Towards mechanistic integration of the causes and consequences of biodiversity

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 39(7), P. 689 - 700

Published: March 19, 2024

Language: Английский

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Widespread analytical pitfalls in empirical coexistence studies and a checklist for improving their statistical robustness

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(4), P. 594 - 611

Published: Feb. 28, 2024

Abstract Modern coexistence theory (MCT) offers a conceptually straightforward approach for connecting empirical observations with an elegant theoretical framework, gaining popularity rapidly over the past decade. However, beneath this surface‐level simplicity lie various assumptions and subjective choices made during data analysis. These can lead researchers to draw qualitatively different conclusions from same set of experiments. As predictions MCT studies are often treated as outcomes, many readers reviewers may not be familiar framework's assumptions, there is particular risk ‘researcher degrees freedom’ inflating confidence in results, thereby affecting reproducibility predictive power. To tackle these concerns, we introduce checklist consisting statistical best practices promote more robust applications MCT. Our recommendations organised into four categories: presentation sharing raw data, testing model fits, managing uncertainty associated coefficients incorporating predictions. We surveyed published 15 years discovered high degree variation level rigour adherence practices. present case illustrate dependence results on seemingly innocuous among competition structure error distributions, which some cases reversed predicted outcomes. demonstrate how analytical approaches profoundly alter interpretation experimental underscoring importance carefully considering thoroughly justifying each step taken analysis pathway. serves resource authors alike, providing guidance strengthen foundation analyses. field shifts descriptive, trailblazing phase stage consolidation, emphasise need caution when building upon findings earlier studies. ensure that progress ecological based reliable evidence, it crucial subject our predictions, generalisability rigorous assessment than currently trend.

Language: Английский

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Competition for time: Evidence for an overlooked, diversity‐maintaining competitive mechanism

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(3)

Published: March 1, 2024

Abstract Understanding how diversity is maintained in plant communities requires that we first understand the mechanisms of competition for limiting resources. In ecology, there an underappreciated but fundamental distinction between systems which depletion resources reduces growth rates competitors and resource time available to grow, a mechanism call ‘competition time’. Importantly, modern community ecology our framing coexistence problem are built on implicit assumption rate. However, recent theoretical work suggests may be predominant competitive broad array natural communities, significant advance given when species compete time, diversity‐maintaining trade‐offs emerge organically. this study, introduce conceptually using simple model interacting species. Then, perform experiment Mediterranean annual grassland determine whether important field system. Indeed, find respond increased through reductions their lifespan rather than rate growth. total, study overlooked as biodiversity maintenance.

Language: Английский

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The contribution of pollinator‐mediated versus pollinator‐independent interactions to plant reproduction

Ecological Monographs, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 95(1)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Abstract Pollinator‐mediated and pollinator‐independent interactions both affect plant reproductive success but are often studied independently. Evaluating the separate cumulative effect of types is necessary to understand population dynamics species coexistence. Here, we ask how during growth flowering contribute pollinator‐mediated density dependence in components reproduction total fecundity communities Clarkia species. Using experimental plots embedded natural forbs grasses, examine response flower number, ovule number per flower, seed set (% ovules a fruit that filled seed), (total plant) focal plants four varying densities background , forbs, with (control) or without supplemental pollination flowers. A comparison between control pollen‐supplemented flowers provided an estimate pollen limitation reproduction, which was largely pollinator mediated this study. Forbs grasses exerted density‐dependent, competitive on all fecundity. By contrast, were entirely density‐independent, pollinator‐mediated, affected only set. effects pairs competitive, line known biology Our results point importance evaluating context communities, species, while strong, not likely at scale small local neighborhood may do so larger spatial and/or temporal scales.

