Specific arrangements of species dominance can be more influential than evenness in maintaining ecosystem process and function
نویسندگان
چکیده
The ecological consequences of species loss are widely studied, but represent an end point of environmental forcing that is not always realised. Changes in species evenness and the rank order of dominant species are more widespread responses to directional forcing. However, despite the repercussions for ecosystem functioning such changes have received little attention. Here, we experimentally assess how the rearrangement of species dominance structure within specific levels of evenness, rather than changes in species richness and composition, affect invertebrate particle reworking and burrow ventilation behaviour - important moderators of microbial-mediated remineralisation processes in benthic environments - and associated levels of sediment nutrient release. We find that the most dominant species exert a disproportionate influence on functioning at low levels of evenness, but that changes in biomass distribution and a change in emphasis in species-environmental interactions become more important in governing system functionality as evenness increases. Our study highlights the need to consider the functional significance of alterations to community attributes, rather than to solely focus on the attainment of particular levels of diversity when safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystems that provide essential services to society.
منابع مشابه
Comparison of Measurement Indices of Diversity, Richness, Dominance, and Evenness in Rangeland Ecosystem (Case Study: Jvaherdeh-Ramesar)
The diversity and richness of species are of important components to evaluate the health of ecologic system of rangelands. This research was conducted to investigate the biodiversity in riparian and neighboring areas via comparison of indices in Javaherdeh rangeland of Ramsar. Plot-transects was randomly used to estimate diversity, richness, dominance, and evenness indices in two regions. Multi...
متن کاملChange of Species Diversity in Vascular Plants Across Ecological Species Groups
Biodiversity plays a crucial role in stability and productivity of natural ecosystem. The main goal of this research was to classify ecological groups in steppe rangeland and investigate their relationships with plant diversity indices. Therefore, fifty different Land Unit Tracts (LUT) were identified in Khod-Neuk basin, Yazd province, Iran, in 2010. Vegetation and soil samples were taken in th...
متن کاملClimate change effects on plant biomass alter dominance patterns and community evenness in an experimental oldfield ecosystem
Atmospheric and climatic change can alter plant biomass production and plant community composition. However, we know little about how climate change-induced alterations in biomass production affect plant species composition. To better understand how climate change will alter both individual plant species and community biomass, we manipulated atmospheric [CO2], air temperature, and precipitation...
متن کاملبررسی اثر اجرای طرحهای مرتعداری بر تنوع گونهای گیاهان در مراتع شهرستان سمیرم استان اصفهان
In order to investigate the effects of range management plans on species diversity, richness and evenness in Semirum rangelands, 52 sites (28 with treated plan and 24 without treated plan) were selected. The non-parametric indices for species richness (Margalof, Menhinick, Jacknife and counting method) and species diversity (Simpson, Camargo, Smith and Wilson and modified Nee) were compared in ...
متن کاملProviding a essay about: study on the spatial pattern of biodiversity caused by implementing agroforestry methods
Forests are biologically diverse systems, representing some of the richest biological areas on Earth. They offer a variety of habitats for plants, animals and micro-organisms. However, forest biodiversity is increasingly threatened as a result of deforestation, fragmentation, climate change and other stressors. Biodiversity is the variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or on t...
متن کامل