http://www.journalofappliedecology.org current issue RSS Feed http://www.journalofappliedecology.org/details/journalArticle/747805/Do_changes_in_the_frequency_magnitude_and_timing_of_extreme_climatic_events_thre.html 1. Climate change encompasses changes in both the means and the extremes of climatic variables, but the population consequences of the latter are intrinsically difficult to study. 2. We investigated whether the frequency, magnitude and timing of rare but catastrophic flooding events have changed over time in Europe's largest estuary. Subsequently, we quantified how this has affected the flooding risk of six saltmarsh nesting bird species. 3. We show that maximum high tide has increased twice... 2010-06-17T00:00:00Z http://www.journalofappliedecology.org/details/journalArticle/747861/Do_changes_in_the_frequency_magnitude_and_timing_of_extreme_climatic_events_thre.html 1. Climate change encompasses changes in both the means and the extremes of climatic variables, but the population consequences of the latter are intrinsically difficult to study. 2. We investigated whether the frequency, magnitude and timing of rare but catastrophic flooding events have changed over time in Europe's largest estuary. Subsequently, we quantified how this has affected the flooding risk of six saltmarsh nesting bird species. 3. We show that maximum high tide has increased twice... 2010-06-17T00:00:00Z http://www.journalofappliedecology.org/details/journalArticle/747849/Beyond_taxonomy_a_review_of_macroinvertebrate_traitbased_community_descriptors_a.html 1. Species traits have been frequently used in ecological studies in an attempt to develop a general ecological framework linking biological communities to habitat pressures. The trait approach offers a mechanistic alternative to traditional taxonomy-based descriptors. This review focuses on research employing traits as biomonitoring tools for freshwater ecosystems, although the lessons learned have wider application in the assessment of other ecosystem types. 2. We review the support from... 2010-04-26T00:00:00Z http://www.journalofappliedecology.org/details/journalArticle/747901/Beyond_taxonomy_a_review_of_macroinvertebrate_traitbased_community_descriptors_a.html 1. Species traits have been frequently used in ecological studies in an attempt to develop a general ecological framework linking biological communities to habitat pressures. The trait approach offers a mechanistic alternative to traditional taxonomy-based descriptors. This review focuses on research employing traits as biomonitoring tools for freshwater ecosystems, although the lessons learned have wider application in the assessment of other ecosystem types. 2. We review the support from... 2010-04-26T00:00:00Z http://www.journalofappliedecology.org/details/journalArticle/689101/Estimates_of_maximum_annual_population_growth_rates_rm_of_mammals_and_their_appl.html 1. The maximum annual population growth rate (rm) is a critical parameter in many models of wildlife dynamics and management. An important application of rm is the estimation of the maximum proportion of a population that can be removed to stop population growth (p). 2. When rm cannot be estimated in the field, one option is to estimate it from demographic data. We evaluate the use of the relationship between rm and female age at first reproduction (α), which is independent of phylogeny, to... 2010-04-14T00:00:00Z http://www.journalofappliedecology.org/details/journalArticle/689103/Matrix_models_for_a_changeable_world_the_importance_of_transient_dynamics_in_pop.html 1. Matrix population models are tools for elucidating the association between demographic processes and population dynamics. A large amount of useful theory pivots on the assumption of equilibrium dynamics. The preceding transient is, however, of genuine conservation concern as it encompasses the short-term impact of natural or anthropogenic disturbance on the population. 2. We review recent theoretical advances in deterministic transient analysis of matrix projection models, considering how... 2010-03-30T00:00:00Z http://www.journalofappliedecology.org/details/journalArticle/588367/The_ecological_research_needs_of_business.html 1. Businesses have an unrivalled ability to mobilize human, physical and financial capital, often manage large land holdings, and draw on resources and supply products that impact a wide array of ecosystems. Businesses therefore have the potential to make a substantial contribution to arresting declines in biodiversity and ecosystem services. To realize this potential, businesses require support from researchers in applied ecology to inform how they measure and manage their impacts on, and... 2010-03-08T00:00:00Z http://www.journalofappliedecology.org/details/journalArticle/588371/Population_change_of_avian_predators_and_grey_squirrels_in_England_is_there_evid.html 1. Using novel analytical methods applied to extensive national bird and mammal monitoring data, we examine whether 29 English bird populations may have been depressed by increases in the abundance of two broad categories of predators. The first includes predators of juvenile and adult birds: Eurasian sparrowhawks Accipiter nisus, common kestrels Falco tinnunculus and common buzzards Buteo buteo, and the second comprises five nest predators: carrion crow Corvus corone, black-billed magpie Pica... 2010-03-08T00:00:00Z http://www.journalofappliedecology.org/details/journalArticle/588373/Spatial_and_temporal_associations_between_recovering_populations_of_common_raven.html 1. Recovering populations of predators and scavengers have often given rise to concerns about the impact they may have on prey species. Particularly, this is the case when the prey species are of economic or conservation importance. 2. Recovery of common raven Corvus corax populations in the UK and Europe has given rise to a conflict with some stakeholders over their concerns for both the protection of livestock and the possible detrimental impact on some upland bird species, particularly... 2010-02-15T00:00:00Z http://www.journalofappliedecology.org/details/journalArticle/557075/Putting_applied_ecology_into_practice.html 2010-01-29T00:00:00Z http://www.journalofappliedecology.org/details/journalArticle/557073/Putting_applied_ecology_into_practice.html 2010-01-29T00:00:00Z http://www.journalofappliedecology.org/details/journalArticle/557081/Defining_and_measuring_ecological_specialization.html 1. Ecological specialization is one of the main concepts in ecology and conservation. However, this concept has become highly context-dependent and is now obscured by the great variability of existing definitions and methods used to characterize ecological specialization. 2. In this study, we clarify this concept by reviewing the strengths and limitations of different approaches commonly used to define and measure ecological specialization. We first show that ecological specialization can... 2009-12-21T00:00:00Z http://www.journalofappliedecology.org/details/journalArticle/557097/Defining_and_measuring_ecological_specialization.html 1. Ecological specialization is one of the main concepts in ecology and conservation. However, this concept has become highly context-dependent and is now obscured by the great variability of existing definitions and methods used to characterize ecological specialization. 2. In this study, we clarify this concept by reviewing the strengths and limitations of different approaches commonly used to define and measure ecological specialization. We first show that ecological specialization can... 2009-12-21T00:00:00Z http://www.journalofappliedecology.org/details/journalArticle/557077/Distance_software_design_and_analysis_of_distance_sampling_surveys_for_estimatin.html 1. Distance sampling is a widely used technique for estimating the size or density of biological populations. Many distance sampling designs and most analyses use the software Distance. 2. We briefly review distance sampling and its assumptions, outline the history, structure and capabilities of Distance, and provide hints on its use. 3. Good survey design is a crucial prerequisite for obtaining reliable results. Distance has a survey design engine, with a built-in geographic information... 2009-11-17T00:00:00Z http://www.journalofappliedecology.org/details/journalArticle/557079/Distance_software_design_and_analysis_of_distance_sampling_surveys_for_estimatin.html 1. Distance sampling is a widely used technique for estimating the size or density of biological populations. Many distance sampling designs and most analyses use the software Distance. 2. We briefly review distance sampling and its assumptions, outline the history, structure and capabilities of Distance, and provide hints on its use. 3. Good survey design is a crucial prerequisite for obtaining reliable results. Distance has a survey design engine, with a built-in geographic information... 2009-11-17T00:00:00Z