@inproceedings{WeissLinde2023, author = {Weiss, Fabio and Linde, Andreas}, title = {How precise are size-weight equations for estimating carabid biomass and how could they be improved?}, series = {22. Tagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft f{\"u}r allgemeine und angewandte Entomologie e.V. (DGaaE) 2023 in Bozen, Italien}, booktitle = {22. Tagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft f{\"u}r allgemeine und angewandte Entomologie e.V. (DGaaE) 2023 in Bozen, Italien}, doi = {10.57741/opus4-396}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-3966}, pages = {1}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Insect biomass has been used as an ecological indicator in the past, but in recent years has become a key metric in the study of insect population trends, especially since first reports about the so-called insect decline (e.g. "Krefeld study" of 2017). However, measuring insect biomass can be methodologically challenging, and very labour intensive. For many datasets, weight measurements are not available and the original samples may have already been lost. Size-weight equations provide a straightforward method for estimating insect biomass when the insect's body length is known. If insects have been determined to species level one can also use the average body length given in literature. Based on the correlation between the body length and the weight of an insect, there is a variety of size-weight equations for different groups of insects. They are widely used in insect research, but have rarely been tested with independent data. We evaluated two size-weight models for carabid beetles, by Szyszko (1983) and Booij et al. (1994), drawing on previously published independent data by comparing model predictions with actual measurements of biomass, using relative deviation graphs and observed versus predicted from regression. Moreover, we also tested if the inclusion of additional taxonomic parameters, in this case subfamily, can improve results. We found that both models produced systematically biased results: Szyszko´s model gave more accurate results for larger species, while the model of Booij et al. did so for smaller species. This bias is most likely caused by the different origin of the respective training data. This underlines the restricted applicability of such models. We demonstrate that additional taxonomic parameters have the potential to increase the accuracy of size-weight equations and represent a potential solution to the issue of restricted applicability. As actual biomass measurements for carabids are scarce, data availability is limited to only few subfamilies. Until data on more subfamilies become available, we recommend a combined use of both evaluated models: Szyszko's model for carabids ≥ 11.8 mm, and the model of Booij et al. for carabids < 11.8 mm, respectively.}, language = {en} } @article{WeissMichlerGillichetal.2022, author = {Weiss, Fabio and Michler, Frank Uwe and Gillich, Benjamin and Tillmann, J{\"o}rg and Ciuti, Simone and Heurich, Marco and Rieger, Siegfried}, title = {Displacement Effects of Conservation Grazing on Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) Spatial Behaviour}, series = {Environmental Management}, volume = {70}, journal = {Environmental Management}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, issn = {0364-152X}, doi = {10.1007/s00267-022-01697-6}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-4609}, pages = {763 -- 779}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Conservation grazing uses semi-feral or domesticated herbivores to limit encroachment in open areas and to promote biodiversity. However, we are still unaware of its effects on wild herbivores. This study investigates the influence of herded sheep and goats on red deer (Cervus elaphus) spatial behavior by testing three a-priori hypotheses: (i) red deer are expected to avoid areas used by livestock, as well as adjacent areas, when livestock are present, albeit (ii) red deer increase the use of these areas when sheep and goats are temporarily absent and (iii) there is a time-lagged disruption in red deer spatial behavior when conservation grazing practice ends. Using GPS-telemetry data on red deer from a German heathland area, we modelled their use of areas grazed by sheep and goats, using mixed-effect logistic regression. Additionally, we developed seasonal resource selection functions (use-availability design) to depict habitat selection by red deer before, during, and after conservation grazing. Red deer used areas less during conservation grazing throughout all times of the day and there was no compensatory use during nighttime. This effect mostly persisted within 21 days after conservation grazing. Effects on habitat selection of red deer were detectable up to 3000 meters away from the conservation grazing sites, with no signs of either habituation or adaption. For the first time, we demonstrate that conservation grazing can affect the spatio-temporal behavior of wild herbivores. Our findings are relevant for optimizing landscape and wildlife management when conservation grazing is used in areas where wild herbivores are present.