Addressing context dependence in ecology

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 37(2), P. 158 - 170

Published: Oct. 30, 2021

Context dependence is widely invoked to explain disparate results in ecology. It arises when the magnitude or sign of a relationship varies due conditions under which it observed. Such variation, especially unexplained, can lead spurious seemingly contradictory conclusions, limit understanding and our ability transfer findings across studies, space, time. Using examples from biological invasions, we identify two types context resulting four sources: mechanistic interaction effects; apparent arise presence confounding factors, problems statistical inference, methodological differences among studies. Addressing critical challenge ecology, essential for increased prediction.

Language: Английский

---

Resolving the SLOSS dilemma for biodiversity conservation: a research agenda

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 97(1), P. 99 - 114

Published: Aug. 28, 2021

ABSTRACT The legacy of the ‘SL > SS principle’, that a single or few large habitat patches (SL) conserve more species than several small (SS), is evident in decisions to protect while down‐weighting ones. However, empirical support for this principle lacking, and most studies find either no difference opposite pattern (SS SL). To resolve dilemma, we propose research agenda by asking, ‘are there consistent, empirically demonstrated conditions leading SL SS?’ We first review summarize ‘single small’ (SLOSS) theory predictions. found predictions assume between‐patch variation extinction rate dominates outcome extinction–colonization dynamic. This predicted occur when populations separate are largely independent each other due low movements, differ minimum patch size requirements, strong nestedness composition along gradient. even dynamic, can predict SL. occurs if extinctions caused antagonistic interactions disturbances, spreading‐of‐risk landscape‐scale across SS. also colonization higher immigration rates SL, larger pools proximity Theory considers change among predicts because beta diversity results mainly from greater environmental heterogeneity micro‐habitats within (‘across‐habitat heterogeneity’), and/or heterogeneous successional trajectories Based on our relevant theory, develop ‘SLOSS cube hypothesis’, where combination three variables – movement, role population persistence, across‐habitat SLOSS outcome. use hypothesis existing evidence, only all following true: importance heterogeneity. Testing prediction will be challenging, as it require many groups regions these hold. Each such study would compare gamma multiple landscapes varying number sizes patches. If not generally supported tests, then mechanisms extremely rare nature should abandoned.

Language: Английский

---

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

---

Biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Campo Rupestre: A road map for the sustainability of the hottest Brazilian biodiversity hotspot

Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 18(4), P. 213 - 222

Published: Oct. 1, 2020

Global sustainability rests on a myriad of benefits provided by natural ecosystems that support human livelihoods and well-being, from biodiversity persistence to climate regulation. The undeniable importance conserving tropical forests has drawn most the conservation spotlight towards it. However, open such as Brazilian Campo Rupestre (rupestrian grassland), have been historically overlooked despite their high diversity key associated ecosystem services. We highlight major current threats emphasizing its ecological, social, cultural, geo-environmental, economic importance. call attention reservoir services offer priority actions resulted discussions involving scientists, industry representatives, environmental managers, other members civil society. Proposed include efforts related ecological restoration, sustainable ecotourism, protection traditional knowledge, identification emerging research questions, development tailored public policies. Such issues are integrated into framework collectively represents road map safeguard further degradation steer historical overexploitation management. Safeguarding future non-forest biomes like this poses challenge paradigms nature conservation. By establishing priorities guidelines, we propose an actionable plan, which hope can informed decision-making policy use Rupestre.

Language: Английский

---

Universal beta-diversity–functioning relationships are neither observed nor expected

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 38(6), P. 532 - 544

Published: Feb. 17, 2023

Language: Английский

---

A framework for understanding how biodiversity patterns unfold across multiple spatial scales in urban ecosystems

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 12(7)

Published: July 1, 2021

Abstract Whether cities are more or less diverse than surrounding environments, and the extent to which non‐native species in impact regional pools, remain two fundamental yet unanswered questions urban ecology. Here we offer a unifying framework for understanding mechanisms that generate biodiversity patterns across taxonomic groups spatial scales systems. One commonality between existing frameworks is collective recognition co‐occurrence locally not simply function of natural colonization extinction processes. Instead, it largely consequence human actions governed by myriad social processes occurring groups, institutions, stakeholders. Rather challenging these frameworks, expand upon them explicitly consider how non‐human interact control influence composition over space time. We present comprehensive theory drive within cities, non‐urbanized areas using general perspective metacommunity Armed with this approach, embrace fact humans substantially β‐diversity creating variety different habitats areas, influencing dispersal rates, suggest ways influences can be accommodated paradigms. Since have been extensively described at local scale, argue basic premises validated studying areas. By integrating native co‐occurrence, proposed only helps reconcile contrasting views on whether ecosystems hotspots sinks, but also provides mechanistic better predict when why alternative might emerge.

Language: Английский

---

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

---

Detecting patterns of vertebrate biodiversity across the multidimensional urban landscape

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 25(4), P. 1027 - 1045

Published: Feb. 3, 2022

Abstract Explicit characterisation of the complexity urban landscapes is critical for understanding patterns biodiversity and detecting underlying social ecological processes that shape them. Urban environments exhibit variable heterogeneity connectivity, influenced by different historical contingencies, affect community assembly across scales. The multidimensional nature disturbance co‐occurrence multiple stressors can cause synergistic effects leading to nonlinear responses in populations communities. Yet, current research design ecology evolutionary studies typically relies on simple representation parameter space be observed. Sampling approaches apply gradients such as linear transects or comparisons sites mosaic accounting a few variables. This rarely considers dimensions scales biodiversity, proves inadequate explain observed patterns. We approach integrates distinctive social, built characteristics landscapes, representing variations along heterogeneity, connectivity contingency. Measuring species richness beta diversity 100 US metropolitan areas at city 1‐km scales, we show signatures result from interactions between socioecological mediated

Language: Английский

---

Emergent properties of species-habitat networks in an insular forest landscape

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 8(34)

Published: Aug. 26, 2022

Deforestation and fragmentation are pervasive drivers of biodiversity loss, but how they scale up to entire landscapes remains poorly understood. Here, we apply species-habitat networks based on species co-occurrences test the effects insular multiple taxa—medium-large mammals, small nonvolant lizards, understory birds, frogs, dung beetles, orchid bees, trees—across 22 forest islands three continuous sites within a river-damming quasi-experimental landscape in Central Amazonia. Widespread, nonrandom local extinctions were translated into highly nested low connectance modularity. Networks’ robustness considering sequential removal large-to-small was generally low; between 5% (dung beetles) 50% (orchid bees) persisted when retaining only <10 ha islands. In turn, larger body size main attributes structuring networks. Our results raise prospects that simplified networks, with distinct taxa persistence habitat loss.

Language: Английский

---

Pondscape or waterscape? The effect on the diversity of dispersal along different freshwater ecosystems

Hydrobiologia, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 850(15), P. 3211 - 3223

Published: Jan. 4, 2023

Language: Английский

---