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Huang K, De Long JR, Yan X, Wang X, Wang C, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Wang P, Du G, van Kleunen M, Guo H. Why are graminoid species more dominant? Trait-mediated plant-soil feedbacks shape community composition. Ecology 2024; 105:e4295. [PMID: 38723655 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4295] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Species traits may determine plant interactions along with soil microbiome, further shaping plant-soil feedbacks (PSFs). However, how plant traits modulate PSFs and, consequently, the dominance of plant functional groups remains unclear. We used a combination of field surveys and a two-phase PSF experiment to investigate whether forbs and graminoids differed in PSFs and in their trait-PSF associations. When grown in forb-conditioned soils, forbs experienced stronger negative feedbacks, while graminoids experienced positive feedbacks. Graminoid-conditioned soil resulted in neutral PSFs for both functional types. Forbs with thin roots and small seeds showed more-negative PSFs than those with thick roots and large seeds. Conversely, graminoids with acquisitive root and leaf traits (i.e., thin roots and thin leaves) demonstrated greater positive PSFs than graminoids with thick roots and tough leaves. By distinguishing overall and soil biota-mediated PSFs, we found that the associations between plant traits and PSFs within both functional groups were mainly mediated by soil biota. A simulation model demonstrated that such differences in PSFs could lead to a dominance of graminoids over forbs in natural plant communities, which might explain why graminoids dominate in grasslands. Our study provides new insights into the differentiation and adaptation of plant life-history strategies under selection pressures imposed by soil biota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailing Huang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Jonathan R De Long
- Department of Ecosystem and Landscape Dynamics, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED-ELD), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Xuebin Yan
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoyi Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunlong Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yiwei Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Peng Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guozhen Du
- College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Mark van Kleunen
- Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation, Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
| | - Hui Guo
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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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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Gagliardi S, Avelino J, Martin AR, Cadotte M, Virginio Filho EDM, Isaac ME. Leaf functional traits and pathogens: Linking coffee leaf rust with intraspecific trait variation in diversified agroecosystems. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0284203. [PMID: 37053244 PMCID: PMC10101423 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Research has demonstrated that intraspecific functional trait variation underpins plant responses to environmental variability. However, few studies have evaluated how trait variation shifts in response to plant pathogens, even though pathogens are a major driver of plant demography and diversity, and despite evidence of plants expressing distinct strategies in response to pathogen pressures. Understanding trait-pathogen relationships can provide a more realistic understanding of global patterns of functional trait variation. We examined leaf intraspecific trait variability (ITV) in response to foliar disease severity, using Coffea arabica cv. Caturra as a model species. We quantified coffee leaf rust (CLR) severity-a fungal disease prominent in coffee systems-and measured key coffee leaf functional traits under contrasting, but widespread, management conditions in an agroforestry system. We found that coffee plants express significant ITV, which is largely related to shade tree treatment and leaf position within coffee canopy strata. Yet within a single plant canopy stratum, CLR severity increased with increasing resource conserving trait values. However, coffee leaves with visible signs of disease expressed overall greater resource acquiring trait values, as compared to plants without visible signs of disease. We provide among the first evidence that leaf traits are correlated with foliar disease severity in coffee, and that functional trait relationships and syndromes shift in response to increased disease prevalence in this plant-pathogen system. In doing so, we address a vital gap in our understanding of global patterns of functional trait variation and highlight the need to further explore the potential role of pathogens within established global trait relationships and spectra.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Gagliardi
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jacques Avelino
- CIRAD, UMR PHIM, Montpellier, France
- Institute Agro, PHIM, University Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Adam R Martin
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marc Cadotte
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Marney E Isaac
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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4
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Zupanič M, Kramberger B. A critical analysis on multifaceted benefits of mixture of cover crops over pure stand. Symbiosis 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13199-022-00888-3] [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]
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5
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Wang H, Zhang X, Shan H, Ren W, Wen Z, Tian Y, Weigel B, Ni L, Cao T. Biodiversity buffers the impact of eutrophication on ecosystem functioning of submerged macrophytes on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, Southwest China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 314:120210. [PMID: 36170892 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Increasing eutrophication poses a considerable threat to freshwater ecosystems, which are closely associated with human well-being. As important functional entities for freshwater ecosystems, submerged macrophytes have suffered rapidly decline with eutrophication. However, it is unclear whether and how submerged macrophytes maintain their ecological functions under increasing eutrophication stress and the underlying patterns in the process. In the current study, we conducted an extensive survey of submerged macrophytes in 49 lakes and reservoirs (67% of them are eutrophic) on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau of southwestern China to reveal the relationship between submerged macrophyte biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF) under eutrophication stress. Results showed that submerged macrophytes species richness, functional diversity (FD), and β diversity had positive effects on ecosystem functioning, even under eutrophication. Functional diversity was a stronger predictor of community biomass than species richness and β diversity, while species richness explained higher coverage variability than FD and β diversity. This suggests that species richness was a reliable indicator when valid functional traits cannot be collected in considering specific ecological process. With increasing eutrophication in water bodies, the mechanisms underlying biodiversity-ecosystem functioning evolved from "niche complementarity" to "selection effects", as evidenced by decreased species turnover and increased nestedness. Furthermore, the relative growth rate, specific leaf area, and ramet size in trade-off of community functional composition became smaller along eutrophication while flowering duration and shoot height became longer. This study contributes to a better understanding of positive BEF in freshwater ecosystems, despite increasing anthropogenic impacts. Protecting the environment remained the effective way to protect biodiversity and corresponding ecological functions and services. It will be important to consider different facets of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning in future studies to improve effective management plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaolin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China.
