Fakultät Agrarwissenschaften

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Die Fakultät entwickelt in Lehre und Forschung nachhaltige Produktionstechniken der Agrar- und Ernährungswirtschaft. Sie erarbeitet Beiträge für den ländlichen Raum und zum Verbraucher-, Tier- und Umweltschutz.

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Approaches to increase digestibility of Bangladesh ruminant feed resources in order to mitigate enteric methane production
(2024) Bashar, Muhammad Khairul; Rodehutscord, Markus
Multiple analyses have shown that the rising human population, urbanization, and consumer preferences affect the demand for livestock products in developing countries. Concurrently, human population and urbanisation growth are reducing the likelihood of newly cultivated land producing feeds or restoring damaged pastures. Using low-quality roughage more efficiently is an option, but such roughages have drawbacks, including high structural carbohydrate and low nitrogen contents, which lead to poor palatability and nutrient utilisation including emission of methane (CH4) that is harmful to the environment and a loss of energy to the animal. Using commonly accessible legumes and tree foliage could be a possibility to address the need for N and CH4 mitigation due to their high crude protein and secondary compound contents. In order to evaluate the potential of specific combinations of roughages, concentrates, and other feeds, it is necessary to determine the feeding values, in vitro ruminal fermentation, and CH4 production of single feeds, as well as the promising interaction (associative) effects between single feeds when combinded in a ration. This may allow for formulating a better balanced total mixed ration (TMR) for ruminants, which was the main goal of the present doctoral study. Eighteen feedstuffs from Bangladesh were chosen, including roughages such as crop residues (rice straw, urea molasses treated straw and maize stover), silages (Napier silage and Maize silage), common grasses (German grass, Para grass and Napier grass) and leguminous fodder (Ipil-ipil, Glicidia, Alfalfa hay and Moringa tops) and concentrates (crushed wheat, crushed maize, Wheat bran, Kashari bran, and Rice bran). In Study 1, the single feeds were characterized by comprehensive chemical analysis and in vitro production of total gas and methane using the Hohenheim gas test. Based on the results of Study 1, rice straw, German grass, Napier silage, and maize silage were used in Study 2 and incubated in vitro alone or after substitution by Ipil-ipil and Gliricidia at levels of 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%, respectively. In Study 3, mixtures of roughages and leguminous fodder (rice straw + 40% Ipil-ipil, German grass + 10% Ipil-ipil, Napier silage + 30% Ipil ipil, and maize silage + 30% Ipil-ipil) were combined with single concentrates in order to identify the most promising mixtures in regard to digestibility and methane production. Eventually, 24 TMR were formulated using six for each type of roughage in Study 4. These TMR were comprised of 60% of the same combination of roughage as used in Study 3 and 40% of various combinations of concentrates including TMR-1 (60% rice bran + 10% wheat bran + 30% kashari bran), TMR-2 (30% rice bran + 10% wheat bran + 60% kashari bran), TMR-3 (10% rice bran + 60% wheat bran + 30% kashari bran), TMR-4 (10% rice bran + 30% wheat bran + 60% kashari bran), TMR-5 (60% rice bran + 30% wheat bran + 10 kashari bran), and TMR-6 (30% rice bran + 60% wheat bran + 10% kashari bran) in order to identify suitable TMR for maximising ruminal fermentation and reducing the CH4 production in vitro. In all studies, the total gas production (GP), digestibility of organic matter (dOM), metabolisable energy (ME), and net energy for lactation (NEL) were determined after incubating 200 mg of feed with a rumen fluid-buffer solution for 72 hours. In addition, the CH4 concentration in the produced gas was measured after incubating 120 mg of feed for 24 hours. Measured values of the mixed feed were compared to estimated values, where the estimated values were weighted means of the values of the individual feeds, to determine the associative effects between the feed ingredients (Study 2 and Study 4). In Study 1, the concentration of acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) was the lowest in leguminous fodder while the crude protein (CP) concentration was the hightest, followed by the common grasses and the silages. The crop residues showed the lowest CP and the highest cell wall fraction concentrations. The dOM, ME, and NEL of crushed wheat and crushed maize were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of other feedstuffs. The same differences were found (p<0.05) for CH4 concentration (% of GP) and CH4 production (L CH4/kg dOM). The dOM and ME of German grass and Ipil-ipil were higher (p<0.05), whereas the CH4 concentration and CH4 production were lower compared to that of crop residues and other common grasses. The CH4 production of single feeds decreased with increasing concentrations of CP, ADF, and ADL, whereas it increased with NDF concentration. These findings enabled development of more balanced diets for ruminants