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Ecologies
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Feature Papers of Ecologies 2024
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Feature Papers of Ecologies 2024

A special issue of Ecologies (ISSN 2673-4133).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2024) | Viewed by 14024

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. José Ramón Arévalo Sierra

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of La Laguna, 38202 La Laguna, Spain
Interests: plant community ecology; forest ecology; invasive species; grazing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are happy to announce the Special Issue “Feature Papers of Ecologies 2024”. Ecologies is an international, peer-reviewed, open access, cross-disciplinary journal, which provides an advanced forum for studies on all aspects of ecology. The journal will complete the group of international journals in the field of ecology, and is expected to quickly grow in popularity.

We welcome manuscripts from all fields of ecology that can be considered of interest for international readers. To enhance the quality and visibility of the journal, we encourage well-designed studies and high-quality datasets. Both original research articles and comprehensive review papers are welcome.

The extended number of fields included in this Special Issue, as illustrated in the list of keywords, will provide opportunities for research from around the world.

We look forward to receiving your contributions. 

Prof. Dr. José Ramón Arévalo Sierra
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Ecologies is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • ecophysiology
  • population ecology
  • community ecology
  • ecosystem ecology
  • systems ecology
  • landscape ecology
  • animal ecology
  • behavioral ecology
  • biogeography
  • insect ecology
  • microbial ecology
  • paleoecology
  • plant ecology
  • benthic ecology
  • desert ecology
  • forest ecology
  • marine ecology
  • aquatic ecology
  • landscape ecology
  • landscape limnology
  • spatial ecology
  • macroecology
  • microecology
  • microbial ecology
  • urban ecology
  • molecular ecology
  • ecotoxicology
  • evolutionary ecology
  • genetic ecology
  • soil ecology
  • field ecology
  • quantitative ecology
  • theoretical ecology
  • applied ecology (includes agroecology and conservation biology)
  • conservation ecology
  • restoration ecology
  • biogeochemistry
  • climate change ecology
  • ecological design
  • ecological economics
  • ecological engineering
  • human ecology
  • industrial ecology
  • paleoecology
  • ecosystems

