scholarly journals Latitudinal gradient in the intensity of biotic interactions in terrestrial ecosystems: Sources of variation and differences from the diversity gradient revealed by meta‐analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena L. Zvereva ◽  
Mikhail V. Kozlov
Keyword(s):  
Latitudinal Gradient ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Diversity Gradient ◽  
Sources Of Variation

scholarly journals The latitudinal gradient in rates of evolution for bird beaks, a species interaction trait

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin G Freeman ◽  
Dolph Schluter ◽  
Joseph A Tobias
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Species Interaction ◽  
Temperate Zone ◽  
Ecological Opportunity ◽  
Evolutionary Diversification ◽  
Diversity Gradient ◽  
Rates Of Evolution ◽  
Speciation Rates ◽  
Beak Size

AbstractWhere is evolution fastest? The biotic interactions hypothesis proposes that greater species richness creates more ecological opportunity, driving faster evolution at low latitudes, whereas the “empty niches” hypothesis proposes that ecological opportunity is greater where diversity is low, spurring faster evolution at high latitudes. Here we tested these contrasting predictions by analyzing rates of bird beak evolution for a global dataset of 1141 sister pairs of birds. Beak size evolves at similar rates across latitudes, while beak shape evolves faster in the temperate zone, consistent with the empty niches hypothesis. We show in a meta-analysis that trait evolution and recent speciation rates are faster in the temperate zone, while rates of molecular evolution are slightly faster in the tropics. Our results suggest that drivers of evolutionary diversification are more potent at higher latitudes, thus calling into question multiple hypotheses invoking faster tropical evolution to explain the latitudinal diversity gradient.

scholarly journals Responses of nitrogen concentrations and pools to multiple environmental change drivers: A meta‐analysis across terrestrial ecosystems

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 690-724 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Yue ◽  
Yan Peng ◽  
Dario A. Fornara ◽  
Koenraad Van Meerbeek ◽  
Lars Vesterdal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Change ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Nitrogen Concentrations

scholarly journals Identifying appropriate sampling and modelling approaches for analysing distributional patterns of Antarctic terrestrial arthropods along the Victoria Land latitudinal gradient

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 742-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tancredi Caruso ◽  
Ian D. Hogg ◽  
Roberto Bargagli
Keyword(s):  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Terrestrial Arthropods ◽  
Victoria Land ◽  
Dispersal Capability ◽  
Modelling Techniques

AbstractBiotic communities in Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems are relatively simple and often lack higher trophic levels (e.g. predators); thus, it is often assumed that species’ distributions are mainly affected by abiotic factors such as climatic conditions, which change with increasing latitude, altitude and/or distance from the coast. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that factors other than geographical gradients affect the distribution of organisms with low dispersal capability such as the terrestrial arthropods. In Victoria Land (East Antarctica) the distribution of springtail (Collembola) and mite (Acari) species vary at scales that range from a few square centimetres to regional and continental. Different species show different scales of variation that relate to factors such as local geological and glaciological history, and biotic interactions, but only weakly with latitudinal/altitudinal gradients. Here, we review the relevant literature and outline more appropriate sampling designs as well as suitable modelling techniques (e.g. linear mixed models and eigenvector mapping), that will more adequately address and identify the range of factors responsible for the distribution of terrestrial arthropods in Antarctica.

scholarly journals A meta-analysis of global avian survival across species and latitude

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Micah N. Scholer ◽  
Matt Strimas-Mackey ◽  
Jill E. Jankowski
Keyword(s):  
Latitudinal Gradient ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Geographic Region ◽  
Passerine Birds ◽  
Tropical Birds ◽  
Model Predictions ◽  
Improved Model ◽  
Northern And Southern Hemispheres

AbstractTropical birds are purported to be longer lived than temperate species of similar size, but it has not been shown whether avian survival rates covary with a latitudinal gradient worldwide. Here, we perform a global-scale meta-analysis to investigate the extent of the latitudinal survival gradient. We modeled survival as a function of latitude for the separate northern and southern hemispheres, and considered phylogenetic relationships and extrinsic (climate) and intrinsic (life history) predictors hypothesized to moderate these effects. Using a database of 1,004 estimates from 246 studies of avian survival, we demonstrate that in general a latitudinal survival gradient exists in the northern hemisphere, is dampened or absent for southern hemisphere species, and that survival rates of passerine birds largely account for these trends. We found no indication that the extrinsic climate factors were better predictors of survival than latitude alone, but including species’ intrinsic traits improved model predictions. Notably, species with smaller clutch size and larger body mass showed higher survival. Our results illustrate that while some tropical birds may be longer lived than their temperate counterparts, the shape of the latitude-survival gradient differs by geographic region and is strongly influenced by species’ intrinsic traits.

