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Behroozian M, Pierce S, Ejtehadi H, Memariani F, Rafiee F, Joharchi MR. Relative contributions of taxonomic and functional diversity to the assembly of plant communities hosting endemic Dianthus species in a mountain steppe. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5471. [PMID: 38443610 PMCID: PMC10915155 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56099-x] [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] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Plant community assembly is the outcome of long-term evolutionary events (evident as taxonomic diversity; TD) and immediate adaptive fitness (functional diversity; FD); a balance expected to shift in favour of FD in 'harsh' habitats under intense selection pressures. We compared TD and FD responses along climatic and edaphic gradients for communities of two species (Dianthus pseudocrinitus and D. polylepis) endemic to the montane steppes of the Khorassan-Kopet Dagh floristic province, NE Iran. 75 plots at 15 sites were used to relate TD and FD to environmental gradients. In general, greater TD was associated with variation in soil factors (potassium, lime, organic matter contents), whereas FD was constrained by aridity (drought adaptation). Crucially, even plant communities hosting different subspecies of D. polylepis responded differently to aridity: D. polylepis subsp. binaludensis communities included a variety of broadly stress-tolerant taxa with no clear environmental response, but TD of D. polylepis subsp. polylepis communities was directly related to precipitation, with consistently low FD reflecting a few highly specialized stress-tolerators. Integrating taxonomic and functional diversity metrics is essential to understand the communities hosting even extremely closely related taxa, which respond idiosyncratically to climate and soil gradients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simon Pierce
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (DiSAA), University of Milan, Via G. Celoria 2, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Hamid Ejtehadi
- Quantitative Plant Ecology and Biodiversity Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Farshid Memariani
- Herbarium FUMH, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Range and Watershed Management, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Fahime Rafiee
- Quantitative Plant Ecology and Biodiversity Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
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Tian K, Chai P, Wang Y, Chen L, Qian H, Chen S, Mi X, Ren H, Ma K, Chen J. Species diversity pattern and its drivers of the understory herbaceous plants in a Chinese subtropical forest. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.1113742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Understory herbaceous plants are an important component of forest ecosystems, playing important roles in species diversity and forest dynamics in forests. However, the current understanding of the biodiversity of forest communities is mostly from woody plants, and knowledge of community structure and species diversity for understory herbaceous plants remains scarce. In a subtropical forest in China, we investigated understory vascular herbaceous diversity from 300 plots (5 × 5 m) in the main growing season. In this study, we analyzed the community structure and diversity pattern of the understory herbaceous community and linked the species diversity pattern to both abiotic and biotic environments. We found a rich diversity of understory herbaceous communities in this forest (81 species belonging to 55 genera), and floristic elements at the genus level were dominated by tropical elements, followed by temperate elements. The diversity pattern of the understory herbaceous showed a significant habitat preference, with the highest diversity in the lowland valleys and then followed by in middle slopes. In addition, herbaceous diversity was significantly affected by both abiotic factors (such as terrain convexity) and biotic factors (such as the diversity of surrounding woody plants). Our study indicated that species diversity of understory herbaceous showed a remarkable habitat preference, such as lowland valleys, and highlighted the importance of both abiotic and biotic environments in driving herbaceous diversity patterns in the subtropical forest understory.
