Journal of Biogeography,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Oct. 12, 2024
ABSTRACT
Aim
Variation
in
community
composition
along
environmental
gradients
provides
crucial
information
for
identifying
zones
where
species
turnover
is
rapid
and
to
ascertain
whether
compositional
changes
occur
gradually
or
rather
abruptly.
We
examined
bird
three
bioclimatic
transects
Australia
test
drivers
of
are
consistent,
than
spatially
contingent,
across
biologically
contrasting
ecosystems.
also
detected
potential
transition
associated
with
thresholds
determined
certain
abiotic
conditions
promote
a
higher
rate
turnover.
Location
Mainland
Australia.
Taxon
Terrestrial
birds.
Methods
applied
multivariate
analysis,
generalised
dissimilarity
modelling
(GDM)
threshold
indicator
taxa
analysis
(TITAN).
Results
observed
that
variables
better
predictors
spatial
distance,
which
indicates
sorting,
dispersal,
plays
key
role
structuring
Australian
avian
communities.
Annual
precipitation
constitutes
driver
regardless
the
analysed
transect.
The
most
humid
landscapes
those
tree
canopy
show
lower
heterogeneity
compared
less
benign
(e.g.,
dryer
environments).
TITAN
significant
points
supported
results
obtained
using
GDM,
suggests
change
not
monotonic.
Main
Conclusions
Our
suggest
beta
diversity
increases
increasing
harshness,
presumably
through
relative
importance
stochastic
versus
deterministic
processes.
findings
open
forests
woodlands
extremely
important
ecosystems
on
this
continent
deserve
special
attention
terms
conservation
due
their
vulnerability
global
change.
Lastly,
study
exemplifies
value
combining
community‐
taxon‐based
analyses
identify
interpret
thresholds,
can
serve
pinpoint
targets
preserving
biodiversity.
New Phytologist,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
228(1), P. 82 - 94
Published: March 21, 2020
Leaf
area
(LA),
mass
per
(LMA),
nitrogen
unit
(Narea
)
and
the
leaf-internal
to
ambient
CO2
ratio
(χ)
are
fundamental
traits
for
plant
functional
ecology
vegetation
modelling.
Here
we
aimed
assess
how
their
variation,
within
between
species,
tracks
environmental
gradients.
Measurements
were
made
on
705
species
from
116
sites
a
broad
north-south
transect
tropical
temperate
Australia.
Trait
responses
environment
quantified
using
multiple
regression;
within-
between-species
compared
analysis
of
covariance
trait-gradient
analysis.
area,
leaf
economics
spectrum
(indexed
by
LMA
Narea
χ
(from
stable
carbon
isotope
ratios)
varied
almost
independently
among
species.
Across
sites,
however,
LA
increased
with
mean
growing-season
temperature
(mGDD0
decreased
vapour
pressure
deficit
(mVPD0
soil
pH.
showed
reverse
pattern.
Climate
agreed
expectations
based
optimality
principles.
Within-species
variability
contributed
<
10%
geographical
variation
in
but
>
90%
χ,
intermediate.
These
findings
support
hypothesis
that
acclimation
individuals,
adaptation
selection
combine
create
predictable
relationships
environment.
However,
contribution
acclimation/adaptation
vs
differs
traits.
BioScience,
Journal Year:
2018,
Volume and Issue:
68(7), P. 510 - 516
Published: April 26, 2018
Selecting
the
geographic
origin—the
provenance—of
seed
is
a
key
decision
in
restoration.
The
last
decade
has
seen
vigorous
debate
on
whether
to
use
local
or
nonlocal
seed.
of
been
preferred
approach
because
it
expected
maintain
adaptation
and
avoid
deleterious
population
effects
(e.g.,
maladaptation
outbreeding
depression).
However,
impacts
habitat
fragmentation
climate
change
plant
populations
have
driven
local-is-best
standard
needs
changing.
This
largely
theoretical
nature,
which
hampers
provenance
decision-making.
Here,
we
detail
cross-sector
priority
actions
improve
decision-making,
including
embedding
trials
into
restoration
projects;
developing
dynamic,
evidence-based
policies;
establishing
stronger
research–practitioner
collaborations
facilitate
adoption
research
outcomes.
We
discuss
how
tackle
these
order
help
satisfy
sector's
requirement
for
appropriately
provenanced
Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
8
Published: June 16, 2020
Ecosystem
surveillance
monitoring
is
critical
to
managing
natural
resources
and
especially
so
under
changing
environments.
