Publikationen

@article{Rao2026,

title = {Land-use intensification reshapes plant diversity and soil nutrient dynamics across mountainous rural landscapes},

author = {Xue Rao and Xiaowei Xu and Xin Zhang and Ying Shao and Martina Roß-Nickoll and Mou Leong Tan and Zhongli Chen},

doi = {10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104930},

issn = {0308-521X},

year  = {2026},

date = {2026-12-00},

journal = {Agricultural Systems},

volume = {239},

publisher = {Elsevier BV},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Honert2026,

title = {Field measurements of pesticide drift and dissipation and regulatory exposure assumptions},

author = {Carolina Honert and Alexandra Sybertz and Ursel Jäger and Martina Roß-Nickoll and Carsten A. Brühl},

doi = {10.1186/s12302-026-01478-6},

issn = {2190-4715},

year  = {2026},

date = {2026-12-00},

urldate = {2026-12-00},

journal = {Environ Sci Eur},

volume = {38},

number = {1},

publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media LLC},

abstract = {<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title>

                  <jats:sec>

                    <jats:title>Background</jats:title>

                    <jats:p>The authorisation of current-use pesticides (CUPs) is based on standardised datasets that only partly reflect field conditions. Drift and dissipation are key processes determining the environmental presence of CUPs, yet field-based evidence of their fate is limited. This study aimed to provide best-case real-world drift and dissipation values after simultaneous application of one insecticide (pirimicarb) and three fungicides (bixafen, fluopyram and prothioconazole) in winter cereal fields. Application was performed under agricultural best practices, including the use of 90% drift-reducing technology and best-case weather conditions. Relative drift deposition into adjacent meadows was assessed using Petri dishes and environmental samples (bare topsoil, covered topsoil and vegetation) at distances of 1, 5 and 20 m downwind of the treated fields. Dissipation was monitored for up to 128 days. Residues were analysed via high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS). Dissipation was also evaluated with a model named MITAS (MIxture Toxicity of Application Spray series) and measured residues were compared with literature values.</jats:p>

                  </jats:sec>

                  <jats:sec>

                    <jats:title>Results</jats:title>

                    <jats:p>

                      Under a best-case application scenario, measured relative drift deposition rates exceeded benchmark values in environmental samples (topsoils and vegetation) in some cases, but not in Petri dishes. Environmental samples additionally contained residues of pesticides not applied during the experiment, demonstrating cumulative off-field contamination from other nearby sources. Dissipation in in-field soils was faster than literature-based DT

                      <jats:sub>50</jats:sub>

                      . Although the investigated fields differed in soil type, no substantial differences in dissipation were observed. Dissipation in vegetation samples was in line with literature. Off-field samples showed substance-specific dissipation patterns and were often slower or not detectable.

                    </jats:p>

                  </jats:sec>

                  <jats:sec>

                    <jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title>

                    <jats:p>Overall, our results indicate that off-field transport of current-use pesticides may occur even under agricultural best practice with drift reducing technology and optimal conditions. Moreover, concentration decrease in environmental samples may be influenced by additional atmospheric inputs, which can complicate the distinction between applied and background-derived CUPs. This highlights that environmental compartments integrate multiple exposure pathways, including direct drift deposition and diffuse environmental sources. Consequently, regulatory approaches may not fully capture the complexity of real-world exposure scenarios. Field-based measurements incorporating landscape-based exposure scenarios therefore remain essential to complement regulatory modelling approaches and to ensure that environmental risk assessments adequately reflect real-world exposure scenarios.</jats:p>

