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Ordonez A, Gill JL. Unravelling the functional and phylogenetic dimensions of novel ecosystem assemblages. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230324. [PMID: 38583470 PMCID: PMC10999274 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Human activities are causing taxonomic rearrangements across ecosystems that often result in the emergence of novel communities (assemblies with no historical representative). It is commonly assumed that these changes in the taxonomic makeup of ecosystems also inevitably lead to changes in other aspects of biodiversity, namely functional and phylogenetic diversity. However, this assumption is not always valid, as the changes in functional and phylogenetic composition resulting from taxonomic shifts depend on the level of redundancy in the evaluated community. Therefore, we need improved theoretical frameworks to predict when we can expect coordinated or decoupled responses among these three facets of biodiversity. To advance this understanding, we discuss the conceptual and methodological issues that complicate establishing a link between taxonomic rearrangements driven by human activities and the associated functional and phylogenetic changes. Here, we show that is crucial to consider the expected changes in functional and phylogenetic composition as communities are reshaped owing to human drivers of biodiversity loss to forecast the impacts of novel assemblages on ecosystem functions and the services they provide to humanity. This article is part of the theme issue 'Ecological novelty and planetary stewardship: biodiversity dynamics in a transforming biosphere'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Ordonez
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Jacquelyn L. Gill
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, 5751 Murray Hall, Room 100 Orono, ME 04469, USA
- Climate Change Institute, University of Maine, 5751 Murray Hall, Room 100 Orono, ME 04469, USA
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2
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Quimbayo JP, Murphy SJ, Jarzyna MA. Functional reorganization of North American wintering avifauna. Ecol Lett 2024; 27:e14430. [PMID: 38714364 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Wintering birds serve as vital climate sentinels, yet they are often overlooked in studies of avian diversity change. Here, we provide a continental-scale characterization of change in multifaceted wintering avifauna and examine the effects of climate change on these dynamics. We reveal a strong functional reorganization of wintering bird communities marked by a north-south gradient in functional diversity change, along with a superimposed mild east-west gradient in trait composition change. Assemblages in the northern United States saw contractions of the functional space and increases in functional evenness and originality, while the southern United States saw smaller contractions of the functional space and stasis in evenness and originality. Shifts in functional diversity were underlined by significant reshuffling in trait composition, particularly pronounced in the western and northern United States. Finally, we find strong contributions of climate change to this functional reorganization, underscoring the importance of wintering birds in tracking climate change impacts on biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan P Quimbayo
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Stephen J Murphy
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Marta A Jarzyna
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Translational Data Analytics Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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3
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Beccari E, Capdevila P, Salguero-Gómez R, Carmona CP. Worldwide diversity in mammalian life histories: Environmental realms and evolutionary adaptations. Ecol Lett 2024; 27:e14445. [PMID: 38783648 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Mammalian life history strategies can be characterised by a few axes of variation, conforming a space where species are positioned based on the life history strategies favoured in the environment they exploit. Yet, we still lack global descriptions of the diversity of realised mammalian life history and how this diversity is shaped by the environment. We used six life history traits to build a life history space covering worldwide mammalian adaptation, and we explored how environmental realms (land, air, water) influence mammalian life history strategies. We demonstrate that realms are tightly linked to distinct life history strategies. Aquatic and aerial species predominantly adhere to slower life history strategies, while terrestrial species exhibit faster life histories. Highly encephalised terrestrial species are a notable exception to these patterns. Furthermore, we show that different mode of life may play a significant role in expanding the set of strategies exploitable in the terrestrial realm. Additionally, species transitioning between terrestrial and aquatic realms, such as seals, exhibit intermediate life history strategies. Our results provide compelling evidence of the link between environmental realms and the life history diversity of mammals, highlighting the importance of differences in mode of life to expand life history diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Beccari
- Department of Botany, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - P Capdevila
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - R Salguero-Gómez
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Evolutionary Demography Laboratory, Max Plank Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany
| | - C P Carmona
- Department of Botany, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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4
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Barrero A, Traba J, Tarjuelo R. Increased density of conspecifics caused niche contraction in a multispecific passerine assemblage. Ecology 2024; 105:e4296. [PMID: 38527496 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Competition is a prominent mechanism driving population dynamics and structuring community assemblage, which can be investigated by linking shifts in species' ecological niche and the densities of sympatric species because the ecological release from competitive constraints is a density-dependent process. In this work we determine how a steppe passerine community segregates their ecological niches and evaluate the role of competition in inducing changes in the ecological niche of species. We built multidimensional ecological niches (with Gaussian kernel density estimators) using data on the habitat features used by 10 bird species collected from seven sites in the natural steppes of Central Spain over 2 consecutive years. We computed distance and niche similarity metrics to explore the ecological niche partitioning of the bird community. Next, we ran multivariate linear regression models to evaluate the effects of conspecific and heterospecific density (as proxies of intraspecific and interspecific competition, respectively) on niche breadth and/or position of the three most abundant species. We found low niche overlap in the community assemblage but varying levels of niche similarity among pairs of species, which could increase the likelihood of current competition operating in the community. However, we found no effect of heterospecific density on niche breadth or position, although conspecific density was negatively related to niche breadth. Contrary to predictions of competition theory, increased density of conspecifics caused niche contraction. Our results from a multispecies system contribute to advanced knowledge of the biotic mechanisms structuring wildlife communities within the framework of ecological niche theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Barrero
- Terrestrial Ecology Group, Department of Ecology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (TEG-UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CIBC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Traba
- Terrestrial Ecology Group, Department of Ecology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (TEG-UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CIBC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rocío Tarjuelo
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Gestión Forestal Sostenible (iuFOR), Universidad de Valladolid, Palencia, Spain
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5
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Liu Y, Hogan JA, Lichstein JW, Guralnick RP, Soltis DE, Soltis PS, Scheiner SM. Biodiversity and productivity in eastern US forests. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2314231121. [PMID: 38527197 PMCID: PMC10998592 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2314231121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite experimental and observational studies demonstrating that biodiversity enhances primary productivity, the best metric for predicting productivity at broad geographic extents-functional trait diversity, phylogenetic diversity, or species richness-remains unknown. Using >1.8 million tree measurements from across eastern US forests, we quantified relationships among functional trait diversity, phylogenetic diversity, species richness, and productivity. Surprisingly, functional trait and phylogenetic diversity explained little variation in productivity that could not be explained by tree species richness. This result was consistent across the entire eastern United States, within ecoprovinces, and within data subsets that controlled for biomass or stand age. Metrics of functional trait and phylogenetic diversity that were independent of species richness were negatively correlated with productivity. This last result suggests that processes that determine species sorting and packing are likely important for the relationships between productivity and biodiversity. This result also demonstrates the potential confusion that can arise when interdependencies among different diversity metrics are ignored. Our findings show the value of species richness as a predictive tool and highlight gaps in knowledge about linkages between functional diversity and ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunpeng Liu
- Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, and Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL32611
| | - J. Aaron Hogan
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL32611
| | | | - Robert P. Guralnick
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL32611
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL32610
- Biodiversity Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL32611
| | - Douglas E. Soltis
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL32611
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL32611
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL32610
- Biodiversity Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL32611
| | - Pamela S. Soltis
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL32611
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL32610
- Biodiversity Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL32611
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Hoenle PO, Plowman NS, Matos-Maraví P, de Bello F, Bishop TR, Libra M, Idigel C, Rimandai M, Klimes P. Forest disturbance increases functional diversity but decreases phylogenetic diversity of an arboreal tropical ant community. J Anim Ecol 2024; 93:501-516. [PMID: 38409804 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.14060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Tropical rainforest trees host a diverse arthropod fauna that can be characterised by their functional diversity (FD) and phylogenetic diversity (PD). Human disturbance degrades tropical forests, often coinciding with species invasion and altered assembly that leads to a decrease in FD and PD. Tree canopies are thought to be particularly vulnerable, but rarely investigated. Here, we studied the effects of forest disturbance on an ecologically important invertebrate group, the ants, in a lowland rainforest in New Guinea. We compared an early successional disturbed plot (secondary forest) to an old-growth plot (primary forest) by exhaustively sampling their ant communities in a total of 852 trees. We expected that for each tree community (1) disturbance would decrease FD and PD in tree-dwelling ants, mediated through species invasion. (2) Disturbance would decrease ant trait variation due to a more homogeneous environment. (3) The main drivers behind these changes would be different contributions of true tree-nesting species and visiting species. We calculated FD and PD based on a species-level phylogeny and 10 ecomorphological traits. Furthermore, we assessed by data exclusion the influence of species, which were not nesting in individual trees (visitors) or only nesting species (nesters), and of non-native species on FD and PD. Primary forests had higher ant species richness and PD than secondary forest. However, we consistently found increased FD in secondary forest. This pattern was robust even if we decoupled functional and phylogenetic signals, or if non-native ant species were excluded from the data. Visitors did not contribute strongly to FD, but they increased PD and their community weighted trait means often varied from nesters. Moreover, all community-weighted trait means changed after forest disturbance. Our finding of contradictory FD and PD patterns highlights the importance of integrative measures of diversity. Our results indicate that the tree community trait diversity is not negatively affected, but possibly even enhanced by disturbance. Therefore, the functional diversity of arboreal ants is relatively robust when compared between old-growth and young trees. However, further study with higher plot-replication is necessary to solidify and generalise our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp O Hoenle
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Nichola S Plowman
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Pável Matos-Maraví
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Francesco de Bello
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Desertificación (CSIC-UV-GV), Valencia, Spain
| | - Tom R Bishop
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Martin Libra
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Cliffson Idigel
- New Guinea Binatang Research Center, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Maling Rimandai
- New Guinea Binatang Research Center, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Petr Klimes
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
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7
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Puglielli G, Bricca A, Chelli S, Petruzzellis F, Acosta ATR, Bacaro G, Beccari E, Bernardo L, Bonari G, Bolpagni R, Boscutti F, Calvia G, Campetella G, Cancellieri L, Canullo R, Carbognani M, Carboni M, Carranza ML, Castellani MB, Ciccarelli D, Coppi A, Cutini M, Dalla Vecchia A, Dalle Fratte M, de Francesco MC, De Frenne P, De Sanctis M, de Simone L, Di Cecco V, Fanelli G, Farris E, Ferrara A, Fenu G, Filibeck G, Gasperini C, Gargano D, Kindermann E, La Bella G, Lastrucci L, Lazzaro L, Maccherini S, Marignani M, Mugnai M, Naselli-Flores L, Passalacqua NG, Pavanetto N, Petraglia A, Rota F, Santoianni LA, Schettino A, Selvi F, Stanisci A, Trotta G, Vangansbeke P, Varricchione M, Vuerich M, Wellstein C, Tordoni E. Intraspecific variability of leaf form and function across habitat types. Ecol Lett 2024; 27:e14396. [PMID: 38456670 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Trait-based ecology has already revealed main independent axes of trait variation defining trait spaces that summarize plant adaptive strategies, but often ignoring intraspecific trait variability (ITV). By using empirical ITV-level data for two independent dimensions of leaf form and function and 167 species across five habitat types (coastal dunes, forests, grasslands, heathlands, wetlands) in the Italian peninsula, we found that ITV: (i) rotated the axes of trait variation that define the trait space; (ii) increased the variance explained by these axes and (iii) affected the functional structure of the target trait space. However, the magnitude of these effects was rather small and depended on the trait and habitat type. Our results reinforce the idea that ITV is context-dependent, calling for careful extrapolations of ITV patterns across traits and spatial scales. Importantly, our study provides a framework that can be used to start integrating ITV into trait space analyses.
