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Snider MH, Helgen KM, Young HS, Agwanda B, Schuttler S, Titcomb GC, Branch D, Dommain R, Kays R. Shifting mammal communities and declining species richness along an elevational gradient on Mount Kenya. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11151. [PMID: 38601855 PMCID: PMC11004549 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Conservation areas encompassing elevation gradients are biodiversity hotspots because they contain a wide range of habitat types in a relatively small space. Studies of biodiversity patterns along elevation gradients, mostly on small mammal or bird species, have documented a peak in diversity at mid elevations. Here, we report on a field study of medium and large mammals to examine the impact of elevation, habitat type, and gross primary productivity on community structure. Species richness was observed using a camera trap transect with 219 sites situated across different habitat types from 2329 to 4657 m above the sea level on the western slope of Mt Kenya, the second highest mountain in Africa. We found that the lowest elevation natural habitats had the highest species richness and relative abundance and that both metrics decreased steadily as elevation increased, paralleling changes in gross primary productivity, and supporting the energy richness hypothesis. We found no evidence for the mid-domain effect on species diversity. The lowest elevation degraded Agro-Forestry lands adjacent to the National Park had high activity of domestic animals and reduced diversity and abundance of native species. The biggest difference in community structure was between protected and unprotected areas, followed by more subtle stepwise differences between habitats at different elevations. Large carnivore species remained relatively consistent but dominant herbivore species shifted along the elevation gradient. There was some habitat specialization and turnover in species, such that the elevation gradient predicts a high diversity of species, demonstrating the high conservation return for protecting mountain ecosystems for biodiversity conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew H. Snider
- Department of Forestry and Environmental ResourcesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | | | - Hillary S. Young
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine BiologyUniversity of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
| | | | | | - Georgia C. Titcomb
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation BiologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Douglas Branch
- Department of Applied SciencesUniversity of the West of EnglandBristolUK
| | - René Dommain
- Earth Observatory of SingaporeNanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeSingapore
- National Museum of Natural HistorySmithsonian InstitutionWashingtonDCUSA
| | - Roland Kays
- Department of Forestry and Environmental ResourcesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
- North Carolina Museum of Natural SciencesRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
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Zhang H, Yan L, Yu L, Su H, Hu C, Zhang M, Kong Z. The diversity of resident passerine bird in the East Yunnan-Kweichow Plateau is closely related to plant species richness, vertical altitude difference and habitat area. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9735. [PMID: 36694543 PMCID: PMC9843479 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
East Yunnan-Kweichow Plateau is rich in biodiversity in China. Complex geographical and climatic conditions and rich bird resources made this area an ideal system for studying the spatial distribution mechanism and influencing factors of birds, which were still unknown. Bird community data from 37 sites in this region were collected, including 505 bird species and 164 species of resident passerine bird, were extracted for analysis. The taxonomic diversity, phylogenetic diversity, functional diversity (FD), and community structure index were calculated. Ordinary least square (OLS), spatial autoregressive models (SAR), and structural equation model (SEM) were used to explore the relationship between bird diversity index and environmental factors which were used to describe the habitat conditions of birds. Results indicated that species richness (SR), phylogenetic diversity (PD), and FD have similar distribution patterns and are mainly affected by vascular plant species richness, habitat area, and vertical altitude difference. The phylogenetic and functional structure of bird community changed in both longitude and latitude direction, and the phylogenetic structure of community was dispersed in the west and clustered in the east, significantly related to habitat area, and vertical altitude difference, the functional structure was dispersed in all sites, significantly related to average annual precipitation. The community in the west and south of the East Yunnan-Kweichow Plateau is mainly driven by interspecific competitive, while the process in the east and north is mainly driven by environmental filtration. Distribution pattern of bird diversity was caused by the comprehensive action of various habitat factors which were mainly related to food availability and habitat heterogeneity. For maintaining the living space of birds, the protection of urban parks, wetland parks, campuses, and other urban green spaces is as important as national and provincial nature reserves. Revealing the construction mechanism and main influencing factors of bird communities in different areas is conducive to targeted protection work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Guizhou UniversityGuiyangChina,The Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education) & Collaborative Innovation Center for Mountain Ecology and Agro‐Bioengineering (CICEAB), Institute of Agro‐Bioengineering & College of Life SciencesGuizhou UniversityGuiyangChina,Aha Lake National Wetland ParkGuiyangChina
| | - Lingbin Yan
- College of Life Sciences, Guizhou UniversityGuiyangChina,The Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education) & Collaborative Innovation Center for Mountain Ecology and Agro‐Bioengineering (CICEAB), Institute of Agro‐Bioengineering & College of Life SciencesGuizhou UniversityGuiyangChina
| | - Lifei Yu
- College of Life Sciences, Guizhou UniversityGuiyangChina,The Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education) & Collaborative Innovation Center for Mountain Ecology and Agro‐Bioengineering (CICEAB), Institute of Agro‐Bioengineering & College of Life SciencesGuizhou UniversityGuiyangChina
