All Reforestation Methods Can Support Tropical Tree Diversity Recovery, but Drivers and Species Composition Vary

ABSTRACT Tropical landscapes are undergoing rapid transformation due to human activities and global change. Forest restoration has emerged as a key strategy to mitigate biodiversity loss and climate warming. However, a standardized assessment of how different restoration methods contribute to biodiversity recovery and conservation remains lacking. Here, we present the first comprehensive comparison of tree diversity restoration and the drivers of recovery across five main reforestation methods (naturally regenerating forests, biodiverse restoration plantings, short‐ and long‐rotation tree monocultures, agroforests) relative to three reference systems (agropastoral lands, degraded and conserved forest remnants). Tree inventories were conducted in 519 plots (900 m 2 each) across two forest types (rainforest and seasonally dry forest) in the Atlantic forest of São Paulo state, Brazil, encompassing over 39,000 trees and 869 species. We found that: (1) all reforestation methods except short‐rotation monoculture plots supported tree diversity recovery. In the rainforest, conserved remnant plots maintained the highest average Shannon diversity (Hill 1 = 29 ± 14), while naturally regenerating forests and restoration plantings approached the diversity of degraded remnant plots (15 ± 5). In seasonally dry forest, biodiverse restoration plantings and agroforests reached diversity levels comparable to conserved remnants (15 ± 6). Additionally, (2) recovery was influenced by forest age, climate (water availability), soil fertility, and landscape context, though the relative importance of these factors varied by method. Climate and landscape context were more influential for recovery in naturally regenerating forests, while soil conditions played a greater role in biodiverse restoration plantings. Lastly, (3) species composition in naturally regenerating forests most closely resembled that of conserved remnants. Conversely, restoration plantings and agroforests exhibited high compositional overlap across sites, reducing overall species richness. Our findings underscore the wide variation in biodiversity outcomes among and within reforestation methods, emphasizing that goals and strategies must align with local conditions to maximize benefits in complex tropical landscapes.

Soil Invertebrate Body Size Groups and Effect Magnitude Jointly Influence Global Soil CO 2 Emissions

ABSTRACT Soil invertebrates represent vital components of belowground biodiversity and play pivotal roles in regulating key carbon (C) cycling processes, particularly soil respiration. Despite the recognised effects of invertebrates on soil respiration, previous studies suffer from a major blind spot: a lack of global‐scale interpretations of inferred associations describing how these organisms mediate C release. In this study, we integrated 556 datasets spanning 90 publications to systematically assess the global patterns and inferred associations by which soil invertebrates influence soil respiration. The results revealed that soil invertebrates, on average, enhanced soil respiration by 52%. Across climatic zones, the magnitude of this positive effect tended to decline from tropical to temperate regions. When classified by body size, among the large‐bodied soil invertebrates, ants and termites increased soil respiration by 60% and 62%, respectively, whereas earthworms stimulated it by 47%. In contrast, small‐to‐medium‐bodied soil invertebrates exerted no significant effect. Across ecosystem types, soil invertebrates stimulated soil respiration more strongly in forest ecosystems, with an increase of 55%, compared to a 44% increase in grassland ecosystems. The pathways through which soil invertebrates influence respiration varied markedly among body‐size groups and ecosystem types. Overall, soil invertebrates primarily influenced soil microbial biomass C, fungal biomass and bacterial biomass, as well as soil organic N, soil organic C and soil pH, which in turn were closely associated with soil respiration. These findings underscore the key role of soil invertebrates in influencing soil CO 2 emissions and provide insights essential for improving Earth system models under ongoing climate change.

AVONICHE : A Global Dataset of Dietary and Foraging Niches for Birds

ABSTRACT Motivation The role of each animal species in an ecosystem is largely determined both by the resources it uses and the behaviours through which these resources are obtained. Even in well‐studied vertebrate groups, like birds, quantitative data on the relative use of different food resources in the context of foraging strategies are generally lacking. Most analyses in macroecology, macroevolution and conservation biology are therefore limited to simplified dietary categories, ignoring the specific foraging behaviours and substrates used to access resources. Here we present AVONICHE, a dataset quantifying proportional membership in 32 foraging niches, representing a combination of dietary categories and associated foraging strategies used by all bird species. Main Types of Variables Contained Species‐level information on the proportional use of foraging niches, each of which is defined as a particular foraging strategy within a specific dietary category (e.g., invertebrate feeding is subdivided into 7 foraging niches based on different foraging behaviors). Spatial Location and Grain Global. Time Period and Grain Present. Major Taxa and Level of Measurement All bird species (Class Aves). To allow integration with global phylogenies and other data resources published in future, we align species‐level niche data with four different taxonomic treatments: BirdTree (9993 species), Clements/eBird (10,661 species), BirdLife International (10,999 species) and the new AviList taxonomy (10,981 species). Software Format Spreadsheet (.csv).

