Feeding Specialisation Shapes Avian Functional Diversity Along a Tropical Rainforest Elevational Gradient

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

Published: Feb. 7, 2025

ABSTRACT Aim Avian functional diversity in montane systems has been scrutinised by researchers seeking to uncover deterministic processes driving community assembly. However, many tropical rainforests lack fully surveyed elevational gradients that could inform on ecology of avian assemblages. Here we expand global coverage trends bird the third largest contiguous rainforest world. Location A 3500 m uninterrupted gradient Papua New Guinea. Taxon Birds. Methods We conducted point‐count surveys communities, sampling eight sites from 200 above sea level treeline at 3700 m. Functional indices (functional richness, evenness, and divergence) were examined using Bayesian generalised additive models after standardising for species richness. Additionally, analysed phylogenetic structure, variation individual traits, including feeding guild, morphology, dispersal ability. Results richness declined sharply lowlands 1700 level, followed a weak decrease towards treeline. evenness decreased monotonically with elevation, while divergence increased low elevations again near Phylogenetic exhibited monotonic decline accompanied clustering higher elevations. The mid‐elevation collapse was likely caused trophic interactions. Reduced availability large fruits declines frugivore body size beak dimensions, high abundance invertebrates favoured functionally uniform insectivores. Near treeline, communities displayed morphological shifts terrestrial lifestyles reduced ability, suggesting environmental filtering forest structure. Main Conclusions By examining highlight role interactions shaping systems. Similar research robust trait data can deepen our understanding ecosystem functions guide conservation strategies different groups birds across regions.

Language: Английский

Scale-dependent dispersal drives community assembly of breeding birds along elevational gradients

Ecological Processes, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: March 27, 2025

Abstract Background Identifying the processes that govern community assembly along elevational gradients has been a central theme in ecology, especially montane ecosystems where abundant species and strong turnover are present. However, our understanding of how relative importance deterministic stochastic varies remains limited. Here, we compiled rigorously curated dataset distributions 734 breeding bird across Hengduan Mountains China to assess dominant underlying mechanisms at both intra-community inter-community scales four elevation zones: low, middle, subalpine, alpine. Results At scale, homogeneous dispersal played pivotal role driving birds Mountains. Deterministic became more influential with increasing elevation, whereas prevailed subalpine zones. assemblages from different zones were differentiated by limitation. Non-Passeriformes experienced obvious influence but less subject limitation compared Passeriformes. Conclusions Our findings highlight shaping biotic communities ecosystems, this effect is scale-dependent. The transition suggests environmental factors become higher elevations. Species ability may affect these two assembly.

Language: Английский

Climb forest, climb: diverse disperser communities are key to assist plants tracking climate change on altitudinal gradients

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Dec. 2, 2024

Summary Climate change is forcing species to shift their distribution ranges. Animal seed dispersers might be particularly important in assisting plants tracking suitable climates higher elevations. However, this role still poorly understood due a lack of comprehensive multi‐guild datasets along elevational gradients. We compiled dispersal networks for the five altitudinal vegetation belts Tenerife Island (0–3718 m above sea level) explore how plant and animal facilitate mutual colonisation uphill habitats under climate change. The overall network comprised 283 distinct interactions between 73 27 species, with offering viable pathways colonise upper belts. A pivotal played by lizard as island‐level hub, while four birds one introduced mammal (rabbit) are also connectors Eleven were empirically found actively dispersed elevations beyond current known range, observed vertical distances largely surpassing those required escape Furthermore, over half arriving at exotic. Functionally diverse disperser communities crucial enabling on mountains, but exotic benefit from upward lift.

Language: Английский