scholarly journals Midge distribution patterns at multiple spatial scales in shallow Finnish lakes revealed through sedimentary records

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomi Luoto ◽  
Liisa Nevalainen ◽  
Veli-Pekka Salonen
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Sedimentary Records ◽  
Multiple Spatial Scales ◽  
Eastern Finland

This study was based on sedimentarymidge (Diptera:Nematocera) assemblages from multilake datasets along environmental transects from Finland (regional), southern Finland (semiregional), and Helsinki district (local) and an intralake dataset from eastern Finland (site-specific). The aim was to examine scale-dependencies in midge distribution. The results imply that distribution and abundance of midge taxa are related to scale: on the regional scale the forcing factors are related to prevailing climate conditions, on semiregional scale they are related to water quality, on more local scales predation pressure is the key variable and on site-specific scales habitat characteristics determine the species assemblages. Although the number of study siteswas not equal and not all environmental parameters were possible to measure fromall spatial scales, it is apparent that caution is required in midge-based environmental assessments, because changes in faunal composition are driven by factors operating at different spatial scales.

scholarly journals Are Distribution Patterns Correlated with Plant Traits?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Benjamin Magana-Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Multiple Scales ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Scaling Relationship

<p>The current crisis in loss of biodiversity requires rapid action. Knowledge of species' distribution patterns across scales is of high importance in determining their current status. However, species display many different distribution patterns on multiple scales. A positive relationship between regional (broad-scale) distribution and local abundance (fine-scale) of species is almost a constant pattern in macroecology. Nevertheless interspecific relationships typically contain much scatter. For example, species that possess high local abundance and narrow ranges, or species that are widespread, but locally rare. One way to describe these spatial features of distribution patterns is by analysing the scaling properties of occupancy (e.g., aggregation) in combination with knowledge of the processes that are generating the specific spatial pattern (e.g., reproduction, dispersal, and colonisation). The main goal of my research was to investigate if distribution patterns correlate with plant life-history traits across multiple scales. First, I compared the performance of five empirical models for their ability to describe the scaling relationship of occupancy in two datasets from Molesworth Station, New Zealand. Secondly, I analysed the association between spatial patterns and life history traits at two spatial scales in an assemblage of 46 grassland species in Molesworth Station. The spatial arrangement was quantified using the parameter k from the Negative Binomial Distribution (NBD). Finally, I investigated the same association between spatial patterns and life-history traits across local, regional and national scales, focusing in one of the most diverse families of plant species in New Zealand, the Veronica sect. Hebe (Plantaginaceae). The spatial arrangement was investigated using the mass fractal dimension. Cross-species correlations and phylogenetically independent contrasts were used to investigate the relationships between plant life-history traits and spatial patterns on both data bases. There was no superior occupancy-area model overall for describing the scaling relationship, however the results showed that a variety of occupancy-area models can be fit to different data sets at diverse spatial scales using nonlinear regression. Additionally, here I showed that it is possible to deduce and extrapolate information on occupancy at fine scales from coarse-scale data. For the 46 plantassemblage in Molesworth Station, Specific leaf area (SLA) exhibits a positive association with aggregation in cross-species analysis, while leaf area showed a negative association, and dispersule mass a positive correlation with degree of aggregation in phylogenetic contrast analysis at a local-scale (20 × 20 m resolution). Plant height was the only life-history trait that was associated with degree of aggregation at a regional-scale (100 × 60 mresolution). For the Veronica sect. Hebe dataset, leaf area showed a positive correlation with aggregation while specific leaf area showed a negative correlation with aggregation at a fine local-scale (2.5-60 m resolution). Inflorescence length, breeding system and leaf area showed a negative correlation with degree of aggregation at a regional-scale (2.5-20 km resolution). Height was positively associated with aggregation at national-scale (20-100 km resolution). Although life-history traits showed low predictive ability in explaining aggregation throughout this thesis, there was a general pattern about which processes and traits were important at different scales. At local scales traits related to dispersal and completion such as SLA , leaf area, dispersule mass and the presence of structures in seeds for dispersal, were important; while at regional scales traits related to reproduction such as breeding system, inflorescence length and traits related to dispersal (seed mass) were significant. At national scales only plant height was important in predicting aggregation. Here, it was illustrated how the parameters of these scaling models capture an important aspect of spatial pattern that can be related to other macroecological relationships and the life-history traits of species. This study shows that when several scales of analysis are considered, we can improve our understanding about the factors that are related to species' distribution patterns.</p>

scholarly journals Exploring copepod distribution patterns at three nested spatial scales in a spring system: habitat partitioning and potential for hydrological bioindication

