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In this review and synthesis, we argue that California is an important test case for the nation and world because terrestrial biodiversity is very high, present and anticipated threats to biodiversity from climate change and other interacting stressors are severe, and innovative approaches to protecting biodiversity in the context of climate change are being developed and tested. We first review salient dimensions of Californias terrestrial physical, biological, and human diversity. Next, we examine four facets of the threat to their sustainability of these dimensions posed by climate change: direct impacts, illustrated by a new analysis of shifting diversity hotspots for plants; interactive effects involving invasive species, land-use change, and other stressors; the impacts of changing fire regimes; and the impacts of land-based renewable energy development. We examine recent policy responses in each of these areas, representing attempts to better protect biodiversity while advancing climate adaptation and mitigation. We conclude that Californias ambitious 30 × 30 Initiative and its efforts to harmonize biodiversity conservation with renewable energy development are important areas of progress. Adapting traditional suppression-oriented fire policies to the reality of new fire regimes is an area in which much progress remains to be made.

We present a representation of nitrogen and phosphorus cycling in the Functionally Assembled Terrestrial Ecosystem Simulator, a demographic vegetation model within the Energy Exascale Earth System land model. This representation is modular, and designed to allow testing of multiple hypothetical approaches for carbon-nutrient coupling in plants. Novel model hypotheses introduced in this work include, (a) the controls on plant acquisition of aqueous mineralized nutrients in the soil and (b) fairly straight forward methods of allocating nutrients to specific plant organs and their losses through live plant turnover as well as litter fluxes generated through plant mortality. This combines the new with pre-existing hypotheses (such as nitrogen fixation and soil decomposition) into a system that can accommodate plant-soil dynamics for a large number of size- and functional-type-resolved plant cohorts within a time-since-disturbance-resolved ecosystem. Root uptake of nutrients is governed by fine root biomass, and plants vary in their fine root biomass allocation in order to balance carbon and nutrient limitations to growth. We test the sensitivity of the model to a wide range of parameter variations and structural representations, and in the context of observations at Barro Colorado Island, Panama. A key model prediction is that plants in the high-light-availability canopy positions allocate more carbon to fine roots than plants in low-light understory environments, given the widely different carbon versus nutrient constraints of these two niches within a given ecosystem. This model provides a basis for exploring carbon-nutrient coupling with vegetation demography within Earth system models.

Pterosaurs, the first true flying vertebrates, played a crucial role in Mesozoic terrestrial ecosystems. However, our understanding of their ability to move around on the ground and, more broadly, their terrestrial paleoecology remains limited. Here, we demonstrate an unexpectedly high degree of variation in the hands and feet of pterosaurs, comparable with that observed in extant birds. This suggests that pterosaurs were adapted to a remarkably broad range of non-aerial locomotor ecologies. Small, early, long-tailed pterosaurs (non-pterodactyliforms) exhibit extreme modifications in their hand and foot proportions indicative of climbing lifestyles. By contrast, the hands and feet of later, short-tailed pterosaurs (pterodactyliforms) typically exhibit morphologies consistent with more ground-based locomotor ecologies. These changes in proportions correlate with other modifications to pterosaur anatomy, critically, the separation along the midline of the flight membrane (cruropatagium) that linked the hindlimbs, enabling a much more effective locomotory ability on the ground. Together, these changes map a significant event in tetrapod evolution: a mid-Mesozoic colonization of terrestrial environments by short-tailed pterosaurs. This transition to predominantly ground-based locomotor ecologies did not occur as a single event coinciding with the origin of short-tailed forms but evolved independently within each of the four principal radiations: euctenochasmatians, ornithocheiroids, dsungaripteroids, and azhdarchoids. Invasion of terrestrial environments by pterosaurs facilitated the evolution of a wide range of novel feeding ecologies, while the freedom from limitations imposed by climbing permitted an increase in body size, ultimately enabling the evolution of gigantism in multiple lineages. • The hands and feet of pterosaurs were adapted to a broad range of locomotor ecologies • Early pterosaurs had a scansorial mode of life, which restricted maximum body size • Anatomical changes in later pterosaurs led to more effective terrestrial ability • Invasion of terrestrial habitats facilitated diverse feeding ecologies and gigantism Smyth et al. show that pterosaurs exhibit significant disparity in their hand and foot morphologies. This indicates that they occupied a broad range of locomotor ecologies. Early pterosaurs were adapted for climbing, while later forms evolved more effective terrestrial locomotion, which facilitated diversification and the evolution of gigantism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Myanmar, an Indo‐Burmese biodiversity hotspot, lacks baseline data on species occurrence and distribution. This hinders biodiversity monitoring and optimisation of conservation and development plans. We aim to document baseline mammal occupancy, interactions with environmental factors and scale‐dependent responses. Location: Hkakaborazi National Park, Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary, Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park, Rakhine Yoma Elephant Range, Say Taung and Myinmoletkhat Key Biodiversity Areas distributed across Myanmar. Methods: Camera trap data throughout Myanmar were used to analyse species occupancy. We conducted a multiscale hierarchical spatial modelling process, using local and pooled data across Myanmar. We also optimised spatial scale across five scales and six predictors, using univariate occupancy models. We then selected scale‐optimised variables for multivariate modelling, repeating this process for each species across local, regional and national datasets. Results: The study identified 47 terrestrial species and observed strong scale‐dependent nonstationarity in occupancy estimates. Relationships with environmental variables differed among species and were highly scale dependent. Importantly, occupancy estimates produced by pooling data across sites were greatly different from any of the estimates for the individual sites, suggesting that high heterogeneity in occurrence and abundance across sites among species requires local or nested occupancy estimates to account for spatial heterogeneity and variation. Main Conclusions: Future conservation efforts should focus on Northern Myanmar if range‐restricted and rare species are to be protected, while focus should still be given to common species which serve as potential indicators of overall community structure. The nonstationarity of occupancy results from different datasets underscores the potential for misleading interpretations from aggregated data in nonstationary ecological systems. Metareplicated analyses of local, geographically and ecologically proximal regional datasets provide an important view of spatial variation in occupancy patterns guiding conservation design and improving understanding of the drivers of biodiversity patterns and change across large regions, such as Southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an era when ecological and environmental needs and responsibilities apply pressure on the world's countries and sustainability takes centre stage, ecologic/environmental (E/E) laboratories stand as beacons of scientific inquiry, innovating, optimising, and applying various tests for a better knowledge of our natural resources and the quality status of ecosystems. