The n‐dimensional hypervolume

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 23(5), P. 595 - 609

Published: Feb. 20, 2014

Abstract Aim The Hutchinsonian hypervolume is the conceptual foundation for many lines of ecological and evolutionary inquiry, including functional morphology, comparative biology, community ecology niche theory. However, extant methods to sample from hypervolumes or measure their geometry perform poorly on high‐dimensional holey datasets. Innovation We first highlight computational issues that have prevented a more direct approach measuring hypervolumes. Next, we present new multivariate kernel density estimation method resolves these problems in an arbitrary number dimensions. Main conclusions show our (implemented as ‘hypervolume’ R package) can match several species distribution modelling. Tools quantify will enable wide range fundamental descriptive, inferential questions be addressed.

Language: Английский

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Biodiversity, Ecosystem Functioning, and Human Wellbeing

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2009, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 30, 2009

Abstract How will biodiversity loss affect ecosystem functioning, services, and human wellbeing? In an age of accelerating loss, this volume summarizes recent advances in biodiversity‐ecosystem functioning research explores the economics services. The first section development basic science provides a meta-analysis that quantitatively tests several hypotheses. second describes natural foundations research, including: quantifying functional diversity, field into predictive science, effects stability complexity, methods to quantify mechanisms by which diversity affects importance trophic structure, microbial ecology, spatial dynamics. third takes on further than it has ever gone dimension. six chapters cover most pressing environmental challenges humanity faces, including on: climate change mitigation, restoration degraded habitats, managed ecosystems, pollination, disease, biological invasions. remaining three consider economic perspective, synthesis services biodiversity, options open policy-makers address failure markets account for services; examination valuing and, hence, understanding consequences decisions neglect these ways economists are currently incorporating decision models conservation management biodiversity. final new ecoinformatics help transform globally finally, advancements future directions field. book's ultimate conclusion is essential element any strategy sustainable development.

Language: Английский

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Functional trait and phylogenetic tests of community assembly across spatial scales in an Amazonian forest

Ecological Monographs, Journal Year: 2010, Volume and Issue: 80(3), P. 401 - 422

Published: June 22, 2010

Despite a long history of the study tropical forests, uncertainty about importance different ecological processes in shaping tree species distributions persists. Trait‐ and phylogenetic‐based tests community assembly provide powerful way to detect but have seldom been applied same community. Both methods are well suited testing how relative changes with spatial scale. Here we apply both Yasuní Forest Dynamics Plot, 25‐ha Amazonian forest >1100 species. We found evidence for habitat filtering from trait phylogenetic small (25 m 2 ) intermediate (10 000 scales. Trait‐based detected even spacing strategies, pattern consistent niche partitioning or enemy‐mediated density dependence, at smaller scales (25–400 ). Simulation modeling suggests that low statistical power traits larger may contribute observed patterns. Trait tended identify areas as being subject filtering. Phylogenetic tests, which far less data‐intensive than trait‐based methods, captured much patterns by often failed even‐spacing apparent data. Taken together, it appears associations differentiation shape co‐occurrence one most diverse forests world range

Language: Английский

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Contrasting changes in taxonomic vs. functional diversity of tropical fish communities after habitat degradation

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2010, Volume and Issue: 20(6), P. 1512 - 1522

Published: Aug. 24, 2010

Human activities have strong impacts on ecosystem functioning through their effect abiotic factors and biodiversity. There is also growing evidence that species functional traits link changes in composition shifts processes. Hence, it appears to be of utmost importance quantify modifications the structure communities after human disturbance addition taxonomic structure. Despite this fact, there still little consensus actual human‐mediated habitat alteration components biodiversity, which include traits. Therefore, we studied diversity (richness evenness), diversity, specialization estuarine fish facing drastic environmental alterations. The Terminos Lagoon (Gulf Mexico) a tropical estuary primary concern for its habitats, resource supply, been severely impacted by activities. Fish were sampled four zones 18 years apart (1980 1998). Two functions performed (food acquisition locomotion) measurement 16 Functional was quantified using three independent components: richness, evenness, divergence. Additionally, measured degree communities. We used null model compare between 1980 1998. Among largest studied, did not show changes. In northern part lagoon, found an increase richness but significant decrease divergence specialization. explain result decline specialized (i.e., those with particular combinations traits), while newly occurring are redundant already present. decreased abundance linked seagrass habitats regressed consecutively increasing eutrophication. paradox our study highlights need multifaceted approach assessment biodiversity under pressure.

Language: Английский

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Niche width collapse in a resilient top predator following ecosystem fragmentation

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2007, Volume and Issue: 10(10), P. 937 - 944

Published: July 31, 2007

Abstract Much research has focused on identifying species that are susceptible to extinction following ecosystem fragmentation, yet even those persist in fragmented habitats may have fundamentally different ecological roles than conspecifics unimpacted areas. Shifts trophic role induced by especially of abundant top predators, could transcendent impacts food web architecture and stability, as well function. Here we use a novel measure niche width, based stable isotope ratios, assess effects aquatic fragmentation ecology resilient, dominant, predator. We demonstrate collapse width the predator systems, phenomenon related significant reductions diversity potential prey taxa. Collapsed reflects homogenization energy flow pathways likely serving destabilize remnant webs render apparently resilient predators more through time.

Language: Английский

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