| | - Hang Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wenjing Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zihao Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yuqing Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Benjamin Weigel
- Research Centre for Ecological Change, Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Leyi Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Te Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
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Trindade-Santos I, Moyes F, Magurran AE. Global change in the functional diversity of marine fisheries exploitation over the past 65 years. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20200889. [PMID: 32811304 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.0889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Overexploitation is recognized as one of the main threats to global biodiversity. Here, we report a widespread change in the functional diversity of fisheries catches from the large marine ecosystems (LMEs) of the world over the past 65 years (1950 to 2014). The spatial and temporal trends of functional diversity exploited from the LMEs were calculated using global reconstructed marine fisheries catch data provided by the Sea Around Us initiative (including subsistence, artisanal, recreational, industrial fisheries, and discards) and functional trait data available in FishBase. Our analyses uncovered a substantial increase in the functional richness of both ray-finned fishes (80% of LMEs) and cartilaginous species (sharks and rays) (75% of LMESs), in line with an increase in the taxonomic richness, extracted from these ecosystems. The functional evenness and functional divergence of these catches have also altered substantially over the time span of this study, with considerable geographic variation in the patterns detected. These trends show that global fisheries are increasingly targeting species that play diverse roles within the marine ecosystem and underline the importance of incorporating functional diversity in ecosystem management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Trindade-Santos
- Centre for Biological Diversity, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TH, UK
| | - Faye Moyes
- Centre for Biological Diversity, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TH, UK
| | - Anne E Magurran
- Centre for Biological Diversity, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TH, UK
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Barbosa AS, Pires MM, Schulz UH. Influence of Land-Use Classes on the Functional Structure of Fish Communities in Southern Brazilian Headwater Streams. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 65:618-629. [PMID: 32130463 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-020-01274-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Changes in landscape composition caused by conversion of natural habitats into human-altered ecosystems can directly influence the physical characteristics of stream networks. Such impacts can modify the functional structure of fish communities, although the exact consequences of anthropic land-use changes can be context-dependent. This study investigated the influence of different land-use classes on the functional structure of fish communities in 32 headwater streams from southern Brazil. Trait composition and indices of functional diversity of the fish community were related to four land-use classes: native forest vegetation, silviculture, agriculture, and urban areas. Streams surrounded by larger areas of native forest were characterized by the predominance of foraging specialist species like grazers. However, as native vegetation is replaced by agriculture and urban areas, specialist species are replaced by species with generalist diet like detritivores. In streams surrounded by larger areas of agriculture, functional richness and divergence increased, while functional evenness decreased. Most likely, these changes were induced by alterations in the water quality, indicated by increased electrical conductivity and water temperature in streams with more agriculture areas. In conclusion, the conservation of the native forest vegetation is essential to maintain habitat characteristics and ecological processes in streams and to avoid the loss of specialist species in fish communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Saldanha Barbosa
- Laboratory of Fish Ecology, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), Av. Unisinos 950, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil
| | - Mateus Marques Pires
- Laboratory of Ecology and Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), Av. Unisinos 950, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil
| | - Uwe Horst Schulz
- Laboratory of Fish Ecology, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), Av. Unisinos 950, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil.
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8
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Liu C, Li Y, Zhang J, Baird AS, He N. Optimal Community Assembly Related to Leaf Economic- Hydraulic-Anatomical Traits. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:341. [PMID: 32269584 PMCID: PMC7109333 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Multi-dimensional trait mechanisms underlying community assembly at regional scales are largely unclear. In this study, we measured leaf economic, hydraulic and anatomical traits of 394 tree species from tropical to cold temperate forests, from which we calculated the leaf trait moments (mean, variance, skewness, and kurtosis) using community-weighted methods. Economic and hydraulic traits were decoupled at the species level, but coupled at the community level, and relationships between leaf traits in observed communities were stronger than that in null communities, suggesting that the adaptive mechanisms of plant species may be different. Furthermore, leaf economic traits were distributed more evenly across species occupying communities with lower temperature and precipitation, whereas hydraulic traits were distributed more evenly under lower water availability. This suggests that limiting similarity of specific leaf traits within communities would be enhanced when related-resources are limited, and highlights the independent assembly of leaf economics and hydraulic traits in terms of functional evenness. Importantly, the moments of leaf economic and hydraulic traits of observed communities explained more variation in ecosystem productivity than that of null communities, indicating ecosystem productivity depended on trait-based community assembly. Our results highlight the principles of community assembly regarding multi-dimensionsional traits in natural forests at a regional scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congcong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Li
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- The Key Laboratory for Forest Resources & Ecosystem Processes of Beijing, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiahui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Alec S. Baird
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Nianpeng He
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, and Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Changchun, China
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9
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Evergreenness influences fine root growth more than tree diversity in a common garden experiment. Oecologia 2019; 189:1027-1039. [PMID: 30850886 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-019-04373-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have reported positive net diversity effects on aboveground tree growth. However, whether similar effects occur belowground through root investment, and whether such effects are related to evergreenness of tree communities, is less clear. Here we studied vertical distribution of standing fine root biomass of twelve North American temperate tree species planted in a common garden tree diversity experiment of varying species richness and evergreenness to test whether belowground niche complementarity of trees could explain positive diversity effects reported aboveground. We tested two alternative hypotheses: trees in mixtures increase uptake of soil resources (1) by increasing vertical root stratification and/or producing a greater fine root density (mg cm-3) or (2) by producing similar or fewer fine roots that are potentially more efficient. Additionally, we hypothesized that proportional allocation to belowground biomass increases with evergreenness of tree communities. Fine roots were sampled in six layers of 5-10 cm, from 0 to 40 cm depth in single-, two- and four-species mixtures. We did not observe an effect of species richness on rooting depth or root density, refuting the hypothesis that aboveground overyielding in tree mixtures is linked to fine root overyielding. Rather, we observed a significant negative diversity effect (- 7.6%) on total fine root density, suggesting overall less investment to fine roots with increasing diversity. The strong positive effect of evergreeness on proportional allocation to fine roots over aboveground parts suggests that deciduous tree roots may be generally more efficient at absorbing soil resources, at least in the early years after tree establishment.