| | - Haijun Su
- Forestry College, Guizhou UniversityGuiyangChina,Research Center for Biodiversity and Natural ConservationGuizhou UniversityGuiyangChina
| | - Canshi Hu
- College of Life Sciences, Guizhou UniversityGuiyangChina,Research Center for Biodiversity and Natural ConservationGuizhou UniversityGuiyangChina
| | - Mingming Zhang
- Forestry College, Guizhou UniversityGuiyangChina,Research Center for Biodiversity and Natural ConservationGuizhou UniversityGuiyangChina
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Human Disturbance and Geometric Constraints Drive Small Mammal Diversity and Community Structure along an Elevational Gradient in Eastern China. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12151915. [PMID: 35953902 PMCID: PMC9367490 DOI: 10.3390/ani12151915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Biodiversity patterns and mechanisms along elevational gradients have long been the focus of conservation research. However, few studies have been conducted in mountainous areas of eastern China, especially for small mammals. In this study, we used a standard sampling method to survey small mammals along the gradient of Qingliang Mountain in eastern China and analyzed the patterns and mechanisms of diversity and community structure. We found inconsistencies between different diversity dimensions. Functional and phylogenetic structures were mainly clustered but showed opposite elevation patterns. Human disturbance and MDE were the main drivers of the diversity patterns, but with contrasting effects on different dimensions. These findings emphasize the importance of a multiple dimensions approach to biodiversity conservation and call for increased conservation efforts in the low and middle elevation regions. Abstract Understanding the mechanisms influencing patterns and processes of biological diversity is critical to protecting biodiversity, particularly in species-rich ecosystems such as mountains. Even so, there is limited knowledge of biodiversity patterns and processes in the mountains of eastern China, especially about small mammals. In this study, we examined the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of small mammal distribution and community structure along the elevational gradient of Qingliang Mountain, eastern China. We then evaluated how they are influenced by space (area and mid-domain effect (MDE)), environment (temperature, precipitation, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)), and human disturbance. The results showed hump-shaped patterns of taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity along elevation gradients, peaking at 1000 m, unlike functional diversity, which peaked at lower elevations (600 m). The mean pairwise distance and mean nearest taxon distance of functional and phylogenetic variance (MFD and MPD, respectively) were also incongruent. The MFD and MPD showed hump-shaped patterns along elevations; however, unlike MFD, which peaked at lower elevations (600 m), MPD peaked at higher elevations (1200 m). The mean nearest functional taxon distance (MNFD) decreased, while the mean nearest phylogenetic taxon distance (MNTD) increased along the elevation gradient. The higher elevations were functionally more clustered, while the lower elevations were phylogenetically more clustered, suggesting that environmental filtering for traits was stronger at higher elevations. In comparison, phylogenetic conservatism of ecological niches had a stronger influence at lower elevations. The diversity and community structure indices were inconsistently explained, with human disturbance and MDE accounting for the biggest proportions of the model-explained variances. Overall, the results confirm that environmental filtering and human disturbance significantly influence small mammals’ diversity and community structure. These findings also emphasize the need for increased conservation efforts in the middle and lower elevation regions of Qingliang Mountain.
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He X, DuBay S, Zhangshang M, Cheng Y, Liu Z, Li D, Ran J, Wu Y. Seasonal elevational patterns and the underlying mechanisms of avian diversity and community structure on the eastern slope of Mt. Gongga. DIVERS DISTRIB 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xingcheng He
- Key Laboratory of Bio‐Resources and Eco‐Environment Ministry of Education College of Life Science Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Shane DuBay
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan USA
| | - Mingyu Zhangshang
- Key Laboratory of Bio‐Resources and Eco‐Environment Ministry of Education College of Life Science Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Yuwen Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Bio‐Resources and Eco‐Environment Ministry of Education College of Life Science Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Zhengwei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bio‐Resources and Eco‐Environment Ministry of Education College of Life Science Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Dongrui Li
- Key Laboratory of Bio‐Resources and Eco‐Environment Ministry of Education College of Life Science Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Jianghong Ran
- Key Laboratory of Bio‐Resources and Eco‐Environment Ministry of Education College of Life Science Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Yongjie Wu
- Key Laboratory of Bio‐Resources and Eco‐Environment Ministry of Education College of Life Science Sichuan University Chengdu China
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Liang D, Pan X, Luo X, Wenda C, Zhao Y, Hu Y, Robinson SK, Liu Y. Seasonal variation in community composition and distributional ranges of birds along a subtropical elevation gradient in China. DIVERS DISTRIB 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol School of Life Sciences & School of Ecology Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou Guangdong China
- Faculty of Biodiversity and Conservation Southwest Forestry University Kunming China
- Princeton School of Public and International Affairs Princeton University Princeton NJ USA
| | - Xinyuan Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol School of Life Sciences & School of Ecology Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou Guangdong China
| | - Xu Luo
- Faculty of Biodiversity and Conservation Southwest Forestry University Kunming China
| | - Cheng Wenda
