scholarly journals Endemism and diversity of small mammals along two neighboring Bornean mountains

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Camacho-Sanchez ◽  
Melissa T.R. Hawkins ◽  
Fred Tuh Yit Yu ◽  
Jesus E. Maldonado ◽  
Jennifer A. Leonard
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
General Theory ◽  
Elevational Gradient ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Geometric Constraints ◽  
Local Effects ◽  
Spatial Factors ◽  
Historical Factors ◽  
Small Mammal Community

Mountains offer replicated units with large biotic and abiotic gradients in a reduced spatial scale. This transforms them into well-suited scenarios to evaluate biogeographic theories. Mountain biogeography is a hot topic of research and many theories have been proposed to describe the changes in biodiversity with elevation. Geometric constraints, which predict the highest diversity to occur in mid-elevations, have been a focal part of this discussion. Despite this, there is no general theory to explain these patterns, probably because of the interaction among different predictors with the local effects of historical factors. We characterize the diversity of small non-volant mammals across the elevational gradient on Mount (Mt.) Kinabalu (4,095 m) and Mt. Tambuyukon (2,579 m), two neighboring mountains in Borneo, Malaysia. We documented a decrease in species richness with elevation which deviates from expectations of the geometric constraints and suggests that spatial factors (e.g., larger diversity in larger areas) are important. The lowland small mammal community was replaced in higher elevations (from above ~1,900 m) with montane communities consisting mainly of high elevation Borneo endemics. The positive correlation we find between elevation and endemism is concordant with a hypothesis that predicts higher endemism with topographical isolation. This supports lineage history and geographic history could be important drivers of species diversity in this region.

scholarly journals Species Richness of the Family Ericaceae along an Elevational Gradient in Yunnan, China

Forests ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji-Hua Wang ◽  
Yan-Fei Cai ◽  
Lu Zhang ◽  
Chuan-Kun Xu ◽  
Shi-Bao Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Variation Partitioning ◽  
Elevational Gradient ◽  
Geometric Constraints ◽  
Mean Annual Precipitation ◽  
Mean Annual Temperature ◽  
The Family ◽  
Species Area ◽  
Upper Third

Knowledge about how species richness varies along spatial and environmental gradients is important for the conservation and use of biodiversity. The Ericaceae is a major component of alpine and subalpine vegetation globally. However, little is known about the spatial pattern of species richness and the factors that drive that richness in Ericaceae. We investigated variation in species richness of Ericaceae along an elevational gradient in Yunnan, China, and used a variation partitioning analysis based on redundancy analysis ordination to examine how those changes might be influenced by the mid-domain effect, the species-area relationship, and climatic variables. Species richness varied significantly with elevation, peaking in the upper third of the elevational gradient. Of the factors examined, climate explained a larger proportion of the variance in species richness along the elevational gradient than either land area or geometric constraints. Species richness showed a unimodal relationship with mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation. The elevational pattern of species richness for Ericaceae was shaped by the combined effects of climate and competition. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the potential effects of climate change on species richness for Ericaceae.

scholarly journals Diversity of Wild Bees along Elevational Gradient in an Agricultural Area in Central Java, Indonesia

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imam Widhiono ◽  
Eming Sudiana ◽  
Darsono Darsono
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Elevational Gradient ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Agricultural Area ◽  
Wild Bees ◽  
Central Java ◽  
Wiener Diversity Index ◽  
Pollinator Community ◽  
Study Sites

Increases in mean temperature affect the diversity and abundance of wild bees in agricultural ecosystems. Pollinator community composition is expected to change along an elevational gradient due to differences in the daily ambient temperature. This study investigated the diversity and abundance of wild bees in an agricultural area along an elevational gradient in Central Java, Indonesia. Wild bees were collected using a sweep net in 40 green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) cultivation sampling locations at seven different elevations (8, 108, 224, 424, 644, 893, and 1017 m above sea level). Species diversity was determined using the Shannon–Wiener diversity index. We identified 932 individuals from 8 species of wild bee belonging to 3 families. The family Apidae was predominant, with 6 species, while only 1 species was found from each of Megachilidae and Halictidae. Across the study sites, diversity increased with increasing elevation (H′= 1.4,D= 0.25, andE= 0.78 at low elevation toH′= 2.04,D= 0.13, andE= 0.96 at high elevation), and higher numbers of species were found at middle and high elevations. Species richness and abundance increased linearly with increasing elevation, and species diversity was highest at middle elevations.