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10
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Richards ZT, Day JC. Biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef-how adequately is it protected? PeerJ 2018; 6:e4747. [PMID: 29761059 PMCID: PMC5947040 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is the world's most iconic coral reef ecosystem, recognised internationally as a World Heritage Area of outstanding significance. Safeguarding the biodiversity of this universally important reef is a core legislative objective; however, ongoing cumulative impacts including widespread coral bleaching and other detrimental impacts have heightened conservation concerns for the future of the GBR. Methods Here we review the literature to report on processes threatening species on the GBR, the status of marine biodiversity, and evaluate the extent of species-level monitoring and reporting. We assess how many species are listed as threatened at a global scale and explore whether these same species are protected under national threatened species legislation. We conclude this review by providing future directions for protecting potentially endangered elements of biodiversity within the GBR. Results Most of the threats identified to be harming the diversity of marine life on the GBR over the last two-three decades remain to be effectively addressed and many are worsening. The inherent resilience of this globally significant coral reef ecosystem has been seriously compromised and various elements of the biological diversity for which it is renowned may be at risk of silent extinction. We show at least 136 of the 12,000+ animal species known to occur on the GBR (approximately 20% of the 700 species assessed by the IUCN) occur in elevated categories of threat (Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable) at a global scale. Despite the wider background level of threat for these 136 species, only 23 of them are listed as threatened under regional or national legislation. Discussion To adequately protect the biodiversity values of the GBR, it may be necessary to conduct further targeted species-level monitoring and reporting to complement ecosystem management approaches. Conducting a vigorous value of information analysis would provide the opportunity to evaluate what new and targeted information is necessary to support dynamic management and to safeguard both species and the ecosystem as a whole. Such an analysis would help decision-makers determine if further comprehensive biodiversity surveys are needed, especially for those species recognised to be facing elevated background levels of threat. If further monitoring is undertaken, it will be important to ensure it aligns with and informs the GBRMPA Outlook five-year reporting schedule. The potential also exists to incorporate new environmental DNA technologies into routine monitoring to deliver high-resolution species data and identify indicator species that are cursors of specific disturbances. Unless more targeted action is taken to safeguard biodiversity, we may fail to pass onto future generations many of the values that comprise what is universally regarded as the world's most iconic coral reef ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe T Richards
- Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, WA, Australia.,Aquatic Zoology Department, Western Australian Museum, Welshpool, WA, Australia
| | - Jon C Day
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University of North Queensland, Townsville, QLD, Australia
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11
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Martin AR, Isaac ME. Functional traits in agroecology: Advancing description and prediction in agroecosystems. J Appl Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adam R. Martin
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences; and the Centre for Critical Development of Toronto Scarborough; Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Marney E. Isaac
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences; and the Centre for Critical Development of Toronto Scarborough; Toronto Ontario Canada
- Department of Geography; University of Toronto; Toronto Ontario Canada
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12
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Freitas JR, Mantovani W. An overview of the applicability of functional diversity in Biological Conservation. BRAZ J BIOL 2017; 78:517-524. [DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.09416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2016] [Accepted: 02/11/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract Functional diversity is increasingly pointed as a useful approach to reach Biological Conservation goals. Here, we provide an overview of the functional diversity approach status in the Biological Conservation field. We sought for peer-reviewed papers published over a period of twenty years (from 1994 to 2014). First we used the general topic “functional diversity” and then refined our search using the key-word “conservation”. We have identified the conservation strategies addressed, the organism studied, and the continent of study site in each paper. Thirteen classes of conservation strategies were identified. Plants were the most commonly studied organism group and most study-sites were located in Europe. The functional diversity approach was introduced in the Biological Conservation field in the early 2000’s and its inclusion in conservation strategies is broadly advised. However, the number of papers that operationalise such inclusion by developing models and systems is still low. Functional diversity responds differently and eventually better than other measures to changes in land use and management, which suggests that this approach can potentially better predict the impacts. More studies are needed to corroborate this hypothesis. We pointed out knowledge gaps regarding identification of the responses for functional diversity about urban impacts and in research on the level of management intensity of land needed to maintain functional diversity. We recommend the use of functional diversity measures to find ecological indicators. Future studies should focus on the development of functional diversity measures of other taxa beyond plants as well as test hypothesis in tropical ecosystems.
