tube for solitary cavityânesting bees, aiming to provide a safe for the environment, longâlife, timeâsaving and biodegradable product that anyone can print. We proudly present the two Osmia3DNest models for mason beesâclosed and openâusing polylactic acid filament. We demonstrate the effectiveness of Osmia3DNest on mason bee reproduction parameters compared with traditional reed nests. Osmia3DNest can be an alternative to the other artificial nests, which people can customize for their necessity depending on their place of living (rural or urban area), and they can also be washed and reused several times and then decomposed. Osmia3DNest holds potential for wildlife biologists, management of pollinators, and educational outreach, offering adaptability for different bee species and experimental needs.
Predicting parasitic plants Loranthus Europaeus range shifts in response to climate change
Abstract Climate change significantly influences the distribution of parasitic species, posing threats to ecosystems and economies. This study examines the potential range expansion of Loranthus europaeus, a parasitic plant impacting European forestry. We assessed the impact of predicted climate change for 2041â2060 and 2061â2080 using MaxEnt modeling based on current occurrence data of L. europaeus, and the main host plant genus oak Quercus, as well as bioclimatic variables. Our model demonstrated high predictive accuracy (AUCâ=â0.92). The most important variables for Europe range were range of Quercus genus. Key environmental factors included isothermality (bio3) and mean temperature of wettest quarter (bio8). Under SSP126 and SSP245 scenarios, our results predict significant range expansions into northern and eastern Europe, with increases of 43.5% and 53.9% by 2041â2060. Conversely, southern Europe may see contractions of 16.4â20.6%. Projections for 2061â2080 indicate further expansions up to 65.8% in northern Europe, alongside contractions up to 29.8% in southern regions, including Turkey and Greece.These shifts highlight the influence of climate change on L. europaeus distribution and underscore the need for adaptive management strategies to mitigate potential ecological and economic impacts.
Citizen science data can significantly improve predictions of potential ranges of non-charismatic species: a study on two freshwater sponges
Brain size mediates the choice of breeding strategy in the redâbacked shrike Lanius collurio
AbstractThe brain size of vertebrates represents a tradeâoff between natural selection for enhanced cognitive abilities and the energetic constraints of brain tissue production. Processing information efficiently can confer benefits, but it also entails time costs. Breeding strategies, encompassing timing of breeding onset and nestâsite selection, may be related to brain size. In this study, we aim to elucidate the relationship between brain size, breeding timing, nestâsite choice, and breeding success in the redâbacked shrike Lanius collurio. Our findings revealed that the timing of the first eggâlaying date was associated with female head size, with largerâheaded females tending to lay eggs later in the breeding season. Additionally, we observed that breeding success was positively correlated with increased nest concealment. However, this relationship was stronger in males with smaller heads. In turn, nest concealment was not related to head size but primarily influenced breeding onset. These results suggest that the choice of breeding strategy may be moderated by brain size, with differences between sexes. Largerâheaded females may invest more time in selecting nesting sites, leading to delayed breeding onset, while largerâheaded males may compensate for suboptimal nest concealment. Our study sheds light on the intricate interplay between brain size, breeding timing, nestâsite preferences, and breeding success in passerine birds, underscoring the potential role of cognitive capacity in shaping individual decisionâmaking processes.
