Biotic homogenisation and differentiation as directional change in beta diversity: synthesising driver–response relationships to develop conceptual models across ecosystems

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 98(4), P. 1388 - 1423

Published: April 18, 2023

ABSTRACT Biotic homogenisation is defined as decreasing dissimilarity among ecological assemblages sampled within a given spatial area over time. differentiation, in turn, increasing Overall, changes the dissimilarities (termed ‘beta diversity’) an increasingly recognised feature of broader biodiversity change Anthropocene. Empirical evidence biotic and differentiation remains scattered across different ecosystems. Most meta‐analyses quantify prevalence direction beta diversity, rather than attempting to identify underlying drivers such changes. By conceptualising mechanisms that contribute or composition space, environmental managers conservation practitioners can make informed decisions about what interventions may be required sustain predict potential outcomes future disturbances. We systematically reviewed synthesised published empirical for terrestrial, marine, freshwater realms derive conceptual models explain diversity. pursued five key themes our review: ( i ) temporal change; ii disturbance regime; iii connectivity alteration species redistribution; iv habitat v trophic interactions. Our first model highlights how occur function local (alpha) diversity regional (gamma) independently invasions losses due occurrence assemblages. Second, magnitude depends on interaction between variation (patchiness) (synchronicity) events. Third, context redistribution, divergent have dispersal characteristics, associated with also strongly alpha gamma prior invasion. Fourth, positively linked variability, when heterogeneity decreases increases, respectively. Fifth, interactions influence via modification, disease, consumption (trophic dynamics), competition, by altering ecosystem productivity. synthesis multitude cause more less spatially similar (taxonomically, functionally, phylogenetically) through consider studies should aim enhance collective understanding systems clarifying driving focusing only reporting per se .

Language: Английский

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ForestScanner: A mobile application for measuring and mapping trees with LiDAR‐equipped iPhone and iPad

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 14(7), P. 1603 - 1609

Published: June 8, 2022

Abstract Ground‐based light detection and ranging (LiDAR) is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative means to conventional forest inventory methods. By gauging the distances multiple points on surrounding object surfaces, LiDAR acquires 3D point clouds from which tree sizes spatial distributions can be rapidly estimated. However, high cost specialized skills associated with technologies have put them out of reach for many potential users. We here introduce ForestScanner, a free, mobile application that allows LiDAR‐based inventories by iPhone or iPad built‐in sensor. ForestScanner does not require any manual analysis clouds. As user scans trees iPhone/iPad, estimates stem diameters coordinates based real‐time instance segmentation circle fitting. The users visualize, check share scanning results in situ. using we measured 672 within 1 ha plot hr 39 min 38 (diameter ≥ 5 cm; rate = 100%). diameter tape were good agreement; R 2 0.963 0.961 iPad. surveying system showed almost identical mapping (assessed among 0.04 subplots); Mantel 0.999 both reduced person‐hours required measuring 25.7%, 9.3%, doing 6.8% taken dimeter system. Our indicate enables cost‐, labour‐ time‐efficient inventories. increase accessibility non‐experts (e.g. students, citizen scientists) enhance resource assessments biodiversity monitoring forests world‐wide.

Language: Английский

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The latitudinal gradient in plant community assembly processes: A meta‐analysis

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 25(7), P. 1711 - 1724

Published: May 26, 2022

Abstract Beta(β)‐diversity, or site‐to‐site variation in species composition, generally decreases with increasing latitude, and the underlying processes driving this pattern have been challenging to elucidate because signals of community assembly are scale‐dependent. In meta‐analysis, by synthesising results 103 studies that were distributed globally conducted at various spatial scales, we revealed a latitudinal gradient detectable vascular plant communities. Variations composition low high latitudes mainly explained geographic variables, suggesting distance decay dispersal limitations causing aggregation influential these regions. contrast, correlated most strongly environmental variables mid‐latitudes (20–30°), reflecting importance filtering, although unimodal was not statistically significant. Importantly, our analysis effects different such correlation stronger smaller sampling extents, more larger extents. We concluded communities driven distinct biogeographical regions, biodiversity is created combination multiple vary size differences.

