Concepts and applications in functional diversity

Functional Ecology, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 35(9), С. 1869 - 1885

Опубликована: Июль 16, 2021

Abstract The use of functional diversity analyses in ecology has grown exponentially over the past two decades, broadening our understanding biological and its change across space time. Virtually all ecological sub‐disciplines recognise critical value looking at species communities from a perspective, this led to proliferation methods for estimating contrasting dimensions diversity. Differences between these their development generated terminological inconsistencies confusion about selection most appropriate approach addressing any particular question, hampering potential comparative studies, simulation exercises meta‐analyses. Two general mathematical frameworks are prevailing: those based on dissimilarity matrices (e.g. Rao entropy, dendrograms) relying multidimensional spaces, constructed as either convex hulls or probabilistic hypervolumes. We review frameworks, discuss strengths weaknesses provide an overview main R packages performing calculations. In parallel, we propose way organising metrics unified scheme quantify richness, divergence regularity individuals under each framework. This offers roadmap confidently approaching both theoretically practically. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within Supporting Information article.

Язык: Английский

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Global patterns of vascular plant alpha diversity

Nature Communications, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 13(1)

Опубликована: Сен. 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.

Язык: Английский

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Distance decay 2.0 – A global synthesis of taxonomic and functional turnover in ecological communities

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 31(7), С. 1399 - 1421

Опубликована: Май 12, 2022

Understanding the variation in community composition and species abundances (i.e., β-diversity) is at heart of ecology. A common approach to examine β-diversity evaluate directional by measuring decay similarity among pairs communities along spatial or environmental distance. We provide first global synthesis taxonomic functional distance analysing 148 datasets comprising different types organisms environments.

Язык: Английский

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A protocol for reproducible functional diversity analyses

Ecography, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 2022(11)

Опубликована: Авг. 30, 2022

The widespread use of species traits in basic and applied ecology, conservation biogeography has led to an exponential increase functional diversity analyses, with > 10 000 papers published 2010–2020, 1800 only 2021. This interest is reflected the development a multitude theoretical methodological frameworks for calculating diversity, making it challenging navigate myriads options report detailed accounts trait‐based analyses. Therefore, discipline ecology would benefit from existence general guideline standard reporting good practices We devise eight‐step protocol guide researchers conducting overarching goal increasing reproducibility, transparency comparability across studies. based on: 1) identification research question; 2) sampling scheme study design; 3–4) assemblage data matrices; 5) exploration preprocessing; 6) computation; 7) model fitting, evaluation interpretation; 8) data, metadata code provision. Throughout protocol, we provide information on how best select questions, designs, trait compute interpret results discuss ways ensure reproducibility results. To facilitate implementation this template, further develop interactive web‐based application ( stepFD ) form checklist workflow, detailing all steps allowing user produce final ‘reproducibility report' upload alongside paper. A thorough transparent analyses ensures that ecologists can incorporate others' findings into meta‐analyses, shared be integrated larger databases consensus available reused by other researchers. All these elements are key pushing forward vibrant fast‐growing field research.

Язык: Английский

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Deterministic processes drive turnover-dominated beta diversity of breeding birds along the central Himalayan elevation gradient

Avian Research, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 15, С. 100170 - 100170

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2024

Beta diversity, the variation of community composition among sites, bridges alpha and gamma diversity can reveal mechanisms assembly through applying distance-decay models and/or partitioning beta into turnover nestedness components from functional phylogenetic perspectives. Mountains as most natural experiment system provide good opportunities for exploring patterns underlying ecological processes. Here, we simultaneously consider multiple dimensions to examine spatial variations bird communities, evaluate relative importance niche-based neutral along a 3600-m elevational gradient in central Himalayas, China. Our results showed that species dominates taxonomic, functional, diversity. We observed strongest evidence distance decays taxonomic similarities birds, followed by its analogues. Turnover component was highest while Further, all correlations assemblage similarity with climatic were higher than distances. Standardized values overall their increase increasing distance, standardized decreased distance. highlighted deterministic processes shaping determined roles decreasing trend environmental filtering limiting elevation