Despite
this
importance,
the
design
implementation
of
programs
across
large
temporal
spatial
scales
has
been
hampered
by
lack
appropriately
standardised
methods
data
streams.
To
address
gap,
we
outline
a
method
based
on
permanent
plots
voucher
samples
suited
rangeland
environments
around
world
that
repeatable,
cost-effective,
appropriate
for
large-scale
comparisons
adaptable
other
global
biomes.
The
provides
comprehensive
vegetation
composition
structure
along
with
soil
attributes
relevant
plant
growth,
delivered
as
combination
modules
can
be
targeted
different
purposes
or
available
resources.
Plots
are
located
in
stratified
units,
landforms
climates
enhance
continental
comparisons.
Changes
investigated
through
revisits.
Vegetation
measured
inform
composition,
cover
structure.
Samples
soils
collected
tracked
barcode
labels
stored
long-term
subsequent
analysis.
Technology
used
accuracy
field
methods,
including
differential
GPS
r
plot
locations,
instrument
Leaf
Area
Index
(LAI)
measures,
three
dimensional
photo-panoramas
advanced
A
key
feature
use
electronic
collection
delivery
into
publicly-accessible
database.
Our
pragmatic,
whilst
still
providing
consistent
data,
information
attributes.
operational
applied
at
more
than
704
locations
Australian
rangelands
part
Surveillance
program
Terrestrial
Research
Network
(TERN).
methodology
enables
analyses,
tested
communities
broadly
representative
globally,
components
being
applicable
Here
also
recommend
consultative
process
guiding
principles
drove
development
an
approach
consistent,
objective
continental,
potentially
analyses
were
not
previously
possible
disparate
datasets.
Environmental Research Letters,
Journal Year:
2019,
Volume and Issue:
14(9), P. 095004 - 095004
Published: July 19, 2019
The
global
challenge
of
understanding
and
forecasting
ecosystem
responses
to
climate
extremes
change
is
addressed
in
this
review
research
enabled
through
environmental
infrastructure
(RI)
provided
by
Australia's
Terrestrial
Ecosystem
Research
Network
(TERN).
Two
primary
climatic
drivers
structure
function
Australia
are
fire
aridity,
which
Australian
flora
fauna
have
shown
marked
adaptability.
vegetation
shows
resilience
flooding
rains,
droughts
heatwaves
such
that
variability
productivity
has
a
tangible
effect
on
the
carbon
cycle.
Nonetheless,
ecosystems
could
be
vulnerable
projected
(e.g.
increasing
vapour
pressure
deficit).
Refugia
also
change,
with
conditions
these
areas
already
near
tipping
point
for
community
composition.
Ensuring
genetic
diversity
during
directional
aridity)
requires
proactive
approaches
conservation
restoration
projects.
To
address
challenges,
TERN
provides
RI
at
three
scales
observation:
(i)
monitoring
using
remote
sensing
techniques
landscape
continental
scale;
(ii)
spatially
extensive
network
plots;
(iii)
intensely
measured
sites
collecting
detailed
data
processes.
Through
partnerships
international
RIs,
enables
addresses
first
steps
toward
ecosystem–climate
interactions.
Journal of Ecology,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
109(1), P. 260 - 272
Published: July 11, 2020
Abstract
Most
terrestrial
species
occur
in
human‐modified
landscapes
that
are
experiencing
climate
change.
In
addition
to
direct
impacts
on
species,
both
anthropogenic
disturbance
and
change
can
have
important
effects
through
changes
interactions,
including
the
disruption
of
ecological
services
provided
by
them.
Here
we
investigate
how
chronic
(CAD)
aridity
affect
effectiveness
plant
protection
ants
plants
bearing
extrafloral
nectaries
(EFNs).
The
study
was
conducted
across
13
01‐ha
plots
distributed
along
CAD
gradients
Caatinga
vegetation
northeastern
Brazil.
We
focused
Pityrocarpa
moniliformis
,
most
abundant
widely
EFN‐bearing
tree
occurring
our
area,
used
experimental
attack
rates
termites
as
a
measure
ant
services.
investigated
relative
roles
nectar
production
(volume
concentration)
composition
mediating
Attack
declined
with
increasing
but
were
not
related
CAD.
volume
affected
aridity,
whereas
concentration
either
or
aridity.
attendant
varied
Synthesis
.
Our
findings
suggest
does
plant‐protection
mediated
EFNs
Brazilian
Caatinga.
