- Programme area:1) Biodiversity in a Changing World
Experimentally decomposing phytoplankton community change into ecological and evolutionary contributions
The authors experimentally quantified ecological and evolutionary contributions to total phytoplankton community change in response to elevated CO2 concentrations. They show a novel experimental approach to study ecological and evolutionary contributions to community features, and observed a decline in phytoplankton abundance to elevated CO2 that could be mainly explained by ecological changes.
Characterizing the “fungal shunt”: parasitic fungi on diatoms affect carbon flow and bacterial communities in aquatic microbial food webs
The study demonstrates that parasitic fungi profoundly modify microbial interactions through several mechanisms (e.g., stimulating bacterial colonization on phytoplankton cells, altering the community composition of bacteria). Hence, fungal microparasites can substantially shape the microbially mediated carbon flow at the base of aquatic food webs which we termed "fungal shunt" .
Marine algae facilitate transfer of microplastics and associated pollutants into food webs
In this conceptual paper, the authors argue that micro- and macro-algae represent an underappreciated, yet, important pathway for transporting microplastics and associated pollutants via marine food webs to humans, facilitating potential invasion of pathogens into the human body. For the assessment of human health risks, interactions between microplastics and algae need to be explored.
A novel measurement-based model for calculating O2 flux at interfaces in aquatic environments
This study presents a novel model approach for diffusive fluxes of dissolved gases, nutrients, and solutes from concentration profiles measured across the substrate-water interfaces using microsensors. The model offers a robust computational scheme for automatized determination of the interface position and enables precise calculations of the interfacial diffusive fluxes simultaneously.
Effects of food provisioning on the daily ration and dive site use of Great Hammerhead Sharks, Sphyrna mokarran
The study provides insights into how large-bodied marine predators react toward wildlife tourism associated provisioning and allows further discussion about daily energy uptake during provisioning dives, its potential impacts on the ecological role of the target species and associated management measures.
Viewing emerging human infectious epidemics through the lens of invasion biology
A research team has studied the close relationships between infectious diseases and biological invasions. The "One Health" approach considers the health of humans as well as animals, plants and other elements of the environment to prevent pandemics and the spread of invasive alien species.
Improving the reliability of eDNA data interpretation
Molecular survey methods detecting DNA released by target-species into their environment (eDNA) provide cost-effective tools for conservation, yet such eDNA-based methods are prone to errors. The authors synthesized recent advances in data processing tools that increase the reliability of interpretations drawn from eDNA data.
Four priority areas to advance invasion science in the face of rapid environmental change
Invasion science is the systematic investigation of the causes and consequences of biological invasions. The authors identified four priority areas to advance the field in the Anthropocene: (1) predicting impacts of biological invasions, (2) understanding synergisms of multiple environmental stressors, (3) resolving the taxonomic impediment, and (4) enhancing international biosecurity.
Variation of bacterial communities along the vertical gradient in Lake Issyk Kul, Kyrgyzstan
Diversity and community composition of bacteria along vertical gradients were studied in Lake Issyk Kul, Kyrgyzstan, the 6th deepest lake worldwide and the largest high-altitude lake. In the molecular assessment, the 16S rRNA gene analysis revealed significant changes in the composition, responding mainly to depth and salinity with Planctomycetes and Chloroflexi dominating in the deepest layers.
What factors increase the vulnerability of native birds to the impacts of alien birds?
Alien birds can have severe impacts on native birds. The authors wanted to find out whether there are certain factors that make some native bird species more vulnerable to such impacts than others. They identified several factors that increase vulnerability, as well as specific orders of native birds that may require protection, and locations where impacts may be particularly damaging.