Ecological Research

"𝑤𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑙𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑖𝑠 𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑, 𝑟𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑛𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑙 𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠, 𝑟𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑛𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑙 𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠."

Message From the New Editor-in-Chief
by Fujio Hyodo

👉 esj-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/IQEUS3...

「ツキノワグマの日本への渡来後の有効個体群サイズの減少」🐻
#OpenAccess

Graphical Abstract: The Asian black bear populations in Japan experienced three distinct periods of population decline in the past. The first decline began approximately between 800,000 and 300,000 years ago, the second occurred around 150,000 to 70,000 years ago, and the third took place roughly from 50,000 to 18,000 years ago.

#OpenAccess
Decrease in Effective Population Size After the Immigration of Asian Black Bears to Japan

Naoki Ohnishi et al

🐻👉 doi.org/10.1111/1440...

ddRADseq/ genetic structure/ population size/ reduced representation genome sequencing/ Ursus thibetanus

「東京都町田市の耕作放棄地を含む里山で採集されたクモの標本データ」🕷️
#OpenAccess

生態学会大会@京都には参加しませんが、連名の発表が1件あります。
耕作放棄および圃場整備が農地のクモ群集に及ぼす影響
esj.ne.jp/meeting/abst...
また本研究に関連したデータペーパーが最近出版されました。
Shimauchi et al. 2026. Spider Specimen Data From Satoyama Landscapes, Including Abandoned Farmland… Ecological Research
esj-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Graphical Abstract: This study examined the impact of farmland abandonment on biodiversity in Japanese Satoyama using spiders as indicators. In 2023, 629 individuals from 94 taxa were collected in Machida City, suggesting that farmland abandonment may enhance landscape diversity.

<DATA ARTICLE> #OpenAccess
Spider Specimen Data From Satoyama Landscapes, Including Abandoned Farmland, Collected Over Multiple Periods in Machida City, Tokyo

Rion Shimauchi, Yuki G. Baba
@baboon-sai.bsky.social, Takeshi Osawa
doi.org/10.1111/1440...

biodiversity monitoring/ landscape mosaic

「シカの食害により改変された森林において、アセビ（ツツジ科）の優占と有機物層の増加が植物の定着を阻害する」🦌

Graphical abstract: Excessive deer browsing leads to the spread of the unpalatable shrub Pieris japonica, which forms monodominant stands (a) and suppresses other vegetation. In contrast to areas without Pieris dominance (b, d), we found that the modified organic horizon under these shrubs specifically inhibits seedling root growth, thereby limiting plant establishment (c).

NOTES AND INSIGHTS
Pieris japonica (Ericaceae) Dominance and Increased Organic Horizon Inhibit Plant Establishment in Forests Altered by Deer Grazing

Yuji Tokumoto, Ayumi Katayama
esj-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/RK4MJX...

humus/ Kyushu Mountain/ root exudate/ sika deer/ Cervus nippon

「日本の植物に対する反芻動物の嗜好性と採食圧の測定法」#OpenAccess 🦌

Graphical Abstract: Estimation of palatability and browsing pressure are key techniques for ecosystem management. We compared four methods to estimate palatability based on browsing scar survey and proposed the reference palatability values for the Japanese flora as plant ecological trait. Browsing pressure, defined as the threshold palatability value between browsed and unbrowsed plants, is depicted as a map. Such maps can help identify locations where damage-control measures should be implemented.

<TECHNICAL NOTE> #OpenAccess
Measurement of Ungulate Palatability and Browsing Pressure on Japanese Flora

Fumito Koike, Masayo Isozaki
doi.org/10.1111/1440...

browsing or grazing pressure estimation/ Cervus nippon/ indicator species/ plant trait/ wildlife management

This manuscript was submitted based on a symposium held on March 19, 2024, at the 71st Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of Japan in Yokohama, Japan. #ESJ71

「河川景観における生態学と地学の統合：プロセスベースの自然復元に向けて」
#OpenAccess

Graphical abstract: In this paper, we synthesize studies that integrally examine geological and ecological processes across different scales and components of riverscapes, including geohydrological processes. Finally, we identify both scientific and practical challenges that must be addressed to bridge the gap between basic-science implications and their implementation in riverscape restorations.

<REVIEW AND SYNTHESIS> #OpenAccess
Bridging Ecology and Geosciences in Riverscapes: Implications for Process-Based Restoration

Hiromi Uno, Hikaru Nakagawa, Nobuo Ishiyama et al
doi.org/10.1111/1440...

conservation/ ecosystem/ geomorphology/ stream/ watershed

「熱帯乾燥林景観において林冠被覆が昆虫の捕食に及ぼす影響は生息環境によって異なる」
#OpenAccess

Graphical abstract: Our results reveal that arthropods, particularly chewing arthropods, were the dominant predators, and their activity was strongly influenced by both habitat type and canopy cover. Predation probability increased with canopy cover in forest plots but decreased in silvo-pastures, highlighting an important interaction between vegetation structure and habitat degradation. Furthermore, predation rates were consistently higher at lower elevations, possibly due to microclimatic conditions or changes in predator community composition.

#OpenAccess
Habitat-Dependent Effects of Canopy Cover on Insect Predation in a Tropical Dry Forest Landscape

Camilo Fabián González, Diana Ontaneda-Jimenez et al
doi.org/10.1111/1440...

dummy caterpillars/ ecosystem functioning/ Ecuador/ land-use change

「落葉広葉樹天然林の針葉樹人工林への転換は有剣ハチ群集の相対的なデトリタス依存度を上昇させる」

Graphical abstract: We compared the community structure of Aculeata bees and wasps in natural deciduous broadleaved forests and two coniferous plantations (Cryptomeria japonica, “Sugi” and Chamaecyparis obtusa, “Hinoki”) in southern Kyushu, Japan. Compared with natural forests, the dependence of Aculeata communities on the detritus-based food chain increased in both plantations. In addition, Aculeata communities in plantations exhibited lower seasonal segregation of food resources and wider foraging ranges.

