Disentangling the mechanistic drivers of ecosystem-size effects on species diversity

The Journal of Animal Ecology
Tanya J Blakely, Raphael K Didham

Abstract

1. Species richness is typically positively correlated with ecosystem size, yet there is no general consensus on the proximate mechanisms (resource concentration, disturbance, colonization-extinction dynamics or habitat heterogeneity) driving this relationship. Ecosystem-size effects are often attributed to increasing resource concentration, but the inherent intercorrelation of resource concentration with other potential proximate mechanisms has led to strong debate over its significance as a mediator of ecosystem-size effects. 2. We disentangle the proximate mechanisms underlying ecosystem-size effects on species richness by experimentally reversing resource concentration and enhancing drought disturbance, while holding colonization-extinction dynamics and habitat heterogeneity constant, in field microcosms. 3. Contrary to theory and much empirical evidence, species richness decreased with increasing ecosystem size, due explicitly to experimental manipulation of the resource-concentration gradient. Structural equation modelling revealed that resource concentration was the principal driver of ecosystem-size effects on species richness, while drought disturbance and habitat quality strongly determined the identity and compositio...Continue Reading

References

May 9, 1995·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·G A Polis, S D Hurd
Jul 13, 2000·Nature·D M PostN G Hairston
Apr 28, 2006·The Journal of Animal Ecology·Gareth J RussellStuart L Pimm
May 17, 2006·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·Diane S SrivastavaM Kurtis Trzcinski
Oct 19, 2007·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Jonathan M Chase
Jan 29, 2008·The American Journal of Surgical Pathology·Satomi KasashimaYasuni Nakanuma
May 21, 2010·Ecology Letters·Peter A McHughPhillip G Jellyman

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.