scholarly journals Are Distribution Patterns Correlated with Plant Traits?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Benjamin Magana-Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Multiple Scales ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Scaling Relationship

<p>The current crisis in loss of biodiversity requires rapid action. Knowledge of species' distribution patterns across scales is of high importance in determining their current status. However, species display many different distribution patterns on multiple scales. A positive relationship between regional (broad-scale) distribution and local abundance (fine-scale) of species is almost a constant pattern in macroecology. Nevertheless interspecific relationships typically contain much scatter. For example, species that possess high local abundance and narrow ranges, or species that are widespread, but locally rare. One way to describe these spatial features of distribution patterns is by analysing the scaling properties of occupancy (e.g., aggregation) in combination with knowledge of the processes that are generating the specific spatial pattern (e.g., reproduction, dispersal, and colonisation). The main goal of my research was to investigate if distribution patterns correlate with plant life-history traits across multiple scales. First, I compared the performance of five empirical models for their ability to describe the scaling relationship of occupancy in two datasets from Molesworth Station, New Zealand. Secondly, I analysed the association between spatial patterns and life history traits at two spatial scales in an assemblage of 46 grassland species in Molesworth Station. The spatial arrangement was quantified using the parameter k from the Negative Binomial Distribution (NBD). Finally, I investigated the same association between spatial patterns and life-history traits across local, regional and national scales, focusing in one of the most diverse families of plant species in New Zealand, the Veronica sect. Hebe (Plantaginaceae). The spatial arrangement was investigated using the mass fractal dimension. Cross-species correlations and phylogenetically independent contrasts were used to investigate the relationships between plant life-history traits and spatial patterns on both data bases. There was no superior occupancy-area model overall for describing the scaling relationship, however the results showed that a variety of occupancy-area models can be fit to different data sets at diverse spatial scales using nonlinear regression. Additionally, here I showed that it is possible to deduce and extrapolate information on occupancy at fine scales from coarse-scale data. For the 46 plantassemblage in Molesworth Station, Specific leaf area (SLA) exhibits a positive association with aggregation in cross-species analysis, while leaf area showed a negative association, and dispersule mass a positive correlation with degree of aggregation in phylogenetic contrast analysis at a local-scale (20 × 20 m resolution). Plant height was the only life-history trait that was associated with degree of aggregation at a regional-scale (100 × 60 mresolution). For the Veronica sect. Hebe dataset, leaf area showed a positive correlation with aggregation while specific leaf area showed a negative correlation with aggregation at a fine local-scale (2.5-60 m resolution). Inflorescence length, breeding system and leaf area showed a negative correlation with degree of aggregation at a regional-scale (2.5-20 km resolution). Height was positively associated with aggregation at national-scale (20-100 km resolution). Although life-history traits showed low predictive ability in explaining aggregation throughout this thesis, there was a general pattern about which processes and traits were important at different scales. At local scales traits related to dispersal and completion such as SLA , leaf area, dispersule mass and the presence of structures in seeds for dispersal, were important; while at regional scales traits related to reproduction such as breeding system, inflorescence length and traits related to dispersal (seed mass) were significant. At national scales only plant height was important in predicting aggregation. Here, it was illustrated how the parameters of these scaling models capture an important aspect of spatial pattern that can be related to other macroecological relationships and the life-history traits of species. This study shows that when several scales of analysis are considered, we can improve our understanding about the factors that are related to species' distribution patterns.</p>

scholarly journals Are Distribution Patterns Correlated with Plant Traits?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Benjamin Magana-Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Multiple Scales ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Scaling Relationship