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13
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Barnagaud JY, Gaüzère P, Zuckerberg B, Princé K, Svenning JC. Temporal changes in bird functional diversity across the United States. Oecologia 2017; 185:737-748. [PMID: 29058124 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-017-3967-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Global changes are modifying the structure of species assemblages, but the generality of resulting diversity patterns and of their drivers is poorly understood. Any such changes can be detected and explained by comparing temporal trends in taxonomic and functional diversity over broad spatial extents. In this study, we addressed three complementary questions: How did bird taxonomic and functional diversity change over the past 40 years in the conterminous United States? Are these trends non-linear? Can temporal variations in functional diversity be explained by broad-scale changes in climate and vegetation productivity? We quantified changes in taxonomic and functional diversity for 807 bird assemblages over the past four decades (1970-2011) considering a suite of 16 ecological traits for 435 species. We found increases in local bird species richness and taxonomic equitability that plateaued in the early 2000's while total abundance declined over the whole period. Functional richness, the total range of traits in an assemblage, increased due to the rising prevalence of species with atypical life-history strategies and under-represented habitat or trophic preferences. However, these species did not trigger major changes in the functional composition of bird assemblages. Inter-annual variations in climate and primary productivity explained the richness of bird life-history traits in local assemblages, suggesting that these traits are influenced by broad-scale environmental factors, while others respond more to more local drivers. Our results highlight that a comparative analysis of the multiple facets of functional diversity can raise novel insights on processes underlying temporal trends in biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Yves Barnagaud
- Biogéographie et Ecologie des Vertébrés, CNRS, PSL Research University, EPHE, UM, SupAgro, IND, INRA, UMR 5175 CEFE, 1919 route de Mende, Montpellier, France. .,Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Pierre Gaüzère
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution, Université Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095, Montpellier Cedex 05, France
| | - Benjamin Zuckerberg
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Karine Princé
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.,UMR 7204, CESCO, Université Paris Sorbonne, CNRS-MNHN-UPMC, 43 rue Buffon, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Jens-Christian Svenning
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
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14
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Yin X, Qi W, Du G. Diversity effects under different nutrient addition and cutting frequency environments in experimental plant communities. Ecol Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11284-017-1474-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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15
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Bosch NE, Gonçalves JMS, Erzini K, Tuya F. "How" and "what" matters: Sampling method affects biodiversity estimates of reef fishes. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:4891-4906. [PMID: 28690817 PMCID: PMC5496540 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding changes in biodiversity requires the implementation of monitoring programs encompassing different dimensions of biodiversity through varying sampling techniques. In this work, fish assemblages associated with the “outer” and “inner” sides of four marinas, two at the Canary Islands and two at southern Portugal, were investigated using three complementary sampling techniques: underwater visual censuses (UVCs), baited cameras (BCs), and fish traps (FTs). We firstly investigated the complementarity of these sampling methods to describe species composition. Then, we investigated differences in taxonomic (TD), phylogenetic (PD) and functional diversity (FD) between sides of the marinas according to each sampling method. Finally, we explored the applicability/reproducibility of each sampling technique to characterize fish assemblages according to these metrics of diversity. UVCs and BCs provided complementary information, in terms of the number and abundances of species, while FTs sampled a particular assemblage. Patterns of TD, PD, and FD between sides of the marinas varied depending on the sampling method. UVC was the most cost‐efficient technique, in terms of personnel hours, and it is recommended for local studies. However, for large‐scale studies, BCs are recommended, as it covers greater spatio‐temporal scales by a lower cost. Our study highlights the need to implement complementary sampling techniques to monitor ecological change, at various dimensions of biodiversity. The results presented here will be useful for optimizing future monitoring programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Néstor E Bosch
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación IU-ECOAQUA Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Las Palmas de G.C. Canary Islands Spain.,Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR) Universidade do Algarve Faro Portugal
| | | | - Karim Erzini
- Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR) Universidade do Algarve Faro Portugal
| | - Fernando Tuya
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación IU-ECOAQUA Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Las Palmas de G.C. Canary Islands Spain
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16
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Zeng L, Zhou L, Guo DL, Fu DH, Xu P, Zeng S, Tang QD, Chen AL, Chen FQ, Luo Y, Li GF. Ecological effects of dams, alien fish, and physiochemical environmental factors on homogeneity/heterogeneity of fish community in four tributaries of the Pearl River in China. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:3904-3915. [PMID: 28616187 PMCID: PMC5468128 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2016] [Revised: 02/12/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to characterize the fish community structure and identify the drivers contributing to homogenization/differentiation processes in four tributaries to the Pearl River, Guangxi Province, China, over the past few decades. We sampled 22 sites seasonally from 2013 through 2015, and these sites were selected based on archived records of previous sampling conducted in the 1980s. Jaccard's faunal similarity index, cluster analysis, and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) were applied to describe the homogenization/differentiation of fish community and illustrate the potential effectors. The number of fish species present in three of the four sampled tributaries declined dramatically over the past 30 years, leading toward a trend of increased fish community homogeneity throughout the watershed. Results from multidimensional scaling and cluster analyses allowed us to divide the study area into two distinct ecoregions. Four species (yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, pond loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus, and sharpbelly Hemiculter leucisculus) were considered to be indicative fish species contributing more than 5% of the dissimilarity between the two eco-regions according to the results of similarity percentage procedure. Results from CCA revealed that pH and latitude corresponded with the dominant fish species of each respective tributary. More specifically, CCA results allowed us to classify dominant fish species into three distinct groups. The first group was mainly located in Guijiang characterized by higher latitudes and lower pH values, the second group was widespread in the four tributaries, and the last group was primarily distributed in Yujiang, Youjiang, and Zuojiang characterized by lower latitudes and higher pH values. Spatial differentiation of fish community structure and temporal homogeneity of species composition were attributed to the joint actions of human interventions including construction of dams and introductions of exotic fish species that led to habitat degeneration and fragmentation, and unequal interspecies competitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zeng