- Division for Ecology & Biodiversity School of Biological Sciences The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Hong Kong SAR China
| | - Yanyan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol School of Life Sciences & School of Ecology Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou Guangdong China
| | - Yiming Hu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen China
| | - Scott K. Robinson
- Florida Museum of Natural History University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol School of Life Sciences & School of Ecology Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou Guangdong China
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Ma Y, Shang L, Hu H, Zhang W, Chen L, Zhou Z, Singh PB, Hu Y. Mercury distribution in the East Himalayas: Elevational patterns in soils and non-volant small mammals. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 288:117752. [PMID: 34284209 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg), as a global pollutant, its contamination has been documented in environmental compartments of the Himalayan region. However, little research exists regarding to Hg accumulation in terrestrial wildlife, as well as its driving factors. In this study, surface soil and small mammals were collected in the Lebu Valley, East Himalayas of China, in order to measure the uptake of the long-distance transported Hg along an elevational gradient approximately from 2300 to 5000 m a.s.l. The soil Hg concentrations were measured and predicted mostly by vegetation type as well as soil organic matter, while the Hg in hair of small mammals (Muridae and Cricetidae) showed deeply influenced by soil Hg. Notably, combined with the field survey data, soil and hair Hg were both enhanced in low and mid-elevations, which overlapped the distribution ranges of a majority of mammals. Overall, this indicates that Hg contamination in low- and mid-elevations poses a potential threat to the top predators that consuming small mammals directly or indirectly. Furthermore, our data advances the understanding of Hg dynamics in remote, high mountain ecosystems and provides baseline data for biomonitoring for reduction of Hg emission globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanju Ma
- School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518005, China; School of Economics and Management, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210088, China
| | - Lihai Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Huijian Hu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Lianghua Chen
- School of Economics and Management, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210088, China
| | - Zhixin Zhou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Paras Bikram Singh
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Yiming Hu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, China.
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Impacts of slope aspects on altitudinal species richness and species composition of Narapani-Masina landscape, Arghakhanchi, West Nepal. JOURNAL OF ASIA-PACIFIC BIODIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.japb.2021.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Lee M, Song JH, Byeon SY, Lee JE, Kim HJ, Chae S, Yun CW, Kim J. The species range-size patterns for vascular plants of Seorak Mountain (Korea): Relationship between group of life forms and phytogeography affinity along the elevational gradient. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:12872-12881. [PMID: 34594545 PMCID: PMC8462172 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Research on species richness patterns and the advanced elevational Rapoport rule (ERR) has been widespread in recent years; however, there is a lack of such research for the temperate mountainous regions in northeast Asia. Here, we collected plant species from the Seorak Mountain in northeast Asia through field surveys. The species were divided into 11 groups according to the life-form types and phytogeography affinities of each species. The ERR was evaluated using Steven's method and by examining the species richness patterns of each group. The species richness patterns revealed a positive multimodal pattern along the elevation gradient, but phytogeography affinities (increasing trend) and life-form analysis (unimodal) exhibited different patterns. The elevation gradients (1,350 m for the mean elevation-range relationships), which are affected by the boundary effect and different life forms, did not consistently support the ERR. However, herbs as well as rare, endemic, and red list species showed consistent support for the ERR, which could be attributed to the influence by phytogeography affinities. Therefore, the results from Seorak Mountain showed that the ERR was not consistent for different plant life forms in the same area; however, phytogeography affinities could support and explain ERR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jeong Eun Lee
- Department of Forest ScienceKongju National UniversityYesanKorea
| | - Ho Jin Kim
- Department of Forest ScienceKongju National UniversityYesanKorea
| | - Seung‐Beom Chae
- Department of Forest ScienceKongju National UniversityYesanKorea
| | - Chung Weon Yun
- Department of Forest ScienceKongju National UniversityYesanKorea
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Dillon KG, Conway CJ. Habitat heterogeneity, temperature, and primary productivity drive elevational gradients in avian species diversity. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:5985-5997. [PMID: 34141197 PMCID: PMC8207161 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7341] [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: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Anticipating and mitigating the impacts of climate change on species diversity in montane ecosystems requires a mechanistic understanding of drivers of current patterns of diversity. We documented the shape of elevational gradients in avian species richness in North America and tested a suite of a priori predictions for each of five mechanistic hypotheses to explain those patterns. LOCATION United States. METHODS We used predicted occupancy maps generated from species distribution models for each of 646 breeding birds to document elevational patterns in avian species richness across the six largest U.S. mountain ranges. We used spatially explicit biotic and abiotic data to test five mechanistic hypotheses proposed to explain geographic variation in species richness. RESULTS Elevational gradients in avian species richness followed a consistent pattern of low elevation plateau-mid-elevation peak (as per McCain, 2009). We found support for three of the five hypotheses to explain the underlying cause of this pattern: the habitat heterogeneity, temperature, and primary productivity hypotheses. