ecosystem processes
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Biodiversity is known to increase ecosystem functioning. However, species vary in their contributions to ecosystem processes. Here, we investigated seven ecosystem functions based on the consumption of different resources in tropical ant communities. We analysed how different species influence site-level resource consumption, and determined how each species influenced performance and stability of these functions. Based on simulated extinctions, we identified 'key species' with significant functional contributions. We then investigated which traits, such as biomass, abundance, and specialisation, characterized them, and compared trait distributions across four sites to analyse differences in functional redundancy. Only few species significantly influenced ecosystem functions. Common generalist species tended to be the most important drivers of many ecosystem functions, though several specialist species also proved to be important in this study. Moreover, species-specific ecological impacts varied across sites. In addition, we found that functional redundancy varied across sites, and was highest in sites where the most common species did not simultaneously have the greatest functional impacts. Furthermore, redundancy was enhanced in sites where species were less specialised and had more even incidence distributions. Our study demonstrates that the ecological importance of a species depends on its functional traits, but also on the community context. It cannot be assessed without investigating its species-specific performance across multiple functions. Hence, to assess functional redundancy in a habitat and the potential for compensation of species loss, researchers need to study species-specific traits that concern functional performance as well as population dynamics and tolerance to environmental conditions.
- MeSH
- biodiverzita * MeSH
- biomasa MeSH
- druhová specificita MeSH
- ekologie MeSH
- ekosystém * MeSH
- Formicidae * MeSH
- populační dynamika MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Microbial activity in forest soils is driven by the dynamics of ecosystem processes, largely dependent on trees as the major primary producers. Diurnal variation of root activity, seasonality of photosynthate production or recalcitrance of decomposing plant biomass all affect microbial abundance, composition of their communities and activity. Due to low N content, fungi appear to be the major decomposers of complex plant biomass: litter and deadwood and to largely shape associated bacterial communities and their activity. On the other hand, bacteria are important in decomposition of fungal mycelia and N-cycle processes including N-fixation. Microbial activity is also affected in the short term by climatic events and in the long-term by ecosystem development after disturbances.
Techniky molekulární genetiky znamenají velký přínos pro gastrointestinální mikrobiologii. Intestinální mikroflóra je mnohem početnější systém rodů a druhů, než se dosud předpokládalo. Výrazné změny mikrobiálních společenství provázejí řadu chorob. Tyto nálezy vytvářejí rámec pro terapeutickou strategii. Rozsah metabolických procesů produkovaných nebo kontrolovaných střevní mikroflórou je srovnatelný s metabolismem jater. Dieta dodržovaná po delší dobu působí významné změny střevní mikroflóry, které ovlivňují dostupnost energetických substrátů a umožňují racionální vysvětlení terapeutických postupů. Těsná spojení slizniční bariéry spolu se střevní mikroflórou a slizničním imunitním systémem regulují množství translokovaných antigenních substancí a hrají významnou úlohu v patogenezi celiakie a inzulín-dependentního diabetu.
Techniques of molecular genetics establish a significant contribution to gastrointestinal microbiology. The system of microbial genera and species is much more frequent and complex than considered up to this time. Many diseases are accompanied with distinct alterations of microbial communities. The extent of metabolic processes produced or controlled by intestinal microflora may be compared with liver metabolism. These findings build up a framework for therapeutic strategy. Adherence to a dietary regimen for a longer period of time induces important changes of microbial flora. These may influence availability of energetic substrates and enable a rational explanation of therapeutic procedures. Tight junctions in cooperation with microflora and mucosal immune system adjust the amount of translocated antigens and play an important role in pathogenesis of celiac disease and insulin-dependent diabetes.
