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Diversity
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Ecology and Conservation of the Endangered Sage Scrub Ecosystem
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Ecology and Conservation of the Endangered Sage Scrub Ecosystem

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Biodiversity Loss & Dynamics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 10047

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Wallace M. Meyer

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology, Pomona College, 175 W. Sixth Street, Claremont, CA 91711, USA
Interests: conservation biology; invasion biology; preservation and restoration of coastal sage scrub ecosystems

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The “California” or “coastal” sage scrub (hereafter, sage scrub) ecosystem is one of the most threatened ecosystem types in North America. Sage scrub is unique to the semi-arid Mediterranean climate in California and northern Mexico and part of the California Floristic province, a world biodiversity hotspot. The rich and endemic sage scrub flora and fauna make it a habitat of special conservation concern.

Sage scrub once covered a large portion of low elevation areas from central California, USA to northern Baja, Mexico. Unfortunately, this region’s human population and activity is disproportionately concentrated in these lowland areas, 20% of which are now urban, with much of the rest suburban, agricultural, or otherwise disturbed. Estimates suggest that <10% of the original sage scrub distribution remains, with much of the remaining sage scrub being found in small, isolated habitat fragments. The remaining sage scrub is increasingly threatened by a variety of disturbances, including additional urban development and habitat modification, altered fire regimes, and the establishment of non-native species.

This Special Issue aims to provide an outlet for foundational ecological information key to making informed conservation decisions in the endangered sage scrub ecosystem, and studies that explore innovative approaches to preserving biodiversity and ecosystem services in the face of increasing anthropogenic disturbances.

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Patterns of biodiversity across the sage scrub ecosystem;
  • Impacts of fragmentation;
  • Effects of habitat modifications;
  • Effects of non-native species;
  • Impacts of fire and modified fire regimes;
  • Ecosystem services provided by sage scrub and how they compare to urban and other modified systems;
  • Social–ecological systems;
  • Sage scrub sustainability;
  • Restoration approaches and solutions;
  • Monitoring approaches;
  • Current distribution and status of the sage scrub ecosystem;
  • Biology of species of conservation concern;
  • Indigenous knowledge;
  • Ecosystem functioning.