with the aim of improved digestibility and reduced CH4 emission while making use of widely available feed resources in Bangladesh. Study 2 aimed to evaluate the in vitro ruminal fermentation, CH4 production, and associative effects between low-quality roughages and CP supplements. The gas production after 24 hours (GP24) and rumen fermentation rate increased (p<0.05) with increasing addition of Ipil-ipil to rice straw. It also resulted in a gradual increase of dOM and ME (p<0.05) of the mixture, reaching maximum values (59.1% and 7.60 MJ ME/kg DM) and maximum reductions in CH4 concentration and CH4/dOM (6.9% and 11.7%) compared to the control with Ipil-ipil addition at 40% of DM. When Ipil-ipil was added at 30% to Napier silage, the same trend was observed for dOM and ME (56.5%, and 7.55 MJ ME/kg DM) and CH4 concentration and CH4/dOM (5.3% and 13.3%). Ipil-ipil did not significantly interact with high quality roughages such as German grass and maize silage. Increasing the addition of Gliricidia to the roughages in Study 2 led to a decrease in GP24, dOM, ME, and CH4 production. The highest levels of the associative effects (p<0.05) were seen when 40% Ipil-ipil was added to rice straw and 30% was added to Napier silage. In conclusion, adding Ipil-ipil to low-quality roughages is superior to Gliricidia and showed promising results, with the ranking as follows: rice straw + 40% Ipil-ipil > Napier silage + 30% Ipil-ipil > maize silage + 30% Ipil-ipil > German gras + 10% Ipil-ipil. Study 3 and Study 4 had the overarching purpose to determine which combination of single concentrates and combinations of concentrates with roughage produced the best mixed feed in terms of rumen fermentation, CH4 reduction potential, and associative effect. The CP and non-stach carbohydrate contents of the Ipil-ipil-based mixed feed was enhanced by adding Wheat bran and Kashari bran as single concentrates, which had a favourable effect on rumen fermentation and gas production but had the opposite effect on CH4 production when compared to the addition of Rice bran. In Study 4, TMR were formulated using roughages and Ipil-ipil and addition of Wheat bran, Kashari bran, and Rice bran in various combinations. The TMR based on German grass and maize silage with specific bran combinations showed significant reductions in in vitro CH4 production, CH4 concentration, and CH4/dOM while maximising GP, dOM, ME, and the associative effects. To conclude, the results of chemical analyses and in vitro fermentation studies showed that specific combinations of roughages, protein feeds, and by-products available in Bangladesh have the potential to formulate rations for cattle that help making livestock production more sustainable. The results may be also relevant for other developing nations. It is suggested to verify the results of the present project by animal trials at local conditions.
Automatic classification of submerged macrophytes at Lake Constance using laser bathymetry point clouds
(2024) Wagner, Nike; Franke, Gunnar; Schmieder, Klaus; Mandlburger, Gottfried; Wagner, Nike; Department of Geodesy and Geoinformation, TU Wien, Wiedner Hauptstr. 8-10, 1040 Vienna, Austria;; Franke, Gunnar; Institute of Landscape and Plant Ecology (320), University of Hohenheim, Ottilie-Zeller-Weg 2, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany; (G.F.); (K.S.); Schmieder, Klaus; Institute of Landscape and Plant Ecology (320), University of Hohenheim, Ottilie-Zeller-Weg 2, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany; (G.F.); (K.S.); Mandlburger, Gottfried; Department of Geodesy and Geoinformation, TU Wien, Wiedner Hauptstr. 8-10, 1040 Vienna, Austria;; Stateczny, Andrzej
Submerged aquatic vegetation, also referred to as submerged macrophytes, provides important habitats and serves as a significant ecological indicator for assessing the condition of water bodies and for gaining insights into the impacts of climate change. In this study, we introduce a novel approach for the classification of submerged vegetation captured with bathymetric LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) as a basis for monitoring their state and change, and we validated the results against established monitoring techniques. Employing full-waveform airborne laser scanning, which is routinely used for topographic mapping and forestry applications on dry land, we extended its application to the detection of underwater vegetation in Lake Constance. The primary focus of this research lies in the automatic classification of bathymetric 3D LiDAR point clouds using a decision-based approach, distinguishing the three vegetation classes, (i) Low Vegetation, (ii) High Vegetation, and (iii) Vegetation Canopy, based on their height and other properties like local point density. The results reveal detailed 3D representations of submerged vegetation, enabling the identification of vegetation structures and the inference of vegetation types with reference to pre-existing knowledge. While the results within the training areas demonstrate high precision and alignment with the comparison data, the findings in independent test areas exhibit certain deficiencies that are likely addressable through corrective measures in the future.
