A conceptual guide to measuring species diversity

Oikos, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 130(3), P. 321 - 338

Published: Feb. 9, 2021

Three metrics of species diversity – richness, the Shannon index and Simpson are still widely used in ecology, despite decades valid critiques leveled against them. Developing a robust metric has been challenging because, unlike many variables ecologists measure, community often cannot be estimated an unbiased way based on random sample from that community. Over past decade, have begun to incorporate two important tools for estimating diversity: coverage Hill diversity. Coverage is method equalizing samples is, theoretical grounds, preferable other commonly methods such as equal‐effort sampling, or rarefying datasets equal size. comprises spectrum three key insights. First, richness variants indices all special cases one general equation. Second, can expressed same scale units species. Third, there no eliminate effect relative abundance estimates any these metrics, including richness. Rather, researcher must choose sensitivity towards rare common species, concept which we describe ‘leverage.' In this paper explain diversity, provide guidelines how use them together measure demonstrate their with examples our own data. We show why researchers will obtain more results when they estimate equal‐coverage samples, rather than using sampling traditional rarefaction.

Language: Английский

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Scaling‐up biodiversity‐ecosystem functioning research

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 23(4), P. 757 - 776

Published: Jan. 29, 2020

Abstract A rich body of knowledge links biodiversity to ecosystem functioning (BEF), but it is primarily focused on small scales. We review the current theory and identify six expectations for scale dependence in BEF relationship: (1) a nonlinear change slope relationship with spatial scale; (2) scale‐dependent between stability extent; (3) coexistence within among sites will result positive at larger scales; (4) temporal autocorrelation environmental variability affects species turnover thus (5) connectivity metacommunities generates relationships by affecting population synchrony local regional (6) scaling food web structure diversity generate functioning. suggest directions synthesis that combine approaches metaecosystem metacommunity ecology integrate cross‐scale feedbacks. Tests this may remote sensing generation networked experiments assess effects multiple also show how anthropogenic land cover alter relationship. New research role guide policy linking goals managing ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Joint Species Distribution Modelling

Published: May 18, 2020

Joint species distribution modelling (JSDM) is a fast-developing field and promises to revolutionise how data on ecological communities are analysed interpreted. Written for both readers with limited statistical background, those expertise, this book provides comprehensive account of JSDM. It enables integrate abundances, environmental covariates, traits, phylogenetic relationships, the spatio-temporal context in which have been acquired. Step-by-step coverage full technical detail methods provided, as well advice interpreting results analyses broader modern community ecology theory. With advantage numerous example R-scripts, an ideal guide help graduate students researchers learn conduct interpret practice R-package Hmsc, providing fast starting point applying joint their own data.

Language: Английский

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Ecosystems monitoring powered by environmental genomics: A review of current strategies with an implementation roadmap

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 30(13), P. 2937 - 2958

Published: May 16, 2020

Abstract A decade after environmental scientists integrated high‐throughput sequencing technologies in their toolbox, the genomics‐based monitoring of anthropogenic impacts on biodiversity and functioning ecosystems is yet to be implemented by regulatory frameworks. Despite broadly acknowledged potential genomics this end, technical limitations conceptual issues still stand way its broad application end‐users. In addition, multiplicity implementation strategies may contribute a perception that routine methodology premature or “in development”, hence restraining regulators from binding these tools into legal Here, we review recent implementations methods, applied biomonitoring ecosystems. By taking general overview, without narrowing our perspective particular habitats groups organisms, paper aims compare, discuss strengths four for monitoring: (a) Taxonomy‐based analyses focused identification known bioindicators described taxa; (b) De novo bioindicator analyses; (c) Structural community metrics including inferred ecological networks; (d) Functional (metagenomics metatranscriptomics). We emphasise utility three latter integrate meiofauna microorganisms are not traditionally utilised because difficult taxonomic identification. Finally, propose roadmap programmes leverage analytical advancements, while pointing out current future research needs.

Language: Английский

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We should not necessarily expect positive relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in observational field data

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 24(12), P. 2537 - 2548

Published: Sept. 16, 2021

Abstract Our current, empirical understanding of the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function is based on two information sources. First, controlled experiments which show generally positive relationships. Second, observational field data variable This latter source coupled with a lack observed declines in local has led to argument that biodiversity‐ecosystem functioning relationships may be uninformative for conservation management. We review ecological theory re‐analyse several datasets argue correlations diversity are often difficult interpret context research. occurs because biotic interactions filter species during community assembly means there can high effect even low diversity. indicates we should not necessarily expect any specific data. Rather, linking predictions from requires considering pool available colonisation: pool. suggest that, without declines, loss at regional scales—which determines pools—may still negatively affect functioning.