Dr. Wallace M. Meyer
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diversity is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1409 KiB  
Article
An Illusion of Barriers to Gene Flow in Suburban Coyotes (Canis latrans): Spatial and Temporal Population Structure across a Fragmented Landscape in Southern California
by Savanah Bird, Javier D. Monzón, Wallace M. Meyer III and Jonathan E. Moore
Diversity 2023, 15(4), 498; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15040498 - 01 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1595
Abstract
Carnivores with large home ranges are especially vulnerable to habitat fragmentation. As coyotes (Canis latrans) are often found living in highly modified landscapes, it is unclear how urban and suburban development impact gene flow between their populations. This study evaluated gene [...] Read more.
Carnivores with large home ranges are especially vulnerable to habitat fragmentation. As coyotes (Canis latrans) are often found living in highly modified landscapes, it is unclear how urban and suburban development impact gene flow between their populations. This study evaluated gene flow among coyotes inhabiting California sage scrub fragments within the highly developed Pomona Valley, California. We genotyped microsatellites from scat samples collected from four study sites to examine population structure between coyotes separated by a major freeway, coyotes separated by suburban development, and finally, coyotes in contiguous, natural habitat sites over 15 months. Though coyotes from all four sites were genetically distinct, near-complete turnover of individuals in sites and examination of temporal genetic structure and relatedness within one site indicated the movement of family groups through natural fragments over time. Thus, we argue that solely examining spatial genetic structure may create the illusion of genetic barriers among coyote populations where they may not exist, and that incorporating temporal components of genetic variation is critical to understanding gene flow across space and time in highly mobile animals. Understanding how to better study and manage coyotes, an apex predator, is key to the conservation of the endangered California sage scrub ecosystem. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Conservation of the Endangered Sage Scrub Ecosystem)
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14 pages, 1920 KiB  
Article
Effects of Mustard Invasions on Soil Microbial Abundances and Fungal Assemblages in Southern California
by Zachary R. Wakefield, André R. O. Cavalcanti, Lucía Driessen, Ana Jaramillo, Edward J. Crane III, Giuliano Richetta and Wallace M. Meyer III
Diversity 2023, 15(1), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15010050 - 01 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2111
Abstract
Although mustards (family, Brassicaceae) are common across southern California, research has not focused on the effects of type-conversion of native California sage scrub (CSS) to areas dominated by invasive mustards. To better understand how mustard invasions, primarily the short-pod mustard, Hirschfeldia incana [...] Read more.
Although mustards (family, Brassicaceae) are common across southern California, research has not focused on the effects of type-conversion of native California sage scrub (CSS) to areas dominated by invasive mustards. To better understand how mustard invasions, primarily the short-pod mustard, Hirschfeldia incana, impact soil microbial assemblages, we examined microbial abundance and assemblages from intact CSS and adjacent mustard-dominated soils at three sites. We also explored if germination rates for various plant species differed between CSS and mustard soils. We found that mustard invasions reduce soil microbial abundances by more than 50% and alter soil fungal assemblages. Fungal richness, diversity, and evenness did not differ between habitats, highlighting that these habitats harbor unique microbial assemblages. While mustard allelopathy is predicted to be the primary driver of these changes, mustard invasions also increased soil pH. Although functional consequences of these shifts are unknown, low mustard germination in CSS soils supports biological resistance to mustard invasion in CSS. Overall, our results demonstrate that mustard invasions, H. incana in particular, exert a strong selecting force on soil microbial assemblages, which can influence effective CSS restoration and preservation of ecosystem services. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Conservation of the Endangered Sage Scrub Ecosystem)
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13 pages, 2328 KiB  
Article
Herbivore Influence on Post-Fire California Sage Scrub Plant and Soil Microbial Assemblages
by Wallace M. Meyer III, Caitlin Halligan, Lilleana Thomey, Kyra Madunich-Arévalo, Celia Parry, Riley Scaff, Rowan Macy, Ivy Jones, Erin Halligan, Ana Jaramillo, Amy N. T. Phan, Sindimwo Thierry, Edward J. Crane III and André R. O. Cavalcanti
Diversity 2022, 14(12), 1110; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14121110 - 13 Dec 2022
Viewed by 2012
Abstract
California sage scrub (CSS) is an endangered, shrub-dominated, southern California ecosystem type threatened by increasing fire frequencies and conversion to non-native grasslands. As CSS harbors a rich endemic flora and fauna and is critical for maintaining key ecosystem services; significant attention has been [...] Read more.
