Variation in adult stress resistance does not explain vulnerability to climate change in copper butterflies

Ongoing climate change is a major threat to biodiversity. However, although many species clearly suffer from ongoing climate change, others benefit from it, for example, by showing range expansions. However, which specific features determine a species’ vulnerability to climate change? Phenotypic plasticity, which has been described as the first line of defence against environmental change, may be of utmost importance here. Against this background, we here compare plasticity in stress tolerance in 3 copper butterfly species, which differ arguably in their vulnerability to climate change. Specifically, we investigated heat, cold and desiccation resistance after acclimatization to different temperatures in the adult stage. We demonstrate that acclimation at a higher temperature increased heat but decreased cold tolerance and desiccation resistance. Contrary to our predictions, species did not show pronounced variation in stress resistance, though plastic capacities in temperature stress resistance did vary across species. Overall, our results seemed to reflect population—rather than species‐specific patterns. We conclude that the geographical origin of the populations used should be considered even in comparative studies. However, our results suggest that, in the 3 species studied here, vulnerability to climate change is not in the first place determined by stress resistance in the adult stage. As entomological studies focus all too often on adults only, we argue that more research effort should be dedicated to other developmental stages when trying to understand insect responses to environmental change.     

Variation in Phenolic Content,Profile, and Antioxidant Activity of Seeds among Different Paeonia ostii Cultivated Populations in China

The purpose of this study was to analyze the phenolic profiles of seeds from fifteen Paeonia ostii cultivated populations in China and identify their relationship with antioxidant activities and associated environmental factors. Thirteen individual phenolic compounds were quantitatively determined by HPLC, and (+)‐catechin was the most abundant phenolic compound in the seeds. Correlation analysis showed that phenolics were the most effective antioxidant compound class by evaluating DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities as well as ferric reducing antioxidant power. Latitude and annual rainfall had significant effects on the contents of many phenolic compounds, and elevation was only significantly correlated with gallic acid content. Within fifteen P. ostii cultivated populations, the seeds of Tongling population exhibited the highest phenolic contents and strongest antioxidant activities. These results suggest that Tongling population has a relatively high utilization value and a potential for sources of natural antioxidants.     

Managing biological control services through multi‐trophic trait interactions: review and guidelines for implementation at local and landscape scales

Ecological studies are increasingly moving towards trait‐based approaches, as the evidence mounts that functions, as opposed to taxonomy, drive ecosystem service delivery. Among ecosystem services, biological control has been somewhat overlooked in functional ecological studies. This is surprising given that, over recent decades, much of biological control research has been focused on identifying the multiple characteristics (traits) of species that influence trophic interactions. These traits are especially well developed for interactions between arthropods and flowers – important for biological control, as floral resources can provide natural enemies with nutritional supplements, which can dramatically increase biological control efficiency. Traits that underpin the biological control potential of a community and that drive the response of arthropods to environmental filters, from local to landscape‐level conditions, are also emerging from recent empirical studies. We present an overview of the traits that have been identified to (i) drive trophic interactions, especially between plants and biological control agents through determining access to floral resources and enhancing longevity and fecundity of natural enemies, (ii) affect the biological control services provided by arthropods, and (iii) limit the response of arthropods to environmental filters, ranging from local management practices to landscape‐level simplification. We use this review as a platform to outline opportunities and guidelines for future trait‐based studies focused on the enhancement of biological control services.     

An Amazonian rainforest and its fragments as a laboratory of global change

We synthesize findings from one of the world's largest and longest‐running experimental investigations, the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project (BDFFP). Spanning an area of ∼ 1000 km² in central Amazonia, the BDFFP was initially designed to evaluate the effects of fragment area on rainforest biodiversity and ecological processes. However, over its 38‐year history to date the project has far transcended its original mission, and now focuses more broadly on landscape dynamics, forest regeneration, regional‐ and global‐change phenomena, and their potential interactions and implications for Amazonian forest conservation. The project has yielded a wealth of insights into the ecological and environmental changes in fragmented forests. For instance, many rainforest species are naturally rare and hence are either missing entirely from many fragments or so sparsely represented as to have little chance of long‐term survival. Additionally, edge effects are a prominent driver of fragment dynamics, strongly affecting forest microclimate, tree mortality, carbon storage and a diversity of fauna. Even within our controlled study area, the landscape has been highly dynamic: for example, the matrix of vegetation surrounding fragments has changed markedly over time, succeeding from large cattle pastures or forest clearcuts to secondary regrowth forest. This, in turn, has influenced the dynamics of plant and animal communities and their trajectories of change over time. In general, fauna and flora have responded differently to fragmentation: the most locally extinction‐prone animal species are those that have both large area requirements and low tolerance of the modified habitats surrounding fragments, whereas the most vulnerable plants are those that respond poorly to edge effects or chronic forest disturbances, and that rely on vulnerable animals for seed dispersal or pollination. Relative to intact forests, most fragments are hyperdynamic, with unstable or fluctuating populations of species in response to a variety of external vicissitudes. Rare weather events such as droughts, windstorms and floods have had strong impacts on fragments and left lasting legacies of change. Both forest fragments and the intact forests in our study area appear to be influenced by larger‐scale environmental drivers operating at regional or global scales. These drivers are apparently increasing forest productivity and have led to concerted, widespread increases in forest dynamics and plant growth, shifts in tree‐community composition, and increases in liana (woody vine) abundance. Such large‐scale drivers are likely to interact synergistically with habitat fragmentation, exacerbating its effects for some species and ecological phenomena. Hence, the impacts of fragmentation on Amazonian biodiversity and ecosystem processes appear to be a consequence not only of local site features but also of broader changes occurring at landscape, regional and even global scales.     