Language: Английский

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Global patterns of vascular plant alpha diversity

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Sept. 1, 2022

Global patterns of regional (gamma) plant diversity are relatively well known, but whether these hold for local communities, and the dependence on spatial grain, remain controversial. Using data 170,272 georeferenced assemblages, we created global maps alpha (local species richness) vascular plants at three different grains, forests non-forests. We show that is consistently high across grains in some regions (for example, Andean-Amazonian foothills), 'scaling anomalies' (deviations from positive correlation) exist elsewhere, particularly Eurasian temperate with disproportionally higher fine-grained richness many African tropical coarse-grained richness. The influence climatic, topographic biogeographical variables also varies grains. Our multi-grain return a nuanced understanding biodiversity complements classic hotspots will improve predictions change effects biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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A framework for the detection and attribution of biodiversity change

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 378(1881)

Published: May 29, 2023

The causes of biodiversity change are great scientific interest and central to policy efforts aimed at meeting targets. Changes in species diversity high rates compositional turnover have been reported worldwide. In many cases, trends detected, but these rarely causally attributed possible drivers. A formal framework guidelines for the detection attribution is needed. We propose an inferential guide analyses, which identifies five steps—causal modelling, observation, estimation, attribution—for robust attribution. This workflow provides evidence relation hypothesized impacts multiple potential drivers can eliminate putative from contention. encourages a reproducible statement confidence about role after methods trend deployed. Confidence requires that data analyses used all steps follow best practices reducing uncertainty each step. illustrate with examples. could strengthen bridge between science support effective actions halt loss this has on ecosystems. article part theme issue ‘Detecting attributing change: needs, gaps solutions’.

Language: Английский

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Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 33(16), P. 3495 - 3504.e4

Published: July 19, 2023

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear understanding how ecological communities respond environmental change across time space.3,4 While increasing availability global databases on has advanced knowledge biodiversity sensitivity changes,5,6,7 vast areas tropics remain understudied.8,9,10,11 In American tropics, Amazonia stands out as world's most diverse rainforest primary source Neotropical biodiversity,12 but remains among least known forests in America often underrepresented databases.13,14,15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may eliminate pieces Amazon's puzzle before we can use them understand are responding. increase generalization applicability knowledge,18,19 thus crucial reduce biases research, particularly regions projected face pronounced changes. We integrate community metadata 7,694 sampling sites for multiple organism groups machine learning model framework map research probability Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying region's vulnerability change. 15%-18% neglected expected experience severe climate or land changes by 2050. This means that unless take immediate action, will not be able establish their current status, much less monitor changing what being lost.

Language: Английский

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Looking back on biodiversity change: lessons for the road ahead

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 378(1881)

Published: May 29, 2023

Estimating biodiversity change across the planet in context of widespread human modification is a critical challenge. Here, we review how has changed recent decades scales and taxonomic groups, focusing on four diversity metrics: species richness, temporal turnover, spatial beta-diversity abundance. At local scales, all metrics includes many examples both increases declines tends to be centred around zero, but with higher prevalence declining trends (increasing similarity composition space or biotic homogenization) The exception this pattern changes through time observed most assemblages. Less known about at regional although several studies suggest that richness are more prevalent than declines. Change global scale hardest estimate accurately, extinction rates probably outpacing speciation rates, elevated. Recognizing variability essential accurately portray unfolding, highlights much remains unknown magnitude direction multiple different scales. Reducing these blind spots allow appropriate management actions deployed. This article part theme issue ‘Detecting attributing causes change: needs, gaps solutions’.

Language: Английский

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The undetectability of global biodiversity trends using local species richness

Ecography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 2023(3)

Published: Feb. 9, 2023

Although species are being lost at alarming rates, previous research has provided conflicting results on the extent and even direction of global biodiversity change local scale. Here, we assessed ability to detect trends using richness how it is affected by number monitoring sites, sampling interval (i.e. time between original survey re‐survey site), measurement error (error richness), spatial grain (a proxy for taxa mobility) biases site‐selection biases). We use PREDICTS model‐based estimates as a real‐world distribution randomly selected sites calculate trends. found that while network with hundreds could in within 30‐year period, detecting doubled decade, increased 10‐fold three years yearly were undetectable. Measurement errors had non‐linear effect statistical power, 1% reducing power slight margin 5% drastically reliably any trend. The was also related grain, making harder sampled smaller plot sizes. Spatial not only reduced negative but sometimes yielded positive conclude accurate may simply be unfeasible current approaches. suggest representative implemented national level, combined models accounting biases, can help improve our understanding change.

Language: Английский

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