                  </jats:sec>},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Schäfer2026,

title = {Insufficient Environmental Protection by the European Regulatory Framework for Pesticides},

author = {Ralf B. Schäfer and Thomas Backhaus and Juliane Filser and Mark O. Gessner and Matthias Liess and Martina Roß-Nickoll and Maj Rundlöf and Martin Scheringer and David J. Spurgeon and Teja Tscharntke and Paul J. Van den Brink and Andreas Schäffer},

doi = {10.1021/acs.est.6c06604},

issn = {1520-5851},

year  = {2026},

date = {2026-10-20},

urldate = {2026-10-20},

volume = {60},

number = {41},

pages = {29260--29272},

publisher = {American Chemical Society (ACS)},

abstract = {Schriever et al. (2025) argue that environmental risk assessment of pesticides in the European Union is sufficiently protective and that regulatory thresholds are rarely exceeded. Here, we reexamine these claims based on existing evidence from monitoring, systematic reviews, and different types of field studies. The available evidence indicates that measured pesticide concentrations frequently exceed predicted concentrations and regulatory thresholds and are associated with adverse ecological impacts. The mechanisms driving this result include the joint action of pesticides applied in temporal and spatial proximity, varied environmental conditions, interactive effects of pesticides with additional stressors, and indirect ecological effects that propagate within biological communities. These neglected intricacies explain why current single-substance prospective assessments tend to underpredict real-world pesticide exposure and impact in field settings. The corollary is that the current regulatory framework in Europe proves to be insufficient to protect biodiversity and ecosystems. Priority regulatory reforms include strengthening postregistration monitoring, refining predictive exposure models, and explicitly considering landscape context, indirect and mixture effects, and interactions with nonchemical stressors.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Meyer2026,

title = {Rote Liste der Webspinnen (Arachnida: Araneae) Nordrhein-Westfalens},

author = {Michael Meyer and Alexander Bach and Stephan Lauterbach and Carsten Schmidt and Sascha Buchholz},

url = {https://publications.rwth-aachen.de/record/1045600/files/1045600.pdf},

issn = {0023-7906},

year  = {2026},

date = {2026-10-01},

journal = {Abhandlungen aus dem Westfälischen Museum für Naturkunde},

volume = {113},

pages = {1-88},

abstract = {Nach der Veröffentlichung der letzten Roten Liste der Webspinnen 2010 für NRW wird nun eine aktualisierte Version vorgelegt. Hierzu wurden insgesamt 36736 Datensätze ausgewertet. Aktuell sind für NRW 683 Arten gelistet, wovon im Vergleich zu 2010 37 Arten neu dazukamen. Es wurden 126 Arten einer Gefährdungskategorie zugeordnet. Als “vermutlich erloschen” (Kategorie 0) werden 22 Arten eingestuft, 16 als “vom Aussterben bedroht” (Kategorie 1 ), 3 0 als “ stark gefährdet” (Kategorie 2), 25 als “gefährdet” (Kategorie 3) und 26 Arten werden der Vorwarnliste zugeordnet. Als “generell selten” (R) werden 86 Arten eingestuft und 33 Arten in G (Gefährdung unbekannten Ausmaßes). Als Neozoen werden dabei 21 Arten eingestuft, die allerdings größtenteils auf Einzelsichtungen beruhen und nur in den wenigsten Fällen als etabliert gelten können. Auffallend ist, dass 67 Arten bedingt durch die überschaubare Datenquantität keiner Kategorie zugeordnet werden (D). Die schlechte Datenbasis unterstreicht die Notwendigkeit eines flächendeckenden Monitorings, wobei hier explizit “Normallandschaften”, also auch landwirtschaftliche Flächen oder Wirtschaftswälder stärker in die Betrachtung einbezogen werden müssen.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Bach2026,

title = {Natural history societies as stewards of biodiversity data: Lessons from arachnology for improving quality, access and trust},

author = {Alexander Bach and Martina Roß-Nickoll and Helge Bruelheide and Aletta Bonn and Michael Hohner and Christoph Muster and Stefan Seifert and Florian Raub and Hubert Höfer},