scholarly journals Bird assemblages in natural and urbanized habitats along elevational gradient in Nainital district (western Himalaya) of Uttarakhand state, India

2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 318-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dinesh Bhatt ◽  
Kamal Kant Joshi
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Urban Habitat ◽  
Western Himalayas ◽  
Avian Community ◽  
Elevational Gradients ◽  
Bird Assemblages

Abstract The Indian subcontinent is amongst the biologically better known parts of the tropics and its bird fauna has been well documented. However, avian community composition and diversity along elevational gradients and amongst habitat types remains unclear in India. We attempted to estimate bird assemblages in terms of diversity, species composition, status and abundance in urban and forest habitats of Nainital district of Uttarakhand (350–2450 m asl; 29°N), Western Himalayas. We sampled different elevational gradients and to understand the effect of urbanization and season on avian community composition. Field studies were conducted during January 2005 to January 2007. Results indicated that the forest had more complex bird community structure in terms of higher species richness (14.35 vs 8.69), higher species diversity (Shannon’s index 4.00 vs 3.54), higher evenness (0.838 vs 0.811) and more rare species (17 vs 5) as compared to urban habitat. However, the abundance of 11 species was higher in urban habitats. Bird Species Richness (BSR) varied considerably among study areas (91 to 113 species), was highest (113 species) at mid elevation (1450–1700 m asl) and decreased (22 species) at high elevation (1900–2450 m asl). It seems that high BSR at mid altitudes is not caused by the presence of a group of mid altitude specialists but rather that there is an overlap in the distribution of low land and high elevation specialists at this altitude. BSR and Bird Species Diversity fluctuated across seasons but not habitat type.

scholarly journals Habitat Islands on the Aegean Islands (Greece): Elevational Gradient of Chasmophytic Diversity, Endemism, Phytogeographical Patterns and need for Monitoring and Conservation

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Kontopanou ◽  
Maria Panitsa
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Elevational Gradient ◽  
Plant Species Richness ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Variable Intensity ◽  
Aegean Islands ◽  
Habitat Islands ◽  
Elevational Range ◽  
Natural Laboratory

The Aegean archipelago, characterized as a natural laboratory for research concerning plant species diversity and phytogeography has a complex geological and paleogeographical history that varies among its phytogeographical areas. A different combination of factors of variable intensity and duration time drives patterns of its impressive plant species richness and endemism. Cliffs, a conspicuous feature of the Aegean landscape, consist of biologically closed communities that serve as refugia for obligate chasmophytes, the majority of which are Greek or Aegean endemics, and for this reason, they are also considered as habitat islands on the Aegean islands. A synoptic analysis is presented concerning chasmophytic plant diversity focusing on endemic obligate chasmophytes. Phytogeographical patterns of obligate chasmophytes, and especially the endemic ones as well as their elevational range and distribution and zeta diversity, are analyzed and discussed in the frame of climatic change, mentioning that the most threatened endemic obligate chasmophytes are those specialized in high elevation areas, and focusing on the need for monitoring and conservation.

scholarly journals Fern species richness and abundance are indicators of climate change on high-elevation islands: evidence from an elevational gradient on Tahiti (French Polynesia)

2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 143-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Pouteau ◽  
Jean-Yves Meyer ◽  
Pauline Blanchard ◽  
Joel H. Nitta ◽  
Maruiti Terorotua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Elevational Gradient ◽  
French Polynesia ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Fern Species ◽  
Species Richness And Abundance

scholarly journals Effect of Nutrient Addition on the Productivity and Species Richness of Grassland Along With an Elevational Gradient in Tajikistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lian-Lian Fan ◽  
Okhonniyozov Mekrovar ◽  
Yao-Ming Li ◽  
Kai-Hui Li ◽  
Xue-Xi Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Elevational Gradient ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Nutrient Inputs ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Precipitation And Temperature