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Grants
- Ente Parco Nazionale del Pollino (Rotonda, Italy) in the frame of the project "Un laboratorio naturale permanente nel Parco Nazionale del Pollino"
- National Biodiversity Future Center NBFC, CUP J33C22001190001
- European Union - NextGenerationEU within the framework of National Biodiversity Future Center (Spoke 4, Activity 4)
- NBFC to the University of Florence, funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, PNRR, Missione 4 Componente 2, "Dalla ricerca all'impresa", Investimento 1.4, Project CN00000033
- NBFC to University of Roma Tre/Department of Science, funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, PNRR, Missione 4 Componente 2, "Dalla ricerca all'impresa", Investimento 1.4, Project CN00000033. Grant of Excellence Departments 2018- 2022, MIUR Italy
- NBFC to University of Molise/Department of Bioscience and Territory, funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, PNRR, Missione 4 Componente 2, "Dalla ricerca all'impresa", Investimento 1.4, Project CN00000033, MIUR Italy
- PID2021-122214NA-I00 MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and by FEDER "ESF Investing in your future"
- Grant of Excellence Departments 2018- 2022, MIUR Italy
- G.Bo. and SM acknowledge the support of NBFC to University of Siena, funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, PNRR, Missione 4 Componente 2, 'Dalla ricerca all', Investimento 1.4, Project CN00000033
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Puglielli
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Alessandro Bricca
- Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Stefano Chelli
- School of Biosciences & Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | | | | | - Giovanni Bacaro
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Eleonora Beccari
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Science, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Liliana Bernardo
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Gianmaria Bonari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Rossano Bolpagni
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Francesco Boscutti
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Giacomo Calvia
- Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Giandiego Campetella
- School of Biosciences & Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Laura Cancellieri
- Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Roberto Canullo
- School of Biosciences & Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | | | - Marta Carboni
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Carranza
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, ENVIXLAB, University of Molise, Pesche, Italy
| | | | | | - Andrea Coppi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Alice Dalla Vecchia
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Michele Dalle Fratte
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Maria Carla de Francesco
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, ENVIXLAB, University of Molise, Pesche, Italy
| | - Pieter De Frenne
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Environment, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Melle, Belgium
| | - Michele De Sanctis
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Valter Di Cecco
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, ENVIXLAB, University of Molise, Pesche, Italy
| | - Giuliano Fanelli
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Emmanuele Farris
- Department of Chemical, Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Arianna Ferrara
- BIOME Lab, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Fenu
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Goffredo Filibeck
- Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Cristina Gasperini
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Domenico Gargano
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Elisabeth Kindermann
- Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Greta La Bella
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Lorenzo Lazzaro
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Simona Maccherini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Michela Marignani
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Michele Mugnai
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Luigi Naselli-Flores
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Pavanetto
- Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Alessandro Petraglia
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Francesco Rota
- Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Federico Selvi
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Angela Stanisci
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, ENVIXLAB, University of Molise, Pesche, Italy
| | - Giacomo Trotta
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Pieter Vangansbeke
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Environment, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Melle, Belgium
| | - Marco Varricchione
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, ENVIXLAB, University of Molise, Pesche, Italy
| | - Marco Vuerich
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Camilla Wellstein
- Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Enrico Tordoni
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Science, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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8
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de Sousa Gomes-Gonçalves R, Araújo FG. Interdecadal changes in ichthyofauna in a tropical bay with high anthropogenic influences: functional stability despite turnover predominance. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2024; 104:536-547. [PMID: 37874547 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Functional characteristics of species are of great importance for understanding their roles in ecosystems and can be used to detect long-term chances in the environment. We evaluated temporal changes (1983-1985 and 2017-2019) in taxonomic and functional indices of the fish fauna in shallow areas of a tropical bay heavily impacted by anthropogenic activities in recent decades. The hypothesis that functional indices change over time as a result of environmental degradation was tested. Our results showed a significant decrease in species richness and abundance over time, and in functional richness, while others functional diversity indices (divergency, evenness, and originality) remained stable. Thirteen functional groups were detected, some of which contained only one species, raising concerns about the loss of ecosystem functions due to ongoing changes. We also observed an increase in beta diversity over time, which may be the result of a decrease in local richness without leading to regional extinctions. Turnover was the most important process in structuring the fish fauna at the evaluated time scale. The relative stability of the functional structure and the higher levels of turnover seem to be related to the dominance of functional groups, within which species replace each other according to their responses to environmental filters that select for specific functional traits. Incorporating functional diversity indices and beta diversity variations in the fish community helped to enhance the existing information about this coastal system by offering improved estimates of biological diversity through diverse approaches. The predominance of turnover identified in the preset study suggests a dynamic and fluctuating species composition within the habitat. In this sense, habitat preservation should prioritize the protection of diverse habitats to accommodate a broad spectrum of species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francisco Gerson Araújo
- Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Laboratório de Ecologia de Peixes, Seropédica, Brazil
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9
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Raffard A, Jacob S, Schtickzelle N. Non-genetic phenotypic variability affects populations and communities in protist microcosms. J Anim Ecol 2024; 93:221-230. [PMID: 38192091 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.14036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Intraspecific trait variation (ITV), potentially driven by genetic and non-genetic mechanisms, can underlie variability in resource acquisition, individual fitness and ecological interactions. Impacts of ITV at higher levels of biological organizations are hence likely, but up-scaling our knowledge about ITV importance to communities and comparing its relative effects at population and community levels has rarely been investigated. Here, we tested the effects of genetic and non-genetic ITV on morphological traits in microcosms of protist communities by contrasting the effects of strains showing different ITV levels (i.e. trait averages and variance) on population growth, community composition and biomass production. We found that genetic and non-genetic ITV can lead to different effects on populations and communities across several generations. Furthermore, the effects of ITV declined across levels of biological organization: ITV directly altered population performance, with cascading but indirect consequences for community composition and biomass productivity. Overall, these results show that the drivers of ITV can have distinct effects on populations and communities, with cascading impacts on higher levels of biological organization that might mediate biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan Raffard
- Earth and Life Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Staffan Jacob
- CNRS, Station d'Écologie Théorique et Expérimentale du CNRS à Moulis, UAR-5321, Moulis, France
| | - Nicolas Schtickzelle
- Earth and Life Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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10
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Cantwell-Jones A, Tylianakis JM, Larson K, Gill RJ. Using individual-based trait frequency distributions to forecast plant-pollinator network responses to environmental change. Ecol Lett 2024; 27:e14368. [PMID: 38247047 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Determining how and why organisms interact is fundamental to understanding ecosystem responses to future environmental change. To assess the impact on plant-pollinator interactions, recent studies have examined how the effects of environmental change on individual interactions accumulate to generate species-level responses. Here, we review recent developments in using plant-pollinator networks of interacting individuals along with their functional traits, where individuals are nested within species nodes. We highlight how these individual-level, trait-based networks connect intraspecific trait variation (as frequency distributions of multiple traits) with dynamic responses within plant-pollinator communities. This approach can better explain interaction plasticity, and changes to interaction probabilities and network structure over spatiotemporal or other environmental gradients. We argue that only through appreciating such trait-based interaction plasticity can we accurately forecast the potential vulnerability of interactions to future environmental change. We follow this with general guidance on how future studies can collect and analyse high-resolution interaction and trait data, with the hope of improving predictions of future plant-pollinator network responses for targeted and effective conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoife Cantwell-Jones
- Georgina Mace Centre for The Living Planet, Department of Life Sciences, Silwood Park, Imperial College London, Ascot, UK
| | - Jason M Tylianakis
- Georgina Mace Centre for The Living Planet, Department of Life Sciences, Silwood Park, Imperial College London, Ascot, UK
- Bioprotection Aotearoa, School of Biological Sciences, Private Bag 4800, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Keith Larson
- Climate Impacts Research Centre, Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Richard J Gill
- Georgina Mace Centre for The Living Planet, Department of Life Sciences, Silwood Park, Imperial College London, Ascot, UK
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11
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Jeliazkov A, Chase JM. When Do Traits Tell More Than Species about a Metacommunity? A Synthesis across Ecosystems and Scales. Am Nat 2024; 203:E1-E18. [PMID: 38207141 DOI: 10.1086/727471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
AbstractLinking species traits with the variation in species assemblages across habitats has often proved useful for developing a more mechanistic understanding of species distributions in metacommunities. However, summarizing the rich tapestry of a species in all of its nuance with a few key ecological traits can also lead to an abstraction that provides less predictability than when using taxonomy alone. As a further complication, taxonomic and functional diversities can be inequitably compared, either by integrating taxonomic-level information into the calculation of how functional aspects of communities vary or by detecting spurious trait-environment relationships. To remedy this, we here synthesize analyses of 80 datasets on different taxa, ecosystems, and spatial scales that include information on abundance or presence/absence of species across sites with variable environmental conditions and the species' traits. By developing analyses that treat functional and taxonomic diversity equitably, we ask when functional diversity helps to explain metacommunity structure. We found that patterns of functional diversity explained metacommunity structure and response to environmental variation in only 25% of the datasets using a multitrait approach but up to 59% using a single-trait approach. Nevertheless, an average of only 19% (interquartile range = 0%-29%) of the traits showed a significant signal across environmental gradients. Species-level traits, as typically collected and analyzed through functional diversity patterns, often do not bring predictive advantages over what the taxonomic information already holds. While our assessment of a limited advantage of using traits to explain variation in species assemblages was largely true across ecosystems, traits played a more useful role in explaining variation when many traits were used and when trait constructs were more related to species' status, life history, and mobility. We propose future research directions to make trait-based approaches and data more helpful for inference in metacommunity ecology.
