Heterogeneity in the isolation of patches may be essential for the action of metacommunity mechanisms

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: March 31, 2023

The spatial isolation gradient of communities and the in species dispersal ability are recognized as determinants biodiversity metacommunities. In spite this, mean field models, spatially explicit experiments were mainly focused on idealized arrangements leaving aside combining role gradients metacommunity processes. Consequently, we have an incipient understanding real arrangement patterns. We focus six metacommunities for which confident information about water bodies is available. Using coalescent models null that randomize location bodies, estimated potential effect landscape its dependence ability. At extremely low or high abilities, ponds does not influence diversity because different equally affected by incoming dispersal. intermediate peripheral present a much lower richness higher beta than central communities. Moreover, from landscapes host more randomized landscapes, result determined heterogeneity geographic gradient, mass effects systematically increase local decrease diversity. However, patches only has large importance processes at ensures access to locations but limits isolated ongoing reduction extent simplification may consequently undermine support biodiversity, something should be explicitly considered preserving restoring strategies.

Language: Английский

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Fish modulate how connectivity and local factors shape food webs of permanent ponds

Oikos, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 5, 2025

The propagation of metacommunity processes through local trophic interactions has seldom been explored, particularly in empirical studies. This study examines how environmental conditions and connectivity influence community assembly food web structure pondscapes. We survey taxonomic richness, abundance isotopic niches across multiple assemblage, including zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, tadpoles, turtles fish. A gradient the composition pond representing dominance fish or other taxa another associated with macroinvertebrate diversity were evidenced. Pond size promoted richness abundance, main path which cascade down within communities, determining whole system. was large chains, a reduction both width spacing. Local such as macrophyte coverage modulate strength these effects, representation macroinvertebrates amphibians. Consequently, effects on may result consequence isolation's top predators' performance, rather than by direct effect dispersal different species, is usually assumed. Metacommunity theory highlighted species performance diversity. Our highlights indirect landscape mediated keystone connect more previously thought.

Language: Английский

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Exploring functional traits and functional diversity of mixotrophic phytoflagellates in small browned forest lakes—mixotrophy, phagotrophy and osmotrophy

Journal of Plankton Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 47(2)

Published: Feb. 22, 2025

Abstract Mixotrophy is the combination of autotrophy and heterotrophy within a single organism. Heterotrophy in mixotrophs encompasses two main processes: ingestion prey, termed phagotrophy, nutrition by direct absorption uptake organic molecules, osmotrophy. Though osmotrophy common phytoplankton species it often neglected mixotrophic studies despite some types aquatic ecosystems, such as small humic lakes, obligate-osmotrophic organisms are especially important. This study was aimed at investigating contributions potential examining relationship between their functional traits (including osmotrophy) diversity response to environmental factors forest lakes. Through large-scale lake sampling, we found that light-availability DIN concentration support mixotroph success. Lakes with high inputs allochthonous material exhibited greater influence over autotrophs. indicates obligate-osmotrophs may be crucial metabolic trait browned providing an adaptive advantage for inclusion mixotrophy appears promising. We also dominance, homogeneous distribution suggests redundancy.

Language: Английский

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Inferring riverscape dispersal processes from fish biodiversity patterns

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 24, 2025

Dispersal patterns are recognized as determinants of biodiversity structure, particularly in rivers, where dendritic organization, waterflow direction, large distance immigrants from the outlet and fragmentation by dams combine to produce a complex dispersal scenario. Unravelling role, magnitude spatial scale at which these sources determine metacommunity diversity is challenging requires amount spatiotemporal information, rarely available. Here, we incorporate alternative hypotheses into models, contrasting their predictions with observed pattern fish (58 sampled sites) Negro River basin Uruguay. Evidence supports: (i) constrained river network, sharply decaying upstream but not downstream directions; (ii) an source individuals that affects even distant communities; (iii) nonconclusive effect dams, models or without dam barriers similarly supported. Observed alpha beta were well predicted model (r = 0.55 r 0.56, respectively). Variation among simulations systematically decreased headwaters outlet, evidencing poorly change processes stochasticity along landscape. Even considering well-recognized role local filters assembly community, mechanisms able explain riverscape diversity. made several operating different scales, more than arrival species pool exchanges between neighbouring communities only. The non-conclusive might stem long time lag biotic relaxation following fragmentation. Massive rivers challenges preservation functioning due disruptions processes. However, demonstrating actual potential disruption limited available information lags involved faunal relaxation. Combining empirical modelling emerges compelling approach for unravelling mechanisms. here evidenced multi-scale phenomenon, point be considered theoretical studies ecosystem management.

