Belgium

Warming affects a range of individual traits in aquatic ectotherms, with cascading effects on species interactions and community structure and dynamics. In addition to the direct kinetic effects of temperature, warming often leads to a smaller body size, which indirectly affects individual life history, population dynamics and species interactions. We provide a framework to study the effects of warming-induced changes in body size at multiple levels of biological organisation and use a tri-trophic food chain model with size-and temperature-dependent vital rates and species interaction strengths to explore the role of direct kinetic effects of temperature and warming-induced smaller body sizes on community structure along resource productivity and temperature gradients. We find that community structure, including the propensity for sudden collapse along environmental gradients, is primarily driven by the direct kinetic effects of temperature on vital rates and thermal mismatches between the consumer and predator species, overshadowing the effects mediated by shrinking body sizes. Overall, our study shows that warming-induced reductions in body size modulate population- and community-level responses to warming and emphasises the need for robust data on the temperature dependence of basic processes, such as body growth, to make more accurate predictions about the future impact of global change on communities and ecosystems.

SEB Conference 2025

Indirect effects of warming-induced body size reductions versus direct kinetic effects of warming: implications for population and community responses to changing climate

freshwater ecosystems

nutrient levels

community structure

size-dependent trophic interactions

temperature-size rule

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SEB Conference 2024

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One goal of musculoskeletal modelling is to explain dynamic behaviour in terms of fundamental muscle properties, such as the force-velocity (FV) relationship.  However, this is challenging because the complexity of anatomically realistic models (namely, their high degrees of freedom, DOF) often prohibits detailed analysis; the number of mechanical interactions is too large for thorough investigation.  Consequently, we may struggle to explain “high-level” behaviours such as joint kinematics and forces in terms of muscle-level dynamics.  To address this, we developed a descriptive and visual framework for presenting intricate musculoskeletal modelling data.  We computed a “joint-fv” curve as the activation weighted sum of instantaneous FV states of all muscles within a total “joint-FV space”.  We applied our framework to two previously published models: 1) A low-DOF human arm during reaching and 2) a high-DOF human knee during walking.  In both cases, we found that the instantaneous shape of the joint-fv curve morphs depending on synergistic and antagonistic co-contraction.  Additionally, we found broad similarities in joint-fv trajectories, despite the biomechanical, behavioural and anatomical differences between reaching/walking.  Specifically, joints followed a clockwise trajectory through joint-FV space, except when in the presence of non-contractile forces (i.e. contacts or cross-joint interaction forces).  Hence, we propose that joint-fv trajectories communicate not only how mechanical energy flows through joints, but also how this flow is governed by interactions among intrinsic muscle properties (activation, FV) and extrinsic properties (multibody dynamics and contact forces) during dynamic activity.

Joint-level force-velocity properties for arbitrarily complex musculoskeletal models

Trait variation in predator populations can influence the outcome of predator-prey dynamics, with consequences for trophic dynamics and ecosystem functioning. However, the influence of prey trait variation on the impacts of predators is not well understood, especially for introduced predators where variation in prey can shape invasion outcomes. In this study, we investigated if intra-specific differences in vertical position of Daphnia influenced the impacts of the invasive zooplankton predator, Bythotrephes cederströmii, on plankton communities. Our results show that vertical position of Daphnia influenced Bythotrephes predation on smaller cladoceran species and impacts on primary production. Larger reductions in small cladoceran density and greater algal biomass were observed in mesocosms with less spatial overlap between Daphnia and Bythotrephes. These results suggest that differences in vertical position of Daphnia can alter the type and magnitude of Bythotrephes impacts in invaded systems.

Variation in behaviour of native prey mediates the impact of an invasive species on plankton communities

The cranium of rabbits and hares (Leporidae) is highly modified from other mammals including their closest relatives, pikas (Ochotonidae). They possess unique features including a fenestrated rostrum and posterior cranial bones, pronounced ventral facial tilting relative to the occipital bone, and an intracranial joint that is potentially the only instance of mammalian cranial kinesis. In mammals, a primary force driving cranial form is mastication. However, these unique traits have been linked to specialised cursorial and saltatorial locomotion and likely function to reduce weight, improve vision and dissipate kinetic energy during high-speed running. Previous work has assessed these traits within the contexts of lagomorph evolutionary history and extant leporid comparative morphology. However, the biomechanical function of these traits remains poorly understood. In recent work, we have utilised finite element analysis to assess the extent to which mastication and locomotion influence cranial form across leporid species displaying varying locomotor forms. Furthermore, we also assessed masticatory efficiency in the extinct lagomorph Palaeolagus to determine whether its intermediate cranial morphology (sharing traits with both Ochotonidae and Leporidae) translates to its mechanical efficiency. Palaeolagus almost certainly did not run at the speeds seen in modern leporids. Therefore, assessing Palaeolagus allows us to better differentiate the influences of mastication and locomotion on cranial form in lagomorphs. We found relationships between facial tilt, complexity of the intracranial joint, habitual locomotor form and the mechanical response of the cranium under loads simulating a deceleration force, revealing that high-speed running has likely influenced the evolution of leporid cranial form.