}, language = {en} } @misc{LindeWeiss2023, author = {Linde, Andreas and Weiss, Fabio}, title = {Eberswalde Carabid Abundances 1999-2022}, doi = {10.48548/pubdata-23}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-4386}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Ground beetles were caught from 1999 to 2022, between the beginning of May and the end of July each year, on 13 forest plots within one forest site (with the extension of approximately 1x1km) close to Eberswalde, Germany (52.820000, 13.790000). Not all plots were sampled each year and the researchers only included data from plots, which were sampled in three years or more. They used pitfall traps consisting of a 400ml glass jars positioned in a piece of PVC pipe, formaldehyde as trapping fluid and metal roofs. There were four pitfall traps at each plot, organised as either square or transect with approximately 20 meters between the traps. The layout of traps (square or transect) remained consistent for each plot throughout all sampled years. During the sampling period the traps were emptied three times, usually after four weeks (28 days), however, the exact sampling length occasionally varied. Prior to data analysis, the researchers excluded all data from traps that had been disturbed by factors such as rain, wild animals or vandalism. Abundances represent the sum of all individuals of species belonging to the Carabidae family that were caught in one pitfall trap during one sampling interval. This is an updated version of the dataset Eberswalde Carabid Abundances 1999-2021 (DOI: 10.48548/pubdata-11). It includes additional data sampled in 2022. Sampling abundances are no longer pooled for all traps per plot but listed for each trap individually.}, language = {en} } @article{WeissLinde2022, author = {Weiss, Fabio and Linde, Andreas}, title = {How to estimate carabid biomass?—an evaluation of size-weight models for ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and perspectives for further improvement}, series = {Journal of Insect Conservation}, volume = {26}, journal = {Journal of Insect Conservation}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, issn = {1366-638X}, doi = {10.1007/s10841-022-00391-6}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-4983}, pages = {537 -- 548}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Biomass is an important metric for monitoring carabid populations and serves as an ecological indicator. Models that predict carabid weight based on body size represent a simple and straightforward method to estimate biomass and are therefore commonly used. However, such models are rarely evaluated against independent validation data. In this study, we evaluated the two widely used size-weight models by Szyszko (1983) and Booij et al. (1994) drawing on previously published independent data. Additionally, we developed and tested four new models to also evaluate the potential effect of taxonomic parameters; and compared model predictions with actual measurements of biomass using relative deviation graphs and observed versus predicted from regression. We show that the two models by Szyszko (1983) and Booij et al. (1994) contain systematic bias towards larger and smaller carabids, respectively, suggesting restricted applicability of such models. Additional taxonomic parameters improved weight predictions, indicating one possible solution to the issue of restricted applicability. We discuss further relevant limitations of size-weight models and their application and recommend a combined use of the models of Szyszko (1983) and Booij et al. (1994) for carabids ≥ 11.8 mm and < 11.8 mm, respectively. Implications for insect conservation: Size-weight models are a suitable and simple method to estimate the biomass of carabids and have great potential to be used in monitoring schemes, the investigation of long-term trends and ecological studies. It is, however, essential that researchers pay special attention to potential restrictions in their applicability and methodological limitations.}, language = {en} } @article{WeissvonWehrdenLinde2023, author = {Weiss, Fabio and von Wehrden, Henrik and Linde, Andreas}, title = {Random year intercepts in mixed models help to assess uncertainties in insect population trends}, series = {Insect Conservation and Diversity}, volume = {16}, journal = {Insect Conservation and Diversity}, number = {4}, publisher = {Wiley}, issn = {1752-4598}, doi = {10.1111/icad.12644}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-6496}, pages = {531 -- 537}, year = {2023}, abstract = {1. An increasing number of studies is investigating insect population trends based on time series data. However, the available data is often subject to temporal pseudoreplication. Inter-annual variability of environmental conditions and strong fluctuations in insect abundances can impede reliable trend estimation. Temporal random effect structures in regression models have been proposed as solution for this issue, but remain controversial. 2. We investigated trends in ground beetle abundance across 24 years using generalised linear mixed models. We fitted four models: A base model, a model featuring a random year intercept, a model featuring basic weather parameters, and a model featuring both random year intercept and weather parameters. We then performed a simple sensitivity analysis to assess the robustness of the four models with respect to influential years, also testing for possible spurious baseline and snapshot effects. 