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  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 1982 KiB  
Article
Some Ecological Characteristics of a Neophyte of the Canary Islands: Pluchea ovalis (Asteraceae)
by Miguel Pestano, Isabel Suárez, Cristina González-Montelongo, Natalia Sierra Cornejo and José Ramón Arévalo
Ecologies 2025, 6(2), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies6020028 - 1 Apr 2025
Viewed by 274
Abstract
Pluchea ovalis (Pers.) DC. is an invasive alien plant species. It has spread widely on the island of Tenerife since it was first introduced, becoming a major threat to the island’s flora. The aims of this study are to analyze its germination capacity [...] Read more.
Pluchea ovalis (Pers.) DC. is an invasive alien plant species. It has spread widely on the island of Tenerife since it was first introduced, becoming a major threat to the island’s flora. The aims of this study are to analyze its germination capacity under different environmental conditions (e.g., light and temperature) and determine its effects on soil properties and native plant communities. Germination assays were carried out both in a germination chamber and in a greenhouse. Twelve plots were also established in the field to determine its effect on soil properties and plant species composition. Our results reveal that the germination capacity of Pluchea ovalis decreases under high temperature ranges and increases on flooded substrates. In addition, Pluchea ovalis can modify soil physicochemical properties by increasing soil magnesium content. As its invasive potential has been demonstrated, this study contributes with evidence of its effects on environmental conditions and species composition. Moreover, we recommend its inclusion in the Spanish Alien Invasive Species Catalogue and the development of further studies about its potential distribution and effects in the Canary Islands. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers of Ecologies 2024)
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12 pages, 1282 KiB  
Article
Thermal Requirement for Spring Emergence of Potter Wasp Parancistrocerus fulvipes: Implications for Population Management Under Climate Change
by Roghaiyeh Karimzadeh and Yong-Lak Park
Ecologies 2025, 6(1), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies6010020 - 2 Mar 2025
Viewed by 492
Abstract
Parancistrocerus fulvipes (Saussure) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), a predatory potter wasp, plays a crucial role in ecosystem services by preying on microlepidopteran larvae. This study investigated the effect of the temperature on the spring emergence and survivorship of P. fulvipes. We used seven different [...] Read more.
Parancistrocerus fulvipes (Saussure) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), a predatory potter wasp, plays a crucial role in ecosystem services by preying on microlepidopteran larvae. This study investigated the effect of the temperature on the spring emergence and survivorship of P. fulvipes. We used seven different temperature regimes ranging from 5 to 38 °C to determine the developmental rate and thermal requirement for the emergence of P. fulvipes at each temperature. The development rates were determined using linear regression and a biophysical model (i.e., the Lactin model). Adult emergence occurred between 22 and 33 °C, and the lower developmental thresholds were 18.5, 17.1, and 17.8 °C for males, females, and both genders combined, respectively. The optimal temperature and upper-temperature threshold for spring emergence were 33 and 38 °C, respectively. The degree-day requirements for adult emergence were 201, 218, and 208 for males, females, and both genders combined. The lowest mortality was observed at 22 °C, while no P. fulvipes emerged at ≤13 °C and ≥38 °C. These findings provide a predictive model for the spring emergence of P. fulvipes, which can optimize ecosystem service programs in various agricultural systems, particularly in the context of climate change and pest management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers of Ecologies 2024)
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16 pages, 1504 KiB  
Article
Population Genetic Structure of Convolvulus persicus L. in the Western Black Sea Region (Romania and Bulgaria) and Its Restricted Distribution
by Elena Monica Mitoi, Carmen Maximilian, Irina Holobiuc, Daniela Mogîldea, Florența-Elena Helepciuc and Claudia Biță-Nicolae
Ecologies 2025, 6(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies6010018 - 27 Feb 2025
Viewed by 541
Abstract
Convolvulus persicus L. is an endangered narrow-range taxon, characteristic of the habitats along the coastal regions of the Caspian and the Black Seas. The aims of our research were to update the actual distribution area and the genetic evaluation of three representative populations [...] Read more.
Convolvulus persicus L. is an endangered narrow-range taxon, characteristic of the habitats along the coastal regions of the Caspian and the Black Seas. The aims of our research were to update the actual distribution area and the genetic evaluation of three representative populations from the western coastline of the Black Sea located in Sulina, Agigea, and Durankulak. ISSR amplifications were used to assess the genetic intrapopulation diversity and the genetic differentiation among populations. The average genetic polymorphism was 57.8 ± 16.03%. The intrapopulation genetic diversity parameters indicated that the Agigea population exhibits a higher genetic diversity, with this small population being part of the Agigea Marine Dunes Reserve. Although the interpopulation genetic distance was reduced (0.176–0.223) and the distribution of the total variation (AMOVA) was 57% within the population and 43% among the populations, the interpopulation genetic differentiation (PhiPT) was high (0.428, p < 0.001), probably due to the large geographical distances between the remaining populations. The populations’ genetic structures showed a lower genetic distance between the Agigea and Sulina samples. The clonability test supported the vegetative multiplication on the Durankulak and Sulina beaches. Our results showed that the genetic diversity and the distance among the populations in C. persicus were influenced by habitat conditions, destruction, and fragmentation, but also by conservation measures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers of Ecologies 2024)
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66 pages, 27848 KiB  
Article
Climate Change Influences on Central European Insect Fauna over the Last 50 Years: Mediterranean Influx and Non-Native Species