Comparative analysis of masticatory and locomotor biomechanics in extinct and extant lagomorphs

Ocean warming resulting from natural or anthropogenic processes require ectothermic species, such as fishes, to be able to sustain higher energetic costs. This can be particularly challenging when additionally faced with environmental threats such as oil spills. Crude oil contains a complex mixture of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAC), which can have negative effects on marine species such as cardiac impairment in fishes. Because the heart plays a central role in sustaining energy demand during warming, PAC-induced cardiac perturbations could have detrimental impacts on the fish’s warming tolerance. I am investigating the physiological impacts of acute (24 hr) PAC exposure (methylnaphthalene, naphthalene, phenanthrene) on cardiac thermal tolerance in larval and juvenile lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus), an ecologically and economically important cold-water fish. Thusfar, I found that juvenile lumpfish are resistant to relevant levels of naphthalene and phenanthrene, whereas methylnaphthalene reduced peak heart rate (fH ) and the temperature of peak fH  and cardiac arrhythmia. Understanding the combined effects of oil exposure and warming can help us better predict the severity of oil spills in our changing climate and their impact on marine fishes.

The effects of polycyclic aromatic compound exposure on cardiac thermal tolerance of larval and juvenile lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus)

Lithium (Li) is a valuable metal with industrial applications, primarily used in Li-ion batteries for electric vehicles (89% of lithium production). The industry uses a variety of lithium forms, including lithium hydroxide, carbonate, chloride, and bromide. Nowadays, the majority of ecotoxicological studies assess lithium toxicity with lithium chloride (LiCl), followed by lithium carbonate (Li2CO3), and finally lithium hydroxide (LiOH). However, no studies have directly compared the toxicity of various lithium salts based on the release of their respective counter-ions after lithium dissolution in water. Nonetheless, these counter-ions are important to consider because they will alter the environmental physicochemical conditions as well as the physiology of bivalves, potentially affecting lithium bioaccumulation and toxicity. On the other hand, Sodium (Na) has the ability to compete with lithium. Thus, variations in environmental salinity may influence the toxicity of lithium released during mining and industrial activities. Global changes can also cause salinity fluctuations in freshwater ecosystems (heavy rain reduces salinity, while drought increases salinity), potentially altering lithium toxicity. In this study, we compared the biological impact of lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate on a freshwater organism (Dreissena polymorpha) exposed to different lithium concentrations and salinities (i.e., different Li/Na ratios). Bioaccumulation and several biomarkers associated with important physiological functions were assessed after 7 and 21 days. The findings will help us decide whether to consider lithium speciation or treat it as a single entity when assessing its toxicity, as well as how salinity may influence risk assessments.

Lithium bioaccumulation and toxicity: The influence of Li/Na ratio and lithium salts.

The ecological success of scleractinian reef-building corals is often attributed to the high growth rates of their calcium carbonate skeletons through the process of calcification. However, this capacity is increasingly threatened by multiple environmental stressors, including ocean acidification and thermal stress. Light plays a crucial role in enhancing coral calcification rates, a phenomenon known as light-enhanced calcification (LEC), which has been widely observed in both laboratory and field studies. Certain research suggests that LEC may provide resilience to coral calcification under unfavorable environmental conditions, such as reduced seawater pH.
The physiological mechanisms underlying LEC remain debated, but many hypotheses focus on the symbiotic relationship between scleractinian corals and dinoflagellate algae of the family Symbiodiniaceae, which influence calcification through their photosynthetic activity. Our research investigates the link between light and coral calcification by examining how symbiont photosynthesis affects trans-epithelial pH regulation, from the growing front of the coral skeleton, through the coral tissues, and into the surrounding seawater.
To achieve this, we employ a combination of live tissue imaging using confocal microscopy and pH-sensitive microelectrodes to measure both intracellular and extracellular pH across the complex spatial structure of coral tissues. Our findings reveal that Symbiodiniaceae photosynthetic activity drives pH gradients within coral tissues, which correlate with enhanced calcification rates and mitigate the effects of ocean acidification. In contrast, the impacts of acidification are more pronounced in darkness or in coral tissue regions lacking symbionts. However, energy-dependent pH regulation mechanisms enable corals to sustain calcification even under these challenging conditions.

