Heterogeneity within and among co-occurring foundation species increases biodiversity

Thomsen, MS, Altieri, AH, Angelini, C, Bishop, MJ, Bulleri, F, Farhan, R, Frühling, VMM, Gribben, PE, Harrison, SB, He, Q, Klinghardt, M, Langeneck, J, Lanham, BS, Mondardini, L, Mulders, Y, Oleksyn, S, Ramus, AP, Schiel, DR, Schneider, T, Siciliano, A, Silliman, BR, Smale, DA, South, PM, Wernberg, T, Zhang, S and Zotz, G 2022 Heterogeneity within and among co-occurring foundation species increases biodiversity. Nature Communications, 13, 581. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-28194-y

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Abstract/Summary

Habitat heterogeneity is considered a primary causal driver underpinning patterns of diversity, yet the universal role of heterogeneity in structuring biodiversity is unclear due to a lack of coordinated experiments testing its effects across geographic scales and habitat types. Furthermore, key species interactions that can enhance heterogeneity, such as facilitation cascades of foundation species, have been largely overlooked in general biodiversity models. Here, we performed 22 geographically distributed experiments in different ecosystems and biogeographical regions to assess the extent to which variation in biodiversity is explained by three axes of habitat heterogeneity: the amount of habitat, its morphological complexity, and capacity to provide ecological resources (e.g. food) within and between co-occurring foundation species. We show that positive and additive effects across the three axes of heterogeneity are common, providing a compelling mechanistic insight into the universal importance of habitat heterogeneity in promoting biodiversity via cascades of facilitative interactions. Because many aspects of habitat heterogeneity can be controlled through restoration and management interventions, our findings are directly relevant to biodiversity conservation.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Additional Keywords:	Biodiversity, Biogeography, Community Ecology, Heterogeneity
Subjects:	Biology Ecology and Environment Marine Sciences
Divisions:	Marine Biological Association of the UK > Other (MBA)
Depositing User:	Tamar Atkinson
Date made live:	29 Apr 2022 15:33
Last Modified:	29 Apr 2022 15:33
URI:	https://plymsea.ac.uk/id/eprint/9655

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