The Impact of Energy Management Control Systems on Energy Efficiency in the German Manufacturing Industry

Although previous studies point to much (untapped) potential for energy efficiency enhancement in industry, empirical research that adapts findings of environmental control to the context of energy management remains widely neglected. Specifically, previous environmental research suggests that the implementation of energy management control systems (EnMCS) could be an effective lever for companies to enhance their production systems and operations toward energy efficiency. Yet, empirical evidence for this theoretical proposition is rather missing; thus, debate continues regarding whether the high investments to set up a comprehensive EnMCS pay off in the long run. Based on a sample of 236 German manufacturing companies, this study combines primary data that capture the configuration of EnMCS with secondary data that were used to calculate energy efficiency. The results provide evidence that the extent of EnMCS implementation positively relates to firms’ energy efficiency. Findings from additional moderation analysis suggest that companies might enhance the relationship of EnMCS and energy efficiency performance by establishing a full‐time energy manager or by using external energy consulting support.     

Use of space and behavior of weaned piglets kept in enriched two-level housing system

In this study, the possibility of introducing an elevated platform to a piglet pen was explored as a way of increasing available space and creating functional areas. On the platform, nine different manipulable materials were offered. In four batches, 40 weaned piglets were kept for five weeks in the two-level pen. Video recordings were taken two days per week. In the afternoon, more piglets were on the platform than in the morning or at night (7.2 ± 0.1 vs. 4.9 ± 0.1 vs. 0.6 ± 0.1 piglets/5 minutes; p < .05). The area under the platform was preferred more in the morning and at night than in the afternoon (18.5 ± 0.1 vs. 21.6 ± 0.2 vs. 12.5 ± 0.1 piglets/5 minutes; p < .05). Up to 36 piglets were counted there simultaneously, mainly in the recumbent position. On and under the platform, air velocity and ammonia concentration were within the recommended ranges. The study concluded that a two-level pen is a feasible option to increase space allowance and to create functional areas in a piglet pen.     

Tree seedling response to LED spectra: implications for forest restoration

We found that different spectra, provided by light-emitting diodes or a fluorescent lamp, caused different photomorphological responses depending on tree seedling type (coniferous or broad-leaved), species, seedling development stage, and seedling fraction (shoot or root). For two conifers (Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris) soon after germination (≤40 days), more seedling growth was related to a lower ratio of red-to-far-red (R:FR) light. As growth continued to 120 days, spectra with a greater complement of blue light yielded more growth. Roots showed more plasticity to light spectra than shoots. In general for the evergreen broad-leaved Quercus ilex, spectra with additional R:FR than for conifers yielded more growth in the first 57 days. Subsequently as seedlings grew, shoot growth appeared to be influenced less by light source than roots, with root length showing the greatest responses. Our results suggest that manipulating light spectra to foster desired seedling traits may be another tool for use in the production of high-quality seedlings as defined through the Target Plant Concept. Such seedlings are needed for restoration of the two billion hectares of degraded forestland, especially on harsh sites such as those found in the Mediterranean region, and to sequester carbon to mitigate climate change.     

Top predator fish assemblages in Northern Patagonia,Argentina. What factors regulate their patterns of distribution and abundance?

According to assemblage theory, three factors regulate fish biogeography: restriction of dispersion, environmental restrictions and biotic interactions. The first two factors act on a regional scale and delimit the area of action of the third, which operates on a local scale. Salmonid introductions began in Patagonia in 1904, and this has led to a restructuring of trophic webs and an increase in the number of top predators. This situation allowed us to evaluate, in a natural setting, how communities are formed on different geographic scales. We studied two large basins in Patagonia, situated close to each other but with different assemblages of top predatory fish. We hypothesized that differences in the structuring of the top predator assemblages between and within the basins are due to 1) environmental factors and dispersion processes facilitated by connectivity on a regional scale; and 2) biotic interaction (internal dynamics) between native perch and salmonids, the former acting as a modulator of the top predator assemblages on a local scale. To test these hypotheses, we analysed the top predator assemblages of 16 lakes and one reservoir, as well as their environmental characteristics. We performed a cluster analysis and related the resulting assembly groups to environmental factors by means of a tree model. We also analysed fish diets, using a similarities test to study biotic interactions. On regional and local scales, water basin, degree of connectivity, area, temperature and Zoogeographic integrity coefficient (ZIC) were important factors in the structuring of top predator assemblages. On a local scale, creole perch modulates the salmonid populations through feeding and the consequent distribution of resources. Our work showed that the structure of top predator assemblages was determined by a combination of local and regional factors acting in synergy, as postulated by the assemblage theory.