Ecology Letters (2010) 13: 246–264 Abstract Many of the most interesting questions ecologists ask lead to analyses spatial data. Yet, perhaps confused by large number statistical models and fitting methods available, many seem believe this is best left specialists. Here, we describe issues that need consideration when analysing data illustrate these using simulation studies. Our comparative analysis involves including generalized least squares, filters, wavelet revised models, conditional...

Atmospheric oxygen (O 2 ) is estimated to have varied greatly throughout Earth’s history and has been capable of influencing wildfire activity wherever fuel ignition sources were present. Fires consume huge quantities biomass in all ecosystems play an important role biogeochemical cycles. This means that understanding the influence O on past fire far-reaching consequences for evolution life biodiversity over geological timescales. We used a strong electrical source ignite smoldering fires,...

Empirical studies have shown that, in real ecosystems, species-interaction strengths are generally skewed their distribution towards weak interactions. Some theoretical work also suggests that interactions, especially omnivorous links, important for the local stability of a community at equilibrium. However, majority use uniform distributions interaction to generate artificial communities study. We investigate effects underlying interaction-strength upon return time, permanence and...

One strategy for plants to optimize stomatal function is open and close their stomata quickly in response environmental signals. It generally assumed that small can alter aperture faster than large stomata. We tested the hypothesis species with larger darkness by comparing rate of closure across an evolutionary range including ferns, cycads, conifers, angiosperms under controlled ambient conditions (380 ppm CO2; 20.9% O2). The two fastest half-closure time slowest had while remaining three...

Functional connectivity affects demography and gene dynamics in fragmented populations. Besides species-specific dispersal ability, the between local populations is affected by landscape elements encountered during dispersal. Documenting these effects thus a central issue for conservation management of In this study, we compare power accuracy three methods (partial correlations, regressions Approximate Bayesian Computations) that use genetic distances to infer effect upon We stochastic...

Chaotic genetic patchiness denotes unexpected patterns of differentiation that are observed at a fine scale and not stable in time. These have been described marine species with free-living larvae, but because they occur below the dispersal range pelagic larvae. At where most larvae immigrants, theory predicts spatially homogeneous, temporally variation. Empirical studies suggested drift interacts complex to create chaotic patchiness. Here we use co-ancestry model individual-based...

Chaotic genetic patchiness (CGP) refers to surprising patterns of spatial and temporal structure observed in some marine species at a scale where variation should be efficiently homogenized by gene flow via larval dispersal. Here we review discuss 4 mechanisms that could generate such unexpected patterns: selection, sweepstakes reproductive success, collective dispersal, shifts local population dynamics. First, examples differentiation specific loci was driven diversifying which historically...

The consumption of large areas peat during wildfires is due to self-sustained smouldering fronts that can remain active for weeks. We studied the effect moisture content and bulk density on horizontal propagation fire in laboratory-scale experiments. used milled with contents between 25 250% (mass water per mass dry peat) densities 50 150 kg m–3. An infrared camera monitored ignition, spread extinction each combustion front. Peats a below 75 m–3 150% more than 12 cm. Peat could self-sustain...

Functionally unique species contribute to the functional diversity of natural systems, often enhancing ecosystem functioning. An abundance weakly interacting increases stability in suggesting that loss linked may reduce stability. Any link between uniqueness a and strength its interactions food web could therefore have simultaneous effects on functioning Here, we analyse patterns 213 real webs show highly consistently tend weakest mean interaction per unit biomass system. This relationship...

Abstract To fully understand ecosystem functioning under global change, we need to be able measure the stability of at multiple spatial scales. Although a number components have been established small scales, there has little progress in scaling these measures up landscape. Remote sensing data holds huge potential for studying processes landscape scales but requires quantitative that are comparable from experimental field satellite remote sensing. Here present methodology extract four...

The gravimetric moisture content of peat is the main factor limiting ignition and spread propagation smouldering fires. Our aim to use controlled laboratory experiments better understand how fires influenced in natural landscape conditions where top layer not homogeneous. In this paper, we study for first time across a spatial matrix two contents (dry/wet) laboratory. were undertaken using an open-top insulated box (22 × 18 6 cm) filled with milled peat. was ignited at one side initiating...

The OPRAM (Online Pest Risk Analysis Model) project is developing an open source web application, which will be used in guiding risk assessment and surveillance of high priority plant pests across Ireland. Current models predict the timing adult emergence during year using accumulative growing degree day model, but overwintering not typically included (for example : https://www.usanpn.org/vis-tool). inclusion particularly important when predicting a pest’s end-of-year phenology for...

SUMMARY Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is highly variable, both between and within species. One hypothesis that this variation may be linked to the capacity for sustained of energy expenditure, leading associations high BMR performance during energy-demanding periods life history, such as reproduction. However, despite attractive nature hypothesis,previous studies have failed show an association fecundity. Our approach was mate 304 C57BL/6J mice allow them wean pups before measuring by indirect...

Establishing how invasive species impact upon pre-existing is a fundamental question in ecology and conservation biology. The greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) an Ireland that was first recorded 2007 which, according to initial data, may be limiting the abundance/distribution of pygmy (Sorex minutus), previously Ireland's only species. Because these concerns, we undertook intensive live-trapping survey (and used other data from live-trapping, sightings bird prey pellets/nest...

Peatlands represent a globally important carbon store; however, the human exploitation of this ecosystem is increasing both frequency and severity fires on drained peatlands. Yet, interactions between hydrological conditions (ecotopes), fuel types being burned, burn severity, charring temperatures (pyrolysis intensity) remain poorly understood. Here we present post-burn assessment fire lowland raised bog in Co. Offaly, Ireland (All Saints Bog). Three severities were identified field (light,...

The greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) is an invasive mammalian species that was first recorded in Ireland 2007. It currently occupies area of approximately 7,600 km2 on the island. C. russula normally distributed Northern Africa and Western Europe, previously absent from British Isles. Whilst can have dramatic rapid impacts faunal floral communities, they may also be carriers pathogens facilitating disease transmission potentially naive populations. Pathogenic leptospires are...

Abstract The ecological importance of common species for many ecosystem processes and functions is unquestionably due to their high abundance. Yet, the rare much less understood. Here we take a theoretical approach, exposing dynamical models networks small perturbations, explore species. We find that both types contribute recovery communities following generic perturbations (i.e. affecting all species). when are selective affects only one species), have most pronounced effect on community...

Summary Many studies recognize that growth carries with it a mortality risk can influence an animal's rate. Data suggest these costs of act over range time‐scales, from instantaneous to lifetime. Models adaptive rate have not addressed the issue differing time‐scales which act. Here, we develop model in are delayed for period time, assess optimal strategies relation delays costs. The rates calculated assuming one two possible fitness measures: reproductive rate, R 0 and intrinsic population...

Animals often face complex and changing food environments. While such environments are challenging, an animal should make association between a type its properties (such as the presence of nutrient or toxin). We use information theory concepts, mutual information, to establish for development these associations. In this theory, associations assumed maximize foods their consequences. show that invariably imperfect. An association's accuracy increases with length feeding session relative...

Biological records are often the data of choice for training predictive species distribution models (SDMs), but spatial sampling bias is pervasive in biological at multiple scales and thought to impair performance SDMs. We simulated presences absences virtual as well process recording these evaluate effect on model prediction (1) data, (2) sample size (the average number observations per species), (3) modelling method. Our approach novel quantifying applying real-world biases data. Spatial...