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the use of flow cytometry (FC) as a tool for assessing environmental quality, mainly using living organisms and their biological changes as bioindicators. Cytometric approaches applied to both marine and terrestrial ecosystems ensure the detection of biochemical and functional status of the cells composing either an organ thereof or the organism itself. In addition to cytometric evaluations of the biotic matrix, a brief overview of the techniques for the environmental assessment of biotic and abiotic matrices using mass spectrometry is given. The technique involving the continuous monitoring of the chemical and physical parameters of water, sediment, and soil is basically incapable of detecting any additive and synergetic effects of toxicants on living organisms. Therefore, techniques employing bioindicators provide valuable information for environmental diagnosis, and several studies have demonstrated the strong relationship between specific environmental data and cell/organ behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potentially toxic metals and metalloids (PTMs) may become a concern to plant and animal health when soil concentrations exceed toxicity limits. These limits are often exceeded in polluted environments (anthropogenic sources) and may transfer through the trophic system, from contaminated soil to plants, and thereafter to herbivores and predators. The aim of this mini review was to consider trophic transfer of PTMs in terrestrial ecosystems, focusing on arthropods as the endpoint. ScienceDirect® was used as search engine with a set of keywords. The most assessed PTMs were Cd, Pb, and Zn, and 63% of all PTMs considered in research were attributed to anthropogenic sources. Industrial or mining sites were most frequently studied, and agricultural sites the least. Brassica was the most studied plant genus as the main extractor of PTMs from the soil as they are easy growing food plants known to take up PTMs. Research mostly focused on primary consumers, with Coleoptera being the most investigated arthropod order, probably because of the diversity of the order and its common occurrence worldwide. Most research was conducted in Europe, while South America and Africa only contributed 6.8% and 2.6%, respectively. The majority of the investigated articles (61%) assessed trophic transfer. From those, only 24% directly measured PTM transfer with experimental trials and included only one trophic level, that is, primary consumers, while 7% of research directly measured PTM transfer across multiple trophic levels (primary and secondary consumers). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Down to Earth, Bruno Latour addresses all inhabitants of the Earth as contemporary, all sharing a same present which he names 'the new climatic regime'. It does not mean that Latour endorses a new type of coloniality, erasing differences in the name of the emergency. 'Becoming Terrestrials' is not a call for unity in order to 'save the Earth'. It does however put into question the 'charitable fiction' Latour proposed in what he considered his opus magnus, the Inquiry into Modes of Existence. This paper will address the concern Latour expressed at the end of his life: has his Inquiry a future in the new climatic regime? Will the values Moderns both instaured and mistreated still matter for the ex-Moderns? This induces a reading of the Inquiry attentive to both its strategy and its partis pris, that confronts them with the radical orientation changes that mark Down to Earth. This results in a speculation about some of the rewritings Bruno Latour might have considered, had life granted him the time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to monitor and analyze the temporal and spatial dynamics of Türkiye's vegetation cover from 2000 to 2023 using MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) data. The primary objective is to assess the changes in vegetation density across various geographical regions of Türkiye and determine how these changes are influenced by environmental factors such as land use and climate variability. NDVI data from July of each year were processed using ArcGIS to classify vegetation into six categories, ranging from water bodies to dense forests. The study reveals significant fluctuations in NDVI values, indicating both vegetation growth and degradation across different regions over time. Key findings include a positive correlation between NDVI values and forested areas, and a negative correlation in regions affected by drought or land use change. These results provide valuable insights into the long-term trends of vegetation dynamics in Türkiye and can help inform future conservation and land management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building with earth seems a sensible ambition in our troubled climatic times. A fundamental problem, though, is being able to make larger, more complex structures from earth without jettisoning its unique sustainable and artisan qualities at the domestic and sub‐domestic scales. Architecture and robotics specialist and co‐founder of EZCT Architecture & Design Research Jelle Feringa considers the concepts and issues involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite often being referred to as a ‘coolhouse climate’, the climate during the Miocene (23.03–5.33 Ma) was overall humid, warm and temperate. It was paced by orbitally driven cooler periods (the Oligocene–Miocene Transition and Mi-events) overprinted by a climatic optimum. Global cooling during the Late Miocene brought more arid conditions with climate seasonality, which varied across western Eurasia. Sedimentary archives from onshore Denmark comprise shallow marine siliciclastic deposits and discrete brown coal layers. Hence, they allow us to infer past climates and environments using both marine and terrestrial fossils. The backbone for Miocene stratigraphy and palaeoclimate reconstruction in the eastern North Sea Basin (present-day Denmark) is the Sønder (Sdr.) Vium sediment core, which penetrates a shallow marine succession and spans an interval from c. 22 to 8 Ma. Here, we present an improved age model for the core. During the Miocene, forested lowlands predominated in the eastern North Sea Basin. Coastal areas included rich riparian landscapes and delta areas of lignite-forming swamp forest. Compilations of existing proxy records (pollen, spores, leaves, plant fragments and the organic biomarkers alkenones and membrane lipids) collectively show that the climate here was warm and moist during the Early and Middle Miocene, while the Late Miocene was characterised by climate cooling and modernisation of the vegetation. The interval preceding the Miocene Climatic Optimum was already warm and moist, and the onset was not characterised by a significant increase in temperature and precipitation. Instead, the palynoflora indicates homogeneous vegetation and only a weak signal of warming shown by a minor increase of, for example, sabaloid palms and Mastixiaceae.