- MeSH
- celiakie imunologie metabolismus terapie MeSH
- diabetes mellitus 1. typu etiologie metabolismus prevence a kontrola MeSH
- dieta metody MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- ekosystém MeSH
- Enterobacteriaceae genetika imunologie metabolismus MeSH
- fibromyalgie diagnóza MeSH
- fyziologie výživy kojenců imunologie MeSH
- fyziologie výživy imunologie MeSH
- gastrointestinální trakt imunologie metabolismus MeSH
- idiopatické střevní záněty imunologie krev metabolismus MeSH
- jaterní encefalopatie farmakoterapie imunologie metabolismus MeSH
- kojenec MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mikrobiologie trendy MeSH
- molekulární biologie metody trendy MeSH
- nemoci střev imunologie krev metabolismus MeSH
- novorozenec imunologie metabolismus MeSH
- pankreatitida farmakoterapie terapie MeSH
- probiotika farmakologie terapeutické užití MeSH
- střeva imunologie metabolismus MeSH
- střevní sliznice imunologie metabolismus MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- kojenec MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- novorozenec imunologie metabolismus MeSH
BACKGROUND: Alternative organism designs (i.e. the existence of distinct combinations of traits leading to the same function or performance) are a widespread phenomenon in nature and are considered an important mechanism driving the evolution and maintenance of species trait diversity. However, alternative designs are rarely considered when investigating assembly rules and species effects on ecosystem functioning, assuming that single trait trade-offs linearly affect species fitness and niche differentiation. SCOPE: Here, we first review the concept of alternative designs, and the empirical evidence in plants indicating the importance of the complex effects of multiple traits on fitness. We then discuss how the potential decoupling of single traits from performance and function of species can compromise our ability to detect the mechanisms responsible for species coexistence and the effects of species on ecosystems. Placing traits in the continuum of organism integration level (i.e. traits hierarchically structured ranging from organ-level traits to whole-organism traits) can help in choosing traits more directly related to performance and function. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that alternative designs have important implications for the resulting trait patterning expected from different assembly processes. For instance, when only single trade-offs are considered, environmental filtering is expected to result in decreased functional diversity. Alternatively, it may result in increased functional diversity as an outcome of alternative strategies providing different solutions to local conditions and thus supporting coexistence. Additionally, alternative designs can result in higher stability of ecosystem functioning as species filtering due to environmental changes would not result in directional changes in (effect) trait values. Assessing the combined effects of multiple plant traits and their implications for plant functioning and functions will improve our mechanistic inferences about the functional significance of community trait patterning.
- MeSH
- biodiverzita MeSH
- ekosystém * MeSH
- fenotyp MeSH
- fyziologie rostlin MeSH
- rostliny * MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Střevní mikroflóra je postnatálně získaný orgán. Její metabolická činnost je srovnatelná s metabolizmem jater. Střevní mikroflóra vytváří se slizničním imunitním systémem a střevní slizniční bariérou vysoce integrovaný komplex, gastrointestinální ekosystém. Úplná morfologická a funkční vyzrálost jednotlivých složek vyžaduje četné interakce, mezi nimiž je křehká rovnováha. Jejich poruchy se uplatňují v patogenezi řady chorob. Probiotika stabilizují svými účinky jednotlivé složky gastrointestinálního ekosystému a přispívají k vytvoření fyziologické rovnováhy. Probiotika mají předpoklady stát se novou metodou biologické terapie.
Intestinal microflora is a postnatal acquired organ. Its metabolic activities are comparable with liver metabolism. Intestinal microflora, the mucosal immune system, and the intestinal mucosal barrier constitute a highly integrated complex, the gastrointestinal ecosystem. The full morphological and functional maturity of individual components requires frequent interactions marked with a brittle equilibrium. Their disturbances participate in the pathogenesis of many diseases. The probiotics stabilize the functions of individual components of the gastrointestinal ecosystem and contribute to the constitution and preservation of the physiological equilibrium. Probiotics have the prerequisites to become a new method of biological therapy.
- MeSH
- alergie imunologie terapie MeSH
- biologická terapie metody trendy využití MeSH
- enteritida imunologie terapie MeSH
- gastrointestinální trakt enzymologie metabolismus mikrobiologie MeSH
- gynekologická onemocnění imunologie mikrobiologie terapie MeSH
- infekce vyvolané Helicobacter pylori imunologie terapie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nemoci jater imunologie terapie MeSH
- prebiotika MeSH
- probiotika MeSH
- střevní sliznice fyziologie metabolismus mikrobiologie MeSH
- synbiotika MeSH
- urologické nemoci imunologie terapie MeSH
- výsledky a postupy - zhodnocení (zdravotní péče) MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- přehledy MeSH
Distributed environmental research infrastructures are important to support assessments of the effects of global change on landscapes, ecosystems and society. These infrastructures need to provide continuity to address long-term change, yet be flexible enough to respond to rapid societal and technological developments that modify research priorities. We used a horizon scanning exercise to identify and prioritize emerging research questions for the future development of ecosystem and socio-ecological research infrastructures in Europe. Twenty research questions covered topics related to (i) ecosystem structures and processes, (ii) the impacts of anthropogenic drivers on ecosystems, (iii) ecosystem services and socio-ecological systems and (iv), methods and research infrastructures. Several key priorities for the development of research infrastructures emerged. Addressing complex environmental issues requires the adoption of a whole-system approach, achieved through integration of biotic, abiotic and socio-economic measurements. Interoperability among different research infrastructures needs to be improved by developing standard measurements, harmonizing methods, and establishing capacities and tools for data integration, processing, storage and analysis. Future research infrastructures should support a range of methodological approaches including observation, experiments and modelling. They should also have flexibility to respond to new requirements, for example by adjusting the spatio-temporal design of measurements. When new methods are introduced, compatibility with important long-term data series must be ensured. Finally, indicators, tools, and transdisciplinary approaches to identify, quantify and value ecosystem services across spatial scales and domains need to be advanced.