Language: Английский

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Compensatory responses of vital rates attenuate impacts of competition on population growth and promote coexistence

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 26(3), P. 437 - 447

Published: Jan. 27, 2023

Competition is among the most important factors regulating plant population and community dynamics, but we know little about how different vital rates respond to competition jointly determine growth species coexistence. We conducted a field experiment parameterised integral projection models model of 14 herbaceous in absence presence neighbours across an elevation gradient (284 interspecific pairs). found that suppressed individual seedling establishment contributed competition-induced declines growth, although rate contributions varied greatly between with elevation. In contrast, size-specific survival flowering probability seed production were frequently enhanced under competition. These compensatory responses nearly ubiquitous (occurred 92% pairs) significantly reduced niche overlap stabilised Our study highlights importance demographic processes for which has often been neglected by classic coexistence theories.

Language: Английский

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Restoration ecology through the lens of coexistence theory

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 38(11), P. 1085 - 1096

Published: July 17, 2023

Ecological restoration success can depend on environmental conditions and species interactions, initial trajectories may not reflect long-term outcomes.Coexistence theory help diagnose outcomes early by assessing whether focal increase when at low density.Partitioning the effect of environment competition low-density growth rates guide efforts. As human influence over Earth's ecosystems increases amount land available for traditional conservation dwindles, ecological is gaining traction as an essential tool biodiversity [1.Gann G.D. et al.International principles standards practice restoration.Restor. Ecol. 2019; 27: S1-S46Crossref Scopus (571) Google Scholar]. Despite enthusiasm, discipline ecology has struggled to become a predictive science capable consistently improving [2.Hobbs R.J. Norton D.A. Towards conceptual framework ecology.Restor. 1996; 4: 93-110Crossref Scholar,3.Suding K. Toward era in ecology: successes, failures, opportunities ahead.Annu. Rev. Evol. Syst. 2011; 42: 465-487Crossref (233) Over history ecology, frameworks often assumed monotonic recovery trajectory [4.Brudvig L.A. The biodiversity: where research been does it need go?.Am. J. Bot. 98: 549-558Crossref PubMed (202) Scholar] or aimed 'carbon copy' past site [5.Hilderbrand R.H. al.The myths ecology.Ecol. Soc. 2005; 10: 19Crossref (311) Scholar], drawing largely from theories succession community assembly [6.Wainwright C.E. al.Links between are rise.J. Appl. 2017; 55: 570-581Crossref (55) At same time, there long-standing appreciation that nonlinear [7.Young T.P. al.Community comparing, contrasting combining paradigms context restoration.Ecol. Restor. 2001; 19: 5-18Crossref Scholar,8.Suding K.N. Hobbs Threshold models conservation: developing framework.Trends 2009; 24: 271-279Abstract Full Text PDF (495) diverge due specific time period project implementation [9.Choi Y.D. Theories changing environment: toward 'futuristic' Res. 2004; 75-81Crossref (0) Scholar,10.Vaughn K.J. Young Contingent conclusions: year initiation influences field experiments, but temporal replication rare.Restor. 2010; 18: 59-64Crossref (65) Explicitly incorporating role variability important assess efforts variable world Scholar,9.Choi Within broader Modern Coexistence Theory (hereafter 'coexistence theory') [11.Chesson P. Mechanisms maintenance diversity.Annu. 2000; 31: 343-366Crossref (4341) Scholar,12.Barabás G. al.Chesson's coexistence theory.Ecol. Monogr. 2018; 88: 277-303Crossref (152) emerged delineate interactions how coexist, ultimately influencing composition diversity. emphasizes importance spatial dynamics provides analytical metrics relation average conditions. led advances numerous subfields, such [13.Bowler C.H. al.Accounting demographic uncertainty predictions coexistence: case study with annual plants.Ecol. Lett. 2022; 25: 1618-1628Crossref (5) Scholar, 14.Hallett L.M. al.Rainfall maintains grass-forb coexistence.Ecol. 22: 1658-1667Crossref (52) 15.Grainger T.N. Invasion Criterion: common currency research.Trends 34: 925-935Abstract (69) invasion biology [16.MacDougall A.S. al.Plant invasions niche.J. 97: 609-615Crossref (332) Scholar,17.Godoy O. understand biological interaction networks: Implications novel ecosystems.Funct. 