Cheirostylis tortilacinia C. S. Leou (Orchidaceae), has been reported for the first time in India from Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal. Cheirostylis tortilacinia is morphologically allied to Cheirostylis parvifolia during anthesis but clear differences can be traced on closer examination of the vegetative morphology and the floral characters. Detailed taxonomical description along with photoplates, species comparison table with the allied species from India, and notes on typification have been provided in this current communication to aid in easy identification of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Greater quantification and characterisation of training load (TL) throughout Live-high, train-high (LHTH) altitude (ALT) training is required to identify periodisation strategies that may lead to physiological and performance improvements in swimmers. Purpose: This study aimed to examine the physiological responses and performance outcomes of 14 high-performance swimmers (FINA points: 836.0 ± 35.1) following 3 weeks of LHTH at 2320 m, while characterising the training load periodisation strategy adopted during the intervention. Methods: Haemoglobin (Hb) mass was measured pre-, 7 and 14 days post-ALT via CO rebreathing. Performance in each athlete's primary event at national standard meets were converted to FINA points and compared from pre-to-post-ALT. TL was quantified at sea level (SL) and ALT through session rating of perceived exertion (RPE), where duration of each session was multiplied by its RPE for each athlete, with all sessions totalled to give a weekly TL. Pre-to-post-ALT changes were evaluated using repeated-measures ANOVA. Results: Hb mass increased significantly from 798 ± 182 g pre-ALT to 828 ± 187 g at 7 days post (p = 0.013) and 833 ± 205 g 14 days post-ALT (p = 0.026). Weekly TL increased from SL (3179 ± 638 au) during week one (4797 ± 1349 au, p < 0.001) and week two (4373 ± 967 au, p < 0.001), but not week three (3511 ± 730 au, p = 0.149). No evidence of improved SL swimming performance was identified. Conclusion: A periodisation strategy characterised by a sharp spike in TL followed by a slight de-load towards the end of a LHTH intervention led to improved physiological characteristics but no change in the competitive performance of high-performance swimmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wind plays a crucial role in shaping climatic and environmental conditions; however, its spatial and temporal variabilities over land remain poorly understood. This study utilizes combined datasets from multiple satellite platforms to examine the spatial patterns and temporal trends of wind speed over land during the past 30 years (1988-2017). The results demonstrate a significantly increasing trend in global wind speed, with variations on both annual and monthly scales. Spatially, wind speeds are lower in low-latitude regions, particularly in the tropics. High wind speeds primarily occur in mid- to high-latitude regions, with the highest speeds observed in the Arctic. Temporally, wind speed trends are characterized by an increase in low-speed winds and decrease in high-speed winds. Overall, wind speed shows a significant correlation with temperature in the Amazon, northern Europe, and central Asia. Negative wind-temperature correlation is confined to small regions in central North America and northern Africa. The findings of this study help clarify wind trends, providing valuable insights for future research on global climate and environmental change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature is closely linked to the various lifestyles of reptiles, considerably influencing many aspects of their behaviour. Species with contrasting foraging modes or associated with different microhabitats are expected to thermoregulate in distinct ways. We sought to describe the thermal ecology of three model snake species, highlighting how their distinct lifestyles account for variation in thermoregulatory strategies. We chose the fossorial Conopsis lineata , the terrestrial Crotalus polystictus , and the semi-aquatic Thamnophis melanogaster. Following the protocol proposed by Hertz et al. (1993), we gathered data on body and operative temperatures in the field and preferred temperatures ( T set ) in the laboratory. The three species exhibited a wide range of T set , with differences between lower and upper limits ranging from 6.4°C to 8°C. The E index of effectiveness of thermoregulation was 0.685 for C. polystictus , 0.644 for C. lineata , and 0.486 for T. melanogaster. These results indicate that C. lineata and C. polystictus are precise and active thermoregulators. C. lineata has cryptic and fossorial habits, and we propose that its efficient thermoregulation likely results from the strategic selection of thermally favourable retreat sites. Contrary to what we predicted, T. melanogaster turned out to be the least accurate thermoregulator. Its semiaquatic lifestyle can help it to maintain beneficial body temperatures with less effort since aquatic environments are more thermally homogeneous. Overall, our study shows that lifestyle affects thermoregulation to an extent in these species, but that the thermal environments they inhabit also plays a key role in delimiting their thermoregulatory strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multispecies assemblages of Appalachian desmognathans have long intrigued ecologists seeking to understand the structure of ecological communities. Body size and life history in this group correlate with the moisture gradient from stream to forest, with large species being more aquatic and progressively smaller ones being ever more terrestrial. Since the work of N.G. Hairston, Sr. in the early 1980s, the prevailing hypothesis has been that predation and competition among desmognathans themselves have been the driving processes in the development and maintenance of the spatial organization along stream sides, with large, aggressive species forcing smaller ones to occupy less favorable terrestrial niches. Decades of research have confirmed that biotic interactions are important. However, evidence from recent studies has not agreed with the idea that biotic interactions are primary. Herein, I have concluded that the prevailing hypothesis fails to reconcile the currently available data. I have presented an alternative hypothesis that an abiotic factor, specifically the relative abundance of water, has been the primary force driving adaptation of species of Desmognathus longitudinally along moisture gradients by way of stream headwaters. Interspecific interactions, though important aspects of the current ecology of these species, are not the underlying drivers of spatial organization along the moisture gradient. I have further generated specific predictions that will enable this hypothesis to be tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the main objectives of modern-day surveying is to maximize the efficiency and accuracy of mapping a landscape for natural features and elevations prior to the start of a construction project. This paper focuses on a comparison between terrestrial and aerial photogrammetry and real-time kinematic global positioning systems (RTK-GPSs) in terms of elevation accuracy, data expenditure, and time for each survey to be completed. Two sites in San Diego County were chosen to be studied with a combined area of about 1.14 acres, and a total station system was used to establish 572 control points between both areas. Two of the three methods investigated produced similar results in elevation and were well within the established standard, as the terrestrial photogrammetry averaged 0.0583 feet of error, the aerial photogrammetry averaged 0.345 feet of error, and the RTK-GPS averaged 0.0432 feet of error when compared to the total station ground truth. If data consumption is not a concern, the terrestrial photogrammetric method should be preferred to the aerial photogrammetric and RTK-GPS methods in topographic mapping and land monitoring due to the increase in time efficiency and in surface model detail while keeping within the Caltrans specified tolerance of error of 0.2 feet. For general order land surveys, the photogrammetric approach utilized with a Looq scanner would provide the most efficient and cost-effective survey while staying within the 0.2 foot tolerance of error. This method also allows for the utmost clarity of the resulting point cloud when analyzing terrain, break lines, or other features in the survey area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

True abundance of lesser snow (Anser caerulescens caerulescens, Linnaeus 1758) and Ross's geese (Anser rossii, Cassin 1861, collectively referred to as “light geese”, in North America had been unknown in the 1980s. However, different indices of abundance suggested steady increases at the time. The Karrak Lake Research Station (KLRS) was established partly because it was not known if the breeding biology from more southern latitudes (the only information available at the time) was representative of more northern colonies where 90% of the midcontinent population of lesser snow geese nested. Visits in 1990 confirmed the continued importance of Karrak Lake and surrounding areas in Canada’s central Arctic to a large nesting concentration of both snow and Ross's geese documented previously. Key activities at KLRS were (1) colony-wide annual monitoring of nesting goose abundance and nesting performance and (2) large-scale marking efforts to monitor survival, range-wide abundance, distribution, and exploitation rate from hunter harvest and natural mortality rate. The scope of research expanded to include their interaction with local vegetation and other sympatric wildlife, including Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus, Linnaeus 1758), king eiders (Somateria spectabilis, Linnaeus 1758), long-tailed ducks (Clangula hyemalis, Linnaeus 1758), and cackling geese (Branta hutchinsii). Following exponential growth in the 1990s and 2000s, nesting populations of light geese at Karrak lake collapsed since 2012, presenting a unique opportunity to examine how local ecosystems recover and revert from heavy grazing by hyperabundant geese.

