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Aim Alpine ecosystems differ in area, macroenvironment and biogeographical history across the Earth, but the relationship between these factors and plant species richness is still unexplored. Here, we assess the global patterns of plant species richness in alpine ecosystems and their association with environmental, geographical and historical factors at regional and community scales. Location Global. Time period Data collected between 1923 and 2019. Major taxa studied Vascular plants. Methods We used a dataset representative of global alpine vegetation, consisting of 8,928 plots sampled within 26 ecoregions and six biogeographical realms, to estimate regional richness using sample‐based rarefaction and extrapolation. Then, we evaluated latitudinal patterns of regional and community richness with generalized additive models. Using environmental, geographical and historical predictors from global raster layers, we modelled regional and community richness in a mixed‐effect modelling framework. Results The latitudinal pattern of regional richness peaked around the equator and at mid‐latitudes, in response to current and past alpine area, isolation and the variation in soil pH among regions. At the community level, species richness peaked at mid‐latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, despite a considerable within‐region variation. Community richness was related to macroclimate and historical predictors, with strong effects of other spatially structured factors. Main conclusions In contrast to the well‐known latitudinal diversity gradient, the alpine plant species richness of some temperate regions in Eurasia was comparable to that of hyperdiverse tropical ecosystems, such as the páramo. The species richness of these putative hotspot regions is explained mainly by the extent of alpine area and their glacial history, whereas community richness depends on local environmental factors. Our results highlight hotspots of species richness at mid‐latitudes, indicating that the diversity of alpine plants is linked to regional idiosyncrasies and to the historical prevalence of alpine ecosystems, rather than current macroclimatic gradients.
Riccardo Testolin; Fabio Attorre; Peter Borchardt; Robert F. Brand; Helge Bruelheide; Milan Chytrý; Michele De Sanctis; Jiri Dolezal; Manfred Finckh; Sylvia Haider; Andreas Hemp; Ute Jandt; Michael Kessler; Andrey Yu Korolyuk; Jonathan Lenoir; Natalia Makunina; George P. Malanson; Daniel B. Montesinos‐Tubée; Jalil Noroozi; Arkadiusz Nowak; Robert K. Peet; Gwendolyn Peyre; Francesco Maria Sabatini; Jozef Šibík; Petr Sklenář; Steven P. Sylvester; Kiril Vassilev; Risto Virtanen; Wolfgang Willner; Susan K. Wiser; Evgeny G. Zibzeev; Borja Jiménez‐Alfaro. Global patterns and drivers of alpine plant species richness. Global Ecology and Biogeography 2021, 30, 1218 -1231.
AMA StyleRiccardo Testolin, Fabio Attorre, Peter Borchardt, Robert F. Brand, Helge Bruelheide, Milan Chytrý, Michele De Sanctis, Jiri Dolezal, Manfred Finckh, Sylvia Haider, Andreas Hemp, Ute Jandt, Michael Kessler, Andrey Yu Korolyuk, Jonathan Lenoir, Natalia Makunina, George P. Malanson, Daniel B. Montesinos‐Tubée, Jalil Noroozi, Arkadiusz Nowak, Robert K. Peet, Gwendolyn Peyre, Francesco Maria Sabatini, Jozef Šibík, Petr Sklenář, Steven P. Sylvester, Kiril Vassilev, Risto Virtanen, Wolfgang Willner, Susan K. Wiser, Evgeny G. Zibzeev, Borja Jiménez‐Alfaro. Global patterns and drivers of alpine plant species richness. Global Ecology and Biogeography. 2021; 30 (6):1218-1231.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRiccardo Testolin; Fabio Attorre; Peter Borchardt; Robert F. Brand; Helge Bruelheide; Milan Chytrý; Michele De Sanctis; Jiri Dolezal; Manfred Finckh; Sylvia Haider; Andreas Hemp; Ute Jandt; Michael Kessler; Andrey Yu Korolyuk; Jonathan Lenoir; Natalia Makunina; George P. Malanson; Daniel B. Montesinos‐Tubée; Jalil Noroozi; Arkadiusz Nowak; Robert K. Peet; Gwendolyn Peyre; Francesco Maria Sabatini; Jozef Šibík; Petr Sklenář; Steven P. Sylvester; Kiril Vassilev; Risto Virtanen; Wolfgang Willner; Susan K. Wiser; Evgeny G. Zibzeev; Borja Jiménez‐Alfaro. 2021. "Global patterns and drivers of alpine plant species richness." Global Ecology and Biogeography 30, no. 6: 1218-1231.
