Brian Maitner
@maitner.bsky.social
Assistant Professor of Global Change in the Integrative Biology Department at the University of South Florida - St. Petersburg. Views are my own (and are supported by evidence and reason).
Reposted by Brian Maitner
Fast-growing trees are set to dominate the #forests of the #future — but at a cost🌳
Our Nature Plants (@natplants.nature.com) study shows a global shift toward "sprinter" tree species, while slow-growing, functionally critical #trees face elevated #extinction risk. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Our Nature Plants (@natplants.nature.com) study shows a global shift toward "sprinter" tree species, while slow-growing, functionally critical #trees face elevated #extinction risk. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Global functional shifts in trees driven by alien naturalization and native extinction - Nature Plants
This study finds that native tree extinctions and alien naturalizations are pushing forests towards fast-growing, resource-demanding species. This global shift could affect carbon storage and ecosyste...
www.nature.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:11 AM
Fast-growing trees are set to dominate the #forests of the #future — but at a cost🌳
Our Nature Plants (@natplants.nature.com) study shows a global shift toward "sprinter" tree species, while slow-growing, functionally critical #trees face elevated #extinction risk. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Our Nature Plants (@natplants.nature.com) study shows a global shift toward "sprinter" tree species, while slow-growing, functionally critical #trees face elevated #extinction risk. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Brian Maitner
The evidence for Homo sapiens playing the dominant role in the global #megafauna #extinctions constitutes one of the clearest, well-supported patterns in #ecology. See our 2024 review www.cambridge.org/core/journal... #paleobiology #archeology #hunting #ecosystem #Pleistocene #defaunation #rewilding
The late-Quaternary megafauna extinctions: Patterns, causes, ecological consequences and implications for ecosystem management in the Anthropocene | Cambridge Prisms: Extinction | Cambridge Core
The late-Quaternary megafauna extinctions: Patterns, causes, ecological consequences and implications for ecosystem management in the Anthropocene - Volume 2
www.cambridge.org
January 1, 2025 at 9:49 AM
The evidence for Homo sapiens playing the dominant role in the global #megafauna #extinctions constitutes one of the clearest, well-supported patterns in #ecology. See our 2024 review www.cambridge.org/core/journal... #paleobiology #archeology #hunting #ecosystem #Pleistocene #defaunation #rewilding
Reposted by Brian Maitner
🧪 Figuring out the right way to represent interactions as a network is a really difficult task, makes a big difference on the interpretation.
In a new preprint by @tanyadoesscience.bsky.social we attempt to provide a hierarchical framework for network ecology:
ecoevorxiv.org/repository/v...
In a new preprint by @tanyadoesscience.bsky.social we attempt to provide a hierarchical framework for network ecology:
ecoevorxiv.org/repository/v...
Scaling from Metawebs to Realised Webs: A Hierarchical Approach to Network Ecology
ecoevorxiv.org
January 22, 2026 at 1:51 PM
🧪 Figuring out the right way to represent interactions as a network is a really difficult task, makes a big difference on the interpretation.
In a new preprint by @tanyadoesscience.bsky.social we attempt to provide a hierarchical framework for network ecology:
ecoevorxiv.org/repository/v...
In a new preprint by @tanyadoesscience.bsky.social we attempt to provide a hierarchical framework for network ecology:
ecoevorxiv.org/repository/v...
How do we model ranges for rare or poorly sampled species? In our new paper, we compare methods for modelling rare species. We show that several algorithms designed for small sample sizes outperform more general approaches when modeling rare or poorly sampled species.
doi.org/10.1002/ecog...
doi.org/10.1002/ecog...
Flexible methods for species distribution modeling with small samples
Species distribution models (SDMs) predict where species live or could potentially live and are a key resource for ecological research and conservation decision-making. However, current SDM methods o...
doi.org
January 21, 2026 at 3:32 PM
How do we model ranges for rare or poorly sampled species? In our new paper, we compare methods for modelling rare species. We show that several algorithms designed for small sample sizes outperform more general approaches when modeling rare or poorly sampled species.
doi.org/10.1002/ecog...
doi.org/10.1002/ecog...
Super important paper showing the startlingly low number of active plant taxonomists in the world, and in particular in some of the most biodiverse regions! Definitely a study I'm adding to my reference manager!
Important paper showing the dearth of plant taxonomists in the tropical countries that need them most
www.cell.com/trends/plant...
www.cell.com/trends/plant...
December 2, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Super important paper showing the startlingly low number of active plant taxonomists in the world, and in particular in some of the most biodiverse regions! Definitely a study I'm adding to my reference manager!
