Linking environmental heterogeneity and plant diversity: The ecological role of small natural features in homogeneous landscapes

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 763, С. 144199 - 144199

Опубликована: Дек. 25, 2020

Small natural features (SNFs), such as road verges, midfield islets, rocky outcrops and ancient burial mounds, provide safe havens for species of habitats in human-modified landscapes; therefore, their great ecological importance is contrast to small size. SNFs often have a high topographical heterogeneity abiotic conditions, which differ from surroundings; they unique opportunity establishing links between environmental (EH) biodiversity. However, no study has so far investigated the EH components topographically heterogeneous comprehensive framework, by linking biotic parameters. To fill this knowledge gap, we evaluated effect on biodiversity mounds covered semi-natural grasslands Pannonian (Hungary) Continental (Bulgaria) biogeographical regions. We designated 16 sites, each containing few-metre-high with five microsites (top, north-, east-, south- west-facing slopes) nearby plain grassland. At microsite, measured soil moisture, chemical properties, solar radiation microclimate; recorded cover vascular plants total 480 plots. On was associated sharp differences microclimate properties. Besides mild north-facing harsh south-facing slopes, east- slopes also sustained characterised dynamic diurnal changes air temperature vapour pressure deficit. Various combinations resulted plant compositions within microsites, supported co-occurrence typical contrasting habitat types, even couple metres. By combining high-resolution measurements factors fine-scale vegetation sampling, our provides evidence that widespread complex topography harbour several grassland-specialist introduce level otherwise homogeneous landscapes, one third global land area.

Язык: Английский

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Climate Change and Edaphic Specialists: Irresistible Force Meets Immovable Object?

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 35(4), С. 367 - 376

Опубликована: Янв. 17, 2020

Язык: Английский

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OCBIL theory examined: reassessing evolution, ecology and conservation in the world’s ancient, climatically buffered and infertile landscapes

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 133(2), С. 266 - 296

Опубликована: Дек. 3, 2020

Abstract OCBIL theory was introduced as a contribution towards understanding the evolution, ecology and conservation of biological cultural diversity old, climatically buffered, infertile landscapes (OCBILs), especially in Southern Hemisphere. The addresses some most intransigent environmental trends our time – ongoing decline biodiversity First Nations. Here we reflect on OCBILs, origins theory, its principal hypotheses biological, anthropological applications. discovery that threatened plant species are concentrated Southwest Australian Floristic Region (SWAFR) infertile, phosphorous-impoverished uplands within 500 km coast formed foundational framework for led to development testable growing literature is addressing. Currently, OCBILs recognized 15 Global Biodiversity Hotspots eight other regions. SWAFR, Greater Cape South Africa America’s campos rupestres (montane grasslands) those regions have comprehensively been investigated context theory. We summarize 12 evolutionary, ecological ten conservation-management being recent contributions literature.

Язык: Английский

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High species diversity and turnover in granite inselberg floras highlight the need for a conservation strategy protecting many outcrops

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2019, Номер 9(13), С. 7660 - 7675

Опубликована: Июнь 13, 2019

Determining patterns of plant diversity on granite inselbergs is an important task for conservation biogeography due to mounting threats. However, beyond the tropics there are relatively few quantitative studies floristic diversity, or consideration these and their environmental, biogeographic, historical correlates conservation. We sought contribute broader understanding global species inform biodiversity in globally significant Southwest Australian Floristic Region (SWAFR). surveyed floristics from 16 (478 plots) across climate gradient SWAFR stratified into three major habitats each outcrop. recorded 1,060 92 families. At plot level, local soil topographic variables affecting aridity were correlated with richness herbaceous (HO) woody vegetation (WO) soil-filled depressions, but not deeper soils at base outcrops (WOB). outcrop bioclimatic two (WO WOB) but, contrary predictions island biogeography, inselberg area isolation any habitats. Species turnover was also influenced by aridity, being interplot geographic distance, HO WO site variables. replacement dominant component habitats, consistent expectations long-term stable landscapes. Our results therefore highlight high associated flora. Hence, effective strategies will need focus protecting multiple entire region.

Язык: Английский

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Sugarloaf Land in south-eastern Brazil: a tropical hotspot of lowland inselberg plant diversity

Biodiversity Data Journal, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 8

Опубликована: Июнь 19, 2020

Isolated monoliths of granitic and/or gneissic rock rising abruptly from the surrounding landscape are known as inselbergs. Dome-shaped inselbergs common throughout Atlantic Forest in south-eastern Brazil, a region Sugarloaf Land (SLL). This study aimed to create first checklist vascular plant species occurring on lowland SLL, with focus vegetation islands. We used information online databases, our own field sampling and data previously-published studies. found 548 (505 angiosperms; 43 ferns lycophytes) belonging 69 families 212 genera. Of all identified species, 536 native 12 naturalised.We updated currently available Flora do Brasil 2020, 59% angiosperms 63% lycophytes were not previously characterised outcrops. As step towards generating Virtual Herbarium inselberg plants, we added barcode vouchers images for 75% total number species. In official lists endangered 115 five mentioned. However, conservation status many have yet been evaluated (77% 88% lycophytes), thus this list is an important their conservation. The provided herein essential management programmes related outcrops Brazil they facing serious threats

Язык: Английский

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On the rocks: Biogeography and floristic identity of rocky ecosystems in eastern South America

