Linking human impacts to community processes in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 26(2), P. 203 - 218

Published: Dec. 22, 2022

Human impacts such as habitat loss, climate change and biological invasions are radically altering biodiversity, with greater effects projected into the future. Evidence suggests human may differ substantially between terrestrial freshwater ecosystems, but reasons for these differences poorly understood. We propose an integrative approach to explain by linking four fundamental processes that structure communities: dispersal, speciation, species-level selection ecological drift. Our goal is provide process-based insights why impacts, responses across ecosystem types using a mechanistic, eco-evolutionary comparative framework. To enable insights, we review synthesise (i) how influence diversity dynamics in versus communities, specifically whether relative importance of each process differs among (ii) pathways which can produce divergent due strength ecosystems identify. Finally, highlight research gaps next steps, discuss this new conservation. By focusing on shape aim mechanistically link ongoing future changes ecosystems.

Language: Английский

---

Repeated upslope biome shifts in Saxifraga during late-Cenozoic climate cooling

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Feb. 6, 2024

Mountains are among the most biodiverse places on Earth, and plant lineages that inhabit them have some of highest speciation rates ever recorded. Plant diversity within alpine zone - elevation above which trees cannot grow-contributes significantly to overall mountain systems, but origins poorly understood. Here, we quantify processes generate their changing dynamics through time in Saxifraga (Saxifragaceae), an angiosperm genus occurs predominantly systems. We present a time-calibrated molecular phylogenetic tree for is inferred from 329 low-copy nuclear loci incorporates 73% (407) known species. show upslope biome shifts into considerably more prevalent than dispersal specialists between regions, rate increased markedly last 5 Myr, timeframe concordant with cooling fluctuating climate likely extent zone. Furthermore, lower generalists occur inside outside zone, major increases pre-date shifts. Specialisation not therefore associated increases. Taken together, this study presents quantified broad scale perspective underpinning diversity.

Language: Английский

---

General principles for assignments of communities from eDNA: Open versus closed taxonomic databases

Environmental DNA, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 5(2), P. 326 - 342

Published: Dec. 18, 2022

Abstract Metabarcoding of environmental DNA (eDNA) is a powerful tool for describing biodiversity, such as finding keystone species or detecting invasive in samples. Continuous improvements the method and advances sequencing platforms over last decade have meant this approach now widely used biodiversity sciences biomonitoring. For its general use, hinges on correct identification taxa. However, past studies shown how crucially depends important decisions during sampling, sample processing, subsequent handling data. With no clear consensus to best practice, particularly latter has led varied bioinformatic approaches recommendations data preparation taxonomic identification. In study, using large freshwater fish eDNA sequence dataset, we compared frequently zero‐radius Operational Taxonomic Unit (zOTU) our raw reads assigned it taxonomically (i) combination with publicly available reference sequences (open databases) (ii) an OSU (Operational Sequence Units) database approach, curated generated from specimen barcoding (closed database). We show both gave comparable results common species. commonalities between decreased read abundance were thus less reliable not rare The success zOTU depended suitability, rather than size, database. Contrastingly, often enabled species‐level identifications, yet resolution recent phylogenetic age need include target group coverage, outgroups full annotation databases avoid misleading annotations that can occur when short amplicon sizes commonly metabarcoding studies. Finally, make suggestions improve construction use future.

Language: Английский

---

Climate, immigration and speciation shape terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity in the European Alps

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 289(1980)

Published: Aug. 10, 2022

Quaternary climate fluctuations can affect speciation in regional biodiversity assembly two non-mutually exclusive ways: a glacial species pump, where isolation refugia accelerates allopatric speciation, and adaptive radiation underused zones during ice-free periods. We detected biogeographic genetic signatures associated with both mechanisms the of biota European Alps. Age distributions endemic widespread within aquatic terrestrial taxa (amphipods, fishes, amphibians, butterflies flowering plants) revealed that fish evolved only lakes, are highly sympatric, mainly Holocene age, consistent radiation. Endemic amphipods ancient, suggesting preglacial limited range expansion local Pleistocene survival, perhaps facilitated by groundwater-dwelling lifestyle. Terrestrial endemics mostly age thus more pump. The lack evidence for biome is faster recolonization through these after retreats. More stable less seasonal ecological conditions lakes may also have contributed to lakes. high proportion young, makes Alpine vulnerable change, but consequences loss will likely differ between biomes because their distinct evolutionary histories.

Language: Английский

---

Pronounced changes of subterranean biodiversity patterns along a Late Pleistocene glaciation gradient

Ecography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2024(8)

Published: June 14, 2024

Understanding spatial patterns of biodiversity within the context long‐term climatic shifts is high importance, particularly in face contemporary climate change. In comparison to aboveground taxa, subterranean organisms respond changing climates with generally much lower dispersal and recolonization potential, yet possible persistence refugial groundwater habitats under ice‐shields. However, knowledge on general geographically large‐scale effects glaciation still very limited. Here, we tested how Late Pleistocene influenced diversity distribution 36 amphipod species Alpine peri‐Alpine regions, characterized by extensive cycles, its legacy explains patterns. We based our analysis an unprecedented density ~ 1000 systematic sampling sites across Switzerland. Using presence–absence data, assessed species' ranges, calculated for each site within‐catchment distance Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) glacier extent. then applied a sliding window approach along obtained gradient from LGM ice‐covered ice‐free compute indices reflecting local richness, regional differentiation, respectively. found strong signal ice extent present‐day amphipods. Our findings revealed pronounced turnover envelopes individual occurrences formerly ice‐covered, ice‐free, or transitional zones, While richness remained constant low gradient, communities areas were more similar other had gamma diversities decreased occurrence probabilities per compared areas. These results highlight significant impact shaping imprinting organisms.