Reposted by Brian Maitner
Please pass along - We've extended the CAMBIUM fellowship deadline to December 15! Our NSF NRT supports new grad students to harness biodiversity big data to adapt to & mitigate climate change impacts. Great fit for evolutionary genomics, bioinformatics, ecology & more. cambium.arizona.edu 🧬🌐🌎
November 26, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Please pass along - We've extended the CAMBIUM fellowship deadline to December 15! Our NSF NRT supports new grad students to harness biodiversity big data to adapt to & mitigate climate change impacts. Great fit for evolutionary genomics, bioinformatics, ecology & more. cambium.arizona.edu 🧬🌐🌎
Reposted by Brian Maitner
Reposted by Brian Maitner
in "General laws of biodiversity: Climatic niches predict plant range size and ecological dominance globally", we provide key insights into species’ vulnerability to environmental change and the processes that structure biodiversity at global scales.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
General laws of biodiversity: Climatic niches predict plant range size and ecological dominance globally | PNAS
A longstanding question in ecology asks whether or not species that achieve large
geographic ranges also have large climatic niche breadths. Using ...
www.pnas.org
November 12, 2025 at 6:11 PM
in "General laws of biodiversity: Climatic niches predict plant range size and ecological dominance globally", we provide key insights into species’ vulnerability to environmental change and the processes that structure biodiversity at global scales.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Brian Maitner
We are glad to share our recent article pulbished in @pnas.org, where we we demonstrate that plant species that occupy larger geographic ranges tend to have broader climatic niches and are more likely to achieve high local abundances.
November 12, 2025 at 6:11 PM
We are glad to share our recent article pulbished in @pnas.org, where we we demonstrate that plant species that occupy larger geographic ranges tend to have broader climatic niches and are more likely to achieve high local abundances.
Reposted by Brian Maitner
@hadley.nz , you’re so real for this 😭🙌
Lowkey spent my whole day glowin’ up my code with the new `genzplyr` pack — it’s giving ✨clean syntax✨ fr.
hadley.github.io/genzplyr/ind...
Lowkey spent my whole day glowin’ up my code with the new `genzplyr` pack — it’s giving ✨clean syntax✨ fr.
hadley.github.io/genzplyr/ind...
dplyr but make it bussin fr fr no cap
`genzplyr` is an alternative syntax for `dplyr` that replaces boring old function names with GenZ slang. Your data wrangling is about to hit different.
hadley.github.io
November 10, 2025 at 3:29 PM
@hadley.nz , you’re so real for this 😭🙌
Lowkey spent my whole day glowin’ up my code with the new `genzplyr` pack — it’s giving ✨clean syntax✨ fr.
hadley.github.io/genzplyr/ind...
Lowkey spent my whole day glowin’ up my code with the new `genzplyr` pack — it’s giving ✨clean syntax✨ fr.
hadley.github.io/genzplyr/ind...
Reposted by Brian Maitner
USF told us how much they think we’re worth: an extra $15-22 per paycheck. That’s insulting, unacceptable, and after inflation amounts to a pay DECREASE that keeps Masters GAs BELOW the federal poverty line. We deserve better, and we’ll keep fighting for it📢📢📢
November 5, 2025 at 5:04 PM
USF told us how much they think we’re worth: an extra $15-22 per paycheck. That’s insulting, unacceptable, and after inflation amounts to a pay DECREASE that keeps Masters GAs BELOW the federal poverty line. We deserve better, and we’ll keep fighting for it📢📢📢
Reposted by Brian Maitner
USF’s proposed raise of 2% can’t buy much: here’s a few things this money CAN’T buy. If you think we’re worth more than half a tank of gas every two weeks, drop something else you can’t buy with 2% in the comments⬇️⬇️⬇️
November 5, 2025 at 5:04 PM
USF’s proposed raise of 2% can’t buy much: here’s a few things this money CAN’T buy. If you think we’re worth more than half a tank of gas every two weeks, drop something else you can’t buy with 2% in the comments⬇️⬇️⬇️
Reposted by Brian Maitner
BREAKING: Graduate Assistants at USF deserve more, and people are noticing. Check out this article about our fight for fair wages in the @tampabaytimes.bsky.social this morning!🗞️
November 6, 2025 at 5:02 PM
BREAKING: Graduate Assistants at USF deserve more, and people are noticing. Check out this article about our fight for fair wages in the @tampabaytimes.bsky.social this morning!🗞️
Reposted by Brian Maitner
▶️‼️𝐀 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐍𝐀𝐅, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐰‼️◀️
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
1️⃣ it now contains 16,429 plant taxa
2️⃣ removal of outdated data & errors
3️⃣ 117,229 new records
4️⃣ 31% increase in the number of geographic regions
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
1️⃣ it now contains 16,429 plant taxa
2️⃣ removal of outdated data & errors
3️⃣ 117,229 new records
4️⃣ 31% increase in the number of geographic regions
The updated Global Naturalized Alien Flora (GloNAF 2.0) database
GloNAF is a continuously updated, curated compilation of alien naturalized vascular plant inventories for geographic regions worldwide. Building on its predecessor, GloNAF 2.0 now contains 16,429 tax...
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:28 PM
▶️‼️𝐀 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐍𝐀𝐅, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐰‼️◀️
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
1️⃣ it now contains 16,429 plant taxa
2️⃣ removal of outdated data & errors
3️⃣ 117,229 new records
4️⃣ 31% increase in the number of geographic regions
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
1️⃣ it now contains 16,429 plant taxa
2️⃣ removal of outdated data & errors
3️⃣ 117,229 new records
4️⃣ 31% increase in the number of geographic regions
Reposted by Brian Maitner
My first PhD paper is out!
