The metacommunity concept: a framework for multi‐scale community ecology

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2004, Volume and Issue: 7(7), P. 601 - 613

Published: June 4, 2004

Abstract The metacommunity concept is an important way to think about linkages between different spatial scales in ecology. Here we review current understanding this concept. We first investigate issues related its definition as a set of local communities that are linked by dispersal multiple potentially interacting species. then identify four paradigms for metacommunities: the patch‐dynamic view, species‐sorting mass effects view and neutral each emphasizes processes potential importance metacommunities. These have somewhat distinct intellectual histories discuss elements their future synthesis. use framework why useful modifying existing ecological thinking illustrate with number both theoretical empirical examples. As ecologists strive understand increasingly complex mechanisms work across spatio‐temporal organization, concepts like can provide insights frequently contrast those would be obtained more conventional approaches based on alone.

Language: Английский

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Stochastic Community Assembly: Does It Matter in Microbial Ecology?

Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 81(4)

Published: Oct. 12, 2017

Understanding the mechanisms controlling community diversity, functions, succession, and biogeography is a central, but poorly understood, topic in ecology, particularly microbial ecology. Although stochastic processes are believed to play nonnegligible roles shaping structure, their importance relative deterministic hotly debated. The of ecological stochasticity structure far less appreciated. Some main reasons for such heavy debates difficulty defining diverse methods used delineating stochasticity. Here, we provide critical review synthesis data from most recent studies on assembly We then describe both components embedded various processes, including selection, dispersal, diversification, drift. also different approaches inferring observational diversity patterns highlight experimental communities. In addition, research challenges, gaps, future directions research.

Language: Английский

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Patterns and Processes of Microbial Community Assembly

Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 77(3), P. 342 - 356

Published: Sept. 1, 2013

Recent research has expanded our understanding of microbial community assembly. However, the field ecology is inaccessible to many ecologists because inconsistent and often confusing terminology as well unnecessarily polarizing debates. Thus, we review recent literature on assembly, using framework Vellend (Q. Rev. Biol. 85:183-206, 2010) in an effort synthesize unify these contributions. We begin by discussing patterns biogeography then describe four basic processes (diversification, dispersal, selection, drift) that contribute also discuss different combinations where when they may be most important for shaping communities. The spatial temporal scales assembly are discussed relation processes. Throughout this paper, highlight differences between microbes macroorganisms generate hypotheses describing how end implications ecosystem function biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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Historical Contingency in Community Assembly: Integrating Niches, Species Pools, and Priority Effects

Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 46(1), P. 1 - 23

Published: Aug. 5, 2015

The order and timing of species immigration during community assembly can affect abundances at multiple spatial scales. Known as priority effects, these effects cause historical contingency in the structure function communities, resulting alternative stable states, transient or compositional cycles. mechanisms fall into two categories, niche preemption modification, conditions for by be organized groups, those regarding regional pool properties local population dynamics. Specifically, requirements must satisfied to occur: contains that together dynamics are rapid enough early-arriving preempt modify niches before other arrive. Organizing current knowledge this way reveals an outstanding key question: How pools yield generated maintained?

Language: Английский

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Disentangling the importance of ecological niches from stochastic processes across scales

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2011, Volume and Issue: 366(1576), P. 2351 - 2363

Published: July 18, 2011

Deterministic theories in community ecology suggest that local, niche-based processes, such as environmental filtering, biotic interactions and interspecific trade-offs largely determine patterns of species diversity composition. In contrast, more stochastic emphasize the importance chance colonization, random extinction ecological drift. The schisms between deterministic perspectives, which date back to earliest days ecology, continue fuel contemporary debates (e.g. niches versus neutrality). As illustrated by pioneering studies Robert H. MacArthur co-workers, resolution these requires consideration how local processes changes across scales. Here, we develop a framework for disentangling relative generating site-to-site variation composition (β-diversity) along gradients (disturbance, productivity interactions) among biogeographic regions differ size regional pool. We illustrate discern using null-model approaches explicitly account factors inherently create turnover. By embracing scales, can build synthetic understanding structure biodiversity face emerge from factors.