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Species richness typically decreases with elevation, but the primary cause and precise shape of the relationship remain topics of debate. We used a novel approach to study the richness-elevation relationship and our results are unique in that they show a consistent relationship between species richness and elevation among 6 mountain ranges, and universal support for three hypotheses proposed to explain the underlying cause of the observed relationship. Taken together, these results suggest that elevational variation in food availability may be the ecological process that best explains elevational gradients in avian species richness in North America. Although much attention has focused on the role of abiotic factors, particularly temperature, in limiting species' ranges, our results offer compelling evidence that other processes also influence (and may better explain) elevational gradients in species richness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen G. Dillon
- Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitDepartment of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of IdahoMoscowIDUSA
- Present address:
U.S. Bureau of ReclamationDenverCOUSA
| | - Courtney J. Conway
- U. S. Geological SurveyIdaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitDepartment of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of IdahoMoscowIDUSA
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The importance of the standardizing sampling methodology to detect altitudinal gradients in mountains: A study case for the resident bird community in a hotspot (Atlantic forest) and the Middle Domain Effect. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2020.103677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Bhat JA, Kumar M, Negi A, Todaria N, Malik ZA, Pala NA, Kumar A, Shukla G. Species diversity of woody vegetation along altitudinal gradient of the Western Himalayas. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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Liang J, Ding Z, Lie G, Zhou Z, Singh PB, Zhang Z, Hu H. Species richness patterns of vascular plants and their drivers along an elevational gradient in the central Himalayas. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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Neupane J, Khanal L, Gyawali B, Chalise MK. Elevational pattern and seasonality of avian diversity in Kaligandaki River Basin, central Himalaya. JOURNAL OF THREATENED TAXA 2020. [DOI: 10.11609/jott.5815.12.14.16927-16943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
This study explored bird diversity, seasonal variation, and associated factors along an elevational gradient in an important biodiversity area (IBA) of central Nepal: the Kaligandaki River basin of Annapurna Conservation Area. The field survey was carried out in 2019 over two seasons, winter (January and February) and summer (May and June) using the point count method. A total of 90 sampling plots were set up from elevations of 800m (Beni) to 3,800m (Muktinath). Data for variables including the number of fruiting trees (indicator of resource availability) and distance to the road (indicator of disturbance) were collected, and their influence on avian diversity were assessed. The results revealed a diverse assemblage of avian fauna in the study area with consistent species richness over the two seasons. A decline in species richness and diversity with increasing elevation was observed. Of the different habitat types within the study area, forest and shrubland habitats showed the strongest association with bird species distribution and richness. We emphasize the need for long-term monitoring programs with standardized sampling approaches to better understand the avifauna in the central Himalaya.
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Bushra A, Padalia H, Khan A. Predicting spatial patterns of bird richness in an urban landscape in Himalayan foothills, India. Urban Ecosyst 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-020-01044-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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MacGregor KA, Lemaître J. The management utility of large-scale environmental drivers of bat mortality at wind energy facilities: The effects of facility size, elevation and geographic location. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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Abebe AF, Cai T, Wale M, Song G, Fjeldså J, Lei F. Factors determining species richness patterns of breeding birds along an elevational gradient in the Horn of Africa region. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:9609-9623. [PMID: 31534679 PMCID: PMC6745872 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To document the species richness patterns of breeding birds along elevational gradients and explore its drivers in the Horn of Africa region. LOCATION Horn of Africa region. TAXON Breeding birds. METHODS Distributional data for breeding birds were collected. Elevational distribution data were extracted, interpolated, and assembled for all birds, passerines, and nonpasserines. In order to tease apart how different environmental factors contributed to the variation in species richness, we found it is necessary to divide the area into four subregions with different climatic regimes and topographic structure, namely western slope, eastern slope, wet side, and dry side. Then, the species richness in each 100-m elevational band was counted along the elevational gradients of each subregion. Pearson's correlation analyses and ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions were used to examine the relationships between species richness and factors. RESULTS The variation in species richness followed hump-shaped patterns for all subregions, although with peak values at different elevations. The bird species groups on the western and eastern slopes showed low and high plateaus with mid-elevation peaks, respectively, but very low species diversities at the highest elevations. Species richness was significantly correlated with temperature range and productivity in each subregion. The temperature range, area, and productivity explained 82% of the species richness variations for all birds on the western slope. MAIN CONCLUSIONS The separate analyses of four area subdivisions provide strong indications of how various factors interact. Productivity and temperature range were the major driving factors for shaping the richness patterns, but deviations from expected patterns suggest modifying roles of mist formation zones in the valleys that deeply intersect the large highlands in the west and rich riparian vegetation where water from cool and humid environments at high elevation reaches lower elevations in the arid east. Conservation is recommended in each subregion based on the elevational richness scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahunim Fenitie Abebe