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12
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Yule TS, de Oliveira Arruda RDC, Santos MG. Drought-adapted leaves are produced even when more water is available in dry tropical forest. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2024; 137:49-64. [PMID: 37962735 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-023-01505-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Species in dry environments may adjust their anatomical and physiological behaviors by adopting safer or more efficient strategies. Thus, species distributed across a water availability gradient may possess different phenotypes depending on the specific environmental conditions to which they are subjected. Leaf and vascular tissues are plastic and may vary strongly in response to environmental changes affecting an individual's survival and species distribution. To identify whether and how legumes leaves vary across a water availability gradient in a seasonally dry tropical forest, we quantified leaf construction costs and performed an anatomical study on the leaves of seven legume species. We evaluated seven species, which were divided into three categories of rainfall preference: wet species, which are more abundant in wetter areas; indifferent species, which are more abundant and occur indistinctly under both rainfall conditions; and dry species, which are more abundant in dryer areas. We observed two different patterns based on rainfall preference categories. Contrary to our expectations, wet and indifferent species changed traits in the sense of security when occupying lower rainfall areas, whereas dry species changed some traits when more water was available, such as increasing cuticle and spongy parenchyma thickness, or producing smaller and more numerous stomata. Trischidium molle, the most plastic and wet species, exhibited a similar strategy to the dry species. Our results corroborate the risks to vegetation under future climate change scenarios as stressed species and populations may not endure even more severe conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamires Soares Yule
- Laboratório de Fisiologia Vegetal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Vegetal, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Anatomia Vegetal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Vegetal, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
- Instituto de Biociências, Laboratório de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Av. Costa e Silva, s/n, Cidade Universitária, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, 79070-900, Brazil.
| | - Rosani do Carmo de Oliveira Arruda
- Laboratório de Anatomia Vegetal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Vegetal, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Mauro Guida Santos
- Laboratório de Fisiologia Vegetal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Vegetal, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
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13
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Morim T, Henriques S, Vasconcelos R, Dolbeth M. A roadmap to define and select aquatic biological traits at different scales of analysis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22947. [PMID: 38135700 PMCID: PMC10746726 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50146-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Trait-based approaches are a powerful tool, as they not only improve understanding of ecological complexity and functioning but also allow comparison across different ecosystems and biogeographical regions. They may be used to unveil ecosystem processes and assess community structures, but their great potential becomes limited when dealing with scattered trait data and historically unstandardised trait nomenclature. The lack of standardisation allows authors to use the terminology of their preference, which inevitably leads to ambiguous misunderstandings and limits comparison between different studies. There have been some attempts to organise the trait vocabulary, but even these are mostly created from the perspective of a single ecosystem, which limits their applicability. In this work, we conducted a systematic literature review that identified and compiled 1127 traits across 37 datasets of fishes, invertebrates and zooplankton from freshwater, marine and transitional ecosystems. This dataset was then used to build on the Marine Species Traits Wiki and to propose a new, unified approach to a trait vocabulary based directly on readily available trait data. We propose a single standardised designation for all the different traits identified and provide a list of all the different synonyms commonly used for these traits. A roadmap to help the trait selection process is also provided, offering a guide through four main steps and important questions for choosing an adequate set of traits at the beginning of any study, which constitutes one of the main challenges in functional ecology research. Overall, this proposal will provide a solid baseline for tackling gaps in trait nomenclature and ensuring a clearer future for functional ecology studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teófilo Morim
- CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Sofia Henriques
- IPMA - Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera, Av. Dr. Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho 6, 1495-165, Algés, Portugal
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre & ARNET - Aquatic Research Infrastructure Network Associated Laboratory, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rita Vasconcelos
- IPMA - Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera, Av. Dr. Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho 6, 1495-165, Algés, Portugal
| | - Marina Dolbeth
- CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal.
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14
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Song S, Xiong K, Chi Y. Response of grassland ecosystem function to plant functional traits under different vegetation restoration models in areas of karst desertification. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1239190. [PMID: 38148857 PMCID: PMC10749941 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1239190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Plant functional traits serve as a bridge between plants, the environment, and ecosystem function, playing an important role in predicting the changes in ecosystem function that occur during ecological restoration. However, the response of grassland ecosystem function to plant functional traits in the context of ecological restoration in areas of karst desertification remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we selected five plant functional traits [namely, plant height (H), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), root length (RL), and root dry matter content (RDMC)], measured these along with community-weighted mean (CWM) and functional trait diversity, and combined these measures with 10 indexes related to ecosystem function in order to investigate the differences in plant functional traits and ecosystem function, as well as the relationship between plant functional traits and ecosystem functions, under four ecological restoration models [Dactylis glomerata (DG), Lolium perenne (LP), Lolium perenne + Trifolium repens (LT), and natural grassland (NG)]. We found that: 1) the Margalef index and Shannon-Wiener index were significantly lower for plant species in DG and LP than for those in NG (P<0.05), while the Simpson index was significantly higher in the former than in NG (P<0.05); 2) CWMH, CWMLDMC, and CWMRDMC were significantly higher in DG, LP, and LT than in NG, while CWMSLA was significantly lower in the former than in NG (P<0.05). The functional richness index (FRic) was significantly higher in DG and LP than in NG and LT, but the functional dispersion index (FDis) and Rao's quadratic entropy index (RaoQ) were significantly lower in DG and LP than in NG and LT (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between DG and LP, or between NG and LT (P>0.05); 3) ecosystem function, including ecosystem productivity, carbon storage, water conservation and soil conservation, was highest in LT and lowest in NG; and 4) CWMLDMC (F=56.7, P=0.024), CWMRL (F=28.7, P=0.024), and CWMH (F=4.5, P=0.048) were the main factors affecting ecosystem function. The results showed that the mixed pasture of perennial ryegrass and white clover was most conductive to restoration of ecosystem function. This discovery has important implications for the establishment of vegetation, optimal utilization of resources, and the sustainable development of degraded karst ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuzhen Song
- School of Karst Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China
| | - Kangning Xiong
- State Engineering Technology Institute for Karst Desertification Control, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yongkuan Chi
- School of Karst Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China
- State Engineering Technology Institute for Karst Desertification Control, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China
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15
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Barbosa Fontana R, Both C, Hartz SM. Direct development in Atlantic Forest anurans: What can environmental and biotic influences explain about its evolution and occurrence? PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291644. [PMID: 38032887 PMCID: PMC10688756 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Different environmental and biological factors can originate and support different alternative life histories in different taxonomic groups. Likewise, these factors are important for the processes that assemble and structure communities. Amphibians, besides being highly susceptible to environmental conditions, have various reproductive strategies, such as the direct development of individuals. Several hypotheses have been raised about possible selective pressures related to the emergence of direct development in anurans, as well as the relationship between environmental characteristics and the occurrence of these species. Such investigations, however, have mainly focused on specific clades and/or regions. Here, we use structural equation modelling to investigate the relationships between different abiotic (temperature, precipitation, humidity, and terrain slope) and biotic (phylogenetic composition and functional diversity) factors and the proportion of species with direct development in 766 anuran communities of the Atlantic Forest, a biome with a vast diversity of anuran species and high environmental complexity. Anuran communities with higher proportions of direct developing species were found to be mainly influenced by low potential evapotranspiration, low temperature seasonality, and high functional diversity. Phylogenetic composition and terrain slope were also found to be important in determining the occurrence of these species in Atlantic Forest communities. These results show the importance of these factors in the structuring of these communities and provide important contributions to the knowledge of direct development in anurans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Barbosa Fontana
- Instituto de Biociências, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Camila Both
- Departamento Interdisciplinar, Centro de Estudos Limnológicos e Marinhos, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Imbé, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Sandra Maria Hartz
- Instituto de Biociências, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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16
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Pedrosa KM, Ramos MB, La Torre-Cuadros MDLÁ, Lopes SDF. Plant parentage influences the type of timber use by traditional peoples of the Brazilian Caatinga. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286434. [PMID: 37847702 PMCID: PMC10581497 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Local populations select different plants to meet their demands, so that morphologically similar species can be more used for a given use. Herein, we seek to understand whether plant species that are phylogenetically closer together are used more similarly than distant species in the phylogeny. Ethnobotanical data were collected in five rural communities in a semi-arid region of Brazil. A total of 120 local experts were selected and interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. The people's knowledge of plants was organized into usage subcategories. We estimated the redundancy values for the mentioned species, and we compiled data from the literature on the wood density values of the cited species. We constructed our phylogenetic hypothesis of useful plants and used comparative phylogenetic methods to estimate the signal. Our results showed a strong phylogenetic grouping for both tool handle and craft uses. We observed a moderate phylogenetic grouping in which related cited plants exhibit similar redundancy and a weak grouping in which cited plants present similar wood density values. Our results revealed the importance of using phylogeny for useful plants. We conclude the phylogenetic proximity of useful plants and the lower redundancy for some species in our study may suggest greater use pressure, given that few species fulfill the same function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Marques Pedrosa
- Laboratório de Ecologia Neotropical, Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Bairro Universitário, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil
| | - Maiara Bezerra Ramos
- Laboratório de Ecologia Neotropical, Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Bairro Universitário, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil
| | | | - Sérgio de Faria Lopes
- Laboratório de Ecologia Neotropical, Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Bairro Universitário, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil
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17
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Burner RC, Stephan JG, Drag L, Potterf M, Birkemoe T, Siitonen J, Müller J, Ovaskainen O, Sverdrup‐Thygeson A, Snäll T. Alternative measures of trait-niche relationships: A test on dispersal traits in saproxylic beetles. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10588. [PMID: 37869428 PMCID: PMC10585442 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional trait approaches are common in ecology, but a lack of clear hypotheses on how traits relate to environmental gradients (i.e., trait-niche relationships) often makes uncovering mechanisms difficult. Furthermore, measures of community functional structure differ in their implications, yet inferences are seldom compared among metrics. Community-weighted mean trait values (CWMs), a common measure, are largely driven by the most common species and thus do not reflect community-wide trait-niche relationships per se. Alternatively, trait-niche relationships can be estimated across a larger group of species using hierarchical joint species distribution models (JSDMs), quantified by a parameter Γ. We investigated how inferences about trait-niche relationships are affected by the choice of metric. Using deadwood-dependent (saproxylic) beetles in fragmented Finnish forests, we followed a protocol for investigating trait-niche relationships by (1) identifying environmental filters (climate, forest age, and deadwood volume), (2) relating these to an ecological function (dispersal ability), and (3) identifying traits related to this function (wing morphology). We tested 18 hypothesized dispersal relationships using both CWM and Γ estimates across these environmental gradients. CWMs were more likely than Γ to show support for trait-niche relationships. Up to 13% of species' realized niches were explained by dispersal traits, but the directions of effects were consistent with fewer than 11%-39% of our 18 trait-niche hypotheses (depending on the metric used). This highlights the difficulty in connecting morphological traits and ecological functions in insects, despite the clear conceptual link between landscape connectivity and flight-related traits. Caution is thus warranted in hypothesis development, particularly where apparent trait-function links are less clear. Inferences differ when CWMs versus Γ estimates are used, necessitating the choice of a metric that reflects study questions. CWMs help explain the effects of environmental gradients on community trait composition, whereas the effects of traits on species' niches are better estimated using hierarchical JSDMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C. Burner
- U.S. Geological SurveyUpper Midwest Environmental Sciences CenterLa CrosseWisconsinUSA
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource ManagementNorwegian University of Life SciencesÅsNorway
| | - Jörg G. Stephan
- SLU Swedish Species Information CentreSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUppsalaSweden
| | - Lukas Drag
- Field Station Fabrikschleichach, Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, BiocenterUniversity of WürzburgRauhenebrachGermany
- Institute of EntomologyBiology Centre of the Czech Academy of SciencesCeske BudejoviceCzech Republic
| | - Mária Potterf
- Department of Life Science SystemsTechnical University of MunichFreisingBavariaGermany
| | - Tone Birkemoe
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource ManagementNorwegian University of Life SciencesÅsNorway
| | - Juha Siitonen
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)HelsinkiFinland
| | - Jörg Müller
- Field Station Fabrikschleichach, Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, BiocenterUniversity of WürzburgRauhenebrachGermany
- Bavarian Forest National ParkGrafenauGermany
| | - Otso Ovaskainen
- Department of Biological and Environmental ScienceUniversity of JyväskyläJyväskyläFinland
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental SciencesUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Department of Biology, Centre for Biodiversity DynamicsNorwegian University of Science and TechnologyTrondheimNorway
| | - Anne Sverdrup‐Thygeson
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource ManagementNorwegian University of Life SciencesÅsNorway
| | - Tord Snäll
- SLU Swedish Species Information CentreSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUppsalaSweden
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18
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Boutin K, Gaudron SM, Denis J, Ben Rais Lasram F. Potential marine benthic colonisers of offshore wind farms in the English channel: A functional trait-based approach. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 190:106061. [PMID: 37421705 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Offshore wind farms (OWFs) have gained attention as a promising alternative to conventional energy sources. However, their installation and operation may have multiple ecological impacts on the marine environment, including the "reef effect". The reef effect is the colonisation of wind turbines and other artificial substrates by benthic organisms, which has a major impact on marine biodiversity as it changes community assemblages and ecosystem functioning. We conducted a two-step study to predict the reef effect of a future OWF (Dunkirk, northern France). First, we explored similarities between colonisers of existing OWFs and those of other hard substrates (oil and gas platforms (O&GP) and hard substrates in the English Channel (HSEC)). We then analysed functional traits to determine a trait profile of potential colonisers of Dunkirk's OWF. Statistical analyses revealed that OWF and O&GP communities were more similar to each other than to that of HSEC. Comparing the three communities revealed that they shared 157 taxa, which could be potential colonisers of Dunkirk's future OWF. The functional profile revealed that OWF colonisers were species ranging from 10 to 100 mm in size, with gonochoric reproduction, pelagic and planktotrophic larvae, a life span of less than 2 years or 5-20 years, were sessile, and were carnivores or suspension feeders. Functional trait analysis revealed that during their intermediate stage of development, OWF benthic communities have a functional richness and diversity (0.68 and 0.53, respectively) similar to those of HSEC communities (0.54 and 0.50, respectively). However, based on using O&GP as a long-term view of the colonisation of OWFs, functional richness and diversity could decrease during the climax stage (0.07 and 0.42, respectively).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Boutin
- Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale, Univ. Lille, CNRS, IRD, UMR 8187, LOG, Laboratoire d'Océanologie et de Géosciences, F 62930, Wimereux, France.