Biomonitoring via DNA metabarcoding and light microscopy of bee pollen in rainforest transformation landscapes of Sumatra
(2022) Carneiro de Melo Moura, Carina; Setyaningsih, Christina A.; Li, Kevin; Merk, Miryam Sarah; Schulze, Sonja; Raffiudin, Rika; Grass, Ingo; Behling, Hermann; Tscharntke, Teja; Westphal, Catrin; Gailing, Oliver; Carneiro de Melo Moura, Carina; Department of Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Setyaningsih, Christina A.; Department of Palynology and Climate Dynamics, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Li, Kevin; Agroecology, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Merk, Miryam Sarah; Statistics and Econometrics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Schulze, Sonja; Agroecology, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Raffiudin, Rika; Department of Biology, IPB University ID, Bogor, Indonesia; Grass, Ingo; Department of Ecology of Tropical Agricultural Systems, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany; Behling, Hermann; Department of Palynology and Climate Dynamics, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Tscharntke, Teja; Agroecology, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Westphal, Catrin; Functional Agrobiodiversity, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Gailing, Oliver; Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
Background: Intense conversion of tropical forests into agricultural systems contributes to habitat loss and the decline of ecosystem functions. Plant-pollinator interactions buffer the process of forest fragmentation, ensuring gene flow across isolated patches of forests by pollen transfer. In this study, we identified the composition of pollen grains stored in pot-pollen of stingless bees, Tetragonula laeviceps , via dual-locus DNA metabarcoding (ITS2 and rbcL ) and light microscopy, and compared the taxonomic coverage of pollen sampled in distinct land-use systems categorized in four levels of management intensity (forest, shrub, rubber, and oil palm) for landscape characterization. Results: Plant composition differed significantly between DNA metabarcoding and light microscopy. The overlap in the plant families identified via light microscopy and DNA metabarcoding techniques was low and ranged from 22.6 to 27.8%. Taxonomic assignments showed a dominance of pollen from bee-pollinated plants, including oil-bearing crops such as the introduced species Elaeis guineensis (Arecaceae) as one of the predominant taxa in the pollen samples across all four land-use types. Native plant families Moraceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Cannabaceae appeared in high proportion in the analyzed pollen material. One-way ANOVA (p > 0.05), PERMANOVA (R² values range from 0.14003 to 0.17684, for all tests p-value > 0.5), and NMDS (stress values ranging from 0.1515 to 0.1859) indicated a lack of differentiation between the species composition and diversity of pollen type in the four distinct land-use types, supporting the influx of pollen from adjacent areas. Conclusions: Stingless bees collected pollen from a variety of agricultural crops, weeds, and wild plants. Plant composition detected at the family level from the pollen samples likely reflects the plant composition at the landscape level rather than the plot level. In our study, the plant diversity in pollen from colonies installed in land-use systems with distinct levels of forest transformation was highly homogeneous, reflecting a large influx of pollen transported by stingless bees through distinct land-use types. Dual-locus approach applied in metabarcoding studies and visual pollen identification showed great differences in the detection of the plant community, therefore a combination of both methods is recommended for performing biodiversity assessments via pollen identification.
Challenges of green production of 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid from bio‐derived 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural: Overcoming deactivation by concomitant amino acids
(2022) Neukum, Dominik; Baumgarten, Lorena; Wüst, Dominik; Sarma, Bidyut Bikash; Saraçi, Erisa; Kruse, Andrea; Grunwaldt, Jan‐Dierk
The oxidation of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is highly attractive as FDCA is considered as substitute for the petrochemically derived terephthalic acid. There are only few reports on the direct use of unrefined HMF solutions from biomass resources and the influence of remaining constituents on the catalytic processes. In this work, the oxidation of HMF in a solution as obtained from hydrolysis and dehydration of saccharides in chicory roots was investigated without intermediate purification steps. The amount of base added to the solution was critical to increase the FDCA yield. Catalyst deactivation occurred and was attributed to poisoning by amino acids from the bio‐source. A strong influence of amino acids on the catalytic activity was found for all supported Au, Pt, Pd, and Ru catalysts. A supported AuPd(2 : 1)/C alloy catalyst exhibited both superior catalytic activity and higher stability against deactivation by the critical amino acids.