- Key Laboratory of the Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural and Computational SciencesAssosa UniversityAssosaEthiopia
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Tianlong Cai
- Key Laboratory of the Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Melaku Wale
- College of SciencesBahir Dar UniversityEthiopia
| | - Gang Song
- Key Laboratory of the Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Jon Fjeldså
- Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, Natural History Museum of DenmarkUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Fumin Lei
- Key Laboratory of the Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and GeneticsChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
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Ding Z, Liang J, Hu Y, Zhou Z, Sun H, Liu L, Liu H, Hu H, Si X. Different responses of avian feeding guilds to spatial and environmental factors across an elevation gradient in the central Himalaya. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:4116-4128. [PMID: 31015992 PMCID: PMC6467856 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Revised: 01/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Although elevational patterns of species richness have been well documented, how the drivers of richness gradients vary across ecological guilds has rarely been reported. Here, we examined the effects of spatial factors (area and mid-domain effect; MDE) and environmental factors, including metrics of climate, productivity, and plant species richness on the richness of breeding birds across different ecological guilds defined by diet and foraging strategy. We surveyed 12 elevation bands at intervals of 300 m between 1,800 and 5,400 m a.s.l using line-transect methods throughout the wet season in the central Himalaya, China. Multiple regression models and hierarchical partitioning were used to assess the relative importance of spatial and environmental factors on overall bird richness and guild richness (i.e., the richness of species within each guild). Our results showed that richness for all birds and most guilds displayed hump-shaped elevational trends, which peaked at an elevation of 3,300-3,600 m, although richness of ground-feeding birds peaked at a higher elevation band (4,200-4,500 m). The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)-an index of primary productivity-and habitat heterogeneity were important factors in explaining overall bird richness as well as that of insectivores and omnivores, with geometric constraints (i.e., the MDE) of secondary importance. Granivore richness was not related to primary production but rather to open habitats (granivores were negatively influenced by habitat heterogeneity), where seeds might be abundant. Our findings provide direct evidence that the richness-environment relationship is often guild-specific. Taken together, our study highlights the importance of considering how the effects of environmental and spatial factors on patterns of species richness may differ across ecological guilds, potentially leading to a deeper understanding of elevational diversity gradients and their implications for biodiversity conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhifeng Ding
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and UtilizationGuangdong Institute of Applied Biological ResourcesGuangzhouChina
| | - Jianchao Liang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and UtilizationGuangdong Institute of Applied Biological ResourcesGuangzhouChina
| | - Yiming Hu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and UtilizationGuangdong Institute of Applied Biological ResourcesGuangzhouChina
- School of Environmental Science and EngineeringSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenChina
| | - Zhixin Zhou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and UtilizationGuangdong Institute of Applied Biological ResourcesGuangzhouChina
| | - Hongbin Sun
- Shenzhen Nature Reserve Management CenterShenzhenChina
| | - Lina Liu
- Shenzhen Nature Reserve Management CenterShenzhenChina
| | - Haijun Liu
- Shenzhen Nature Reserve Management CenterShenzhenChina
| | - Huijian Hu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and UtilizationGuangdong Institute of Applied Biological ResourcesGuangzhouChina
| | - Xingfeng Si
- Zhejiang Tiantong Forest Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, School of Ecological and Environmental SciencesEast China Normal UniversityShanghaiChina
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18
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Pan X, Liang D, Zeng W, Hu Y, Liang J, Wang X, Robinson SK, Luo X, Liu Y. Climate, human disturbance and geometric constraints drive the elevational richness pattern of birds in a biodiversity hotspot in southwest China. Glob Ecol Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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19
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Godschalx AL, Rodríguez-Castañeda G, Rasmann S. Contribution of different predator guilds to tritrophic interactions along ecological clines. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 32:104-109. [PMID: 31113621 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2019.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The strengths of interactions between plants, herbivores, and predators are predicted to relax with elevation. Despite the fundamental role predators play in tritrophic interactions, high-resolution experimental evidence describing predation across habitat gradients is still scarce in the literature and varies by predator. With this opinion paper, we look at how tritrophic strength of systems including different vertebrate and invertebrate predator guilds changes with elevation. Specifically, we focus on how birds, ants, parasitoids, and nematodes exert top-down pressure as predators and propose ways, in which each group could be better understood through elevational gradient studies. We hope to enrich future perspectives for disentangling the different biotic and abiotic factors underlying predator-mediated trophic interactions in a diversity of habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne L Godschalx
- Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | | | - Sergio Rasmann
- Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
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20
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Kim JY, Seo C, Hong S, Lee S, Eo SH. Altitudinal range-size distribution of breeding birds and environmental factors for the determination of species richness: An empirical test of altitudinal Rapoport's rule and non-directional rescue effect on a local scale. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0203511. [PMID: 30682009 PMCID: PMC6347176 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Range-size distributions are important for understanding species richness patterns and led to the development of the controversial Rapoport’s rule and Rapoport-rescue effect. This study aimed to understand the relationship between species richness and range-size distribution in relation to environmental factors. The present study tested the following: (1) altitudinal Rapoport’s rule, and a subsequent test on climatic and ambient energy hypotheses, (2) non-directional rescue effect, and a subsequent test on effect of environmental factors associated with the distribution of narrowest to widest-range species. Altitudinal species range-size distribution increased with increasing altitude and showed a negative relationship with climatic variables. These results support the altitudinal Rapoport’s rule and climatic hypothesis; however, they do not fully support the ambient energy hypothesis. Results from testing the non-directional rescue effect showed that the inflow intensity of species from both directions (high and low elevations) affected species richness. And we found that the species with intermediate range-size, rather than narrowest or widest range-size were the main cause of a mid-peak of species richness and the non-directional rescue effect. Additionally, the richness of species with intermediate range-size was highly related to minimum temperature, habitat heterogeneity, or primary productivity. Although altitudinal range-size distribution results were similar to the phenomenon of altitudinal Rapoport’s rule, the mid-peak pattern of species richness could not be explained by the underlying mechanism of Rapoport’s-rescue effect; however, the non-directional rescue effect could explain a mid-peak pattern of species richness along altitudinal gradient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Yong Kim
- Division of Ecosystem Services and Research Planning, National Institute of Ecology, Seocheon, South Korea
- Department of Forest Resources, Kongju National University, Choongnam, South Korea
| | - Changwan Seo
- Division of Ecological Assessment Research, National Institute of Ecology, Seocheon, South Korea
| | - Seungbum Hong
- Division of Ecosystem Services and Research Planning, National Institute of Ecology, Seocheon, South Korea
| | - Sanghun Lee
- Division of Basic Ecology, National Institute of Ecology, Seocheon, South Korea
| | - Soo Hyung Eo
- Department of Forest Resources, Kongju National University, Choongnam, South Korea
- * E-mail:
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21
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Araneda P, Sielfeld W, Bonacic C, Ibarra JT. Bird diversity along elevational gradients in the Dry Tropical Andes of northern Chile: The potential role of Aymara indigenous traditional agriculture. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0207544. [PMID: 30517135 PMCID: PMC6281285 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding diversity patterns along environmental gradients lies at the heart of community ecology and conservation. Previous studies have found variation in bird diversity and density along “natural” elevational gradients in the Tropical Andes Hotspot. However, there is still a lack of knowledge about how bird communities respond to traditional land-use patterns, in association with other multiple drivers, along elevations. In the present study, we investigated biotic, abiotic and anthropogenic sources of variation associated with bird species diversity, density and turnover along a 3000-m elevational gradient, in southern limit of the Tropical Andes Hotspot, northern Chile. Over four seasons, we conducted 472 bird point count surveys and established 118 plots distributed across the Desert, Pre-Puna, Puna and High-Andean belts, where biotic, abiotic and anthropogenic factors were measured. We used mixed-effects models to estimate alpha diversity and multinomial Poisson mixture models to estimate species density, accounting for detectability. Species diversity and density increased until 3300 masl and then declined. This type of elevational pattern is characteristic of dry-based mountains, where environmental conditions are suitable at mid-elevations. Habitats shaped by traditional Aymara indigenous agriculture, associated with relatively high vegetation heterogeneity, hosted the highest values of bird diversity and density. Species turnover was structured by habitat type, while elevational ranges of most species were restricted to three relatively discrete assemblages that replaced each other along the gradient. Our study revealed a hump-shaped relationship between elevation and bird diversity and density in the Dry Tropical Andes Biodiversity Hotspot, supporting a diversity pattern characteristic of dry-based mountains of the world. Traditional Aymara agriculture may have constructed ecological niches for biodiversity at mid-elevations, enhancing vegetation heterogeneity, thus providing resources for resident and rare species. Increasing loss of traditional land-use may present a threat to the bird community in the Tropical Andes Hotspot.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Araneda
- Fauna Australis Wildlife Laboratory, Department of Ecosystems and the Environment, School of Agriculture and Forest Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Centro de Investigación en Medio Ambiente (CENIMA), Universidad Arturo Prat, Región de Tarapacá, Chile
- ECOS (Ecology-Complexity-Society) Laboratory, Centre for Local Development, Education and Interculturality (CEDEL), Villarrica Campus, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Villarrica, Región de La Araucanía, Chile
