Science · Ecology
what limits the range expansion of disease vectors under climate change?
Climate-driven shifts in where disease vectors like mosquitoes and ticks can survive are often portrayed as simple expansions toward the poles or upslope. In practice the process is constrained by
why do trophic cascades vary across island and continental ecosystems?
Trophic interactions ripple through ecosystems, but trophic cascades behave differently on islands than on continents because of contrasting community structure, evolutionary history, and human influence. Classic field experiments established the
how do changing phenology patterns affect plant and herbivore synchrony?
Shifts in seasonal timing alter the relative timing of plant growth, flowering, and herbivore life stages, creating phenological mismatches that change feeding interactions and population dynamics. Researchers such as Marcel
what role do ecological corridors play in sustaining genetic connectivity?
Ecological corridors are linear or stepped habitat connections that maintain genetic connectivity by enabling movement of individuals, seeds, pollen, and pathogens between otherwise isolated populations. By sustaining dispersal and occasional
how do mutualistic networks influence ecosystem recovery after disturbance?
Mutualistic interactions between species — such as pollination and seed dispersal — form complex mutualistic networks that shape how ecosystems respond to disturbance. These networks influence recovery by determining which
how do fire regimes influence long-term savanna tree-grass balance?
Savanna landscapes are shaped by a dynamic balance between trees and grasses that is strongly regulated by fire regimes—the characteristic frequency, intensity, seasonality, and spatial pattern of fires. Research by
how does habitat fragmentation affect pollinator biodiversity?
Habitat fragmentation reduces contiguous natural areas into smaller, isolated patches, and this pattern has direct and cascading effects on pollinator communities. Fragmentation alters the quantity and arrangement of floral resources
how does nutrient runoff influence algal bloom frequency?
Nutrient runoff from agricultural fields, urban landscapes, and wastewater systems increases the frequency of algal blooms by supplying excess nitrogen and phosphorus to aquatic ecosystems. These nutrients are normally limiting
how do soil microbes affect plant community composition?
Soil microbes are invisible architects of plant community composition. Pioneering work on plant-soil feedbacks by Richard Bever at University of Kansas established that plants alter the soil microbial community in
how do seasonal floods shape riparian plant communities?
Seasonal floods act as a primary architect of riparian plant communities by shaping habitat structure, species composition, and ecological processes across floodplains. Norbert J. Naiman at the University of Washington