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals School of Life Sciences Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China.,South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences Guangzhou China.,School of Life Sciences Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China.,South China Sea Bio-Resource Exploitation and Utilization Collaborative Innovation Center Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Lei Zhou
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals School of Life Sciences Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China.,School of Life Sciences Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China.,South China Sea Bio-Resource Exploitation and Utilization Collaborative Innovation Center Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Ding-Li Guo
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals School of Life Sciences Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China.,School of Life Sciences Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China.,South China Sea Bio-Resource Exploitation and Utilization Collaborative Innovation Center Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Dong-Hua Fu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals School of Life Sciences Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China.,School of Life Sciences Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China.,South China Sea Bio-Resource Exploitation and Utilization Collaborative Innovation Center Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Peng Xu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals School of Life Sciences Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China.,School of Life Sciences Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China.,South China Sea Bio-Resource Exploitation and Utilization Collaborative Innovation Center Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Shuang Zeng
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals School of Life Sciences Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China.,School of Life Sciences Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China.,South China Sea Bio-Resource Exploitation and Utilization Collaborative Innovation Center Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Qin-Dong Tang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals School of Life Sciences Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China.,School of Life Sciences Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China.,South China Sea Bio-Resource Exploitation and Utilization Collaborative Innovation Center Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China
| | - An-Luo Chen
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals School of Life Sciences Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China.,School of Life Sciences Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China.,South China Sea Bio-Resource Exploitation and Utilization Collaborative Innovation Center Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Fei-Qiao Chen
- College of Life Science South China Agricultural University Guangzhou China
| | - Yong Luo
- Fishery, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Bureau of Tianyang County Baise China
| | - Gui-Feng Li
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals School of Life Sciences Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China.,School of Life Sciences Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China.,South China Sea Bio-Resource Exploitation and Utilization Collaborative Innovation Center Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou China
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17
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Rolo V, Rivest D, Lorente M, Kattge J, Moreno G. Taxonomic and functional diversity in Mediterranean pastures: insights on the biodiversity-productivity trade-off. J Appl Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Victor Rolo
- Conservation Ecology Research Unit; University of Pretoria; Hatfield, Pretoria 0028 South Africa
| | - David Rivest
- Département des Sciences Naturelles; Université du Québec en Outaouais; 58 rue Principale Ripon QC J0V 1V0 Canada
- Centre for Forest Research; Université du Québec à Montréal; P.O. Box 8888, Centre-Ville Station Montréal QC H3C 3P8 Canada
| | - Miren Lorente
- Centre for Forest Research; Université du Québec à Montréal; P.O. Box 8888, Centre-Ville Station Montréal QC H3C 3P8 Canada
| | - Jens Kattge
- Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry; Hans-Knöll-Straβe 10, 07745 Jena Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig; Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig Germany
| | - Gerardo Moreno
- Forestry School; University of Extremadura; Av. Virgen del Puerto 2 Plasencia 10600 Spain
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18
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Baattrup-Pedersen A, Göthe E, Larsen SE, O'Hare M, Birk S, Riis T, Friberg N. Plant trait characteristics vary with size and eutrophication in European lowland streams. J Appl Ecol 2015; 52:1617-1628. [PMID: 32336776 PMCID: PMC7166906 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies investigating community-level relationships between plant functional trait characteristics and stream environmental characteristics remain scarce. Here, we used community-weighted means to identify how plant traits link to lowland stream typology and how agricultural intensity in the catchment affects trait composition.We analysed plant trait characteristics in 772 European lowland streams to test the following two hypotheses: (i) trait characteristics differ between plant communities in small and medium-sized streams, reflecting adaptations to different habitat characteristics, and (ii) trait characteristics vary with the intensity of agricultural land use in the stream catchment, mediated either directly by an increase in productive species or indirectly by an increase in species that efficiently intercept and utilize light.We found that the communities in small streams were characterized by a higher abundance of light-demanding species growing from single apical meristems, reproducing by seeds and rooted to the bottom with floating and/or heterophyllous leaves, whereas the community in medium-sized streams was characterized by a higher abundance of productive species growing from multi-apical and basal growth meristems forming large