Current research on vegetation makes a difference in people’s lives. Plant community classification is a backbone of land management, plant communities are changing in response to anthropogenic drivers, and the processes of change have impacts on ecosystem services. In the following progress report, we summarize the status of classification and recent research on vegetation responses to pollution, especially nitrogen deposition, invasive species, climate change, and land use and direct exploitation. Two areas with human feedbacks are underscored: fire ecology and urban ecology. Prominent questions at the current research frontier are highlighted with attention to new perspectives.
George P Malanson; Michelle L Talal; Elizabeth R Pansing; Scott B Franklin. Vegetation ecology with anthropic drivers and consequences. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment 2021, 45, 446 -459.
AMA StyleGeorge P Malanson, Michelle L Talal, Elizabeth R Pansing, Scott B Franklin. Vegetation ecology with anthropic drivers and consequences. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment. 2021; 45 (3):446-459.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGeorge P Malanson; Michelle L Talal; Elizabeth R Pansing; Scott B Franklin. 2021. "Vegetation ecology with anthropic drivers and consequences." Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment 45, no. 3: 446-459.
Aim Alpine habitats support unique biodiversity confined to high‐elevation areas in the current interglacial. Plant diversity in these habitats may respond to area, environment, connectivity and isolation, yet these factors have been rarely evaluated in concert. Here we investigate major determinants of regional species pools in alpine grasslands, and the responses of their constituent species groups. Location European mountains below 50° N. Time period Between 1928 and 2019. Major taxa studied Vascular plants. Methods We compiled species pools from alpine grasslands in 23 regions, including 794 alpine species and 2,094 non‐alpines. We used species–area relationships to test the influence of the extent of alpine areas on regional richness, and mixed‐effects models to compare the effects of 12 spatial and environmental predictors. Variation in species composition was addressed by generalized dissimilarity models and by a coefficient of dispersal direction to assess historical links among regions. Results Pool sizes were partially explained by current alpine areas, but the other predictors largely contributed to regional differences. The number of alpine species was influenced by area, calcareous bedrock, topographic heterogeneity and regional isolation, while non‐alpines responded better to connectivity and climate. Regional dissimilarity of alpine species was explained by isolation and precipitation, but non‐alpines only responded to isolation. Past dispersal routes were correlated with latitude, with alpine species showing stronger connections among regions. Main conclusions Besides area effects, edaphic, topographic and spatio‐temporal determinants are important to understand the organization of regional species pools in alpine habitats. The number of alpine species is especially linked to refugia and isolation, but their composition is explained by past dispersal and post‐glacial environmental filtering, while non‐alpines are generally influenced by regional floras. New research on the dynamics of alpine biodiversity should contextualize the determinants of regional species pools and the responses of species with different ecological profiles.
Borja Jiménez‐Alfaro; Sylvain Abdulhak; Fabio Attorre; Ariel Bergamini; Maria Laura Carranza; Alessandro Chiarucci; Renata Ćušterevska; Stefan Dullinger; Rosario G. Gavilán; Gianpietro Giusso del Galdo; Nevena Kuzmanović; Paola Laiolo; Javier Loidi; George P. Malanson; Corrado Marcenó; Đorđije Milanović; Elizabeth R. Pansing; José V. Roces‐Díaz; Eszter Ruprecht; Jozef Šibik; Angela Stanisci; Riccardo Testolin; Jean‐Paul Theurillat; Kiril Vassilev; Wolfgang Willner; Manuela Winkler. Post‐glacial determinants of regional species pools in alpine grasslands. Global Ecology and Biogeography 2021, 30, 1101 -1115.