Landsat and Sentinel-2 acquisitions are among the most widely used medium-resolution optical data adopted for terrestrial vegetation applications, such as land cover and land use mapping, vegetation condition and phenology monitoring, and disturbance and change mapping. When combined, both data archives provide over 40 years, and counting, of continuous and consistent observations. Although the spatio-temporal availability of both data archives is well-known at the scene level, information on the actual availability of cloud-, snow-, and shade-free observations at the pixel level is lacking and should be explored individually for each study to correctly parametrize subsequent analyses. However, data exploration is time- and resource-consuming, thus is rarely performed a-priori. Consequently, the spatio-temporal heterogeneity of usable data is often inadequately accounted for in the analysis design, risking ill-advised selection of algorithms and hypotheses, and thus inferior quality of final results. Here we present precomputed data on the daily 1982-2023 availability of usable Landsat and Sentinel-2 acquisitions across the globe. We assembled the dataset by sampling individual pixels at regular intervals with 0.18° spacing in the latitudinal and longitudinal directions and reporting the data availability across the complete time depth of Landsat and Sentinel-2 data archives. The dataset comprises separate Landsat- and Sentinel-2-specific data records. To facilitate data exploration the data availability records are accompanied by a growing season information, also sampled at the pixel-level in regular intervals with 0.18° spacing. The dataset was derived based on freely available 1982–2023 Landsat surface reflectance (Collection 2) and Sentinel-2 top-of-the-atmosphere reflectance (pre-Collection-1 and Collection-1) scenes from 2015 through 2023, following the methodology developed in the recent study on data availability over Europe [1]. Growing season information was derived based on 2001-2019 time series of the yearly 500 m MODIS land cover dynamics product (MCD12Q2; Collection 6) [1]. As such, the dataset presents a unique overview of the spatio-temporal availability of usable daily Landsat and Sentinel-2 data at the global scale, hence offering much-needed a-priori information aiding identification of appropriate methods and challenges for terrestrial vegetation analyses at the local to global scale.

AbstractAlthough Zimbabwe opened its airwaves to private players in 2002, broadcasting spectrum frequency licensing has remained contentious with some stakeholders arguing the process lacks transparency and is deceptive to media reform. We therefore seek to answer two key questions in this article: What are the impediments encountered in liberating the broadcasting industry in Zimbabwe since independence? To what extent is Zimbabwe’s broadcasting frequency spectrum licensing regime transparent, open and participatory? The article analyses if the licensing regimen meets International Telecommunications Union (ITU), continental and regional benchmarks of transparency, openness, fairness and inclusivity in allocation and assignment of frequencies. It investigates and unpacks policies and principles concerning frequency spectrum allocation for broadcasting in Zimbabwe. Documentary analysis is employed in examining policy documents which outline terms of reference and requirements for frequency spectrum allocation. We also conducted in-depth interviews with broadcasting policy makers and industrial voices such as applicants who were denied licenses. Four stations (two awarded and two denied) licenses and were purposively sampled for in-depth interviews. Findings in this study reveal that the adjudication and scoring of the licensees is not transparent, neither is it open and bidders do not have a say in the licensing process. Whilst the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe and the Postal Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe admit that final adjudication is done by the authorities, they still claim that the Zimbabwean licensing model is open, transparent and participatory.

We connect evidence that 20 oC is the most stable temperature for cellular processes with macroecological observations. Examples show that temperatures warmer than ~20 oC result in decreases in: aquatic species’ tolerance to low oxygen; marine pelagic and benthic algal productivity; pelagic and benthic predation rates; global species richness in pelagic fishes, plankton and benthic invertebrates; and genetic diversity; but increased extinctions in the fossil record. The realised thermal niche of reef fishes and invertebrates globally is narrowest among species with distributions centred on 20 oC, as also seen in microbes. While many species have evolved to live at warmer and colder temperatures, most species live at, and extinctions in the fossil record across seven phyla were lower at, 20 oC. The mathematical “Corkrey” model, which predicts that thermal breadth should be minimized and species richness maximised at 20 oC across all Domains of life, provides an explanation for this “20 oC effect”. A literature search found highest species richness at ~20 oC across life in air and water, including animals, plants and microbes. That life seems centred around ~20 oC implies fundamental constraints that compromise the ability of extant tropical species to adapt to higher temperatures.