Local and Landscape‐Level Environmental Conditions Drive Habitat Selection Across Terrestrial Mammal Species

ABSTRACT Aim Animal movements are a fundamental process affecting communities and ecosystems. Quantifying habitat selection across species and habitats is key for understanding how animals respond to environmental change. Currently, we lack comparative studies that examine how habitat selection varies across species traits and landscapes. We aim to quantify global patterns of habitat selection to help understand the fundamental drivers of movement behaviour. Location Global. Time Period Contemporary. Major Taxa Studied Terrestrial mammals. Methods We estimated selection coefficients for terrain ruggedness, vegetation productivity, human population density and distance to roads of individual terrestrial mammals through step‐selection analysis of 1344 GPS tracks across 48 species. We quantified intra‐ and interspecific variation and tested whether selection coefficients were associated with species traits and habitat availability. Results We observe an overall avoidance of roads and areas of high human population density as well as rugged terrain, with a large proportion of individuals selecting for areas of intermediate NDVI. However, we also found large intraspecific variation in habitat selection and show that this variation is predicted by local and landscape‐level environmental conditions rather than species traits. Individuals in more remote areas exhibited weaker functional responses to human presence than those in more disturbed areas. Avoidance of rugged terrain is also context‐dependent, with stronger avoidance when local ruggedness is high. The only exception to the observed intraspecific variability is consistent species‐level responses to road proximity. Main Conclusions Our findings contribute to the understanding of habitat selection by terrestrial mammals, showing that selection is largely shaped by environmental conditions and that animals exhibit high plasticity in their responses. Our results also provide further evidence for the significant impact of roads on animal movement. These insights can help us to understand the potential effects of environmental change on the behaviour of mammal species around the world.

‘I Really Don't Have Time to Talk and Listen to All Those People’: Care Responsibilities and Privileged Irresponsibility in the Devolution of Social Services in the Netherlands

ABSTRACT This paper analyses the micro‐scale geographies of care within newly devolved social services in The Netherlands. Across Europe, welfare reforms have reconfigured the spatial organisation of care, shifting responsibilities to municipalities and expecting closer collaboration between citizens, civil‐society organisations and local governments. We analyse how these spatial and institutional transformations shape the everyday negotiation of care responsibilities within Buren Helpen Elkaar, a locally organised initiative that mobilises volunteers to support residents (primarily elderly people) to continue living independently at home. Drawing on Tronto's political ethics of care, we investigate how care is interpreted, allocated and enacted across local actors. The analysis is based on qualitative data from thirty‐six interviews, participatory observations and policy and organisational documents. Our findings show that, despite its promise of fostering more cooperative citizen‐state relations, the initiative is marked by dynamics of ‘privileged irresponsibility’. Professionals and volunteers withdraw from particular tasks by claiming to be ‘too busy’, by narrowing definitions of legitimate need or by shifting responsibility to other actors. By tracing how responsibility is negotiated and redistributed in place, the paper offers a micro‐scale account of devolved welfare that foregrounds the relational dynamics shaping local care provision. It also shows how everyday practices can undermine the intentions of welfare reforms and contribute to uneven outcomes across communities.

“The Hamster Wheel Is on Fire”: How the Pandemic Amplified Inequality in the Academy

ABSTRACT Institutional practices often recreate inequalities within organizations, especially in times of crisis like the COVID pandemic. Although early pandemic research expressed alarm that increased caregiving demands were reducing women's research productivity, it paid less attention to changing work demands. By contrast, this article examines whether pandemic changes in academic work demands varied across race and gender, drawing on survey data from 1198 faculty members in two university systems in the United States. Consistent with theories of institutional routines, identity taxation, and status beliefs, we find that, compared to their colleagues, women and faculty of color spent more time on service and teaching, performed more emotional labor, and experienced more burnout. Women report greater decreases than men in research productivity, but the presence of children does not fully explain these gender differences. Women are more likely to consider leaving the university, but intentions to leave are driven by their disproportionate emotional labor and service during the pandemic. Our findings provide insight into how pandemic increases in academic labor fell more heavily on some faculty members than others. They also contribute to our understanding of mechanisms that reproduce inequality in the academy.