doi = {10.1016/j.ecoinf.2026.103694},

issn = {1574-9541},

year  = {2026},

date = {2026-06-01},

urldate = {2026-03-00},

journal = {Ecological Informatics},

volume = {96},

pages = {103694},

publisher = {Elsevier BV},

abstract = {Scientific societies, particularly taxon-focused natural history societies, play a crucial role in the long-term curation, mobilization, and governance of biodiversity data. They provide both the necessary expertise and social continuity to ensure data quality, foster trust, and build community cohesion. In this paper, we highlight the contributions of a natural history society for arachnids in Central Europe, the Arachnologische Gesellschaft, by describing two complementary biodiversity data infrastructures it coordinates: the Atlas of the European Arachnids, a curated occurrence-based mapping portal, and ARAMOB, a curated research data repository for ecological community datasets. We outline how these portals were developed in close collaboration with experts, museums, and research institutions, and how they are technically linked to or embedded in national and international data infrastructures such as World Spider Catalog, NFDI4Biodiversity and GBIF. Through this case study, we show how scientific societies can function as trusted intermediaries between data producers, aggregators, and users ensuring the visibility, interpretability, and interoperability of biodiversity data. We conclude with recommendations for strengthening similar community-rooted, taxon-specific infrastructures for other organism groups.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Zhao2026,

title = {Plant–arthropod–soil interactions in reservoir water-level fluctuation zones: A novel driver of soil phosphorus cycling},

author = {Qing Zhao and Yang Lan and Ying Shao and Xin Zhang and Yuan Feng and Esraa E. Ammar and Martina Roß-Nickoll and Beth A. Kaplin and Lanya Feng and Zhongli Chen},

doi = {10.1016/j.agee.2026.110361},

issn = {0167-8809},

year  = {2026},

date = {2026-04-01},

urldate = {2026-07-00},

journal = {Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment},

volume = {404},

pages = {110361},

publisher = {Elsevier BV},

abstract = {Anthropogenic water-level fluctuations in reservoir riparian zones establish unique spatiotemporal gradients that restructure biogeochemical cycles and multi-trophic biodiversity. We investigated the mechanistic nexus between hydrological forcing, phosphorus (P) cycling, and arthropod community assembly in the Three Gorges Reservoir, China. Using linear mixed-effects models and multi-factor PERMANOVA, we quantified that water-level gradients explained 19.81% of the total variance in arthropod community composition (p < 0.01), with the highest impact observed in aboveground habitats (R2 = 23.81%). Our results demonstrate that hydrological gradients predominantly govern the mobilization and redistribution of soil P by altering the soil physicochemical matrix (bulk density and moisture content). These abiotic shifts significantly restructure P-transformation pathways, as evidenced by the coupled response of acid phosphatase (ACP) activity, microbial biomass phosphorus (MBP), and the metagenomic abundance of mineralization genes (K01507). Hydrological regimes impose strong selective pressures that favor specific functional pioneers. The legume Aeschynomene indica (A. indica) serves as a critical ecosystem engineer by enhancing soil P-bioavailability and microbial nutrient turnover. Compared to zones dominated by the graminoid Cynodon dactylon, A. indica supported significantly higher arthropod richness and distinct community structures across spatial layers. Piecewise structural equation modeling revealed a hierarchical transition of ecological filters where A. indica-mediated soil phosphorus availability and substrate supply directly regulate belowground arthropod diversity (β = 0.67, p < 0.001). Whereas aboveground assemblages are primarily shaped by a cascade of hydrological filtering and vegetation-structural complexity. Collectively, these findings reveal that artificial hydrological regimes engineer nutrient cycles through plant-soil feedbacks to restructure multi-trophic communities. This study provides a mechanistic framework for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration in reservoir ecosystems.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{10.1371/journal.pone.0340193,

title = {Temperature-dependence of early development of zebrafish and the consequences for laboratory use and animal welfare},

author = {Angelina Miller and Katja Lisa Schröder and Karsten Eike Braun and Caitlin Steindorf and Richard Ottermanns and Martina Roß-Nickoll and Henner Hollert and Thomas Backhaus},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0340193},

doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0340193},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-12-31},

