Limiting similarity, niche filtering and functional diversity in coastal lagoon fish communities

The fundamental idea behind the study of biodiversity patterns is the presumed connection between the shape of species assemblages and the functional ways in which they are organized, this functional organization referring to how species are related to one another, as competitors or members of a web of interactions and to how species are facing similar environmental constraints. Amongst the different facets of biodiversity, functional diversity is certainly a key for ecosystem processes in coastal areas. However, surprisingly, patterns of functional diversity have received little attention until now. After presenting a common framework linking functional diversity patterns to species coexistence theories, the aim of our study was twofold: (1) to seek assembly rules in brackish lagoon fish communities drove by functional traits. To this aim we used null models to examine the influence of two opposing forces acting on community structure: interspecific competition that might prevent the coexistence of the most similar species, and environmental filters that might result in the most similar species to coexist. (2) To seek relationships between fish functional diversity and environmental gradients, if any. Fish sampling was carried out in two coastal lagoons where stations differ considerably in terms of physicochemical parameters. Using morphological functional traits, functional diversity of fish communities was estimated using two recently published indices as well as a new proposed index. Firstly our study was not able to demonstrate a limitation of similarity in coexisting lagoon fishes due to interspecific competition. Conversely our results support the niche filtering hypothesis preventing species too dissimilar from one another to co-occur at the same station. Secondly, salinity was positively related to the functional diversity of fishes in both lagoons suggesting that within species assemblages near the channel species are less redundant than at stations far from the channel where species tend to be functionally similar (benthic and eating zooplankton).     

Ecological Differences in the Distribution of two Tethya (Porifera, Demospongiae) Species Coexisting in a Mediterranean Coastal Lagoon

Abstract. In the Sicilian lagoon Stagnone di Marsala, Tethya aurantium and T. citrina show different ecological distributions, although some overlapping occurs. The first species reaches its highest density where linear currents are maximal, and in this habitat it is particularly frequent on Posidonia oceanica rhizomes. The second species is more abundant in still water locations and is equally common on Posidonia rhizomes and on calcareous concretions. Such distributions can be related to water movement, Posidonia shoot density, and associated factors such as sedimentation and food availability. These observations are consistent with an adaptive interpretation of the morphofunctional features distinguishing the two species.     

浙江南部近海主要鱼类的时空生态位及种间联结性

基于2016年8月(夏季)、11月(秋季)、2017年3月(冬季)、5月(春季)浙江南部近海的鱼类调查数据,利用生态位宽度、生态位重叠、聚类分析、方差比率法、卡方检验、联结系数以及种对共同出现百分率对主要鱼类种间关系进行研究.结果表明:(1)调查共采集鱼类169种,主要鱼类共有26种;(2)在空间维度上,日本鲭(Sco...     

Multi-source spatial data-based invasion risk modeling of Striga (Striga asiatica) in Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT

Monitoring of destructive invasive weeds such as those from the genus Striga requires accurate, near real-time predictions and integrated assessment techniques to enable better surveillance and consistent assessment initiatives. Thus, in this study, we predicted the potential ecological niche of Striga (Striga asiatica) weed in Zimbabwe, to identify and understand its propagation and map potentially vulnerable cropping areas. Vegetation phenology from remote sensing, bioclimatic and other environmental variables (i.e. cropping system, edaphic, land surface temperature, and terrain) were used as predictors. Six machine learning modeling techniques and the ensemble model were evaluated on their suitability to predict current and future Striga weed distributional patterns. The mentioned predictors (n = 40) were integrated into six models with “presence-only” training and evaluation data, collected in Zimbabwe over the period between the 12^th and 28^th of March 2018. The area under the curve (AUC) and true skill statistic (TSS) were used to measure the performance of the Striga modeling framework. The results showed that the ensemble model had the strongest Striga occurrence predictive power (AUC = 0.98; TSS = 0.93) when compared to the other modeling algorithms. Temperature seasonality (Bio4), the maximum temperature of the warmest month (Bio5) and precipitation seasonality (Bio15) were determined to be the most dominant bioclimatic variables influencing Striga occurrence. “Start of the season” and “season minimum value” of the “Enhanced Vegetation Index base value” were the most relevant remote sensing-based variables. Based on projected climate change scenarios, the study showed that up to 2050, the suitable area for Striga propagation will increase by ~ 0.73% in Zimbabwe. The present work demonstrated the importance of integrating multi-source data in predicting possible crop production restraints due to weed propagation. The results can enhance national preparedness and management strategies, specifically, if the current and future risk areas can be identified for early intervention and containment     