Language: Английский

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The Application of Ecological Theory Toward an Understanding of the Human Microbiome

Science, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 336(6086), P. 1255 - 1262

Published: June 7, 2012

The human-microbial ecosystem plays a variety of important roles in human health and disease. Each person can be viewed as an island-like "patch" habitat occupied by microbial assemblages formed the fundamental processes community ecology: dispersal, local diversification, environmental selection, ecological drift. Community assembly theory, metacommunity theory particular, provides framework for understanding dynamics microbiome, such compositional variability within between hosts. We explore three core scenarios microbiome assembly: development infants, representing previously unoccupied habitats; recovery from antibiotics, after disturbance; invasion pathogens, context invasive species. Judicious application may lead to improved strategies restoring maintaining microbiota crucial health-associated services that it provides.

Language: Английский

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Disentangling mechanisms that mediate the balance between stochastic and deterministic processes in microbial succession

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 112(11)

Published: March 2, 2015

Significance Across ecology, and particularly within microbial there is limited understanding of the mechanisms governing relative influences stochastic deterministic processes. Filling this knowledge gap a major challenge that requires development novel conceptual paradigms, experiments, ecological models. Here we ( i ) present model couples stochastic/deterministic balance to primary secondary succession, thereby integrating previously isolated domains; ii evaluate over 105 years ecosystem development, revealing systematic shift in type strength selection; iii couple empirical data with new simulation elucidate underlying characterize their scale dependency. The insights framework provided here represent nexus for cross-system integration.

Language: Английский

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Rethinking Community Assembly through the Lens of Coexistence Theory

Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 43(1), P. 227 - 248

Published: Aug. 30, 2012

Although research on the role of competitive interactions during community assembly began decades ago, a recent revival interest has led to new discoveries and opportunities. Using contemporary coexistence theory that emphasizes stabilizing niche differences relative fitness differences, we evaluate three empirical approaches for studying assembly. We show experimental manipulations abiotic or biotic environment, assessments trait-phylogeny-environment relationships, investigations frequency-dependent population growth all suggest strong influences outcome plant Nonetheless, due limitations these applied in isolation, still have poor understanding which axes traits determine competition structure. Combining current represents our best chance achieving this goal, is fundamental conceptual ecology management communities under global change.

Language: Английский

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Reducing redundancy in invasion ecology by integrating hypotheses into a single theoretical framework

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2008, Volume and Issue: 15(1), P. 22 - 40

Published: Oct. 11, 2008

ABSTRACT Aim Invasion ecology includes many hypotheses. Empirical evidence suggests that most of these can explain the success some invaders to degree in circumstances. If they all are correct, what does this tell us about invasion? We illustrate major themes invasion ecology, and provide an overarching framework helps organize research foster links among subfields more generally. Location Global. Methods review synthesize 29 leading hypotheses plant ecology. Structured around propagule pressure (P), abiotic characteristics (A) biotic (B), with additional influence humans (H) on P, A B (hereon PAB), we show how fit into one paradigm. P is based size frequency introductions, incorporates ecosystem invasibility physical conditions, invading species (invasiveness), recipient community their interactions. Having justified PAB framework, propose a way which could progress. Results By highlighting common ground hypotheses, encumbered by theoretical redundancy be removed through integration. Using both holistic incremental approaches, guide quantify relative importance different mechanisms. Main conclusions prime aim identify main cause success, contend top‐down approach focuses maximizes efficiency. This identifies influential factors first, subsequently narrows number potential causal viewing as multifaceted process partitioned drivers broken down series sequential steps, theory rigorously tested, understanding improved effective weed management techniques identified.

Language: Английский

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International principles and standards for the practice of ecological restoration. Second edition

Restoration Ecology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 27(S1)

