FE Special Feature: Fire as a dynamic ecological and evolutionary force
In this podcast for Functional Ecology, Assistant Editor, Frank Harris, sits down with Fernanda Santos, Joe Bailey, and Jen Schweitzer who guest edited the recently published Functional Ecology special feature titled "Fire as a dynamic ecological and evolutionary force." This collection of studies provide recommendations on how to: engage in developing ecological and evolutionary databases for fire ecology; integrate hierarchical genetic structure or phylogenetic structure; develop new experimental frameworks that limit context dependent outcomes,; increase sample size and availability of curated datasets; increase functional trait knowledge; and increase representation of ecological communities in the literature and context-dependency.
1 Sep 202336min
Seeking a ‘just right’ site for the Western Swamp Turtle
In this podcast, Frank Harris sits down with Nicki Mitchell—Associate Professor at the University of Western Australia, and Deputy Director at the UWA Oceans Institute—to discuss her recently published paper: Activity of a freshwater turtle varies across a latitudinal gradient: Implications for the success of assisted colonisation Nicki et al's results conclude that poor growth of turtles in the southern wetland was likely a result of lower body temperatures, stemming from a reduced ability to thermoregulate in water. Consequently, for assisted colonisation of juvenile P. umbrina to be successful, recipient wetlands must offer aquatic microclimates that are sufficiently warm to promote foraging activity that leads to growth, and ultimately to maturation. * Article: https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1365-2435.14338 * PLS: https://fesummaries.wordpress.com/2023/05/15/seeking-a-just-right-site-for-the-western-swamp-turtle/
17 Aug 202335min
Forests that keep fires small, and how they do it
In this podcast for Functional Ecology, Assistant Editor, Frank Harris, sits down with Philip Zylstra—Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Australia—to discuss his recently published paper: Mechanisms by which growth and succession limit the impact of fire in a south-western Australian forested ecosystem Philip’s paper shows that, left alone, Red Tingle forests burn with much smaller flames, store far more carbon, and provide safe habitat for the many species now threatened by frequent fire. Once we know such natural controls on fire, it is possible to work with and reinforce them. * Article: https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2435.14305 * Plain language summary: https://fesummaries.wordpress.com/2023/03/21/forests-that-keep-fires-small-and-how-they-do-it/
19 Juli 202338min
Animal Functional Traits: A Special Focus
In this podcast for Functional Ecology, Assistant Editor, Frank Harris, sits down with Matthias Schleuning—one of the three guest editors (also Joseph Tobias & Dani Garcia)—to discuss the recently published Special Focus titled, "Animal Functional Traits." This collection of studies shows how precise measurements of morphological or physiological traits can increase mechanistic understanding of community assembly across trophic levels, particularly of the mechanisms underpinning large-scale biodiversity patterns. Special Focus: https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1111/(ISSN)1365-2435.animalfunctionaltraits Blogpost: https://functionalecologists.com/2023/01/05/animal-functional-traits-a-functional-ecology-special-focus/
24 Maj 202330min
Where to fish in the forest? Mangrove quality, fish and crustaceans
Mark Huxham joins Lydia Groves, publishing assistant for Journal of Applied Ecology, to discuss the research article 'Where to fish in the forest? Tree characteristics and contiguous seagrass features predict mangrove forest quality for fishes and crustaceans'. Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14421
15 Maj 202316min
2022 nominee: Feeding from up to bottom—belowground herbivory impacts on plant-soil feedbacks
In this episode, Assistant Editor for Functional Ecology, Frank Harris, sits down with Robin Heinen who has been nominated for the 2022 Haldane Prize. This prize is awarded to the best research from an early career researcher. Robin has been nominated for her paper: Foliar herbivory on plants creates soil legacy effects that impact future insect herbivore growth via changes in plant community biomass allocation Paper: https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1365-2435.14006 PLS: https://fesummaries.wordpress.com/2022/01/26/insect-feeding-leaves-a-detectable-footprint-in-the-soil-that-causes-plants-that-grow-in-it-to-hide-belowground/ Blogpost: https://functionalecologists.com/2022/03/01/robin-heinen-feeding-from-up-to-bottom-belowground-herbivory-impacts-on-plant-soil-feedbacks/
27 Apr 202320min
A conversation with Sarah Schwieger: Rewetting in peatlands
Sarah is the author of one of the shortlisted research articles for the Southwood Prize 2022, celebrating early career ecologists. Lydia Groves, publishing assistant for Journal of Applied Ecology, sits down with Sarah Schwieger to discuss the research article 'Rewetting prolongs root growing season in minerotrophic peatlands and mitigates negative drought effects'. Find the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14222
24 Apr 20237min
A conversation with Paula Prist: Yellow fever virus dispersion
Paula is the author of one of the shortlisted research articles for the Southwood Prize 2022, celebrating early career ecologists. Lydia Groves, publishing assistant for Journal of Applied Ecology, sits down with Paula Prist to discuss the research article 'Roads and forest edges facilitate yellow fever virus dispersion'. Find the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14031
21 Apr 202311min