canopies.We also found indications that community trait characteristics were affected by eutrophication. We did not find enhanced abundance of productive species with an increasing proportion of agriculture in the catchments. Instead, we found an increase in the abundance of species growing from apical and multi-apical growth meristems as well as in the abundance of species tolerant of low light availability. The increase in the abundance of species possessing these traits likely reflects different strategies to obtain greater efficiency in light interception and utilization in nutrient-enriched environments. Synthesis and applications. Our findings challenge the general assumption of the EU Water Framework Directive compliant assessment systems that plant community patterns in streams reflect the nutrient preference of the community. Instead, light availability and the ability to improve interception and utilization appeared to be of key importance for community composition in agricultural lowland streams. We therefore suggest moving from existing approaches building on species-specific preference values for nutrients to determine the level of nutrient impairment to trait-based approaches that provide insight into the biological mechanisms underlying the changes. We recommend that existing systems are critically appraised in the context of the findings of this study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emma Göthe
- Department of Bioscience Aarhus University Vejlsøvej 25 PO Box 314 DK-8600 Silkeborg Denmark
| | - Søren E Larsen
- Department of Bioscience Aarhus University Vejlsøvej 25 PO Box 314 DK-8600 Silkeborg Denmark
| | - Matthew O'Hare
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology Bush Estate Penicuik Midlothian EH26 0QB UK
| | - Sebastian Birk
- Faculty of Biology, Aquatic Ecology Universitätsstrasse 5 D-45141 Essen Germany
| | - Tenna Riis
- Department of Bioscience Aarhus University Ole Worms Allé 1 8000 Aarhus C Denmark
| | - Nikolai Friberg
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) Gaustadalléen 21 0349 Oslo Norway
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19
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Easson CG, Matterson KO, Freeman CJ, Archer SK, Thacker RW. Variation in species diversity and functional traits of sponge communities near human populations in Bocas del Toro, Panama. PeerJ 2015; 3:e1385. [PMID: 26587347 PMCID: PMC4647605 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.1385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have renewed interest in sponge ecology by emphasizing the functional importance of sponges in a broad array of ecosystem services. Many critically important habitats occupied by sponges face chronic stressors that might lead to alterations in their diversity, relatedness, and functional attributes. We addressed whether proximity to human activity might be a significant factor in structuring sponge community composition, as well as potential functional roles, by monitoring sponge diversity and abundance at two structurally similar sites that vary in distance to areas of high coastal development in Bocas Del Toro, Panama. We surveyed sponge communities at each site using belt transects and differences between two sites were compared using the following variables: (1) sponge species richness, Shannon diversity, and inverse Simpson’s diversity; (2) phylogenetic diversity; (3) taxonomic and phylogenetic beta diversity; (4) trait diversity and dissimilarity; and (5) phylogenetic and trait patterns in community structure. We observed significantly higher sponge diversity at Punta Caracol, the site most distant from human development (∼5 km). Although phylogenetic diversity was lower at Saigon Bay, the site adjacent to a large village including many houses, businesses, and an airport, the sites did not exhibit significantly different patterns of phylogenetic relatedness in species composition. However, each site had a distinct taxonomic and phylogenetic composition (beta diversity). In addition, the sponge community at Saigon included a higher relative abundance of sponges with high microbial abundance and high chlorophyll a concentration, whereas the community at Punta Caracol had a more even distribution of these traits, yielding a significant difference in functional trait diversity between sites. These results suggest that lower diversity and potentially altered community function might be associated with proximity to human populations. This study highlights the importance of evaluating functional traits and phylogenetic diversity in addition to common diversity metrics when assessing potential environmental impacts on benthic communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cole G Easson
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham, AL , United States
| | - Kenan O Matterson
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham, AL , United States
| | | | - Stephanie K Archer
- Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University , Raleigh, NC , United States
| | - Robert W Thacker
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University , Stony Brook, NY , United States
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20
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Mandle L, Ticktin T. Moderate land use changes plant functional composition without loss of functional diversity in India's Western Ghats. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2015; 25:1711-1724. [PMID: 26552276 DOI: 10.1890/15-0068.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The fields of ecology and conservation science increasingly recognize the importance of managing for functional composition and functional diversity to maintain critical ecosystem processes and services. However, little is known about the degree to which widespread but moderate forms of land use that maintain overall vegetation structure are compatible with the conservation of functional diversity. We assessed differences in plani functional composition and functional diversity across savanna woodlands in the Western Ghats, India, managed with varying degrees of biomass extraction, livestock grazing, and ground fire. Across the gradient of moderate land uses, we found shifts in functional composition but no overall decline in functional diversity with land, use intensification. Biomass extraction was associated with changes in dispersal mode, reduced seed mass, and lower overstory functional diversity. Livestock grazing was associated with shorter overstory species, reduced seed mass, and increased understory functional diversity. Nonnative invasive species contributed to shifts in understory functional composition with livestock grazing and increased functional diversity with more intensive land use. Our study highlights both the utility and some limitations of assessing conservation value with functional diversity. These results suggest that moderate-intensity local land use can be compatible with maintenance of functional diversity in savanna woodlands of the Western Ghats, and further efforts to maximize this compatibility would benefit conservation in South India's extensive human-managed landscapes. However, using functional diversity as the sole metric by which to gauge conservation value can mask threats from invasive species and loss of diversity within categories of biotic dispersal. Therefore, functional diversity metrics are likely to provide a valuable complement to, but not replacement for, other management targets such as species composition.
