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Most range shift predictions focus on the dispersal phase of the colonization process. Because moving populations experience increasingly dissimilar nonclimatic environmental conditions as they track climate warming, it is also critical to test how individuals originating from contrasting thermal environments can establish in nonlocal sites. We assess the intraspecific variation in growth responses to nonlocal soils by planting a widespread grass of deciduous forests (Milium effusum) into an experimental common garden using combinations of seeds and soil sampled in 22 sites across its distributional range, and reflecting movement scenarios of up to 1600 km. Furthermore, to determine temperature and forest‐structural effects, the plants and soils were experimentally warmed and shaded. We found significantly positive effects of the difference between the temperature of the sites of seed and soil collection on growth and seedling emergence rates. Migrant plants might thus encounter increasingly favourable soil conditions while tracking the isotherms towards currently ‘colder’ soils. These effects persisted under experimental warming. Rising temperatures and light availability generally enhanced plant performance. Our results suggest that abiotic and biotic soil characteristics can shape climate change‐driven plant movements by affecting growth of nonlocal migrants, a mechanism which should be integrated into predictions of future range shifts.

Global forest assessments use forest area as an indicator of biodiversity status, which may mask below-canopy pressures driving forest biodiversity loss and ‘empty forest’ syndrome. The status of forest biodiversity is important not only for species conservation but also because species loss can have consequences for forest health and carbon storage. We aimed to develop a global indicator of forest specialist vertebrate populations to improve assessments of forest biodiversity status. Using the Living Planet Index methodology, we developed a weighted composite Forest Specialist Index for the period 1970–2014. We then investigated potential correlates of forest vertebrate population change. We analysed the relationship between the average rate of change of forest vertebrate populations and satellite-derived tree cover trends, as well as other pressures. On average, forest vertebrate populations declined by 53% between 1970 and 2014. We found little evidence of a consistent global effect of tree cover change on forest vertebrate populations, but a significant negative effect of exploitation threat on forest specialists. In conclusion, we found that the forest area is a poor indicator of forest biodiversity status. For forest biodiversity to recover, conservation management needs to be informed by monitoring all threats to vertebrates, including those below the canopy.

Airborne lidar is a remote-sensing tool of increasing importance in ecological and conservation research due to its ability to characterize three-dimensional vegetation structure. If different aspects of plant species diversity and composition can be related to vegetation structure, landscape-level assessments of plant communities may be possible. We examined this possibility for Mediterranean oak forests in southern Portugal, which are rich in biological diversity but also threatened. We compared data from a discrete, first-and-last return lidar data set collected for 31 plots of cork oak (Quercus suber) and Algerian oak (Quercus canariensis) forest with field data to test whether lidar can be used to predict the vertical structure of vegetation, diversity of plant species, and community type. Lidar- and field-measured structural data were significantly correlated (up to r = 0.85). Diversity of forest species was significantly associated with lidar-measured vegetation height (R 2 = 0.50, p < 0.001). Clustering and ordination of the species data pointed to the presence of 2 main forest classes that could be discriminated with an accuracy of 89% on the basis of lidar data. Lidar can be applied widely for mapping of habitat and assessments of habitat condition (e.g., in support of the European Species and Habitats Directive [92/43/EEC]). However, particular attention needs to be paid to issues of survey design: density of lidar points and geospatial accuracy of ground-truthing and its timing relative to acquisition of lidar data. El lidar aerotransportado es una herramienta de percepción remota cada vez más importante en la investigación ecológica y de conservación debido a su habilidad para caracterizar la estructura tridimensional de la vegetación. Si diferentes aspectos de la diversidad y composición de plantas se pueden relacionar con la estructura de la vegetación, es posible evaluar las comunidades de plantas a nivel de paisaje. Examinamos esta posibilidad para bosques Mediterráneos de roble en el sur de Portugal, que son ricos en diversidad biológica pero también están amenazados. Comparamos los datos de un conjunto de datos lidar recolectados en 31 parcelas de bosque de Quercus suber y Q. canariensis con datos de campo para probar si lidar puede ser utilizado para predecir la estructura vertical de la vegetación, la diversidad de especies de plantas y el tipo de comunidad. Los datos de lidar y de campo se correlacionaron significativamente (hasta r = 0.85). La diversidad de especies forestales se asoció significativamente con la altura de la vegetación medida con lidar (R 2 = 0.50, p <0.001). La agrupación y ordenamiento de los datos de especies apuntaron a la presencia de 2 clases principales de bosques que podían ser discriminados con una precisión de 89% con base en los datos lidar. Lidar puede ser aplicado extensivamente para mapeo de hábitat y evaluaciones de la condición del hábitat (e. g., en apoyo a la Directriz Europea de Especies y Hábitats [92/43/EEC]). Sin embargo, se debe prestar particular atención al diseño del muestreo: la densidad de puntos lidar y la precisión geoespacial de la verificación en campo y su sincronía en relación con la obtención de datos lidar.

