Elevational and local climate variability predicts thermal breadth of mountain tropical tadpoles

Ecography, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 2022(5)

Published: April 5, 2022

The climate variability hypothesis posits that increased environmental thermal variation should select for generalists, while stable environments favor specialists. This has been tested on large spatial scales, such as latitude and elevation, but less so smaller scales reflective of the experienced microclimate. Here, we estimated tolerance limits 75 species amphibian tadpoles from an aseasonal tropical mountain range Ecuadorian Andes, distributed along a 3500 m elevational range, to test climatic at (elevation) small (microhabitat) scale. We show how variable habitats, lowlands those restricted streams, exhibit narrower breadths than highland pond‐dwelling respectively. Interestingly, broader are driven by higher cold (heat‐invariant hypothesis), local they heat variation. contrasting pattern may result divergent selection both face extremes different scales. Specifically, within same window, exposure extreme maximum temperatures could be avoided through habitat shifts temporary ponds permanent or minimum peak remained invariable between habitats steadily decreased with elevation. Therefore understanding effects conversion is crucial future research resilience change.

Language: Английский

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Field experiments on mechanisms influencing species boundary movement under climate change

Plant and Soil, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 476(1-2), P. 527 - 534

Published: April 2, 2022

Abstract Scope Currently knowledge is weak about which plant species boundaries are determined directly by climate and soil factors, versus mediated biotic interactions, such as exclusion superior competitors or pathogens. Under moving zones the difference important. For example, will warm shrink poleward of their own accord, only following invasion other species? What research most effectively strengthen our understanding this fundamental issue in ecology? Conclusions Traditionally required experiment has been transplant beyond boundary, together with density manipulation putative competitors, herbivores, pathogens facilitators. But now being moved across distributions, creating a different sort experiment. In order to learn efficiently from massive inadvertent experiment, exposure new needs be combined experimental factors. Because range extensions likely spatially patchy, these experiments need geographically extensive, sustained over 2–4 decades, twinned wide-area population monitoring via drones remote sensing. Highest priorities for would removal competition, provision seedlings. locations where vegetation physiognomy changes, woodlands into grasslands, rainforest fire-prone forest.

Language: Английский

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High response diversity and conspecific density‐dependence, not species interactions, drive dynamics of coral reef fish communities

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

Published: April 1, 2024

Abstract Species‐to‐species and species‐to‐environment interactions are key drivers of community dynamics. Disentangling these in species‐rich assemblages is challenging due to the high number potentially interacting species (the ‘curse dimensionality’). We develop a process‐based model that quantifies how intraspecific interspecific interactions, species’ covarying responses environmental fluctuations, jointly drive fit reef fish abundance time series from 41 reefs Australia's Great Barrier Reef. found fluctuating relative abundances driven by heterogenous whereas negligible. Species differences long‐term average variation magnitudes both conspecific density‐dependence density‐independent growth rates. This study introduces novel approach overcoming curse dimensionality, which reveals highly individualistic dynamics coral communities imply level niche structure.

Language: Английский

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Birds optimize fruit size consumed near their geographic range limits

Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 385(6706), P. 331 - 336

Published: July 18, 2024

Animals can adjust their diet to maximize energy or nutritional intake. For example, birds often target fruits that match beak size because those be consumed more efficiently. We hypothesized pressure optimize diet-measured as matching between fruit and size-increases under stressful environments, such determine species' range edges. Using fruit-consumption trait information for 97 frugivorous bird 831 plant species across six continents, we demonstrate feed frequently on closely size-matched near geographic limits. This pattern was particularly strong highly birds, whereas opportunistic frugivores showed no tendency. These findings highlight how frugivore interactions might respond conditions reveal may not predict resource use consistently.

Language: Английский

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Negative interaction effect of heat and drought stress at the warm end of species distribution

Oecologia, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 204(1), P. 173 - 185

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Abstract Geographic range limits of species are often a reflection their ecological niche limits. In many organisms, important that coincide with distribution warm and warm-dry conditions. We investigated the effects heat drought, as they can occur at end distribution. greenhouse experiment, we raised North American Arabidopsis lyrata from centre its well low- high-latitude under average extreme assessed plant growth development, leaf root functional traits, tested for decline in performance selection acting on growth, leaf, traits. Drought heat, when applied alone, lowered performance, while combined stress caused synergistically negative effects. Plants high latitudes did not survive stress, whereas plants originating central low had to moderate survival, indicating divergent adaptation. Traits positively associated survival or without were delayed slowed though plastic responses these traits generally antagonistic direction selection. line, higher tolerance southern populations involve aspects but rather root-to-shoot ratio thinner leaves. conclusion, edges presumably more so global change, seriously impede long-term persistence A. , even impose may adapt, likely interference by considerable maladaptive plasticity.

Language: Английский

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