urldate = {2026-01-01},

journal = {PLOS ONE},

volume = {20},

number = {12},

pages = {1-16},

publisher = {Public Library of Science},

abstract = {Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are widely used in biological research, but the impact of incubation temperatures on developmental endpoints is still insufficiently studied. This study quantifies developmental differences in zebrafish embryos incubated at 26°C and 28°C, focusing on key endpoints (heartbeat onset, hatching time, eye size, yolk sac consumption, and body length). For this purpose, we recorded a high-resolution time series comprising hourly observations of early developmental stages and key events and bi-hourly observations of body length until 120 hours post fertilization. Additionally, we recorded a low-resolution time series at 72, 96, and 119 hours post fertilization for detailed measurements of eye size, yolk sac area, and body length. Embryos incubated at 26°C showed consistent delays in developmental stages compared to those at 28°C, with delays becoming more pronounced at later stages. Yolk sac consumption was delayed by about 19.8 hours at 26°C by 119 hours post fertilization, suggesting a delayed onset of independent feeding. These findings suggest that time-based regulatory limits for rearing zebrafish, such as the 120-hour threshold in German regulations (TierSchVerV), do not fully account for temperature-dependent development. The results emphasize the need for guidelines linking incubation temperatures to developmental progress.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Miller2025,

title = {Dataset on temperature dependency of zebrafish early development},

author = {Angelina Miller and Katja Lisa Schröder and Karsten Eike Braun and Caitlin Steindorf and Richard Ottermanns and Martina Roß-Nickoll and Thomas Backhaus},

doi = {10.1038/s41597-025-04731-4},

issn = {2052-4463},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-12-00},

urldate = {2025-12-00},

journal = {Scientific Data},

volume = {12},

publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media LLC},

abstract = {Zebrafish (Danio rerio) early development stages that do not feed independently, are classified as non-protected life stages under EU Directive 2010/63. Zebrafish reach the independently feeding stage not earlier than 120 hours post fertilization, depending on the incubation temperature. This paper presents a dataset documenting zebrafish early development at two commonly used temperatures 26 °C and 28 °C. We recorded onset of heartbeat and hatching as well as body length, eye size, yolk sac consumption, and swim bladder inflation. Additionally, locomotor activity was tracked after 96 and 119 hours post fertilization. The dataset offers a reference for selecting appropriate experimental conditions and optimizing toxicological study designs. They also facilitate the comparison of experimental results recorded at these two temperatures. Furthermore, the data provide empirical evidence for amending current guidelines for tests with zebrafish embryos, in particular moving away from a rigid 120 hours post fertilization maximum test duration towards a temperature-dependent maximum test duration that is still in line with the aims of the German Animal Welfare Act.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Wolf2025,

title = {iMulch: an investigation of the influence of polymers on a terrestrial ecosystem using the example of mulch films used in agriculture},

author = {Carmen Wolf and Mike Wenzel and Björn Fischer and Ralf Bertling and Erich Jelen and Dieter Hennecke and Karlheinz Weinfurtner and Martina Roß-Nickoll and Henner Hollert and Antonia Weltmeyer and Kristina Bitter and Pauline Ruiz and Dusica Banduka and Jochen Tuerk and Lars M. Blank},

doi = {10.1186/s12302-024-01050-0},

issn = {2190-4715},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-12-00},

urldate = {2025-12-00},

journal = {Environmental Sciences Europe},

volume = {37},

publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media LLC},

abstract = {Background



This article provides an overview of the iMulch joint project, which analysed the use of polyethylene (PE) and biodegradable mulch films made of a polylactide (PLA) and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) on agricultural land as a source of microplastic. The development of a detection methodology using Raman spectroscopy and thermo-extraction desorption gas chromatography mass–spectrometry (TED-GC–MS), the adsorption behaviour, ageing in drainage water and soil, their transport behaviour in lysimeters, ecotoxicity, uptake in plants, a life cycle assessment (LCA) and upcycling were considered.