#OpenAccess
Conversion From Natural Broad-Leaved Forest to Conifer Plantation Increases Relative Detritus Dependency of Aculeata Communities

Kazushige Uemori, Takuo Hishi
doi.org/10.1111/1440...

Chamaecyparis obtusa/ Cryptomeria japonica/ food web/ functional trait

「西太平洋のメソフォティックおよび深海域に生息する八放サンゴの環境DNA検出に向けた28S rRNA参照データセットの拡充」🪸🧬

Graphical abstract: We present an expanded 28S rRNA reference dataset for environmental DNA (eDNA) detection of deep-sea octocorals in the Western Pacific. The dataset includes 269 specimens spanning 52 genera across 24 families, with sequences obtained via Sanger sequencing and genome skimming. This curated resource will support more accurate biodiversity assessments and conservation of cold-water coral ecosystems.

<DATA ARTICLE>
Expanded 28S rRNA Dataset for Environmental DNA Detection of Mesophotic and Deep-Sea Octocorals in the Western Pacific

Kenji Takata et al
esj-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/D2TIJQ...

cold-water coral ecosystems/ #eDNA metabarcoding database/ genome skimming

「インド・スンダルバンスのマングローブ生態系における主要な生物指標腹足類の分布と存在量」

Graphical abstract: Geo-spatial analysis revealed distribution of major bioindicator molluscs. Air temperature, soil organic carbon and water salinity regulate gastropod abundance. A scenario analysis was performed with respect to present climate change situation. Anthropogenic cues influence the bioindicator molluscs making them vulnerable.

Distribution and abundance of key bioindicator gastropod species of the Sundarban mangrove ecosystem, India

Harisankar Ray, Ayan Paul, Soumyadip Pal et al
esj-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/SBZAGP...

Registration for the annual meeting of the Ecological Society of Japan #ESJ73 at Kyoto is now open! (Call for presentations is closed but still accept applications for the participation.)

Check the details here:
esj-meeting.net/home_en/
Registration information:
esj-meeting.net/registinfo_en/

「オーストラリア・クイーンズランド州ピークレンジ火山地帯の植物に含まれるレアアース：生物地球化学的な探査ツールとして」
#OpenAccess

特集Special Feature—#UltramaficEcology 2025: Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Serpentine Ecology

#ICSE2025Kyoto

Graphical abstract: The Peak Range Volcanics in central Queensland, Australia is naturally enriched with REEs (Rare Earth Elements). Fieldwork was conducted to analyse REEs in plant species occurring in this area.

<SPECIAL FEATURE> #UltramaficEcology2025 #OpenAccess
Rare Earth Elements in Plants of the Peak Range Volcanics (Queensland), Australia Exploration Target: A Biogeochemical Prospecting Tool

Amelia Corzo-Remigio et al
doi.org/10.1111/1440...

hyperaccumulator

「新規パッシブサンプリング技術を用いた環境DNAによるキイロドロガメ（Kinosternon flavescens）検出に関する報告：野外および実験室的アプローチ」🐢🧬
#OpenAccess

Graphical abstract: Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a powerful and sensitive method for monitoring aquatic and terrestrial organisms. This study examined the efficacy of six different membrane filters in detecting yellow mud turtles through a novel passive eDNA method. After being immersed in water for 12 h, only the mixed cellulose esters membrane filter consistently demonstrated specific PCR amplification, indicating the presence of yellow mud turtle eDNA.

<TECHNICAL NOTE> #OpenAccess
A Note on the Novel Passive Sampling in Environmental DNA (eDNA) Collection Technique to Detect Yellow Mud Turtle (Kinosternon flavescens): Field and Laboratory Approaches in Turtle #eDNA

Sakib Tahmid Rishan et al
doi.org/10.1111/1440...

Plant Species Biology is now fully #OpenAccess 🌱

"As for open access, that journey is just beginning."

Editorial from our EiC:
Strengthening scientific contribution through open access: Progress and outlook
by Takashi Miyake

📖Read more about our vision: doi.org/10.1111/1442...

「対照的な２つの森林タイプをまたぐ標高勾配に沿った落葉分解変異：気候変動への応答に対する示唆」🍂
#OpenAccess

Graphical abstract: We investigated how leaf litter decomposition rates of two dominant tree species—Fagus crenata at lower elevations and Abies mariesii at higher elevations—vary along an elevational gradient in a mountain range. Within each species' range, decomposition proceeded faster at lower, warmer elevations, with A. mariesii litter being more temperature-sensitive than F. crenata litter. However, across forest types, F. crenata litter did not always decompose faster despite its distribution at lower elevations with warmer conditions, and A. mariesii litter showed no accelerated decomposition when transplanted to lower-elevation F. crenata forests. These results highlight the importance of considering vegetation traits and plant–soil interactions when predicting climate change effects on forest carbon and nutrient cycles.

#OpenAccess
Leaf Litter Decomposition Along an Elevation Gradient Across Two Contrasting #Forest Types: Implications for Future Climate Change

Hiroko Kurokawa et al
doi.org/10.1111/1440...

decomposition rate per unit cumulative temperature/ functional trait/ #soil

「シンクロトロン元素イメージングによる超集積植物Sedum plumbizincicola（ベンケイソウ科）における亜鉛分布の解明」
#OpenAccess

特集Special Feature—#UltramaficEcology 2025: Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Serpentine Ecology
#ICSE2025Kyoto