A baitbox for all seasons: temporal shifts in a vector’s propagule supply characteristics and implications for invasion ecology

Invasion dynamics are influenced by both vector operation and propagule pressure. Which propagules are entrained in a vector depends on how, where, and when a vector operates, but the timing and effects of vector operations on species delivery patterns is poorly resolved. Using the live marine baitworm trade, we tested vector selectivity across 3 boreal seasons (summer 2011, fall 2011, and spring 2012). We compared macroinvertebrate assemblages at the source (Maine, US east coast field) and in baitboxes upon delivery (Mid-Atlantic distributors, US east coast) and quantified live and dead biota to test for interactive effects of season and vector stage (i.e. source vs. destination) on per capita abundance, species richness, diversity, functional richness, and community composition. In all, we identified 46262 hitchhiking macro-organisms from 56 distinct taxa. Among live biota, taxonomic richness, functional group richness, and abundance differed by vector stage and season. Community composition showed seasonality for functional groups, but not for taxonomic groups. Vector stage affected dead community composition more than season, implying that vector operations (i.e. handling at source and during shipping) filter species transfers differentially. Dead communities were typically composed of the most abundant live organisms in the same baitboxes, emphasizing how important propagule pressure is to successful transport. Some combinations of 5 key functional traits (body size, feeding mode, growth form, modularity, and motility) were associated with increased survival during vector transfer. Successful species transfers are correlated with specific functional traits and propagule pressure, both of which are influenced by seasonal variation.

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BIOVERA-Tree: tree diversity, community composition, forest structure and functional traits along gradients of forest-use intensity and elevation in Veracruz, Mexico

Biodiversity Data Journal ◽

10.3897/bdj.9.e69560 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

María Monge González ◽

Patrick Weigelt ◽

Nathaly Guerrero-Ramírez ◽

Dylan Craven ◽

Gonzalo Castillo-Campos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Leaf Area ◽

Community Composition ◽

Functional Traits ◽

Forest Structure ◽

Secondary Forest ◽

Tree Diversity ◽

Interactive Effects ◽

Maximum Height ◽

Dry Matter Content ◽

Forest Use

Here, we describe BIOVERA-Tree, a database on tree diversity, community composition, forest structure and functional traits collected in 120 forest plots, distributed along an extensive elevational gradient in Veracruz State, Mexico. BIOVERA-Tree includes information on forest structure from three levels of forest-use intensity, namely old-growth, degraded and secondary forest, replicated across eight elevations from sea-level to near the tree line at 3500 m and on size and location of 4549 tree individuals with a diameter at breast height ≥ 5 cm belonging to 216 species, 154 genera and 80 families. We also report measurements of eight functional traits, namely wood density for 143 species, maximum height for 216 species and leaf traits including: specific leaf area, lamina density, leaf thickness, chlorophyll content and leaf area for 148 species and leaf dry matter content for 145 species. BIOVERA-Tree is a new database comprising data collected in a rigorous sampling design along forest-use intensity and elevational gradients, contributing to our understanding of how interactive effects of forest-use intensity and elevation affect tree diversity, community composition and functional traits in tropical forests.

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BIOVERA-Tree: tree diversity, community composition, forest structure and functional traits along gradients of forest-use intensity and elevation in Veracruz, Mexico

10.3897/arphapreprints.e69668 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

María Monge González ◽

Patrick Weigelt ◽

Nathaly Guerrero-Ramírez ◽

Dylan Craven ◽

Gonzalo Castillo-Campos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Leaf Area ◽

Community Composition ◽

Functional Traits ◽

Forest Structure ◽

Secondary Forest ◽

Tree Diversity ◽

Interactive Effects ◽

Maximum Height ◽

Dry Matter Content ◽

Forest Use

Here, we describe BIOVERA-Tree, a database on tree diversity, community composition, forest structure, and functional traits collected in 120 forest plots distributed along an extensive elevational gradient in Veracruz State, Mexico. BIOVERA-Tree includes information on forest structure from three levels of forest-use intensity, namely old-growth, degraded, and secondary forest, replicated across eight elevations from sea-level to near the tree line at 3500 m and on size and location of 4549 tree individuals with a diameter at breast height ≥ 5 cm belonging to 216 species, 154 genera, and 80 families. We also report measurements of eight functional traits, namely wood density for 143 species, maximum height for 216 species and leaf traits including: specific leaf area, lamina density, leaf thickness, chlorophyll content, and leaf area for 148 species and leaf dry matter content for 145 species. BIOVERA-Tree is a new database comprising data collected in a rigorous sampling design along forest-use intensity and elevational gradients, contributing to our understanding of how interactive effects of forest-use intensity and elevation affect tree diversity, community composition, and functional traits in tropical forests.

Download Full-text