Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 12/02/2025Oh, and if you want to use the ECELS index yourselves, I created a R package to make it easier! You can find it here: github.com/Calotriton/E...github.comGitHub - Calotriton/ECELS: ECELS R package (ecology)ECELS R package (ecology). Contribute to Calotriton/ECELS development by creating an account on GitHub. 040
Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 12/02/2025Conservation efforts targeting the preservation of natural pond hydrological processes and mitigating nutrient pollution are critical for safeguarding amphibian biodiversity in Europe and contributing to broader freshwater conservation goals. 100
Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 12/02/2025Specifically, we observed that non-eutrophic ponds characterized by permeable and shallow basins with smooth slopes, and without weirs, foster a higher amphibian diversity. 100
Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 12/02/2025By utilising Generalised Linear Mixed Models, we determined that a higher amphibian species richness, and a higher number of protected ones, are found in shallow ponds with a better pond condition, meaning a higher conservation status and a better water quality. 100
Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 12/02/2025For this, we investigated the condition of 154 ponds across six European countries, considered through measurements of their conservation status (Shallow Lentic Ecosystem Conservation Status index, ECELS), water quality and trophic state, and physical characteristics. 100
Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 12/02/2025In this study, we assessed if the favourable condition of a pond and its conservation status promotes its amphibian species richness, which was determined by using environmental DNA metabarcoding. 100
Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 12/02/2025Most #amphibian species in Europe inhabit, or depend on, ponds, which are highly threatened and not usually considered in coservation and management policies. Thus, their effective management may present a significant opportunity to alleviate the ongoing decline of amphibians 100
Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 12/02/2025Our new paper, "Amphibian conservation in Europe: the importance of pond condition", has just been published in Biodiversity and Conservation! Here's a short thread with the main results 🧵 #ecology #amphibian #conservation #research link.springer.com/article/10.1...link.springer.comAmphibian conservation in Europe: the importance of pond condition - Biodiversity and ConservationMost amphibians found in Europe inhabit ponds, small aquatic ecosystems commonly threatened by habitat degradation and destruction. Despite this situation, ponds are rarely considered in conservation ... 1163
Reposted by Alex LSThe One True Kat @theonetruekat.bsky.social · 30/01/2025If I send Newts, does this get flagged as Newt-ity? Sierra Newt (Taricha sierrae) cuddling an egg mass. #herps #newt #taricha #sendnewts #newtity #tarichasierrae #amphibians #salamanders #fieldwork 1487
Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 29/01/2025Hi Miguel! Thanks! Chl-a is kind of a proxy for eutrophication, which promotes pathogenic infections and overall less survival chances for both eggs and tadpoles. Plus, highly eutrophic ponds have less oxygen so that's a big problem in agricultural ponds. Regarding crayfish, we have no data :( 010
Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 24/01/2025In conclusion, our results emphasize the importance of local biotic and abiotic factors, especially chlorophyll-a concentration and pond size, in shaping richness patterns for European amphibians, drivers that should be considered in the implementation of conservation and actions 220
Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 24/01/2025The highest richness was observed in low-nutrient, fishless, intermediate-sized, shallow ponds, located in warmer regions with higher precipitation rates. 120
Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 24/01/2025Our results suggest that local factors, particularly chlorophyll-a concentration, but also pond area and depth, are the main drivers of amphibian richness, together with climatic variables such as annual mean precipitation and temperature. 110
Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 24/01/2025To assess the importance of the drivers of richness, we used Boosted Regression Trees, a #machinelearning technique that allows you to see the relative contribution of each variable and their particular effect at each level. 110
Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 24/01/2025In these assessed ponds, the most common species was Lissotriton vulgaris, found in 41.8% of them, followed by Triturus cristatus (30.4%), Bufo bufo (27.9%) and Rana temporaria (25.4%) 110
Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 24/01/2025In our study, we assessed over 201 ponds in 7 European countries. These ponds where characterised through a long list of variables, and their amphibian species richness was assessed using #eDNA metabarcoding. 130
Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 24/01/2025As you know, amphibians are the most endangered animal group on the planet. Moreover, ponds, which are vital for them in European ecosystems, are highly threatened and not usually considered in legislations and managemen practises. 110
Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 24/01/2025Our last paper from @ponds4climate has just been published in @ecography.bsky.social ! We here assessed the drivers of #amphibian species richness in European ponds. You can find the full article here: nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... Here's to a short threat:nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.comDrivers of amphibian species richness in European pondsAmphibians are commonly occurring inhabitants of most lentic freshwater ecosystems, yet their global populations are in alarming decline. Ponds in particular play a crucial role in supporting amphibi... 1219
Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 17/12/2024Hi fellow ecologists! Do you know of any labs or research institutes that might have, or will have, open positions in amphibian research or conservation? Thanks! 011
Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 12/12/2024If you have a 500px for wildlife pics we can follow each other! 500px.com/p/Alex_LS?vi...500px.com500px 000
Reposted by Alex LSCorrie Moreau @corriemoreau.bsky.social · 26/11/2024📣 📣 📣 Still lots of TT jobs being advertised: The 2024-2025 list of faculty and postdoc positions in ecology and evolutionary biology is out! Be sure to check out this active and helpful community run resources! docs.google.com/spreadsheets...docs.google.comecoevojobs.net 2024-25 2233188
Reposted by Alex LSNeil Shubin @neilshubin.bsky.social · 26/11/2024Amazing fossil alert. Jurassic salamander from China. You can see the soft tissue of the eye, gills, limbs, even the folds of its tail. And its last meal its stomach… 🧪 #evolution #paleontology 271513346
Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 21/11/2024Hey fellow ecologists! Do you know of any of these lists to follow Herpetologists or Amphibian Researchers? 110
Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 18/11/2024If anyone has a 500px we can follow each other: 500px.com/p/Alex_LS?vi...500px.com500px 000
Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 18/11/2024Any other #wildlife #photographers around? Check out this Hylarana from Khao Sok National Park in Thailand! 380
Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 18/11/2024Va ponme que cuando me acepten los papers haré algún hilo 110
Reposted by Alex LSDr. Catherine Macdonald @drcatmac.bsky.social · 17/11/2024A frustrating component of many scientists believing “we just need to teach people facts to change their behavior” is an inability to recognize most people don’t think or operate the way scientists do. (Scientists, in theory, are carefully trained to change our minds/views in response to new data). 1731474
Alex LS @alex-ls.bsky.social · 17/11/2024As my first post in this site, I'll share my Medium, where I, once in a while, write some biostatistics/programing tutorials for fello biologists! Here an example: medium.com/dev-genius/r...medium.com[R]- Tutorial: Boosted Regression TreesBoosted Regression Trees (from now on BRTs) is a kind of regression methodology based on Machine Learning. Unlike conventional regression… 060