| | - Sylvie Marylene Gaudron
- Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale, Univ. Lille, CNRS, IRD, UMR 8187, LOG, Laboratoire d'Océanologie et de Géosciences, F 62930, Wimereux, France; Sorbonne Univ., UFR 927, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Jérémy Denis
- Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale, Univ. Lille, CNRS, IRD, UMR 8187, LOG, Laboratoire d'Océanologie et de Géosciences, F 62930, Wimereux, France
| | - Frida Ben Rais Lasram
- Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale, Univ. Lille, CNRS, IRD, UMR 8187, LOG, Laboratoire d'Océanologie et de Géosciences, F 62930, Wimereux, France
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19
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Rius BF, Filho JPD, Fleischer K, Hofhansl F, Blanco CC, Rammig A, Domingues TF, Lapola DM. Higher functional diversity improves modeling of Amazon forest carbon storage. Ecol Modell 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2023.110323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
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20
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Gonçalves‐Souza T, Chaves LS, Boldorini GX, Ferreira N, Gusmão RAF, Perônico PB, Sanders NJ, Teresa FB. Bringing light onto the Raunkiæran shortfall: A comprehensive review of traits used in functional animal ecology. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10016. [PMID: 37091571 PMCID: PMC10115901 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Trait-based approaches elucidate the mechanisms underlying biodiversity response to, or effects on, the environment. Nevertheless, the Raunkiæran shortfall-the dearth of knowledge on species traits and their functionality-presents a challenge in the application of these approaches. We conducted a systematic review to investigate the trends and gaps in trait-based animal ecology in terms of taxonomic resolution, trait selection, ecosystem type, and geographical region. In addition, we suggest a set of crucial steps to guide trait selection and aid future research to conduct within and cross-taxon comparisons. We identified 1655 articles using virtually all animal groups published from 1999 to 2020. Studies were concentrated in vertebrates, terrestrial habitats, the Palearctic realm, and mostly investigated trophic and habitat dimensions. Additionally, they focused on response traits (79.4%) and largely ignored intraspecific variation (94.6%). Almost 36% of the data sets did not provide the rationale behind the selection of morphological traits. The main limitations of trait-based animal ecology were the use of trait averages and a rare inclusion of intraspecific variability. Nearly one-fifth of the studies based only on response traits conclude that trait diversity impacts ecosystem processes or services without justifying the connection between them or measuring them. We propose a guide for standardizing trait collection that includes the following: (i) determining the type of trait and the mechanism linking the trait to the environment, ecosystem, or the correlation between the environment, trait, and ecosystem, (ii) using a "periodic table of niches" to select the appropriate niche dimension to support a mechanistic trait selection, and (iii) selecting the relevant traits for each retained niche dimension. By addressing these gaps, trait-based animal ecology can become more predictive. This implies that future research will likely focus on collaborating to understand how environmental changes impact animals and their capacity to provide ecosystem services and goods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Gonçalves‐Souza
- Department of Biology, Ecological Synthesis and Biodiversity Conservation LabFederal Rural University of PernambucoRecifeBrazil
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
- School for Environment and Sustainability, Institute for Global Change BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Leonardo S. Chaves
- Graduate Program in Ethnobiology and Nature Conservation, Department of BiologyFederal Rural University of PernambucoRecifeBrazil
- Escola de Educação e HumanidadesUniversidade Católica de PernambucoRecifeBrazil
| | - Gabriel X. Boldorini
- Department of Biology, Ecological Synthesis and Biodiversity Conservation LabFederal Rural University of PernambucoRecifeBrazil
- Graduate Program in Ethnobiology and Nature Conservation, Department of BiologyFederal Rural University of PernambucoRecifeBrazil
| | - Natália Ferreira
- Graduate Program in Biodiversity, Department of BiologyFederal Rural University of PernambucoRecifeBrazil
| | - Reginaldo A. F. Gusmão
- Department of Biology, Ecological Synthesis and Biodiversity Conservation LabFederal Rural University of PernambucoRecifeBrazil
- Graduate Program in Ethnobiology and Nature Conservation, Department of BiologyFederal Rural University of PernambucoRecifeBrazil
| | - Phamela Bernardes Perônico
- Graduate Program in Natural Resources of CerradoState University of GoiásAnápolisBrazil
- Biogeography and Aquatic Ecology LabState University of GoiásAnápolisBrazil
| | - Nathan J. Sanders
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Fabrício B. Teresa
- Graduate Program in Natural Resources of CerradoState University of GoiásAnápolisBrazil
- Biogeography and Aquatic Ecology LabState University of GoiásAnápolisBrazil
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21
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Vernham G, Bailey JJ, Chase JM, Hjort J, Field R, Schrodt F. Understanding trait diversity: the role of geodiversity. Trends Ecol Evol 2023:S0169-5347(23)00039-3. [PMID: 37003934 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Geodiversity - the abiotic heterogeneity of Earth's (sub)surface - is gaining recognition for its ecological links to biodiversity. However, theoretical and conceptual knowledge of geodiversity-trait diversity relationships is currently lacking and can improve understanding of abiotic drivers of community assembly. Here we synthesise the state of knowledge of these relationships. We find that some components of geodiversity (e.g., topographic heterogeneity) elicit strong trait responses, whereas other components (e.g., substrate heterogeneity) have marginal effects in driving trait distributions. However, current knowledge is lacking in key aspects, including geodiversity's effect on trait-specific diversity and intraspecific variation. We call for the explicit inclusion of geodiversity when relating environmental drivers to trait diversity, taking advantage of the increasing availability of trait and geodiversity data.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph J Bailey
- School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, East Road, Cambridge, CB1 1PT, UK
| | - Jonathan M Chase
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Computer Science, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jan Hjort
- Geography Research Unit, University of Oulu, Pentti Kaiteran katu 1, 90570 Oulu, Finland
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22
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Rodríguez-Caro RC, Graciá E, Blomberg SP, Cayuela H, Grace M, Carmona CP, Pérez-Mendoza HA, Giménez A, Salguero-Gómez R. Anthropogenic impacts on threatened species erode functional diversity in chelonians and crocodilians. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1542. [PMID: 36977697 PMCID: PMC10050202 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37089-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The Anthropocene is tightly associated with a drastic loss of species worldwide and the disappearance of their key ecosystem functions. The orders Testudines (turtles and tortoises) and Crocodilia (crocodiles, alligators, and gharials) contain numerous threatened, long-lived species for which the functional diversity and potential erosion by anthropogenic impacts remains unknown. Here, we examine 259 (69%) of the existing 375 species of Testudines and Crocodilia, quantifying their life history strategies (i.e., trade-offs in survival, development, and reproduction) from open-access data on demography, ancestry, and threats. We find that the loss of functional diversity in simulated extinction scenarios of threatened species is greater than expected by chance. Moreover, the effects of unsustainable local consumption, diseases, and pollution are associated with life history strategies. In contrast, climate change, habitat disturbance, and global trade affect species independent of their life history strategy. Importantly, the loss of functional diversity for threatened species by habitat degradation is twice that for all other threats. Our findings highlight the importance of conservation programmes focused on preserving the functional diversity of life history strategies jointly with the phylogenetic representativity of these highly threatened groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- R C Rodríguez-Caro
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK.
- Departamento de Biología Aplicada, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, 03202, Alicante, Spain.
- Departamento de Ecología, Universidad de Alicante, San Vicent del Raspeig, 03690, Alicante, Spain.
| | - E Graciá
- Departamento de Biología Aplicada, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, 03202, Alicante, Spain
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03312, Orihuela, Spain
| | - S P Blomberg
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - H Cayuela
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5558, F-769622, Villeurbanne, France
| | - M Grace
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - C P Carmona
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, 50409, Tartu, Estonia
| | - H A Pérez-Mendoza
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Autónoma de México, 54090, Tlalnepantla, México
| | - A Giménez
- Departamento de Biología Aplicada, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, 03202, Alicante, Spain
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03312, Orihuela, Spain
| | - R Salguero-Gómez
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK.
- Max Plank Institute for Demographic Research, Konrad-Zuße Straße 1, 18057, Rostock, Germany.