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21
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Rader R, Birkhofer K, Schmucki R, Smith HG, Stjernman M, Lindborg R. Organic farming and heterogeneous landscapes positively affect different measures of plant diversity. J Appl Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Romina Rader
- Landscape Ecology; Department of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology; Stockholm University; Stockholm Sweden
- Ecosystem Management; School of Environmental and Rural Science; University of New England; Armidale Australia
| | | | - Reto Schmucki
- Landscape Ecology; Department of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology; Stockholm University; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Henrik G. Smith
- Department of Biology; Lund University; Lund Sweden
- Centre for Environmental and Climate Research; Lund University; Lund Sweden
| | - Martin Stjernman
- Department of Biology; Lund University; Lund Sweden
- Centre for Environmental and Climate Research; Lund University; Lund Sweden
| | - Regina Lindborg
- Landscape Ecology; Department of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology; Stockholm University; Stockholm Sweden
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22
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Pool TK, Grenouillet G, Villéger S. Species contribute differently to the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic alpha and beta diversity of freshwater fish communities. DIVERS DISTRIB 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas K. Pool
- Laboratoire Évolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB); UPS; CNRS; UMR5174; Université de Toulouse; 31062 Toulouse France
| | - Gaël Grenouillet
- Laboratoire Évolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB); UPS; CNRS; UMR5174; Université de Toulouse; 31062 Toulouse France
| | - Sébastien Villéger
- Laboratoire Écologie des Systèmes Marins Côtiers (ECOSYM); CNRS; IRD; IFREMER; Université Montpellier 2; Place Eugène Bataillon 34095 Montpellier France
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23
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Hanke W, Böhner J, Dreber N, Jürgens N, Schmiedel U, Wesuls D, Dengler J. The impact of livestock grazing on plant diversity: an analysis across dryland ecosystems and scales in southern Africa. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2014; 24:1188-1203. [PMID: 25154106 DOI: 10.1890/13-0377.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
A general understanding of grazing effects on plant diversity in drylands is still missing, despite an extensive theoretical background. Cross-biome syntheses are hindered by the fact that the outcomes of disturbance studies are strongly affected by the choice of diversity measures, and the spatial and temporal scales of measurements. The aim of this study is to overcome these weaknesses by applying a wide range of diversity measures to a data set derived from identical sampling in three distinct ecosystems. We analyzed three fence-line contrasts (heavier vs. lighter grazing intensity), representing different degrees of aridity (from arid to semiarid) and precipitation regimes (summer rain vs. winter rain) in southern Africa. We tested the impact of grazing intensity on multiple aspects of plant diversity (species and functional group level, richness and evenness components, alpha and beta diversity, and composition) at two spatial scales, and for both 5-yr means and interannual variability. Heavier grazing reduced total plant cover and substantially altered the species and functional composition at all sites. However, a significant decrease in species alpha diversity was detected at only one of the three sites. By contrast, alpha diversity of plant functional groups responded consistently across ecosystems and scales, with a significant decrease at heavier grazing intensity. The cover-based measures of functional group diversity responded more sensitively and more consistently than functional group richness. Beta diversity of species and functional types increased under heavier grazing, showing that at larger scales, the heterogeneity of the community composition and the functional structure were increased. Heavier grazing mostly increased interannual variability of alpha diversity, while effects on beta diversity and cover were inconsistent. Our results suggest that species diversity alone may not adequately reflect the shifts in vegetation structure that occur in response to increased grazing intensity in the dryland biomes of southern Africa. Compositional and structural changes of the vegetation are better reflected by trait-based diversity measures. In particular, measures of plant functional diversity that include evenness represent a promising tool to detect and quantify disturbance effects on ecosystems.
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24
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Are fire, soil fertility and toxicity, water availability, plant functional diversity, and litter decomposition related in a Neotropical savanna? Oecologia 2014; 175:923-35. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-014-2937-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2013] [Accepted: 03/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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25
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Song Y, Wang P, Li G, Zhou D. Relationships between functional diversity and ecosystem functioning: A review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chnaes.2014.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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26
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Bu W, Zang R, Ding Y. Field observed relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning during secondary succession in a tropical lowland rainforest. ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2013.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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27
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Stuart-Smith RD, Bates AE, Lefcheck JS, Duffy JE, Baker SC, Thomson RJ, Stuart-Smith JF, Hill NA, Kininmonth SJ, Airoldi L, Becerro MA, Campbell SJ, Dawson TP, Navarrete SA, Soler GA, Strain EMA, Willis TJ, Edgar GJ. Integrating abundance and functional traits reveals new global hotspots of fish diversity. Nature 2013; 501:539-42. [DOI: 10.1038/nature12529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 370] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 08/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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28