by Attila Haris, Zsolt Józan, Péter Schmidt, Gábor Glemba, Bogdan Tomozii, György Csóka, Anikó Hirka, Peter Šima and Sándor Tóth
Ecologies 2025, 6(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies6010016 - 13 Feb 2025
Viewed by 4371
Abstract
The Central European fauna, in the last decades, has been undergoing a strong transformation due to four main factors: the retreat of living organisms that require cool and wet habitats, the proliferation of organisms that thrive in warm and dry conditions, the northward [...] Read more.
The Central European fauna, in the last decades, has been undergoing a strong transformation due to four main factors: the retreat of living organisms that require cool and wet habitats, the proliferation of organisms that thrive in warm and dry conditions, the northward migration of Mediterranean organisms, and the gradual establishment of plants and animals with tropical origins. In this study, we detail the changes in the orders Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera and analyze the establishment of non native insects and the northward migration of Mediterranean insect species. The transformation towards a Mediterranean-type fauna is prominently indicated by the population in total abundance increase of xerothermic Aculeata, bee flies (Bombyliidae), and horse flies (Tabanidae). Additionally, groups that require cool and wet ecological conditions, particularly hoverflies (Syrphidae), but also sawflies (Tenthredinidae) and tachinid flies (Tachinidae), have shown a notable decline. In nocturnal moths, we observe a decrease in species richness in certain areas, as well as frequent outbreaks in populations of some less climate-sensitive species. Some species of butterflies are less sensitive to the current extent of climate change, exhibiting significant population in total abundance growth under protected conditions. However, most of the previously sporadic and rare butterfly species have proven to be climate-sensitive, unable to achieve significant population in abundance growth even under strict nature conservation. In recent decades, the influx from Mediterranean regions and the establishment of tropical non native insect species have turned at an exponential rate. We have reviewed the presence of alien insect species, recording 803 alien insect species in our region; 298 of them have arrived in the past quarter-century, with a significant proportion (54%) originating from tropical and Mediterranean regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers of Ecologies 2024)
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21 pages, 2757 KiB  
Article
Analysis of the Protocols for Action Against Strandings of Sea Turtles and Their Evolution in Rehabilitation on Tenerife Island (Canary Islands, Spain)
by Beatriz López Vega, Claudia Hurtado-Pampín and Raquel de la Cruz-Modino
Ecologies 2025, 6(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies6010009 - 24 Jan 2025
Viewed by 860
Abstract
Numerous interactions between human activities and wildlife currently impact various species. In recent decades, these activities have contributed to declining sea turtle populations. The waters around Spain serve as important staging areas for sea turtles, particularly Caretta caretta, which spend part of [...] Read more.
Numerous interactions between human activities and wildlife currently impact various species. In recent decades, these activities have contributed to declining sea turtle populations. The waters around Spain serve as important staging areas for sea turtles, particularly Caretta caretta, which spend part of their life cycle there. However, these same waters threaten turtles because of various causes of stranding. This study aims to comprehensively understand the rehabilitation process for these animals at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (WRC) La Tahonilla in Tenerife, Canary Islands. It also seeks to explore rehabilitation efforts at different centers focused on recovering sea turtles in both the mainland and the Canary Islands. Additionally, we have examined the procedures for addressing stranded sea turtles where a recovery center does not exist. Our findings reveal the existence of varying protocols among different centers in Spain’s mainland and islands. Improving and unifying these protocols is essential for enhancing the rehabilitation of sea turtles in Spain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers of Ecologies 2024)
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23 pages, 3967 KiB  
Article
Distribution and Diversity of Myxomycetes Along the Elevational Belt of Mt. Calavite Wildlife Sanctuary (MCWS), Occidental Mindoro, Philippines
by Christon Jairus M. Racoma, John Carlo Redeña-Santos and Nikki Heherson A. Dagamac
Ecologies 2025, 6(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies6010007 - 17 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1067
Abstract
Myxomycetes are protists that predate microbial communities in soil and are heavily affected by changing climate conditions. As seen in a more distinct guild of myxomycete, their fructification diversity depends not only on the heterogeneity of vegetation but also on temperature and precipitation. [...] Read more.
Myxomycetes are protists that predate microbial communities in soil and are heavily affected by changing climate conditions. As seen in a more distinct guild of myxomycete, their fructification diversity depends not only on the heterogeneity of vegetation but also on temperature and precipitation. To determine the reverse pattern of microbial diversity established in temperate ecozones, foliar and lignicolous litters were collected along a tropical montane site in the Philippines. Fifty-seven (57) morphospecies of myxomycetes from 15 genera were determined. Alpha-diversity analysis revealed a significant decline in species richness and diversity with increasing elevation. Beta-diversity analysis, integrating non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), PERMANOVA, and hierarchical clustering, revealed the complex relationships between species turnover and community composition across elevational gradients. These results conform to the hypothesis that species richness decreases as elevation increases, supporting that tropical ecozones follow the general trend of myxomycete diversity that was first observed in the temperate ecozones. The strong role of elevation in shaping myxomycete community structure is further emphasized. This indicates that conservation management efforts should become more stringent in the areas found at the lower elevation of a tropical montane forest, which are more ecologically sensitive to human-induced stressors and climate-related pressures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers of Ecologies 2024)