AMA StyleBorja Jiménez‐Alfaro, Sylvain Abdulhak, Fabio Attorre, Ariel Bergamini, Maria Laura Carranza, Alessandro Chiarucci, Renata Ćušterevska, Stefan Dullinger, Rosario G. Gavilán, Gianpietro Giusso del Galdo, Nevena Kuzmanović, Paola Laiolo, Javier Loidi, George P. Malanson, Corrado Marcenó, Đorđije Milanović, Elizabeth R. Pansing, José V. Roces‐Díaz, Eszter Ruprecht, Jozef Šibik, Angela Stanisci, Riccardo Testolin, Jean‐Paul Theurillat, Kiril Vassilev, Wolfgang Willner, Manuela Winkler. Post‐glacial determinants of regional species pools in alpine grasslands. Global Ecology and Biogeography. 2021; 30 (5):1101-1115.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBorja Jiménez‐Alfaro; Sylvain Abdulhak; Fabio Attorre; Ariel Bergamini; Maria Laura Carranza; Alessandro Chiarucci; Renata Ćušterevska; Stefan Dullinger; Rosario G. Gavilán; Gianpietro Giusso del Galdo; Nevena Kuzmanović; Paola Laiolo; Javier Loidi; George P. Malanson; Corrado Marcenó; Đorđije Milanović; Elizabeth R. Pansing; José V. Roces‐Díaz; Eszter Ruprecht; Jozef Šibik; Angela Stanisci; Riccardo Testolin; Jean‐Paul Theurillat; Kiril Vassilev; Wolfgang Willner; Manuela Winkler. 2021. "Post‐glacial determinants of regional species pools in alpine grasslands." Global Ecology and Biogeography 30, no. 5: 1101-1115.
Questions What are the functional trade‐offs of vascular plant species in global alpine ecosystems? How is functional variation related to vegetation zones, climatic groups and biogeographic realms? What is the relative contribution of macroclimate and evolutionary history in shaping the functional variation of alpine plant communities? Location Global. Methods We compiled a data set of alpine vegetation with 5,532 geo‐referenced plots, 1,933 species and six plant functional traits. We used principal component analysis to quantify functional trade‐offs among species and trait probability density to assess the functional dissimilarity of alpine vegetation in different vegetation zones, climatic groups and biogeographic realms. We used multiple regression on distance matrices to model community functional dissimilarity against environmental and phylogenetic dissimilarity, controlling for geographic distance. Results The first two PCA axes explained 66% of the species’ functional variation and were related to the leaf and stem economic spectra, respectively. Trait probability density was largely independent of vegetation zone and macroclimate but differed across biogeographic realms. The same pattern emerged for both species pool and community levels. The effects of environmental and phylogenetic dissimilarities on community functional dissimilarity had similar magnitude, while the effect of geographic distance was negligible. Conclusions Plant species in alpine areas reflect the global variation of plant function, but with a predominant role of resource use strategies. Current macroclimate exerts a limited effect on alpine vegetation, mostly acting at the community level in combination with evolutionary history. Global alpine vegetation is functionally unrelated to the vegetation zones in which it is embedded, exhibiting strong functional convergence across regions.
Riccardo Testolin; Carlos Pérez Carmona; Fabio Attorre; Peter Borchardt; Helge Bruelheide; Jiri Dolezal; Manfred Finckh; Sylvia Haider; Andreas Hemp; Ute Jandt; Andrei Yu Korolyuk; Jonathan Lenoir; Natalia Makunina; George P Malanson; Ladislav Mucina; Jalil Noroozi; Arkadiusz Nowak; Robert K Peet; Gwendolyn Peyre; Francesco Maria Sabatini; Jozef Šibík; Petr Sklenář; Kiril Vassilev; Risto Virtanen; Susan K Wiser; Evgeny G Zibzeev; Borja Jiménez‐Alfaro. Global functional variation in alpine vegetation. Journal of Vegetation Science 2021, 32, e13000 .