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23
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Price-Christenson G, Yannarell A. Use of Ecological Theory to Understand the Efficacy and Mechanisms of Multistrain Biological Control. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2023; 113:381-389. [PMID: 36656290 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-04-22-0115-rvw] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Since the 1970s, over 6,500 articles have been published about microbial biocontrols and over 200 microbial isolates have been registered for commercial use. However, many of these solutions have seen limited use due to limitations with their in-field efficacy. Even when multiple biocontrol agents are combined to create multistrain biocontrols, the resulting combinations can be less effective than the individual agents. One likely contributor is due to how multistrain microbial biocontrols are created. Multistrain microbial biocontrols are generally produced under controlled settings that are divorced from the ecological conditions they will need to function under. Traditionally, researchers culture, identify, and screen isolates for pathogen suppression traits. Then these researchers will combine the most promising isolates in an attempt to create more effective solutions. This approach, while effective for identifying suppressive isolates and determining the mechanisms of pathogen suppression, does not take into consideration the variability of natural environments, nor the complex ecological interactions that occur between plant hosts, pathogens, and component biocontrol agents, thus limiting the range of circumstances that these multistrain solutions can reliably succeed. To address these limitations, we suggest the application of relevant ecological theory to determine which isolates should be combined to create more reliable multistrain biocontrols. In this synthesis, we build on prior work focused on addressing plant pathogens through the use of multistrain microbial biocontrols, but we argue that viewing this work through the lens of ecology reveals key "design principles" from natural communities that are stable, functioning, and comprise multiple species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Price-Christenson
- Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Earnest Agriculture, Rantoul, IL 61866
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Anthony Yannarell
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
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24
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Zhang L, Liu X, Sun Z, Bu W, Bongers FJ, Song X, Yang J, Sun Z, Li Y, Li S, Cao M, Ma K, Swenson NG. Functional trait space and redundancy of plant communities decrease toward cold temperature at high altitudes in Southwest China. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2023; 66:376-384. [PMID: 35876972 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-021-2135-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Plant communities in mountainous areas shift gradually as climatic conditions change with altitude. How trait structure in multivariate space adapts to these varying climates in natural forest stands is unclear. Studying the multivariate functional trait structure and redundancy of tree communities along altitude gradients is crucial to understanding how temperature change affects natural forest stands. In this study, the leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous content from 1,590 trees were collected and used to construct the functional trait space of 12 plant communities at altitudes ranging from 800 m to 3,800 m across three mountains. Hypervolume overlap was calculated to quantify species trait redundancy per community. First, hypervolumes of species exclusion and full species set were calculated, respectively. Second, the overlap between these two volumes was calculated to obtain hypervolume overlap. Results showed that the functional trait space significantly increased with mean annual temperature toward lower altitudes within and across three mountains, whereas species trait redundancy had different patterns between mountains. Thus, warming can widen functional trait space and alter the redundancy in plant communities. The inconsistent patterns of redundancy between mountains suggest that warming exerts varying influences on different ecosystems. Identification of climate-vulnerable ecosystems is important in the face of global warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Xiaojuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China.
| | - Zhenhua Sun
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, 666303, China
| | - Wensheng Bu
- Key Laboratory of State Forestry Administration on Forest Ecosystem Protection and Restoration of Poyang Lake Watershed, College of Forestry, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Franca J Bongers
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Xiaoyang Song
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, 666303, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, 666303, China
| | - Zhenkai Sun
- Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation, Forestry and Grassland Administration, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Yin Li
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Monitoring and Sustainable Management and Utilization, Sanming University, Sanming, 365004, China
| | - Shan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Min Cao
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, 666303, China
| | - Keping Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China.
| | - Nathan G Swenson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, 46556, USA
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25
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Zhang Y, Zhang H, Liu Q, Duan L, Zhou Q. Total nitrogen and community turnover determine phosphorus use efficiency of phytoplankton along nutrient gradients in plateau lakes. J Environ Sci (China) 2023; 124:699-711. [PMID: 36182175 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2022.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies support that biodiversity predict most to ecosystem functioning, but whether other factors display a more significant direct impact on ecosystem functioning than biodiversity remains to be studied. We investigated 398 samples of the phytoplankton phosphorus resource use efficiency (RUEP = chlorophyll-a concentration/dissolved phosphate) across two seasons in nine plateau lakes in Yunnan Province, China. We identified the main contributors to phytoplankton RUEP and analyzed their potential influences on RUEP at different lake trophic states. The results showed that total nitrogen (TN) contributed the most to RUEP among the nine lakes, whereas community turnover (measured as community dissimilarity) explained the most to RUEP variation across the two seasons. Moreover, TN also influenced RUEP by affecting biodiversity. Species richness (SR), functional attribute diversity (FAD2), and dendrogram-based functional diversity (FDc) were positively correlated with RUEP in both seasons, while evenness was negatively correlated with RUEP at the end of the rainy season. We also found that the effects of biodiversity and turnover on RUEP depended on the lake trophic states. SR and FAD2 were positively correlated with RUEP in all three trophic states. Evenness showed a negative correlation with RUEP at the eutrophic and oligotrophic levels, but a positive correlation at the mesotrophic level. Turnover had a negative influence on RUEP at the eutrophic level, but a positive influence at the mesotrophic and oligotrophic levels. Overall, our results suggested that multiple factors and nutrient states need to be considered when the ecosystem functioning predictors and the biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships are investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Zhang
- Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Hucai Zhang
- Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China.
| | - Qi Liu
- Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Lizeng Duan
- Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Qichao Zhou
- Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China.
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26
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de la Sancha NU, González‐Maya JF, Boyle SA, Pérez‐Estigarribia PE, Urbina‐Cardona JN, McIntyre NE. Bioindicators of edge effects within Atlantic Forest remnants: Conservation implications in a threatened biodiversity hotspot. DIVERS DISTRIB 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Noé U. de la Sancha
- Department of Environmental Science and Studies DePaul University Chicago Illinois USA
- Negaunee Integrative Research Center The Field Museum of Natural History Chicago Illinois USA
| | - José F. González‐Maya
- División de Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Lerma Lerma de Villada Mexico México
- Proyecto de Conservación de Aguas y Tierras ‐ ProCAT Colombia Bogotá Colombia
| | - Sarah A. Boyle
- Department of Biology and Program in Environmental Studies and Sciences, Rhodes College Memphis Tennessee USA
| | - Pastor E. Pérez‐Estigarribia
- Polytechnic School, Universidad Nacional de Asunción San Lorenzo Paraguay
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Sudamericana PJC Paraguay
| | - J. Nicolas Urbina‐Cardona
- Facultad de Estudios Ambientales y Rurales, Departamento de Ecología y Territorio Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Bogotá Colombia
| | - Nancy E. McIntyre
- Department of Biological Sciences Texas Tech University Lubbock Texas USA
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27
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Trindade DPF, Carmona CP, Reitalu T, Pärtel M. Observed and dark diversity dynamics over millennial time scales: fast life-history traits linked to expansion lags of plants in northern Europe. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20221904. [PMID: 36629107 PMCID: PMC9832556 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Global change drivers (e.g. climate and land use) affect the species and functional traits observed in a local site but also its dark diversity-the set of species and traits locally suitable but absent. Dark diversity links regional and local scales and, over time, reveals taxa under expansion lags by depicting the potential biodiversity that remains suitable but is absent locally. Since global change effects on biodiversity are both spatially and temporally scale dependent, examining long-term temporal dynamics in observed and dark diversity would be relevant to assessing and foreseeing biodiversity change. Here, we used sedimentary pollen data to examine how both taxonomic and functional observed and dark diversity changed over the past 14 500 years in northern Europe. We found that taxonomic and functional observed and dark diversity increased over time, especially after the Late Glacial and during the Late Holocene. However, dark diversity dynamics revealed expansion lags related to species' functional characteristics (dispersal limitation and stress intolerance) and an extensive functional redundancy when compared to taxa in observed diversity. We highlight that assessing observed and dark diversity dynamics is a promising tool to examine biodiversity change across spatial scales, its possible causes, and functional consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego P. F. Trindade
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Juhan Liivi 2, 50409 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Carlos P. Carmona
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Juhan Liivi 2, 50409 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Triin Reitalu
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Juhan Liivi 2, 50409 Tartu, Estonia
- Institute of Geology, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, Tallinn 19086, Estonia
| | - Meelis Pärtel
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Juhan Liivi 2, 50409 Tartu, Estonia
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28
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Oginah SA, Posthuma L, Maltby L, Hauschild M, Fantke P. Linking freshwater ecotoxicity to damage on ecosystem services in life cycle assessment. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 171:107705. [PMID: 36549223 PMCID: PMC9875201 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Freshwater ecosystems provide major benefits to human wellbeing-so-called ecosystem services (ES)-but are currently threatened among others by ecotoxicological pressure from chemicals reaching the environment. There is an increased motivation to incorporate ES in quantification tools that support decision-making, such as life cycle assessment (LCA). However, mechanistic models and frameworks that can systematically translate ecotoxicity effect data from chemical tests into eventual damage on species diversity, functional diversity, and ES in the field are still missing. While current approaches focus on translating predicted ecotoxicity impacts to damage in terms of species loss, no approaches are available in LCA and other comparative assessment frameworks for linking ecotoxicity to damage on ecosystem functioning or ES. To overcome this challenge, we propose a way forward based on evaluating available approaches to characterize damage of chemical pollution on freshwater ES. We first outline an overall framework for linking freshwater ecotoxicity effects to damage on related ES in compliance with the boundary conditions of quantitative, comparative assessments. Second, within the proposed framework, we present possible approaches for stepwise linking ecotoxicity effects to species loss, functional diversity loss, and damage on ES. Finally, we discuss strengths, limitations, and data availability of possible approaches for each step. Although most approaches for directly deriving damage on ES from either species loss or damage to functional diversity have not been operationalized, there are some promising ways forward. The Threshold Indicator Taxa ANalysis (TITAN) seems suitable to translate predicted ecotoxicity effects to a metric of quantitative damage on species diversity. A Trait Probability Density Framework (TPD) approach that incorporates various functional diversity components and functional groups could be adapted to link species loss to functional diversity loss. An Ecological Production Function (EPF) approach seems most promising for further linking functional diversity loss to damage on ES flows for human wellbeing. However, in order to integrate the entire pathway from predicted freshwater ecotoxicity to damage on ES into LCA and other comparative frameworks, the approaches adopted for each step need to be harmonized in terms of assumptions, boundary conditions and consistent interfaces with each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan A Oginah
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Leo Posthuma
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, PO Box 1, 3720 Bilthoven, the Netherlands; Department of Environmental Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Lorraine Maltby
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Hauschild
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Peter Fantke
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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29
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Olusoji OD, Barabás G, Spaak JW, Fontana S, Neyens T, De Laender F, Aerts M. Measuring individual‐level trait diversity: a critical assessment of methods. OIKOS 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.09178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Oluwafemi D. Olusoji
- Center for Statistics, Data Science Inst., Hasselt Univ. Hasselt Belgium
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Inst. of Life‐Earth‐Environment (ILEE), Namur Inst. for Complex Systems (NAXYS), Univ. de Namur Namur Belgium
| | - György Barabás
- Division of Ecological and Environmental Modeling, Linköping Univ. Linköping Sweden
- ELTE‐MTA Theoretical Biology and Evolutionary Ecology Research Group Budapest Hungary
- Inst. of Evolution, Centre for Ecological Research Budapest Hungary
| | - Jurg W. Spaak
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Inst. of Life‐Earth‐Environment (ILEE), Namur Inst. for Complex Systems (NAXYS), Univ. de Namur Namur Belgium
| | - Simone Fontana
- Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, Univ. of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
- Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Swiss Federal Research Inst. WSL Birmensdorf Switzerland
- Abteilung Natur und Landschaft, Amt für Natur, Jagd und Fischerei, Kanton St. Gallen St. Gallen Switzerland
| | - Thomas Neyens
- Center for Statistics, Data Science Inst., Hasselt Univ. Hasselt Belgium
- L‐BioStat, Dept of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Frederik De Laender
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Inst. of Life‐Earth‐Environment (ILEE), Namur Inst. for Complex Systems (NAXYS), Univ. de Namur Namur Belgium
| | - Marc Aerts
- Center for Statistics, Data Science Inst., Hasselt Univ. Hasselt Belgium
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30
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Gobin J, Szumski CM, Roth JD, Murray DL. Patterns of dietary niche breadth and overlap are maintained for two closely related carnivores across broad geographic scales. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.1059155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecological studies investigating niche breadth and overlap often have limited spatial and temporal scale, preventing generalizations across varying environments and communities. For example, it is not clear whether species having restricted diets maintain such patterns relative to closely related species and across their geographic range of co-occurrence. We used stable isotope analysis of hair and fur samples collected from four regions of sympatry for Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) and bobcat (Lynx rufus) spanning southern Canada and the northern United States, to test the prediction that the more generalist species (bobcat) exhibits a wider dietary niche than the more specialist species (Canada lynx) and that this pattern is consistent across different regions. We further predicted that Canada lynx diet would consistently exhibit greater overlap with that of bobcat compared to overlap of bobcat diet with Canada lynx. We found that Canada lynx had a narrower dietary niche than bobcat, with a high probability of overlap (85–95%) with bobcat, whereas the bobcat dietary niche had up to a 50% probability of overlap with Canada lynx. These patterns of dietary niche breadth and overlap were consistent across geographic regions despite some regional variation in diet breadth and position, for both species. Such consistent patterns could reflect a lack of plasticity in species dietary niches. Given the increasingly recognized importance of understanding dietary niche breadth and overlap across large spatial scales, further research is needed to investigate the mechanisms by which broad-scale patterns are maintained across species and systems.
