Temporal homogenization of functional and beta diversity in bird communities of the Swiss Alps

Vicente García‐Navas; Thomas Sattler; Hans Schmid; Arpat Ozgul

doi:10.1111/ddi.13076

Urbanization and the temporal homogenization of bird communities: a case study in central Argentina

Urban Ecosystems ◽

10.1007/s11252-015-0469-1 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 1461-1476 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Lucas M. Leveau ◽

Federico I. Isla ◽

María I. Bellocq

Keyword(s):

Bird Communities ◽

Central Argentina ◽

Temporal Homogenization

Download Full-text

Are cities different? Patterns of species richness and beta diversity of urban bird communities and regional species assemblages in Europe

Global Ecology and Biogeography ◽

10.1111/geb.12130 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 23 (4) ◽

pp. 479-489 ◽

Cited By ~ 62

Author(s):

Michal Ferenc ◽

Ondřej Sedláček ◽

Roman Fuchs ◽

Marco Dinetti ◽

Maurizio Fraissinet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Beta Diversity ◽

Bird Communities ◽

Species Assemblages ◽

Urban Bird

Download Full-text

Dominant shrub species are a strong predictor of plant species diversity along subalpine pasture-shrub transects

Alpine Botany ◽

10.1007/s00035-020-00241-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 130 (2) ◽

pp. 141-156

Author(s):

Tobias Zehnder ◽

Andreas Lüscher ◽

Carmen Ritzmann ◽

Caren M. Pauler ◽

Joel Berard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Plant Species ◽

Plant Diversity ◽

Beta Diversity ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

Strong Predictor ◽

Shrub Encroachment ◽

Swiss Alps ◽

Shrub Cover ◽

Shrub Species

Abstract Abandonment of pastures and successional shrub expansion are widespread in European mountain regions. Moderate shrub encroachment is perceived beneficial for plant diversity by adding new species without outcompeting existing ones, yet systematic evidence is missing. We surveyed vegetation along 24 transects from open pasture into shrubland across the Swiss Alps using a new protocol distinguishing different spatial scales, shrub cover of each plot (2 × 2 m) and larger-scale zonal cover along the transect. Data were analysed using generalized linear models of shrub cover, shrub species and environmental conditions, such as geology, aspect or soil. Most shrub communities were dominated by Alnus viridis (62% of transects) and Pinus mugo (25%), and the rest by other shrub species (13%). These dominant shrub species explained vegetation response to shrub cover well, without need of environmental variables in the model. Compared to open pasture, A. viridis resulted in an immediate linear decline in plant species richness and a marginal increase in beta-diversity (maximally + 10% at 35% cover). Dense A. viridis hosted 62% less species than open pasture. In P. mugo, species richness remained stable until 40% shrub cover and dropped thereafter; beta-diversity peaked at 35% cover. Hence, scattered P. mugo increases beta-diversity without impairing species richness. In transects dominated by other shrubs, species richness and beta-diversity peaked at 40–60% shrub cover (+ 23% both). A. viridis reduced species richness in a larger area around the shrubs than P. mugo. Therefore, effects of shrub encroachment on plant diversity cannot be generalized and depend on dominant shrub species.

Download Full-text

High elevation bird communities in the Swiss Alps exhibit reduced fecundity and lifespan independently of phylogenetic effects

Biodiversity and Conservation ◽

10.1007/s10531-021-02127-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 991-1010

Author(s):

Vicente García-Navas ◽

Thomas Sattler ◽

Hans Schmid ◽

Arpat Ozgul

Keyword(s):

High Elevation ◽

Bird Communities ◽

Swiss Alps ◽

Phylogenetic Effects

Download Full-text

Partitioning beta diversity to untangle mechanisms underlying the assembly of bird communities in Mediterranean olive groves

Diversity and Distributions ◽

10.1111/ddi.13445 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Vicente García‐Navas ◽

Carlos Martínez‐Núñez ◽

Rubén Tarifa ◽

José L. Molina‐Pardo ◽

Francisco Valera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Beta Diversity ◽

Bird Communities ◽

Olive Groves

Download Full-text

Functional evenness of bird communities varies along the elevational gradient in Europe: Conservation implications

10.32942/osf.io/sx9n8 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Federico Morelli ◽

Yanina

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Elevation Gradient ◽

Bird Species ◽

Elevational Gradient ◽

Negative Association ◽

Bird Communities ◽

Breeding Bird ◽

Bird Species Richness ◽

Large Spatial Scale ◽

Functional Evenness

ContextThe negative association between elevation and species richness is a well-recognized pattern in macro-ecology. ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate changes in functional evenness of breeding bird communities along an elevation gradient in Europe. MethodsUsing the bird data from the EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds we estimated an index of functional evenness which can be assumed as a measure of the potential resilience of communities.ResultsOur findings confirm the existence of a negative association between elevation and bird species richness in all European eco regions. However, we also explored a novel aspect of this relationship, important for conservation: Our findings provide evidence at large spatial scale of a negative association between the functional evenness (potential community resilience) and elevation, independent of the eco region. We also found that the Natura2000 protected areas covers the territory most in need of protection, those characterized by bird communities with low potential resilience, in hilly and mountainous areas.ConclusionsThese results draw attention to European areas occupied by bird communities characterized by a potential lower capacity to respond to strong ecological changes, and, therefore, potentially more exposed to risks for conservation.

Download Full-text