Multiple feedbacks due to biotic interactions across trophic levels can lead to persistent novel conditions that hinder restoration.

2020 ◽  
pp. 402-420
Author(s):  
Stephanie G. Yelenik ◽  
Carla M. D'Antonio ◽  
Evan M. Rehm ◽  
Iain R. Caldwell
Keyword(s):  
Species Interactions ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Native Grasses ◽  
Positive Feedbacks ◽  
Mesic Forest ◽  
Management Context ◽  
Multiple Challenges

Abstract Unlike traditional successional theory, Alternate Stable Equilibrium (ASE) theory posits that more than one community state is possible in a single environment, depending on the order that species arrive. ASE theory is often invoked in management situations where initial stressors have been removed, but native-dominated communities are not returning to degraded areas. Fundamental to this theory is the assumption that equilibria are maintained by positive feedbacks between colonizers and their environment. While ASE has been relatively well studied in aquatic ecosystems, more complex terrestrial systems offer multiple challenges, including species interactions across trophic levels that can lead to multiple feedbacks. Here, we discuss ASE theory as it applies to terrestrial, invaded ecosystems, and detail a case study from Hawai'i that exemplifies how species interactions can favour the persistence of invaders, and how an understanding of interactions and feedbacks can be used to guide management. Our system includes intact native-dominated mesic forest and areas cleared for pasture, planted with non-native grasses, and later planted with a monoculture of a native nitrogen-fixing tree in an effort to restore forests. We discuss interactions between birds, understorey fruiting native species, understorey non-native grasses, soils and bryophytes in separate feedback mechanisms, and explain our efforts to identify which of these feedbacks is most important to address in a management context. Finally, we suggest that using models can help overcome some of the challenges that terrestrial ecosystems pose when studying ASE.

scholarly journals The Heritability of Behavior: A Meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 110 (4) ◽  
pp. 403-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ned A Dochtermann ◽  
Tori Schwab ◽  
Monica Anderson Berdal ◽  
Jeremy Dalos ◽  
Raphaël Royauté
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Life History ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Relative Effect ◽  
Biologically Relevant ◽  
Sources Of Variation ◽  
High Heritability ◽  
Relevant Factors

AbstractThe contribution of genetic variation to phenotypes is a central factor in whether and how populations respond to selection. The most common approach to estimating these influences is via the calculation of heritabilities, which summarize the contribution of genetic variation to phenotypic variation. Heritabilities also indicate the relative effect of genetic variation on phenotypes versus that of environmental sources of variation. For labile traits like behavioral responses, life history traits, and physiological responses, estimation of heritabilities is important as these traits are strongly influenced by the environment. Thus, knowing whether or not genetic variation is present within populations is necessary to understand whether or not these populations can evolve in response to selection. Here we report the results of a meta-analysis summarizing what we currently know about the heritability of behavior. Using phylogenetically controlled methods we assessed the average heritability of behavior (0.235)—which is similar to that reported in previous analyses of physiological and life history traits—and examined differences among taxa, behavioral classifications, and other biologically relevant factors. We found that there was considerable variation among behaviors as to how heritable they were, with migratory behaviors being the most heritable. Interestingly, we found no effect of phylogeny on estimates of heritability. These results suggest, first, that behavior may not be particularly unique in the degree to which it is influenced by factors other than genetics and, second, that those factors influencing whether a behavioral trait will have low or high heritability require further consideration.

scholarly journals Global meta-analysis shows pervasive phosphorus limitation of aboveground plant production in natural terrestrial ecosystems

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Enqing Hou ◽  
Yiqi Luo ◽  
Yuanwen Kuang ◽  
Chengrong Chen ◽  
Xiankai Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Phosphorus Limitation ◽  
Plant Production
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