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31
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Rodríguez A, de Vries FT, Manning P, Sebastià MT, Bardgett RD. Soil Abiotic Properties Shape Plant Functional Diversity Across Temperate Grassland Plant Communities. Ecosystems 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-022-00812-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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32
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Ao S, Ye L, Liu X, Cai Q, He F. Elevational patterns of trait composition and functional diversity of stream macroinvertebrates in the Hengduan Mountains region, Southwest China. ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS 2022; 144:109558. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.109558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
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33
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Double down on remote sensing for biodiversity estimation: a biological mindset. COMMUNITY ECOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42974-022-00113-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIn the light of unprecedented planetary changes in biodiversity, real-time and accurate ecosystem and biodiversity assessments are becoming increasingly essential for informing policy and sustainable development. Biodiversity monitoring is a challenge, especially for large areas such as entire continents. Nowadays, spaceborne and airborne sensors provide information that incorporate wavelengths that cannot be seen nor imagined with the human eye. This is also now accomplished at unprecedented spatial resolutions, defined by the pixel size of images, achieving less than a meter for some satellite images and just millimeters for airborne imagery. Thanks to different modeling techniques, it is now possible to study functional diversity changes over different spatial and temporal scales. At the heart of this unifying framework are the “spectral species”—sets of pixels with a similar spectral signal—and their variability over space. The aim of this paper is to summarize the power of remote sensing for directly estimating plant species diversity, particularly focusing on the spectral species concept.
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34
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Giraldo‐Kalil LJ, Campo J, Paz H, Núñez‐Farfán J. Patterns of leaf trait variation underlie ecological differences among sympatric tree species of Damburneya in a tropical rainforest. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2022; 109:1394-1409. [PMID: 36031775 PMCID: PMC9826457 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.16056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE Although ecological differentiation driven by altitude and soil is hypothesized to promote coexistence of sympatric tree species of Damburneya (Lauraceae), the mechanistic role of leaf functional variation on ecological differentiation among co-occurring species remains unexplored. We aimed to determine whether the patterns of leaf trait variation reflect ecological differences among sympatric Damburneya species. We tested whether trait correlations underlying functional strategies and average species traits vary in response to local soil heterogeneity along an altitudinal gradient, potentially affecting species distributions. METHODS At two contrasting altitudes (100, 1100 m a.s.l.) in a Mexican tropical rainforest, we characterized soil chemical and physical properties and sampled four Damburneya species to quantify five leaf functional traits. We used linear models to analyze paired and multivariate trait correlations, spatial and interspecific effects on trait variation, and trait response to local soil heterogeneity. Relative contributions of intra- and interspecific variation to local trait variability were quantified with an ANOVA. RESULTS Soil nutrient availability was higher at low altitude, but all species had a high leaf N:P ratio across altitudes suggesting a limited P supply for plants. Species distribution differed altitudinally, with some species constrained to low or high altitude, potentially reflecting soil nutrient availability. Leaf traits responded to altitude and local soil properties, suggesting interspecific differences in functional strategies according to the leaf economics spectrum (conservative vs. acquisitive). CONCLUSIONS The interspecific divergence in functional strategies in response to local environmental conditions suggests that trait variation could underlie ecological differentiation among Damburneya sympatric species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J. Giraldo‐Kalil
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)Ciudad de MéxicoMéxico
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Unidad de Posgrado, Circuito de Posgrados, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)Coyoacán, C. P. 04510, Ciudad de MéxicoMéxico
| | - Julio Campo
- Departamento de Ecología Funcional, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)Ciudad de MéxicoMéxico
| | - Horacio Paz
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y SustentabilidadUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)MoreliaMéxico
| | - Juan Núñez‐Farfán
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)Ciudad de MéxicoMéxico
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Renault D, Hess MCM, Braschi J, Cuthbert RN, Sperandii MG, Bazzichetto M, Chabrerie O, Thiébaut G, Buisson E, Grandjean F, Bittebiere AK, Mouchet M, Massol F. Advancing biological invasion hypothesis testing using functional diversity indices. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 834:155102. [PMID: 35398434 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Pioneering investigations on the effects of introduced populations on community structure, ecosystem functioning and services have focused on the effects of invaders on taxonomic diversity. However, taxonomic-based diversity metrics overlook the heterogeneity of species roles within and among communities. As the homogenizing effects of biological invasions on community and ecosystem processes can be subtle, they may require the use of functional diversity indices to be properly evidenced. Starting from the listing of major functional diversity indices, alongside the presentation of their strengths and limitations, we focus on studies pertaining to the effects of invasive species on native communities and recipient ecosystems using functional diversity indices. By doing so, we reveal that functional diversity of the recipient community may strongly vary at the onset of the invasion process, while it stabilizes at intermediate and high levels of invasion. As functional changes occurring during the lag phase of an invasion have been poorly investigated, we show that it is still unknown whether there are consistent changes in functional diversity metrics that could indicate the end of the lag phase. Thus, we recommend providing information on the invasion stage under consideration when computing functional diversity metrics. For the existing literature, it is also surprising that very few studies explored the functional difference between organisms from the recipient communities and invaders of the same trophic levels, or assessed the effects of non-native organism establishment into a non-analogue versus an analogue community. By providing valuable tools for obtaining in-depth diagnostics of community structure and functioning, functional diversity indices can be applied for timely implementation of restoration plans and improved conservation strategies. To conclude, our work provides a first synthetic guide for their use in hypothesis testing in invasion biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Renault
- University of Rennes, CNRS, ECOBIO [(Ecosystèmes, biodiversité, évolution)] - UMR 6553, Rennes, France; Institut Universitaire de France, 1 rue Descartes, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France.
| | - Manon C M Hess
- Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Écologie marine et continentale (IMBE), UMR Aix Marseille Université, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, France; Institut de recherche pour la conservation des zones humides méditerranéennes Tour du Valat, Le Sambuc, 13200 Arles, France; NGE-GUINTOLI, Saint-Etienne du Grès, Parc d'activités de Laurade - BP22, 13156 Tarascon Cedex, France
| | - Julie Braschi
- Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Écologie marine et continentale (IMBE), UMR Aix Marseille Université, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, France; Naturalia-Environnement, Ingénierie en écologie, 20 Rue Lawrence Durrell, 84140 Avignon, France
| | - Ross N Cuthbert
- GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany; School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, BT9 5DL Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Marta G Sperandii
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Università degli Studi Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Roma, Italy
| | - Manuele Bazzichetto
- University of Rennes, CNRS, ECOBIO [(Ecosystèmes, biodiversité, évolution)] - UMR 6553, Rennes, France
| | - Olivier Chabrerie
- Université de Picardie Jules Verne, UMR 7058 CNRS EDYSAN, 1 rue des Louvels, 80037 Amiens Cedex 1, France
| | - Gabrielle Thiébaut
- University of Rennes, CNRS, ECOBIO [(Ecosystèmes, biodiversité, évolution)] - UMR 6553, Rennes, France
| | - Elise Buisson
- Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Écologie marine et continentale (IMBE), UMR Aix Marseille Université, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, France
| | - Frédéric Grandjean
- Université de Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7267 EBI- Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions, équipe EES, 5 rue Albert Turpin, Bat B8-B35, TSA 51106, 86073 Poitiers Cedex 09, France
| | - Anne-Kristel Bittebiere
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023 LEHNA, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Maud Mouchet
- UMR 7204 MNHN-SU-CNRS CESCO, CP135, 57 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
| | - François Massol
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 8204 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
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36
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Orenstein EC, Ayata S, Maps F, Becker ÉC, Benedetti F, Biard T, de Garidel‐Thoron T, Ellen JS, Ferrario F, Giering SLC, Guy‐Haim T, Hoebeke L, Iversen MH, Kiørboe T, Lalonde J, Lana A, Laviale M, Lombard F, Lorimer T, Martini S, Meyer A, Möller KO, Niehoff B, Ohman MD, Pradalier C, Romagnan J, Schröder S, Sonnet V, Sosik HM, Stemmann LS, Stock M, Terbiyik‐Kurt T, Valcárcel‐Pérez N, Vilgrain L, Wacquet G, Waite AM, Irisson J. Machine learning techniques to characterize functional traits of plankton from image data. LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY 2022; 67:1647-1669. [PMID: 36247386 PMCID: PMC9543351 DOI: 10.1002/lno.12101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Plankton imaging systems supported by automated classification and analysis have improved ecologists' ability to observe aquatic ecosystems. Today, we are on the cusp of reliably tracking plankton populations with a suite of lab-based and in situ tools, collecting imaging data at unprecedentedly fine spatial and temporal scales. But these data have potential well beyond examining the abundances of different taxa; the individual images themselves contain a wealth of information on functional traits. Here, we outline traits that could be measured from image data, suggest machine learning and computer vision approaches to extract functional trait information from the images, and discuss promising avenues for novel studies. The approaches we discuss are data agnostic and are broadly applicable to imagery of other aquatic or terrestrial organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric C. Orenstein
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de VillefrancheVillefranche‐sur‐MerFrance
| | - Sakina‐Dorothée Ayata
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de VillefrancheVillefranche‐sur‐MerFrance
- Sorbonne Université, Laboratoire d'Océanographie et du Climat, Institut Pierre Simon Laplace (LOCEAN‐IPSL, SU/CNRS/IRD/MNHN)ParisFrance
| | - Frédéric Maps
- Département de BiologieUniversité LavalQuébecCanada
- Takuvik Joint International Laboratory Université Laval‐CNRS (UMI 3376), Québec‐Océan, Université LavalQuébecCanada
| | - Érica C. Becker
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC)FlorianópolisSanta CatarinaBrazil
| | - Fabio Benedetti
- ETH ZürichInstitute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant DynamicsZürichSwitzerland
| | - Tristan Biard
- Laboratoire d'Océanologie et de GéosciencesUniversité du Littoral Côte d'Opale, Université de Lille, CNRS, UMR 8187WimereuxFrance
| | | | - Jeffrey S. Ellen
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San DiegoLa JollaCalifornia
| | - Filippo Ferrario
- Département de BiologieUniversité LavalQuébecCanada
- Takuvik Joint International Laboratory Université Laval‐CNRS (UMI 3376), Québec‐Océan, Université LavalQuébecCanada
- Department of Fisheries and OceansMaurice Lamontagne InstituteMont‐JoliQuébecCanada
| | | | - Tamar Guy‐Haim
- National Institute of Oceanography, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological ResearchHaifaIsrael
| | - Laura Hoebeke
- KERMIT, Department of Data Analysis and Mathematical ModellingGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | | | - Thomas Kiørboe
- Centre for Ocean Life, DTU‐AquaTechnical University of DenmarkKongens LyngbyDenmark
| | | | - Arancha Lana
- Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats (IMEDEA, UIB‐CSIC)Balearic IslandsSpain
| | | | - Fabien Lombard
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de VillefrancheVillefranche‐sur‐MerFrance
| | | | - Séverine Martini
- Aix Marseille University, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO UMMarseilleFrance
| | - Albin Meyer
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LIECMetzFrance
| | - Klas Ove Möller
- Helmholtz‐Zentrum HereonInstitute of Carbon CycleGeesthachtGermany
| | - Barbara Niehoff
- Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine ResearchBremerhavenGermany