Nutrient cycling through leaf litter consumption is an essential ecological function performed by macrodetritivorous invertebrates such as isopods and millipedes. Leaf litter consumption rates can vary greatly depending on the environment, consumer identity and litter traits, but generalizations about the effects of plant traits on macrodetritivore leaf litter consumption, assimilation and growth are not well established and are mostly indirectly inferred.We conducted a systematic search of the global literature and obtained 456 standardized measures from laboratory experiments of relative consumption (RCR), assimilation (RAR) and growth (RGR) rates of terrestrial isopods and millipedes, extracted from 56 different articles. We investigated if commonly measured leaf traits, plant functional groups, prior microbial conditioning of leaves and climatic conditions affected these rates. We obtained data on commonly measured leaf traits from the TRY global plant trait database, inferred plant functional groups from taxonomic groupings and obtained climatic data from information reported within articles.RCR, RAR and RGR varied greatly among macrodetritivore and plant species, but overall, there were no differences between isopods and millipedes. Microbial conditioning of litter greatly increased RCR. Plant functional group was an important predictor of RCR, with eudicot trees and forbs being consumed in greater quantities than magnoliid trees and grasses. Fresh leaf N:P ratio had a positive effect on RAR, and leaf N and C:N ratio had positive and negative effects on RGR, respectively, while climatic variables had weak effects on the three rates.Our work shows that plant traits (both those associated with plant functional groups and commonly measured leaf traits) exert strong effects on resource processing rates by terrestrial macrodetritivores. Further, prior microbial conditioning of leaf litter has a large and globally consistent positive effect on macrodetritivore litter consumption, suggesting that they may consume little, if any, freshly senesced leaf material when microbially conditioned litter is available. Our results suggest that, where extremes of temperature or precipitation do not occur, variables reflective of food quality (leaf traits and microbe conditioning) are more important drivers of macrodetritivore leaf litter consumption than are extrinsic climatic variables. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the book Wild mammals of Myanmar (Tun Yin 1993) was published, a total of 252 mammal species were reported. Since that publication, numerous new species have been described, taxonomic revisions published, and additional distribution records produced that have expanded Myanmar's mammals considerably. Therefore, we aimed to provide an updated checklist of the mammals of Myanmar, which includes the scientific and common names, global and Myanmar distributions, remarks on taxonomy, and conservation information including the IUCN Red List status and legal protection status under The Conservation of Biodiversity and Protected Areas Law 2018 of Myanmar. Our new checklist includes 365 (33 marine and 332 terrestrial) mammal species belonging to 13 orders and 49 families. We also confirmed that Myanmar is home to at least nine endemic mammal species. Our results highlight the areas that require further exploration to gain a more comprehensive understanding of Myanmar's diverse fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High‐resolution records from past interglacial climates help constrain future responses to global warming, yet are rare. Here, we produce seasonally resolved climate records from subarctic‐Canada using micron‐scale measurements of oxygen isotopes (δ18O) in speleothems with apparent annual growth bands from three interglacial periods—Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 11, 9, and 5e. We find 3‰ lower δ18O values during MIS 11 than MIS 5e, despite MIS 11 likely being warmer. We explore controls on high‐latitude speleothem δ18O and suggest low MIS 11 δ18O values reflect greater contribution of cold‐season precipitation to dripwater from longer annual ground thaw durations. Other potential influences include changes in precipitation source and/or increased fraction of cold‐season precipitation from diminished sea ice in MIS 11. Our study highlights the potential for high‐latitude speleothems to yield detailed isotopic records of Northern Hemisphere interglacial climates beyond the reach of Greenland ice cores and offers a framework for interpreting them. Plain Language Summary: Few climate records pre‐dating the last ice age exist from high‐latitude North America, which inhibits our understanding of how regions with permafrost responded to past warming and how they might change in the future. Here, we help fill this data gap by using six speleothems (cave mineral deposits) from a cave in the Northwest Territories, Canada to produce climate records that span thousands of years during former warm periods of Earth's history. We find that speleothems that grew during an exceptionally warm super‐interglacial period 400,000 years ago have 3‰ lower oxygen isotope (δ18O) values compared to those that grew during a likely cooler interglacial 125,000 years ago. We explore potential explanations for the difference in δ18O across interglacials, and suggest that lower δ18O values during warmer periods reflect greater infiltration of cool‐season precipitation with longer annual ground thaw durations. This study highlights the importance of high‐latitude speleothems to provide detailed climate records beyond the range available from Greenland ice cores. Key Points: Long high‐latitude terrestrial climate records are rare in the Northern HemisphereHigh‐latitude speleothems can provide ultra‐high‐resolution climate records beyond the reach of Greenland ice coresMean oxygen isotopes of Arctic and subarctic speleothems likely are controlled by annual ground thaw durations [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The opening of Neo-Tethys within Gondwanaland during the Guadalupian (transition signified a pivotal transgressive event) in the Permian Period. Consequently, an attempt has been undertaken to elucidate the sequence stratigraphy and palaeodepositional settings of fluvial sedimentary deposits encompassing coal and shale sediments within the Godavari Valley Coalfield, South India. The Total Organic Carbon (TOC) content across the examined samples exhibits a discernible range from 0.07 to 65.53 wt%, with reactive carbon, measured as Pyrolyzable Carbon (PC), displaying variations from 0.02 to 15.93 wt% and non-reactive carbon, characterized, as