Fish diversity drives regional productivity but not stability in southeastern United States coastal marine fishes

Aim: Ecosystem-based management requires accurate predictions on how biotic and environmental factors interact to deliver ecosystem services. Biodiversity-ecosystem function (BEF) theory predicts that as diversity increases, the ecosystem will become more productive (positive diversity-productivity relationship: DPR) and more stable (positive diversity-stability relationship: DSR). Support for BEF has been primarily derived from fine-grained, non-harvested systems. The purpose of this study is to examine the robustness of BEF predictions for the DPR and DSR by examining how well fish diversity predicts productivity and stability of fish, shrimp, and flounder at a regional scale. Location: Southeast coast of United States. Time Period: 1989 - 2015. Major Taxa Studied: Marine Fishes. Methods: We used 27 years of the SEAMAP-SA Coastal Trawl Survey database to derive estimates of fish, shrimp, and flounder biomass (i.e., productivity), temporal stability of biomass (i.e., invariability of productivity), and fish community species richness. We pooled trawls into 22 km x 22 km raster cells and 3-year time bins. We controlled for variation in sampling effort using sample-based rarefaction. We compared the ability of fish species richness, water salinity, and water temperature to predict biomass and stability of all fish, shrimp, and flounder using multiple linear regression. Results: Both the DPR and DSR exhibited positive log-log linear trends as expected, but the DPR had a much stronger signal. Species richness outperformed the environmental covariates in both the fish and shrimp DPR models. Surface temperature was the most important variable in both flounder models. Overall, our models better explained productivity than stability. Main Conclusions: The DPR and DSR are relevant at regional scales in a commercially important fishery although support for the DSR is less justified than DPR. Further investigation into the underlying mechanisms driving the DPR and DSR are necessary to design management around BEF theory.

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Ichthyofauna from “serranias costeiras” of the Ribeira de Iguape River basin, Southeast Brazil

Biota Neotropica ◽

10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2020-0994 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Mauricio Cetra ◽

George Mattox ◽

Perla Bahena Romero ◽

Stephanie Hernández Escobar ◽

Euriluce Aparecida Guimarães ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

River Basin ◽

Endemic Species ◽

Fish Community ◽

Environmental Heterogeneity ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

Fish Diversity ◽

Sampling Effort ◽

Gamma Diversity ◽

Data Set

Abstract: The Ribeira de Iguape River basin has about 100 fish species. This study aimed to characterize the fish community from “serranias costeiras” of the Ribeira de Iguape River basin. Samplings were conducted with electrofishing during the dry season in the years 2018-2019. The sampling effort consisted of 30 streams stretches. As a result, 50 species were captured, distributed in 37 genera, 11 families, and six orders. The species richness estimate (SChao1) was 57 species, and the coverage estimate for the entire data set was C = 0.998. Harttia kronei and Chasmocranus lopezae are endemic species and can be used as bioindicators of streams in this river basin. We captured approximately nine species by stream stretch. Beta diversity was found to be more critical for gamma diversity than alpha diversity. This finding highlights the streams environmental heterogeneity importance for maintaining regional fish diversity. We captured eight individuals of the threatened species Spintherobolus papilliferus and this indicates an expansion in the geographic distribution of this species.

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A SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL ANALYSIS OF RADIATIVE FORCING ACROSS A REGIONAL SCALE IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES

10.1130/abs/2017am-308568 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Janelle E. Gherasim ◽

◽

S. McKenzie Skiles

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Radiative Forcing ◽

Regional Scale ◽

Temporal Analysis ◽

Western United States ◽

Spatial And Temporal Analysis

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Avian Breeding Season Diversity and Community Composition in Camden White Gum and Slash Pine Plantations

Forest Science ◽

10.1093/forsci/fxaa050 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Elizabeth J Messick ◽