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Mouillot D, Bellwood DR, Baraloto C, Chave J, Galzin R, Harmelin-Vivien M, Kulbicki M, Lavergne S, Lavorel S, Mouquet N, Paine CET, Renaud J, Thuiller W. Rare species support vulnerable functions in high-diversity ecosystems. PLoS Biol 2013; 11:e1001569. [PMID: 23723735 PMCID: PMC3665844 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 353] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2012] [Accepted: 04/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Around the world, the human-induced collapses of populations and species have triggered a sixth mass extinction crisis, with rare species often being the first to disappear. Although the role of species diversity in the maintenance of ecosystem processes has been widely investigated, the role of rare species remains controversial. A critical issue is whether common species insure against the loss of functions supported by rare species. This issue is even more critical in species-rich ecosystems where high functional redundancy among species is likely and where it is thus often assumed that ecosystem functioning is buffered against species loss. Here, using extensive datasets of species occurrences and functional traits from three highly diverse ecosystems (846 coral reef fishes, 2,979 alpine plants, and 662 tropical trees), we demonstrate that the most distinct combinations of traits are supported predominantly by rare species both in terms of local abundance and regional occupancy. Moreover, species that have low functional redundancy and are likely to support the most vulnerable functions, with no other species carrying similar combinations of traits, are rarer than expected by chance in all three ecosystems. For instance, 63% and 98% of fish species that are likely to support highly vulnerable functions in coral reef ecosystems are locally and regionally rare, respectively. For alpine plants, 32% and 89% of such species are locally and regionally rare, respectively. Remarkably, 47% of fish species and 55% of tropical tree species that are likely to support highly vulnerable functions have only one individual per sample on average. Our results emphasize the importance of rare species conservation, even in highly diverse ecosystems, which are thought to exhibit high functional redundancy. Rare species offer more than aesthetic, cultural, or taxonomic diversity value; they disproportionately increase the potential breadth of functions provided by ecosystems across spatial scales. As such, they are likely to insure against future uncertainty arising from climate change and the ever-increasing anthropogenic pressures on ecosystems. Our results call for a more detailed understanding of the role of rarity and functional vulnerability in ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Mouillot
- Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-UM2- Institut français de recherche pour l'exploitation de la mer (IFREMER)-Institute for Research and Development (IRD) 5119 ECOSYM, Université Montpellier 2 cc 093, Montpellier, France.
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29
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Angeler DG, Allen CR, Johnson RK. Measuring the relative resilience of subarctic lakes to global change: redundancies of functions within and across temporal scales. J Appl Ecol 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David G. Angeler
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Uppsala; Sweden
| | - Craig R. Allen
- U.S. Geological Survey; Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit; School of Natural Resources; University of Nebraska - Lincoln; Lincoln; NE; 68583-0961; USA
| | - Richard K. Johnson
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Uppsala; Sweden
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30
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Mouillot D, Graham NA, Villéger S, Mason NW, Bellwood DR. A functional approach reveals community responses to disturbances. Trends Ecol Evol 2013; 28:167-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2012.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 897] [Impact Index Per Article: 81.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2012] [Revised: 09/21/2012] [Accepted: 10/07/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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31
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Mori AS, Furukawa T, Sasaki T. Response diversity determines the resilience of ecosystems to environmental change. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2012; 88:349-64. [PMID: 23217173 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 259] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2012] [Revised: 11/05/2012] [Accepted: 11/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence highlights the importance of biodiversity for ecosystem stability and the maintenance of optimal ecosystem functionality. Conservation measures are thus essential to safeguard the ecosystem services that biodiversity provides and human society needs. Current anthropogenic threats may lead to detrimental (and perhaps irreversible) ecosystem degradation, providing strong motivation to evaluate the response of ecological communities to various anthropogenic pressures. In particular, ecosystem functions that sustain key ecosystem services should be identified and prioritized for conservation action. Traditional diversity measures (e.g. 'species richness') may not adequately capture the aspects of biodiversity most relevant to ecosystem stability and functionality, but several new concepts may be more appropriate. These include 'response diversity', describing the variation of responses to environmental change among species of a particular community. Response diversity may also be a key determinant of ecosystem resilience in the face of anthropogenic pressures and environmental uncertainty. However, current understanding of response diversity is poor, and we see an urgent need to disentangle the conceptual strands that pervade studies of the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Our review clarifies the links between response diversity and the maintenance of ecosystem functionality by focusing on the insurance hypothesis of biodiversity and the concept of functional redundancy. We provide a conceptual model to describe how loss of response diversity may cause ecosystem degradation through decreased ecosystem resilience. We explicitly explain how response diversity contributes to functional compensation and to spatio-temporal complementarity among species, leading to long-term maintenance of ecosystem multifunctionality. Recent quantitative studies suggest that traditional diversity measures may often be uncoupled from measures (such as response diversity) that may be more effective proxies for ecosystem stability and resilience. Certain conclusions and recommendations of earlier studies using these traditional measures as indicators of ecosystem resilience thus may be suspect. We believe that functional ecology perspectives incorporating the effects and responses of diversity are essential for development of management strategies to safeguard (and restore) optimal ecosystem functionality (especially multifunctionality). Our review highlights these issues and we envision our work generating debate around the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functionality, and leading to improved conservation priorities and biodiversity management practices that maximize ecosystem resilience in the face of uncertain environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira S Mori
- Graduate School of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University, 79-7 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya, Yokohama, 240-8501, Japan.
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Merckx T, Marini L, Feber RE, Macdonald DW. Hedgerow trees and extended-width field margins enhance macro-moth diversity: implications for management. J Appl Ecol 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2012.02211.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ruth E. Feber
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit; Department of Zoology; University of Oxford; The Recanati-Kaplan Centre; Tubney House; Abingdon Road; Tubney; Abingdon; OX13 5QL; UK
| | - David W. Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit; Department of Zoology; University of Oxford; The Recanati-Kaplan Centre; Tubney House; Abingdon Road; Tubney; Abingdon; OX13 5QL; UK
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