Residual Carbon (RC), spans a percentage range of 0–66.86 wt% within the selected samples. The predominant organic matter manifests as type III kerogen, except Sh-47, where type II kerogen is identified. The combination of Rock–Eval pyrolysis alongside palynofacies analysis facilitates the differentiation of significant system tracts arising from relative sea level fluctuations within the deposited terrestrial sequences. These tracts include swampy and flooded palaeomires settings. Terminologies denoting system tracts within the sequences are indicted as T-lst, T-hst, T-tst and T-mfs corresponding to the Low Stand System Tract (LST), High Stand System Tract (HST), Transgressive System Tract (TST) and Maximum Flooding Surface (MFS) respectively. A noteworthy one and half cycles are discerned within the sequence, predicted on Amorphous Organic Matter (AOM), TOC, Hydrogen Index (HI), PC and Gelification Index (GI) values. In the initial cycle, T-mfs is identified based on the preponderance of fluorescent AOM, coupled with the highest value of HI and PC. The ratio of opaque/translucent phytoclasts serves as a discriminant in delineating the boundaries of T-lst, T-tst and T-hst within the sequences, corroborating the aforementioned observation. This research serves as a preliminary assessment of the system tracts within fluvial environments. A more intricate, high-resolution exploration of deeper sequences holds the potential to furnish comprehensive insights for subsequent studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing number of plastic particles in the environment gives rise to a unique ecological niche called the plastisphere, which is characterized by a dynamic assemblage of microorganisms comprising autotrophs, heterotrophs, predators, and pathogens. This paper reviews the formation, characteristics, and factors influencing the terrestrial and aquatic plastisphere. The terrestrial and aquatic plastisphere forms when hitchhiking microorganisms, often bacteria, in the environment adhere to the surfaces of plastic particles and alter the surface properties of the particles for subsequent colonization of increasingly tightly clinging microorganisms. The terrestrial plastisphere is not as mobile as the aquatic plastisphere and is defined by the characteristics of the soil anchoring it. The microorganisms on the plastisphere are often defined by the dominant microorganisms in the surroundings, particularly those of the phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, Ciliophora, Ochrophyta, and Chlorophyta. However, the compositions and dominant microbial species on different plastic surfaces vary widely as they change with time, plastic properties, and biotic and abiotic environmental factors. Temporal changes in the plastisphere are due to succession. Plastic properties, particularly the type, surface properties, size, color, degree of aging, and chemical leaching, also affect the composition of the plastisphere. Biotic environmental factors comprising the dominant ambient microorganisms and interspecies interactions, together with the abiotic ones, including pH, temperature, nutrient availability, soil properties, salinity, and light, significantly shape the plastisphere. This review provides insight into the biodiversity of the plastisphere, and its roles in spreading pathogens and degrading plastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Environmental DNA (eDNA) degradation influences the effectiveness of eDNA‐based biodiversity monitoring, but the factors that determine the rate of decay of eDNA in terrestrial environments are poorly understood. We assessed the persistence of vertebrate eDNA from a mock vertebrate community created with soil from zoo enclosures holding 10 target species from different taxonomic classes (reptiles, birds, and mammals) and of different biomass (little penguin and giraffe). We examined species detection rates resulting from eDNA metabarcoding, as well as relative eDNA concentrations via qPCR, from soil samples over eight time points (0–12 weeks), during exposure to three ambient temperatures (10, 25, and 40°C) and three levels of ultraviolet B (UV‐B) radiation (0%, 50%, and 100% intensity). We recorded considerable variation in detectability between species, independent of temperature, and UV‐B effects. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) indicated degradation of eDNA over time for all temperature and UV treatments, although it was still possible to detect eDNA from some species after 12 weeks. Degradation rates were lowest for high UV‐B treatments, presumably due to UV‐B reducing bacterial metabolism. The temperatures investigated did not influence eDNA decay. Our results indicate that eDNA in soil can persist under a range of temperatures and high UV radiation for longer than expected. Sheltered sites with minimal UV‐B radiation, which have previously been considered ideal sites for terrestrial eDNA collection, may not be optimal for eDNA persistence in some cases due to microbial decay. A better understanding of eDNA degradation in terrestrial environments is needed to enhance the accuracy of eDNA metabarcoding for surveying terrestrial vertebrate communities.

Garbage may cause substantial environmental perturbations, in part because of its consumption by wildlife. Such consumption may have direct health implications for animals and may also influence trophic relationships. Even in pristine Arctic ecosystems, wildlife feeding in marine environments consume garbage in the form of plastic debris transported by ocean currents. We show that Arctic wildlife in pristine terrestrial environments may also ingest garbage or food items derived from abandoned camp sites. We found the remains of a chocolate wrapper and a milk powder bag in two Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) scats and a piece of cloth in an Arctic wolf (Canis lupus arctos) scat collected near Nares Strait, northern Greenland, one of the most pristine terrestrial wilderness regions on Earth. Found on Washington Land and associated with long-abandoned camp sites, these three scats were among 657 Arctic fox scats and 92 wolf scats collected as part of a larger study. Our study demonstrates that these two highly opportunistic predators managed to consume garbage despite the almost complete lack of human activity in this High-Arctic region. Our results highlight that abandoned anthropogenic material in the High Arctic may function as a source of garbage for local terrestrial wildlife over extended time periods, and that garbage consumption may become a potential issue if human activity in remote Arctic regions increases.

