Wiley: Ecology Letters: Table of Contents

Within‐Night Variation in Predictor Importance Highlights Dynamic Nature of Bird Migration

Miguel F. Jimenez, Ali Khalighifar, Kyle G. Horton — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 15:08:49 -0700

Bar chart summarising median percent of gain contributed by each predictor type (atmospheric, sampling and terrestrial) for each timestep after sunset for spring (left) and fall (right) bird migration seasons. Predictor types are denoted by different colours. Subsequent figures provide additional detail within subcategories of each predictor type and scale.

ABSTRACT

Ecological forecasting is increasingly important for conservation. Predicting nocturnal bird migration events is a promising vehicle for forecasts but isn't often explored at fine temporal scales. We use weather surveillance radar to examine dynamic drivers of migration in 2-h periods throughout a night. We assess the relative importance of terrestrial, atmospheric and sampling predictors (which relate to radar position and scan timing) across spring and fall. Atmospheric conditions were consistently strong predictors. In contrast, terrestrial predictors contributed relatively little to explaining variation in activity. Sampling variables, such as time after sunset, varied in importance, with the highest influence shortly after sunset. We highlight the temporal variability in predictors of migration, emphasising it as a dynamic process, involving continuous decisions and adjustments rather than following fixed routes. We underscore the value of radar for capturing transitions between habitats while revealing key limitations and opportunities for understanding fine-scale migratory behaviour.

General Predictions for the Effects of Warming on Competition

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:28:57 -0700

We combined two major theories in ecology to investigate whether warming may have general effects on competition for shared resources. We found that species' niche and fitness differences both decreased with warming, and that competing consumers with highly asymmetrical thermal traits underwent the most dramatic competitive shifts under warming. Together, these results demonstrate general effects of warming on competition, even in conditions that are considered thermally benign for all species.

ABSTRACT

Understanding the effects of climate change on ecological communities has been limited by a lack of general theory for how temperature affects competition. To fill this knowledge gap, we integrated Modern Coexistence Theory and the Metabolic Theory of Ecology by incorporating empirically derived temperature sensitivities into Modern Coexistence Theory's central model. We then simulated warming in consumer-resource systems and found that warming reduced both niche and fitness differences, making species more ecologically similar and competitive interactions more neutral. The greatest shifts in competition occurred when temperature sensitivities among species were highly asymmetrical. Effects of warming on competition via niche differences were comparable to those on fitness differences, suggesting that the emphasis on vital rates in global change research may overlook key biodiversity drivers. This general theory expands the domains of two prominent ecological theories and provides predictions for how warming may alter competition even in benign regions of species' thermal niches.

Macrogenetic Alignment in Ecological Strategies Better Interprets Assembly Processes Than Pre‐Determined Functional Groupings

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 21:25:47 -0700

A comparative macrogenetic framework reveals that standardised landscape-genomics can identify shared patterns reflecting common histories and assembly processes. We detected convergence in distributional dynamics and delineate three broad patterns and five species groups defined by gene flow and isolation-by-distance, highlighting the limitations of trait-based generalisations and supporting more robust, evidence-based management strategies.

ABSTRACT

Understanding how species assemble across landscapes requires integration of data representing evolutionary, ecological, and biogeographic processes. We developed a comparative macrogenetic framework, applying it across 22 co-distributed rainforest trees, to identify replicated landscape-level genetic signatures. Diversity-migration analyses and genogeographic clustering identified shared spatial dynamics in relation to refugial areas and genetic turnover, but with no direct relation to simple functional trait combinations. Three broad patterns emerged: Higher Northern Diversity with southward migration, Higher Southern Diversity with northward migration, and Homogeneous Diversity with no directional migration. We identified five (post hoc) species groups sharing gene flow and isolation-by-distance dynamics in relation to recognised biogeographic barriers. Replicated genetic signatures highlight how assembly processes emerge from interacting ecological and historical filters rather than single traits or biogeographic histories alone. We present a statistically replicable interpretational framework to identify shared evolutionary and ecological dynamics, offering scalable, management relevant tools to support restoration planning and biodiversity conservation under environmental change across all types of vegetation.

Comparative Analysis of Diversification Rates in Clonal and Non‐Clonal Flowering Plants

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0700

Using data from 16,465 angiosperm species across 2,997 genera, we classified genera as clonal, mixed, or non-clonal and estimated diversification using genus-level phylogeny with DR, MoM, and BAMM. Clonal genera consistently showed lower diversification rates than mixed and non-clonal genera across all methods. This pattern remained after phylogenetic correction, although the effect was weaker.