Connecting resonance theory with social-ecological thinking: Conceptualizing self-world relationships in the context of sustainability transformations
(2025) Brossette, Florian; Bieling, Claudia
Relationships and interactions between humans and their environment play an important role in sustainability transformations. However, their conceptualization remains a big challenge in current social-ecological research. We propose resonance theory by the German sociologist Hartmut Rosa as a fruitful framework to advance social-ecological thinking. Resonance theory investigates the quality of the relationships between self and world and scrutinizes their relevance for transformations. To illustrate the potentials of resonance theory, we use a vignette approach to cases of landscape stewardship initiatives in the Black Forest Biosphere Reserve in Germany. In distinguishing between self and world and highlighting the role of relationships, resonance theory brings ontological and epistemological clarity, while overcoming a strict dichotomy between social and ecological. We find that resonance theory provides a much needed framework to describe how system-wide transformations emerge from interactions and out of relationships at the individual level. We argue that resonance theory contributes to social-ecological systems thinking by adding the notion of uncontrollability in transformations and shifting the debate on agency towards relationships. Synthesis and applications: This paper demonstrates the meaningfulness of relational paradigms for real-world transformations in theory and practice.
Kunststoffabfallmanagement und Strategien für eine Kreislaufwirtschaft in der Lebensmittelindustrie
(2025) Mielinger, Ellen; Weinrich, Ramona
The increasing global volume of waste poses a threat to the environment and the climate. Limiting the amount of waste and transforming the prevailing linear systems into a circular economy is an important task of our time. Packaging waste and especially plastic food packaging, account for a large proportion of waste due to their strong frequency and short lifespan. Avoiding waste from the outset and reducing food packaging is a top priority. At the same time, however, packaging increases the shelf life and transportability of foods, which is why it is often necessary to package food. Besides the threat to the earth’s health caused by plastic waste, food waste is also a major problem. To relieve the burden on ecosystems and achieve sustainability at all levels, it is therefore fundamental to prevent food waste and increase the recycling rates for packaging waste. In addition to technical innovations and the upgrading of recycling plants, consumer behaviour and the behaviour of the food industry play a decisive role. Through correct sorting behaviour at the household level and separately collected waste higher recycling rates can be achieved. On the other hand, which packaging and packaging materials are placed on the market by the food industry is crucial for a functioning circular economy. Against this background, the dissertation Plastic waste management and strategies for a circular economy in the food industry was authored. The first part of this dissertation analyses the introduction of sustainable food packaging from a social science perspective. Cross-national expert interviews provide information on what influences decision-making in companies in the food industry concerning sustainable packaging and what role consumers play from the experts' point of view. Although packaging sustainability is important, the economic aspect prevails when trade-offs between environmental compatibility and (additional) costs occur. According to the experts, consumers do not have sufficient knowledge and interest in packaging, leading to poor purchase decisions. This hinders the establishment of sustainable packaging. Moreover, the establishment of sustainable packaging is impeded by a certain disempowerment the interviewed experts feel exposed to. As a result, the experts dismiss the responsibility for more sustainable packaging solutions and shift it onto the state and food retailers. In line with a circular economy, in addition to the design and utilisation of environmentally friendly product packaging, the handling of the packaging after the consumption of the product is also of essential importance. Therefore, the second part of this thesis deals with the waste disposal behaviour of consumers. Influencing factors of waste separation behaviour at the private household level, preferred ways of information transmission concerning recycling rules and an extended deposit system as an approach to promoting the circular economy are analysed. Apart from packaging factors such as labels, internal factors that can be directly linked back to consumers can influence plastic packaging sorting behaviour. Focus group discussions reveal that uncertainty and confusion regarding the type of material often stand in the way of correct sorting behaviour. The internet and social media in particular are preferred for the information transmission of waste separation practices. Also, external factors, such as financial incentives or the prevalent waste disposal system, can influence consumers' sorting behaviour. One type of financial incentive is, for example, a deposit paid on single-use plastic packaging. This deposit is refunded as soon as the packaging is returned. This ensures a clean material flow, which can lead to higher recycling rates. Such a deposit refund system (DRS) already exists in Germany, including single-use beverage packages. Expert interviews with various stakeholders in the German waste management industry suggest that the success of the system in use and consumers' familiarity with it speaks for extending it also onto other single-use plastic food packages. However, this would require various different legal adjustments and the cooperation of all stakeholders involved in the process. There are also a number of organisational, economic and technical challenges that might stand in the way of an extension. In addition to the ecological optimisation of food packaging and resulting packaging waste, avoiding food waste at the private household level is an important sustainability goal. Therefore, in the digression of this work, a smartphone application aiming at reducing food waste is presented. The presented prototype can help consumers to better assess the shelf life of food and reduce uncertainty. Limitations concerning the results of the work arise primarily from the qualitative, explorative research approaches. Qualitative research is used to gain detailed and in-depth insights. Due to smaller sample sizes, it is not possible to derive generalisable results.
