Concepts and applications in functional diversity

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 35(9), P. 1869 - 1885

Published: July 16, 2021

Abstract The use of functional diversity analyses in ecology has grown exponentially over the past two decades, broadening our understanding biological and its change across space time. Virtually all ecological sub‐disciplines recognise critical value looking at species communities from a perspective, this led to proliferation methods for estimating contrasting dimensions diversity. Differences between these their development generated terminological inconsistencies confusion about selection most appropriate approach addressing any particular question, hampering potential comparative studies, simulation exercises meta‐analyses. Two general mathematical frameworks are prevailing: those based on dissimilarity matrices (e.g. Rao entropy, dendrograms) relying multidimensional spaces, constructed as either convex hulls or probabilistic hypervolumes. We review frameworks, discuss strengths weaknesses provide an overview main R packages performing calculations. In parallel, we propose way organising metrics unified scheme quantify richness, divergence regularity individuals under each framework. This offers roadmap confidently approaching both theoretically practically. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within Supporting Information article.

Language: Английский

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Urbanisation drivers and underlying mechanisms of terrestrial insect diversity loss in cities

Ecological Entomology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 46(4), P. 757 - 771

Published: April 30, 2021

1. Urbanisation is one of the main land‐use changes behind global insect collapse. Despite that previous studies have described negative effects urbanisation on communities, so far there no synthesis considers multiple urban drivers, their combined effects, and role species traits altogether. 2. Here we developed an integrative framework underlying mechanisms terrestrial loss in cities by exploring five leading drivers: impervious surfaces, habitat fragmentation, heat island, pollution, exotic plants. For each driver, identified direct indirect (mediated through interactions or resources) populations emphasising as moderators such effects. 3. Body size, mobility, oviposition/nesting requirements were frequently defined vulnerability to drivers. Urban island pollution deserve further research from a community‐level approach. Direct drivers dominated literature, while most paths mediated resources rather than interactions. 4. In conclusion, our review showed challenges recognising particular for driver By doing so, intended encourage researchers address some gaps noticed order fully understand how affecting communities. Finally, outlined recent planning strategies future successfully conserve biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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Promoting urban biodiversity for the benefit of people and nature

Published: March 25, 2025

In an increasingly urbanized world, urban biodiversity is people's primary contact with nature. However, as cities expand and densify, green blue spaces their are under pressure, risking declines in liveability. This Review discusses the benefits of multiple challenges it faces, identifies opportunities pathways towards developing sustainable, biodiverse for both humans The substantial biological richness that areas can harbour helps to mitigate environmental pressures, address adapt climate change, human health well-being. challenged by competition space, pressures declining engagement residents Understanding underlying mechanisms informs efforts create maintain high-quality blue–green infrastructure. Biodiversity-sensitive socially inclusive governance planning key biodiverse, cities. Urban policies should move cross-sectional approaches coordinate sectors such health, education, design. Developing shared environments nature contributes global conservation offers solutions social faced underpins ecosystem services cities, but faces from activities, nature, inadequate systems. provided biodiversity, its promotion conservation.

Language: Английский

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Functional ecology of wild bees in cities: towards a better understanding of trait-urbanization relationships

Biodiversity and Conservation, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 29(9-10), P. 2779 - 2801

Published: June 8, 2020

Abstract A functional ecological understanding of urban wild bee communities is growing importance especially in regard to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem service maintenance and effective conservation programmes. In this paper, we review summarize the published literature aiming inform future research investigations field ecology. Specifically, we: (1) which trait-based analyses have been carried out on bees cities thus far; (2) species traits considered; (3) evaluate any consistent trait–environment relationships (i.e. urbanization) across studies; (4) synthesize findings limitations recommendations. We reviewed 48 studies based a systematic Web Knowledge search. found trait characteristics for ‘nesting type’, ‘diet’, ‘body size’, ‘sociality’ ‘phenology’ studies. More than one third were descriptive majority located gardens temperate Europe North America, calling more from underrepresented geographic regions entire spectrum habitat types. Of these studies, only five analyzed diversity indices three applied statistics relate urbanization factors. Future should consider statistics, could incorporate networks examine network shifts gradients. Our suggests that lack generalizable information about yet, making recommendations challenging. Therefore, propose considers methodological develop comparable comprehensive how affects ecology link with specific measures.

Language: Английский

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Wild bees and hoverflies respond differently to urbanisation, human population density and urban form

Landscape and Urban Planning, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 204, P. 103901 - 103901

Published: Aug. 12, 2020

While urbanisation contributes to global biodiversity declines, flower-rich urban habitats may provide beneficial pollinator habitats. We investigated the potential of residential areas contribute diversity by analysing wild bee and hoverfly species richness composition assemblages summer-active species, sampled in 53 gardens across rural landscapes Malmö, regional capital Sweden’s southernmost county. Species differed between gardens, four types (ranging from low human density high vegetation cover, cover), taxonomic groups responded differently. Solitary was higher than driven a low-density compared both high-density gardens. In contrast, bumblebee whereas differences among were less clear. Hoverfly consistently any garden type. all negatively related population at landscape scale (radius 500 m), but unrelated cover. This indicates that affects habitat quality through associated green space management design. Rural consisted different (significant turnover), subset ones nestedness). nestedness hoverflies, not bees, increased with density. show can complement pool, mainly caused large variation tenure small spatial scales, while drives systematic loss species. suggest alternatives improve dense for pollinators.