3. The model structure had a significant impact on the overall magnitude of the estimated trends. However, we found almost no difference among the models in how the removal of single years (sensitivity analysis) relatively affected trend coefficients. The two models with a random year intercept yielded significantly larger confidence intervals and their p-values were more sensitive during sensitivity analysis. Significant differences of the model with random year intercept and weather parameters to all other models suggest that the random year effects and specific weather effects are rather additive than interchangeable. 4. We conclude that random year intercepts help to produce more reliable and cautious uncertainty measures for insect population trends. Moreover, they might help to identify influential years in sensitivity analyses more easily. We recommend random year intercepts in addition to any variables representing temporally variable environmental conditions, such as weather variables.}, language = {en} } @article{WeissLinde, author = {Weiss, Fabio and Linde, Andreas}, title = {How to estimate carabid biomass?—an evaluation of size-weight models for ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and perspectives for further improvement}, series = {Journal of Insect Conservation}, volume = {26}, journal = {Journal of Insect Conservation}, number = {4}, publisher = {Springer International Publishing}, issn = {1366-638X}, doi = {10.1007/s10841-022-00391-6}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-9200}, pages = {537 -- 548}, abstract = {Abstract Biomass is an important metric for monitoring carabid populations and serves as an ecological indicator. Models that predict carabid weight based on body size represent a simple and straightforward method to estimate biomass and are therefore commonly used. However, such models are rarely evaluated against independent validation data. In this study, we evaluated the two widely used size-weight models by Szyszko ( 57 ) and Booij et al. ( 7 ) drawing on previously published independent data. Additionally, we developed and tested four new models to also evaluate the potential effect of taxonomic parameters; and compared model predictions with actual measurements of biomass using relative deviation graphs and observed versus predicted from regression. We show that the two models by Szyszko ( 57 ) and Booij et al. ( 7 ) contain systematic bias towards larger and smaller carabids, respectively, suggesting restricted applicability of such models. Additional taxonomic parameters improved weight predictions, indicating one possible solution to the issue of restricted applicability. We discuss further relevant limitations of size-weight models and their application and recommend a combined use of the models of Szyszko ( 57 ) and Booij et al. ( 7 ) for carabids ≥ 11.8 mm and < 11.8 mm, respectively. Implications for insect conservation : Size-weight models are a suitable and simple method to estimate the biomass of carabids and have great potential to be used in monitoring schemes, the investigation of long-term trends and ecological studies. It is, however, essential that researchers pay special attention to potential restrictions in their applicability and methodological limitations.}, subject = {-}, language = {en} } @article{WeissMichlerGillichetal., author = {Weiss, Fabio and Michler, Frank Uwe and Gillich, Benjamin and Tillmann, J{\"o}rg and Ciuti, Simone and Heurich, Marco and Rieger, Siegfried}, title = {Displacement Effects of Conservation Grazing on Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) Spatial Behaviour}, series = {Environmental Management}, volume = {70}, journal = {Environmental Management}, number = {5}, publisher = {Springer US}, issn = {0364-152X}, doi = {10.1007/s00267-022-01697-6}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-9222}, pages = {763 -- 779}, abstract = {Abstract Conservation grazing uses semi-feral or domesticated herbivores to limit encroachment in open areas and to promote biodiversity. However, we are still unaware of its effects on wild herbivores. This study investigates the influence of herded sheep and goats on red deer ( Cervus elaphus ) spatial behavior by testing three a-priori hypotheses: (i) red deer are expected to avoid areas used by livestock, as well as adjacent areas, when livestock are present, albeit (ii) red deer increase the use of these areas when sheep and goats are temporarily absent and (iii) there is a time-lagged disruption in red deer spatial behavior when conservation grazing practice ends. Using GPS-telemetry data on red deer from a German heathland area, we modelled their use of areas grazed by sheep and goats, using mixed-effect logistic regression. Additionally, we developed seasonal resource selection functions (use-availability design) to depict habitat selection by red deer before, during, and after conservation grazing. Red deer used areas less during conservation grazing throughout all times of the day and there was no compensatory use during nighttime. This effect mostly persisted within 21 days after conservation grazing. Effects on habitat selection of red deer were detectable up to 3000 meters away from the conservation grazing sites, with no signs of either habituation or adaption. For the first time, we demonstrate that conservation grazing can affect the spatio-temporal behavior of wild herbivores. Our findings are relevant for optimizing landscape and wildlife management when conservation grazing is used in areas where wild herbivores are present.