Restoration of the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris; LLP) ecosystem and its associated fauna is a p... more Restoration of the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris; LLP) ecosystem and its associated fauna is a principal goal of many land-management agencies in the southeastern United States. Prescribed fire and herbicide application are 2 common methods of LLP restoration. We employed a multi-scale approach to investigate how occurrence of fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) was influenced by fire frequency and herbicide application in LLP communities of northern Florida. We sampled 9-point, 4-ha grids of camera traps with 106 grids in fire treatments, 23 herbicide treatment grids, and 27 control grids. We evaluated a priori models for occurrence of fox squirrels at point, 4-ha patch, and home-range scales, and the influence of fire and herbicides on vegetation structure. Fox squirrel occurrence was positively associated with densities of turkey oak (Quercus laevis) at the patch scale, which were significantly less abundant in herbicide-treated areas. Fox squirrel occurrence was negatively correlated...
Shrub encroachment is altering the structure and species composition of freshwater wetlands acros... more Shrub encroachment is altering the structure and species composition of freshwater wetlands across the globe. These changes are likely to be particularly detrimental for threatened wetland vertebrates. However, little research has focused on how shrub encroachment influences threatened wetland vertebrates. We sought to determine how vegetative structure and shrub cover influenced the occurrence of a threatened semi-aquatic mammal species, the Sanibel Island rice rat (Oryzomys palustris sanibeli). Using aerial photography from across the Sanibel Island rice rat’s range, we found a 5.5-fold increase in shrub cover over a 71-year period. To link these changes to the current distribution of the species, we evaluated the influence of vegetation and metrics of inundation on probability of occurrence and localized colonization and extinction rates over a three-year period. We found Sanibel Island rice rats on 18 (33.3%) of our 54 sites. Their occurrence was positively associated with eleva...
Climate change will alter natural areas on a global scale within the next century. In areas vulne... more Climate change will alter natural areas on a global scale within the next century. In areas vulnerable to climate change, scientists are regularly challenged to justify the resources needed for research and conservation. We face what may seem like a losing battle, especially in low-lying coastal areas where sea-level rise is predicted to severely degrade or destroy many ecosystems. Using sea-level rise in the low-elevation state of Florida, USA, as a case study, we argue that it is critical to remain engaged in the research, restoration, and conservation of natural areas threatened by climate change for as long as possible. These areas will continue to provide invaluable ecological and societal benefits. Additionally, uncertainty surrounding climate change forecasts and their ecological impact leaves room for optimism, research, and actions that are necessary for developing adaptation plans and mitigating further sea-level rise and other consequences of climate change. We urge scientists and particularly students beginning their careers not to forego research and conservation efforts of these imperiled lands but to face this unprecedented challenge with determination, creativity, and solution-based strategies.
and non-hunted species, as well as indigenous knowledge of patterns of use and trends in populati... more and non-hunted species, as well as indigenous knowledge of patterns of use and trends in populations of game species. This approach to monitoring would serve as an effective early warning system, allowing communities, managers, and policy makers to intervene before animal populations are significantly impacted by overhunting.
Aim: Across the planet, grass-dominated biomes are experiencing shrub encroachment driven by atmo... more Aim: Across the planet, grass-dominated biomes are experiencing shrub encroachment driven by atmospheric CO 2 enrichment and land-use change. By altering resource structure and availability, shrub encroachment may have important impacts on vertebrate communities. We sought to determine the magnitude and variability of these effects across climatic gradients, continents, and taxa, and to learn whether shrub thinning restores the structure of vertebrate communities. Location: Worldwide. Time period: Contemporary. Major taxa studied: Terrestrial vertebrates. Methods: We estimated relationships between percentage shrub cover and the structure of terrestrial vertebrate communities (species richness, Shannon diversity and community abundance) in experimentally thinned and unmanipulated shrub-encroached grass-dominated biomes using systematic review and meta-analyses of 43 studies published from 1978 to 2016. We modelled the effects of continent, biome, mean annual precipitation, net primary productivity and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) on the relationship between shrub cover and vertebrate community structure. Results: Species richness, Shannon diversity and total abundance had no consistent relationship with shrub encroachment and experimental thinning did not reverse encroachment effects on vertebrate communities. However, some effects of shrub encroachment on vertebrate communities differed with net primary productivity, amongst vertebrate groups, and across continents. Encroachment had negative effects on vertebrate diversity at low net primary productivity. Mam-malian and herpetofaunal diversity decreased with shrub encroachment. Shrub encroachment also had negative effects on species richness and total abundance in Africa but positive effects in North America. Main conclusions: Biodiversity conservation and mitigation efforts responding to shrub encroachment should focus on low-productivity locations, on mammals and herpetofauna, and in Africa. However, targeted research in neglected regions such as central Asia and India will be needed to fill important gaps in our knowledge of shrub encroachment effects on vertebrates. Additionally, our findings provide an impetus for determining the mechanisms associated with changes in vertebrate diversity and abundance in shrub-encroached grass-dominated biomes.
and non-hunted species, as well as indigenous knowledge of patterns of use and trends in populati... more and non-hunted species, as well as indigenous knowledge of patterns of use and trends in populations of game species. This approach to monitoring would serve as an effective early warning system, allowing communities, managers, and policy makers to intervene before animal populations are significantly impacted by overhunting.