From Light to Limestone: physiological links between reef coral photosynthesis and calcification via pH regulation

Biochar, a soil amendment known to influence plant growth by modifying soil properties, nutrient availability, and physiological processes, has been extensively studied in field and soilless cultivation systems. However, its molecular effects on plants remain poorly understood. Research on crops, such as tomato, pepper, soybean, lettuce, and wheat, has revealed different gene expression responses to biochar, with growth-related genes generally up-regulated, while defense-related genes show more variable trends. This study investigates the molecular effect of biochar on young blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) plants (cv. Sierra). To evaluate the effect of biochar on plant growth and gene expression, before transplanting, it was added at 0, 5, and 10% v/v in combination with a coir-based substrate, in 10L pots. Key parameters, including plant height, branch number, and chlorophyll content, were measured. Additionally, photosynthetic performance was evaluated through leaf gas exchange analysis and qRT-PCR was conducted to assess the expression of four growth-related and four defense-related genes. The results showed that biochar influenced plant growth and physiology in a concentration-dependent manner. At 10% biochar, plant height significantly decreased, while branch number remained unaffected. Photosynthetic efficiency did not seem to be influenced by the different substrates tested, even if chlorophyll content was lower in biochar-treated plants. Gene expression analysis revealed up-regulation of auxin-responsive and sugar transporter genes, while defense-related genes displayed variable expression patterns based on biochar concentration. These findings suggest biochar modulates physiological and molecular processes in blueberries, making further research necessary to optimize its application strategies and assess long-term effects.

Exploring the impact of biochar on growth and molecular responses in young blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.), cv. Sierra, plants

Weeds are, if left unmanaged, the most serious problem faced by farmers around the globe, causing higher crop losses than pests and pathogens. Our work investigates the traits that determine “weediness”, i.e. high competitive ability and high fecundity inAvena fatua(wild common oat), which is closely related toAvena sativa(oat) and reduces crop yields of, e.g. wheat and barley, through competition.A. fatuapopulations from around the Republic of Ireland, gathered from predominantly arable agricultural land, were compared in glasshouse, growth chamber and field experiments. Leaf traits, functional strategies and photosynthetic data were compiled to analyse the differences among populations, based on herbicide tolerance/sensitivity. We found highly significant differences of traits such as height, tiller number, and leaf area among the populations. However, initial analysis did not reveal any link of these traits to herbicide tolerance. Field work compared cereal crops andA. fatuain a working agricultural setting. Analysis based on the competitive-stress tolerant-ruderal (CSR) system showed that grass weeds are more competitive than cereal crops and exhibit very low stress tolerance scores. Plant stress responses are being investigated to examine the impact of climate change on grass weeds (A. fatuaandLolium multiflorum(Italian ryegrass)) and a commonly used pasture grass (Lolium perenne(perennial ryegrass)). Our research clearly shows a high fecundity inA. fatuawith an abundance of smaller seeds when compared to cereal crops as well as a higher overall competitive ability, which may be associated with lower stress tolerance.

Functional traits and strategies that determine 'weediness' of an agricultural weed, Avena fatua

Automated vegetation analysis is crucial for precision agriculture, particularly in arboriculture and viticulture, where accurate plant segmentation enhances monitoring, yield estimation, and disease detection. Traditional vegetation segmentation approaches often rely on supervised learning, requiring extensive labeled datasets, which are costly and time-consuming to produce. In this presentation, we introduce a generic, non-supervised vegetation foreground extraction method designed for tree and vine crops, eliminating the need for labeled data while maintaining high segmentation accuracy despite operating in a non-controlled environment. In the literature, vegetation foreground extraction is mostly based on LIDAR or Stereo Vision which enables it to cope with the non uniform lighting. We demonstrate the possibility to achieve high quality without the need of such 3D sensors via the sole use of monocular RGB imaging and by leveraging on the state-of-the-art in deep learning foundation models.

Generic non-supervised vegetation foreground extraction based on monocular RGB imaging ; Application to Arbo and viticulture

Accurately predicting phenotypic variation across diverse genotypes and environments is vital for accelerating crop improvement. Process‐based crop growth models can capture complex genotype–by–environment interactions, yet estimating genotype‐specific parameters typically relies on labor‐intensive measurements. Here, we developed a data assimilation pipeline that integrates high‐throughput phenotyping with the SiriusQuality wheat model to predict phenology and yield. In multi‐year trials (six years) involving seven wheat varieties in France, we simultaneously assimilated the dynamics of the fraction of intercepted photosynthetically active radiation, heading dates, and final yield. This enabled single‐step estimation of 12 key genotypic parameters controlling both phenology and yield. We compared a Bayesian inference method with a lookup table (LUT)‐based inversion approach and found the LUT method to be faster and more accurate in both simulated and field experiments. We then applied this framework to multi‐environment trials in China with 565 varieties across 13 site–year experiments. Using leave‐one‐environment‐out cross‐validation, we calibrated six phenological parameters and achieved prediction errors of about three days for heading and flowering dates. A genome‐wide association study of these phenological parameters (including Phyllochron, Response of vernalization rate to temperature, and Daylength response of leaf number) identified major quantitative trait loci (QTL). We further built a GBLUP‐based model that incorporated these QTL to estimate the phenological parameters. Overall, our study establishes a robust framework that integrates high‐throughput phenotyping, a crop growth model, and genomic data. This approach offers a powerful tool for enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of large‐scale multi‐environment germplasm evaluations.

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Joint-level force-velocity properties for arbitrarily complex musculoskeletal models

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