Christopher E Comer ◽

Michael A Blazier ◽

T Bently Wigley

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Species Richness ◽

Community Composition ◽

Pinus Elliottii ◽

The United States ◽

Slash Pine ◽

Planted Forests ◽

Eucalyptus Plantation ◽

Short Rotation Woody Crops ◽

Eucalyptus Plantations

Abstract In the southern United States, some landowners have established plantations of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.) and are managing them on short rotations (<15 years) to provide wood for fiber and other potential uses. Establishment of short-rotation woody crops dominated by nonnative species has implications for resident fauna in the United States that are largely unknown. We compared avifauna abundance, diversity, and community composition in newly established Camden white gum (Eucalyptus benthamii) plantations with slash pine (Pinus elliottii) plantations of the same age and height (one to two and six to seven years old, respectively) in southwestern Louisiana, USA. Species richness, diversity, and community composition in newly established eucalyptus plantations and six- to seven-year-old pines were similar. More birds were observed, and bird detections varied less in eucalyptus plantations. Indigo buntings (Passerina cyanea) and other shrub-associated species were detected more often in eucalyptus stands. In contrast, species that inhabit herbaceous-dominated communities, such as eastern meadowlarks (Sturnella magna), or that were associated with a dense graminoid community (e.g., Bachman’s sparrow [Peucaea aestivalis]) were detected less often in eucalyptus. Overall, breeding bird communities in eucalyptus plantations one to two years postestablishment differed little from plantations dominated by slash pine. Study Implications Compared with slash pine (Pinus elliottii Englem) plantations of similar age and height (one to two years and six to seven years old, respectively) we found one- to two-year-old eucalyptus (Eucalyptus benthamii Maiden & Cambage) plantations supported similar avian species richness and diversity to six- to seven-year-old pine stands. Furthermore, we found these eucalyptus plantations (E13) supported an avian community that was intermediate to similar aged pine (S13) and pine of similar height (S08). However, avian communities will likely change as eucalyptus plantations age (Christian et al. 1997). Continued monitoring and assessment of community composition, richness, and abundance is important for determining the magnitude of this change. Future investigations focused on nest success, fecundity, postfledging monitoring, and survivorship compared with other types of planted forests and native cover types would help us better understand eucalyptus plantation effects on avifauna demographics (Van Horne 1983, Martin 1998, Jones 2001, Wood et al. 2004, Sage et al. 2006, Riffell et al. 2011).

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The Vicissitudes of Conflict Measurement

European Psychologist ◽

10.1027/1016-9040.14.2.153 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 153-159 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

William J. Burk ◽

Jaap Denissen ◽

Muriel D. Van Doorn ◽

Susan J.T. Branje ◽

Brett Laursen

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Close Relationships ◽

Temporal Stability ◽

The United States ◽

Short Intervals ◽

Time Points ◽

Best Friends ◽

Assessment Techniques ◽

The Stability ◽

Conflict Frequency

This report examined the stability and reliability of self-reported conflict frequency in relationships with mothers, fathers, and best friends. Participants were drawn from three independent samples in the Netherlands (n = 72, M = 15.6 years), Germany (n = 242, M = 19.7 years), and the United States (n = 250, M = 19.8 years). Participants completed both topic-based surveys and interaction-based diary assessments of conflict frequency. Within samples, comparable levels of internal consistency and temporal stability emerged in each relationship for both assessment techniques. Topic-based and interaction-based assessments of conflict frequency were moderately correlated in each relationship within samples. Daily topic-based assessments with short intervals between time points may provide the most advantageous assessment strategy for obtaining reliable measures of conflict frequency in adolescents’ close relationships.

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Arthropod community structure in pastures of an island archipelago (Azores): looking for local–regional species richness patterns at fine-scales

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1079/ber2004289 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 94 (2) ◽

pp. 111-121 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

P.A.V. Borges ◽

V.K. Brown

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Regional Scale ◽

Local Scale ◽

Local Species Richness ◽

Β Diversity ◽

Arthropod Species ◽

Α Diversity ◽

Local Species ◽

Richness Patterns

AbstractThe arthropod species richness of pastures in three Azorean islands was used to examine the relationship between local and regional species richness over two years. Two groups of arthropods, spiders and sucking insects, representing two functionally different but common groups of pasture invertebrates were investigated. The local–regional species richness relationship was assessed over relatively fine scales: quadrats (= local scale) and within pastures (= regional scale). Mean plot species richness was used as a measure of local species richness (= α diversity) and regional species richness was estimated at the pasture level (= γ diversity) with the ‘first-order-Jackknife’ estimator. Three related issues were addressed: (i) the role of estimated regional species richness and variables operating at the local scale (vegetation structure and diversity) in determining local species richness; (ii) quantification of the relative contributions of α and β diversity to regional diversity using additive partitioning; and (iii) the occurrence of consistent patterns in different years by analysing independently between-year data. Species assemblages of spiders were saturated at the local scale (similar local species richness and increasing β-diversity in richer regions) and were more dependent on vegetational structure than regional species richness. Sucking insect herbivores, by contrast, exhibited a linear relationship between local and regional species richness, consistent with the proportional sampling model. The patterns were consistent between years. These results imply that for spiders local processes are important, with assemblages in a particular patch being constrained by habitat structure. In contrast, for sucking insects, local processes may be insignificant in structuring communities.

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Cyprinid distributions in Northeast U.S.A. lakes: evidence of regional-scale minnow biodiversity losses

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f97-066 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 54 (7) ◽

pp. 1593-1607 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

T R Whittier ◽

D B Halliwell ◽

S G Paulsen

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Species Richness ◽

New England ◽

Fish Assemblages ◽

Regional Scale ◽

Median Number ◽

Southern New England ◽

Sample Data ◽

Golden Shiner ◽

Northern New England

Fish assemblages were sampled in 195 randomly selected lakes in the northeastern United States during the summers of 1991-1994. Most lakes in northern Maine had three to seven minnow species, constituting 40-80% of species in each lake. Lakes in New Jersey, southern New York, and southern New England rarely had minnows, other than golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas). Lakes in the Adirondacks and the remainder of northern New England had intermediate numbers. We examined minnow native ranges and autecology and evaluated species richness related to littoral predators and human disturbance. Sample data suggested alteration in the minnow assemblages over much of the region. The most consistent factor related to minnow species richness was the presence of littoral predators. Median number of minnow species was two in lakes lacking predators and zero in lakes with predators. Non-native predators, especially Micropterus spp., have been introduced throughout the Northeast; 69% of the sampled lakes had non-native predators. In the absence of predators, minnow species declined with increased human activity in the watershed and along lake shorelines. Only in northern Maine did lake minnow assemblages seem relatively intact.