It describes the fluxible #rstats package, a toolbox to process and quality check #ecosystem #gasfluxes in a reproducible and automated way.
@unibergen.bsky.social @btwnthefjords-uib.bsky.social @bjerknes.uib.no @li-corenv.bsky.social @methodsinecoevol.bsky.social
It describes the fluxible #rstats package, a toolbox to process and quality check #ecosystem #gasfluxes in a reproducible and automated way.
@unibergen.bsky.social @btwnthefjords-uib.bsky.social @bjerknes.uib.no @li-corenv.bsky.social @methodsinecoevol.bsky.social
fluxible: An R package to process ecosystem gas fluxes from closed‐loop chambers in an automated and reproducible way
Measuring ecosystem gas fluxes is crucial to understanding the dynamics of ecosystem water and energy cycling. A common method to measure ecosystem gas fluxes (CO2, CH4, N2O) and to compare experi...
doi.org
September 25, 2025 at 11:38 AM
My first PhD paper is out!
It describes the fluxible #rstats package, a toolbox to process and quality check #ecosystem #gasfluxes in a reproducible and automated way.
@unibergen.bsky.social @btwnthefjords-uib.bsky.social @bjerknes.uib.no @li-corenv.bsky.social @methodsinecoevol.bsky.social
It describes the fluxible #rstats package, a toolbox to process and quality check #ecosystem #gasfluxes in a reproducible and automated way.
@unibergen.bsky.social @btwnthefjords-uib.bsky.social @bjerknes.uib.no @li-corenv.bsky.social @methodsinecoevol.bsky.social
Reposted by Brian Maitner
Please pass along, I’m recruiting PhD students to join our Macroecology Lab @uofa-eeb.bsky.social We study phys ecology, macroecology, biodiversity - spanning scaling, trait-based ecology, theory, comparative biology & ecoinformatics. Several avenues for funding. Please reach out if interested🧪🌐🌾
October 21, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Please pass along, I’m recruiting PhD students to join our Macroecology Lab @uofa-eeb.bsky.social We study phys ecology, macroecology, biodiversity - spanning scaling, trait-based ecology, theory, comparative biology & ecoinformatics. Several avenues for funding. Please reach out if interested🧪🌐🌾
Cool new work coming out of the Mahli lab! Once again, strong evidence that losing the big animals is a big deal!
Energy flows reveal declining ecosystem functions by animals across Africa | Nature share.google/CGLck9p0D5At...
Energy flows reveal declining ecosystem functions by animals across Africa | Nature share.google/CGLck9p0D5At...
Energy flows reveal declining ecosystem functions by animals across Africa - Nature
An ecosystem energetics approach, quantifying trophic energy flows across species, offers a unified framework for linking animal biodiversity loss to changes in ecosystem function and Earth system pro...
share.google
October 30, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Cool new work coming out of the Mahli lab! Once again, strong evidence that losing the big animals is a big deal!
Energy flows reveal declining ecosystem functions by animals across Africa | Nature share.google/CGLck9p0D5At...
Energy flows reveal declining ecosystem functions by animals across Africa | Nature share.google/CGLck9p0D5At...
The fact that New College of Florida is the first University to sign Trump's compact speaks volumes about both the pathetic states of both New College and the Trump administration.
October 30, 2025 at 12:11 PM
The fact that New College of Florida is the first University to sign Trump's compact speaks volumes about both the pathetic states of both New College and the Trump administration.
Reposted by Brian Maitner
A universal thermal performance curve arises in biology and ecology doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
A universal thermal performance curve arises in biology and ecology | PNAS
Temperature has strong impacts on all biological and ecological processes, and thermal
performance curves (TPCs) have been employed recurrently to ...
doi.org
October 25, 2025 at 12:14 PM
A universal thermal performance curve arises in biology and ecology doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
Reposted by Brian Maitner
One in six species on Earth experienced extraordinarily high temperatures across more than 25% of their range in 2024--the hottest year on record. For most, this was the second year of extreme heat, likely compounding risks. In PNAS: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
September 11, 2025 at 6:16 PM
One in six species on Earth experienced extraordinarily high temperatures across more than 25% of their range in 2024--the hottest year on record. For most, this was the second year of extreme heat, likely compounding risks. In PNAS: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Brian Maitner
Hottest year in recorded history compounds global biodiversity risks | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
What species and regions experienced no-analogue conditions? How well can we predict them? How often are species hit again and again?
What species and regions experienced no-analogue conditions? How well can we predict them? How often are species hit again and again?
PNAS
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) - an authoritative source of high-impact, original research that broadly spans...
www.pnas.org
August 27, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Hottest year in recorded history compounds global biodiversity risks | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
What species and regions experienced no-analogue conditions? How well can we predict them? How often are species hit again and again?
What species and regions experienced no-analogue conditions? How well can we predict them? How often are species hit again and again?