Results



The PE film tested showed hardly any degradation or fragmentation during the ageing tests. The biodegradable films showed incipient degradation after 8 weeks in drainage water and initial degradation after 12 weeks in soil ageing experiments. Additionally no degradation could be detected in the lysimeter test within the 24 months analysed. The biodegradable films could be metabolized in laboratory tests with some microorganisms present in the soil. This indicates that these films can be degraded in the environment if the conditions for degradation are optimal. No microorganisms or fungi that could degrade the PE film within a respective period of time were detected in the soil. Adsorption of the tested substances was not observed. Incorporated in soil, mulch film microplastic showed retention of extractable pesticides. In the ecotoxicological tests, both film types showed no acute toxic effects in the earthworm Eisenia fetida and the springtail Folsomia candida. Endocrine activity was observed in eluate samples from both films. However, aged films showed fewer effects than non-aged films.

Conclusion



Both types of film show no transport or degradation in the tests under real conditions, which means that they remain in the upper soil layer, where they are available to soil organisms and can lead to high concentrations in the future. As the biodegradable film could be degraded, at least under ideal conditions, we recommend its use. However, proof of degradation must first be verified under real field conditions. In addition, we recommend the use of thicker conventional mulch films to minimize the emission of plastic particles. For this purpose, a minimum lower limit for the material thickness should be defined.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Byun2025,

title = {Sustaining European Beech Forests: Multi-criteria Evaluation of Management Regimes in the Eifel Region Using Long-Term Simulation},

author = {Jae-Gyun Byun and Richard Ottermanns and Roß-Nickoll Martina},

doi = {10.13047/KJEE.2025.39.5.497},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-10-02},

urldate = {2025-10-02},

journal = {Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology},

volume = {39},

issue = {5},

pages = {497--507},

abstract = {This study compared and evaluated the long-term sustainability of three forest management regimesconventional shelterwood cutting (Bk), near-natural selective cutting (Bn), and unmanaged reserves (Bt)-in European beech (Fagus sylvatica) forests located in the Eifel region of Germany through a 500-year simulation. Three key sustainability evaluation criteria were assessed: ecological stability (based on volume variability), economic efficiency (based on annual timber yield), and model predictability (based on GAM model fit). Using a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) framework, each management regime was compared through a weighted composite index. Results showed that Bn management achieved the highest overall performance, while maintaining a balance between ecological resilience and appropriate productivity. On the other hand, Bt forests showed high ecological stability but low economic feasibility, and Bk forests showed high productivity and predictability but the lowest ecological stability. Sensitivity analysis confirmed that, although rankings may vary depending on the weight factor of evaluation criteria, the Bn showed relatively consistent performance under various scenarios. This study provides a quantitative basis for developing sustainable forest management policies and suggests the importance of a balanced management strategy that considers ecological and economic values and long-term predictability.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Zhang2024,

title = {Conversion of Rice Field Ecosystems from Conventional to Ecological Farming: Effects on Pesticide Fate, Ecotoxicity and Soil Properties},

author = {Yulin Zhang and Yinjie Yang and Ying Shao and Junjie Wang and Zhongli Chen and Martina Roß-Nickoll and Andreas Schäffer},

doi = {10.1007/s00267-024-02064-3},

issn = {1432-1009},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-04-00},

urldate = {2025-04-00},

journal = {Environmental Management},

volume = {75},

number = {4},

pages = {930--944},

publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media LLC},

abstract = {Rice is an important staple food around the world, the cultivation as sustainable agriculture and food supply are key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of 2030. In order to analyze the sustainability of the rice paddy ecosystem, a comparative study was carried out during the rice growing season between paddies with conventional agriculture (CA) and ecological agriculture (EA), integrating analysis of physico-chemical characteristics of soil and soil pore water, pesticide residues, acute toxic effects and potential ecological risk, as well as aquatic invertebrate community structure dynamics. Our study found that total carbon and nitrogen present in soil were significantly higher in CA than in EA, while opposite results were found in soil pore water, implying the improvement on soil properties in EA. Neonicotinoid pesticides (thiamethoxam and thiacloprid) were still detected in EA, although no pesticides were applied after conversing CA to EA. Additionally, toxic effects to zebrafish embryos with a peak toxicity in summer (July, LC50 = 55.26 mg soil equivalent/L) were also found in EA, which was lower than in CA. The dynamics of the aquatic invertebrate community structure were correlated with the toxicity results, with higher diversity recorded in EA. Therefore, for the purpose of ecosystem sustainability, the long-term implementation of EA is highly recommended.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Bach2024,