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Gómez-Díaz JA, Carvajal-Hernández CI, Bautista-Bello AP, Monge-González ML, Guzmán-Jacob V, Kreft H, Krömer T, Villalobos F. Humboldt's legacy: explaining the influence of environmental factors on the taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of angiosperms along a Neotropical elevational gradient. AOB PLANTS 2023; 15:plac056. [PMID: 36654988 PMCID: PMC9840209 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plac056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The scientific work of Alexander von Humboldt was influenced by his interaction with the diversity and natural wealth of the Neotropics. He proposed that climate determines plant diversity along elevational gradients based on his observations. Here, we evaluated the most prominent climate-based hypotheses in explaining plant diversity along an elevational gradient that Humboldt himself visited during his journey across Mexico. Specifically, we examined how climatic variables and forest-use intensity affected species richness and phylogenetic structure of major angiosperm life forms (trees, shrubs, epiphytes, herbs and lianas) along the Cofre de Perote mountain, Veracruz, Mexico. We analysed species richness and phylogenetic structure of angiosperms at eight sites between 30 to 3500 m a.s.l. We estimated the phylogenetic structure using a mega-phylogeny of angiosperms and the abundance-weighted net relatedness index. We considered multiple environmental factors' direct and indirect effects by applying a piecewise structural equation modelling approach. Each life form responds differently to the environmental variables included in our model; however, it is observed that temperature is the main predictor of the taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of the angiosperms studied, both when the different life forms are grouped and separated. Potential evapotranspiration and precipitation are variables that also influence some life forms' diversity, especially taxonomic diversity. The forest-use intensity negatively affected only the taxonomic diversity of trees. These results highlight the influence of studying the different life forms of angiosperms in diversity gradient models and show the great influence that temperature has in conjunction with other environmental variables to promote the taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of plant communities. Given the current global environmental crisis, an integrative biogeographically oriented vision based on Humboldt's method is necessary. Honouring the work of Humboldt and continuing his legacy demands more research to understand the causes behind elevational diversity gradients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alma Patricia Bautista-Bello
- Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences (IBU), Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - María Leticia Monge-González
- Biodiversität, Makroökologie und Biogeographie, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Valeria Guzmán-Jacob
- Biodiversität, Makroökologie und Biogeographie, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Holger Kreft
- Biodiversität, Makroökologie und Biogeographie, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use, University of Goettingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Thorsten Krömer
- Centro de Investigaciones Tropicales, Universidad Veracruzana, 91000 Xalapa, México
| | - Fabricio Villalobos
- Laboratorio de Macroecología Evolutiva, Red de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología A.C., 91073 Xalapa, Mexico
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74690-900 Goiânia, Brazil
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Sun JWC, Sharifi MR, Rundel PW. Plasticity in Compensatory Growth to Artificial Defoliation and Light Availability in Four Neotropical Understory and Forest Edge Herb Species. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11101532. [PMID: 36290435 PMCID: PMC9598688 DOI: 10.3390/biology11101532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Defoliation from falling branches is a major factor in the survival of understory herbs in tropical rainforests. Experimental studies of defoliation under three levels of light environment compared responses to partial and total defoliation in four species of tropical rainforest understory herbs. We predicted that elevated levels of light availability would help compensate for damage to through compensatory growth in both understory and forest edge species and that forest edge species would more effectively compensate under high light conditions than shade-tolerant species from the forest understory All species showed a high tolerance to defoliation under high and intermediate light conditions. Under low-light conditions survival differed dramatically with minimal mortality in forest-edge species compared to high mortality in completely defoliated understory species. Defoliation, and light × defoliation interactions, impacted multiple growth traits in understory species. In contrast, forest-edge species showed no effect of defoliation except on total biomass, and only one light × defoliation interaction was observed. Our results indicate that differences in biomass allocation, leaf ecophysiology, and other growth parameters between forest understory and edge species may be structuring post-damage response in understory and forest edge herbs.
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Pattern of β-Diversity and Plant Species Richness along Vertical Gradient in Northwest Himalaya, India. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11071064. [PMID: 36101443 PMCID: PMC9312975 DOI: 10.3390/biology11071064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Elevation has a significant impact on the distribution of plant species. However, the structure and distribution patterns of Himalayan vegetation are poorly explored, and research on species composition along an elevation gradient in these mountain ranges is still deficient. Plant species richness is supposed to diminish with altitude, although numerous scientists have found a peak in species richness at mid-elevation, yielding a humped relationship. Many studies along the Himalayan altitudinal gradients have been conducted in order to better understand large-scale biogeographical patterns as well as what drives them, but no clear pattern has emerged. In order to understand how elevation affects plant species, we focused on species diversity, species composition and β-diversity, which allow for the interpreting of different patterns along the elevations. It was found that all these components of diversity vary significantly with the change in altitude. Abstract The structure and distribution patterns of Himalayan vegetation are poorly explored, and research on species composition along the elevation gradient in these mountain ranges is still deficient. The current study was undertaken to analyze the variation and pattern of plant species composition along a vertical gradient in northwestern Himalaya, India. A total of 18 sites were selected along an elevation gradient ranging from 2200 to 3900 m asl positioned at an interval of 100 m. The Renyi diversity profile, non-metric multidimensional scaling based on the Bray–Curtis dissimilarity metric and beta diversity components among the elevation belts were calculated. Furthermore, to study the influence of altitude on species richness and diversity, a generalized additive model was created. Two hundred and ten plant species representing 66 families and 147 genera were recorded. The Renyi diversity profiles show that the lower and mid-altitudes had rich species diversity. The results of the non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis show a considerable variation in the total plant species composition among the studied elevation belts. The observed multiple-site Sorensen dissimilarity index across the studied elevation belts was very high. The contribution of species replacement or the turnover component to the observed dissimilarity was much higher than the nestedness component. Furthermore, the herbaceous and tree richness showed a significant decrease with increase in elevation; however, the richness of shrubs showed a bimodal pattern. The present study increases our understanding of the trends and patterns of species richness along the vertical gradient in the Himalayan region.