33: 1190-1201Crossref (26) trait-based [18.Adler P.B. al.Trait-based tests mechanisms.Ecol. 2013; 16: 1294-1306Crossref (367) 19.Kraft N.J. functional traits multidimensional nature coexistence.Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 2015; 112: 797-802Crossref 20.Yu W. Li ecology.Biodivers. 2020; 28: 1362Crossref (6) Here, we unify improve goals, strategies, assessment increasingly (Figure 1). We concentrate restoring herbaceous plant communities, because they both frequent focus model system developments theory. However, our proposed approaches adaptable other systems. understanding delineating mechanisms (see Glossary) maintain These include classic niche partitioning well fluctuations. For example, formalized differences responses fluctuations lead able 'store' through bad years, seed banks adult stages, component commonly considered 'storage effect' mechanism [12.Barabás Scholar,21.Sears A.L. Chesson New methods quantifying storage effect: illustration desert annuals.Ecology. 2007; 2240-2247Crossref (100) Similarly, abiotic biotic greater benefits good years relative tend promote persistence [22.Chesson Quantifying testing arising recruitment fluctuations.Theor. Popul. Biol. 2003; 64: 345-357Crossref 23.Letten A.D. al.Species simultaneous fluctuation-dependent mechanisms.Proc. 115: 6745-6750Crossref (64) 24.Shoemaker L.G. al.Integrating underlying structure stochasticity into ecology.Ecology. 101e02922Crossref (67) A key contribution tools quantify contributing variability. How will persist go extinct time? Persistence assessed via criterion, whereby coexist if each density while experiencing surrounding resident Scholar,25.Chesson Updates diversity.J. 106: 1773-1794Crossref (128) criterion evaluated calculating rate (LDGR) species; positive LDGR indicates persist, negative cannot invade or, present, predicted eventually locally such, reflects joint intrinsic absence net impact Long-term averaging periods capture full range experiences [14.Hallett use helpful imperfect; one fails scenarios which depends presence conspecifics (e.g., Allee effects) generally realistic conditions, most populations experience rarity, especially within small sites and/or diverse communities [26.Maina G.G. Howe H.F. Inherent rarity restoration.Conserv. 14: 1335-1340Crossref (41) Does their risk extinction? addresses this question partitioning, accounts variation occurs [27.Chesson Multispecies environments.Theor. 1994; 45: 227-276Crossref (480) space [28.Chesson General competitive spatially-varying 58: 211-237Crossref (636) Different partitionings have developed target different Scholar,27.Chesson 28.Chesson 29.Adler al.A neutrality.Ecol. 95-104Crossref (780) 30.Ellner S.P. al.An expanded modern empirical applications.Ecol. 3-18Crossref (72) idea written sum terms, reflecting alters coexistence. Ellner al. [30.Ellner simulations conducted turned 'on' 'off' population (such coefficients), singly combination, parameter overall Scholar,23.Letten This scenarios, isolates versus experience. In similar vein, be partition consequence strategies modifying community) abundance (Box 1).Box 1Applying scenariosCoexistence used make about interventions. To realistic, these should describe performance IA,B). Site descriptions, including climate records, soil maps, vegetation monitoring, natural history, practitioner experience, inform include. approach fit under representative condition. done experimentally, creating manipulating densities them, observationally, using monitoring data sufficient scenarios. yield biomass fecundity) measured, community. While form vary system, measures allow species' (λ) neighboring (α) estimated condition IC,D).Once fit, calculated simulation introduced existing environments, parameters associated condition, weighted frequency occur. partitioned λ, α) either varies held constant, combination IE). interventions likewise simulated altering distribution calculate (to actions ameliorate conditions) reducing before reduce competitors) Finally, step observed targeted benefit only requires modeling species, improved reciprocally residents, substantially affects them. IC,D). Once Restoration goals centered achieving desired composition, historically comparing restored reference 1A [1]). after management, many still flux, transient indicative [31.Guerrant E.O. value propriety reintroduction rare plants.Botany. 