<p>The current crisis in loss of biodiversity requires rapid action. Knowledge of species' distribution patterns across scales is of high importance in determining their current status. However, species display many different distribution patterns on multiple scales. A positive relationship between regional (broad-scale) distribution and local abundance (fine-scale) of species is almost a constant pattern in macroecology. Nevertheless interspecific relationships typically contain much scatter. For example, species that possess high local abundance and narrow ranges, or species that are widespread, but locally rare. One way to describe these spatial features of distribution patterns is by analysing the scaling properties of occupancy (e.g., aggregation) in combination with knowledge of the processes that are generating the specific spatial pattern (e.g., reproduction, dispersal, and colonisation). The main goal of my research was to investigate if distribution patterns correlate with plant life-history traits across multiple scales. First, I compared the performance of five empirical models for their ability to describe the scaling relationship of occupancy in two datasets from Molesworth Station, New Zealand. Secondly, I analysed the association between spatial patterns and life history traits at two spatial scales in an assemblage of 46 grassland species in Molesworth Station. The spatial arrangement was quantified using the parameter k from the Negative Binomial Distribution (NBD). Finally, I investigated the same association between spatial patterns and life-history traits across local, regional and national scales, focusing in one of the most diverse families of plant species in New Zealand, the Veronica sect. Hebe (Plantaginaceae). The spatial arrangement was investigated using the mass fractal dimension. Cross-species correlations and phylogenetically independent contrasts were used to investigate the relationships between plant life-history traits and spatial patterns on both data bases. There was no superior occupancy-area model overall for describing the scaling relationship, however the results showed that a variety of occupancy-area models can be fit to different data sets at diverse spatial scales using nonlinear regression. Additionally, here I showed that it is possible to deduce and extrapolate information on occupancy at fine scales from coarse-scale data. For the 46 plantassemblage in Molesworth Station, Specific leaf area (SLA) exhibits a positive association with aggregation in cross-species analysis, while leaf area showed a negative association, and dispersule mass a positive correlation with degree of aggregation in phylogenetic contrast analysis at a local-scale (20 × 20 m resolution). Plant height was the only life-history trait that was associated with degree of aggregation at a regional-scale (100 × 60 mresolution). For the Veronica sect. Hebe dataset, leaf area showed a positive correlation with aggregation while specific leaf area showed a negative correlation with aggregation at a fine local-scale (2.5-60 m resolution). Inflorescence length, breeding system and leaf area showed a negative correlation with degree of aggregation at a regional-scale (2.5-20 km resolution). Height was positively associated with aggregation at national-scale (20-100 km resolution). Although life-history traits showed low predictive ability in explaining aggregation throughout this thesis, there was a general pattern about which processes and traits were important at different scales. At local scales traits related to dispersal and completion such as SLA , leaf area, dispersule mass and the presence of structures in seeds for dispersal, were important; while at regional scales traits related to reproduction such as breeding system, inflorescence length and traits related to dispersal (seed mass) were significant. At national scales only plant height was important in predicting aggregation. Here, it was illustrated how the parameters of these scaling models capture an important aspect of spatial pattern that can be related to other macroecological relationships and the life-history traits of species. This study shows that when several scales of analysis are considered, we can improve our understanding about the factors that are related to species' distribution patterns.</p>

Calcium effects on life-history traits in a wild population of the great tit (Parus major): analysis of long-term data at several spatial scales

Oecologia ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 159 (2) ◽  
pp. 463-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teddy Albert Wilkin ◽  
Andrew G. Gosler ◽  
Dany Garant ◽  
S. James Reynolds ◽  
Ben C. Sheldon
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Wild Population ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Parus Major ◽  
Great Tit ◽  
Calcium Effects ◽  
Term Data

scholarly journals Invasion Dynamics of A Termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, at Different Spatial Scales in France

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Elfie Perdereau ◽  
Guillaume Baudouin ◽  
Stéphanie Bankhead-Dronnet ◽  
Zoé Chevalier ◽  
Marie Zimmermann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
18Th Century ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Atlantic Coast ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Reticulitermes Flavipes ◽  
Railway Network ◽  
Invasion Dynamics ◽  
Large Colony

Termites are social insects that can also be major pests. A well-known problem species is the subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes. It is invasive in France and is thought to have arrived from Louisiana during the 18th century. While the putative source of French populations has been identified, little is known about how the termite spread following its establishment. Here, we examined expansion patterns at different spatial scales in urban areas to clarify how R. flavipes spread in France. Based on our analyses of phylogeography and population genetics, results suggest a scenario of successive introductions into the Charente-Maritime region, on the Atlantic Coast. Two major expansion fronts formed: one that spread toward the northeast and the other toward the southeast. At the regional scale, different spatial and genetic distribution patterns were observed: there was heterogeneity in Île-de-France and aggregation in Centre-Val de Loire. At the local scale, we found that our three focal urban sites each formed a single large colony that contained several secondary reproductives. Our findings represent a second step in efforts to reconstruct termite’s invasion dynamics. They also highlight the role that may have been played by the French railway network in transporting termites over long distances.

