Non-linear homogenization of small mammal communities following habitat loss in a biodiversity hotspot

Biological Conservation, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 306, С. 111144 - 111144

Опубликована: Апрель 9, 2025

Язык: Английский

---

Eutrophication modifies the relationships between multiple facets of macroinvertebrate beta diversity and geographic distance in freshwater lakes

Diversity and Distributions, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 30(5)

Опубликована: Март 15, 2024

Abstract Aim Understanding the distance–decay relationship (DDR) has been considered important because it reflects a combination of several ecological processes such as dispersal limitation and environmental sorting. However, effects human disturbances on DDR are poorly known, especially in freshwater lakes. This study is aimed to examine how anthropogenic eutrophication modified relationships between three facets (taxonomic, functional phylogenetic) macroinvertebrate beta diversity geographic distances across 30 Location The Yangtze River floodplain, China. Methods We used Mantel tests multiple assemblage dissimilarities (overall diversity, replacement richness difference components) distances. Distance‐based redundancy analysis (dbRDA) associated variation partitioning procedures were applied explore relative contributions spatial factors diversity. Results found that none was related distance, but all significantly mainly mirroring eutrophication‐related variables. Based approach, assemblages examined almost exclusively structured by with eutrophication, while variables had negligible effect. Nevertheless, different did not decrease (i.e., no homogenization trend) lake groups showing highest levels, implying complex influences driving or differentiation compositional dissimilarity. Main Conclusions Our findings suggested high degrees acted an filter modify relationships, possibly via decreasing importance shaping studied Given sensitivity patterns we this study, recommend role should be incorporated into research general like DDR.

Язык: Английский

---

Mixed signals of environmental change and a trend towards ecological homogenization in ground vegetation across different forest types

Folia Geobotanica, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 58(3-4), С. 333 - 352

Опубликована: Март 27, 2024

Abstract Forest ground vegetation may serve as an early warning system for monitoring anthropogenic global-change impacts on temperate forests. Climate warming induce a decline of cool-adapted species to the benefit more thermophilous plants. Nitrogen deposition has been documented potentially result in soil eutrophication or acidification, which can increase proportion with higher nutrient requirements and impoverishment caused by competitive exclusion. Abiotic forest disturbances are changing light conditions understorey environment. In this resurvey study, we tested magnitude direction change alpha (species richness) beta (within-site dissimilarity) diversity composition forests different types Slovenia over fifteen years. Using plant-derived characteristics (Ellenberg-type indicator values) testing priori predictions concerning expected effects environmental drivers, show that floristic changes varies greatly between sites. Divergent responses at sites resulted low net weak overall signal. The largest decrease number was observed lowland oak-hornbeam forests, were also among greatest compositional shifts. Changes did not any consistent trend, anticipated convergence confirmed when all considered. Thermophilization mainly detected montane beech alpine spruce whereas signal most significant nutrient-poor Vegetation strongly dependent initial site conditions. Shrinkage ecological gradients (process homogenization) suggests positioned ends losing their original character becoming similar mid-gradient generally exhibit smaller changes. Our results point importance local stand dynamics overstorey explaining temporal trends vegetation. Ground Slovenian is directions dictated multiple regional global drivers.

Язык: Английский

---

A comprehensive spatial analysis of invertebrate diversity within intermittent stream networks: Responses to drying and land use

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 935, С. 173434 - 173434

Опубликована: Май 21, 2024

Freshwater ecosystems are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which affect both diversity and ecosystem functioning. Furthermore, these face additional threats from human activities, such as changes in land use, leading water pollution habitat degradation. Intermittent streams represent nearly half all fluvial systems support a rich adapted cope with drying. This study examines impact drying different uses on taxonomic functional aquatic invertebrates Mediterranean intermittent stream network. By sampling 16 reaches seasonally, we hypothesised that longer dry-phase duration agriculture would reduce α-diversity, dominating β-diversity over agricultural practices. We anticipated alter species trait compositions, favouring desiccation-tolerant generalist taxa. Drying adversely affected α-diversity invertebrates, while it positively influenced β-diversity. Land use only α-diversity. Specifically, heterogeneity increased nutrient levels within network correlated invertebrate diversity. However, negative effects were less pronounced upstream forested regions high compared downstream areas by agriculture. Our research highlights importance preserving natural networks, particularly headwater regions, thus facilitating recolonization when flow is restored throughout