Published: Sept. 1, 2019

The Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) is an international non-profit organization with members in 70 countries. SER advances the science, practice and policy of ecological restoration to sustain biodiversity, improve resilience a changing climate, re-establish ecologically healthy relationship between nature culture. dynamic global network, linking researchers, practitioners, land managers, community leaders decision-makers restore ecosystems human communities that depend on them. Via its members, publications, conferences, work, outreach, defines delivers excellence field restoration. Document development. International Principles Standards Practice (the Standards) was developed through consultation professionals within their peers scientific conservation communities. first edition launched 2016 at United Nations Biodiversity Conference Cancún, Mexico. This event brought together key stakeholders from across arena, many whom had been instrumental driving initiatives implement large-scale environmental programs. Because were written as living document be modified expanded use by stakeholders, launch included open invitation stakeholder input, both promote broad use. Subsequently, over multi-year period, invited input review diverse spectrum people organizations contributing Key contacted comment secretariats Convention Biological Diversity (CBD), Combat Desertification (UNCCD) including Science-Policy Interface, Global Environment Facility, World Bank, Partnership Forest Landscape (GPFLR). In 2017, partnered IUCN Commission Ecosystem Management deliver Forum which reviewed (SER IUCN-CEM 2018). also organized symposium Knowledge Café 2017 Restoration. Additional received other events, 9th Services Shenzhen, China 2017. To capture perspectives community, online feedback via website sent survey affiliates, stakeholders. has considered responded published critiques journal, Ecology. All comments during consultative process revision process. second approved Science Policy Committee, Board Directors 18 June 2019. As edition, this version will revised improved discipline evolves practice, adaptive management. are compatible expand Open Conservation (Conservation Measures 2013) complement REDD+ Social Environmental (REDD+ SES 2012), standards guidelines. Contributors. Levi Wickwire provided assistance Karen Keenleyside contributed content original version. Andre Clewell's inspiration ideas led attributes list circle template (Fig. 4; Appendix 2), Kayri Havens assisted adapting 1 selection seeds propagules, Craig Beatty Section 4, Part 3 initiatives. We thank following translators edition: Claudia Concha, Marcela Bustamante Cristian Echeverría (Spanish); Ricardo Cesar (Portuguese); Narayana Bhat (Arabic); Jaeyong Choi (Korean); Junguo Liu (Chinese); and, Jean-François Alignan, Julie Braschi, Élise Buisson, Jacqueline Manon Hess, Renaud Jaunatre, Maxime Le Roy, Sandra Malaval, Réseau d'Échanges et de Valorisation en Écologie la Restauration (REVER) (French). Reviewers. Many experts suggestions development edition. acknowledge here, but may have unintentionally missed some individuals. views expressed here those authors, not necessarily reviewers. Sasha Alexander, Mariam Akhtar-Schuster, Beatty, María Consuelo Bonfil, Karma Bouazza, Elise Clewell, Jordi Cortina, Donald Falk, Marco Fioratti, Scott Hemmerling, Richard Hobbs, Holl, Berit Köhler, Nik Lopoukhine, Graciela Metternicht, Luiz Fernando Moraes, Stephen Murphy, Michael Perring, David Polster, Karel Prach, Anne Tolvanen, Alan Unwin, Ramesh Venkataraman, Steve Whisenant, Andrew Whitley, Shira Yoffe critical reviews. manuscript greatly benefited peer Vicky Temperton, Joy Zedler. Their assistance, dedication, timeliness reviewing unparalleled. Participants Restoration, Iguassu Falls, Brazil, helped clarify scope context Standards: Angela Andrade, James Aronson, Rafael Avila, Brigitte Baptiste, Rubens Miranda Benini, Rachel Biderman, Blaise Bodin, Magda Bou Dagher Kharrat, MiHee Cho, Youngtae Choi, Kingsley Dixon, Giselda Durigan, Echeverría, Edwards, George Gann, Manuel R. Guariguata, Yoly Gutierrez, Hallett, Ric Hauer, Fangyuan Hua, Paola Isaacs, Justin Jonson, Won-Seok Kang, Agnieszka Latawiec, Harvey Locke, McBreen, Tein McDonald, Paula Meli, Jean Paul Metzger, Miguel A. Ciro Moura, Cara Nelson, Margaret O'Connell, Aurelio Padovezi, Hernán Saavedra, Catalina Santamaria, Gerardo Segura Warnholtz, Kirsty Shaw, Nancy Bernardo Strassburg, Evert Thomas, José Marcelo, Liette Vasseur, Joseph Veldman, Bethanie Walder, Jorge Watanabe. Standards, Brazil Mitch Aide, Carlos Ávila-Santa Cruz, Suresh Babu, Angelita Gómez, Emily Gonzales, Marion Karmann, Antonio Ordorica, Padilla, Liliane Parany, Paddy Woodworth, Gustavo Zuleta. Feedback Valuable Constance Bersok, Kris Boody, Zoe Brocklehurst, Peter Cale, Carr, Rawson Clark, Adam Cross, Maria del Sugeyrol Villa Ramirez, Rory Denovan, Rolf Gersonde, Diane Haase, Ismael Hernández Valencia, Eric Higgs, Sean King, Beatriz Maruri-Aguilar, Rob Monico, Morrison, Tom Nedland, J.T. Netherland, Samira Omar, Ostergren, Glenn Palmgren, Jim