A Highlight on the Special Interest Groups of the American Headache Society: A Perspective from the 2024 Emerging Leaders Program

Metabolic Health Phenotypes Among Middle‐ to Older‐Aged Adults Living With and Without Obesity: Relationships With Hepatic Health Indicators

ABSTRACT Background The recent reclassification of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease to metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease reflects the central role of metabolic dysfunction in its pathogenesis. Obesity underlies metabolic perturbations; however, liver health risks are not exclusive to individuals with a higher BMI and some individuals with obesity have favorable metabolic health (MH). Thus far, there has been limited examination of liver health indicators among metabolically healthy and unhealthy phenotypes, which is the aim of this study. Methods A cross‐sectional sample of 2040 middle‐ to older‐aged adults were classified as metabolically healthy obese (MHO), metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO), metabolically healthy nonobese (MHNO), and metabolically unhealthy nonobese (MUNO), according to three MH definitions (MeigsA, MeigsB, and Wildman). Liver biomarkers alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT) were measured, and the fatty liver index (FLI) was calculated. Crude and adjusted logistic regression models examined associations between liver function indicators and MH phenotypes. Results In fully adjusted models, higher FLI scores were consistently associated with lower likelihood of MHO and MHNO (odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for MHO: 0.947 (0.934, 0.961) [MeigsA], 0.952 (0.938, 0.966) [MeigsB] and 0.945 (0.931, 0.959) [Wildman] and for MHNO: 0.957 (0.950, 0.964) [MeigsA], 0.950 (0.942, 0.958) [MeigsB] and 0.961 (0.955, 0.968) [Wildman] (all p  < 0.001)). Higher ALT and GGT concentrations were inversely associated with MHO, and AST additionally with MHNO, in all models across the three definitions. Conclusions Liver function indicators are linked with MH status in middle‐ to older‐aged adults.

Exploring Medicines Optimisation and Safety in the Community Following Mental Health Hospital Discharge: A Qualitative Interview Study

ABSTRACT Background Medication safety issues may be common following mental health hospital discharge. However, there is little research exploring their aetiology and influencing factors for patients with mental illness and their carers in the community. This study aimed to explore medicine taking, continuity and care following mental health hospital discharge from the perspectives of people with lived experience, their carers and community‐based health professionals. Method Participant recruitment was via social media and the professional networks of the research team. Semi‐structured online interviews were conducted with people with mental illness, carers and health professionals (including pharmacists, doctors and nurses in hospital, primary care and community settings) involved in medication use and safety after hospital discharge. Questions focused on medication‐related activities, knowledge transfer practice, support needs and key challenges and facilitators of medication safety in the community following discharge. Template analysis involved independent reading, development of a coding framework and coding across the research team. Results Analysis of 34 interviews conducted with 17 healthcare professionals, 10 people with lived experience and 7 carers suggested a fragmented and disrupted network of care provision following discharge. This could include diversion of responsibility, lack of collaboration and continuity of care. People with lived experience and carers reported poor provision of information about medications, variable shared decision‐making, and feelings of disempowerment and not being listened to. Conclusion This study has revealed the system‐level challenges associated with maintaining safety with medicines following mental health hospital discharge, particularly around the continuity of care and disempowerment of patients. We suggest that clearer pathways and the organisation of care services based around collaborative working would benefit medicines management post‐discharge. Further attention is needed to develop care provision that is holistic and person‐centred. Patient and Public Contribution The research team included a person with lived experience. They took part in all aspects of the study, including data analysis, and are co‐authors. In addition, our study advisory group included a person with lived experience and a carer.

‘How Does Nothing Show Up When I'm in So Much Agony?’: A Qualitative Study Exploring Patient Experiences of Non‐Specific Abdominal Pain in Acute Surgical Care

ABSTRACT Introduction Non‐specific abdominal pain is a common and diagnostically challenging presentation in acute care, yet little is known about patient experiences within this setting. This study explores the experiences of patients attending a surgical same‐day emergency care (SDEC) unit with non‐specific abdominal pain. Design Qualitative descriptive study using inductive thematic analysis. Methods 23 adults (aged ≥ 18 years) presenting with acute non‐specific abdominal pain to a surgical SDEC in England were purposively sampled. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted at least 2 weeks after discharge and thematically analysed inductively, iteratively and collaboratively by a team of psychiatrists, surgeons and a lived experience co‐researcher. Results Three themes were identified: (1) The journey to the SDEC —participants described uncertainty and fear about potential diagnoses and varied thresholds for help‐seeking, (2) The consultation —while many appreciated rapid access to care, experiences of communication and explanation were mixed, with some feeling dismissed or confused by the absence of a clear diagnosis, and (3) Post‐consultation reflections —some felt reassured by normal test results, while others struggled with persistent symptoms, a lack of follow‐up, and ongoing uncertainty. Discussions around psychosocial factors were rare. Conclusions Acute non‐specific abdominal pain can be distressing for patients, even after attending acute surgical services, particularly when communication is perceived to be unclear and follow‐up is inconsistent. A more structured, patient‐centred approach, including standardised follow‐up, clear explanations and sensitivity to psychosocial factors, could improve experiences and possibly outcomes for this group. Patient and Public Contribution A patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) group, comprising individuals with lived and living experience of persistent physical symptoms, shaped the scope and design of the research and co‐produced the interview topic guide. A lived experience representative was actively involved in data analysis, interpretation and manuscript preparation.