| | - Mark D. Ohman
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San DiegoLa JollaCalifornia
| | | | - Jean‐Baptiste Romagnan
- IFREMER, Centre Atlantique, Laboratoire Ecologie et Modèles pour l'Halieutique (EMH)Unité HALGO, UMR DECODNantesFrance
| | | | - Virginie Sonnet
- Graduate School of OceanographyUniversity of Rhode IslandNarragansettRhode Island
| | - Heidi M. Sosik
- Woods Hole Oceanographic InstitutionWoods HoleMassachusetts
| | - Lars S. Stemmann
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de VillefrancheVillefranche‐sur‐MerFrance
| | - Michiel Stock
- KERMIT, Department of Data Analysis and Mathematical ModellingGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Tuba Terbiyik‐Kurt
- Department of Basic SciencesCukurova University, Faculty of FisheriesAdanaTurkey
| | | | - Laure Vilgrain
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de VillefrancheVillefranche‐sur‐MerFrance
| | | | - Anya M. Waite
- Ocean Frontier Institute, Dalhousie UniversityHalifaxNova ScotiaCanada
| | - Jean‐Olivier Irisson
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de VillefrancheVillefranche‐sur‐MerFrance
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Valencia E, Galland T, Carmona CP, Goberna M, Götzenberger L, Lepš J, Verdú M, Macek P, de Bello F. The functional structure of plant communities drives soil functioning via changes in soil abiotic properties. Ecology 2022; 103:e3833. [DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Valencia
- Departamento de Biología y Geología Física y Química Inorgánica, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos Móstoles Spain
| | - Thomas Galland
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Sciences University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice Czech Republic
- Institute of Botany Czech Academy of Sciences Třeboň Czech Republic
| | - Carlos P. Carmona
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences University of Tartu Tartu Estonia
| | - Marta Goberna
- Department of Environment and Agronomy INIA‐CSIC Madrid Spain
| | - Lars Götzenberger
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Sciences University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice Czech Republic
- Institute of Botany Czech Academy of Sciences Třeboň Czech Republic
| | - Jan Lepš
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Sciences University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice Czech Republic
- Biology Research Centre, Institute of Entomology Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice Czech Republic
| | - Miguel Verdú
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Desertificación (CSIC‐UV‐GV) Valencia Spain
| | - Petr Macek
- Biology Research Centre, Institute of Hydrobiology Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice Czech Republic
| | - Francesco de Bello
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Sciences University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice Czech Republic
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Desertificación (CSIC‐UV‐GV) Valencia Spain
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38
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Luiz OJ, Olden JD, Kennard MJ, Crook DA, Douglas MM, Saunders TM, Wedd D, Adair B, King AJ. Substantial intraspecific trait variation across a hydrological gradient in northern Australian fishes. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Osmar J. Luiz
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin Northern Territory Australia
| | - Julian D. Olden
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences University of Washington Seattle Washington USA
- Australian Rivers Institute Griffith University Nathan Queensland Australia
| | - Mark J. Kennard
- Australian Rivers Institute Griffith University Nathan Queensland Australia
| | - David A. Crook
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin Northern Territory Australia
- Centre for Freshwater Ecosystems La Trobe University Wodonga Victoria Australia
| | - Michael M. Douglas
- School of Biological Sciences, School of Agriculture and Environment The University of Western Australia Perth Western Australia Australia
| | - Thor M. Saunders
- Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries Darwin Northern Territory Australia
| | - Dion Wedd
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin Northern Territory Australia
| | - Brendan Adair
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin Northern Territory Australia
| | - Alison J. King
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin Northern Territory Australia
- Centre for Freshwater Ecosystems La Trobe University Wodonga Victoria Australia
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39
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Ao S, Li X, Tian Z, Hu J, Cai Q. Harmonizing and Searching Macroinvertebrate Trait Information in Alpine Streams: Method and Application–A Case Study in the Three Parallel Rivers Region, China. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.945824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The traits of organisms provide critical information for understanding changes in biodiversity and ecosystem function at large scales. In recent years, trait databases of macroinvertebrates have been developed across continents. Anyone using different databases to search for traits will encounter a series of problems that lead to uncertain results due to the inconsistency of the trait information. For example, traits for a particular macroinvertebrate taxon may be inconsistent across databases, coded in inconsistent ways, or cannot be found. However, most of the current studies do not clearly state their solutions, which seriously hinders the accuracy and comparability of global trait studies. To solve these problems, we collected representative databases from several continents, including the United States, Europe, South Africa, Bolivia, Australia, and New Zealand. By comparing the inconsistency of similar trait classifications in the nine databases, we harmonized 41 of these grouping features. We found that these databases differed widely in terms of the range and category of traits. And the method of coding traits also varies from database to database. Moreover, we showed a set of trait searching rules that integrate trait databases from different regions of the world, allowing traits to be identified more easily and uniformly using different trait databases worldwide. We also applied this method to determine the traits of 155 macroinvertebrate taxa in the Three Parallel Rivers Region (TPRR). The results showed that among a total of 155 macroinvertebrate taxa, the 41 grouping features of all genera were not fully identified, and 32 genera were not recorded (thus using family-level data). No trait information was found at all for two families, which contain two genera. This suggests that many macroinvertebrate taxa and their traits have not been fully studied, especially in those regions, including China, where macroinvertebrate trait studies are lagging. This inadequacy and unevenness have seriously hindered the study and development of macroinvertebrate trait and functional diversity worldwide. Our results complement the information on stream macroinvertebrate traits in the TPRR, a global biodiversity hotspot, and greatly promote the uniformity of global trait research and the accuracy and comparability of trait research in different regions.
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40
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Rodríguez‐Alarcón S, Tamme R, P.Carmona C. Intraspecific trait changes in response to drought lead to trait convergence between‐ but not within species. Funct Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.14099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Riin Tamme
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences University of Tartu, J. Liivi 2 Tartu Estonia
| | - Carlos P.Carmona
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences University of Tartu, J. Liivi 2 Tartu Estonia
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41
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The evolution of trait variance creates a tension between species diversity and functional diversity. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2521. [PMID: 35534474 PMCID: PMC9085882 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30090-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
It seems intuitively obvious that species diversity promotes functional diversity: communities with more plant species imply more varied plant leaf chemistry, more species of crops provide more kinds of food, etc. Recent literature has nuanced this view, showing how the relationship between the two can be modulated along latitudinal or environmental gradients. Here we show that even without such effects, the evolution of functional trait variance can erase or even reverse the expected positive relationship between species- and functional diversity. We present theory showing that trait-based eco-evolutionary processes force species to evolve narrower trait breadths in more tightly packed, species-rich communities, in their effort to avoid competition with neighboring species. This effect is so strong that it leads to an overall reduction in trait space coverage whenever a new species establishes. Empirical data from land snail communities on the Galápagos Islands are consistent with this claim. The finding that the relationship between species- and functional diversity can be negative implies that trait data from species-poor communities may misjudge functional diversity in species-rich ones, and vice versa. The positive relationship between species diversity and functional diversity has been shown to vary. Here, the authors use theoretical models and data from Galápagos land snail communities to show how eco-evolutionary processes can force species to evolve narrower trait breadths in more species-rich communities to avoid competition, creating a negative relationship.
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Impact of Invasive Weeds on the Diversity and Dissimilarity of Bird Communities in Forested Areas. DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/d14030229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Caucasian hogweeds, mainly the Sosnowsky’s hogweed Heracleum sosnowskyi and the giant hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum, create one of the most problematic plant invasions in the world. Due to their large size (weeds reaching 4–5 meters in height), they seem to be herbaceous plants that can threaten birds living in forest stands. This research quantified the structure and diversity of the forest birds’ community in forests with varying areas of invasive hogweeds located in south-eastern Poland. Changes in the accompanying non-forest birds’ community were also assessed. The study addressed the following questions: 1. How does the invaded area correlate with the abundance of forest birds? 2. How do communities and species respond to invaded vegetation? 3. How do the invading plants affect the various types of diversity of forest and non-forest birds? It turned out that both surveyed bird communities had a lower alpha diversity in invaded sites. Only forest birds, not able to change their location easily, formed a unique community (i.e., had a higher beta diversity) near invaders. Forest birds showed unchanged functional diversity based on the relative bird abundance and their connection, or lack of it, with the forest development phases. The effect of hogweeds on the abundance of forest birds was more negative in severely invaded areas with anthropogenic habitats. Non-forest birds showed higher species loss near the invasion, constant beta diversity and decreased functional diversity. This study is important as the forest is a climax community in the temperate zone, and unused open areas become spontaneously overgrown with young forests. Weeds disseminating after crop abandonment can highly and commonly affect forest and non-forest bird communities co-occurring in this type of overgrowing area.
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Functional representativeness and distinctiveness of reintroduced birds and mammals in Europe. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4081. [PMID: 35260728 PMCID: PMC8904635 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07991-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Reintroduction, the human-mediated movement of organisms to re-establish locally extinct populations, has become a popular conservation tool. However, because reintroductions often focus on local or national conservation issues, their contribution to the conservation of biodiversity at large scale remains unclear. While taxonomic biases have already been identified in reintroduction programs at regional scales, studies have stressed the need to account for other facets of biodiversity when assessing the relevance of the allocation of conservation efforts. In particular, it may be very fruitful to discriminate if and how such taxonomic biases may influence the functional complementarity of reintroduction targets, and to which extent reintroduction practitioners may have focused on species performing more singular functions than others. Here, we investigate the diversity of functional traits supported by reintroduced species of terrestrial birds and mammals in Europe. For each taxonomic group, we explored the functional representativeness of reintroduction targets at the European scale, i.e., whether species involved in reintroduction programs collectively represent the range of functional trait variation observed in the regional assemblage. Because additional conservation value could have been given by practitioners to species performing singular functions, we also measured the functional distinctiveness of reintroduced species. We found that reintroductions of birds did not focus on functionally distinct species, and that the subset of reintroduced birds is representative of the functional diversity at a continental scale. However, reintroductions of mammals involved more functionally distinct species than expected, even though reintroduced mammals are not collectively representative of the functional diversity of the continental assemblage.