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The freshwater diaptomid copepod fauna (Crustacea: Copepoda: Diaptomidae) of the Western Ghats of Maharashtra with notes on distribution, species richness and ecology

Journal of Limnology ◽

10.4081/jlimnol.2015.1269 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Mihir R. Kulkarni ◽

Kalpana Pai

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Western Ghats ◽

Mean Annual Temperature ◽

Sampling Effort ◽

Calanoid Copepods ◽

Anthropogenic Pressures ◽

Temporary Habitats ◽

Ecological Aspects ◽

Diaptomid Copepods ◽

The Western Ghats

<p>The diversity of many invertebrate taxa from Western Ghats of Maharashtra remains unknown due to lack of systematic studies. We studied freshwater calanoid copepods from this region, and found eleven species of diaptomid copepods in 180 samples collected from 80 sites in the study area. Most of these are new records for this region. The observed fauna includes Oriental, Gondwanan, Palaearctic and Indian endemic taxa. Locality data for all the observed species, along with notes on some ecological aspects of the sampled sites are provided. Non-parametric estimates of species richness for the region suggested an overall adequacy of sampling effort, and probable missing out of some species from habitats with longer hydroperiod. Hydroperiod, depth, electrical conductivity, altitude, mean annual temperature and latitude largely influenced the distribution of species in the study area. Co-occurrences of species were overall rare but more common in temporary habitats. Assemblages of diaptomid copepods restricted to certain sites were identified. The importance of temporary habitats is discussed in the light of their species richness, faunal composition and the increasing anthropogenic pressures they face.</p>

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Increased mosquito abundance and species richness in Connecticut, United States 2001–2019

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-76231-x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tanya A. Petruff ◽

Joseph R. McMillan ◽

John J. Shepard ◽

Theodore G. Andreadis ◽

Philip M. Armstrong

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Species Richness ◽

Community Composition ◽

Pathogen Transmission ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

Data Set ◽

Mosquito Abundance ◽

Total Species Richness ◽

Multiple Species ◽

Total Species

Abstract Historical declines in multiple insect taxa have been documented across the globe in relation to landscape-level changes in land use and climate. However, declines have either not been universally observed in all regions or examined for all species. Because mosquitoes are insects of public health importance, we analyzed a longitudinal mosquito surveillance data set from Connecticut (CT), United States (U.S.) from 2001 to 2019 to identify changes in mosquito community composition over time. We first analyzed annual site-level collections and metrics of mosquito community composition with generalized linear/additive mixed effects models; we also examined annual species-level collections using the same tools. We then examined correlations between statewide collections and weather variables as well as site-level collections and land cover classifications. We found evidence that the average trap night collection of mosquitoes has increased by ~ 60% and statewide species richness has increased by ~ 10% since 2001. Total species richness was highest in the southern portion of CT, likely due to the northward range expansion of multiple species within the Aedes, Anopheles, Culex, and Psorophora genera. How the expansion of mosquito populations in the northeast U.S. will alter mosquito-borne pathogen transmission in the region will require further investigation.

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Distribution of moss-inhabiting diatoms along an altitudinal gradient at sub-Antarctic Îles Kerguelen

Antarctic Science ◽

10.1017/s0954102007000041 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 17-24 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Niek J.M. Gremmen ◽

Bart van de Vijver ◽

Yves Frenot ◽

Marc Lebouvier

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Species Composition ◽

Altitudinal Gradient ◽

Cross Validation ◽

Strong Relationship ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Common Species ◽

Important Variable ◽

Diatom Species ◽

Expected Species Richness

Altitudinal gradients provide excellent opportunities to study relationships between species distribution and climatic variables. We studied the species composition of 39 samples of moss-inhabiting diatoms, collected at 50 m intervals from 100–650 m above sea level. The samples contained a total of 130 diatom species, of which 51 occurred in 10 or more samples. Altitude appeared to be the most important variable explaining variation in species composition. Of the 51 common species, 33 showed a significant relationship with altitude. Although the majority of the latter declined with increasing altitude, for nine species the probability of occurrence first increased with increasing elevation, but decreased again at higher altitudes, and four species increased systematically with elevation. As a result, expected species richness per sample decreased from an estimated 43 at 100 m to 25 species per sample at 650 m. Diatom distribution patterns proved to be suitable predictors of the altitudinal position of sample sites. Cross-validation yielded a strong relationship between predicted and observed altitudes.

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