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Manual Reference Mainstreaming of biodiversity into development cooperation
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2018
Article Reference Maintaining taxonomic accuracy in genetic databases: A duty for taxonomists— Reanalysis of the DNA sequences from Mercan et al. (2024) on the genus Potamothrix (Annelida, Clitellata) in Turkish lakes
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Article Reference Octet Stream Making sense of variation in sclerochronological stable isotope profiles of mollusks and fish otoliths from the early Eocene southern North Sea Basin
Stable isotope sclerochemistry of biogenic carbonate is frequently used for the reconstruction of paleotemperature and seasonality. Yet, few studies have compared intra-and inter-taxon isotope variability and variation within a single depositional environment. We measured seasonal changes in δ18O and δ13C compositions in multiple specimens of two carditid bivalve species, a turritelline gastropod species, and two species of otoliths from demersal fish, from two early Eocene (latest Ypresian, 49.2 Ma) coquinas in the inner neritic Aalter Formation, located in the Belgian part of the southern North Sea Basin (paleolatitude ∼41°N). Results demonstrate considerable variation among taxa in the mean, amplitude, and skewness of δ18O and δ13C values from sequentially sampled growth series. We attribute this variation to factors including differences in seasonal growth over ontogeny, mixing of depositional settings by sediment transport, differences between sedentary and mobile organisms, and differences in longevity of the taxa in question. Growth cessation during winters in turritellines and fishes in particular lead to an incomplete representation of the seasonal cycle in their growth increments, in comparison to carditid bivalves. Ophidiid fish otolith isotope records appear to reflect environmental conditions over a wider range of habitats and environments, and we infer this is due to a combination of sedimentary transport, as these are small structures, and postmortem transport by free-swimming predatory fish. Our study highlights the potential variability encompassed by taxa in the shallow marine realm even when they are found in the same deposits. While this has significant implications for seasonality reconstructions based on conventional isotope profiles, we show that careful study of the ecology and ontogeny of multiple taxa and specimens within a death assemblage can reveal sources of variation and yield a close approximation of conditions in the setting of interest.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Article Reference Male spiders control offspring sex ratio through greater production of female-determining sperm
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2018
Article Reference Managing canopy cover to preserve forest microclimate and diverse macroarthropod communities in times of drought
1. Forest canopies play a vital role in buffering macroclimatic conditions, creating stable microclimates that support species unable to survive under the surrounding climate. However, disturbances driven by climate change alongside management interventions can disrupt canopy cover, altering forest microclimates and, consequently, forest- related biodiversity. 2. To investigate these dynamics, we monitored forest floor temperature, soil moisture and macroarthropod communities along a canopy cover gradient in the National Park Brabantse Wouden, Belgium. Forest microclimate was recorded using TMS4- loggers throughout the 2022–2023 growing seasons. Macroarthropod activity- density and species richness were sampled using pitfall traps during the 2022 summer. Generalized linear mixed models and piecewise structural equation modelling were used to assess the influence of forest structure. 3. As canopy cover decreased, microclimate temperatures became more similar to macroclimate temperatures, reducing the forest's thermal buffering capacity. Once canopy cover dropped below 50%, temperatures were amplified rather than buffered. Additionally, lower stand densities were linked to higher soil moisture levels. 4. Microclimatic conditions significantly affected both the activity- density and species richness of macroarthropod communities. Woodlice profited from temporarily elevated forest floor temperatures if soil moisture was sufficient, while prolonged high temperatures negatively affected ground beetles. Ground beetles benefited from reduced canopy cover and increased deadwood, while woodlice preferred oak- dominated stands. 5. Synthesis and applications. To sustain a stable and well- buffered microclimate, we recommend maintaining canopies as closed as possible. Even small openings reduce the forest's ability to buffer temperature, with canopy covers below 50% leading to temperature amplification. Closed canopies should be combined with isolated canopy gaps to promote habitat heterogeneity. Additionally, deadwood amounts should increase to provide shelter during droughts. This balanced management approach fosters stable forest microclimates and diverse habitats, supporting long- and short- term macroarthropod biodiversity in temperate broadleaf forests.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Inproceedings Reference Managing geological uncertainty in CO2-EOR reservoir assessments
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications
Article Reference Mangrove Ecosystem Properties Regulate High Water Levels in a River Delta
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023
Article Reference Mangrove ecosystem properties regulate high water levels in a river delta
Intertidal wetlands, such as mangroves in the tropics, are increasingly recognized for their role in nature-based mitigation of coastal flood risks. Yet it is still poorly understood how effective they are at attenuating the propagation of extreme sea levels through large (order of 100 km2) estuarine or deltaic systems, with complex geometry formed by networks of branching channels intertwined with mangrove and intertidal flat areas. Here, we present a delta-scale hydrodynamic modelling study, aiming to explicitly account for these complex landforms, for the case of the Guayas delta (Ecuador), the largest estuarine system on the Pacific coast of Latin America. Despite coping with data scarcity, our model accurately reproduces the observed propagation of high water levels during a spring tide. Further, based on a model sensitivity analysis, we show that high water levels are most sensitive to the mangrove platform elevation and degree of channelization but to a much lesser extent to vegetation-induced friction. Mangroves with a lower surface elevation, lower vegetation density, and higher degree of channelization all favour a more efficient flooding of the mangroves and therefore more effectively attenuate the high water levels in the deltaic channels. Our findings indicate that vast areas of channelized mangrove forests, rather than densely vegetated forests, are most effective for nature-based flood risk mitigation in a river delta.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2024
Preprint Reference Mangroves are an overlooked hotspot of insect diversity despite low plant diversity
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2020
Article Reference Mangroves are an overlooked hotspot of insect diversity despite low plant diversity
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2021