ABSTRACT

Clonality, the process of vegetative reproduction through belowground organs (rhizomes, stolons), occurs in about half of all plant species. It influences key ecological and evolutionary phenomena, including effective population size, meiosis frequency and genet longevity, which may affect diversification rates. This study investigates how clonality impacts diversification in angiosperms by comparing clonal, mixed and non-clonal genera. Using genus-level phylogeny and data on clonal status of 16,465 species across 2997 genera, we estimated speciation and net diversification rates for each genus with MoM, DR and BAMM. Our results reveal lower diversification rates in clonal genera in non-phylogenetic models, consistent with the hypothesis that clonality constrains diversification. This effect weakens when accounting for phylogenetic non-independence but remains significant overall. We show that monocots show a slightly stronger effect of clonality on diversification than eudicots. Our findings suggest that clonality may limit long-term diversification in angiosperms, influencing evolutionary dynamics where clonal reproduction predominates.

What Have We Learned From Empirical Applications of Modern Coexistence Theory?

Thu, 28 May 2026 12:43:52 -0700

For 25 years, modern coexistence theory has guided empirical investigations of coexistence. Our systematic review of this literature shows that applications of the original theory, featuring partitions of specific coexistence mechanisms, have led to limited advances due to their narrow focus on the temporal storage effect and grassland communities. In contrast, applications focused on understanding the mediators of niche and fitness differences, while not the original intent of the theory, have increased our understanding of the impact of phylogenetic relatedness, plant–soil feedbacks, and functional traits on coexistence.

ABSTRACT

Since the early 2000's, Modern Coexistence Theory (MCT) has guided empirical investigations of coexistence. We reviewed empirical applications of MCT to answer two questions: (1) What have we learned about the strength of temporal, spatial and variation-independent mechanisms of coexistence in nature? (2) How have studies of niche and fitness differences advanced our understanding of coexistence? With respect to the first question, we now have evidence that the temporal storage effect and variation-independent mechanisms help stabilize coexistence in many systems. We have not learned more due to the low number of tests of these mechanisms (24 out of 84 MCT studies), the narrow focus on mechanisms involving temporal variation and grassland communities, and lack of rigorous model validation. With respect to our second question, studies of niche and fitness differences (61 of 84 studies) have answered fundamental questions about the role of phylogenetic relatedness, plant–soil feedbacks, and functional traits in coexistence. We recommend that future empirical MCT studies (1) match hypotheses to MCT quantities, (2) address gaps in empirical studies, (3) avoid known biases in estimating competition coefficients, and (4) validate models with independent data.

Issue Information

Tue, 26 May 2026 23:17:07 -0700

Ecology Letters, Volume 29, Issue 6, June 2026.

Correction to ‘Birds That Don't Exist: Niche Pre‐Emption as a Constraint on Morphological Evolution in the Passeroidea’

Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700

Ecology Letters, Volume 29, Issue 6, June 2026.

Host‐Pathogen Network and Eco‐Evolutionary Drivers of Avian Influenza Transmission in Wild Birds

Xinyi Wang, Zhi Ling, Xiaocan Chen, Swapnil Mishra, Lu Dong — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700

Hub species in avian influenza transmission networks are defined by a distinct set of ecological and evolutionary traits—including strong flight, aquatic foraging, longevity, and high diversification rates. These traits collectively explain their central role in the network, identifying them as priority targets for focused surveillance.

ABSTRACT

Multi-host pathogens vary in how they utilise different hosts, yet the traits determining which species occupy central positions in transmission networks remain poorly understood. We tested whether the wild bird–avian influenza virus (AIV) network exhibits a scale-free structure, implying that hub hosts disproportionately contribute to transmission and whether ecological and evolutionary traits jointly predict hub status. Using global infection records, we constructed a bipartite network linking 247 bird species to 105 AIV subtypes. Degree distributions followed a power-law pattern, confirming substantial heterogeneity in host importance. We identified 23 hub species, exclusively from Anseriformes and Charadriiformes. Interpretable machine learning revealed that hub species share strong flightability, prolonged water-surface foraging, greater longevity and higher diversification rates, indicating that both ecological exposure and evolutionary history influence hub status. These findings provide insight into host–pathogen network dynamics and highlight priority species for targeted AIV surveillance and control.