Palus, Aviva Patel, Jack Putz, Danielle Romiti, H. Russell, Sabaj-Stahl, Raj Shekhar Singh, Nicky Strahl, Tobe Query, Edith Tobe, Toohill, Daniel Vallauri, Watanabe, Jeff Weiss, William Zawacki, Cassandra Rosa compiled detailed notes >100 respondents Standards. restoration, when implemented effectively sustainably, contributes protecting biodiversity; improving health wellbeing; increasing food water security; delivering goods, services, economic prosperity; supporting climate change mitigation, resilience, adaptation. It solutions-based approach engages communities, scientists, policymakers, managers repair damage rebuild healthier rest nature. When combined sustainable use, link needed move local, regional, conditions state continued degradation, one net positive improvement. presents robust framework projects achieve intended goals, while addressing challenges effective design implementation, accounting complex ecosystem dynamics (especially change), navigating trade-offs associated management priorities decisions. establish eight principles underpin 2 articulate important foundations guide restoration: engaging wide range fully utilizing available scientific, traditional, local knowledge, respectively. 4 summarize central highlighting appropriate reference target clarifying imperative activities support recovery processes. Principle 5 underscores measurable indicators assess progress toward objectives. 6 lays out mandate seek highest attainable recovery. Tools identify levels aspired track progress. 7 highlights importance large spatial scales cumulative gains. Finally, several approaches address 8 clarifies relationships allied "Restorative Continuum". highlight role connecting social, productivity, sustainability goals. provide recommended performance measures restorative industries, governments consider. addition, enhance practices actions practitioners planning, monitoring activities. leading guidance include discussion site assessment identification ecosystems, different natural regeneration, consideration genetic diversity under change, includes glossary terminology. partners produced adoption governments, educators, all sectors terrestrial aquatic. plans, contracts, consent conditions, auditing criteria. Generic nature, can adapted particular biomes, or landscapes; individual countries; traditional cultures. aspirational tools outcomes, best practices, social benefits. world enters UN Decade (2021–2030), blueprint ensuring achieves full potential equity ultimately, benefits outcomes. Table Contents SECTION – INTRODUCTION6 Means Improving Human Wellbeing Its Role Broader Initiatives6 Need Standards6 Background6 What's New Version?7 Definitions Terms7 Underpinnings Assumptions7 EIGHT PRINCIPLES THAT UNDERPIN ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION8 1. Engages Stakeholders8 2. Draws Types Knowledge9 3. Is Informed Native Reference Ecosystems, Considering Change11 4. Supports Recovery Processes14 5. Assessed against Clear Goals Objectives, Using Measurable Indicators15 6. Seeks Highest Level Attainable17 7. Gains Cumulative Value Applied Large Scales18 8. Continuum Restorative Activities21 STANDARDS OF PRACTICE FOR PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING RESTORATION PROJECTS23 LEADING PRACTICES28 Developing Models Restoration28 Identifying Appropriate Approaches29 Initiatives31 5—GLOSSARY TERMS33 APPENDIX SELECTION SEEDS OTHER PROPAGULES RESTORATION41 Genetic Considerations Sourcing Seeds Propagules41 Propagule Climate Change42 Future Directions42 Restoring Connectivity Assisting Migration44 BLANK PROJECT EVALUATION TEMPLATES (FOR PRACTITIONER USE)45 operational personnel, students, planners, regulators, funders, implementing agencies involved restoring degraded world—whether terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, marine. They place into context, recovering biodiversity wellbeing11 Terms boldface defined Glossary section. times rapid change. Humanity recognizes planet's native having irreplaceable ecological, societal, value. addition intrinsic value, such spiritual aesthetic importance, assure flow services. These services include: provision clean air, soils, culturally artifacts, food, fiber, fuel, medicines essential health, wellbeing, livelihoods. reduce effects disasters mitigate accelerated damage, destruction (hereafter, collectively referred degradation) diminish functioning, turn negatively affects social–ecological systems. Although remaining conserving world's cultural heritage, protection alone insufficient, given past current degradation. respond goods society must secure gain extent functioning investing only protection, multiple worldwide. Awareness need growing, resulting escalation related efforts (see 3). For example, (UN) Sustainable Development (SDGs) 2030 call marine coastal (Goal 14) 15) "protect, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt reverse degradation loss." (2016) calls "restoration semi-natural urban environments, contribution reversing loss connectivity, enhancing mitigating combating desertification well-being reducing risks scarcities." And, General