Язык: Английский

---

Three decades of understorey vegetation change in Quercus‐dominated forests as a result of increasing canopy mortality and global change symptoms

Journal of Vegetation Science, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 35(6)

Опубликована: Ноя. 1, 2024

Abstract Questions The long‐term response of understorey vegetation to increasing tree mortality has rarely been addressed in resurvey studies. For two Quercus ‐dominated forest types, we asked: (a) How did overstorey alterations, induced by canopy mortality, affect diversity and composition? (b) Is there a signal global change effects on communities? (c) Are these assemblages experiencing homogenization process? Location Five sites robur (QR) four Q. petraea (QP) forests, Slovenia. Methods We studied changes vascular plants the layer from 1992/1993 2023 across 45 permanent 20 m × plots QR QP respectively. Vegetation surveys were carried out following standard Braun‐Blanquet method. compared original with recent resurveys using multivariate analysis, ecological indicator values (EIV), plant traits methods that quantify individual species. Results Since early 1990s, cover decreased 95% an average 55% QR, whereas it remained relatively high (77%) plots. This resulted denser significant increase plot‐level species richness but slight decrease forests. extensive loss disturbance forests caused composition. Species turnover was driven colonization new disturbance‐tolerant taxa characterized ruderal traits, compositional shift greater extent due losses. detected process thermophilization (increase EIV‐temperature), suggesting effect rapid climatic warming. Understorey communities are now more similar each other than 30 years ago, indicating beta‐diversity (floristic homogenization). Conclusions Despite some common trends, responses type‐specific. Our study presents evidence triggered increased (a strong local driver particularly plots) also points symptoms (thermophilization, homogenization), which acted rather independently observed decline cover.

Язык: Английский

---

Tree hollow parameters and their effects on saproxylic arthropod diversity: A multi‐taxon approach

Insect Conservation and Diversity, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Апрель 7, 2025

Abstract Tree hollows are keystone structures for biodiversity in forest ecosystems, promoting diverse saproxylic communities. However, intensive management central Europe has made them rare. Consequently, arthropods inhabiting tree among the most endangered invertebrates. Most studies on arthropod diversity have focused beetles. To understand this complex habitat, non‐beetle groups and their habitat requirements must also be investigated. We collected emerging from 40 beech trees 2014 a subset of 23 2015 managed southern Germany using emergence traps. DNA metabarcoding identified arthropods, assessing influence hollow parameters structure α‐ β‐diversity species‐rich taxa. Parameters influencing differed by year The important factors positively affecting α‐diversity were volume, circumference entrance area/lateral surface, while area decomposition negatively affected α‐diversity. Beta‐diversity was influenced circumference, (dipterans: dead wood amount, spiders: nearby hollows). These results highlight importance heterogeneous structures, emphasising need conservation to support highly

Язык: Английский

---

Fish Diversity Patterns and Their Responses to Environmental Factors in a Global Biodiversity Hotspot

Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 35(4)

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Biodiversity loss has increased interest in understanding biodiversity patterns and their driving mechanisms global. A growing of empirical evidence suggests that, addition to purely species diversity, studies phylogenetic diversity can provide distinct but complementary information about mechanisms. However, there was still a lack research on integrating analyse the spatial fish diversity. Here, we evaluated response assemblages environmental factors Jiangxi Province. The results showed that 243 were recorded province, including 14 invasive species. There 126 native China 33 endemic Yangtze River Basin. Red List IUCN assessments 31 (12.8%) 16 (6.6%) Threatened or Near (1 Extinct; 6 1 Critically Endangered; 3 Endangered, 8 5 Vulnerable, Threatened), respectively. number carnivorous (111), demersal (143) resident (153) higher than other functional taxa. Fish not significantly differences ( p = 0.521), exhibited 0.001). turnover (0.53) nestedness (0.17), larger protected areas would be necessary conserve regional biodiversity. Environmental geographic generally had no significant effect only nitrate nitrogen correlated with highlight importance evaluating both when identifying useful implications guidance for conservation regions facing human disturbances.