California sage scrub (CSS) is an endangered, shrub-dominated, southern California ecosystem type threatened by increasing fire frequencies and conversion to non-native grasslands. As CSS harbors a rich endemic flora and fauna and is critical for maintaining key ecosystem services; significant attention has been focused on understanding how many key factors (N-deposition, drought, and competition with non-natives) influence post-fire CSS recovery. Unfortunately, few studies have examined the role of herbivores. For five years, we investigated the influence of herbivores on post-fire CSS succession by annually surveying plant assemblages in control (herbivores allowed access) and experimental (herbivore excluded) plots at the Bernard Field Station following a fire in May 2017. We found that herbivores reduce the cover of both invasive grasses and native shrubs, and negatively impact Artemisia californica survivorship. Consequently, post-fire plant restoration efforts should not discount the effects of herbivores. While native forb cover was elevated in plots that permitted herbivores, plots near the fire edge experienced increased herbivory pressure and lower cover of most plants. Despite modifications in plant assemblages, we did not observe differences in soil microbe abundances, fungi assemblage structure, or nutrient concentrations. We suggest that restoration practitioners consider caging ‘shrub regeneration’ areas to facilitate post-fire CSS recovery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Conservation of the Endangered Sage Scrub Ecosystem)
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16 pages, 2356 KiB  
Article
Identifying and Remediating Soil Microbial Legacy Effects of Invasive Grasses for Restoring California Coastal Sage Scrub Ecosystems
by Brooke Pickett, Irina C. Irvine, Keshav Arogyaswamy, Mia R. Maltz, Hannah Shulman and Emma L. Aronson
Diversity 2022, 14(12), 1095; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14121095 - 09 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2010
Abstract
As invasive grasses encroach upon native ecosystems, they have the potential to transform intact California coastal sage scrub (CSS) into non-native grasslands. This occurs—in part—due to legacy effects: changes in soil microbial composition elicited by grass invasions with long-term impacts on soil and [...] Read more.
As invasive grasses encroach upon native ecosystems, they have the potential to transform intact California coastal sage scrub (CSS) into non-native grasslands. This occurs—in part—due to legacy effects: changes in soil microbial composition elicited by grass invasions with long-term impacts on soil and native vegetation. Along with direct effects on CSS vegetation, legacy effects may alter microbial communities which may in turn impact native plant growth. To tease apart these factors, we monitored growth in three CSS species inoculated with either uninvaded soil or sterilized uninvaded soil that were subsequently planted into a site characterized by observed microbial legacy effects. Our findings indicate native plant growth can be explained by changes in soil microorganisms. Specifically, native Artemisia californica and Baccharis pilularis grew larger in plots with unsterilized uninvaded soil inoculum, which contained a larger abundance of Gemmatimonadetes and Glomus, compared to the sterilized soil inoculum plots. Therefore, microbial augmentation may not only improve restoration in post-invasive sites but long-term changes in soil microbial communities may be linked to native plant growth. Furthermore, adding uninvaded soil replete with native microbes has the potential to support restoration of invaded sites by promoting native plant survival and establishment in these restored ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Conservation of the Endangered Sage Scrub Ecosystem)
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18 pages, 1322 KiB  
Article
Flower-Visiting Insect Assemblages on Fall-Blooming Native California Sage Scrub Shrubs
by Sofia Dartnell, Andre R. O. Cavalcanti, Ayame Misaki Bluebell, Nancy V. Hamlett, Edward J. Crane III and Wallace M. Meyer III
Diversity 2022, 14(11), 958; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14110958 - 09 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1648
Abstract
Pollinator studies in the endangered California sage scrub ecosystem have focused on spring insect assemblages, when most plant species bloom. Consequently, the insect assemblages using common fall-blooming sage scrub shrubs Lepidospartum squamatum, Ericameria pinifolia, and Baccharis pilularis remain undescribed. Our study [...] Read more.
Pollinator studies in the endangered California sage scrub ecosystem have focused on spring insect assemblages, when most plant species bloom. Consequently, the insect assemblages using common fall-blooming sage scrub shrubs Lepidospartum squamatum, Ericameria pinifolia, and Baccharis pilularis remain undescribed. Our study aimed to: (1) document flower-visiting insect assemblages on fall-blooming shrubs, (2) assess the efficacy of three sampling techniques in inventorying insect assemblages, and (3) explore, using DNA metabarcoding, which plants are utilized and the extent to which surrounding suburban habitats’ plants are also used. While elevated sampling is required to inventory flower-visiting insects, we describe a diverse assemblage consisting of 123 species. Insect assemblages differed between L. squamatum and B. pilularis, as well as, E. pinifolia and B. pilularis, but not between L. squamatum and E. pinifolia. Direct sampling approaches (netting and photo documentation) collected 115 species not collected by passive malaise traps, highlighting that active observations are required to describe flower-visiting insect assemblages. Sequencing the ITS2 region of pollen from abundant visitors revealed that a majority of pollen is from the sage scrub ecosystem, highlighting its value. Our results indicate that the presence of fall-blooming shrubs may be critical for maintaining diverse sage scrub insect and pollinator assemblages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Conservation of the Endangered Sage Scrub Ecosystem)
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