Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences - Journal Articles
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Item Multi-generational dispersal and dynamic patch occupancy reveals spatial and temporal stability of seascapes(Elsevier B.V., 2024-09-03) Clubley, Charlotte H.; Silva, Tiago A. M.; Wood, Louisa E.; Firth, Louise B.; Bilton, David T.; O'Dea, Enda; Knights, Antony M.; Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science; School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of PlymouthThe success of non-native species (NNS) invasions depends on patterns of dispersal and connectivity, which underpin genetic diversity, population establishment and growth. In the marine environment, both global environmental change and increasing anthropogenic activity can alter hydrodynamic patterns, leading to significant inter-annual variability in dispersal pathways. Despite this, multi-generational dispersal is rarely explicitly considered in attempts to understand NNS spread or in the design of management interventions. Here, we present a novel approach to quantifying species spread that considers range expansion and network formation across time using the non-native Pacific oyster, Magallana gigas (Thunberg 1793), as a model. We combined biophysical modelling, dynamic patch occupancy models, consideration of environmental factors, and graph network theory to model multi-generational dispersal in northwest Europe over 13 generations. Results revealed that M. gigas has a capacity for rapid range expansion through the creation of an ecological network of dispersal pathways that remains stable through time. Maximum network size was achieved in four generations, after which connectivity patterns remained temporally stable. Multi-generational connectivity could therefore be divided into two periods: network growth (2000−2003) and network stability (2004–2012). Our study is the first to examine how dispersal trajectories affect the temporal stability of ecological networks across biogeographic scales, and provides an approach for the assignment of site-based prioritisation of non-native species management at different stages of the invasion timeline. More broadly, the framework we present can be applied to other fields (e.g. Marine Protected Area design, management of threatened species and species range expansion due to climate change) as a means of characterising and defining ecological network structure, functioning and stability.Item Integration of non-target metabolomics and sensory analysis unravels vegetable plant metabolite signatures associated with sensory quality: a case study using dill (Anethum graveolens)(Elsevier, 2021) Castro-Alves, Victor; Kalbina, Irina; Nilsen, Asgeir; Aronsson, Mats; Rosenqvist, Eva; Jansen, Marcel A. K.; Qian, Minjie; Öström, Åsa; Hyötyläinen, Tuulia; Strid, Åke; Knowledge Foundation; Svenska Forskningsrådet FormasUsing dill (Anethum graveolens L.) as a model herb, we reveal novel associations between metabolite profile and sensory quality, by integrating non-target metabolomics with sensory data. Low night temperatures and exposure to UV-enriched light was used to modulate plant metabolism, thereby improving sensory quality. Plant age is a crucial factor associated with accumulation of dill ether and α-phellandrene, volatile compounds associated with dill flavour. However, sensory analysis showed that neither of these compounds has any strong association with dill taste. Rather, amino acids alanine, phenylalanine, glutamic acid, valine, and leucine increased in samples exposed to eustress and were positively associated with dill and sour taste. Increases in amino acids and organic acids changed the taste from lemon/grass to a more bitter/pungent dill-related taste. Our procedure reveals a novel approach to establish links between effects of eustressors on sensory quality and may be applicable to a broad range of crops.Item Oxidation and fragmentation of plastics in a changing environment; from UV-radiation to biological degradation(Elsevier B.V., 2022) Andrady, Anthony L.; Barnes, Paul W.; Bornman, Janet F.; Gouin, T.; Madronich, Sasha; White, C. C.; Zepp, Richard G.; Jansen, Marcel A. K.; Science Foundation Ireland; North Carolina State University; Loyola UniversityUnderstanding the fate of plastics in the environment is of critical importance for the quantitative assessment of the biological impacts of plastic waste. Specially, there is a need to analyze in more detail the reputed longevity of plastics in the context of plastic degradation through oxidation and fragmentation reactions. Photo-oxidation of plastic debris by solar UV radiation (UVR) makes material prone to subsequent fragmentation. The fragments generated following oxidation and subsequent exposure to mechanical stresses include secondary micro- or nanoparticles, an emerging class of pollutants. The paper discusses the UV-driven photo-oxidation process, identifying relevant knowledge gaps and uncertainties. Serious gaps in knowledge exist concerning the wavelength sensitivity and the dose-response of the photo-fragmentation process. Given the heterogeneity of natural UV irradiance varying from no exposure in sediments to full UV exposure of floating, beach litter or air-borne plastics, it