Язык: Английский

---

Differential impacts of invasion on plant communities of two types of savannas in India

Ecological Applications, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 35(3)

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2025

Abstract Biological invasions pose a threat to biodiversity in tropical savannas. Invasive plants can alter savanna communities complex ways, where impacts vary with the intensity of invasion, spatial scales examined, and by climate. However, our understanding such on Asian savannas is limited. To address this knowledge gap, we examined how plant invasion impacted across increasing levels at different scales, two climatically determined India. We sampled vegetation three sites each drier fine‐leaf (FLS) wetter broadleaf (BLS). At site, replicate locations plots assigned uninvaded savannas, invaded levels, old‐growth that served as benchmark for comparison. quantified alpha beta diversity, differences community composition were partitioned into components representative species loss replacement. found while richness diversity decreased linearly, evenness increased linearly invasion. The was much greater BLS (60%) than FLS (30%). Differences more pronounced driven turnover both did not find evidence homogenization larger no an increase These results highlight utility examining multiple measures they provide insights relationships between translate diversity. linear nature responses suggests management efforts may be equally effective stages these Further, observed adds growing reports scale‐dependent effects reinforces need examine scales. Overall, changes BLS, which dominant type Indian subcontinent home many endemic species, suggest it should prioritized conservation, management, future restoration.

Язык: Английский

---

Environmental correlates with fish assemblage change and biotic homogenization across 40 years in an Ozark, Gravel‐Bed river basin

Ecology Of Freshwater Fish, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 33(3)

Опубликована: Март 27, 2024

Abstract Fish assemblages in freshwater ecosystems are becoming more homogenous from multiple abiotic, environmental, and physicochemical variables at different scales. Historical fish collections (1976–1977) by Billy Michael Johnson Dr. K. Beadles were compared to contemporary (2018–2019) tributaries of the Eleven Point River basin Arkansas examine patterns assemblage change. change pasture land use/land cover (LULC) scales in‐stream habitat understand relationships discover potential correlates suggesting biotic homogenization. have experienced significant spatiotemporal changes, LULC alterations may influenced this process. Increased tolerant species decreased intolerant sites contributed homogenization, particularly pool habitats. Surprisingly, expansion some fishes was also observed that tend occupy riffles. Sites with high percentages finer spatial typically had homogenised assemblages. We hypothesized gravel aggradation local use has degraded pools increased riffle habitat, resulting over study period. Few studies link LULC, homogenization when examining time, these dynamics can be complex upland streams experiencing aggradation. Similar research other upland, gravel‐bed river systems would provide a broad understanding presented environmental associations.

Язык: Английский

---

Hydrology and water quality drive multiple biological indicators in a dam-modified large river

Water Research X, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 25, С. 100251 - 100251

Опубликована: Авг. 30, 2024

Freshwater biodiversity is increasingly threatened by dams and many other anthropogenic stressors, yet our understanding of the complex responses different biotas their multiple facets remains limited. Here, we present a multi-faceted integrated-indices approach to assess differential freshwater stressors in Yangtze River, third longest most dam-densely river world. By combining individual indices phytoplankton, zooplankton, periphyton, macroinvertebrates, fish with novel integrated aquatic index (IABI), disentangled effects hydrology, water quality, land use, natural factors on both α β diversity taxonomic, functional, phylogenetic dimensions. Our results revealed that phytoplankton species functional richness increased longitudinally, while taxonomic but macroinvertebrate remained unchanged. Hydrology quality emerged as key drivers all indices, followed use factors, showed strongest responses. Importantly, found natural, hydrological indirectly affected altering which turn directly influenced IABIs. findings highlight interplay shaping underscore importance considering for effective conservation management. We propose can be applied large, dam-modified basins globally.

Язык: Английский

---