- * E-mail:
| | - Walter Sielfeld
- Centro de Investigación en Medio Ambiente (CENIMA), Universidad Arturo Prat, Región de Tarapacá, Chile
| | - Cristián Bonacic
- Fauna Australis Wildlife Laboratory, Department of Ecosystems and the Environment, School of Agriculture and Forest Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Centre for Intercultural and Indigenous Research (CIIR), Faculty of Social Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - José Tomás Ibarra
- ECOS (Ecology-Complexity-Society) Laboratory, Centre for Local Development, Education and Interculturality (CEDEL), Villarrica Campus, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Villarrica, Región de La Araucanía, Chile
- Centre for Intercultural and Indigenous Research (CIIR), Faculty of Social Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus Centre for Socioeconomic Impact of Environmental Policies (CESIEP), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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22
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Hu Y, Ding Z, Jiang Z, Quan Q, Guo K, Tian L, Hu H, Gibson L. Birds in the Himalayas: What drives beta diversity patterns along an elevational gradient? Ecol Evol 2018; 8:11704-11716. [PMID: 30598768 PMCID: PMC6303779 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 07/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Beta diversity patterns along elevational gradients have become a hot topic in the study of biogeography and can help illuminate the processes structuring mountain ecosystems. Although elevational species richness patterns have been well documented, there remains much uncertainty over the causes of beta diversity patterns across elevational gradients. We conducted bird surveys and obtained high-resolution climatic data along an elevational gradient in Gyirong Valley in the central Himalayas, China, between 1,800 and 5,400 m elevation. In total, we recorded 182 bird species (including 169 breeding birds). We simulated beta diversity patterns with the mid-domain effect (MDE) null model and conducted distance-based redundancy analyses (db-RDA) to relate beta diversity to dispersal limitations, spatial constraints, habitat complexity, contemporary climate, and historical climate. Mantel tests and variation partitioning were employed to identify the magnitude of independent statistical associations of environmental factors with beta diversity. Patterns of empirical and simulated beta diversity were both hump-shaped, peaking at intermediate elevations. The db-RDA indicated that beta diversity was correlated with changes in spatially structured environmental factors, especially with contemporary climate and habitat complexity. Mantel tests and variation partitioning also suggested that climate dissimilarity was the major independent correlate of beta diversity. The random community structure and spatial constraints may also contribute to the overall hump-shaped pattern. Beta diversity of bird communities in Gyirong Valley could be explained by the combination of different factors but is mainly shaped by the spatially structured environmental factors, especially contemporary climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Hu
- School of Environmental Science and EngineeringSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenChina
- State Key Laboratory of Information Engineering in Surveying, Mapping and Remote SensingWuhan UniversityWuhanChina
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and UtilizationGuangdong Institute of Applied Biological ResourcesGuangzhouChina
| | - Zhifeng Ding
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and UtilizationGuangdong Institute of Applied Biological ResourcesGuangzhouChina
| | - Zhigang Jiang
- Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Qing Quan
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and UtilizationGuangdong Institute of Applied Biological ResourcesGuangzhouChina
| | - Keji Guo
- Central South Forest Inventory and Planning Institute of State Forestry AdministrationChangshaChina
| | - Liqiao Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Information Engineering in Surveying, Mapping and Remote SensingWuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Huijian Hu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and UtilizationGuangdong Institute of Applied Biological ResourcesGuangzhouChina
| | - Luke Gibson
- School of Environmental Science and EngineeringSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhenChina
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23
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Kim JY, Lee S, Shin MS, Lee CH, Seo C, Eo SH. Altitudinal patterns in breeding bird species richness and density in relation to climate, habitat heterogeneity, and migration influence in a temperate montane forest (South Korea). PeerJ 2018; 6:e4857. [PMID: 29844993 PMCID: PMC5970552 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Altitudinal patterns in the population ecology of mountain bird species are useful for predicting species occurrence and behavior. Numerous hypotheses about the complex interactions among environmental factors have been proposed; however, these still remain controversial. This study aimed to identify the altitudinal patterns in breeding bird species richness or density and to test the hypotheses that climate, habitat heterogeneity (horizontal and vertical), and heterospecific attraction in a temperate forest, South Korea. We conducted a field survey of 142 plots at altitudes between 200 and 1,400 m a.s.l in the breeding season. A total of 2,771 individuals from 53 breeding bird species were recorded. Altitudinal patterns of species richness and density showed a hump-shaped pattern, indicating that the highest richness and density could be observed at moderate altitudes. Models constructed with 13 combinations of six variables demonstrated that species richness was positively correlated with vertical and horizontal habitat heterogeneity. Density was positively correlated with vertical, but not horizontal habitat heterogeneity, and negatively correlated with migratory bird ratio. No significant relationships were found between spring temperature and species richness or density. Therefore, the observed patterns in species richness support the hypothesis that habitat heterogeneity, rather than climate, is the main driver of species richness. Also, neither habitat heterogeneity nor climate hypotheses fully explains the observed patterns in density. However, vertical habitat heterogeneity does likely help explain observed patterns in density. The heterospecific attraction hypothesis did not apply to the distribution of birds along the altitudinal gradient. Appropriate management of vertical habitat heterogeneity, such as vegetation cover, should be maintained for the conservation of bird diversity in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Yong Kim