AMA StyleRiccardo Testolin, Carlos Pérez Carmona, Fabio Attorre, Peter Borchardt, Helge Bruelheide, Jiri Dolezal, Manfred Finckh, Sylvia Haider, Andreas Hemp, Ute Jandt, Andrei Yu Korolyuk, Jonathan Lenoir, Natalia Makunina, George P Malanson, Ladislav Mucina, Jalil Noroozi, Arkadiusz Nowak, Robert K Peet, Gwendolyn Peyre, Francesco Maria Sabatini, Jozef Šibík, Petr Sklenář, Kiril Vassilev, Risto Virtanen, Susan K Wiser, Evgeny G Zibzeev, Borja Jiménez‐Alfaro. Global functional variation in alpine vegetation. Journal of Vegetation Science. 2021; 32 (2):e13000.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRiccardo Testolin; Carlos Pérez Carmona; Fabio Attorre; Peter Borchardt; Helge Bruelheide; Jiri Dolezal; Manfred Finckh; Sylvia Haider; Andreas Hemp; Ute Jandt; Andrei Yu Korolyuk; Jonathan Lenoir; Natalia Makunina; George P Malanson; Ladislav Mucina; Jalil Noroozi; Arkadiusz Nowak; Robert K Peet; Gwendolyn Peyre; Francesco Maria Sabatini; Jozef Šibík; Petr Sklenář; Kiril Vassilev; Risto Virtanen; Susan K Wiser; Evgeny G Zibzeev; Borja Jiménez‐Alfaro. 2021. "Global functional variation in alpine vegetation." Journal of Vegetation Science 32, no. 2: e13000.
George P. Malanson; Scott B. Franklin; Michelle L. Talal; Elizabeth Pansing. Human Dimensions: Vegetation Ecology. The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America 2020, 101, 1 .
AMA StyleGeorge P. Malanson, Scott B. Franklin, Michelle L. Talal, Elizabeth Pansing. Human Dimensions: Vegetation Ecology. The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America. 2020; 101 (4):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGeorge P. Malanson; Scott B. Franklin; Michelle L. Talal; Elizabeth Pansing. 2020. "Human Dimensions: Vegetation Ecology." The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America 101, no. 4: 1.
George P Malanson. COVID-19 and physical geography – yellow card. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment 2020, 44, 447 -448.
AMA StyleGeorge P Malanson. COVID-19 and physical geography – yellow card. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment. 2020; 44 (4):447-448.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGeorge P Malanson. 2020. "COVID-19 and physical geography – yellow card." Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment 44, no. 4: 447-448.
George P Malanson. COVID-19, zoonoses, and physical geography. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment 2020, 44, 149 -150.
AMA StyleGeorge P Malanson. COVID-19, zoonoses, and physical geography. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment. 2020; 44 (2):149-150.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGeorge P Malanson. 2020. "COVID-19, zoonoses, and physical geography." Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment 44, no. 2: 149-150.
George P Malanson. New in 2020. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment 2020, 44, 3 -4.
AMA StyleGeorge P Malanson. New in 2020. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment. 2020; 44 (1):3-4.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGeorge P Malanson. 2020. "New in 2020." Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment 44, no. 1: 3-4.
Observations of diversity in alpine vegetation appear to be scale dependent. The relations of plant species richness with surface processes and geomorphology have been studied, but patterns of beta diversity are less known. In Glacier National Park, Montana, diversity has been examined within 1 m2 plots and for 16 m2 plots across two ranges, with within-plot and across-range explanatory factors, respectively. The slopes of species–area equations for nested 4, 8, 12, and 16 m2 plots were used as an indicator of beta diversity in Glacier National Park, where smaller and larger scales have been examined. The slopes were negatively related to a field assessment of surface stability and positively to the presence of talus—two sides of the same coin. A positive relationship with bedrock outcrops may be due to a misrepresentation of area for plants. The relationship of species–area slopes to plot-level gamma diversity was negative, weak, and marginally significant, and this variable did not enter the general linear model (GLM). Beyond simple differences in diversity with differences in environment, examination of beta diversity at a scale between that of earlier studies revealed surface processes and geomorphology as drivers that were also at a scale between those previously reported.