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Perrin W, Fontana S, Coq S, Berlioz L, Jay-Robert P, Moretti M. The Influence of Fine-Scale Grazing Heterogeneity on Dung Beetle Assemblages: What Trait Analysis Teaches Us. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 50:1332-1343. [PMID: 34580707 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvab091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Livestock grazing puts major anthropogenic pressure on biological communities worldwide. Not all species are expected to be affected in the same way, and the impacts will depend on species' traits. Focusing on traits thus helps identify the mechanisms underlying changes in community composition under grazing pressures. We investigated how fine-scale grazing heterogeneity affects the trait composition and diversity of dung beetle assemblages in Western Europe. We sampled dung beetles in habitat patches differing in terms of grazing intensity within rangelands of two distinct biogeographical areas: a Mediterranean lowland steppe and Western alpine meadows. We measured five morphological traits expected to respond to the local-scale filtering pressure exerted by variations in grazing intensity. Using individual-based data, we assessed responses in terms of single-trait mean values in communities and complementary trait diversity indices. We found strong shifts in trait composition and diversity between the habitat patches. In both study areas, variations in habitat conditions are likely to have filtered the local occurrence and abundance of dung beetles by the mean of traits such as body mass (which have several functional implications), as well as traits linked to underground activity. We hypothesize that fine-scale variation in resource availability (i.e., droppings) and disturbance intensity (i.e., trampling) are key drivers of the observed patterns in species assemblages. Trait richness peaks at moderate grazing intensity in both study areas, suggesting that patches with an intermediated level of available resources and soil disturbance enable individuals with a greater range of autecological requirements to coexist.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Perrin
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, Montpellier, France
| | - Simone Fontana
- Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
- Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sylvain Coq
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, Montpellier, France
| | - Laurent Berlioz
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, Montpellier, France
| | - Pierre Jay-Robert
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, Montpellier, France
| | - Marco Moretti
- Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
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45
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Bowd E, Blanchard W, McBurney L, Lindenmayer D. Direct and indirect disturbance impacts on forest biodiversity. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elle Bowd
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory 2601 Australia
| | - Wade Blanchard
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory 2601 Australia
| | - Lachlan McBurney
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory 2601 Australia
| | - David Lindenmayer
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory 2601 Australia
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46
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Dawson SK, Carmona CP, González‐Suárez M, Jönsson M, Chichorro F, Mallen‐Cooper M, Melero Y, Moor H, Simaika JP, Duthie AB. The traits of "trait ecologists": An analysis of the use of trait and functional trait terminology. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:16434-16445. [PMID: 34938447 PMCID: PMC8668725 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Trait and functional trait approaches have revolutionized ecology improving our understanding of community assembly, species coexistence, and biodiversity loss. Focusing on traits promotes comparability across spatial and organizational scales, but terms must be used consistently. While several papers have offered definitions, it remains unclear how ecologists operationalize "trait" and "functional trait" terms. Here, we evaluate how researchers and the published literatures use these terms and explore differences among subdisciplines and study systems (taxa and biome). By conducting both a survey and a literature review, we test the hypothesis that ecologists' working definition of "trait" is adapted or altered when confronting the realities of collecting, analyzing and presenting data. From 486 survey responses and 712 reviewed papers, we identified inconsistencies in the understanding and use of terminology among researchers, but also limited inclusion of definitions within the published literature. Discrepancies were not explained by subdiscipline, system of study, or respondent characteristics, suggesting there could be an inconsistent understanding even among those working in related topics. Consistencies among survey responses included the use of morphological, phonological, and physiological traits. Previous studies have called for unification of terminology; yet, our study shows that proposed definitions are not consistently used or accepted. Sources of disagreement include trait heritability, defining and interpreting function, and dealing with organisms in which individuals are not clearly recognizable. We discuss and offer guidelines for overcoming these disagreements. The diversity of life on Earth means traits can represent different features that can be measured and reported in different ways, and thus, narrow definitions that work for one system will fail in others. We recommend ecologists embrace the breadth of biodiversity using a simplified definition of "trait" more consistent with its common use. Trait-based approaches will be most powerful if we accept that traits are at least as diverse as trait ecologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha K. Dawson
- Swedish Species Information CentreSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUppsalaSweden
| | | | | | - Mari Jönsson
- Swedish Species Information CentreSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUppsalaSweden
| | - Filipe Chichorro
- LIBRe – Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity ResearchFinnish Museum of Natural HistoryUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Max Mallen‐Cooper
- Ecology and Evolution Research CentreSchool of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | | | - Helen Moor
- Swedish Species Information CentreSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUppsalaSweden
| | - John P. Simaika
- Department of Water Resources and EcosystemsIHE Delft Institute for Water EducationDelftThe Netherlands
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47
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Garlapati D, Munnooru K, Vinjamuri RR, Karri R, Mallavarapu VR. Distribution patterns and seasonal variations in phytoplankton communities of the hypersaline Pulicat lagoon, India. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:61497-61512. [PMID: 34176045 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15086-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Phytoplankton structure and patterns are key components to forecast the net result of the gain and loss process that outline the resilience of the lagoon ecosystem. In order to understand the phytoplankton community structure and its relationship with the environmental variables in the shallow hypersaline Pulicat lagoon, east coast of India, observations were carried out during August 2018-January 2019 covering the three seasons: premonsoon (PrM), monsoon (M), and postmonsoon (PoM). The salinity of the lagoon varied with a minimum of 12.1 for the M and a maximum of 81.65 during the PoM. The clustering analysis performed on the phytoplankton abundance data separated the lagoon into three sectors: north sector (NS), central sector (CS), and south sector (SS). A total of 59 taxa/morphotypes from four taxonomic classes (Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, and Dinophyceae) were recorded during the study period. The class Bacillariophyceae was dominant in the lagoon both spatially and temporally by 44.06% with Chaetoceros borealis as dominant species. Presence of characteristic species like Dunaliella sp. was observed in the higher salinity, whereas Pediastrum duplex and Scenedesmus sp. were dominant in the freshwater influx areas. The individual-based functional approach allowed grouping these taxa into 11 functional entities based on the derived 4 functional trait values (cell size, trophic regime, mobility, and coloniality). Formation of algal blooms of Protoperidinium sp. (3.3×105ind L-1) and Odentella sp. (2.8×105ind L-1) was observed in the SS during PoM as a result of reduced water exchange in the lagoon. During the same period, toxin-producing strains like Anabaena sp. and Nostoc sp. of Cyanophyceae were also recorded. Correlating the three sectors of the lake (NS, CS, and SS), it is observed that the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the lake varied continuously depending on the season and freshwater availability. Seasonal nutrient stoichiometry played a significant role in regulating the community structure and distribution pattern of phytoplankton communities of the lagoon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deviram Garlapati
- National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600100, India.
| | - Kumaraswami Munnooru
- National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600100, India
| | - Ranga Rao Vinjamuri
- National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600100, India
| | - Ramu Karri
- National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600100, India
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48
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Abstract
Conservation research has historically been conducted at the macro level, focusing on animals and plants and their role in the wider ecosystem. However, there is a growing appreciation of the importance of microbial communities in conservation. Most microbiome research in conservation thus far has used amplicon sequencing methods to assess the taxonomic composition of microbial communities and inferred functional capabilities from these data. However, as manipulation of the microbiome as a conservation tool becomes more and more feasible, there is a growing need to understand the direct functional consequences of shifts in microbiome composition. This review outlines the latest advances in microbiome research from a functional perspective and how these data can be used to inform conservation strategies. This review will also consider some of the challenges faced when studying the microbiomes of wild animals and how they can be overcome by careful study design and sampling methods. Environmental changes brought about by climate change or direct human actions have the potential to alter the taxonomic composition of microbiomes in wild populations. Understanding how taxonomic shifts affect the function of microbial communities is important for identifying species most threatened by potential disruption to their microbiome. Preservation or even restoration of these functions has the potential to be a powerful tool in conservation biology and a shift towards functional characterisation of gut microbiome diversity will be an important first step.
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Kaushik K, Bricca A, Mugnai M, Viciani D, Rudolf K, Somfalvi-Tóth K, Morschhauser T. Effects of a Dominant Species on the Functional Diversity of Coexisting Species in Temperate Deciduous Understorey. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10112252. [PMID: 34834613 PMCID: PMC8620765 DOI: 10.3390/plants10112252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The herb layer plays a significant role in maintaining forest functions, and its community composition is determined by various abiotic factors and biotic interactions. This study attempted to investigate the interspecific plant–plant biotic interactions using a functional traits approach. Specifically, the effects of a dominant species coverage on the functional diversity of coexisting species in the temperate forest understory were studied. Species coverage and soil moisture data were collected using a 1 m2 quadrat couplet (2 × 1 m2) from six sites alongside a 20 m linear transect encompassing a cover gradient of Allium ursinum in southwest Hungary. Major plant functional dimensions i.e., aboveground, and clonal functional traits were considered. Linear and nonlinear mixed models to quantify the effects of biotic interaction on the functional diversity of every single trait and multiple traits were employed. Both aboveground traits and clonal traits of persistent clonal growth organs responded positively to the A. ursinum L., cover gradient. The coexistence of understory species in the presence of a monodominant species seems to be mainly influenced by aboveground traits as compared to the clonal traits suggesting, a role of niche differentiation. The consistent impact of A. ursinum coverage on coexisting species dynamics highlights a need for similar in-depth studies in various forest settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishan Kaushik
- Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, Ifjúság str. 6, 7624 Pécs, Hungary;
- Correspondence:
| | - Alessandro Bricca
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Pontoni 5, 62032 Camerino, Italy;
| | - Michele Mugnai
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; (M.M.); (D.V.)
| | - Daniele Viciani
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; (M.M.); (D.V.)
| | - Kinga Rudolf
- Institute of Plant Production Science, Campus of Szent István, University of MATE, 7400 Kaposvár, Hungary;
| | - Katalin Somfalvi-Tóth
- Department of Water Management and Climate Adaption, Institute of Environmental Science, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 40. S. Guba str, 7400 Kaposvár, Hungary;
| | - Tamás Morschhauser
- Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, Ifjúság str. 6, 7624 Pécs, Hungary;
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50
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Laine AM, Korrensalo A, Kokkonen NAK, Tuittila E. Impact of long‐term water level drawdown on functional plant trait composition of northern peatlands. Funct Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna M. Laine
- School of Forest Sciences University of Eastern Finland Joensuu Finland
| | - Aino Korrensalo
- School of Forest Sciences University of Eastern Finland Joensuu Finland
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