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Stoch ◽  
Barbara Fiasca ◽  
Tiziana Di Lorenzo ◽  
Silvano Porfirio ◽  
Marco Petitta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Relative Role ◽  
Sediment Texture ◽  
Vertical Scale ◽  
Geomorphic Features ◽  
Spring System ◽  
Isotope Analyses

<p>In groundwater-fed springs, habitat characteristics are primarily determined by a complex combination of geomorphic features and physico-chemical parameters, while species assemblages are even more intricate. Springs host species either inhabiting the spring mouth, or colonizing spring habitats from the surface or from the aquifers which feed the springs. Groundwater species living in springs have been claimed as good candidates for identifying dual aquifer flowpaths or changes in groundwater pathways before reaching the spring outlets. However, the reliability of spring species as hydrological biotracers has not been widely investigated so far. Our study was aimed at analysing a large karstic spring system at three nested spatial scales in order: i) to assess, at whole spring system scale, the presence of a groundwater divide separating two aquifers feeding two spring units within a single spring system, by combining isotope analyses, physico-chemistry, and copepod distribution patterns; ii) to test, at vertical spring system scale, the effectiveness of copepods in discriminating surface and subsurface habitat patches within the complex mosaic spring environment; iii) to explore, at local spring unit level, the relative role of hydrochemistry and sediment texture as describers of copepod distribution among microhabitats. The results obtained demonstrated the presence of a hierarchical spatial structure, interestingly reflected in significant differences in assemblage compositions. Copepod assemblages differed between the two contiguous spring units, which were clearly characterized by their hydrochemistry and by significant differences in the groundwater flowpaths and recharge areas, as derived by the isotope analyses. The biological results suggested that stygobiotic species seem to be related to the origin of groundwater, suggesting their potential role as hydrological biotracers. At vertical scale, assemblage composition in surface and subsurface habitats was significantly different, both between spring units and among microhabitats, supporting strong habitat preferences of copepod species. At the smaller local scale, the response to habitat patchiness of subsurface copepod assemblages resulted in distribution patterns primarily defined by sediment texture, while the sensitivity to differences in hydrochemistry was negligible.</p>

scholarly journals Relative importance of habitat characteristics at multiple spatial scales for wood-dependent beetles in boreal forest

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 1931-1942 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Ranius ◽  
Victor Johansson ◽  
Martin Schroeder ◽  
Alexandro Caruso
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Multiple Spatial Scales

scholarly journals Invasion Dynamics of A Termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, at Different Spatial Scales in France

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Elfie Perdereau ◽  
Guillaume Baudouin ◽  
Stéphanie Bankhead-Dronnet ◽  
Zoé Chevalier ◽  
Marie Zimmermann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
18Th Century ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Atlantic Coast ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Reticulitermes Flavipes ◽  
Railway Network ◽  
Invasion Dynamics ◽  
Large Colony

Termites are social insects that can also be major pests. A well-known problem species is the subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes. It is invasive in France and is thought to have arrived from Louisiana during the 18th century. While the putative source of French populations has been identified, little is known about how the termite spread following its establishment. Here, we examined expansion patterns at different spatial scales in urban areas to clarify how R. flavipes spread in France. Based on our analyses of phylogeography and population genetics, results suggest a scenario of successive introductions into the Charente-Maritime region, on the Atlantic Coast. Two major expansion fronts formed: one that spread toward the northeast and the other toward the southeast. At the regional scale, different spatial and genetic distribution patterns were observed: there was heterogeneity in Île-de-France and aggregation in Centre-Val de Loire. At the local scale, we found that our three focal urban sites each formed a single large colony that contained several secondary reproductives. Our findings represent a second step in efforts to reconstruct termite’s invasion dynamics. They also highlight the role that may have been played by the French railway network in transporting termites over long distances.

scholarly journals Are Distribution Patterns Correlated with Plant Traits?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Benjamin Magana-Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Multiple Scales ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Scaling Relationship