George P. Malanson; Emma L. Nelson; Dale L. Zimmerman; Daniel B. Fagre. Alpine plant community diversity in species–area relations at fine scale. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research 2020, 52, 41 -46.
AMA StyleGeorge P. Malanson, Emma L. Nelson, Dale L. Zimmerman, Daniel B. Fagre. Alpine plant community diversity in species–area relations at fine scale. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research. 2020; 52 (1):41-46.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGeorge P. Malanson; Emma L. Nelson; Dale L. Zimmerman; Daniel B. Fagre. 2020. "Alpine plant community diversity in species–area relations at fine scale." Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research 52, no. 1: 41-46.
A seminal paper in biogeography is reviewed. Whittaker’s 1956 paper in Ecological Monographs introduced gradient analysis as a conceptual framework. This approach replaced community classification as the preferred methodology among US ecologists and biogeographers. It later developed into the foundation for species distribution modeling. Although the paper underlies a continuing rift between US and European scientists, both groups recognize its importance for relating ecological processes to geographical patterns.
George P Malanson; Robert K Peet. Foundational biogeography: Vegetation of the Great Smoky Mountains (Ecological Monographs, 26: 1–80, 1956), by Robert H. Whittaker. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment 2019, 44, 137 -143.
AMA StyleGeorge P Malanson, Robert K Peet. Foundational biogeography: Vegetation of the Great Smoky Mountains (Ecological Monographs, 26: 1–80, 1956), by Robert H. Whittaker. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment. 2019; 44 (1):137-143.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGeorge P Malanson; Robert K Peet. 2019. "Foundational biogeography: Vegetation of the Great Smoky Mountains (Ecological Monographs, 26: 1–80, 1956), by Robert H. Whittaker." Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment 44, no. 1: 137-143.
George P. Malanson; Risto Virtanen; Andrea J. Britton; Borja Jiménez-Alfaro; Hong Qian; Alessandro Petraglia; Marcello Tomaselli; David Cooper; Christian Damm; Richard H. Pemble; Robert B. Brett. Hemispheric- and Continental-Scale Patterns of Similarity in Mountain Tundra. Annals of the American Association of Geographers 2019, 110, 1005 -1021.
AMA StyleGeorge P. Malanson, Risto Virtanen, Andrea J. Britton, Borja Jiménez-Alfaro, Hong Qian, Alessandro Petraglia, Marcello Tomaselli, David Cooper, Christian Damm, Richard H. Pemble, Robert B. Brett. Hemispheric- and Continental-Scale Patterns of Similarity in Mountain Tundra. Annals of the American Association of Geographers. 2019; 110 (4):1005-1021.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGeorge P. Malanson; Risto Virtanen; Andrea J. Britton; Borja Jiménez-Alfaro; Hong Qian; Alessandro Petraglia; Marcello Tomaselli; David Cooper; Christian Damm; Richard H. Pemble; Robert B. Brett. 2019. "Hemispheric- and Continental-Scale Patterns of Similarity in Mountain Tundra." Annals of the American Association of Geographers 110, no. 4: 1005-1021.
Expectations of the impacts of climatic variation on species can depend on whether and how intraspecific variability is incorporated in models. Coefficients of variation from tree-ring records of Pinus albicaulis through time and across space were used to parameterize volatility and individuality, respectively. The records across sites were used to differentiate the average modes on an environmental gradient for Gaussian fitness of ecotypic niches, and to add further individual variation in mode and standard deviation of these functions in individual-based Monte Carlo simulations of reproduction and mortality with inheritance of individual variability. Ecotypic gamma and Shannon diversity decreased with volatility included, however, the decreases were mitigated by niche differentiation, but not individual-level variability. Increasing climatic volatility may threaten biodiversity, but less so if a species has ecotypes as represented by ecotypic niches in the model. The results illustrate the usefulness of these parameterizations and of simulations versus analytical solutions.