Language: Английский

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Impact of non-native fish on macroinvertebrate communities of insular tropical small standing waters

Hydrobiologia, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 21, 2025

Language: Английский

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Fine-scale spatial connectivity interacts with seasonality to shape macroinvertebrate assemblages in a restored pondscape

Inland Waters, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 16

Published: May 2, 2025

Language: Английский

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Community connectivity and local heterogeneity explain animal species co‐occurrences within pond communities

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 93(8), P. 1123 - 1134

Published: June 14, 2024

Abstract Metacommunity processes have the potential to determine most features of community structure. However, species diversity has been dominant focus studies. Nestedness, modularity and checkerboard distribution occurrences are main components biodiversity organisation. Within communities, these patterns emerge from interaction between functional diversity, spatial heterogeneity resource availability. Additionally, connectivity determines pool for assembly and, eventually, pattern co‐occurrence within communities. Despite recognised theoretical expectations, change in occurrence communities along ecological gradients seldom considered. Here, we analyse animal sampling units 18 temporary ponds its relationship with pond environments geographic isolation. Isolated presented a nested organisation low segregation—modularity checkerboard—and opposite was found high connectivity. A putatively explained by large heterogeneity, which that composition tracks changes microhabitats. On contrary, nestedness is promoted dispersal‐limited where microhabitat filters mainly affect richness without replacement groups. Vegetation biomass promotes nestedness, probably due observed increase variance mean biomass. Similarly, vegetation reduced segregation animals This result may be plant similarly all units, at this scale. In study system, arrangement related local drivers as metacommunity means dispersal Patterns interrelated interactions, consequently structural properties These results indicate understanding interplay more important than previously thought understand functioning.

Language: Английский

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A proposed framework for describing, understanding and protecting Antarctic wetlands: The Cierva Point Wetland Complex case

Polar Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 101173 - 101173

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Tightly intertwined: Waterscapes prompt urgent reconsideration of aquatic insects and their role in agricultural landscapes

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 966, P. 178728 - 178728

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Unraveling local and regional determinants of high plant diversity at marine rocky outcrops in Uruguay

Journal of Vegetation Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 35(4)

Published: July 1, 2024

Abstract Questions Marine rocky outcrops are model systems of community assembly under harsh conditions. The prevailing environmental conditions that determine a coast–inland gradient stress and disturbance impose strong filter on assembly. However, the Atlantic Uruguay challenge this assumption as they exhibit high plant diversity at small spatial scales. We investigated study system to answer: (1) which factors local scale; (2) how does regional pool influence species composition along gradient? Methods analyzed determinants in four sites Uruguayan coast. Through random sampling approach stratified by distance coast, we recorded occurrences microenvironmental Observed taxa were assigned into different assemblages according their typical vegetation type. Generalized Linear Model (GLM)–Poisson regression, quantile regressions hierarchical cluster analyses used identify underlying richness structure. Results Nine types generate mass effect enhances diversity. Unexpectedly, 56% from non‐marine environments — e.g. grasslands or hydrophilous herblands. Species spatially clustered, with turnover these clusters gradient. Elevation, coast cover promoted richness, likely due an attenuation marine filters. Meanwhile, substrate availability reduced competitive exclusion result more resources homogeneous Conclusions is best explained functionally diverse pool, interacts heterogeneity, enhance attenuate stress. Effective conservation management strategies key minimize detrimental effects urbanization, fragmentation, non‐native invasions habitats.

Language: Английский

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