Quantifying patch‐specific seed dispersal and local population dynamics to estimate population spread of an endangered plant species
(2021) Zhu, Jinlei; Hrušková, Karolína; Pánková, Hana; Münzbergová, Zuzana
Aim: Habitat loss and fragmentation impose high extinction risk upon endangered plant species globally. For many endangered plant species, as the remnant habitats become smaller and more fragmented, it is vital to estimate the population spread rate of small patches in order to effectively manage and preserve them for potential future range expansion. However, population spread rate has rarely been quantified at the patch level to inform conservation strategies and management decisions. To close this gap, we quantify the patch-specific seed dispersal and local population dynamics of Minuartia smejkalii, which is a critically endangered plant species endemic in the Czech Republic and is of urgent conservation concern. Location: Želivka and Hrnčíře, Czechia. Methods: We conducted demographic analyses using population projection matrices with long-term demographic data and used an analytic mechanistic dispersal model to simulate seed dispersal. We then used information on local population dynamics and seed dispersal to estimate the population spread rate and compared the relative contributions of seed dispersal and population growth rate to the population spread rate. Results: We found that although both seed dispersal and population growth rate in M. smejkalii were critically limited, the population spread rate depended more strongly on the maximal dispersal distance than on the population growth rate. Main conclusions We recommend conservationists to largely increase the dispersal distance of M. smejkalii. Generally, efforts made to increase seed dispersal ability could largely raise efficiency and effectiveness of conservation actions for critically endangered plant species.
Same data, different analysts: variation in effect sizes due to analytical decisions in ecology and evolutionary biology
(2025) Gould, Elliot; Berauer, Bernd J.; Ernst, Ulrich Rainer; Zitomer, Rachel A.; Gould, Elliot; School of Agriculture Food and Ecosystem Sciences, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, 3010, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Fraser, Hannah S.; School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, 3010, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Parker, Timothy H.; Department of Biology, Whitman College, 345 Boyer Ave, 99362, Walla Walla, WA, USA; Nakagawa, Shinichi; School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, 2052, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Griffith, Simon C.; School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Balaclava Rd, Macquarie Park, 2109, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Vesk, Peter A.; School of Agriculture Food and Ecosystem Sciences, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, 3010, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Fidler, Fiona; School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, 3010, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Hamilton, Daniel G.; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 750 Collins Street, 3008, Docklands, VIC, Australia; Abbey-Lee, Robin N.; Länsstyrelsen Östergötland, Östgötagatan 3, 58186, Linköping, Sweden; Abbott, Jessica K.; Biology Department, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, 22362, Lund, Sweden; Aguirre, Luis A.; Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, 1 Campus Center Way, 01003, Amherst, MA, USA; Alcaraz, Carles; Marine and Continental Waters, IRTA, Carretera Poble Nou Km 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Catalonia, Spain; Aloni, Irith; Department of Life Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.Box 653, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel; Altschul, Drew; Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square, EH9 1HB, Edinburgh, UK; Arekar, Kunal; Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Indian Institute of Science, 560012, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India; Atkins, Jeff W.; Southern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, PO Box 700, 29809, New Ellenton, SC, USA; Atkinson, Joe; Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114-116, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark; Baker, Christopher M.; School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, 3052, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Barrett, Meghan; Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, 420 University Blvd, 46202, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Bell, Kristian; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, 3125, Burwood, VIC, Australia; Bello, Suleiman Kehinde; Department of Arid Land Agriculture, King Abdulaziz University, 80200, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Beltrán, Iván; Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, 205ACR Culloden Road, 2113, Macquarie Park, New South Wales, Australia; Berauer, Bernd J.; Department of Plant Ecology, University of Hohenheim, Institute of Landscape and Plant Ecology, Ottilie-Zeller-Weg, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany; Bertram, Michael Grant; Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skogsmarksgränd 17, SE-907 36, Umeå, Sweden; Billman, Peter D.; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, 75 N. Eagleville Rd, 06226, Storrs, CT, USA; Blake, Charlie K.; STEM Center, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 1 Hairpin Dr, 62026, Edwardsville, IL, USA; Blake, Shannon; University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, N1G 2W1, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Bliard, Louis; Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland; Bonisoli-Alquati, Andrea; Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, USA; Bonnet, Timothée; Centre