Restoration of the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris; LLP) ecosystem and its associated fauna is a p... more Restoration of the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris; LLP) ecosystem and its associated fauna is a principal goal of many land-management agencies in the southeastern United States. Prescribed fire and herbicide application are 2 common methods of LLP restoration. We employed a multi-scale approach to investigate how occurrence of fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) was influenced by fire frequency and herbicide application in LLP communities of northern Florida. We sampled 9-point, 4-ha grids of camera traps with 106 grids in fire treatments, 23 herbicide treatment grids, and 27 control grids. We evaluated a priori models for occurrence of fox squirrels at point, 4-ha patch, and home-range scales, and the influence of fire and herbicides on vegetation structure. Fox squirrel occurrence was positively associated with densities of turkey oak (Quercus laevis) at the patch scale, which were significantly less abundant in herbicide-treated areas. Fox squirrel occurrence was negatively correlated...
Shrub encroachment is altering the structure and species composition of freshwater wetlands acros... more Shrub encroachment is altering the structure and species composition of freshwater wetlands across the globe. These changes are likely to be particularly detrimental for threatened wetland vertebrates. However, little research has focused on how shrub encroachment influences threatened wetland vertebrates. We sought to determine how vegetative structure and shrub cover influenced the occurrence of a threatened semi-aquatic mammal species, the Sanibel Island rice rat (Oryzomys palustris sanibeli). Using aerial photography from across the Sanibel Island rice rat’s range, we found a 5.5-fold increase in shrub cover over a 71-year period. To link these changes to the current distribution of the species, we evaluated the influence of vegetation and metrics of inundation on probability of occurrence and localized colonization and extinction rates over a three-year period. We found Sanibel Island rice rats on 18 (33.3%) of our 54 sites. Their occurrence was positively associated with eleva...
Climate change will alter natural areas on a global scale within the next century. In areas vulne... more Climate change will alter natural areas on a global scale within the next century. In areas vulnerable to climate change, scientists are regularly challenged to justify the resources needed for research and conservation. We face what may seem like a losing battle, especially in low-lying coastal areas where sea-level rise is predicted to severely degrade or destroy many ecosystems. Using sea-level rise in the low-elevation state of Florida, USA, as a case study, we argue that it is critical to remain engaged in the research, restoration, and conservation of natural areas threatened by climate change for as long as possible. These areas will continue to provide invaluable ecological and societal benefits. Additionally, uncertainty surrounding climate change forecasts and their ecological impact leaves room for optimism, research, and actions that are necessary for developing adaptation plans and mitigating further sea-level rise and other consequences of climate change. We urge scientists and particularly students beginning their careers not to forego research and conservation efforts of these imperiled lands but to face this unprecedented challenge with determination, creativity, and solution-based strategies.
and non-hunted species, as well as indigenous knowledge of patterns of use and trends in populati... more and non-hunted species, as well as indigenous knowledge of patterns of use and trends in populations of game species. This approach to monitoring would serve as an effective early warning system, allowing communities, managers, and policy makers to intervene before animal populations are significantly impacted by overhunting.
Aim: Across the planet, grass-dominated biomes are experiencing shrub encroachment driven by atmo... more Aim: Across the planet, grass-dominated biomes are experiencing shrub encroachment driven by atmospheric CO 2 enrichment and land-use change. By altering resource structure and availability, shrub encroachment may have important impacts on vertebrate communities. We sought to determine the magnitude and variability of these effects across climatic gradients, continents, and taxa, and to learn whether shrub thinning restores the structure of vertebrate communities. Location: Worldwide. Time period: Contemporary. Major taxa studied: Terrestrial vertebrates. Methods: We estimated relationships between percentage shrub cover and the structure of terrestrial vertebrate communities (species richness, Shannon diversity and community abundance) in experimentally thinned and unmanipulated shrub-encroached grass-dominated biomes using systematic review and meta-analyses of 43 studies published from 1978 to 2016. We modelled the effects of continent, biome, mean annual precipitation, net primary productivity and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) on the relationship between shrub cover and vertebrate community structure. Results: Species richness, Shannon diversity and total abundance had no consistent relationship with shrub encroachment and experimental thinning did not reverse encroachment effects on vertebrate communities. However, some effects of shrub encroachment on vertebrate communities differed with net primary productivity, amongst vertebrate groups, and across continents. Encroachment had negative effects on vertebrate diversity at low net primary productivity. Mam-malian and herpetofaunal diversity decreased with shrub encroachment. Shrub encroachment also had negative effects on species richness and total abundance in Africa but positive effects in North America. Main conclusions: Biodiversity conservation and mitigation efforts responding to shrub encroachment should focus on low-productivity locations, on mammals and herpetofauna, and in Africa. However, targeted research in neglected regions such as central Asia and India will be needed to fill important gaps in our knowledge of shrub encroachment effects on vertebrates. Additionally, our findings provide an impetus for determining the mechanisms associated with changes in vertebrate diversity and abundance in shrub-encroached grass-dominated biomes.
and non-hunted species, as well as indigenous knowledge of patterns of use and trends in populati... more and non-hunted species, as well as indigenous knowledge of patterns of use and trends in populations of game species. This approach to monitoring would serve as an effective early warning system, allowing communities, managers, and policy makers to intervene before animal populations are significantly impacted by overhunting.
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