Scale-dependent diversity patterns affect spider assemblages of two contrasting forest ecosystems
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In: Acta Oecologica, Vol. 49, 05.2013, p. 17-22.
Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Scale-dependent diversity patterns affect spider assemblages of two contrasting forest ecosystems
AU - Schuldt, Andreas
AU - Aßmann, Thorsten
AU - Schaefer, Matthias
PY - 2013/5
Y1 - 2013/5
N2 - Spiders are important generalist predators in forests. However, differences in assemblage structure and diversity can have consequences for their functional impact. Such differences are particularly evident across latitudes, and their analysis can help to generate a better understanding of region-specific characteristics of predator assemblages. Here, we analyse the relationships between species richness, family richness and functional diversity (FD) as well as α- and β-components of epigeic spider diversity in semi-natural temperate and subtropical forest sites. As expected, within-plot and overall spider species and family richness were higher in the subtropical plots. In contrast, local FD within plots was similar between sites, and differences in FD only became evident at larger spatial scales due to higher species turnover in the subtropical forests. Our study indicates that the functional effects of predator assemblages can change across spatial scales. We discuss how differences in richness and functional diversity between contrasting forest ecosystems can depend on environmental heterogeneity and the effects of species filters acting at local scales. The high turnover observed in the species-rich subtropical forests also requires a more regional perspective for the conservation of the overall diversity and the ecological functions of predators than in less diverse forests, as strategies need to account for the large spatial heterogeneity among plots.
AB - Spiders are important generalist predators in forests. However, differences in assemblage structure and diversity can have consequences for their functional impact. Such differences are particularly evident across latitudes, and their analysis can help to generate a better understanding of region-specific characteristics of predator assemblages. Here, we analyse the relationships between species richness, family richness and functional diversity (FD) as well as α- and β-components of epigeic spider diversity in semi-natural temperate and subtropical forest sites. As expected, within-plot and overall spider species and family richness were higher in the subtropical plots. In contrast, local FD within plots was similar between sites, and differences in FD only became evident at larger spatial scales due to higher species turnover in the subtropical forests. Our study indicates that the functional effects of predator assemblages can change across spatial scales. We discuss how differences in richness and functional diversity between contrasting forest ecosystems can depend on environmental heterogeneity and the effects of species filters acting at local scales. The high turnover observed in the species-rich subtropical forests also requires a more regional perspective for the conservation of the overall diversity and the ecological functions of predators than in less diverse forests, as strategies need to account for the large spatial heterogeneity among plots.
KW - Ecosystems Research
KW - BEF China
KW - Beta-diversity
KW - Ecosystem function
KW - Latitude
KW - Plant diversity
KW - Predators
KW - Spatial scale
KW - Turnover
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84875494145&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.actao.2013.02.009
DO - 10.1016/j.actao.2013.02.009
M3 - Journal articles
VL - 49
SP - 17
EP - 22
JO - Acta Oecologica
JF - Acta Oecologica
SN - 1146-609X
ER -