d’Études Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372, Université de la Rochelle - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 405 route de Prissé la Charrière, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France; Bordes, Camille Nina Marion; Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 529000, Israel; Bose, Aneesh P. H.; Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skogsmarksgränd 17, SE-907 36, Umeå, Sweden; Botterill-James, Thomas; School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, TAS, Private Bag 55, 7001, Hobart, Australia; Boyd, Melissa Anna; Whitebark Institute, 3399 Main Street, Suite W5, 93546, Mammoth Lakes, CA, USA; Boyle, Sarah A.; Department of Biology, Rhodes College, 2000 N. 38112, Parkway, Memphis, TN, USA; Bradfer-Lawrence, Tom; Centre for Conservation Science, RSPB, 2 Lochside View, EH12 9DH, Edinburgh, UK; Bradham, Jennifer; Environmental Studies, Wofford College, 429 N. Church St, 29303, Spartanburg, SC, USA; Brand, Jack A.; Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skogsmarksgränd 17, SE-907 36, Umeå, Sweden; Brengdahl, Martin I.; IFM Biology, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden; Bulla, Martin; Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha - Suchdol, Czech Republic; Bussière, Luc; Biological and Environmental Sciences & Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 7B, SE-413 90, Gothenburg, Sweden; Camerlenghi, Ettore; School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Rainforest Walk 25, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Campbell, Sara E.; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee Knoxville, 569 Dabney Hall, 37996, Knoxville, TN, USA; Campos, Leonardo L. F.; Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, UFSC, Campus Universitário - Córrego Grande Florianópolis – SC; CEP, 88040-900, Florianópolis, Brazil; Caravaggi, Anthony; School of Biological and Forensic Sciences, University of South Wales, The Alfred Russel Wallace Building, 9 Graig Fach, CF37 4BB, Glyntaff, Pontypridd, UK; Cardoso, Pedro; Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c) &, CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal; Carroll, Charles J. W.; Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, Colorado State University, 1472 Campus Delivery, 80523-1472, Fort Collins, CO, USA; Catanach, Therese A.; Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 19096, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chen, Xuan; Salisbury University, 1101 Camden Ave, 21801, Biology, Salisbury, MD, USA; Chik, Heung Ying Janet; Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, Netherlands; Choy, Emily Sarah; Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, L8S 4K1, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Christie, Alec Philip; Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing St, CB2 3EJ, Cambridge, UK; Chuang, Angela; Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, 700 Experiment Station Rd, 33850, Lake Alfred, FL, USA; Chunco, Amanda J.; Environmental Studies, Elon University, McMichael Science Building, 2625 Campus Box, 27244, Elon, NC, USA; Clark, Bethany L.; BirdLife International, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, CB2 3QZ, Cambridge, UK; Contina, Andrea; School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, One West University Boulevard, 78520, Brownsville, TX, USA; Covernton, Garth A.; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks St, M5S 3B2, Toronto, ON, Canada; Cox, Murray P.; Department of Statistics, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Cressman, Kimberly A.; LLC, Catbird Stats, PO Box 2018, 39553, Gautier, MS, USA; Crotti, Marco; School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, G12 8QQ, Glasgow, UK; Crouch, Connor Davidson; School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University, 200 E Pine Knoll Dr. 86001, Flagstaff, AZ, USA; D’Amelio, Pietro B.; Department of Behavioural Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Eberhard-Gwinner-Strasse, 82319, Seewiesen, Oberbayern, Germany; de Sousa, Alexandra Allison; School of Sciences: Center for Health and Cognition, Bath Spa University, BA2 9BN, Newton Park, Bath, UK; Döbert, Timm Fabian; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, T6G 2R3, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Dobler, Ralph; Applied Zoology, Zellescher Weg 20b, 01217, Dresden, TUDresden, Germany; Dobson, Adam J.; School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Medical Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, G12 8Qq, Glasgow, UK; Doherty, Tim S.; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, 2006, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; Drobniak, Szymon Marian; Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Krakow, Poland; Duffy, Alexandra Grace; Biology Department, Brigham Young University, 4102 Life Science Building, Provo, UT, USA; Duncan, Alison B.; Institute of Evolutionary Sciences Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France; Dunn, Robert P.; Baruch Marine Field Laboratory, University of South Carolina, 2306 Crabhaul Rd, 29440, Georgetown, SC, USA; Dunning, Jamie; Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Buckhurst road, SL5 7PY, Berkshire, UK; Dutta, Trishna; European Forest Institute, Platz d. Vereinten Nationen 7, 53113, Bonn, Germany; Eberhart-Hertel, Luke; Department of Ornithology, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Eberhard-Gwinner Str. 7, 82319, Seewiesen, Germany; Elmore, Jared Alan; Forestry and Environmental Conservation, National Bobwhite and Grassland Initiative, Clemson University, 243 Lehotsky Hall, 29634, Clemson, SC, USA; Elsherif, Mahmoud Medhat; Department of Psychology and Vision Science, University of Birmingham, 52 Pritchatts Road. Edgbaston, B15 2TT, Baily Thomas GrantBirmingham, UK; English, Holly M.; School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8, Belfield, Ireland; Ensminger, David C.; Department of Biological Sciences, San José State University, 129 S 10th Street, 95112, San Jose, CA, USA; Ernst, Ulrich Rainer; Apicultural State Institute, University of Hohenheim, Erna-Hruschka-Weg 6, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany; Ferguson, Stephen M.; Department of Biology, St. Norbert College, 100 Grant St, 54115, De Pere, WI, USA; Fernandez-Juricic, Esteban; Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, 915 W. 