Language: Английский

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The proportion of low abundance species is a key predictor of plant β‐diversity across the latitudinal gradient

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

Published: Jan. 27, 2025

Abstract The diversity of life displays very strong patterns disparity across the Earth. Beta (β)‐diversity (species compositional differences among sites) woody plants, for instance, has usually been documented to decline with increasing latitude. Understanding these patterns, however, remains a grand challenge in ecology and evolution. We develop mathematical model explain β‐diversity multiple landscapes. effectively predicts simulated natural communities, regardless types species abundance distributions. Our provides novel insight that proportion lowest category ( P L ), which represents share relatively rare regional pool, is key predictor plant β‐diversity. By applying global forest inventories sampled from 40.7° S 60.7° N, we find explains nearly 85% variation along latitudinal gradient. Through series numerical simulations, further show predictive power on scale largely determined by intraspecific aggregation different communities. Synthesis : new sampling predict majority work tool analysing advances theoretical understanding large‐scale environmental gradients.

Language: Английский

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Partitioning the biodiversity effects on productivity into density and size components

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 26(11), P. 1963 - 1973

Published: Sept. 14, 2023

Abstract Plant density and size — two factors that represent plant survival growth are key determinants of yield but have rarely been analysed explicitly in the context biodiversity–productivity relationships. Here, we derive equations to partition net, complementarity selection effects biodiversity into additive components reflect diversity‐induced changes size. Applications new method empirical datasets reveal contrasting ways which regulate species mixtures. In an annual diversity experiment, overyielding is largely explained by associated with increased highly productive species. a tree cause shifts from enhanced reduced mortality complementary use canopy space during stand development. These results highlight capability resolve crucial, yet understudied, demographic links between productivity.

Language: Английский

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Fragmented micro-growth habitats present opportunities for alternative competitive outcomes

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

Published: Aug. 31, 2024

Abstract Bacteria in nature often thrive fragmented environments, like soil pores, plant roots or leaves, leading to smaller isolated habitats, shared with fewer species. This spatial fragmentation can significantly influence bacterial interactions, affecting overall community diversity. To investigate this, we contrast paired growth tiny picoliter droplets (1–3 cells per 35 pL up 3–8 species 268 pL) larger, uniform liquid cultures (about 2 million 140 µl). We test four interaction scenarios using different strains: substrate competition, independence, inhibition, and cell killing. In outcomes are more variable sometimes even reverse compared larger cultures. Both experiments simulations show that these differences stem mostly from variation initial population phenotypes their sizes. These effects most significant the smallest starting populations lessen as size increases. Simulations suggest slower-growing might survive competition by increasing variability. Our findings reveal how microhabitat promotes diverse outcomes, contributing greater diversity under competitive conditions.

Language: Английский

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Season‐driven climatic variables influence the temporal patterns of functional diversity and taxonomic dissimilarity of dung beetles in introduced Brazilian pasture ecosystem

Ecological Entomology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 49(4), P. 556 - 568

Published: March 31, 2024

Abstract Understanding the processes and mechanisms that underlie spatiotemporal patterns of biodiversity is paramount relevance, given ongoing global climate land cover changes. Here, we investigated influence season‐related climatic variables on two dimensions dung beetle diversity (taxonomic functional) at different scales (alpha beta) within an introduced Brazilian pasture ecosystem. We sampled beetles over 52 consecutive weeks, comprising dry rainy seasons. related taxonomic functional to (temperature, precipitation humidity) using absolute values changes from samplings (Δ, differences between samplings). found higher species richness abundance in season. Changes caused effects only dispersion, temporal β‐diversity losses but not beetles. However, these are dependent In season, increased a decrease dispersion opposite pattern was Similarly, temperature decreases both beetles, with Season‐associated showed contrasting metrics. Temporal may be driven by variables, which can associated sorting or traits their thermal niche.

Language: Английский

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Spatial and temporal taxonomic and functional beta diversity of macroinvertebrate assemblages along a tropical dammed river

Aquatic Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 87(2)

Published: Jan. 31, 2025

Language: Английский

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Ecological succession revisited from a temporal beta-diversity perspective

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 580, P. 122504 - 122504

Published: Feb. 3, 2025

Language: Английский

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Rapid Rates of Change in Multiple Biodiversity Measures in Breeding Avian Assemblages

Diversity, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(2), P. 127 - 127

Published: Feb. 13, 2025

Species respond to environmental changes at different rates, resulting in no change, increased, or decreased resemblance among species assemblages. We explored the patterns of rate change bird diversity five ecoregions United States across 30 years. characterized breeding avian biodiversity using measures richness and assemblage dissimilarity, detecting same for 50% 70% assemblages, respectively. Fast declines replacement were associated with rapid biotic differentiation within ecoregions, while increases slowed tied high within-ecoregion homogenization rates. Further, it was exceedingly rare any measured slowly over time; most rapid. For assemblages studied here, dissimilarity more common than richness, even though has received research attention. These results underscore need combine capturing aspects (e.g., differentiation) provide greater insight into underlying mechanisms pathways driving patterns.

Language: Английский

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