<p>The current crisis in loss of biodiversity requires rapid action. Knowledge of species' distribution patterns across scales is of high importance in determining their current status. However, species display many different distribution patterns on multiple scales. A positive relationship between regional (broad-scale) distribution and local abundance (fine-scale) of species is almost a constant pattern in macroecology. Nevertheless interspecific relationships typically contain much scatter. For example, species that possess high local abundance and narrow ranges, or species that are widespread, but locally rare. One way to describe these spatial features of distribution patterns is by analysing the scaling properties of occupancy (e.g., aggregation) in combination with knowledge of the processes that are generating the specific spatial pattern (e.g., reproduction, dispersal, and colonisation). The main goal of my research was to investigate if distribution patterns correlate with plant life-history traits across multiple scales. First, I compared the performance of five empirical models for their ability to describe the scaling relationship of occupancy in two datasets from Molesworth Station, New Zealand. Secondly, I analysed the association between spatial patterns and life history traits at two spatial scales in an assemblage of 46 grassland species in Molesworth Station. The spatial arrangement was quantified using the parameter k from the Negative Binomial Distribution (NBD). Finally, I investigated the same association between spatial patterns and life-history traits across local, regional and national scales, focusing in one of the most diverse families of plant species in New Zealand, the Veronica sect. Hebe (Plantaginaceae). The spatial arrangement was investigated using the mass fractal dimension. Cross-species correlations and phylogenetically independent contrasts were used to investigate the relationships between plant life-history traits and spatial patterns on both data bases. There was no superior occupancy-area model overall for describing the scaling relationship, however the results showed that a variety of occupancy-area models can be fit to different data sets at diverse spatial scales using nonlinear regression. Additionally, here I showed that it is possible to deduce and extrapolate information on occupancy at fine scales from coarse-scale data. For the 46 plantassemblage in Molesworth Station, Specific leaf area (SLA) exhibits a positive association with aggregation in cross-species analysis, while leaf area showed a negative association, and dispersule mass a positive correlation with degree of aggregation in phylogenetic contrast analysis at a local-scale (20 × 20 m resolution). Plant height was the only life-history trait that was associated with degree of aggregation at a regional-scale (100 × 60 mresolution). For the Veronica sect. Hebe dataset, leaf area showed a positive correlation with aggregation while specific leaf area showed a negative correlation with aggregation at a fine local-scale (2.5-60 m resolution). Inflorescence length, breeding system and leaf area showed a negative correlation with degree of aggregation at a regional-scale (2.5-20 km resolution). Height was positively associated with aggregation at national-scale (20-100 km resolution). Although life-history traits showed low predictive ability in explaining aggregation throughout this thesis, there was a general pattern about which processes and traits were important at different scales. At local scales traits related to dispersal and completion such as SLA , leaf area, dispersule mass and the presence of structures in seeds for dispersal, were important; while at regional scales traits related to reproduction such as breeding system, inflorescence length and traits related to dispersal (seed mass) were significant. At national scales only plant height was important in predicting aggregation. Here, it was illustrated how the parameters of these scaling models capture an important aspect of spatial pattern that can be related to other macroecological relationships and the life-history traits of species. This study shows that when several scales of analysis are considered, we can improve our understanding about the factors that are related to species' distribution patterns.</p>

scholarly journals Morphological traits – desiccation resistance – habitat characteristics: a possible key for distribution in woodlice (Isopoda, Oniscidea)

ZooKeys ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 801 ◽  
pp. 481-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diána Csonka ◽  
Katalin Halasy ◽  
Krisztina Buczkó ◽  
Elisabeth Hornung
Keyword(s):  
Species Distribution ◽  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Desiccation Resistance ◽  
Phylogenetic Relations ◽  
Species Tolerance ◽  
Cuticle Thickness

Terrestrial isopods, as successful colonizers of land habitats, show a great variety in species distribution patterns on a global, continental, or regional scale. On a local, within-habitat level these patterns reflect the species’ tolerance limits and the presence of suitable hiding places (shelter sites, refugia). Humidity preference reflects a species’ capability for water retention which, in turn, depends on the integumental barrier. Desiccation resistance is a key feature in isopod survival under different environmental conditions. The present study shows a correlation between cuticle thickness and desiccation resistance under three relative humidity (RH) ranges (about 30, 75 and 100% RH) in nine species, relating these to the species’ differences in meso- and microhabitat choices. Habitat preferences are also associated with differences in cuticle surface morphology. The results support our hypothesis that species distribution and desiccation resistance are associated with particular cuticular morphological traits. Phylogenetic relations seem to be less important in desiccation resistance than cuticle thickness and external morphology.

