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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Integrating Network and Meta‐Ecosystem Models for Developing a Zoogeochemical Theory

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 28(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Human activities have caused significant changes in animal abundance, interactions, movement and diversity at multiple scales. Growing empirical evidence reveals the myriad ways that these can alter control animals exert over biogeochemical cycling. Yet a theoretical framework to coherently integrate predict when how controls cycling (i.e., zoogeochemistry) change is currently lacking. We present such general provides guidance on linking mathematical models of species interaction (network theory) organisms non‐living materials (meta‐ecosystem account for biotic abiotic feedback by which illustrate apply develop predictive specific ecosystem contexts using case study primary producer–herbivore bipartite trait network boreal forest ecosystem. further discuss key priorities enhancing model development, data–model integration application. The offers an important step enhance research better inform justify broader conservation efforts aimed conserving restoring populations, their critical functional roles support services nature‐based climate solutions.

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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Integrating key species distribution and ecosystem service flows to build directed ecological network: Evidence from the Shiyang River Basin, China

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 381, P. 125183 - 125183

Published: April 9, 2025

Language: Английский

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Metacommunity models and empirical data reveal asymmetric network‐constrained fish dispersal

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

Published: May 13, 2025

Abstract Borthagaray, A. I., Teixeira de Mello, F., & Arim, M. (2025). Inferring riverscape dispersal processes from fish biodiversity patterns. Journal of Animal Ecology . https://doi.org/10.1111/1365‐2656.70033 Dispersal is one the main determinants biodiversity. Previous studies have pointed out that diversity and composition communities depend not only on rates, but also complex spatial networks formed by paths. However, going beyond this observation to infer a spatially explicit network for particular system remains challenge. Borthagaray et al. (2025) combined metacommunity models empirical data 58 identify most likely in large Negro River basin (Uruguay). They assessed support alternative combinations parameters (sources, (a)symmetry, distance decay, barriers). The best‐supported show disperse asymmetrically along river branches; is, stronger downstream than upstream. Yet, outlet an important source upstream dispersers, even at distances. Though they could find evidence any barrier effects dams, might be due lagged responses induced fragmentation. By making data, study showcases elegant way patterns which advantageously replicated other systems.

Language: Английский

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Connectivity Benefits Most Woodland Invertebrate Species but Only in Landscapes With Low Woodland Cover

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 28(5)

Published: May 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Connectivity is widely assumed to benefit biodiversity, but this has not been extensively quantified across multiple taxa and landscapes. Focusing on the UK, where woodland cover low (13%), we analysed species occurrence records from citizen science for over 800 broadleaf woodland‐associated invertebrate 15 taxonomic groups in relation connectivity. Overall, increased connectivity positively affects broadleaf‐associated (effect of species, accounting positive effect cover). The benefits varied considerably by species: 39% showed a significant effect, while 3% it was significantly negative. However, interaction between revealed that, overall, are only found Our findings emphasise potential biodiversity maximising when increasing highlight importance spatial targeting restoration efforts, especially landscapes with cover.

Language: Английский

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metaRange: A framework to build mechanistic range models

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 10, 2024

1 Abstract Mechanistic or process-based models offer great insights into the range dynamics of species facing non-equilibrium conditions, such as climate and land-use changes invasive species. Their consideration underlying mechanisms relaxes species-environment equilibrium assumed by correlative approaches, while also generating conservation-relevant indicators, range-wide abundance time-series migration rates if demographically explicit. However, computational complexity mechanistic limits their development applicability to large spatiotemporal extents. We developed R package ‘metaRange’ that is a modular framework build population-based metabolically constrained models. It provides function catalogue for users calculate niche-based suitability, metabolic scaling, population dynamics, biotic interactions, kernel-based dispersal, which may include directed movement. The framework’s modularity enables user combine, extend, replace these functions, making it possible customize model ecology study system. supports an unlimited number static dynamic environmental factors input, including land use. As example, we simulated 100 virtual in Germany on km 2 resolution over 110 years under realistic fluctuations three scenarios: without competition, with competition generalist-specialist trade-off. results are accordance theoretical expectations. Due population-level, can execute extensive simulation experiments regular enduser hardware short amount time. provide detailed technical documentation, both individual functions well instructions how set up different types structures experimental designs. metaRange simulations multiple interacting high low demand. believe allows hypotheses testing about future real-world species, better support conservation policies targeting biodiversity loss mitigation.