George P. Malanson; R. Justin Derose; Matthew F. Bekker. Individual variation and ecotypic niches in simulations of the impact of climatic volatility. Ecological Modelling 2019, 411, 108782 .
AMA StyleGeorge P. Malanson, R. Justin Derose, Matthew F. Bekker. Individual variation and ecotypic niches in simulations of the impact of climatic volatility. Ecological Modelling. 2019; 411 ():108782.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGeorge P. Malanson; R. Justin Derose; Matthew F. Bekker. 2019. "Individual variation and ecotypic niches in simulations of the impact of climatic volatility." Ecological Modelling 411, no. : 108782.
The alpine biome of North America is responding to ongoing changes in climate, nitrogen deposition, invasive species, and local human activity. The response to widespread climate change is complicated by heterogeneity in abiotic interactions and biotic interactions. Interactions across spatial scales and time lags limit understanding. The other three drivers are spatially concentrated. Terrestrial ecosystems are more affected by climate change and local human activities, while aquatic ecosystems bear the brunt of impact by nitrogen deposition and invasive species. Because of the heterogeneities and time lags, changes in biodiversity are likely to be limited to marginal ecosystems, and changes in carbon balance will be locally important but small relative to global flux. Water resources from alpine areas may change significantly, but due to the direct effects of climate, not through change in the biome.
George P. Malanson. Ongoing Change in the Alpine Biome of North America. Encyclopedia of the World's Biomes 2019, 581 -588.
AMA StyleGeorge P. Malanson. Ongoing Change in the Alpine Biome of North America. Encyclopedia of the World's Biomes. 2019; ():581-588.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGeorge P. Malanson. 2019. "Ongoing Change in the Alpine Biome of North America." Encyclopedia of the World's Biomes , no. : 581-588.
Mountain plant communities are thought to be sensitive to climate change and, thus, able to reveal its effects sooner than others. The status as sentinels of two plant communities are reviewed. Alpine treeline ecotones and alpine vegetation have been observed to respond to climate change in recent decades. The treeline has moved upslope and alpine communities have had some species increase and others decrease. The response for both, however, has been inconsistent if taken as a whole. Problematic factors for this response are outlined for both: abiotic and biotic interactions partially decouple the plant communities from climate. Differences across spatial and temporal scales complicate interpretation. Partial decoupling leads to nonlinear responses and difficulties for prediction and for planning mitigation.
George P Malanson; Lynn M Resler; David R Butler; Daniel B Fagre. Mountain plant communities: Uncertain sentinels? Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment 2019, 43, 521 -543.
AMA StyleGeorge P Malanson, Lynn M Resler, David R Butler, Daniel B Fagre. Mountain plant communities: Uncertain sentinels? Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment. 2019; 43 (4):521-543.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGeorge P Malanson; Lynn M Resler; David R Butler; Daniel B Fagre. 2019. "Mountain plant communities: Uncertain sentinels?" Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment 43, no. 4: 521-543.
Because biodiversity is multidimensional and scale-dependent, it is challenging to estimate its change. However, it is unclear (1) how much scale-dependence matters for empirical studies, and (2) if it does matter, how exactly we should quantify biodiversity change. To address the first question, we analysed studies with comparisons among multiple assemblages, and found that rarefaction curves frequently crossed, implying reversals in the ranking of species richness across spatial scales. Moreover, the most frequently measured aspect of diversity - species richness - was poorly correlated with other measures of diversity. Second, we collated studies that included spatial scale in their estimates of biodiversity change in response to ecological drivers and found frequent and strong scale-dependence, including nearly 10% of studies which showed that biodiversity changes switched directions across scales. Having established the complexity of empirical biodiversity comparisons, we describe a synthesis of methods based on rarefaction curves that allow more explicit analyses of spatial and sampling effects on biodiversity comparisons. We use a case study of nutrient additions in experimental ponds to illustrate how this multi-dimensional and multi-scale perspective informs the responses of biodiversity to ecological drivers.© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd/CNRS.