title = {From lawns to meadows: spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) as indicators to measure urban grassland restoration success},

author = {Alexander Bach and Jana Jedamski and Benjamin Daniels and Martina Roß-Nickoll},

doi = {10.1007/s11252-024-01626-x},

issn = {1573-1642},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-02-00},

urldate = {2025-02-00},

journal = {Urban Ecosystems},

volume = {28},

issue = {41},

publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media LLC},

abstract = {In the present study, we investigate how spiders can be used to assess the effectiveness of restoring mesic grasslands on former urban lawns. We compile and analyze a comprehensive dataset, including both past and current data, focusing on the Aachen region. By systematically examining this data, we identify various indicators using different analytical methods. This approach allows us to distinguish distinct species communities, making them useful as diagnostic tools at various stages of habitat development. Additionally, we identify further parameters that are essential for evaluating meadow restoration in urban settings. We highlight the crucial importance of understanding the local species repertoire, as this knowledge is vital for setting realistic benchmarks for restoration projects.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{LAN2025377,

title = {Revegetation potential assessment on the Hanfeng Lake of the Three Gorges Reservoir: Evidence from soil seed bank},

author = {Yang Lan and Tingting Li and Yinjie Yang and Min Zhou and Xin Zhang and Qiang Feng and Jingbo Xu and Ying Shao and Martina Roß-Nickoll and Zhongli Chen},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1642359324000636},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecohyd.2024.05.006},

issn = {1642-3593},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

journal = {Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology},

volume = {25},

number = {2},

pages = {377-388},

abstract = {The hydrological regiments of large reservoirs worldwide always are always artificially controlled, significantly impacting the ecosystems of the water level fluctuation zone (WLFZ). In China, the anti-natural periodic water level fluctuation has led to plant diversity decline in the WLFZ of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), causing seriously ecosystem problems. Attempts on revegetation was carried out since 2009, which mainly aimed to re-establish the natural riparian vegetation including trees, shrubs, and herbs. Whereas, the revegetation efficient has not yet been evaluated. To evaluate the effectiveness of the revegetation, the soil seed bank (SSB), aboveground vegetation (AGV), soil physiochemical parameters and inundation disturbance were integrated to assess the potential of revegetation in the WLFZ of the Hanfeng Lake. The results showed that seed reproduction is the main reproductive mode of aboveground communities in both artificial and natural restoration sites. The similarity between SSB and AGV increased as compared to that of the pre-revegetation project implement. The diversity of SSB was higher than that AGV, furthermore, diversity increased on artificial revegetation site was found. The seed density on natural revegetation sites (6396.97 ± 4699.49 seeds/m2) was significantly higher than that of the airtificial restoration site (p < 0.01). Soil nutrients were richer in the restoration sites compared to the reference sites. However, the correlation between soil physiochemical parameters and SSB/AGV varied, indicating that potential succession in vegetation may still occur. Revegetation potential assessment revealed that a slightly higher revegetation ability in artificial revegetation sites comparing to that of the natural sites, while the revegetation potential was not significant between them, showing the challenges on revegetation of the WLFZs in the TGR region. To better maintain the ecological functions and sustainability of the fragile ecosystem in the WLFZs, intergrating natural based solutions with approcimiate artificial measurements are recommanded.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{https://doi.org/10.1002/eco.70034,

title = {Riparian Vegetation Adapts to the Antiseasonal Water Fluctuations: Insights From Plant Functional Traits},

author = {Yuan Feng and Zihan Zhu and Ying Shao and Martina Roß-Nickoll and Zhongli Chen},

url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/eco.70034},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1002/eco.70034},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