Language: Английский

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Multiple habitat graphs: how connectivity brings forth landscape ecological processes

Published: Jan. 31, 2024

Habitat connectivity is integral to current biodiversity science and conservation strategies. Originally, the concept stressed role of individual movements for landscape-scale processes. Connectivity determines whether populations can survive in sub-optimal patches (i.e., source-sink effects), complete life cycles relying on different habitat types landscape complementation), benefit from supplementary resources distributed over supplementation). Although past decades have witnessed major improvements modeling, most approaches yet consider multiplicity that a species from. Without doing so, analyses potentially fail meet one their fundamental purposes: revealing how complex lead ecological To bridge this conceptual methodological gap, we propose include multiple spatial graph models connectivity, where nodes traditionally represent single type. Multiple graphs will improve model related processes, they are impacted by land cover changes. In three case studies, use these (i) effects, (ii) supplementation, (iii) complementation urban ecosystems, agricultural landscapes, amphibian networks, respectively. We show help addressing crucial challenges (e.g., sprawl, biological control, climate change) representing more accurately dynamics populations, communities, interactions. A new version Graphab open-source software implements proposed approach, thereby extending ecologist's toolbox fostering alignment between ecology theory practice.

Language: Английский

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Multiple habitat graphs: how connectivity brings forth landscape ecological processes

Landscape Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 39(9)

Published: Aug. 29, 2024

Abstract Purpose Habitat connectivity is integral to current biodiversity science and conservation strategies. Originally, the concept stressed role of individual movements for landscape-scale processes. Connectivity determines whether populations can survive in sub-optimal patches (i.e., source-sink effects), complete life cycles relying on different habitat types landscape complementation), benefit from supplementary resources distributed over supplementation). Although past decades have witnessed major improvements modeling, most approaches yet consider multiplicity that a species from. Without doing so, analyses potentially fail meet one their fundamental purposes: revealing how complex lead ecological Methods To bridge this conceptual methodological gap, we propose include multiple spatial graph models connectivity, where nodes traditionally represent single type. Multiple graphs will improve model related processes, they are impacted by land cover changes. Results In three case studies, use these (i) effects, (ii) supplementation, (iii) complementation urban ecosystems, agricultural landscapes, amphibian networks, respectively. A new version Graphab open-source software implements proposed approach. Conclusion help address crucial challenges (e.g., sprawl, biological control, climate change) representing more accurately dynamics populations, communities, interactions. Our approach thereby extends ecologist’s toolbox aims at fostering alignment between ecology theory practice.

Language: Английский

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Fall of giants: European diversity resistance to waterscape degradation and its potential continental drivers

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 14, 2024

Abstract Aquatic landscapes, or waterscapes, face severe threats from human activities propelling their deterioration. Waterscape degradation represents a main driver of the current diversity crisis, although its long-term consequences are difficult to quantify. In addition, understanding potential effects waterscape on biodiversity at large spatial scales, such as biomes and continents, remains limited. this work, we explore trends in decay response across Europe provide first answer these threads. We reconstructed European based available satellite data simulated patterns using coalescent metacommunity model run for several ecoregions considering nine dispersal abilities. Subsequently, generated gradient by systematically removing percentage habitat recalculating metrics. For each ecoregion, ability, level obtained theoretical gamma value. synthesized captured two parameters: proportional rate collapsing rate, which respectively inform about speed loss acceleration progresses. Finally, mapped parameters related them with ecoregion structural descriptors (i.e. geographic location, water cover, connectivity, size). Through exercise, could identify ecoregions’ sensitivities continental variation parameters. Connectivity cover emerged primary decay, more heterogeneous generally exhibiting greater resistance degradation. Our study provides order approximation an urgently needed information: continental-scale biodiversity. This has improve conservation practices facilitate integration innovative approaches management, thereby enhancing our posed one principal freshwater diversity.

Language: Английский

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