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Guzmán-Jacob V, Weigelt P, Craven D, Zotz G, Krömer T, Kreft H. Biovera-Epi: A new database on species diversity, community composition and leaf functional traits of vascular epiphytes along gradients of elevation and forest-use intensity in Mexico. Biodivers Data J 2021; 9:e71974. [PMID: 34720637 PMCID: PMC8516827 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.9.e71974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This data paper describes a new, comprehensive database (BIOVERA-Epi) on species distributions and leaf functional traits of vascular epiphytes, a poorly studied plant group, along gradients of elevation and forest-use intensity in the central part of Veracruz State, Mexico. The distribution data include frequencies of 271 vascular epiphyte species belonging to 92 genera and 23 families across 120 20 m × 20 m forest plots at eight study sites along an elevational gradient from sea level to 3500 m a.s.l. In addition, BIOVERA-Epi provides information on 1595 measurements of nine morphological and chemical leaf traits from 474 individuals and 102 species. For morphological leaf traits, we provide data on each sampled leaf. For chemical leaf traits, we provide data at the species level per site and land-use type. We also provide complementary information for each of the sampled plots and host trees. BIOVERA-Epi contributes to an emerging body of synthetic epiphytes studies combining functional traits and community composition. New information BIOVERA-Epi includes data on species frequency and leaf traits from 120 forest plots distributed along an elevational gradient, including six different forest types and three levels of forest-use intensity. It will expand the breadth of studies on epiphyte diversity, conservation and functional plant ecology in the Neotropics and will contribute to future synthetic studies on the ecology and diversity of tropical epiphyte assemblages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Guzmán-Jacob
- Biodiversity, Macroecology and Biogeography, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany Biodiversity, Macroecology and Biogeography, University of Göttingen Göttingen Germany
| | - Patrick Weigelt
- Biodiversity, Macroecology and Biogeography, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany Biodiversity, Macroecology and Biogeography, University of Göttingen Göttingen Germany
| | - Dylan Craven
- Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile Universidad Mayor Santiago Chile
| | - Gerhard Zotz
- Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany Universität Oldenburg Oldenburg Germany
| | - Thorsten Krömer
- Centro de Investigaciones Tropicales, Universidad Veracruzana., Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico Centro de Investigaciones Tropicales, Universidad Veracruzana. Xalapa, Veracruz Mexico
| | - Holger Kreft
- Biodiversity, Macroecology and Biogeography, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany Biodiversity, Macroecology and Biogeography, University of Göttingen Göttingen Germany
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Rundel PW, Cooley AM, Gerst KL, Riordan EC, Sharifi MR, Sun JW, Tower JA. Functional traits of broad-leaved monocot herbs in the understory and forest edges of a Costa Rican rainforest. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9958. [PMID: 33194368 PMCID: PMC7597634 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Broad-leaved monocot herbs are widespread and dominant components of the shaded understories of wet neotropical forests. These understory habitats are characterized by light limitation and a constant threat of falling branches. Many shaded understory herb species have close relatives that occupy forest edges and gaps, where light availability is higher and defoliation threat is lower, creating an opportunity for comparative analysis of functional traits in order to better understand the evolutionary adaptations associated with this habitat transition. We documented ecological, morphological and ecophysiological traits of multiple herb species in six monocot families from each of these two habitats in the wet tropical rainforest at the La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica. We found that a mixture of phylogenetic canalization and ecological selection for specific habitats helped explain patterns of functional traits. Understory herbs were significantly shorter and had smaller leaves than forest edge species. Although the mean number of leaves per plant and specific leaf area did not differ between the two groups, the larger leaf size of forest edge species gave them more than three times the mean plant leaf area. Measures of leaf water content and nitrogen content varied within both groups and mean values were not significantly different. Despite the high leaf nitrogen contents, the maximum photosynthetic rates of understory herbs were quite low. Measures of δ13C as an analog of water use efficiency found significantly lower (more negative) values in understory herbs compared to forest edge species. Clonality was strongly developed in several species but did not show strong phylogenetic patterns. This study highlights many functional traits that differ between broad-leaved monocot species characteristic of understory and forest edge habitats, as well as traits that vary primarily by phylogenetic relatedness. Overall, plant functional traits do not provide a simple explanation for the relative differences in abundance for individual understory and forest edge species with some occurring in great abundance while others are relatively rare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip W Rundel