Journal of Systematics and Evolution, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 62(2), С. 305 - 320

Опубликована: Фев. 22, 2024

Abstract The geodiversity of rocky ecosystems includes diverse plant communities with specific names, but their continental‐scale floristic identity and the knowledge on role macroclimate remain patchy. Here, we assessed in eastern Brazil across multiple types landscapes evaluated relative importance climatic variables constraining differentiation. We provided lists diagnostic species an assessment conservation status identified groups. compiled a data set 151 sites (4498 species) from ecosystems, including campos rupestres, de altitude , granitic‐gneiss lowland inselbergs, limestone outcrops. used unsupervised clustering analysis followed by ANOSIM to assess groups among sites. performed random forest variable selection test whether occupy distinct spaces. Six (lithobiomes) segregated floristically according lithology climate. Alongside outcrops, inselbergs were divided biome which they occur (Atlantic Forest or Caatinga), rupestres largely lithological matrix (ironstone quartzitic). Plant Caatinga more similar while Atlantic resembled . composition outcrops seems be constrained lithology, factors are also meaningful for lithology. current network protected areas does not cover these unique heterogeneity, being least protected.

Язык: Английский

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Woody vegetation on tropical inselbergs: floristic-structural characterization and aboveground carbon storage

Journal of Mountain Science, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Апрель 30, 2025

Язык: Английский

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The ecological and evolutionary dynamics of inselbergs

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Окт. 1, 2024

ABSTRACT Islands are fundamental model systems in ecology, biogeography, and evolutionary biology. However, terrestrial islands, unlike their aquatic counterparts, have received comparatively less attention. Among these land inselbergs (i.e. isolated rock outcrops with diverse lithologies a modest topographical prominence) stand out as iconic examples distributed worldwide across global biomes. Due to durable lithology, change slowly, persisting for tens of millions years. In this review, we propose biological definition that captures three characteristics from the perspective biota. These old age, isolation presence unique microhabitats rare or absent surrounding matrix, fostering distinct communities often endemic We synthesise state art formulate set testable hypotheses deepen our understanding origins maintenance diversity on inselbergs, which increasingly exposed anthropogenic threats. By offering different habitats compared habitat matrix (e.g. moist dryland landscapes xeric environments humid tropical landscapes), may allow specific lineages thrive beyond typical geographical limits. Particularly drylands degraded landscapes, not just provide but also act ecological refuges refugia by providing wider range potential than enhancing resilience promoting regional biodiversity. The central role ensures dynamics differ those true islands such oceanic islands. Given inselberg biota coexist within interactions between populations impact each other significantly. Over timescales, species contract refugia, preserving while cycles reconnection drive speciation via pump. Although biodiversity has been studied predominantly an island biogeography perspective, argue depending spatial scale, specificity mobility organisms considered, theories paradigms can help explain local distribution patterns taxonomic functional groups species.

Язык: Английский

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Ancient Burial Mounds Provide Safe Havens for Grassland Specialist Plants in Transformed Landscapes—A Trait-Based Analysis

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 9

Опубликована: Фев. 11, 2021

Due to the intensified land use in transformed landscapes, grassland biodiversity is often restricted habitat fragments inadequate for arable or urban development. In continental parts of Eurasia, ~600,000 ancient burial mounds (called “kurgans”) built by nomadic tribes steppes are amongst most widespread landmarks providing refuge dry species. our study using plant functional groups and traits, we aimed at gaining insight into ecological evolutionary processes shaping structure composition assemblages specialist species on kurgans embedded agricultural landscapes East-Hungary. As a comparison, also studied roadside verges pristine extensive grasslands same region. We found that despite their small size, due lack human disturbances high microhabitat diversity can maintain richness percentage cover specialists, especially when compared verges. revealed plants characterized traits typical terrestrial islands such as self-compatibility, large seed mass tall stature. Kurgans were higher (both level single multi-trait based dispersion) which probably environmental heterogeneity homogeneous environment

Язык: Английский

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Tropical shrubs living in an extreme environment show convergent ecological strategies but divergent ecophysiological strategies

Annals of Botany, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 131(3), С. 491 - 502

Опубликована: Янв. 19, 2023

Abstract Background and Aims Trait-based frameworks assess plant survival strategies using different approaches. Some use functional traits to assign species a priori defined ecological strategies. Others as the central element of ecophysiological strategy. We compared these two approaches by asking: (1) what is primary strategy three dominant co-occurring shrub from inselbergs based on CSR scheme, (2) main characterize their carbon, water light? Methods conducted our study Colombian inselberg. In this extreme environment with multiple stressors (high temperatures low resource availability), we expected all be stress tolerant (S in scheme) have similar measured 22 anatomical, morphological physiological leaf traits. Key Results The convergent (S, Acanthella sprucei; S/CS, Mandevilla lancifolia Tabebuia orinocensis) yet divergent resource-use A. sprucei has most conservative carbon use, risky shade-tolerant M. acquisitive safe T. orinocensis intermediate light-demanding Additionally, stomatal that are easy measure valuable describe because they highly correlated functions hard measure: conductance maximum photosynthesis per unit mass. Conclusions provide complementary information Plant can co-occur environments, such inselbergs, exhibit but strategies, allowing them limiting resources differently.

Язык: Английский

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