Latest Articles

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  Section: Ecology ; Topics: Ecology, Applied mathematics

  SIESTR: a novel method to analyze Species’ Introductions Effects in Space and Time on Range dynamics

  Callebaut, Arnaud;   Gégout, Jean-Claude;   Serra-Diaz, Josep M.  

  10.24072/pcjournal.763 - Peer Community Journal, Volume 6 (2026), article no. e88

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  Rapidly shifting climates will lead to species range shifts over the next century. Artificially introducing species in new locations to enhance species migration, termed assisted migration (AM), has been suggested as one possible strategy to avoid species extinction. While current models of range shift are used to explore potential future areas of introduction, we lack a method able to identify the best sets of locations and timing for species introductions that maximize AM outcomes. We developed a novel method to explore the effects of Species’ Introduction Effects in Space and Time on Range dynamics (SIESTR). The method uses transition matrices that combine spatial and temporal species’ environmental suitability changes and dispersal information. A metaheuristic algorithm is run to achieve an objective target of range area optimizing locations and times of species introductions, while minimizing spatially explicit cost surfaces. We apply the method to a virtual species to showcase the potential of SIESTR to explore the maintenance of range size under climate change via artificial introductions. We assess optimal AM strategies under climate change and with different land use cost scenarios. We found a strong effect of early introductions enhancing species range shifts, as well as differences in introduction sites and timing under different cost scenarios. SIESTR is a fast and efficient technique for exploration of range shifts under artificial introductions, tackling both the spatial and temporal dimensions. The method has been developed in Cpp, available as an R package. Given the heated debate around AM and introductions, our method provides a new tool to explore strategies in spatial conservation planning in the Anthropocene.

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  Section: Ecology ; Topics: Ecology, Agricultural sciences, Sustainability science

  Ground beetles in agroforestry system show functional traits and activity-density differences according to distance to trees

  Kletty, Florian;   Deville, Pascal; Devigne, Cédric; Machelart, Sophie; Benamrouz-Vanneste, Sadia;   Vanhée, Benoît

  10.24072/pcjournal.780 - Peer Community Journal, Volume 6 (2026), article no. e87

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  Alley-cropping systems are arable agroforestry systems in which tree rows and associated grassy strips are established within cropped fields. This constitutes a promising approach to promote biodiversity and associated services in the vicinity of crops. However, there is still little knowledge on the functioning of these systems, especially when they are developed in combination with other agroecological practices or models. We studied ground beetle (Carabidae) communities in such silvoarable systems (SAS), with a particular focus on the effect of distance to tree rows. The studied fields were managed using conservation agriculture practices, namely no-tillage, cover crop maximisation, and crop diversification, carried out over the long term. This study aimed to assess the response of carabid beetle communities to these specific but promising agroecological systems. Ground beetle activity-density, which reflects both abundance and activity, was higher in crop alleys than in tree rows. We did not detect clear differences in species richness or overall community composition along the distance gradient from tree rows. However, diversity patterns based on effective diversity revealed marked structural differences, with communities near tree rows being more diverse, whereas carabid assemblages within crop alleys, especially at 20m from tree rows, were increasingly dominated by a limited number of abundant species. Consistent with these structural patterns, functional trait composition varied with distance to trees, with crop alleys harbouring less winged, less zoophagous communities and a higher proportion of adult-overwintering species, while larger species were more frequent in the middle of crop alleys. SAS associated with conservation agriculture therefore exhibit strong potential to support biocontrol services and promote carabid communities that are resilient to climatic or agronomic perturbations. Further studies are needed to understand the functioning of ecosystems by integrating other taxonomic groups and abiotic factors.

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  Section: Genomics ; Topics: Genetics/genomics, Agricultural sciences, Biophysics and computational biology

  Adopting graph-based pangenomics for agronomy and biodiversity studies: current resources and challenges

  Bocs, Stéphanie;   Carrette, Camille;   Confais, Johann;   Dubois, Siegfried;   Duvaux, Ludovic;   Klopp, Christophe;   Lapalu, Nicolas;   Lasserre-Zuber, Pauline;   Legeai, Fabrice;   Lemaitre, Claire;   Linard, Benjamin;   Marthe, Nina;   Pierre, Baptiste;   Sarah, Gautier;   Sabot, François;   Tranchant-Dubreuil, Christine;   Zytnicki, Matthias  

  10.24072/pcjournal.781 - Peer Community Journal, Volume 6 (2026), article no. e86

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       Pangenomics is transforming the way genomics is done. By using assemblies of multiple complete genomes for the same species, it is possible to depart from a biased, reference-centric, point of view. Represented as graphs, these pangenomes open new paths for genome understanding and improvement of species of agricultural interest. They have, for instance, been used to discover new structural variants linked with traits of interest, and increased the heritability prediction. However, transitioning to a graph-based approach is not straightforward, and many tools are still needed for this shift. While numerous papers present both methodological and applied approaches on pangenomics, and many reviews present advantages of these methods, very few resources outline what remains to be done. In this paper, we would like to list methods that are still required to fully exploit pangenomes, and favor the widespread adoption of this approach.

   

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  Section: Ecotoxicology & Environmental Chemistry ; Topics: Environmental sciences, Applied biological sciences

  Vineyard footprint revealed by honey bees used as sentinels for organic and inorganic contaminants in contrasted environments

  Tison, Léa;   Franc, Céline;   Burkart, Louisiane;   Larrue, Camille; Grosgeorge, Camille ; Dalix, Thierry ; Rusch, Adrien ;   Le Provost, Gaëtane;   de Revel, Gilles ;   Thiéry, Denis  

  10.24072/pcjournal.774 - Peer Community Journal, Volume 6 (2026), article no. e85

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  The contamination of non-target organisms by elements and pesticides can adversely affect biodiversity and key ecosystem services such as pollination. In this study, we used honey bee colonies as sentinels of environmental contamination in four distinct habitats - urban, suburban, forest, and vineyard - and collected bees every three weeks from May to November. Pesticide residues were extracted using an adapted QuEChERS method and analyzed by LC-MS/MS, while inorganic major and trace elements were measured by ICP-MS and ICP-AES. Our results show that land-use and seasonal changes shape contaminant profiles in bees. Bees from vineyards exhibited the highest contaminant diversity and loads, indicating a particularly intense contamination profile in this environment. This reflects exposure to multiple pesticide inputs - such as copper - which can accumulate over time to potentially harmful levels. Pollinators like honey bees provide effective indicators of environmental risk, as their contaminant loads may affect honey bee health and can reveal broader ecological impacts.