What drives phylogenetic and trait clustering on islands?

Landscape Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 38(5), P. 1339 - 1350

Published: March 14, 2023

Language: Английский

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Drivers of functional and phylogenetic structures of mountain bird assemblages along an altitudinal gradient from the montane to alpine zones

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 48, P. e02689 - e02689

Published: Oct. 18, 2023

Understanding the process underlying spatial gradients in biodiversity is a fundamental issue ecology. Altitudinal are ideal systems for examining community assembly because they represent rapid changes environmental conditions over relatively short distances. The functional and phylogenetic approaches allow deeper mechanistic understanding of process. However, whether from montane to alpine zones driven more by ecological constraints or human settlement patterns not fully resolved may vary system. Here, we examined trait-based structures clarified effects natural factors human-induced landscape transformation on breeding bird assemblage Mount Norikura, central Japan. Breeding birds 700 3,026 m a.s.l. were surveyed 2016–2017. Bird based species richness, structures. A null modelling approach was performed examine cluster/overdispersion structures; clustering overdispersion imply elimination filters limiting similarity as corollary competitive exclusion species, respectively. Furthermore, relative effect environments disturbance. richness high mountain base mid-elevation, then decreased with elevation. We found contrasting pattern zone: clustering. In contrast, clustered upper parts subalpine zone. clusterings lower negligible weak filtering. Single-trait analysis showed that abiotic tolerance foraging nesting capabilities treeless zone, mobility zones. Natural strongly affected structures, but disturbance added assemblages mid-elevation changed Our findings highlight filtering severe regions, whereas can be weaker at elevations. should differ between different combinations traits. Climate change pressures impact zones,

Language: Английский

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Nearby large islands diminish biodiversity of the focal island by a negative target effect

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 92(2), P. 492 - 502

Published: Dec. 7, 2022

The Equilibrium Theory of Island Biogeography postulates that larger and closer islands support higher biodiversity through the dynamic balance colonization extinction processes. negative diversity-isolation (i.e. distance to mainland) relationship is derived based on assumption mainland only source pool for island biotas. However, nearby could also act as species sources focal via a effect. In this study, we move further step hypothesize may reduce bird colonizers diminish its biodiversity, resulting in target To test our hypothesis, assessed effects area isolation (metrics considering both islands) taxonomic richness), functional phylogenetic diversity terrestrial breeding birds 42 largest archipelago China, Zhoushan Archipelago. Furthermore, compared predictive power large under set relative thresholds richness explore role and/or island. We found had positive effect richness, diversity, while richness. Species increased with increasing nearest island, indicating depended Our finding suggests located between can be not or stepping stones, but targets. This result demonstrates importance multiple geographical attributes biogeographic studies, especially characteristics related effects.岛屿生物地理学平衡理论 (Equilibrium Biogeography) 提出的迁入-灭绝动态平衡 (colonization-extinction dynamic) 认为面积更大、隔离度更低的岛屿生物多样性将会更高。大陆通常被认为是岛屿生物的主要源, 因此存在着负的物种数-大陆距离关系。然而主岛 (focal island) 邻近的其他岛屿同样可能是潜在的物种源 (colonization source)。本研究进一步假设, 邻近岛屿既可以是源, 也可以是拓殖目标 target)。因此, 邻近岛屿可能吸引主岛的潜在拓殖种群, 降低目标岛屿的迁入率, 进而减少其生物多样性, 我们将其称之为负目标效应 (negative effect)。 为了验证这一假设, 我们在中国最大的群岛 (浙江舟山群岛), 选取了面积和隔离度尽可能多样的42个岛屿开展鸟类物种调查, 并评估了各个岛屿地理属性 (包括岛屿面积、大陆距离和邻近岛屿相关的隔离度指标) 对鸟类的物种丰富度、功能多样性和系统发育多样性的影响。此外, 我们还比较了不同相对面积阈值下最近大岛距离和不同距离阈值下周边岛屿相对面积对物种丰富度的预测能力, 以探讨邻近岛屿作为源或目标时对岛屿物种丰富度的影响。 研究发现, 岛屿面积对物种丰富度、系统发育多样性和功能多样性有正影响, 而大陆距离只对物种丰富度有负影响。岛屿鸟类丰富度随着与最近大岛距离的增加而增加, 说明邻近岛屿表现出了负目标效应, 而非源效应。我们发现负目标效应受到邻近岛屿相对面积的影响。 负目标效应的发现表明邻近岛屿不仅仅可以作为物种源或是踏脚石 (stepping stone), 也可能是拓殖目标。这说明在岛屿生物地理学研究中考虑多重岛屿地理属性具有重要意义, 特别是那些有关源效应或目标效应的岛屿属性。.