journal = {Ecohydrology},

volume = {18},

number = {3},

pages = {e70034},

abstract = {ABSTRACT Plant functional traits (PFTs) reflect plant responses to environmental changes, with different species exhibiting distinct trait combinations along environmental gradients, illustrating trade-offs in survival strategies. However, the patterns of functional traits in reservoir water-level fluctuation zones—where hydrological regimes are artificially regulated—remain poorly understood. This study hypothesized that (1) intracommunity functional traits vary along water-level gradients, (2) functional traits converge among species within the same water fluctuation zone and (3) trade-offs in functional traits are evident in morphology, shoots and roots. To test these hypotheses, we analysed plant community properties and measured intra- and interspecies trait variation across spatial and environmental gradients. Correlation analysis identified key drivers of ecological adaptation strategies. Results showed that water fluctuations were the primary factor shaping PFTs, with traits converging horizontally along longitudinal gradients but diverging along lateral gradients. Flooding stress induced niche differentiation in dominant plants, leading to distinct survival strategies: Cynodon dactylon exhibited a high conservation-stasis strategy, while Xanthium sibiricum adopted a fast investment-escape strategy, both maintaining high homeostasis. Cyperus rotundus displayed a conservation-stasis strategy in severely flooding zones but shifted to a fast investment-escape strategy in moderately flooded zones. This study demonstrates that plants employ diverse adaptive strategies under reservoir-induced hydrological conditions, providing insights for revegetation in water-level fluctuation zones as a nature-based solution.},

note = {e70034 ECO-24-0168.R2},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{https://doi.org/10.1111/een.13443,

title = {Oviposition and larval mycelia preference of the saproxylic European stag beetle},

author = {Christian Molls and Arno Thomaes and Glen Dierickx and Anton Durlet and Stefaan Goessens and Birgitta Goffart and Vincent Fiévet and Martina Roß-Nickoll and Annemieke Verbeken},

url = {https://resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/een.13443},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1111/een.13443},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

journal = {Ecological Entomology},

volume = {50},

number = {4},

pages = {753-762},

abstract = {Abstract In the light of evidence-based conservation, we analysed the relation between the European stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) and a selection of ten common wood-decomposing fungi. We studied log preference and number of offspring for logs inoculated with different fungi during oviposition in a cafeteria experiment. A second experiment assessed survival and relative growth rates of larvae placed in substrates colonised by the different fungal species. The selected fungi used in both experiments are phylogenetically diverse and represent different rot types. Females laid no eggs in logs with brown-rot fungi and all larvae died in brown-rot mycelia within 33 days due to black spot. All white-rot fungi were accepted for oviposition, with no species-specific preferences. The larval survival rate in white-rot species was at least 57% and the relative growth rate of larvae was positive (except for the toxic Omphalotus illudens). At rot type level, we can confirm the optimal oviposition hypothesis, a match between oviposition and larval habitat. Our findings contradict the association of brown-rot fungal species with stag beetles, as reported in some literature, which is probably based on the presence of fruiting bodies. We conclude that the European stag beetle is a white–rot-dependent species and accepts numerous species of white-rot fungi without a clear preference. This is relevant for evidence-based conservation when restoring its habitat or building artificial habitats (such as log piles) as well as for ex situ breeding campaigns.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{SEIDEL2025119345,

title = {Sorption to mulch film decreases bioavailability of two model pesticides for earthworms in soil},

author = {Antonia Seidel and Isaac Heimbach and Thomas-Benjamin Seiler and Henner Hollert and Lars M. Blank and Martina Roß-Nickoll},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651325016902},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.119345},

