The Experts below are selected from a list of 152628 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Theo Linders - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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establishment of wildflower fields in poor quality Landscapes enhances micro parasite prevalence in wild bumble bees
Oecologia, 2019Co-Authors: Niels Piot, Jeroen Scheper, Theo Linders, David Kleijn, Ivan Meeus, Guy SmaggheAbstract:The current worldwide pollinator decline is caused by the interplay of different drivers. Several strategies have been undertaken to counteract or halt this decline, one of which is the implementation of wildflower fields. These supplementary flowers provide extra food resources and have proven their success in increasing pollinator biodiversity and abundance. Yet such Landscape alterations could also alter the host–pathogen dynamics of pollinators, which could affect the populations. In this study, we investigated the influence of sown wildflower fields on the prevalence of micro-parasites and viruses in the wild bumble bee Bombus pascuorum, one of the most abundant bumble bee species in Europe and the Netherlands. We found that the effect of sown wildflower fields on micro-parasite prevalence is affected by the composition of the surrounding Landscape and the size of the flower field. The prevalence of micro-parasites increases with increasing size of sown wildflower fields in Landscapes with few semi-Natural Landscape elements. This effect was not observed in Landscapes with a high amount of semi-Natural Landscape elements. We elaborate on two mechanisms which can support these findings: (1) “transmission hot spots” within the altered flower-networks, which could negatively impact hosts experiencing an increased exposure; (2) improved tolerance of the hosts, withstanding higher parasite populations.
Guy Smagghe - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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establishment of wildflower fields in poor quality Landscapes enhances micro parasite prevalence in wild bumble bees
Oecologia, 2019Co-Authors: Niels Piot, Jeroen Scheper, Theo Linders, David Kleijn, Ivan Meeus, Guy SmaggheAbstract:The current worldwide pollinator decline is caused by the interplay of different drivers. Several strategies have been undertaken to counteract or halt this decline, one of which is the implementation of wildflower fields. These supplementary flowers provide extra food resources and have proven their success in increasing pollinator biodiversity and abundance. Yet such Landscape alterations could also alter the host–pathogen dynamics of pollinators, which could affect the populations. In this study, we investigated the influence of sown wildflower fields on the prevalence of micro-parasites and viruses in the wild bumble bee Bombus pascuorum, one of the most abundant bumble bee species in Europe and the Netherlands. We found that the effect of sown wildflower fields on micro-parasite prevalence is affected by the composition of the surrounding Landscape and the size of the flower field. The prevalence of micro-parasites increases with increasing size of sown wildflower fields in Landscapes with few semi-Natural Landscape elements. This effect was not observed in Landscapes with a high amount of semi-Natural Landscape elements. We elaborate on two mechanisms which can support these findings: (1) “transmission hot spots” within the altered flower-networks, which could negatively impact hosts experiencing an increased exposure; (2) improved tolerance of the hosts, withstanding higher parasite populations.
Petros Lymberakis - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Mapping the heterogeneity of Natural and semi-Natural Landscapes
International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, 2014Co-Authors: Amjad Ali, C.a.j.m. De Bie, Andrew K. Skidmore, Rory Scarrott, Petros LymberakisAbstract:Abstract Natural and semi-Natural Landscape cover is heterogeneous. Ideally, mapping land cover requires an approach that represents both gradients and land covers spatiotemporal variability. These aspects can be visualized and depicted by applying a new spatio-temporal analysis based Landscape Heterogeneity Mapping (LaHMa) method to Natural and semi-Natural Landscapes. Using MODIS NDVI 16-day imagery (February 2000–July 2009) for Crete, a 65-cluster image was selected from ISODATA classification results using the separability values of the divergence statistics. The 65 clusters appropriately generalize the spatial and temporal variability in land cover. Using classified outputs from 10 to 65 clusters, the frequency of pixels identified as boundaries of homogeneous land cover classes was translated into the form of a Landscape heterogeneity map, which was then validated using field data. The results show that the heterogeneity map had moderate correlation (R2 = 0.60 and 0.63 in two transects) with the sum of differences between neighbouring transect pixels in all land cover components. In general, the study found this new approach (LaHMa) to be suitable for mapping Landscape heterogeneity in the Natural and semi-Natural Landscape of Crete, Greece. The new method appears to be of potential use for informing gradient analyses in Landscape ecological studies.
Niels Piot - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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establishment of wildflower fields in poor quality Landscapes enhances micro parasite prevalence in wild bumble bees
Oecologia, 2019Co-Authors: Niels Piot, Jeroen Scheper, Theo Linders, David Kleijn, Ivan Meeus, Guy SmaggheAbstract:The current worldwide pollinator decline is caused by the interplay of different drivers. Several strategies have been undertaken to counteract or halt this decline, one of which is the implementation of wildflower fields. These supplementary flowers provide extra food resources and have proven their success in increasing pollinator biodiversity and abundance. Yet such Landscape alterations could also alter the host–pathogen dynamics of pollinators, which could affect the populations. In this study, we investigated the influence of sown wildflower fields on the prevalence of micro-parasites and viruses in the wild bumble bee Bombus pascuorum, one of the most abundant bumble bee species in Europe and the Netherlands. We found that the effect of sown wildflower fields on micro-parasite prevalence is affected by the composition of the surrounding Landscape and the size of the flower field. The prevalence of micro-parasites increases with increasing size of sown wildflower fields in Landscapes with few semi-Natural Landscape elements. This effect was not observed in Landscapes with a high amount of semi-Natural Landscape elements. We elaborate on two mechanisms which can support these findings: (1) “transmission hot spots” within the altered flower-networks, which could negatively impact hosts experiencing an increased exposure; (2) improved tolerance of the hosts, withstanding higher parasite populations.
Dimitra Zeka - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Spatial Interactions between the Settlement Network, Natural Landscape and Zones of Economic Activities: A Case Study in a Greek Region
Sustainability, 2017Co-Authors: Athena Yiannakou, Dimosthenis Eppas, Dimitra ZekaAbstract:The structure of a settlement network has been influenced historically by physical, geographical and socioeconomic factors. Theories of spatial development have focused on the interaction between urban areas and socioeconomic processes considering the Natural surroundings as a steady parameter rather than a potentially varying element contributing to spatial development. Over the past 25 years in Greece, a number of socio-economic factors along with improvements in transport infrastructure led to crucial changes in the traditional settlement system. The development of new economic activities was often associated with the special characteristics of the Natural Landscape. In this way, Natural Landscape as a dynamic element interacts with the built environment and the economic activities of a place, leading to the formation of new clusters of relationships. Using the case study of the Region of Western Macedonia, a mountainous, border zone Greek region, and based on an interactive framework of analysis whereby human and Natural systems are considered strongly interconnected, this paper examines the spatial interactions between the settlement network, as the basic representation of human activity, the Natural Landscape, as a crucial element of the Natural system, and the dynamic zones of economic activities, as a parameter that encompasses crucial attributes of both human and Natural systems. The paper proposes that the heterogeneity of these interactions and the way they affect the thresholds and resilience of a specific place are important for the understanding of spatial change and for an integrated spatial planning for sustainable development.