Language: Английский

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Zeta Diversity Reveals the Small Wetland Complex Promotes Biodiversity

Water, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(3), P. 476 - 476

Published: Jan. 31, 2024

Small wetlands provide crucial ecosystem services but are facing widespread loss and degradation. At present, small wetland complexes an alternative avenue for conservation; we used a dataset to illustrate how zeta diversity can be assessed in complex. The complex studied consisted of nine hydrologically connected ponds, all the ponds were by narrow ditches. Data collected included composition both zooplankton phytoplankton communities, water physicochemical parameters, hydrological connectivity. Two ways which connectivity affects biodiversity, dispersal filtration (path distance-controlled biological diffusion) environmental (environment-selected species), quantified. As result, (1) 46 119 species identified, with richness distribution significantly affected properties (explained variances 68% 39%, respectively), reflecting significant filtration, (2) showed distance decay (p < 0.001), (3) relatively rare dominated community turnover, was far stronger than filtration. Overall, this study characterized connectivity, not only allowed moderate also promoted coexistence diverse habitats communities. We emphasize applicability assessing complexes, further demonstrating value promoting biodiversity such as turnover.

Language: Английский

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Habitat Fragmentation Reduced Plant Functional Diversity in the Agro-Pastoral Ecotone of Inner Mongolia

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Habitat fragmentation was widely recognized as a critical factor influencing biodiversity. Current research primarily focused on the taxonomic dimensions of species diversity; however, impact habitat plant functional diversity remains less understood. Our study examined 82 remnant grassland patches in Tabu River Basin, located typical agro-pastoral ecotone northern China. By analyzing characteristics at patch, landscape, and environmental levels, we employed Pearson correlation structural equation model (SEM) to explore relationship between predictive factors leaf traits well within fragmented landscapes this region. The findings showed that significant correlations were observed among traits, suggesting existence trade-off strategy, which is consistent with economic spectrum theory. Factors such patch area, isolation, temperature, mean annual precipitation, altitude slope identified primary influences traits. Furthermore, landscape significantly influenced diversity, directly or indirectly through microclimate dynamics. Additionally, "species-area" found be applicable dimension diversity. suggest protecting larger areas, lower altitudes, gentle slopes can effectively enhance growth. This conservation strategy becomes crucial when effective measures prevent loss are lacking.

Language: Английский

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Phylogeographic Structure and Population Dynamics of Baoxing Osmanthus (Osmanthus serrulatus), an Endemic Species from the Southwest Sichuan Basin, China

Plants, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(12), P. 1653 - 1653

Published: June 14, 2024

The mountainous regions of southwest China are recognized as pivotal centers for the origin and evolution

Language: Английский

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Competitive exclusion drives termite community assembly process on islands

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

Published: Aug. 17, 2024

Abiotic filtering, including environmental and dispersal is frequently observed resulting in reduced diversity more similar species assemblages following habitat fragmentation. Nonetheless, the significance of competitive exclusion often underestimated. We investigated dominant assembly process among termite communities on land-bridge islands, focusing known for their high territoriality. hypothesized that competitively superior tend to dominate favorable habitats, such as larger less isolated islands. Consequently, we anticipated lower greater similarity than would be expected. Termite were surveyed using standardized transects 24 quantified effects island area isolation taxonomic, phylogenetic functional by comparing patterns with randomly generated (i.e., stochastic process). A generalized linear mixed model (PGLMM) was conducted examine species-specific responses factors competition intensity heterospecific abundance). found expected suggesting mechanism shaping TIL. PGLMM showed two fungus-growing body sizes increased intensity, while other exhibited negative responses. Notably, abundance sharper increase decrease compared feeding groups. These findings demonstrate prefer high-quality habitats are sensitive Our study highlights emphasizes need consider both niche difference or groups when predict changes community structure biodiversity loss from