George Malanson; Chase Jm; McGill Bj; McGlinn Dj; May F; Blowes Sa; Xiao X; Knight Tm; Purschke O; Gotelli Nj. Faculty Opinions recommendation of Embracing scale-dependence to achieve a deeper understanding of biodiversity and its change across communities. Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature 2019, 21, 1 .
AMA StyleGeorge Malanson, Chase Jm, McGill Bj, McGlinn Dj, May F, Blowes Sa, Xiao X, Knight Tm, Purschke O, Gotelli Nj. Faculty Opinions recommendation of Embracing scale-dependence to achieve a deeper understanding of biodiversity and its change across communities. Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature. 2019; 21 (11):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGeorge Malanson; Chase Jm; McGill Bj; McGlinn Dj; May F; Blowes Sa; Xiao X; Knight Tm; Purschke O; Gotelli Nj. 2019. "Faculty Opinions recommendation of Embracing scale-dependence to achieve a deeper understanding of biodiversity and its change across communities." Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature 21, no. 11: 1.
There is no consensus on when biotic interactions impact the range limits of species. Starting from MacArthur's use of invasibility to understand how biotic interactions influence coexistence, here we examine how biotic interactions shape species distributions. Range limits emerge from how birth, death, and movement rates vary with the environment. We clarify some basic issues revolving around niche definitions, illustrated with simple resource-consumer theory. We then highlight two different avenues for linking community theory and range theory; the first based on calculating the effects of biotic interactions on range limits across scales and landscape configurations, and the second based on aggregate measures of diffuse interactions and network strength. We conclude with suggestions for a future research agenda.Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
George Malanson; Godsoe W; Jankowski J; Holt Rd; Gravel D. Faculty Opinions recommendation of Integrating Biogeography with Contemporary Niche Theory. Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature 2018, 32, 1 .
AMA StyleGeorge Malanson, Godsoe W, Jankowski J, Holt Rd, Gravel D. Faculty Opinions recommendation of Integrating Biogeography with Contemporary Niche Theory. Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature. 2018; 32 (7):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGeorge Malanson; Godsoe W; Jankowski J; Holt Rd; Gravel D. 2018. "Faculty Opinions recommendation of Integrating Biogeography with Contemporary Niche Theory." Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature 32, no. 7: 1.
High mountain ecosystems and their biota are governed by low-temperature conditions and thus can be used as indicators for climate warming impacts on natural ecosystems, provided that long-term data exist. We used data from the largest alpine to nival permanent plot site in the Alps, established in the frame of the Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments (GLORIA) on Schrankogel in the Tyrolean Alps, Austria, in 1994, and resurveyed in 2004 and 2014. Vascular plant species richness per plot increased over the entire period, albeit to a lesser extent in the second decade, because disappearance events increased markedly in the latter period. Although presence/absence data could only marginally explain range shift dynamics, changes in species cover and plant community composition indicate an accelerating transformation towards a more warmth-demanding and more drought-adapted vegetation, which is strongest at the lowest, least rugged subsite. Divergent responses of vertical distribution groups of species suggest that direct warming effects, rather than competitive displacement, are the primary causes of the observed patterns. The continued decrease in cryophilic species could imply that trailing edge dynamics proceed more rapidly than successful colonisation, which would favour a period of accelerated species declines.© 2018 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2018 New Phytologist Trust.
George Malanson; Lamprecht A; Semenchuk Pr; Steinbauer K; Winkler M; Pauli H. Faculty Opinions recommendation of Climate change leads to accelerated transformation of high-elevation vegetation in the central Alps. Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature 2018, 220, 1 .
AMA StyleGeorge Malanson, Lamprecht A, Semenchuk Pr, Steinbauer K, Winkler M, Pauli H. Faculty Opinions recommendation of Climate change leads to accelerated transformation of high-elevation vegetation in the central Alps. Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature. 2018; 220 (2):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGeorge Malanson; Lamprecht A; Semenchuk Pr; Steinbauer K; Winkler M; Pauli H. 2018. "Faculty Opinions recommendation of Climate change leads to accelerated transformation of high-elevation vegetation in the central Alps." Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature 220, no. 2: 1.
