Multiple dimensions of functional diversity affect stream fish β-diversity
December 26, 2022
- When investigating metacommunity dynamics, functional differences among species are often assumed to be as important as environmental differences between sites in determining β-diversity. However, few studies have examined the influence of functional diversity on β-diversity. We examine the relative importance of regional functional diversity partitioned by niche dimensions and environmental variation in structuring taxonomic β-diversity of stream fishes using a large dataset of stream fish assemblages (hereafter, simply β-diversity). We predicted that both functional diversity and environmental variation play a role in determining β-diversity.
- We tested this prediction by modelling the patterns of stream fish β-diversity as a function of environmental variation, functional diversity and γ-richness across 10,220 sites for 329 fish species using a series of conceptual path models.
- Environmental variation consistently affected β-diversity across all models, whereas functional diversity and γ-richness influenced β-diversity only in some models. We show that including relevant trait differences among species in path models can improve their ability to explain β-diversity, suggesting that functional traits influence β-diversity.
- The ability of path models to explain β-diversity varied depending on the trait grouping included in the model, demonstrating that specific path models representing different niche dimensions can improve the ability of a model to explain β-diversity. In addition, parsing traits into different niche dimensions revealed alternative patterns of functional diversity–β-diversity relationships that otherwise would have been missed.
- The selection of relevant traits and linked niche dimensions is critical for detecting relationships between functional diversity and β-diversity. Using traits associated with different niche dimensions allows for the identification of niche dimensions most strongly associated with species sorting and the detection of patterns missed by focusing on a single niche dimension. Determining the niche dimensions that influence β-diversity could provide insights into the processes driving biodiversity and metacommunity dynamics, improving our ability to conserve or restore aquatic communities.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2023 |
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Title | Multiple dimensions of functional diversity affect stream fish β-diversity |
DOI | 10.1111/fwb.14036 |
Authors | Luke Max Bower, Lauren Stoczynski, Brandon K. Peoples, Christopher J. Patrick, Bryan L. Brown |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Freshwater Biology |
Index ID | 70256709 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Coop Res Unit Atlanta |