Language: Английский

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Non‐linear thresholds in the effect of area on three dimensions of diversity of herpetofauna in the West Indies

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 51(3), P. 439 - 453

Published: Dec. 6, 2023

Abstract Aim The small‐island effect (SIE) describes an anomalous feature of the species–area relationship (SAR) on smaller compared to larger islands. However, previous studies SIEs mainly focused taxonomic diversity and overlooked phylogenetic functional diversity. In this study, we explored in three dimensions We expect see non‐linear thresholds area as well community structures, because dominant assembly processes vary across spatial scales. Location West Indies. Taxon Herpetofauna. Methods derived data presence/absence 199 amphibian species 163 islands 614 reptile 748 built a species‐level tree estimate six taxonomic, indices. Four metrics behalf structure each island were calculated using null modelling framework was quantified standardized size (SES). for indices SES values by comparing piecewise regression models with linear model model. Results found evidence four representing all Besides, also both amphibians reptiles. Random extinction, competitive exclusion adaptive radiation are structuring communities small, intermediate large respectively. Main Conclusions To conduct comprehensive biodiversity conservation plan concerning diversity, suggest it is necessary explore various apply lowest threshold value make management strategies.

Language: Английский

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Human Disturbance and Geometric Constraints Drive Small Mammal Diversity and Community Structure along an Elevational Gradient in Eastern China

Animals, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(15), P. 1915 - 1915

Published: July 27, 2022

Understanding the mechanisms influencing patterns and processes of biological diversity is critical to protecting biodiversity, particularly in species-rich ecosystems such as mountains. Even so, there limited knowledge biodiversity mountains eastern China, especially about small mammals. In this study, we examined taxonomic, functional, phylogenetic mammal distribution community structure along elevational gradient Qingliang Mountain, China. We then evaluated how they are influenced by space (area mid-domain effect (MDE)), environment (temperature, precipitation, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)), human disturbance. The results showed hump-shaped taxonomic elevation gradients, peaking at 1000 m, unlike functional diversity, which peaked lower elevations (600 m). mean pairwise distance nearest taxon variance (MFD MPD, respectively) were also incongruent. MFD MPD elevations; however, MFD, m), higher (1200 (MNFD) decreased, while (MNTD) increased gradient. functionally more clustered, phylogenetically suggesting that environmental filtering for traits was stronger elevations. comparison, conservatism ecological niches had a influence indices inconsistently explained, with disturbance MDE accounting biggest proportions model-explained variances. Overall, confirm significantly mammals' structure. These findings emphasize need conservation efforts middle regions Mountain.

Language: Английский

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Taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional nestedness of mammal assemblages in the Zhoushan Archipelago, China

Current Zoology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 70(6), P. 728 - 738

Published: March 5, 2024

Abstract Nestedness is an important part of the theoretical framework island biogeography and community ecology. However, most previous studies focused on taxonomic dimension overlooked functional phylogenetic nestedness. Here, we simultaneously investigated taxonomic, functional, nestedness terrestrial mammals 39 land-bridge islands in Zhoushan Archipelago, China. As mammals’ response to environment may depend their body size, performed analyses for three mammal assemblages separately: overall species, large medium-sized small species. The was quantified by organizing species incidence matrix, while were estimated combining similarity ecological traits phylogeny. Island characteristics (island area, isolation indices, land use intensity, habitat diversity) (body litter specificity, geographic range minimum area requirement) used as predictors Overall significantly nested 3 facets nestedness, results supported selective extinction, colonization, hypotheses. Large functionally phylogenetically when matrices ordered increasing distance mainland, supporting colonization hypothesis. Overall, differences its underlying mechanisms detected not only but also assemblages. Therefore, frameworks that incorporate phylogenetic, can contribute a more comprehensive understanding processes. Additionally, it improves our ability understand divergent responses insular environment.

Language: Английский

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