Differences between urban and rural hedges in England revealed by a citizen science project
Hedges are both ecologically and culturally important and are a distinctive feature of the British landscape. However the overall length of hedges across Great Britain is decreasing. Current challenges in stud... (Source: BMC Ecology)
Source: BMC Ecology - July 22, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Laura Gosling, Tim H. Sparks, Yoseph Araya, Martin Harvey and Janice Ansine Source Type: research
Surveying the citizen science landscape: an exploration of the design, delivery and impact of citizen science through the lens of the Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) programme
This paper provides a short introduction to the topic of citizen science (CS) identifying the shift from the knowledge deficit model to more inclusive, participatory science. It acknowledges the benefits of ne... (Source: BMC Ecology)
Source: BMC Ecology - July 22, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Linda Davies, Roger Fradera, Hauke Riesch and Poppy Lakeman-Fraser Source Type: research
Quality control in public participation assessments of water quality: the OPAL Water Survey
Public participation in scientific data collection is a rapidly expanding field. In water quality surveys, the involvement of the public, usually as trained volunteers, generally includes the identification of... (Source: BMC Ecology)
Source: BMC Ecology - July 22, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: N L. Rose, S. D. Turner, B. Goldsmith, L. Gosling and T. A. Davidson Source Type: research
To have your citizen science cake and eat it? Delivering research and outreach through Open Air Laboratories (OPAL)
The vast array of citizen science projects which have blossomed over the last decade span a spectrum of objectives from research to outreach. While some focus primarily on the collection of rigorous scientific... (Source: BMC Ecology)
Source: BMC Ecology - July 22, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Poppy Lakeman-Fraser, Laura Gosling, Andy J. Moffat, Sarah E. West, Roger Fradera, Linda Davies, Maxwell A. Ayamba and Ren é van der Wal Source Type: research
Initiating and continuing participation in citizen science for natural history
Natural history has a long tradition in the UK, dating back to before Charles Darwin. Developing from a principally amateur pursuit, natural history continues to attract both amateur and professional involveme... (Source: BMC Ecology)
Source: BMC Ecology - July 22, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Glyn Everett and Hilary Geoghegan Source Type: research
Synergistic impacts by an invasive amphipod and an invasive fish explain native gammarid extinction
Worldwide freshwater ecosystems are increasingly affected by invasive alien species. In particular, Ponto-Caspian gobiid fishes and amphipods are suspected to have pronounced effects on aquatic food webs. Howe... (Source: BMC Ecology)
Source: BMC Ecology - July 14, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: S. Beggel, J. Brandner, A. F. Cerwenka and J. Geist Source Type: research
Haematocrit, eggshell colouration and sexual signaling in the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
One hypothesis to explain the blue–green colour of the eggs of many bird species is that it is a sexually-selected signal of the laying female’s quality, which males use to determine their investment. This hyp... (Source: BMC Ecology)
Source: BMC Ecology - June 27, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Raime B. Fronstin, Stephanie M. Doucet and Julian K. Christians Source Type: research
Suppression of reproductive characteristics of the invasive plant Mikania micrantha by sweet potato competition
As a means of biologically controlling Mikania micrantha H.B.K. in Yunnan, China, the influence of sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] on its reproductive characteristics was studied. The trial utilized a de... (Source: BMC Ecology)
Source: BMC Ecology - June 20, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Shicai Shen, Gaofeng Xu, David Roy Clements, Guimei Jin, Shufang Liu, Yanxian Yang, Aidong Chen, Fudou Zhang and Hisashi Kato-Noguchi Source Type: research
Importance of latrine communication in European rabbits shifts along a rural –to–urban gradient
Information transfer in mammalian communication networks is often based on the deposition of excreta in latrines. Depending on the intended receiver(s), latrines are either formed at territorial boundaries (betwe... (Source: BMC Ecology)
Source: BMC Ecology - June 14, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Madlen Ziege, David Bierbach, Svenja Bischoff, Anna-Lena Brandt, Mareike Brix, Bastian Greshake, Stefan Merker, Sandra Wenninger, Torsten Wronski and Martin Plath Source Type: research
Importance of latrine communication in European rabbits shifts along a rural–to–urban gradient
Information transfer in mammalian communication networks is often based on the deposition of excreta in latrines. Depending on the intended receiver(s), latrines are either formed at territorial boundaries (betwe... (Source: BMC Ecology)
Source: BMC Ecology - June 14, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Madlen Ziege, David Bierbach, Svenja Bischoff, Anna-Lena Brandt, Mareike Brix, Bastian Greshake, Stefan Merker, Sandra Wenninger, Torsten Wronski and Martin Plath Source Type: research
Effects of elevated CO2 on photosynthetic traits of native and invasive C3 and C4 grasses
Rising CO2 is expected to result in changes in plant traits that will increase plant productivity for some functional groups. Differential plant responses to elevated CO2 are likely to drive changes in competitiv... (Source: BMC Ecology)
Source: BMC Ecology - May 31, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Heather A. Hager, Geraldine D. Ryan, Hajnal M. Kovacs and Jonathan A. Newman Source Type: research
Assessment of Clarias gariepinus as a biological control agent against mosquito larvae
The emergence and spread of insecticide resistant mosquitoes renewed interest in investigating the use of larvivorous fish as a biological control agent. The potential of Clarias gariepinus fish in controlling An... (Source: BMC Ecology)
Source: BMC Ecology - May 31, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Buze Chala, Berhanu Erko, Abebe Animut, Abraham Degarege and Beyene Petros Source Type: research
Floral traits influence pollen vectors’ choices in higher elevation communities in the Himalaya-Hengduan Mountains
How floral traits and community composition influence plant specialization is poorly understood and the existing evidence is restricted to regions where plant diversity is low. Here, we assessed whether plant ... (Source: BMC Ecology)
Source: BMC Ecology - May 24, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Yan-Hui Zhao, Zong-Xin Ren, Amparo Lázaro, Hong Wang, Peter Bernhardt, Hai-Dong Li and De-Zhu Li Source Type: research
Fire-severity effects on plant–fungal interactions after a novel tundra wildfire disturbance: implications for arctic shrub and tree migration
Vegetation change in high latitude tundra ecosystems is expected to accelerate due to increased wildfire activity. High-severity fires increase the availability of mineral soil seedbeds, which facilitates recr... (Source: BMC Ecology)
Source: BMC Ecology - May 11, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Rebecca E. Hewitt, Teresa N. Hollingsworth, F. Stuart Chapin III and D. Lee Taylor Source Type: research
Rodent-avoidance, topography and forest structure shape territory selection of a forest bird
Understanding the factors underlying habitat selection is important in ecological and evolutionary contexts, and crucial for developing targeted conservation action in threatened species. However, the key fact... (Source: BMC Ecology)
Source: BMC Ecology - May 9, 2016 Category: Biology Authors: Gilberto Pasinelli, Alex Grendelmeier, Michael Gerber and Raphaël Arlettaz Source Type: research