91: v-xCrossref (21) Scholar,32.Shriver R.K. Transient impede ecosystem transformation disturbance.Ecol. 1357-1366Crossref (47) rather representing successional stages [33.del Moral R. al.Insights gained landscape function.in: Walker L.R. Linking Succession. Springer, 2007: 19-44Crossref actions, planting seeding [34.Aoyama L. al.Application indication trajectories.Ecol. 32e2649Crossref (2) dynamics, paired short windows projects [3.Suding limit ability link patterns [35.Zurell D. al.Spatially explicit decision-making animal restoration.Ecography. 4e05787Google reconcile discrepancies indicators [32.Shriver Scholar,36.Armstrong D.P. Seddon P.J. Directions biology.Trends 2008; 23: 20-25Abstract (756) clear goal: puts persistence, precluding abundance-based additional gauges (Table appropriate minimal its aligned ancillary undesirable resident. concern, single-population analyses [37.Albrecht M.A. al.Effects life reproduction lags reintroductions plants.Conserv. 601-611Crossref (24) Scholar,38.Vitt community-level grassland management non-target Agalinis auriculata.Biol. Conserv. 142: 798-805Crossref (19) deviates interest than reciprocal all community, greatly reduces requirements. could expected quantified separately [39.Bowler al.Positive effects exotic dampened neighborhood heterogeneity.Ecology. 103e3779Crossref so long primary concern interact another [19.Kraft Scholar,40.Van Dyke M.N. al.Small rainfall changes drive substantial coexistence.Nature. 611: 507-511Crossref (8) develop nondesired aiming nondesirable rates, leading local elimination.Table 1Information required apply situationsRestoration goalInformationSituationRefsIncrease cover/biomassSpecies-level cover/biomass bare patches coverAfter mining events, constructing roads entirely remove cover[90.Cobbaert al.Experimental fen peat mining.Appl. Veg. 7: 209-220Crossref (66) Scholar,91.Miao Z.-W. al.Ecological rebuilding reclamation surface mines Shanxi province, China.J. Environ. 12: 486-497Google Scholar]Increase keystone speciesVariation across grown alone itself speciesAfter loss fire, flooding strong perturbation, following introduction dramatically altered ecosystem[92.Layton C. al.Kelp forest Australia.Front. Mar. 74Crossref (84) Scholar,93.Koch J.M. Samsa G.P. Restoring jarrah trees bauxite Western Australia.Restor. 15: S17-S25Crossref Scholar]Remove undesired invasive event new indirectly allows invasion, disturbance nitrogen deposition[34.Aoyama Scholar,94.Flory S.L. Clay Invasive removal method determines native responses.J. 46: 434-442Crossref biodiversityVariation group Differences distinguish groups (including itself)After perturbation particularly affected some groups. perturbations pest outbreak, nutrient deposition, extreme heat waves[95.Gherardi Sala O.E. Enhanced interannual precipitation diversity turn ameliorates productivity.Ecol. 1293-1300Crossref (94) Scholar,96.Ostertag al.Using restore Hawaiian rainforest.J. 52: 805-809Crossref (96) richnessThe data-demanding goal account individual independent axes densitiesRestoration mitigate global change drivers biodiversity, change, intensity[97.Allan E. al.Interannual land-use intensity enhances multidiversity.Proc. 2014; 111: 308-313Crossref Scholar,98.Pakeman Functional indices reveal impacts intensification assembly.J. 99: 1143-1151Crossref (161) Open table tab date, setting relied historic ranges ecosystems, data-intensive exercise [41.Farrell H.L. preparation equal those dryland site: 6 development.Restor. 2021; 29e13482Crossref (4) Scholar]) explicitly variables. By contrast, focuses viability shifts environments Scholar,42.Mordecai E.A. al.Controls perennial grass exclusion California grasslands invaded 96: 2643-2652Crossref (15) Scholar,43.Bimler M.D. Accurate systems require inclusion facilitative dependency.J. 1839-1852Crossref (59) informing more quantifiable Usinowicz Levine [44.Usinowicz Species change: geographical scale problem.Ecol. 21: 1589-1603Crossref (22) mapped LDGRs along gradient forecast set current future Improving heart ideally helping address questions as: what potential [45.Wilson K.A. al.Optimal restoration: accounting space, uncertainty.J. 48: 715-725Crossref Scholar]? Is passive (i.e., simply ceasing causes degradation) sufficient, active necessary [46.Holl K.D. Aide T.M. When actively ecosystems?.For. Manag. 261: 1558-1563Crossref (420) If needed, site, [47.Hobbs al.Intervention applying twenty-first century.BioScience. 61: 442-450Crossref (303) degree influenced Scholar,34.Aoyama