However,
ant‐protection
increased
this
occurred
rather
than
nectar.
Such
response
highlights
vulnerability
decreased
predation
herbivores.
Diversity and Distributions,
Journal Year:
2018,
Volume and Issue:
25(4), P. 551 - 567
Published: Dec. 11, 2018
Abstract
Aim
Marked
differences
in
plant
and
animal
responses
to
climate
change
could
have
a
profound
impact
on
community
composition
function,
with
implications
for
habitat
structure
resource
availability
fauna,
the
provision
of
faunal‐mediated
ecological
services
flora.
We
examine
comparative
sensitivity
ant
assemblages
climatic
change,
determine
if
we
should
expect
breakdown
loss
ecosystem
function
under
change.
Location
A
bioclimatic
gradient
from
temperate
arid
zone
South
Australia.
Methods
sampled
along
establish
assemblage‐level
spatial
using
ordinations,
then
projected
assemblage
future
scenarios.
Results
recorded
totals
363
227
species.
Alignment
between
communities
was
high,
suggesting
high
degree
similarity
structuring
relation
environmental
variation.
However,
our
modelling
suggested
that
were
up
7.5
times
more
sensitive
than
assemblages,
forecasting
very
substantial
decoupling
these
climate.
Main
conclusions
Our
results
indicate
reorganization
be
expected
Plants,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
11(11), P. 1511 - 1511
Published: June 5, 2022
Despite
the
widespread
occurrence
of
fungal
endophytes
(FE)
in
plants
inhabiting
arid
ecosystems,
environmental
and
soil
factors
that
modulate
changes
FE
diversity
community
composition
along
an
aridity
gradient
have
been
little
explored.
We
studied
three
locations
coast
Atacama
Desert
Chile,
which
plant
Aristolochia
chilensis
naturally
grows,
differ
their
from
hyper-arid
to
semi-arid.
evaluated
if
root-associated
(frequency,
richness
indexes)
vary
as
a
function
aridity.
Additionally,
we
assessed
whether
edaphic
co-varying
with
(soil
water
potential,
moisture,
pH
nutrients)
may
structure
communities.
expected
would
gradually
increase
towards
declines,
those
had
most
contrasting
environments
show
more
dissimilar
found
indexes
were
inversely
related
aridity,
although
this
pattern
was
only
partially
observed
for
frequency
diversity.
among
locations,
availability
significantly
influenced
across
gradient.
The
results
indicate
associated
A.
relate
differences
level
Overall,
our
findings
reveal
importance
climate-related
shaping
diversity,
distribution
desert
ecosystems.
Acta Oecologica,
Journal Year:
2019,
Volume and Issue:
95, P. 74 - 85
Published: Feb. 1, 2019
Correlations
between
plant
species
occurrences
and
climate
are
used
as
evidence
of
ecological
sorting
sensitivity.
However,
because
observed
patterns
may
be
spatially
historically
contingent,
interpretations
compositional
responses
to
spatial
differences
in
should
ideally
consider
past
climatic
fluctuations,
edaphic
factors,
nonlinear
turnover
rates
transition
zones
(ecotones)
environmental
geographic
space.
We
tested
whether
drivers
community
consistent,
rather
than
across
isolated
biologically
contrasting
(independent)
ecosystems.
four
broad-scale
transects
Australia,
which
climatically
ecologically
diverse:
NATT
(Northern
Territory);
BATS
(New
South
Wales);
SWATT
(Western
Australia)
TREND
(South
Australia).
Generalised
Dissimilarity
Modelling
ascertain
the
relative
contributions
space
(geographic
distance)
variables
turnover.
mapped
using
modelled
responses.
Purely
were
estimated
variance
partitioning.
Models
explained
26–52%
deviance
dissimilarity.
Mean
annual
rainfall
distance
most
important
explanatory
variables,
although
topographic
relief
outranked
for
topographically
complex
transect.
structure
accounted
only
7–12%
deviance,
pointing
shared
prevalence
along
structured
gradients.
Zones
rapid
bioclimatic
gradients
evident
These
transitions
tended
occur
at
arid
extremes
plains
transitioned
into
topography.
Responses
other
inconsistent
among
transects.
Transition
influenced
by
local
topography,
generally
occurred
within
different
subintervals
(value
ranges)
The
somewhat
idiosyncratic
suggest
that
assessment
broadscale
including
change
incorporate
regional
variation.
consistently
strong
demonstrates
a
common
key
response
moisture
limitation.