Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1002/ecy.1833
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Title (Primary) Habitat size modulates the influence of heterogeneity on species richness patterns in a model zooplankton community
Author Schuler, M.S.; Chase, J.M.; Knight, T.M.
Source Titel Ecology
Year 2017
Department BZF; iDiv
Volume 98
Issue 6
Page From 1651
Page To 1659
Language englisch
Supplements https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/downloadSupplement?doi=10.1002%2Fecy.1833&attachmentId=2192731020
https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/downloadSupplement?doi=10.1002%2Fecy.1833&file=ecy1833-sup-0001-TableS1-S3.docx
Keywords gambusia affinis; habitat fragmentation; habitat loss; heterogeneity diversity relationship; homogenization; mesocosms
UFZ wide themes RU1;
Abstract Habitat heterogeneity is a primary mechanism influencing species richness. Despite the general expectation that increased heterogeneity should increase species richness, there is considerable variation in the observed relationship, including many studies that show negative effects of heterogeneity on species richness. One mechanism that can create such disparate results is the predicted trade-off between habitat area and heterogeneity, sometimes called the area-heterogeneity-trade-off (AHTO) hypothesis. The AHTO hypothesis predicts positive effects of heterogeneity on species richness in large habitats, but negative effects in small habitats. We examined the interplay between habitat size and habitat heterogeneity in experimental mesocosms that mimic freshwater ponds, and measured responses in a species-rich zooplankton community. We used the AHTO hypothesis and related mechanisms to make predictions about how heterogeneity would affect species richness and diversity in large compared to small habitats. We found that heterogeneity had a positive influence on species richness in large, but not small habitats, and that this likely resulted because habitat specialists were able to persist only when habitat size was sufficiently large, consistent with the predictions of the AHTO hypothesis. Our results emphasize the importance of considering context (e.g., habitat size in this case) when investigating the relative importance of ecological drivers of diversity, like heterogeneity.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=18910
Schuler, M.S., Chase, J.M., Knight, T.M. (2017):
Habitat size modulates the influence of heterogeneity on species richness patterns in a model zooplankton community
Ecology 98 (6), 1651 - 1659 10.1002/ecy.1833