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19 pages, 5919 KiB  
Article
Representativeness, Complementarity, and Degree of Local Extirpation Risk for Thamnophis Species Inside and Outside of Protected Areas of Mexico
by Crystian Sadiel Venegas-Barrera, Javier Manjarrez, Ángel Rodríguez-Moreno, Yeimi Alexandra Mendoza-Walle, Jorge Víctor Horta-Vega, Itzel R. Rodríguez-deLeón, Armando Sunny and Ausencio Azuara Domínguez
Ecologies 2024, 5(4), 697-715; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies5040041 - 23 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1447
Abstract
Protected areas (PAs) are geographical spaces intended to conserve populations, communities, and ecosystems, in which species richness must be maximized, the conserved area must be minimized, and anthropogenic pressure must be reduced. The present study analyzed the representativeness, complementarity, and degree of risk [...] Read more.
Protected areas (PAs) are geographical spaces intended to conserve populations, communities, and ecosystems, in which species richness must be maximized, the conserved area must be minimized, and anthropogenic pressure must be reduced. The present study analyzed the representativeness, complementarity, and degree of risk of 25 garter snake species of the genus Thamnophis in the PAs of Mexico. This study proposes that at least 17% of the potential geographic distribution (PGD) of species will be found inside PAs and in areas (Aichi Target 11) with a low human footprint (HF). The PGD of species was associated with the PAs and HF layers to identify where and which species could be at local extirpation risk by human activities. The results indicate that the federal PAs contain 85.2% of the species, while the state PAs contain 77.7% of the species. An average of 13.4% of the PGD of these species is found inside PAs, and two species are found outside. In 13 federal PAs and 10 state PAs, the Thamnophis species present high local extirpation risk from human activities. In total, 37% of species are found in PAs with a medium to very high human footprint; therefore, their persistence could be at local extirpation risk. Compared to other taxa, species of the genus Thamnophis are well represented. However, the PDG of more than half of the species achieves Aichi Target 11. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers of Ecologies 2024)
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33 pages, 5132 KiB  
Article
Freshwater Fishes of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil: Biogeographic and Diversity Patterns in a Historically Well-Sampled Territory
by Luisa M. Sarmento-Soares, Felipe Vieira-Guimarães and Ronaldo F. Martins-Pinheiro
Ecologies 2024, 5(4), 538-570; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies5040033 - 12 Oct 2024
Viewed by 2212
Abstract
The fish fauna of Rio de Janeiro has been extensively studied, resulting in a comprehensive database of species collected over more than three centuries. This study aimed to provide a checklist of species, to identify patterns of diversity and the distribution of freshwater [...] Read more.
The fish fauna of Rio de Janeiro has been extensively studied, resulting in a comprehensive database of species collected over more than three centuries. This study aimed to provide a checklist of species, to identify patterns of diversity and the distribution of freshwater ichthyofauna, to delineate biogeographic units, and to explore changes in faunal composition among different areas. Analyzing data from ichthyological collections and the literature on original species descriptions revealed 206 freshwater fish species: 183 native and 23 allochthonous. The checklist includes updated species names. The sampling effort in Rio de Janeiro is extensive, especially in coastal lowlands. The findings indicate that inventory work is still needed in some areas, particularly within the Rio Paraíba do Sul basin. Seven bioregions of freshwater ichthyofauna were identified, including a major region of higher species richness and smaller areas with higher endemism of restricted-range species. This biogeographic assessment underscores the diverse and distinctive freshwater fish fauna in the basins of Rio de Janeiro, with well-defined biogeographic units. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers of Ecologies 2024)
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16 pages, 6212 KiB  
Article
Differences in Waterbird Communities between Years Indicate the Positive Effects of Pen Culture Removal in Caizi Lake, a Typical Yangtze-Connected Lake
by Tengteng Liu, Lin Cheng, Xiangrong Song, Hong Zhang, Guangyao Wang and Chunlin Li
Ecologies 2024, 5(2), 296-311; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies5020019 - 13 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1581
Abstract
Considering the negative effects of wetland degradation, various measures have been implemented to restore wetland habitats for aquatic organisms, and their effectiveness levels must be assessed. To reduce the effects of aquaculture on aquatic communities, pen culture facilities, which are widely distributed in [...] Read more.
Considering the negative effects of wetland degradation, various measures have been implemented to restore wetland habitats for aquatic organisms, and their effectiveness levels must be assessed. To reduce the effects of aquaculture on aquatic communities, pen culture facilities, which are widely distributed in Yangtze-connected lakes, were removed in 2018. We surveyed and compared waterbird communities in Caizi Lake during the four months before (2017–2018) and after net pen removal (2021–2022) to evaluate their effect on the diversity and species composition of wintering waterbirds. After net pen removal, the richness and number of individual waterbird species increased, whereas the Shannon–Wiener diversity index did not change because the increase in the bird number throughout the year was mostly associated with a few species. The response of individual numbers of different guilds to the removal of net pens differed. The number of deep-water fish eaters, seed eaters, and tuber feeders increased, whereas that of invertebrate eaters decreased. The species composition also changed, particularly in the northeastern and southwestern parts of the lake. Differences in waterbird communities between the winters of 2017–2018 and 2021–2022 indicated that net pen removal had a positive impact on waterbird communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers of Ecologies 2024)
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