scholarly journals Modeling forest lines and forest distribution patterns with remote-sensing data in a mountainous region of semiarid central Asia

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2893-2905 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Klinge ◽  
J. Böhner ◽  
S. Erasmi
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Tien Shan ◽  
Slope Aspect ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Investigation Area ◽  
Forest Limit ◽  
Forest Distribution

Abstract. Satellite images and digital elevation models provide an excellent database to analyze forest distribution patterns and forest limits in the mountain regions of semiarid central Asia on the regional scale. For the investigation area in the northern Tien Shan, a strong relationship between forest distribution and climate conditions could be found. Additionally areas of potential human impact on forested areas are identified at lower elevations near the edge of the mountains based on an analysis of the differences in climatic preconditions and the present occurrence of forest stands. The distribution of spruce (Picea schrenkiana) forests is hydrologically limited by a minimum annual precipitation of 250 mm and thermally by a minimum monthly mean temperature of 5 °C during the growing season. While the actual lower forest limit increases from 1600 m a.s.l. (above sea level) in the northwest to 2600 m a.s.l. in the southeast, the upper forest limit rises in the same direction from 1800 m a.s.l. to 2900 m a.s.l.. In accordance with the main wind directions, the steepest gradient of both forest lines and the greatest local vertical extent of the forest belt of 500 to 600 m to a maximum of 900 m occur at the northern and western mountain fronts. The forests in the investigation area are strongly restricted to north-facing slopes, which is a common feature in semiarid central Asia. Based on the presumption that variations in local climate conditions are a function of topography, the potential forest extent was analyzed with regard to the parameters slope, aspect, solar radiation input and elevation. All four parameters showed a strong relationship to forest distribution, yielding a total potential forest area that is 3.5 times larger than the present forest remains of 502 km2.

scholarly journals Small to large-scale patterns of ground-dwelling spider (Araneae) diversity across northern Canada

FACETS ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 880-895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Loboda ◽  
Christopher M. Buddle
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Sampling Design ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Longitudinal Patterns ◽  
Northern Canada ◽  
Multiple Spatial Scales ◽  
Spatial Influence ◽  
Total Species

We examined how Arctic spider (Araneae) biodiversity is distributed at multiple spatial scales in northern Canada using a standardized hierarchical sampling design. We investigated which drivers, environmental or spatial, influence the patterns observed. Spatial patterns of Arctic spider species richness and composition were assessed in 12 sites located in arctic, subarctic, and north boreal ecoclimatic regions, spanning 30 degrees of latitude and 80 degrees of longitude. Variation in diversity was partitioned in relation to multiple environmental and spatial drivers of diversity patterns. Over 23 000 adult spiders, representing 306 species in 14 families, were collected in northern Canada, with 107 species (35% of the total species collected) representing new territorial or provincial records. Spider diversity was structured at the regional scale across ecoclimatic regions but was not structured with latitude. Longitudinal patterns of spider diversity across Canada may be explained by post-glacial dispersal. At local scales, diversity was non-randomly distributed and possibly limited by biotic interactions. We recommend the use of ecoclimatic regions as a framework for conservation of biodiversity in northern Canada and spiders as useful bioindicators that can help us understand the effects of climate change across ecoclimatic regions of northern Canada.

Influences of sociality and habitat on African mole-rat burrowing patterns

2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (8) ◽  
pp. 1051-1058 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie S Romañach
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Resource Availability ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Subterranean Rodents ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Multiple Spatial Scales ◽  
Social Species ◽  
Mole Rat

The movement choices that animals make are influenced by many factors including resource availability, which in turn can affect whether the animals search for resources alone or in groups. Subterranean rodents are ideal for examining movement paths because they create burrows that persist for extended periods and thus serve as records of movement. African mole-rat species (Bathyergidae) are solitary, social, or eusocial, and inhabit a variety of habitat types. In this study, mole-rat burrowing patterns were examined by analyzing the spatial patterns of the soil mounds that they create as they burrow. Mound spatial patterns were examined for solitary and social species occurring in two habitats, which differed in rainfall, soil moisture, and vegetation availability. Examination of mound spatial patterns at multiple spatial scales revealed that mounds of single burrow systems were clustered at small spatial scales (<6 m), while mounds were not clustered at the larger spatial scales of the entire burrow systems. Spatial patterns of mounds did not differ in relation to sociality or habitat characteristics. These findings, as well as evidence from other taxa, may suggest common burrowing strategies for subterranean rodents.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document