Grasslands provide key resource for the millions of people who are dependent on livestock in Tajikistan. Productivity and species richness (SR) are important characteristics of grassland ecosystems and are greatly affected by nutrient inputs. The effect that climate change might have on these characteristics remains unclear. Here, an in situ nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization experiment was conducted at four sites along with an elevational gradient (650, 1,100, 1,250, and 2,000 m) in western Tajikistan over 2 years (2018 and 2019) to examine the influences of nutrient availability and climate change on aboveground biomass (AGB) and SR; precipitation and temperature were also considered to analyze the responses. It demonstrated that enrichment with N, P, and their combinations significantly increased AGB along with an elevational gradient (p < 0.05). AGB increased as the concentrations of nutrients added increased. The maximum AGB, which was 2-fold higher compared with control, was observed when 90 kg N ha–1year–1 and 30 kg P ha–1year–1 were added. In addition, nitrogen addition alone stimulated greater AGB than P addition, although no significant difference was observed between these two treatments. Enrichment with N, P, and their combination had no significant effect on SR; however, SR significantly changed at different elevation. Elevation had direct effect on precipitation and temperature, which, in turn, resulted in variation in AGB and SR. Moreover, both nutrient and elevation had significant effect on AGB and SR, but there was no interaction effect of them. AGB and SR interacted with significant negative correlation. In the high-elevation area, plants grew better in the warmer year (2018); this indicates that grasslands in high mountain areas in Tajikistan might have higher productivity as the climate warms, which will positively affect the economic development of the country.

scholarly journals Effects of Soil Properties, Temperature and Disturbance on Diversity and Functional Composition of Plant Communities Along a Steep Elevational Gradient on Tenerife

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Ratier Backes ◽  
Larissa Frey ◽  
José Ramón Arévalo ◽  
Sylvia Haider
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Functional Diversity ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Elevational Gradient ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Road Effects ◽  
Elevational Variation

Elevational variation of vegetation has been of interest for centuries, and a prominent example for such pronounced vegetation changes can be found along the steep elevational gradient on Tenerife, Canary Islands, 200 km off the West-African cost. The 3,718-m ascent to the peak of the island volcano, Teide, offers a unique opportunity to investigate associated changes in vegetation. However, elevation is not a directly acting factor, but represents several natural environmental gradients. While the elevational variation of temperature is globally rather uniform and temperature effects on plant communities are well understood, much less is known about the region-specific elevational change of chemical soil properties and their impact on plant communities along elevational gradients. Because human interference takes place even at high-elevation areas, we considered human-induced disturbance as important third factor acting upon plant community assemblages. In our study, we compared the effects of soil properties, temperature and disturbance on species richness, functional identity and functional diversity of plant communities along the elevational gradient on Tenerife. We used pairs of study plots: directly adjacent to a road and in natural vegetation close by. In each plot, we did vegetation relevées, took soil samples, and installed temperature loggers. Additionally, we collected leaf samples to measure leaf functional traits of 80% of the recorded species. With increasing elevation, soil cation concentrations, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and pH decreased significantly, while the soil carbon to phosphorus ratio slightly peaked at mid-elevations. Temperature had the strongest effects, increasing species richness and favoring communities with fast resource acquisition. Species richness was higher at road verges, indicating the positive effect of reduced competition and artificially generated heterogeneity. However, we did not detect road effects on plant functional characteristics. Vice versa, we did not find soil effects on species richness, but increased concentrations of soil cations favored acquisitive communities. Surprisingly, we could not reveal any influence on community functional diversity. The importance of temperature aligns with findings from large-scale biogeographic studies. However, our results also emphasize that it is necessary to consider the effects of local abiotic drivers, like soil properties and disturbance, to understand variation in plant communities.

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