@article{WalzWegmannDechetal.2015,
  author    = {Walz, Yvonne and Wegmann, Martin and Dech, Stefan and Vounastou, Penelope and Poda, Jean-Noel and N'Goran, Eli{\´e}zer K. and Raso, Giovanna and Utzinger, J{\"u}rg},
  title     = {Modeling and Validation of Environmental Suitability for Schistosomiasis Transmission Using Remote Sensing},
  series = {PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases},
  volume    = {9},
  journal   = {PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases},
  number    = {11},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0004217},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-125845},
  pages     = {e0004217},
  year      = {2015},
  abstract  = {Background Schistosomiasis is the most widespread water-based disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Transmission is governed by the spatial distribution of specific freshwater snails that act as intermediate hosts and human water contact patterns. Remote sensing data have been utilized for spatially explicit risk profiling of schistosomiasis. We investigated the potential of remote sensing to characterize habitat conditions of parasite and intermediate host snails and discuss the relevance for public health. Methodology We employed high-resolution remote sensing data, environmental field measurements, and ecological data to model environmental suitability for schistosomiasis-related parasite and snail species. The model was developed for Burkina Faso using a habitat suitability index (HSI). The plausibility of remote sensing habitat variables was validated using field measurements. The established model was transferred to different ecological settings in C{\^o}te d'Ivoire and validated against readily available survey data from school-aged children. Principal Findings Environmental suitability for schistosomiasis transmission was spatially delineated and quantified by seven habitat variables derived from remote sensing data. The strengths and weaknesses highlighted by the plausibility analysis showed that temporal dynamic water and vegetation measures were particularly useful to model parasite and snail habitat suitability, whereas the measurement of water surface temperature and topographic variables did not perform appropriately. The transferability of the model showed significant relations between the HSI and infection prevalence in study sites of C{\^o}te d'Ivoire. Conclusions/Significance A predictive map of environmental suitability for schistosomiasis transmission can support measures to gain and sustain control. This is particularly relevant as emphasis is shifting from morbidity control to interrupting transmission. Further validation of our mechanistic model needs to be complemented by field data of parasite- and snail-related fitness. Our model provides a useful tool to monitor the development of new hotspots of potential schistosomiasis transmission based on regularly updated remote sensing data.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{LakovicPoethkeHovestadt2015,
  author    = {Lakovic, Milica and Poethke, Hans-Joachim and Hovestadt, Thomas},
  title     = {Dispersal timing: Emigration of insects living in patchy environments},
  series = {PLoS One},
  volume    = {10},
  journal   = {PLoS One},
  number    = {7},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0128672},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-126466},
  pages     = {e0128672},
  year      = {2015},
  abstract  = {Dispersal is a life-history trait affecting dynamics and persistence of populations; it evolves under various known selective pressures. Theoretical studies on dispersal typically assume 'natal dispersal', where individuals emigrate right after birth. But emigration may also occur during a later moment within a reproductive season ('breeding dispersal'). For example, some female butterflies first deposit eggs in their natal patch before migrating to other site(s) to continue egg-laying there. How breeding compared to natal dispersal influences the evolution of dispersal has not been explored. To close this gap we used an individual-based simulation approach to analyze (i) the evolution of timing of breeding dispersal in annual organisms, (ii) its influence on dispersal (compared to natal dispersal). Furthermore, we tested (iii) its performance in direct evolutionary contest with individuals following a natal dispersal strategy. Our results show that evolution should typically result in lower dispersal under breeding dispersal, especially when costs of dispersal are low and population size is small. By distributing offspring evenly across two patches, breeding dispersal allows reducing direct sibling competition in the next generation whereas natal dispersal can only reduce trans-generational kin competition by producing highly dispersive offspring in each generation. The added benefit of breeding dispersal is most prominent in patches with small population sizes. Finally, the evolutionary contests show that a breeding dispersal strategy would universally out-compete natal dispersal.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HovestadtPoethkeMessner2000,
  author    = {Hovestadt, Thomas and Poethke, Hans J. and Messner, Stefan},
  title     = {Variability in dispersal distances generates typical successional patterns: a simple simulation model},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-48178},
  year      = {2000},
  abstract  = {More recently, it became clear that conclusions drawn from traditional ecological theory may be altered substantially if the spatial dimension of species interactions is considered explicitly. Regardless of the details of these models, spatially explicit simulations of ecological processes have nearly universally shown that spatial or spatio-temporal patterns in species distributions can emerge even from homogeneous starting conditions; limited dispersal is one of the key factors responsible for the development of such aggregated and patchy distributions (cf., Pacala 1986, Holmes et al. 1994, Molofsky 1994, Tilman 1994, Bascompte and Sole 1995, 1997, 1998, Jeltsch et al. 1999). In line with these ideas, we wish to draw attention to the fact that in heterogeneous landscapes differences in characteristic dispersal distances between species are a sufficient precondition for the emergence of a successional pattern. We will use a simple, spatially explicit simulation program to demonstrate the validity of this statement. We will also show that the speed of the successional progress depends on scale and heterogeneity in the distribution of suitable habitat.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HopfenmuellerSteffanDewenterHolzschuh2014,
  author    = {Hopfenmueller, Sebastian and Steffan-Dewenter, Ingolf and Holzschuh, Andrea},
  title     = {Trait-Specific Responses of Wild Bee Communities to Landscape Composition, Configuration and Local Factors},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0104439},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-112872},
  year      = {2014},
  abstract  = {Land-use intensification and loss of semi-natural habitats have induced a severe decline of bee diversity in agricultural landscapes. Semi-natural habitats like calcareous grasslands are among the most important bee habitats in central Europe, but they are threatened by decreasing habitat area and quality, and by homogenization of the surrounding landscape affecting both landscape composition and configuration. In this study we tested the importance of habitat area, quality and connectivity as well as landscape composition and configuration on wild bees in calcareous grasslands. We made detailed trait-specific analyses as bees with different traits might differ in their response to the tested factors. Species richness and abundance of wild bees were surveyed on 23 calcareous grassland patches in Southern Germany with independent gradients in local and landscape factors. Total wild bee richness was positively affected by complex landscape configuration, large habitat area and high habitat quality (i.e. steep slopes). Cuckoo bee richness was positively affected by complex landscape configuration and large habitat area whereas habitat specialists were only affected by the local factors habitat area and habitat quality. Small social generalists were positively influenced by habitat area whereas large social generalists (bumblebees) were positively affected by landscape composition (high percentage of semi-natural habitats). Our results emphasize a strong dependence of habitat specialists on local habitat characteristics, whereas cuckoo bees and bumblebees are more likely affected by the surrounding landscape. We conclude that a combination of large high-quality patches and heterogeneous landscapes maintains high bee species richness and communities with diverse trait composition. Such diverse communities might stabilize pollination services provided to crops and wild plants on local and landscape scales.},
  language  = {en}
}