Язык: Английский

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Marked Variability in Distance‐Decay Patterns Suggests Contrasting Dispersal Ability in Abyssal Taxa

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 34(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Aim We assess the role of spatial distance and depth difference in shaping beta diversity patterns across abyssal seascape regions. measured decrease faunistic similarity northeast Pacific seafloor, to test whether species turnover rates differ between deep shallow‐abyssal biogeographical provinces these vary functionally or taxonomically different biotic groups. Location Abyssal NE Ocean. Time Period Present. Major Taxa Studied Benthic Invertebrates (13 Phyla). Methods examined relationship compositional (𝛽 sim ) distance, distance‐decay, benthic megafauna communities (animals > 10 mm) based on seabed imagery data (> 36,000 specimens 402 species) collected 28 locations spanning a total 4000 km. By comparing statistical parameters (intercept slope) decay curves, we investigated distance‐decay (i) above below carbonate compensation (~4400 m at N Pacific), (ii) among taxa with contrasting life‐habits dominant phyla. Results found steeper 4400 variations Turnover was higher for facultatively growing hard‐substratum patches (polymetallic nodules) than sediment‐dwelling swimming organisms. Cnidaria Porifera, respectively, depicted most least evident decays community similarity. Main Conclusions demonstrate utility combining imaging modelling capture macroecological poorly explored deep‐sea ecosystems. Our results suggest that chemical boundaries associated are very relevant niche‐sorting mechanism driving large‐scale beta‐diversity an association dispersal limitation communities. These findings have important implications biodiversity conservation plans ocean, amid need protect vast ecosystems from globally rising human threats.

Язык: Английский

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Impacts of forest expansion on microbial diversity and community assembly in fragmented mountain ecosystems

Environmental Research, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 120956 - 120956

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Species turnover does not rescue biodiversity in fragmented landscapes

Nature, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Март 12, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Dispersal limitation shapes distance‐decay patterns of European spiders at the continental scale

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 33(4)

Опубликована: Фев. 7, 2024

Abstract Aim To assess the relative relevance of dispersal limitation and species sorting as drivers spatial turnover between spider faunas European territories. Location Continental Europe. Time period Present. Major taxa studied Spiders (Order Araneae). Methods We analysed how distance‐decay patterns differ northern southern Europe (broadly, territories covered vs. not by ice sheets during last glacial maximum, respectively) in 15 families, using standardized distances to allow a direct comparison parameters (i.e. slope intercept) climatic models. Thus, we assessed North–South differences and, independently, models, whether those are explained family‐specific traits related ability. Results Climatic very similar Europe, where highly correlated. In contrast, slopes steeper than curves decoupled. Moreover, family ability difference slopes, well amount nestedness‐resultant dissimilarity faunas. Main conclusions Our results suggest that beta diversity reflect strength spiders, which varies across families leads different degrees disequilibrium with current conditions depending on taxon. South uncorrelated, models have larger explanatory power suggests is main factor shaping spiders at continental scale.

Язык: Английский

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Bias correction in species distribution models based on geographic and environmental characteristics

Ecological Informatics, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 81, С. 102604 - 102604

Опубликована: Апрель 21, 2024

Correcting sampling bias in species distribution models (SDMs) is challenging. The difficulty lies accurately identifying and quantifying the scarcity of samples, which greatly impedes implementation correction. Current methods often adjust presence or background points within geographic environmental spaces to correct probability estimation SDMs. However, these may lead information loss, rely on subjective assumptions, separate geography environment when correcting for bias. This study proposes a novel easily implementable method termed "aggregation background." selects data based aggregation degree feature space, thereby approximating representation correction samples. We compared this new with other prevalent existing literature by analyzing ecological authenticity. Under varying biases sample sizes, filtering achieved more accurate predictions target group methods. Notably, size was small (≤70), superior that obtained using method. These findings underscore effectiveness improving limited available data, without relying assumptions about Our provides approach complex unknown

Язык: Английский

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