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Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Campus Isla Teja s/n, Valdivia, Chile; Iverson, Erik N. K.; Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, 2415 Speedway #C0930, 78712, Austin, Texas, USA; Jimoh, Saheed Olaide; Department of Botany, University of Wyoming, 82071, Laramie, WY, USA; Johnson, Douglas H.; Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 135 Skok Hall, 2003 Upper Buford Circle, 55108, St. Paul, MN, USA; Johnsson, Martin; Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7023, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden; Jorna, Jesse; Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Brigham Young University, Brigham Young University, 84602, Provo, UT, USA; Jucker, Tommaso; School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, BS8 1TQ, Bristol, UK; Jung, Martin; International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Schlossplatz 1, A-2361, Laxenburg, Austria; Kačergytė, Ineta; Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Ulls Väg 16, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden; Kaltz, Oliver; Université de Montpellier, ISEM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, 34000, Montpellier, IRD, France; Ke, Alison; Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, 1 Shields Ave, 95616, DavisDavis, CA, USA; Kelly, Clint D.; Département des Sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, 141 Avenue du Président-Kennedy, H2X 1Y4, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Keogan, Katharine; Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, King’s Buildings, EH9 3JW, Edinburgh, UK; Keppeler, Friedrich Wolfgang; Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 680 N Park St, 53706, Madison, WI, USA; Killion, Alexander K.; Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, 165 Prospect St, 06511, New Haven, CT, USA; Kim, Dongmin; Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, Ecology Building, 1987 Upper Buford Cir, 55108, St. PaulSt Paul, MN, USA; Kochan, David P.; Institute of Environment and Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st St, 33181, North Miami, FL, USA; Korsten, Peter; Department of Life Sciences, Aberystwyth University, SY23 3DA, Penglais, Aberystwyth, UK; Kothari, Shan; Institut de recherche en biologie végétale, Université de Montréal, 4101, H1X 2B2, Sherbrooke St E, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Kuppler, Jonas; Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany; Kusch, Jillian M.; Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 45 Arctic Ave, A1C5S7, St John’s NL, Canada; Lagisz, Malgorzata; Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, UNSW Sydney, High Street 2052, Kensington, NSW, Australia; Lalla, Kristen Marianne; Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Rd, Ste Anne-de-Bellevue, H9X 3V9, Montreal, QC, Canada; Larkin, Daniel J.; Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 135 Skok Hall, 2003 Upper Buford Circle, 55108, St. Paul, MN, USA; Larson, Courtney L.; The Nature Conservancy, 258 Main Street, 82520, Lander, WY, USA; Lauck, Katherine S.; Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, 1 Shields Ave, 95616, DavisDavis, CA, USA; Lauterbur, M. Elise; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, 1041 E Lowell St, 85721, Tucson, AZ, USA; Law, Alan; Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Cottrell Building, FK9 4LA, Stirling, UK; Léandri-Breton, Don-Jean; Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Rd, Ste Anne-de-Bellevue, H9X 3V9, Montreal, QC, Canada; Lembrechts, Jonas J.; Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium; L’Herpiniere, Kiara; School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Balaclava Rd, Macquarie Park, 2109, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Lievens, Eva J. P.; Aquatic Ecology and Evolution Group, Limnological Institute, University of Konstanz, Mainaustraße 252, 78464, Konstanz, Germany; de Lima, Daniela Oliveira; Campus Cerro Largo, Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul, Rua Jacob Haupenthal, 158097900-000, Cerro Largo, RS, CEP, Brazil; Lindsay, Shane; School of Psychology and Social Work, University of Hull, Cottingham Rd, HU6 7RX, Hull, UK; Luquet, Martin; UMR 1224, ECOBIOP, Université de Pau et des Pays de l′Adour, 173 Route de Saint-Jean-de-Luz, 64310, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France; MacLeod, Ross; School of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, James Parsons Building, Byrom Street, L3 3AF, Liverpool, UK; Macphie, Kirsty H.; Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, The University of Edinburgh, King’s Buildings, Charlotte Auerbach Road, EH9 3FL, Edinburgh, UK; Magellan, Kit; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Mair, Magdalena M.; Statistical Ecotoxicology, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany; Malm, Lisa E.; Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, Linnaeus väg 6, 907 36, Umeå, Sweden; Mammola, Stefano; Molecular Ecology Group (MEG), Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 28922, Corso Tonolli 50, Verbania, Italy; Mandeville, Caitlin P.; Department of Natural History, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 1, 7034, Trondheim, Norway; Manhart, Michael; Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 679 Hoes Lane West, 08854, Piscataway, NJ, USA; Manrique-Garzon, Laura Milena; Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Carrera 1 Nº 18A - 12, 111711, Bogotá, Bogotá D. 