}, subject = {-}, language = {en} } @article{WeissWinterPflugmacheretal., author = {Weiss, Fabio and Winter, Susanne and Pflugmacher, Dirk and Kolling, Thomas and Linde, Andreas}, title = {Evidence for regional-scale declines in carabid beetles in old lowland beech forests following a period of severe drought}, series = {Landscape Ecology}, volume = {39}, journal = {Landscape Ecology}, number = {7}, publisher = {Springer Netherlands}, address = {Dordrecht}, issn = {1572-9761}, doi = {10.1007/s10980-024-01920-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-9464}, abstract = {Abstract Context Evidence for declines in insect populations is growing with climate change being one suspected driver. Forests, however, are still underrepresented in the relevant research. Recent droughts (2018-2020) have severely affected forests in Central Europe and have been linked to declines in carabid abundance, biomass as well as changes in species traits at the local scale. Objective We tested drought effects on forest carabids at regional scale. We additionally investigated whether variability in drought effects could be explained with the initial community composition and the local environmental context. Methods We used generalized linear mixed models to compare data from 1999 to 2001 and 2020 to 2022 across eleven old beech forest sites of high conservation interest in North-East Germany and investigated changes in carabid abundance, biomass, Hill numbers and selected species traits. We then tested additional community-related and environmental predictors to explain spatial variability in changes in biomass. Results We found significant declines in biomass of 65\% and in abundance of 51\%. There were no significant changes in Hill numbers. We found consistent evidence that declines affected especially larger and less mobile species. Declines and changes in species traits also occurred in strictly protected old-growth beech forests. Among environmental predictors, landscape composition explained local variability in biomass declines best with stronger decline at forest sites with less forest area in their vicinity. Conclusions Our findings reveal large-scale declines in forest carabids in the context of recent droughts and highlight the exceptional role of landscape composition in this regard. Future insect conservation strategies need to incorporate the landscape context and potential exposure to extreme weather.}, subject = {-}, language = {en} } @article{DabardGohrWeissetal., author = {Dabard, Caroline H{\´e}l{\`e}ne and Gohr, Charlotte and Weiss, Fabio and von Wehrden, Henrik and Neumann, Frederike and Hordasevych, Solomiia and Arieta, Bruno and Hammerich, Jenny and Meier, Caroline and Jargow, Janine and Luthardt, Vera and Ibisch, Pierre L. and Ferreira, Ana Filipa}, title = {Biosphere Reserves as model regions for transdisciplinarity? A literature review}, series = {Sustainability Science}, volume = {19}, journal = {Sustainability Science}, number = {6}, publisher = {Springer Japan}, address = {Tokyo}, issn = {1862-4065}, doi = {10.1007/s11625-024-01542-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-9497}, pages = {2065 -- 2081}, abstract = {Abstract The World Network of Biosphere Reserves promotes learning sites for sustainable development, designated under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere programme (MAB). The programme aims to strengthen biodiversity conservation, economic development and capacity building. Scientific research in and about Biosphere Reserves is expected to support these objectives. In response to a strong focus on natural sciences and conservation issues, calls for transdisciplinary approaches emanated from science and the newest MAB Lima Action Plan. Yet, the extent and contributions of transdisciplinary research in Biosphere Reserves remains unexplored. This study provides a comprehensive and systematic screening of 3304 scientific publications in and about Biosphere Reserves published since 1975. Research within Biosphere Reserves spans a broad spectrum, encompassing social to political to ecological investigations, with a focus on natural sciences and studies conducted mainly in Europe and Asia. We identified an emerging field of transdisciplinary science in research, represented in 336 publications. Most transdisciplinary studies were conducted in Mexican and Indian Biosphere Reserves. While transdisciplinary research provided insights about participation, management and governance in Biosphere Reserves, its transformative potential could be enhanced, notably through stronger forms of participation of non-academic actors in research processes. Our review suggests strengthening knowledge co-creation about transformative solutions and interventions addressing deep leverage points. Scientific research could thereby enhance the role of Biosphere Reserves as model regions for sustainability transformations.}, subject = {-}, language = {en} } @article{DabardGohrWeissetal., author = {Dabard, Caroline H{\´e}l{\`e}ne and Gohr, Charlotte and Weiss, Fabio and von Wehrden, Henrik and Neumann, Frederike and Hordasevych, Solomiia and Arieta, Bruno and Hammerich, Jenny and Meier, Caroline and Jargow, Janine and Luthardt, Vera and Ibisch, Pierre L. and Ferreira, Ana Filipa}, title = {Correction: Biosphere Reserves as model regions for transdisciplinarity? A literature review}, series = {Sustainability Science}, volume = {19}, journal = {Sustainability Science}, number = {6}, publisher = {Springer Japan}, address = {Tokyo}, issn = {1862-4065}, doi = {10.1007/s11625-024-01589-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-9506}, pages = {2083 -- 2084}, subject = {-}, language = {en} }