ContextMontados are dynamic agroforestry systems of southern Portugal, with high economic and ecological values. Changes in land use and cover have important implications for landscape-level biodiversity and its conservation.ObjectivesOur objectives were to evaluate the biodiversity values and trends in a montado system in the Alentejo, Portugal so as to inform landscape level conservation approaches. In doing so, we aimed to develop a replicable and robust approach drawing together field observation, expert opinion, and remote sensing to produce predictions relevant to land management planning.MethodsField sampling and subsequent analysis of data on the birds, butterflies and plants in eight distinct land covers allowed the identification of two principal habitat groupings of importance: ‘montado mosaic’ and ‘shrubland’. Morphological spatial pattern analysis was performed on Landsat-derived GIS habitat layers for 1984 and 2009, generating maps and statistics for change in the different landscape functional classes. In addition, we demonstrated how the modelling of ecotones between open and closed biomes can identify the preferred hunting grounds of the threatened Iberian lynx and black vulture, flagship species whose conservation provides benefits to the area’s wider biodiversity values.ResultsTotal and core area of montado mosaics and shrubland increased over the 25 year period, whilst the amount of habitat connectivity declined in the case of shrubland. Considerable local variation in these trends highlighted targetable areas for conservation action (e.g. through agri-environment spending).ConclusionsA rapid and robust approach was demonstrated, with potentially wider utility for biodiversity assessment and planning.

Airborne lidar is a remote-sensing tool of increasing importance in ecological and conservation research due to its ability to characterize three-dimensional vegetation structure. If different aspects of plant species diversity and composition can be related to vegetation structure, landscape-level assessments of plant communities may be possible. We examined this possibility for Mediterranean oak forests in southern Portugal, which are rich in biological diversity but also threatened. We compared data from a discrete, first-and-last return lidar data set collected for 31 plots of cork oak (Quercus suber) and Algerian oak (Quercus canariensis) forest with field data to test whether lidar can be used to predict the vertical structure of vegetation, diversity of plant species, and community type. Lidar- and field-measured structural data were significantly correlated (up to r= 0.85). Diversity of forest species was significantly associated with lidar-measured vegetation height (R2= 0.50, p < 0.001). Clustering and ordination of the species data pointed to the presence of 2 main forest classes that could be discriminated with an accuracy of 89% on the basis of lidar data. Lidar can be applied widely for mapping of habitat and assessments of habitat condition (e.g., in support of the European Species and Habitats Directive [92/43/EEC]). However, particular attention needs to be paid to issues of survey design: density of lidar points and geospatial accuracy of ground-truthing and its timing relative to acquisition of lidar data.Original Abstract: Resumen:El lidar aerotransportado es una herramienta de percepcion remota cada vez mas importante en la investigacion ecologica y de conservacion debido a su habilidad para caracterizar la estructura tridimensional de la vegetacion. Si diferentes aspectos de la diversidad y composicion de plantas se pueden relacionar con la estructura de la vegetacion, es posible evaluar las comunidades de plantas a nivel de paisaje. Examinamos esta posibilidad para bosques Mediterraneos de roble en el sur de Portugal, que son ricos en diversidad biologica pero tambien estan amenazados. Comparamos los datos de un conjunto de datos lidar recolectados en 31 parcelas de bosque de Quercus suber y Q. canariensis con datos de campo para probar si lidar puede ser utilizado para predecir la estructura vertical de la vegetacion, la diversidad de especies de plantas y el tipo de comunidad. Los datos de lidar y de campo se correlacionaron significativamente (hasta r= 0.85). La diversidad de especies forestales se asocio significativamente con la altura de la vegetacion medida con lidar (R2= 0.50, p <0.001). La agrupacion y ordenamiento de los datos de especies apuntaron a la presencia de 2 clases principales de bosques que podian ser discriminados con una precision de 89% con base en los datos lidar. Lidar puede ser aplicado extensivamente para mapeo de habitat y evaluaciones de la condicion del habitat (e. g., en apoyo a la Directriz Europea de Especies y Habitats [92/43/EEC]). Sin embargo, se debe prestar particular atencion al diseno del muestreo: la densidad de puntos lidar y la precision geoespacial de la verificacion en campo y su sincronia en relacion con la obtencion de datos lidar.

