Background and the use of isoscapes in the Brazilian context: essential tool for isotope data interpretation and natural resource management

Sena-Souza, João Paulo; Costa, Fábio José Viana; Nardoto, Gabriela Bielefeld

doi:10.4136/ambi-agua.2282

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 120 publications

(176 reference statements)

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“…Isoscapes represent the spatial patterns of stable isotope ratios and helps with the interpretation and visualisation of data [ 25 , 26 ]. Here, we made geographic assignments using the R package IsoriX which constructs isoscapes and assigns the origin of organisms based on their isotopic signature [ 27 , 28 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrogen isotopes reveal evidence of migration of Miniopterus schreibersii in Europe

et al. 2020

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Background The Schreiber’s bat, Miniopterus schreibersii, is adapted to long-distance flight, yet long distance movements have only been recorded sporadically using capture-mark-recapture. In this study, we used the hydrogen isotopic composition of 208 wing and 335 fur specimens from across the species' European range to test the hypothesis that the species migrates over long distances. Results After obtaining the hydrogen isotopic composition (δ2H) of each sample, we performed geographic assignment tests by comparing the δ2H of samples with the δ2H of sampling sites. We found that 95 bats out of 325 showed evidence of long-distance movement, based on the analysis of either fur or wing samples. The eastern European part of the species range (Greece, Bulgaria and Serbia) had the highest numbers of bats that had moved. The assignment tests also helped identify possible migratory routes, such as movement between the Alps and the Balkans. Conclusions This is the first continental-scale study to provide evidence of migratory behaviour of M. schreibersii throughout its European range. The work highlights the need for further investigation of this behaviour to provide appropriate conservation strategies.

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“…Despite the distinct spatial distribution of sampling sites for data collection, it is unlikely that the niche reduction was influenced by it. The similarity in the history of land use and vegetation and soil characteristics among western areas of São Paulo state shows low variation in isoscapes (Sena‐Souza et al 2019), which may not have influenced individual bird values. We are aware that the isotopic niche is not a complete representation of the ecological niche concept, especially considering that δ 13 C and δ 15 N values cannot entirely depict the food items used by the species analyzed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Isotopic niches of tropical birds reduced by anthropogenic impacts: a 100‐year perspective

Navarro¹,

Magioli²,

Bogoni³

et al. 2021

Oikos

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The intensification of land-use changes in tropical forests during the 20th century, mainly caused by deforestation for agricultural uses, had an overwhelming influence on bird assemblages. However, how these historical anthropogenic changes have impacted the habitat use and diet of tropical birds is poorly known. Stable isotope analysis (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) can be useful in this regard since it provides information not only on the habitat and food resource use but also insights on the dietary niche of species. Here, we aimed to evaluate whether centenary anthropogenic impacts, mainly caused by changes in landscape composition, have affected the resource and habitat use and isotopic niche width of Neotropical birds in a region that comprises two biodiversity hotspots -the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado in southeastern Brazil. We found that the niche width of all bird guilds (frugivore, granivore, insectivore, nectarivore and omnivore) was largely reduced (28-70%) from the 20th century until recently. This niche width reduction was likely associated with historical anthropogenic impacts (e.g. fragmentation, forest loss and change in agricultural practices), which are responsible for the decrease in the availability of habitat and food resources. Moreover, the mean values of δ 15 N decreased over the years in all bird guilds, which might be attributed to the expansion of agricultural areas and the increase in the use of synthetic nitrogen-based fertilizers. All the analyzed species, even though some of them are diet and habitat generalists, were strongly influenced by centenary anthropogenic actions. Our results show the consequences of human-induced changes in land use on the diet and habitat use of tropical birds that persist in fragmented landscapes, which might compromise their long-term survival and provide useful information to the conservation strategies of bird assemblages in modern landscapes.

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“…In Brazil, isotopic forensic investigations have contributed to the understanding of the origin of seized marijuana [32,33] and the patterns of human diet [34]. Sena-Souza et al [35] presents an overview of isoscapes in the Brazilian context, exploring potential applications for understanding biogeochemical cycle mechanisms and processes in Brazil, as well as the potential application to solve crimes and track drug and illegal animal trade. However, few forensic studies have formally used large-scale isoscapes to predict animal origins.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A feather hydrogen (δ2H) isoscape for Brazil

et al. 2022

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Spatial patterns of stable isotopes in animal tissues or “isoscapes” can be used to investigate animal origins in a range of ecological and forensic investigations. Here, we developed a feather hydrogen isotope (δ2Hf) isoscape for Brazil based on 192 samples of feathers from the family Thraupidae from scientific collections. Raw values of δ2Hf ranged from -107.3 to +5.0‰, with higher values at the Caatinga biome (northeast Brazil) and lower values at the Amazon and Pantanal. A Random Forest (RF) method was used to model the spatial surface, using a range of environmental data as auxiliary variables. The RF model indicated a negative relationship between δ2Hf and Mean Annual Precipitation, Precipitation in the Warmest Quarter, and Annual Temperature Range and positive relationships for amount-weighted February-April precipitation δ2H (δ2Hp(Feb-April)) and Mean Annual Solar Radiation. Modelled δ2Hf values ranged from -85.7 to -13.6‰. Ours is the first δ2Hf isoscape for Brazil that can greatly assist our understanding of both ecological and biogeochemical processes controlling spatial variation in δ2H for this region. This isoscape can be used with caution, due to its poor predictive power (as found in other tropical regions) and can benefit from new sample input, new GNIP data, ecological and physiological studies, and keratin standard material better encompassing the range in feather samples from Brazil. So, we encourage new attempts to build more precise feather H isoscapes, as well as isoscapes based on other elements.

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Background and the use of isoscapes in the Brazilian context: essential tool for isotope data interpretation and natural resource management

Cited by 7 publications

References 120 publications

Hydrogen isotopes reveal evidence of migration of Miniopterus schreibersii in Europe

Isotopic niches of tropical birds reduced by anthropogenic impacts: a 100‐year perspective

A feather hydrogen (δ2H) isoscape for Brazil

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