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Arielle M Cooley
- Biology, Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA, United States of America
| | - Katharine L Gerst
- USA National Phenlogical Network, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States of America
| | - Erin C Riordan
- Laboratory of Tree Ring Research, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States of America
| | - M Rasoul Sharifi
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Jennifer W Sun
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - J Alexandra Tower
- Biology, Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA, United States of America
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Ahmad M, Uniyal SK, Batish DR, Singh HP, Jaryan V, Rathee S, Sharma P, Kohli RK. Patterns of plant communities along vertical gradient in Dhauladhar Mountains in Lesser Himalayas in North-Western India. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 716:136919. [PMID: 32059324 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Mountains are definitely the most rugged, yet frail resources and biodiversity-rich regions of the world. Environmental variables directly affect species composition, growth patterns, and the ecosystem resulting in a drastic change in the vegetation composition along ascending elevations. The present study investigated vegetation composition, nestedness, and turnover in plant communities along a vertical gradient (2000 to 4000 m) in Dhauladhar Mountains, Lesser Himalayas, India. We determined how α-diversity pattern and nestedness-related processes or turnover (β-diversity) causes dissimilarity in plant communities' composition along the vertical gradient. Overall, 21 permanent plots (20 × 20 m2) at every 100 m interval from 2000 to 4000 m were established. A sampling of shrubs and herbaceous species was done by marking sub-plots of 5 × 5 m2 and 1 × 1 m2, respectively, within permanent plots. We observed an inverted hump-shaped pattern for evenness index (E), a unimodal hump-shaped pattern for Shannon index (H'), Margalef's richness index, and β-Whittaker (βw) diversity, and mild-hump-shaped pattern for Simpson index (λ) across the elevational gradient. Turnover (βsim) and the nestedness-resultant component of β-diversity (βsne) significantly differed across the elevational gradient. The observed β-diversity patterns revealed that the species replacement rate was less in the mid-altitude communities as compared to lower and higher altitude communities. It was largely attributed to the ecotonic nature of mid-altitudes, which benefited mid-elevational communities rather than low or high altitude communities. Besides lower altitudes, the increased human interference has led to disturbance and subsequent homogenization of flora across the mid-altitudes. With respect to this, the present study signifies the need for preserving the mid-altitudinal communities, without undermining the importance of conserving the low and high altitude communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustaqeem Ahmad
- High Altitude Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur 176 061, India; Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160 014, India
| | - Sanjay K Uniyal
- High Altitude Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur 176 061, India
| | - Daizy R Batish
- Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
| | - Harminder P Singh
- Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160 014, India
| | - Vikrant Jaryan
- Department of Botany, Sant Baba Bhag Singh University, Village Khiala, Padhiana, Jalandhar, Punjab 144 030, India
| | - Sonia Rathee
- Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Padma Sharma
- Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160 014, India
| | - Ravinder Kumar Kohli
- Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India; Central University of Punjab, Mansa Road, Bathinda 151 001, India
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Guzmán‐Jacob V, Zotz G, Craven D, Taylor A, Krömer T, Monge‐González ML, Kreft H. Effects of forest‐use intensity on vascular epiphyte diversity along an elevational gradient. DIVERS DISTRIB 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Guzmán‐Jacob
- Biodiversity, Macroecology and Biogeography University of Göttingen Göttingen Germany