The modulating role of traits on the biogeographic dynamics of chondrichthyans from the Neogene to the present

Paleobiology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime A. Villafaña ◽  
Marcelo M. Rivadeneira
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Local Scale ◽  
Range Shifts ◽  
Similar Proportion ◽  
Random Forest Models ◽  
Body Sizes ◽  
Exogenous Factors

AbstractThe environmental transformations that occurred during the Neogene had profound effects on spatiotemporal biodiversity patterns, yet the modulating role of traits (i.e., physiological, ecological, and life-history traits) remains little understood. We tested this idea using the Neogene fossil record of chondrichthyans along the temperate Pacific coast of South America (TPSA). Information for georeferenced occurrences and ecological and life-history information of 38 chondrichthyan fossil genera in 42 Neogene sites was collected. Global georeferenced records were used to estimate present-day biogeographic distributions of the genera and to characterize the range of oceanographic conditions in which each genus lives as a proxy of their realized niche. Biogeographic range shifts (Neogene–present) were evaluated at regional and local scales. The role of traits as drivers of different range dynamics was evaluated using random forest models. The magnitude and direction of biogeographic range shifts were different at both spatial scales. At a regional scale, 34% of genera contracted their ranges, disappearing from the TPSA. At a local scale, a similar proportion of genera expanded and contracted their southern endpoints of distribution. The models showed a high precision at both spatial scales of analyses, but the relative importance of predictor variables differed. At a regional scale, disappearing genera tended to have a higher tolerance to salinity, lower sea surface temperature (SST) range, and smaller body sizes. At a local scale, genera contracting their ranges tended to live at greater depths, tolerate lower levels of primary productivity, and show a reduced tolerance to higher and lower SST ranges. The magnitude and direction of the changes in the range distribution were scale dependent and variable across the genera. Hence, multiple environmental exogenous factors interacted with taxon traits during the Neogene, creating a mosaic of biogeographic dynamics.

Spatiotemporal variation in maturation: a case study with American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) on the Grand Bank off Newfoundland

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (10) ◽  
pp. 1688-1699
Author(s):  
Nan Zheng ◽  
Matthew Robertson ◽  
Noel Cadigan ◽  
Fan Zhang ◽  
Joanne Morgan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Spatial Variation ◽  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Spatiotemporal Variation ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽  
Hippoglossoides Platessoides

Fisheries management usually does not explicitly account for spatial variation in life history traits within populations. However, for some stocks this spatial variation may be substantial. We develop a spatiotemporal generalized linear model and fit the model to a long time series of maturation data for American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) on the Grand Bank off Newfoundland and Labrador. The spatiotemporal correlation structure improves estimation of small-scale spatiotemporal variation in maturity across locations and times with limited or few samples. We test how American plaice maturity varies at three different spatial resolutions. We find improvements in model fit when decreasing spatial scales for higher spatial resolution due to high levels of spatial heterogeneity in American plaice maturity at age and size. Modeling variation in life history traits at the appropriate spatial and temporal scales is necessary for understanding population dynamics and developing appropriate fisheries management strategies.

