Alex LS
@alex-ls.bsky.social
Postdoc researcher in amphibian ecology and conservation.
Herbivore 🌱
Herbivore 🌱
Thank you so much Carl!
February 13, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Thank you so much Carl!
Oh, 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 - Calotriton/ECELS: ECELS R package (ecology)
ECELS R package (ecology). Contribute to Calotriton/ECELS development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com
February 12, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Oh, 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...
Thank you for reading!
February 12, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Thank you for reading!
Conservation 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.
February 12, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Conservation 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.
Specifically, we observed that non-eutrophic ponds characterized by permeable and shallow basins with smooth slopes, and without weirs, foster a higher amphibian diversity.
February 12, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Specifically, we observed that non-eutrophic ponds characterized by permeable and shallow basins with smooth slopes, and without weirs, foster a higher amphibian diversity.
By 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.
February 12, 2025 at 2:56 PM
By 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.
For 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.
February 12, 2025 at 2:56 PM
For 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.
In 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.
February 12, 2025 at 2:56 PM
In 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.
Most #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
February 12, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Most #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
Hi 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 :(
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 :(
January 29, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Hi 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 :(
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 :(
Thank you for reading!
January 24, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Thank you for reading!
In 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
January 24, 2025 at 1:37 PM
In 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
The highest richness was observed in low-nutrient, fishless, intermediate-sized, shallow ponds, located in warmer regions with higher precipitation rates.
January 24, 2025 at 1:37 PM
The highest richness was observed in low-nutrient, fishless, intermediate-sized, shallow ponds, located in warmer regions with higher precipitation rates.
Our 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.
January 24, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Our 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.
To 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.
January 24, 2025 at 1:37 PM
To 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.
In 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%)
January 24, 2025 at 1:37 PM
In 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%)
In 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.
January 24, 2025 at 1:37 PM
In 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.
As 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.
January 24, 2025 at 1:37 PM
As 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.
Yeah I'd love to! Thanks!
January 23, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Yeah I'd love to! Thanks!
If you have a 500px for wildlife pics we can follow each other!
500px.com/p/Alex_LS?vi...
500px.com/p/Alex_LS?vi...
500px
500px.com
December 12, 2024 at 12:35 PM
If you have a 500px for wildlife pics we can follow each other!
500px.com/p/Alex_LS?vi...
500px.com/p/Alex_LS?vi...