Language: Английский

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Precipitation changes alter plant dominant species and functional groups by changing soil salinity in a coastal salt marsh

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 368, P. 122235 - 122235

Published: Aug. 18, 2024

Language: Английский

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Shifting relationships between SOC and molecular diversity in soils of varied carbon concentrations: Evidence from drained wetlands

Geoderma, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 433, P. 116459 - 116459

Published: April 5, 2023

The molecular diversity of soil organic matter (SOM) is considered to be a critical factor influencing carbon (SOC) persistence, and found show positive relationship with SOC in many upland soils relatively low concentrations. However, the SOM diversity-SOC remains under-investigated high-SOC such as wetlands, which exhibit divergent accumulation mechanisms compared may induce contrasting shifts composition during drainage-induced changes. Here we utilized three wetlands (i.e., two fens bog) that encompassed wide range experienced decades artificial drainage investigate after drainage. was assessed based on pyrolysis products using pyrolysis–gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, its factors (including plant inputs, minerals, extracellular enzyme activity, etc.) were evaluated. We observed responses long-term investigated wetlands. While increased concentration low-SOC ≤ 60 mg g−1 soil) fen drainage, it did not change > regardless variations. inputs (e.g., root mass) drove these microbial processing rather than dominated increases diversity, thereby resulting decoupling soils. These findings suggest had non-linear In organic-rich peatlands, increase contrast Our study provides novel, diversity-based perspective understanding wetland stability context caused by increasing human activity and/or climate

Language: Английский

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Fast–slow traits predict competition network structure and its response to resources and enemies

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(4)

Published: April 1, 2024

Abstract Plants interact in complex networks but how network structure depends on resources, natural enemies and species resource‐use strategy remains poorly understood. Here, we quantified competition among 18 plants varying fast–slow strategy, by testing increased nutrient availability reduced foliar pathogens affected intra‐ inter‐specific interactions. Our results show that nitrogen altered several aspects of structure, often unexpected ways due to fast slow growing responding differently. Nitrogen addition asymmetry networks, as expected, decreased it networks. Pathogen reduction made more even less skewed because targeted weaker competitors. Surprisingly, dampened each other's effect. plant growth is key understand respond resources enemies, a prediction from classic theories which has rarely been tested linking functional traits

Language: Английский

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Water limitation drives species loss in grassland communities after nitrogen addition and warming

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 291(2031)

Published: Sept. 1, 2024

Nutrient addition, particularly nitrogen, often increases plant aboveground biomass but causes species loss. Asymmetric competition for light is frequently assumed to explain the biomass-driven However, it remains unclear whether other factors such as water can also play a role. Increased leaf area following nitrogen addition and warming may increase transpiration cause limitation, leading decline in diversity. To test this, we conducted field measurements grassland community exposed warming. We found that and/or significantly increased reduced richness. Water prevented loss either nitrogen-enriched or warmed treatments, while partially mitigated treatment both temperature nitrogen. These findings thus strongly suggest limitation be an important driver of after when soil moisture limiting. This result further supported by meta-analysis published studies across grasslands worldwide. Our study indicates richness future greatest under scenario increasing deposition, decreasing precipitation.

Language: Английский

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