生态位理论与方法在城市研究中的应用

引入生态学重要基础理论生态位理论,认为其在城市研究中有重要作用。表现在:生态位态势变化及生态位大小能够反映城市一般发展规律和城市特征,生态位适宜度可为城市经济发展方式的选择提供依据,生态势理论有助于城市发展动力机制的解释,生态位扩充则是城市空间结构发展和演化的生态学解释,而生态位重叠和分离理论对城市产业布局及其调整有很好的指导作用。     

沙区植物生态位构建的数学模型及其应用研究

生态位构建理论是对生态位研究的新进展.以沙区植物梭梭为研究对象,从进化生态学角度探讨了沙区植物生态位构建机理,扩展了生态位构建的概念,建立了沙区植物种生态位的n维"超体积"构建模式、构建作用的动力学模型及适宜度计测公式.实例分析表明:梭梭的生态位构建作用主要表现在干旱环境的适应性特征上,它能改变和营建局部环境,其多枝的形态结构与叶面生理代谢特征,能有效地截留降水、富集养分在根部土壤中发育为肥岛.计算结果显示,在种植密度梯度上,随着营林密度的减少,其构建动力和适宜度呈上升趋势,试验条件下密度为518株*hm-2时具有最大的构建动力和最高适宜度值,这为梭梭人工林营建提供了定量依据.     

腾格里沙漠生态系统不同固沙方式下昆虫群落的生态位分异研究

利用样方法研究了腾格里沙漠生态系统无脊椎动物的群落组成和以生活方式划分的功能群的特征,并计算了主要动物类群的生态位宽度及各类群间的生态位重叠.结果表明:不同的沙地固定方式下,动物群落的演替方向不同.油蒿(Artemisia ordosica)是优势动物类群的主要食物资源和生活场所,其他动物类群数尽管较多,但个体数量和生物量是相对较低的.从功能群的角度出发,蛀根性昆虫种类在整个动物群落中占有重要地位.在A区中蛀根性昆虫种类仅发现有吉丁甲科和象甲科昆虫幼虫,与B、C、D区比较,无蠹蛾科幼虫寄生,并且其根被蛀的程度和寄生率也较轻,夜蛾科幼虫在A区亦无分布.生态位重叠的计算结果并不显示在生活习性相同或相似的动物类群之间有较大的生态位重叠.     

辽东山地老秃顶子古冰缘地貌植物种群生态位特征

基于48块样地的群落调查数据,以样地代表多种资源的综合状态,以物种重要值作为生态位计测的状态指标,采用Levins指数与Schoener指数,对辽东山地老秃顶子古冰缘地貌植物群落乔木层、灌木层及草本层植物的生态位特征进行了系统研究。结果表明：① 乔木层内臭冷杉（Abies nephrolepis）生态位宽度最大,为泛化乔木种;臭冷杉与长白鱼鳞云杉（Picea jezoensis var. komarovii）的生态位重叠值高达0.616,共优生存于暗针叶林中。② 灌木层内生态位宽度较大的狗枣猕猴桃（Actinidia kolomikta）、单花忍冬（Lonicera subhispida）、大翅卫矛（Euonymus macropterus）和关东丁香（Syringa velutina）为落叶阔叶林和针阔混交林下的泛化种;狗枣猕猴桃与单花忍冬的生态位重叠值高达0.610。③ 草本层内生态位宽度较大的东北羊角芹（Aegopodium alpestre）、荨麻叶龙头草（Meehania urticifolia）、酢浆草（Oxalis corniculata）为研究区泛化草本植物;东北羊角芹与荨麻叶龙头草的生态位重叠值高达0.702。     

冻融期包头南海湖浮游植物群落及优势种生态特征

为了探究包头南海湖浮游植物群落特征和物种与生境之间的关系,于2018年11月和2019年1月、3月分别对南海湖浮游植物群落结构进行调查分析,得出南海湖冻融期浮游植物群落结构为绿藻硅藻蓝藻型使用改进的Levins公式和Petraitis指数测定了南海湖冻融期优势种的生态位量度结果显示:在不同生境条件下,物种生态位宽度存在季节性变化,同样,生态位重叠也随季节变化而变化随着湖面冰冻,多数浮游植物生态位宽度有所下降;结冰期生态位重叠程度最高,融冰期生态位重叠程度最低综合冻融过程优势藻种生态特征,绿藻门的四尾栅藻(Scenedesmus quadricauda)是冻融过程中最主要优势种,优势度、密度、生态位量度均优于其他优势藻种,能充分利用环境资源,更具竞争力优势种与环境因子的灰关联分析显示,p H是影响浮游植物优势种数量的主要相关因子.