Language: Английский

---

Landscape Heterogeneity Explains the Genetic Differentiation of a Forest Bird across the Sino-Himalayan Mountains

Molecular Biology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 41(3)

Published: Feb. 6, 2024

Abstract Mountains are the world's most important centers of biodiversity. The Sino-Himalayan global biodiversity hotspot due to their extremely high species richness and endemicity. Ample research investigated impact Qinghai–Tibet Plateau uplift Quaternary glaciations in driving diversification plants animals across Mountains. However, little is known about role landscape heterogeneity other environmental features this region. We utilized whole genomes phenotypic data combination with genetic approaches investigate population structure, demography, diversity a forest songbird native Mountains, red-billed leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea). identified 5 phylogeographic clades, including 1 East China, Yunnan, 3 Tibet, roughly consistent differences song plumage coloration but incongruent traditional subspecies boundaries. Isolation-by-resistance model best explained differentiation within L. lutea, extensive secondary contact after allopatric isolation leading admixture among clades. Ecological niche modeling indicated relative stability extent suitable distribution areas glacial cycles. Our results underscore importance mountains species, given that distinct clades concentrated relatively small area Mountain region, while single shallow clade populates vast lower-lying east. This study highlights crucial promoting provides deep genomic perspective on mechanisms through which hotspots form.

Language: Английский

---

The uneven distribution of refugial endemics across the European Alps suggests a threefold role of climate in speciation of refugial populations

Alpine Botany, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 134(1), P. 29 - 50

Published: March 1, 2024

Abstract A little more than 10% of the vascular plant flora native to European Alps is endemic this area. It has long been noticed that distribution endemics across very uneven. While most are found along southern edge Alps, with some also on its western, eastern, and northeastern edges, northern or less between Lake Geneva in west Traun east harbours almost no endemics. The often related location glacial refugia. Accordingly, virtual absence from explained unsuitability climatic conditions for survival alpine plants there. After discussing evidence existence refugia species north I will examine how these differed Alps. conclude uneven best by different climate through time south These differences affected spatial structure extent refugia, length isolation refugial populations, selective

Language: Английский

---

Speciation Rates of Freshwater Fish Across the Americas Vary With Environmental Heterogeneity and Dispersal Ability

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 17, 2025

ABSTRACT Aims Species richnesses show marked spatial trends, but the contribution of speciation rates (SpecRates) to these trends is less clear. The roles environmental heterogeneity (topography and climate), glaciation, dispersal ability, times colonise, speciate large‐scale variation in SpecRates freshwater fish faunas are assessed. Location Atlantic Pacific coast drainages North, Central, South America. Taxon Fish. Methods Published information was compiled on SpecRates, phylogenies, colonisation times, species geographic distributions, migratory behaviour fishes 582 catchments. effects topographic climatic factors, including glaciation vagility, three rate metrics were examined using boosted regression tree models. Results Mean differ five‐fold across drainage regions with glaciation. highest Nearctic decline southwards, drainages, between Neotropical basins. Assemblage vary percentage species, heterogeneity, time, age. High associated postglacial recolonisation by rapidly speciating diadromous Neotropics for resident potamodromous higher than species. dispersing into an area more migratory, occur further north, have wider distributions diversifying situ. Endemicity recently colonised increases time levels. Main Conclusions Spatial temporal topography climate generate differences connectivity which, coupled abilities overcome barriers, result different areas.

Language: Английский

---

Site-specific survey and reference data reveal drivers of fish community diversity changes in southwest Germany

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

Published: May 27, 2025

Abstract Despite efforts to minimize human impact on rivers, native teleost fish and lamprey species communities in Germany remain threatened. The aim of the study was quantify current diversity area, identify level deviation from realistic reference conditions, characterize relevant drivers loss. Site-specific survey data were consolidated with community data, selected biodiversity metrics calculated compared for 390 river sections. A novel index implemented that reflects at which a deviates presumptive natural state. obtained cross-linked environmental factors using generalized linear mixed modeling. significant decline revealed when comparing results recent surveys corresponding conditions. Non-native species, transverse structures, land use identified as important low diversity. especially effective quantifying changes ongoing dynamic influences, such bioclimatic change, do not necessarily affect but lead Authorities stakeholders are encouraged establish site-specific develop more targeted conservation measures.

Language: Английский

---

Towards a genomic resolution of the Phengaris alcon species complex

Conservation Genetics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 25(3), P. 823 - 834

Published: Jan. 28, 2024

Abstract Taxonomic entities below the species level often pose difficulties for conservation practice, especially when they are ecologically distinct from nominal species. Genomic tools provide opportunity to study and potentially resolve such cryptic diversity. The Alcon blue butterfly Phengaris alcon complex is a example, comprising different ecotypes or even subspecies, one of them high elevation taxon P. rebeli European Alps. We sequenced first reference genome . Furthermore, we generated whole resequence data individuals three Swiss ecotypes, i.e., low , mid alpine integrated genomic across Europe relationship among these ecotypes. At scale, our results suggest that complex, biogeography evolutionary context diversification more multifaceted than previously suggested, falling in range recent ecological speciation. In Switzerland, were genetically isolated with only limited current gene flow between them. Past flow, however, could have given rise ecotype. Our findings emphasise Alps should be treated as highlights how availability assemblies allows address so far open taxonomic questions research broadscale studies needed understand biogeographic history apparent diversification.

Language: Английский

---