Large-scale variation in life history traits of the widespread diadromous fish, Galaxias maculatus, reflects geographic differences in local environmental conditions

2011 ◽  
Vol 62 (7) ◽  
pp. 790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole C. Barbee ◽  
Robin Hale ◽  
John Morrongiello ◽  
Andy Hicks ◽  
David Semmens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
South America ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
Galaxias Maculatus

Applying uniform population models and management strategies to widespread species can be ineffective if populations exhibit variable life histories in response to local conditions. Galaxias maculatus, one of the world’s most widely distributed fish species, occurs in a broad range of habitats and is highly adaptable, making it an ideal species for examining variation in life history traits across large geographic scales. Here, we examine the spawning biology and early life history of diadromous G. maculatus in coastal rivers in Victoria, Australia, and compare them to other populations throughout its range. We predicted that traits associated with these critical life stages, especially those that respond to environmental conditions that vary geographically, such as seasonal cues and temperature, are likely to vary across large spatial scales. We found that spawning occurs later in Victoria than in New Zealand (NZ) and South America, but migration back to rivers occurs at the same time in Victoria and NZ, but not South America. G. maculatus returning to rivers are also smaller and younger in Victoria than those in NZ. Other traits, like some attributes of spawning schools and spawning habitats, did not vary across large scales. Researchers and managers should be cautious when making broad assumptions about the biology of widely distributed species.

scholarly journals Genetic effects on life-history traits in the Glanville fritillary butterfly

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Duplouy ◽  
Swee C Wong ◽  
Jukka Corander ◽  
Rainer Lehtonen ◽  
Ilkka Hanski
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Habitat Fragmentation ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Snp Markers ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Dispersal Capacity ◽  
Multiple Test ◽  
Glanville Fritillary Butterfly ◽  
Trait Associations

Background. Adaptation to local habitat conditions may lead to the natural divergence of populations in life-history traits such as body size, time of reproduction, mate signaling or dispersal capacity. Given enough time and strong enough selection pressures, populations may experience local genetic differentiation. The genetic basis of many life-history traits, and their evolution according to different environmental conditions remain however poorly understood. Methods. We conducted an association study on the Glanville fritillary butterfly, using material from five populations along a latitudinal gradient within the Baltic Sea region, which show different degrees of habitat fragmentation. We investigated variation in ten principal components, cofounding in total 21 life-history traits, according to two environmental types, and 33 genetic SNP markers from 15 candidate genes. Results. We found that nine SNPs from five genes showed strong trend for trait associations (p-values under 0.001 before correction). These associations, yet non-significant after multiple test corrections, with a total number of 1086 tests, were consistent across the study populations. Additionally, these nine genes also showed an allele frequency difference between the populations from the northern fragmented versus the southern continuous landscape. Discussion. Our study provides further support for previously described trait associations within the Glanville fritillary butterfly species across different spatial scales. Although our results alone are inconclusive, they are concordant with previous studies that identified these associations to be related to climatic changes or habitat fragmentation within the Åland population.

scholarly journals Genetic effects on life-history traits in the Glanville fritillary butterfly

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Duplouy ◽  
Swee C Wong ◽  
Jukka Corander ◽  
Rainer Lehtonen ◽  
Ilkka Hanski
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Habitat Fragmentation ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Snp Markers ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Dispersal Capacity ◽  
Multiple Test ◽  
Glanville Fritillary Butterfly ◽  
Trait Associations

Background. Adaptation to local habitat conditions may lead to the natural divergence of populations in life-history traits such as body size, time of reproduction, mate signaling or dispersal capacity. Given enough time and strong enough selection pressures, populations may experience local genetic differentiation. The genetic basis of many life-history traits, and their evolution according to different environmental conditions remain however poorly understood. Methods. We conducted an association study on the Glanville fritillary butterfly, using material from five populations along a latitudinal gradient within the Baltic Sea region, which show different degrees of habitat fragmentation. We investigated variation in ten principal components, cofounding in total 21 life-history traits, according to two environmental types, and 33 genetic SNP markers from 15 candidate genes. Results. We found that nine SNPs from five genes showed strong trend for trait associations (p-values under 0.001 before correction). These associations, yet non-significant after multiple test corrections, with a total number of 1086 tests, were consistent across the study populations. Additionally, these nine genes also showed an allele frequency difference between the populations from the northern fragmented versus the southern continuous landscape. Discussion. Our study provides further support for previously described trait associations within the Glanville fritillary butterfly species across different spatial scales. Although our results alone are inconclusive, they are concordant with previous studies that identified these associations to be related to climatic changes or habitat fragmentation within the Åland population.

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