issn = {0147-6513},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

urldate = {2025-01-01},

journal = {Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety},

volume = {306},

pages = {119345},

abstract = {Microplastic pollution and its environmental consequences have been a research topic for decades. Alongside sewage sludge and compost, mulch films are one of the most important sources of organic matter in agricultural soils. As microplastics accumulate in these environments, they increasingly interact with other agrochemical contaminants, such as pesticides. The consequences of the combined presence of mulch film microplastic and pesticides, especially on bioavailability and toxicity, still need to be understood. We investigated the interaction of pesticides with polyethylene mulch films by choosing the neonicotinoid Thiacloprid and the fungicide Tebuconazole in their commercial formulations as plant protection products, serving as representative hydrophobic and hydrophilic substances. The impact of PE microplastic (150 mg/kg) on both pesticides’ extractability and earthworm mortality was determined. The hypothesis is that microplastics reduce pesticide bioavailability in soil. Hence, reduced earthworm toxicity might be observed. Acute toxicity testing with Eisenia fetida showed a slight decrease in toxicity while MPP was present, shifting the LC50 from 110.3 to 120.6 mg/kg (Tebuconazole) and 20.3–22.6 mg/kg (Thiacloprid). The chemical analysis after two-time extraction of test soil with CaCl2 and then solvents confirmed the reduced availability of pesticide in the presence of MPP. Our research shows that microplastic at application-relevant concentrations can retain pesticides and reduce pesticide toxicity. These findings impact pesticide efficiency in soils that accumulate microplastic, potentially requiring the adaptation of agricultural practices. This study underscores the need for further research and mitigation strategies as our understanding of the interactions between pesticides and microplastics in soil evolves.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{SYBERTZ2025103403,

title = {MIXCOP–Implementation of a model to assess the time-dependent effects of mixed pesticides on a collembolan population},

author = {Alexandra Sybertz and Richard Ottermanns and Martina Roß-Nickoll},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215016125002493},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2025.103403},

issn = {2215-0161},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

journal = {MethodsX},

volume = {14},

pages = {103403},

abstract = {A new simulation model has been created by merging three model approaches, including soil exposure prediction, effect estimation and a population model.•The aim is to use the overall model to better assess the effects of pesticides on soil organisms.•The model is called MIXCOP (pesticide MIXtures and their effects on a COllembolan Population) and simulates a population of Folsomia candida in a vertical soil column.•MIXCOP allows to calculate a time- and movement-dependent exposure for the individual animals, as well as the resulting effects. Effects on both adult organisms and juvenile organisms are taken into account. The modular structure including the individual assumptions are explained in more detail.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{BIALOZYT2025110952,

title = {The different ways to operationalise the social in applied models and simulations of sustainability science: A contribution for the enhancement of good modelling practices},

author = {Ronald B. Bialozyt and Martina Roß-Nickoll and Richard Ottermanns and Jens Jetzkowitz},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304380024003405},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2024.110952},

issn = {0304-3800},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

journal = {Ecological Modelling},

volume = {500},

pages = {110952},

abstract = {There are several concepts out there, which describe modelling as a circular process with several rounds of iteration. The aim of these concepts is to structure the process and gain insights into the various steps carried out during a modelling project. It is common to all these concepts that they are created by modellers themselves, hence the focus is on generating a good modelling practice (GMP) in standardising technical aspect. However, modelling must also be considered as a social process, which have so far only been marginally considered in these GMP protocols. Therefore, we explored the different approaches to incorporate the social aspects into GMP of interdisciplinary applied modelling projects in sustainability science with reference to sociological knowledge. While discussing the social dimensions in the modelling process, we found that two perspectives need to be distinguished, namely a structural and a procedural one. From a structural perspective, various approaches have developed to model interactions and feedbacks between ecological and social aspects of a sustainability problem. Among the best known is the concept of the social-ecological system, which makes it possible to grasp the complexity of reality in ecological and social subsystems that are intertwined within each other. From a procedural perspective, several components describing decision points and feedback processes along the modelling pathway have been identified. This forms a new GMP scheme different from the so far published ones as it incorporates all the feedback loops active during the modelling process. It therefore breaks the so far common circular approach. The new scheme emphasises the fact that every model formation is a social, communicative process at all phases of a modelling project. Additionally, we have gained new insights into the path dependency of model structures and identified an extended hierarchical structure of social modelling steps. Most importantly, we describe how the iterative application of these two perspectives should be used to improve the GMP of an active modelling project.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}