Populations are not continuous ecological units

Luan de Jesus Matos de Brito — Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 -0300

Ecological populations are typically treated as continuous units, implicitly assumed to occupy homogeneous environments and to respond uniformly to ecological pressures. However, spatial analyses have shown that populations can be structured into discrete spatial units, raising the question of whether such units represent meaningful ecological entities. Here, we integrate spatial clustering, land-use and land-cover composition, and behavioural data to evaluate the ecological relevance of α-populations within a widely distributed mammal population. We show that α-populations are embedded in contrasting landscape contexts and exhibit consistent behavioural differentiation, despite behavioural measurements being obtained under standardized conditions. Multivariate analyses revealed congruent structuring of landscape and behaviour at the α-population level, with limited overlap among units. Together, these results provide evidence that α-p represent a useful operational frameworks for capturing internal population heterogeneity, suggesting that populations may not function as continuous ecological units. Recognising this hidden structure has implications for population ecology, spatial modelling and conservation assessments.

Integrated drought tolerance strategies in Cerrado plants and their agricultural implications

Esther Rodrigues Alves dos Reis — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0300

Drought tolerance in plants arises from coordinated interactions among morphological, hydraulic, and physiological processes that regulate water acquisition, transport, and conservation under water-limited conditions. This study aimed to synthesize and critically evaluate functional strategies associated with drought tolerance In Cerrado plants and their implications for agricultural systems. An Integrative literature review was conducted following PRISMA-based guidelines, using Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and SciELO. Studies published between 2004 and 2024 were considered, resulting in”28 selected articles after screening and eligibility assessment. The results Indicate that deep root systems, hydraulic safety mechanisms, stomatal regulation, and osmotic adjustment are key components of drought responses. Trade-offs between hydraulic efficiency and safety, and between water conservation and carbon assimilation, were consistently reported. Environmental factors, particularly soil properties and climatic seasonality, strongly modulate these responses. This study demonstrates that drought tolerance depends on functional coordination rather than Isolated traits, providing a more integrative framework for understanding plant resilience under climate change.

Cerrado: Agricultural and Biological Research

Populations are not continuous ecological units

Integrated drought tolerance strategies in Cerrado plants and their agricultural implications