- Division of Ecosystem Services and Research Planning, National Institute of Ecology, Seocheon, South Korea.,Department of Forest Resources, Kongju National University, Kongju, South Korea
| | - Sanghun Lee
- Division of Basic Ecology, National Institute of Ecology, Seocheon, South Korea
| | - Man-Seok Shin
- Division of Ecosystem Services and Research Planning, National Institute of Ecology, Seocheon, South Korea
| | - Chang-Hoon Lee
- Division of Basic Ecology, National Institute of Ecology, Seocheon, South Korea
| | - Changwan Seo
- Division of Ecological Survey Research, National Institute of Ecology, Seocheon, South Korea
| | - Soo Hyung Eo
- Department of Forest Resources, Kongju National University, Kongju, South Korea
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24
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Manish K, Pandit MK, Telwala Y, Nautiyal DC, Koh LP, Tiwari S. Elevational plant species richness patterns and their drivers across non-endemics, endemics and growth forms in the Eastern Himalaya. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2017; 130:829-844. [PMID: 28444520 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-017-0946-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite decades of research, ecologists continue to debate how spatial patterns of species richness arise across elevational gradients on the Earth. The equivocal results of these studies could emanate from variations in study design, sampling effort and data analysis. In this study, we demonstrate that the richness patterns of 2,781 (2,197 non-endemic and 584 endemic) angiosperm species along an elevational gradient of 300-5,300 m in the Eastern Himalaya are hump-shaped, spatial scale of extent (the proportion of elevational gradient studied) dependent and growth form specific. Endemics peaked at higher elevations than non-endemics across all growth forms (trees, shrubs, climbers, and herbs). Richness patterns were influenced by the proportional representation of the largest physiognomic group (herbs). We show that with increasing spatial scale of extent, the richness patterns change from a monotonic to a hump-shaped pattern and richness maxima shift toward higher elevations across all growth forms. Our investigations revealed that the combination of ambient energy (air temperature, solar radiation, and potential evapo-transpiration) and water availability (soil water content and precipitation) were the main drivers of elevational plant species richness patterns in the Himalaya. This study highlights the importance of factoring in endemism, growth forms, and spatial scale when investigating elevational gradients of plant species distributions and advances our understanding of how macroecological patterns arise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumar Manish
- Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Mountain and Hill Environment, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
| | - Maharaj K Pandit
- Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India.
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Mountain and Hill Environment, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India.
| | - Yasmeen Telwala
- Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Mountain and Hill Environment, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
| | - Dinesh C Nautiyal
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Mountain and Hill Environment, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
| | - Lian Pin Koh
- Environment Institute, and School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Sudha Tiwari
- Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Mountain and Hill Environment, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
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25
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Shuai LY, Ren CL, Yan WB, Song YL, Zeng ZG. Different elevational patterns of rodent species richness between the southern and northern slopes of a mountain. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8743. [PMID: 28821828 PMCID: PMC5562761 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09274-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies on elevational gradients in biodiversity have accumulated in recent decades. However, few studies have compared the elevational patterns of diversity between the different slopes of a single mountain. We investigated the elevational distribution of rodent diversity (alpha and beta diversity) and its underlying mechanisms along the southern and northern slopes of Mt. Taibai, the highest mountain in the Qinling Mountains, China. The species richness of rodents on the two slopes showed distinct distribution patterns, with a monotonically decreasing pattern found along the southern slope and a hump-shaped elevational pattern evident along the northern slope. Multi-model inference suggested that temperature was an important explanatory factor for the richness pattern along the southern slope, and the mid-domain effect (MDE) was important in explaining the richness pattern along the northern slope. The two slopes also greatly differed in the elevational patterns of species turnover, with the southern slope demonstrating a U-shaped curve and the northern slope possessing a roughly hump-shaped pattern. Our results suggest that even within the same mountain, organisms inhabiting different slopes may possess distinct diversity patterns, and the underlying mechanisms may also differ. The potential role of the factors associated with slope aspect in shaping diversity, therefore, cannot be ignored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Ying Shuai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, 235000, China
| | - Chun-Lei Ren
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Wen-Bo Yan
- Bio-resources Key Laboratory of Shannxi Province, Shannxi Sci-Tech University, Hanzhong, 723001, China
| | - Yan-Ling Song
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zhi-Gao Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
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