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Although variation in effect sizes and predicted values among studies of similar phenomena is inevitable, such variation far exceeds what might be produced by sampling error alone. One possible explanation for variation among results is differences among researchers in the decisions they make regarding statistical analyses. A growing array of studies has explored this analytical variability in different fields and has found substantial variability among results despite analysts having the same data and research question. Many of these studies have been in the social sciences, but one small “many analyst” study found similar variability in ecology. We expanded the scope of this prior work by implementing a large-scale empirical exploration of the variation in effect sizes and model predictions generated by the analytical decisions of different researchers in ecology and evolutionary biology. We used two unpublished datasets, one from evolutionary ecology (blue tit, Cyanistes caeruleus , to compare sibling number and nestling growth) and one from conservation ecology ( Eucalyptus , to compare grass cover and tree seedling recruitment). The project leaders recruited 174 analyst teams, comprising 246 analysts, to investigate the answers to prespecified research questions. Analyses conducted by these teams yielded 141 usable effects (compatible with our meta-analyses and with all necessary information provided) for the blue tit dataset, and 85 usable effects for the Eucalyptus dataset. We found substantial heterogeneity among results for both datasets, although the patterns of variation differed between them. For the blue tit analyses, the average effect was convincingly negative, with less growth for nestlings living with more siblings, but there was near continuous variation in effect size from large negative effects to effects near zero, and even effects crossing the traditional threshold of statistical significance in the opposite direction. In contrast, the average relationship between grass cover and Eucalyptus seedling number was only slightly negative and not convincingly different from zero, and most effects ranged from weakly negative to weakly positive, with about a third of effects crossing the traditional threshold of significance in one direction or the other. However, there were also several striking outliers in the Eucalyptus dataset, with effects far from zero. For both datasets, we found substantial variation in the variable selection and random effects structures among analyses, as well as in the ratings of the analytical methods by peer reviewers, but we found no strong relationship between any of these and deviation from the meta-analytic mean. In other words, analyses with results that were far from the mean were no more or less likely to have dissimilar variable sets, use random effects in their models, or receive poor peer reviews than those analyses that found results that were close to the mean. The existence of substantial variability among analysis outcomes raises important questions about how ecologists and evolutionary biologists should interpret published results, and how they should conduct analyses in the future.
Seed dispersal by wind decreases when plants are water‐stressed, potentially counteracting species coexistence and niche evolution
(2021) Zhu, Jinlei; Lukić, Nataša; Rajtschan, Verena; Walter, Julia; Schurr, Frank M.
Hydrology is a major environmental factor determining plant fitness, and hydrological niche segregation (HNS) has been widely used to explain species coexistence. Nevertheless, the distribution of plant species along hydrological gradients does not only depend on their hydrological niches but also depend on their seed dispersal, with dispersal either weakening or reinforcing the effects of HNS on coexistence. However, it is poorly understood how seed dispersal responds to hydrological conditions. To close this gap, we conducted a common‐garden experiment exposing five wind‐dispersed plant species (Bellis perennis, Chenopodium album, Crepis sancta, Hypochaeris glabra, and Hypochaeris radicata) to different hydrological conditions. We quantified the effects of hydrological conditions on seed production and dispersal traits, and simulated seed dispersal distances with a mechanistic dispersal model. We found species‐specific responses of seed production, seed dispersal traits, and predicted dispersal distances to hydrological conditions. Despite these species‐specific responses, there was a general positive relationship between seed production and dispersal distance: Plants growing in favorable hydrological conditions not only produce more seeds but also disperse them over longer distances. This arises mostly because plants growing in favorable environments grow taller and thus disperse their seeds over longer distances. We postulate that the positive relationship between seed production and dispersal may reduce the concentration of each species to the environments favorable for it, thus counteracting species coexistence. Moreover, the resulting asymmetrical gene flow from favorable to stressful habitats may slow down the microevolution of hydrological niches, causing evolutionary niche conservatism. Accounting for context‐dependent seed dispersal should thus improve ecological and evolutionary models for the spatial dynamics of plant populations and communities.

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