Airborne lidar is a remote-sensing tool of increasing importance in ecological and conservation research due to its ability to characterize three-dimensional vegetation structure. If different aspects of plant species diversity and composition can be related to vegetation structure, landscape-level assessments of plant communities may be possible. We examined this possibility for Mediterranean oak forests in southern Portugal, which are rich in biological diversity but also threatened. We compared data from a discrete, first-and-last return lidar data set collected for 31 plots of cork oak (Quercus suber) and Algerian oak (Quercus canariensis) forest with field data to test whether lidar can be used to predict the vertical structure of vegetation, diversity of plant species, and community type. Lidar- and field-measured structural data were significantly correlated (up to r= 0.85). Diversity of forest species was significantly associated with lidar-measured vegetation height (R2= 0.50, p < 0.001). Clustering and ordination of the species data pointed to the presence of 2 main forest classes that could be discriminated with an accuracy of 89% on the basis of lidar data. Lidar can be applied widely for mapping of habitat and assessments of habitat condition (e.g., in support of the European Species and Habitats Directive [92/43/EEC]). However, particular attention needs to be paid to issues of survey design: density of lidar points and geospatial accuracy of ground-truthing and its timing relative to acquisition of lidar data. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Global forest assessments use forest area as a proxy indicator of biodiversity status, which may mask below-canopy pressures driving forest biodiversity loss and ‘empty forest’ syndrome. The status of forest biodiversity is important not only for species conservation but also because species loss can have consequences for forest health and carbon storage. We aimed to develop a global indicator of forest specialist vertebrate populations to improve assessments of forest biodiversity status. For this purpose we used the Living Planet Index methodology, developing a weighted composite Forest Specialist Index for the period 1970-2014. We then investigated potential drivers of forest vertebrate population change, including tree cover change, to determine whether forest area is a good proxy for forest biodiversity. The effects of satellite-derived tree cover trends and other pressures on the average rate of change of forest vertebrate populations were analysed. We reviewed the literature to gain more context-specific information relating to drivers of forest specialist population change. On average, forest vertebrate populations declined by 53% between 1970 and 2014. We found little evidence of a consistent global effect of tree cover change on forest vertebrate populations but a significant negative effect of exploitation threat on forest specialists. However, time-series cross-correlation analyses showed some forest specialist populations are closely aligned to tree cover change. The literature review identified several drivers of population change that cannot be detected remotely and may cause populations to change independently of tree cover. Forest vertebrate populations have more than halved since the 1970s. In conclusion, we found that forest area is a poor proxy of forest biodiversity status. For forest biodiversity to recover, we must monitor and manage all threats to vertebrates, including those below the canopy.

Cancer immunotherapy has transformed the treatment of cancer. However, increasing use of immune-based therapies, including the widely used class of agents known as immune checkpoint inhibitors, has exposed a discrete group of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Many of these are driven by the same immunologic mechanisms responsible for the drugs’ therapeutic effects, namely blockade of inhibitory mechanisms that suppress the immune system and protect body tissues from an unconstrained acute or chronic immune response. Skin, gut, endocrine, lung and musculoskeletal irAEs are relatively common, whereas cardiovascular, hematologic, renal, neurologic and ophthalmologic irAEs occur much less frequently. The majority of irAEs are mild to moderate in severity; however, serious and occasionally life-threatening irAEs are reported in the literature, and treatment-related deaths occur in up to 2% of patients, varying by ICI. Immunotherapy-related irAEs typically have a delayed onset and prolonged duration compared to adverse events from chemotherapy, and effective management depends on early recognition and prompt intervention with immune suppression and/or immunomodulatory strategies. There is an urgent need for multidisciplinary guidance reflecting broad-based perspectives on how to recognize, report and manage organ-specific toxicities until evidence-based data are available to inform clinical decision-making. The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) established a multidisciplinary Toxicity Management Working Group, which met for a full-day workshop to develop recommendations to standardize management of irAEs. Here we present their consensus recommendations on managing toxicities associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is stored in microvesicles in pancreatic islet cells. Because GAD65 and GAD67, which catalyze the formation of GABA, are cytoplasmic, the existence of an islet vesicular GABA transporter has been postulated. Here, we test the hypothesis that the putative transporter is the vesicular inhibitory amino acid transporter (VIAAT), a neuronal transmembrane transporter of GABA and glycine. We sequenced the human VIAAT gene and determined that the human and rat proteins share over 98% sequence identity. In vitro expression of VIAAT and immunoblotting of brain and islet lysates revealed two forms of the protein: an approximately 52-kDa and an approximately 57-kDa form. By immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry, we detected VIAAT in rat but not human islets. Immunohistochemical staining showed that in rat islets, the distribution of VIAAT expression parallels that of GAD67, with increased expression in the mantle. GABA, too, was found to be present in islet non-beta-cells. We conclude that VIAAT is expressed in rat islets and is more abundant in the mantle and that expression in human islets is very low or nil. The rat islet mantle differs from rat and human beta-cells in that it contains only GAD67 and relatively increased levels of VIAAT. Cells that express only GAD67 may require higher levels of VIAAT expression.