Language: Английский

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The degree of urbanisation reduces wild bee and butterfly diversity and alters the patterns of flower-visitation in urban dry grasslands

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Feb. 15, 2023

Abstract Insect-provided pollination services are increasingly threatened due to alarming declines in insect pollinator populations. One of the main threats pollinators and consequently is urbanisation. Here, we investigate effects local habitat quality (patch size, flowering plant richness, bare soil cover, vegetation structure), degree urbanisation (impervious surfaces) 3D connectivity on bee, hoverfly butterfly flower visitors plant-flower visitor networks flower-rich urban dry grasslands. Overall, influenced communities. Although abundance increased with urbanisation, bee species richness decreased increasing impervious surfaces. Flowering ground nesting resource availability were positively related structure boosted visitation rates. In terms plant–pollinator interactions, visited a lower proportion available plants more urbanised areas network modularity specialisation patch size. Our findings show that grasslands valuable habitats for species-rich communities further highlight importance minimizing intensity potential management practices support biodiversity cities.

Language: Английский

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Urban biodiversity, ecosystems and the city. Insights from 50 years of the Berlin School of urban ecology

Landscape and Urban Planning, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 240, P. 104877 - 104877

Published: Sept. 6, 2023

Language: Английский

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Urban Heat Island and Reduced Habitat Complexity Explain Spider Community Composition by Excluding Large and Heat-Sensitive Species

Land, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(1), P. 83 - 83

Published: Jan. 11, 2024

Along with worldwide urbanization, upheavals in habitat and temperature are major threats for biodiversity. However, due to their interdependence, relative roles as drivers of animal community composition remain entangled. Here, we investigated how taxonomic functional compositions arthropod communities were related uncorrelated gradients, compared landscape (i.e., Urban Heat Island (UHI)) local variables vegetation height cover, near-ground temperature). We sampled 20,499 spiders (137 species) on 36 grasslands Rennes (northwestern France). Unlike rural areas, urban sites characterized by short intense UHI, hosted species-poor communities, composed small thermophilic species. UHI intensification loss complexity (short dense vegetation) associated declining large heat-sensitive These results highlight the prevalent role warming, rather than land cover change, an filter. Further, show that landscape-scale not temperature, filters species according attributes. can therefore be considered a thermal barrier, filtering physiological capacity cope conditions. Finally, counterbalance biotic homogenization, argue importance implementing complex structures at scale within green infrastructure.

Language: Английский

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The association between maintenance and biodiversity in urban green spaces: A review

Landscape and Urban Planning, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 251, P. 105153 - 105153

Published: July 29, 2024

Most urban green spaces (UGSs) today are under intensive maintenance practices, including mowing, cutting and/or chemical input, among many other practices. A growing body of research has questioned the biodiversity value highly manicured UGSs and suggested potential reduced-intensity regimes. However, evidence for a relationship between in is still unclear yet to be fully understood. This paper systematically reviews 92 published papers examine this association. Our results showed complex association biodiversity, mainly dependent on type practice studied measurement biodiversity. Mowing was predominant that had been investigated, from these constantly reported negative mowing intensity various aspects plant diversity. Similarly, reduced appeared favour invertebrate diversity, studies also found mixed associations as well variations across taxonomic groups. The few input frequency use herbicides/pesticides/insecticides diversity plants, invertebrates, birds. Nuanced findings, non-linear temporal/geographical differences, discussed paper. review offers insights development biodiversity-friendly management strategies, highlighting existing gaps need further concerning maintenance-biodiversity link UGSs.

Language: Английский

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Mapping ecosystem services in urban and peri‑urban areas. A systematic review

Geography and sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5(3), P. 491 - 509

Published: June 30, 2024

Urban and peri‑urban ecosystems are subjected to an intense impact. The demand for ecosystem services (ES) is higher in these areas. Nevertheless, despite the anthropogenic pressures, urban supply important ES. Mapping a crucial exercise understand ES dynamics environments better. This work aims systematically review mapping areas studies, following Preferred Reporting Items Systematic Reviews Meta-alpha Methods. A total of 207 studies were selected. results show increased between 2011 2023, mainly conducted Europe China. Most developed did not follow established classification. focused on dimension, regulation maintenance section. Regarding provisioning ES, most Cultivating terrestrial plants nutrition, regulating maintaining Atmospheric composition conditions, cultural Physical experiential interactions with natural environment. Quantitative methods mostly applied Indicator-based (secondary data: biophysical, socio-economic) models. Very few validated outputs. Several forecasted primarily based land use changes using CA-Markov approaches. study provides overview mapped globally, where more need be conducted, developed.

Language: Английский

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