is argued that the rates of UV-driven degradation/fragmentation will also vary dramatically between different locations and environmental niches. Biological phenomena such as biofouling will further modulate the exposure of plastics to UV radiation, while potentially also contributing to degradation and/or fragmentation of plastics independent of solar UVR. Reductions in solar UVR in many regions, consequent to the implementation of the Montreal Protocol and its Amendments for protecting stratospheric ozone, will have consequences for global UV-driven plastic degradation in a heterogeneous manner across different geographic and environmental zones. The interacting effects of global warming, stratospheric ozone and UV radiation are projected to increase UV irradiance at the surface in localized areas, mainly because of decreased cloud cover. Given the complexity and uncertainty of future environmental conditions, this currently precludes reliable quantitative predictions of plastic persistence on a global scale.Item Perceptions of and adaptation to climate change in mountainous agro-pastoral communities: The case of the Afghan central highlands(Elsevier, 2024-07-31) Aliyar, Qurban; Keshavarz, Marzieh; Salari, Mohammad Wali; Haro-Monteagudo, David; Esmaelnejad, Morteza; Collins, NeilAgriculture is the primary source of livelihood for agro-pastoral families in the central highlands of Afghanistan. However, their livelihoods have been significantly affected by climate change. This study examines climate change perceptions, consequences, and adaptive capacity from agro-pastoral communities’ experiences and behaviours in the five central provinces of Afghanistan. A survey was conducted in 521 agro-pastoral households to collect data on socioeconomic factors, perceptions, and adaptation indicators. The results show how agro-pastoral communities are affected by climate change, how they adapt, and which factors influence their decision-making and challenges when using traditional knowledge in adaptation. The analysed data revealed perceptions of both the positive and negative consequences of climate change. Positive consequences include shorter cold seasons, fewer avalanches, improved accessibility, reduced fuel requirements for heating, and extended grazing seasons. However, the perceived negative consequences of climate change include recurrence of severe and sustained droughts, decreased snowfall, and reduced crop yields. Additionally, K-means cluster analysis revealed low, medium, and high levels of adaptation to climate change. Agro-pastoral families have adopted various strategies to improve their adaptation to climate change, including crop, soil, water, livestock, expenditure, and livelihood management. Furthermore, socio-demographic factors, drought severity, perceived climate change, and perceived climate change impacts were the main determinants of adaptation to climate change. This study outlines the main gaps and drivers to help future researchers, managers, and decision-makers prioritize their actions based on farmers’ concerns and their adaptive capacity to abate climate change impacts.Item Manipulation of sward diversity is a more effective management strategy than addition of microbial inoculants in intensively managed grassland(Springer Nature, 2024-07-24) Ikoyi, Israel; Duff, Aoife M.; Finn, John A.; Wall, David P.; Kostic, Tanja; Lucic-Mercy, Eva; Sessitsch, Angela; Brennan, Fiona; Horizon 2020 Framework ProgrammeBackground and aims: Diversifying grassland sward composition and application of microbial inoculants are potential alternative routes to facilitate enhanced nutrient acquisition by plants, but their relative effects have been rarely tested in grasslands. In a two-year field experiment, we investigated the impact of inoculants and sward types on forage yield, nutrient uptake, and the soil microbiome. Methods: We implemented a fully factorial experiment with inoculants (eight levels; arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), Paraburkholderia phytofirmans PsJN and Bacillus sp. P5 (P5), applied singly and in combination), and sward types (three levels: grass-only, grass and legume, mixture of grass, legume, and herb) as the two factors. Results: In both years, there was a very strong effect of sward type, with the grass + legume and grass + legume + herb swards having much higher yields and nutrient uptake (N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu) than grass-only. Generally, there was no effect of the inoculants on yield and nutrient uptake, with limited exceptions involving AMF + P5. The best-performing microbial inoculant increased forage yield by 597 kg/ha/year, while switching from grass-only to one of the other sward types increased forage yield by 3932 kg/ha/year (grass + legume) and 4693 kg/ha/year (grass + legume + herb). The inoculants persisted in plots for > 1 year after application. Inoculants and sward type significantly affected the overall prokaryotic and fungal community structures. Conclusion: Overall, under controlled field plot conditions, including legumes and herbs in a grass sward proved to be a far better farm-scale management strategy for increasing grassland forage yield and nutrient uptake than the application of microbial inoculants.