K. Sam

Insectivorous birds and bats outperform ants in the top-down regulation of arthropods across strata of a Japanese temperate forest

This study compares the top-down control effects of birds, bats, and ants on arthropod communities and plant damage across forest strata in a Japanese temperate forest.

Reorganization of bird communities along a rainforest elevation gradient during a strong El Nino event in Papua New Guinea

This study examines changes in bird communities along an elevation gradient during a strong El Nino event in Papua New Guinea, finding shifts in abundance and range limits.

Vertebrates but not ants protect rainforest trees from herbivorous insects along an elevational gradient in Papua New Guinea

The paper examines the impact of vertebrate predators and ants on herbivory in rainforest trees across elevational gradients in Papua New Guinea, finding that vertebrates significantly reduce herbivory while ants have limited effects.

The impact of ants and vertebrate predators on arthropods and plants: a meta-analysis

This paper conducts a meta-analysis of 486 experiments to assess how ants and vertebrate predators affect arthropod abundances and plant damage, finding that vertebrate predators reduce herbivores more than ants.

Nonlethal effects of predation: Presence of insectivorous birds affects the behaviour and level of stress in insects

This study shows that the presence of insectivorous birds affects the behavior and stress levels (AKH) in desert locusts, with live birds eliciting stronger responses than calls alone.

Gut microbiome disturbances of altricial Blue and Great tit nestlings are countered by continuous microbial inoculations from parental microbiomes

The paper investigates how early-life gut microbiome disruptions affect wild bird nestlings and finds that maternal and environmental factors provide resilience against these disruptions.

Species richness and community structure of bats along a forest elevational transect in Papua New Guinea

The paper surveys bat species richness and community structure along an elevational transect in Papua New Guinea, finding that species richness decreases with elevation due to reduced area and temperature.

Following the track: accuracy and reproducibility of predation assessment on artificial caterpillars

The paper evaluates the accuracy and reproducibility of predation mark identification on artificial caterpillars by non-scientists and scientists with and without experience.

The world's hotspot of linguistic and biocultural diversity under threat

The paper assesses language and biocultural diversity decline in Papua New Guinea, finding rapid language skill loss and associated traditional knowledge decline among students.

Biomass, abundances, and abundance and geographical range size relationship of birds along a rainforest elevational gradient in Papua New Guinea

The paper examines how bird abundance and geographical range size relate along an elevational gradient in Papua New Guinea, finding a positive relationship in lowlands and a negative trend at higher elevations.

Can school children support ecological research? Lessons from the ‘Oak bodyguard’ citizen science project

The paper evaluates schoolchildren's ability to collect ecological data through a citizen science project and finds their data require calibration but are comparable to untrained professionals.