- MeSH
- ekologie * MeSH
- ekosystém * MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Evropa MeSH
The ecology of forest soils is an important field of research due to the role of forests as carbon sinks. Consequently, a significant amount of information has been accumulated concerning their ecology, especially for temperate and boreal forests. Although most studies have focused on fungi, forest soil bacteria also play important roles in this environment. In forest soils, bacteria inhabit multiple habitats with specific properties, including bulk soil, rhizosphere, litter, and deadwood habitats, where their communities are shaped by nutrient availability and biotic interactions. Bacteria contribute to a range of essential soil processes involved in the cycling of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. They take part in the decomposition of dead plant biomass and are highly important for the decomposition of dead fungal mycelia. In rhizospheres of forest trees, bacteria interact with plant roots and mycorrhizal fungi as commensalists or mycorrhiza helpers. Bacteria also mediate multiple critical steps in the nitrogen cycle, including N fixation. Bacterial communities in forest soils respond to the effects of global change, such as climate warming, increased levels of carbon dioxide, or anthropogenic nitrogen deposition. This response, however, often reflects the specificities of each studied forest ecosystem, and it is still impossible to fully incorporate bacteria into predictive models. The understanding of bacterial ecology in forest soils has advanced dramatically in recent years, but it is still incomplete. The exact extent of the contribution of bacteria to forest ecosystem processes will be recognized only in the future, when the activities of all soil community members are studied simultaneously.
- MeSH
- Bacteria metabolismus MeSH
- biomasa MeSH
- dusík metabolismus MeSH
- ekosystém * MeSH
- houby metabolismus MeSH
- klimatické změny * MeSH
- koloběh dusíku MeSH
- lesy * MeSH
- mikrobiální společenstva MeSH
- půdní mikrobiologie * MeSH
- rostliny MeSH
- sekvestrace uhlíku MeSH
- uhlík metabolismus MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
For decades, biologists have relied on software to visualize and interpret imaging data. As techniques for acquiring images increase in complexity, resulting in larger multidimensional datasets, imaging software must adapt. ImageJ is an open-source image analysis software platform that has aided researchers with a variety of image analysis applications, driven mainly by engaged and collaborative user and developer communities. The close collaboration between programmers and users has resulted in adaptations to accommodate new challenges in image analysis that address the needs of ImageJ's diverse user base. ImageJ consists of many components, some relevant primarily for developers and a vast collection of user-centric plugins. It is available in many forms, including the widely used Fiji distribution. We refer to this entire ImageJ codebase and community as the ImageJ ecosystem. Here we review the core features of this ecosystem and highlight how ImageJ has responded to imaging technology advancements with new plugins and tools in recent years. These plugins and tools have been developed to address user needs in several areas such as visualization, segmentation, and tracking of biological entities in large, complex datasets. Moreover, new capabilities for deep learning are being added to ImageJ, reflecting a shift in the bioimage analysis community towards exploiting artificial intelligence. These new tools have been facilitated by profound architectural changes to the ImageJ core brought about by the ImageJ2 project. Therefore, we also discuss the contributions of ImageJ2 to enhancing multidimensional image processing and interoperability in the ImageJ ecosystem.
- MeSH
- biodiverzita MeSH
- biologická evoluce MeSH
- biomasa MeSH
- ekosystém * MeSH
- fyziologie rostlin * MeSH
- Publikační typ
- kongresy MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
The relationship between network structure and dynamics is one of the most extensively investigated problems in the theory of complex systems of recent years. Understanding this relationship is of relevance to a range of disciplines-from neuroscience to geomorphology. A major strategy of investigating this relationship is the quantitative comparison of a representation of network architecture (structural connectivity, SC) with a (network) representation of the dynamics (functional connectivity, FC). Here, we show that one can distinguish two classes of functional connectivity-one based on simultaneous activity (co-activity) of nodes, the other based on sequential activity of nodes. We delineate these two classes in different categories of dynamical processes-excitations, regular and chaotic oscillators-and provide examples for SC/FC correlations of both classes in each of these models. We expand the theoretical view of the SC/FC relationships, with conceptual instances of the SC and the two classes of FC for various application scenarios in geomorphology, ecology, systems biology, neuroscience and socio-ecological systems. Seeing the organisation of dynamical processes in a network either as governed by co-activity or by sequential activity allows us to bring some order in the myriad of observations relating structure and function of complex networks.
- MeSH
- ekologie * MeSH
- ekosystém * MeSH
- mozek MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