| | - Gerhard Zotz
- Institute for Biology and Environmental Sciences Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg Germany
| | - Dylan Craven
- Biodiversity, Macroecology and Biogeography University of Göttingen Göttingen Germany
| | - Amanda Taylor
- Biodiversity, Macroecology and Biogeography University of Göttingen Göttingen Germany
| | - Thorsten Krömer
- Centro de Investigaciones Tropicales Universidad Veracruzana Xalapa Mexico
| | | | - Holger Kreft
- Biodiversity, Macroecology and Biogeography University of Göttingen Göttingen Germany
- Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (CBL) University of Göttingen Göttingen Germany
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Habitat filtering of six coexisting Heliconia species in a lowland tropical rain forest in Amazonian Ecuador. JOURNAL OF TROPICAL ECOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1017/s0266467419000026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
AbstractHerbaceous plants are often under-studied in tropical forests, despite their high density and diversity, and little is known about the factors that influence their distribution at microscales. In a 25-ha plot in lowland Amazonian rain forest in Yasuní National Park, Ecuador, we censused six species of Heliconia (Heliconiaceae) in a stratified random manner across three topographic habitat types. We observed distribution patterns consistent with habitat filtering. Overall, more individuals occurred in the valley (N = 979) and slope (N = 847) compared with the ridge (N = 571) habitat. At the species level, Heliconia stricta (N = 1135), H. spathocircinata (N = 309) and H. ortotricha (N = 36) all had higher abundance in the valley and slope than ridge. Further, H. vellerigera (N = 20) was completely absent from the ridge. Conversely, H. velutina (N = 903) was most common in the drier ridge habitat. The two most common species (H. stricta and H. velutina) had a reciprocal or negative co-occurrence pattern and occurred preferentially in valley versus ridge habitats. These results suggest that taxa within this family have different adaptations to the wetter valley versus the drier ridge and that habitat partitioning contributes to coexistence.
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Gómez-Díaz JA, Krömer T, Kreft H, Gerold G, Carvajal-Hernández CI, Heitkamp F. Diversity and composition of herbaceous angiosperms along gradients of elevation and forest-use intensity. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182893. [PMID: 28792536 PMCID: PMC5549743 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Terrestrial herbs are important elements of tropical forests; however, there is a lack of research on their diversity patterns and how they respond to different intensities of forest-use. The aim of this study was to analyze the diversity of herbaceous angiosperms along gradients of elevation (50 m to 3500 m) and forest-use intensity on the eastern slopes of the Cofre de Perote, Veracruz, Mexico. We recorded the occurrence of all herbaceous angiosperm species within 120 plots of 20 m x 20 m each. The plots were located at eight study locations separated by ~500 m in elevation and within three different habitats that differ in forest-use intensity: old-growth, degraded, and secondary forest. We analyzed species richness and floristic composition of herb communities among different elevations and habitats. Of the 264 plant species recorded, 31 are endemic to Mexico. Both α- and γ-diversity display a hump-shaped relation to elevation peaking at 2500 m and 3000 m, respectively. The relative contribution of between-habitat β-diversity to γ-diversity also showed a unimodal hump whereas within-habitat β-diversity declined with elevation. Forest-use intensity did not affect α-diversity, but β-diversity was high between old-growth and secondary forests. Overall, γ-diversity peaked at 2500 m (72 species), driven mainly by high within- and among-habitat β-diversity. We infer that this belt is highly sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance and forest-use intensification. At 3100 m, high γ-diversity (50 species) was driven by high α- and within-habitat β-diversity. There, losing a specific forest area might be compensated if similar assemblages occur in nearby areas. The high β-diversity and endemism suggest that mixes of different habitats are needed to sustain high γ-richness of terrestrial herbs along this elevational gradient.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thorsten Krömer
- Centro de Investigaciones Tropicales, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Holger Kreft
- Department of Biodiversity, Macroecology & Biogeography, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gerhard Gerold
- Section of Physical Geography, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Felix Heitkamp
- Section of Physical Geography, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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