Assembly declared 2021–2030 "Decade Restoration." concept these agreements very nature-based solutions, valuable. specific goals wellbeing Repairing task requiring significant time, resources, knowledge. substantial ways programs, however well intentioned, underperformed. recognize design; good planning implementation; sufficient skill, effort resources; understanding contexts risks; involvement; adequate contribute Application increase effectiveness establishing criteria technical implementation types. respects socio-cultural realities needs, applied mandatory (i.e. required part conditions) non-mandatory voluntary damage). whether used agencies, companies, individuals engaged monitoring; regulators developing evaluating met; policymakers designing, supporting, funding, any scale. Thus, clear carefully underpinning risk unintended help develop high-quality programs amenable assessment. expands upon joins SER's collection foundation documents Primer 2004), Guidelines Managing Projects (Clewell al. 2005), Restoration—a Conserving Sustaining Livelihoods (Gann & Lamb 2006), Protected Areas: Principles, Best Practices (Keenleyside 2012). utilizes Code Ethics specifically draws material models two editions National Australia (McDonald 2016a, Several books influential Ecology: Frontier (Van Andel Aronson Restoration: Values Structure Emerging Profession 2013), Foundations Ecology (Palmer 2016), Routledge Handbook (Allison Murphy 2017), Rehabilitation (Liu Clewell 2017). drawn editorial Now Priority (Aronson Alexander Short-term Action Plan CBD (Convention Partnering Nature: Case Natural Regeneration (Chazdon Forests Landscapes: (GPFLR; Besseau Works journal Ecology, book series (Island Press), Resource Center, informed While Sections mostly free references brevity's sake, (Leading Practices), 1, Supplement S1 citations. better roles play how Indigenous groups fit overall picture we reorganized incorporate social-economic factors affect outcomes "Social Benefits Wheel" tool convey targets project. Concepts merged single section Principles. A compilation historical synthesize S1. Scaling-up incorporated topics new Leading (Section 4), considers integration added appendix sourcing propagules assisting degraded, damaged, destroyed. distinct ecology, science supports forms seeking assist integrity. aims trajectory allows adaptation changes, persistence evolution component species. commonly describe outcome sought ecosystem, reserve term activity undertaken achieved. define goal achieving relative model, regardless time more restored (as model), project level sought. Full condition whereby, closely resemble model. absence threats, species composition, structure, physical function, external exchanges. Where lower planned occur due resource, technical, environmental, constraints, partial An program should aspire biota functions (contrast rehabilitation below). goal, benchmark demonstrates self-organization. At stage, if unexpected barriers lack processes take off course, further ensure ultimately continues Once recovered, ongoing (e.g. maintain disturbance regimes) would maintenance Specific activities, prescribed fire control invasive species, phases recovery, rather reinstating renewed potentially derived nonnative well. aligned along continuum complementary integrity 8). few assumptions about First, most challenging process, usually requires long periods time. Consequently, still far delivery intact ecosystems. compensation mandated result never invoked justification destroying damaging existing unsustainable Similarly, translocate rare justify habitat. mandated, however, excess estimated care exercised offsets do cause additional Second, model being restored. sources information, characterize it adjusted necessary accommodate changed predicted biotic change). make based immobilizing point recover continue reassemble, adapt, evolve. larger set designed conserve where appropriate, utilize regenerative agriculture, fisheries, forestry engineering, Diversity, Goals, (FLR) multitude regional such, complements solutions vice versa. explain, define, guide, measure 1). represent distillation concepts presented foundational documents, literature, practitioner experience (Appendix S1). reasons satisfy personal, cultural, social-economic, values. combination lead resilience. Humans benefit closer reciprocal engagement Participating transformative, children personal ownership sites, volunteers career vocational paths science. Communities located near improves quality land, water, habitats peoples (both rural urban) reinforces cultures, livelihoods subsistence fishing, hunting, gathering). short-term long-term employment opportunities creating loops. Stakeholders break Recognizing expectations interests directly involving them mutually benefit. prioritize distribution landscape, (including desired recovery), knowledge successional patterns models, engage participatory monitoring. Additionally, political financial sustainability, moderating conflicts disagreements arise. Recognition property managem

Language: Английский

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