Species' with more limited dispersal and consequently less gene flow are more likely to form new spatially segregated species and thus contribute disproportionally to endemic biota and global species richness. Aotearoa New Zealand has exceptional endemicity, with 52% of its 54,000 named species endemic, including 32%, 39% and 68% for freshwater, marine and terrestrial environments respectively. The lower endemicity of freshwater biota (excluding insects) is attributed to their need to disperse between habitats that are temporary on evolutionary timescales. The percent endemicity of higher taxa (Order to Kingdom), a measure of phylogenetic relationships, was not correlated with regional and global species richness. However, there was a positive correlation between endemicity and species richness across dispersal trait groups based on their environment, typical body size, mobility (including flight), and if marine, whether pelagic or benthic. Typically flighted taxa had high endemicity contrary to the dispersal-endemicity hypothesis, but reflecting exceptional isolation by distance and time, and reduced flight ability as occurs on islands. It is proposed that the high richness and endemicity of mobile macrofauna is caused by a combination of niche specialisation opportunities and predation limiting dispersal respectively. Thus, dispersal traits better predicted endemicity and global species richness than phylogeny. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based both on published GenBank DNA sequences and newly produced sequences, I have assembled the largest multi‐loci sequence dataset of the Diplommatinidae to date to investigate their evolutionary history. The focus of this study is on the diverse genus Palaina, which is represented by new sequences of its type species as well as additional samples from Timor and the Solomon Islands. In addition, the type species of Palmatina from Norfolk Island is also included. A relaxed molecular clock hypothesis is presented that incorporates several calibration points based on fossils or on previously published age estimates for major clades. Accordingly, the Sundaland diplommatinids Plectostoma, Opisthostoma, Arinia and Diplommatina are of considerable evolutionary antiquity, each likely having originated during the Cretaceous or early Paleogene at the latest. The Palaina sensu lato main clade was found to be the sister of all other diplommatinids included in the tree and has also diverged during the late Cretaceous. Palaina as currently delineated is rendered non‐monophyletic by the radiations of Hungerfordia and Eupalaina, which are endemic to the archipelago of Palau, as well as Palmatina from Norfolk Island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tehran province as a diverse habitat for different animal species, has the potential to support many land molluscs species. However, a little glimpse of the research on malacology shows that Tehran province is probably the least well-studied area for land snails in Iran. Herein, the very first comprehensive study about the land snails collected from Tehran province in addition to the previous scientific document is presented. The data included here are based on the field investigations and the published records by different authors from 2008 to 2023 This checklist is collectively composed of 22 species belonging to 16 genera under nine families from different parts of Tehran province. However, some areas of Tehran province have not been investigated in terms of the diversity of snail species. The outcome of this report shows that more research is needed on the species diversity of terrestrial snails in Tehran province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: We assess climate similarity among global freshwater and terrestrial ecoregions under historical and future climate scenarios to determine where climate change will impact the climate filter of invasion process. Location: Global. Methods: We used the Climatch algorithm to conduct a climate‐match analysis to quantify the climate similarity between freshwater and terrestrial ecoregions of the world. Climate match was modelled between all freshwater and terrestrial ecoregions. The analysis was conducted under historical climates and projected climates of 2081–2100 (2090) under three shared socioeconomic pathways SSP2‐4.5, SSP3‐7.0, SSP5‐8.5. Climate matches of each ecoregion were presented as mean climate match to all other ecoregions of the same set. Friedman's non‐parametric rank sum two‐way analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to examine differences in mean climate match between climate scenarios. Results: Mean climate match of ecoregions was projected to increase significantly with small effect sizes for freshwater ecoregions (recipients: 0.132; sources: 0.105), and moderate and small effect sizes for terrestrial ecoregions (recipients: 0.330; sources: 0.259). Climate change was predicted to increase mean climate match in North America and Eurasia, particularly in the Arctic by 2090 under each SSP. Ecoregions in central Africa and South America were predicted to have reduced mean climate match. Ecoregions within larger countries (e.g. Australia, Canada, USA) showed variation in mean climate match. Main Conclusion: Climate change projections of bioclimatic predictors of species invasions were shown to increase in homogeneity under higher emissions scenarios. Furthermore, we demonstrate how climate change will provide opportunities for invasive species transported among ecoregions to survive under new conditions and identify where the climate filter of the invasion process will be most affected. Findings can be used to inform conservation actions for mitigating the impacts of introduced species by identifying potential risky source regions of future freshwater and terrestrial invasions under climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, invasive species are a major driver of global change that is increasing in scope and impact due to the increase in global trade, habitat modification and climate change. Among invasive species, those that are known as 'ecosystem engineers' are considered a specific, highly influential, type of invaders, where an invader significantly alters the new environment, either physically or chemically. In this context, this perspective review discusses the different types of possible impacts of invasive ecosystems engineers (IEE) in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems.Scanning the relevant literature on the topic, we find a 12‐year lag in the use of terms relevant to the concept of ecosystem engineers in invasion‐related publications since the first publication of the concept in 1994, with a steep increase in use between 2006 and 2014. A bibliometric mapping showed a high level of connectedness between related terms and clusters, suggesting an ample flow of concepts, ideas and knowledge between realms, ecosystems and regions, and researchers that study them.Throughout this essay, we illustrate with recent examples the context‐dependency of their (positive and negative) impacts in the three realms. We review the distinction between autogenic (altering the environment for other species with their body) and allogenic (altering the environment for other species with their actions) ecosystem engineering in the context of alien species. We also put a spotlight on the well‐studied engineering effects of IEE plants and macroalgae, terrestrial and aquatic bioturbators and burrowers as well as highly effective consumers.We finalize with discussing how IEE can strongly affect ecosystem services for human wellbeing and explore the possible contribution of IEE in restoring functions and services in the face of climate change in highly invaded and fast‐warming systems like the southeastern Mediterranean Sea or areas that face frequent fires for example. We claim that the last topic has received little attention from the scientific community and should be given priority in future studies. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terrestrial diatoms are widespread in a large variety of habitats and are regularly recorded in biocrusts. Although diatoms have long been known to live in terrestrial habitats, only a few studies have focused on their diversity of ecophysiology. Here we present a study on the ecophysiological performance of five terrestrial diatom cultures from biocrusts, which were collected in sand dunes of the German coast of the Baltic Sea. The sampling sites were selected along a gradient of human impacts on the dunes. The richness of diatom species, roughly estimated from permanent slides, was around 30 species per sampling site. The species abundance was calculated in the same way revealing a high proportion of broken diatom frustules. All diatom cultures established in the laboratory showed no photoinhibition and high oxygen production along a light gradient. The desiccation tolerance differed among the strains, with high recovery observed for Hantzschia abundans and Achnanthes coarctata and low to no recovery for Pinnularia borealis and Pinnularia intermedia. The maximum growth rate for most strains was between 25 and 30°C. These temperatures can be easily reached in their natural environments. Nevertheless, during short-term exposure to elevated temperatures, oxygen production was recorded up to 35°C. Interestingly, two of five diatom cultures (Hantzschia abundans and Pinnularia borealis) produced mycosporine-like amino acids. These UV-protective substances are known from marine diatoms but not previously reported in terrestrial diatoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cephaleuros belongs to the family Trentepohliaceae, order Trentepholiales, and division Chlorophyta, and acts as a parasite on higher plants. The presence of this alga is characterized by the appearance of spots on the surface of the leaf epidermis and generally does not cause serious problems. However, in certain cases, this algal infection can cause serious problems to the leaves, fruits and stems of plants, especially in humid environments. This research objective is to identify the species of Cephaleuros in the campus of the Faculty of Biology, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta. In this research, sampling was conducted using a purposive random sampling method. The samples were then identified based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. Two species of Cephaleuros, i.e. C. virescens and C. parasiticus, were identified as infesting several plants on the Faculty of Biology UGM campus. Each species is described and illustrated in the following article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The threat of invasive species to biodiversity and ecosystem structure is exacerbated by the increasingly concerning outlook of predicted climate change and other human influences. Developing preventative management strategies for invasive plant species before they establish is crucial for effective management. To examine how climate change may impact habitat suitability, we modeled the current and future habitat suitability of two terrestrial species, Geranium lucidum and Pilosella officinarum, and two aquatic species, Butomus umbellatus and Pontederia crassipes, that are relatively new invasive plant species regionally, and are currently spreading in the Pacific Northwest (PNW, North America), an area of unique natural areas, vibrant economic activity, and increasing human population. Using North American presence records, downscaled climate variables, and human influence data, we developed an ensemble model of six algorithms to predict the potential habitat suitability under current conditions and projected climate scenarios RCP 4.5, 7.0, and 8.5 for 2050 and 2080. One terrestrial species (P. officinarum) showed declining habitat suitability in future climate scenarios (contracted distribution), while the other terrestrial species (G. lucidum) showed increased suitability over much of the region (expanded distribution overall). The two aquatic species were predicted to have only moderately increased suitability, suggesting aquatic plant species may be less impacted by climate change. Our research provides a template for regional-scale modelling of invasive species of concern, thus assisting local land managers and practitioners to inform current and future management strategies and to prioritize limited available resources for species with expanding ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract High‐resolution records from past interglacial climates help constrain future responses to global warming, yet are rare. Here, we produce seasonally resolved climate records from subarctic‐Canada using micron‐scale measurements of oxygen isotopes (δ18O) in speleothems with apparent annual growth bands from three interglacial periods—Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 11, 9, and 5e. We find 3‰ lower δ18O values during MIS 11 than MIS 5e, despite MIS 11 likely being warmer. We explore controls on high‐latitude speleothem δ18O and suggest low MIS 11 δ18O values reflect greater contribution of cold‐season precipitation to dripwater from longer annual ground thaw durations. Other potential influences include changes in precipitation source and/or increased fraction of cold‐season precipitation from diminished sea ice in MIS 11. Our study highlights the potential for high‐latitude speleothems to yield detailed isotopic records of Northern Hemisphere interglacial climates beyond the reach of Greenland ice cores and offers a framework for interpreting them.

Abstract We present a representation of nitrogen and phosphorus cycling in the Functionally Assembled Terrestrial Ecosystem Simulator, a demographic vegetation model within the Energy Exascale Earth System land model. This representation is modular, and designed to allow testing of multiple hypothetical approaches for carbon‐nutrient coupling in plants. Novel model hypotheses introduced in this work include, (a) the controls on plant acquisition of aqueous mineralized nutrients in the soil and (b) fairly straight forward methods of allocating nutrients to specific plant organs and their losses through live plant turnover as well as litter fluxes generated through plant mortality. This combines the new with pre‐existing hypotheses (such as nitrogen fixation and soil decomposition) into a system that can accommodate plant‐soil dynamics for a large number of size‐ and functional‐type‐resolved plant cohorts within a time‐since‐disturbance‐resolved ecosystem. Root uptake of nutrients is governed by fine root biomass, and plants vary in their fine root biomass allocation in order to balance carbon and nutrient limitations to growth. We test the sensitivity of the model to a wide range of parameter variations and structural representations, and in the context of observations at Barro Colorado Island, Panama. A key model prediction is that plants in the high‐light‐availability canopy positions allocate more carbon to fine roots than plants in low‐light understory environments, given the widely different carbon versus nutrient constraints of these two niches within a given ecosystem. This model provides a basis for exploring carbon‐nutrient coupling with vegetation demography within Earth system models.

The terrestrial and marine biotypes of Madagascar are critical priorities for conservation, with almost unparalleled levels of endemism, species diversity and human threat for a land area of its size. Field inventories and molecular-based research conducted from the mid 1980s to present have greatly expanded knowledge of the country's biota, for some groups with nearly exponential growth in measures of species diversity. I provide updated measures of estimated species diversity between a book with 289 contributors, published in 2003 (The Natural History of Madagascar), and a full-scale update with 539 contributors, published in 2022 (The New Natural History of Madagascar). I compare biodiversity information presented in the new book with data from the earlier book, providing insight into scientific advancements, and revised estimates of species richness and endemism of a range of taxonomic groups.

One of the main objectives of modern-day surveying is to maximize the efficiency and accuracy of mapping a landscape for natural features and elevations prior to the start of a construction project. This paper focuses on a comparison between terrestrial and aerial photogrammetry and real-time kinematic global positioning systems (RTK-GPSs) in terms of elevation accuracy, data expenditure, and time for each survey to be completed. Two sites in San Diego County were chosen to be studied with a combined area of about 1.14 acres, and a total station system was used to establish 572 control points between both areas. Two of the three methods investigated produced similar results in elevation and were well within the established standard, as the terrestrial photogrammetry averaged 0.0583 feet of error, the aerial photogrammetry averaged 0.345 feet of error, and the RTK-GPS averaged 0.0432 feet of error when compared to the total station ground truth. If data consumption is not a concern, the terrestrial photogrammetric method should be preferred to the aerial photogrammetric and RTK-GPS methods in topographic mapping and land monitoring due to the increase in time efficiency and in surface model detail while keeping within the Caltrans specified tolerance of error of 0.2 feet. For general order land surveys, the photogrammetric approach utilized with a Looq scanner would provide the most efficient and cost-effective survey while staying within the 0.2 foot tolerance of error. This method also allows for the utmost clarity of the resulting point cloud when analyzing terrain, break lines, or other features in the survey area.