Predicting the structure and dynamics of communities is difficult. Approaches linking functional traits to niche boundaries, species co‐occurrence and demography are promising, but have so far had limited success. We hypothesized that predictability in community ecology could be improved by incorporating more accurate measures of fine‐scale environmental heterogeneity and the context‐dependent function of traits. We tested these hypotheses using long term whole‐community demography data from an alpine plant community in Colorado. Species distributions along microenvironmental gradients covaried with traits important for below‐ground processes. Positive associations between species distributions across life stages could not be explained by abiotic microenvironment alone, consistent with facilitative processes. Rates of growth, survival, fecundity and recruitment were predicted by the direct and interactive effects of trait, microenvironment, macroenvironment and neighbourhood axes. Synthesis. Context‐dependent interactions between multiple traits and microenvironmental axes are needed to predict fine‐scale community structure and dynamics.
George Malanson; Blonder B; Kapas Re; Dalton Rm; Graae Bj; Heiling Jm; Opedal Øh. Faculty Opinions recommendation of Microenvironment and functional-trait context dependence predict alpine plant community dynamics. Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature 2018, 106, 1 .
AMA StyleGeorge Malanson, Blonder B, Kapas Re, Dalton Rm, Graae Bj, Heiling Jm, Opedal Øh. Faculty Opinions recommendation of Microenvironment and functional-trait context dependence predict alpine plant community dynamics. Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature. 2018; 106 (4):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGeorge Malanson; Blonder B; Kapas Re; Dalton Rm; Graae Bj; Heiling Jm; Opedal Øh. 2018. "Faculty Opinions recommendation of Microenvironment and functional-trait context dependence predict alpine plant community dynamics." Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature 106, no. 4: 1.
Drivers of alpine plant community composition have been observed to vary with scale. Diversity of alpine tundra across four regions of the Rocky Mountains and among plots within one region was examined relative to temperature and precipitation variables. For regional scale analyses, averages of three metrics of plot-level species diversity relative to environmental variables and regional gamma diversity were examined for a subset of 60 plots from a stratified random sample in each region. For local scale analyses, additional soil and climate variables were included at 96 plots from one of the four regions. Correlations and visual examination of bivariate plots elucidated possible controls of cold temperatures and gamma diversity on average diversity metrics among the four regions and of precipitation and/or location on plot-level metrics within the single region. For the latter, the bivariate graph indicated a triangular distribution in which all levels of diversity exist at low precipitation but only low diversity at higher precipitation. We propose that change in drivers with scale is a general result of the relative importance of temperature and water in seed production (temperature > water) and seedling establishment (vice versa), and the logical priority of seed production over seedling establishment.
George P. Malanson; Daniel B. Fagre; Dale L. Zimmerman. Scale dependence of diversity in alpine tundra, Rocky Mountains, USA. Plant Ecology 2018, 219, 999 -1008.
AMA StyleGeorge P. Malanson, Daniel B. Fagre, Dale L. Zimmerman. Scale dependence of diversity in alpine tundra, Rocky Mountains, USA. Plant Ecology. 2018; 219 (8):999-1008.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGeorge P. Malanson; Daniel B. Fagre; Dale L. Zimmerman. 2018. "Scale dependence of diversity in alpine tundra, Rocky Mountains, USA." Plant Ecology 219, no. 8: 999-1008.
The role of intraspecific variability is being examined to improve predictions of responses to climate change or invasions and in research on diversity. Simultaneously, the probability and implications of increased high-frequency climate variability have been raised. An agent based model simulated two species on an environmental gradient representing an alpine treeline; a trend in its volatility was added. The species have different levels of variability, and each individual has further unique heterogeneity. Environmental volatility and individual heterogeneity were based on tree ring data from Pinus albicaulis. Simulations show that increasing volatility leads to population declines, including extinctions, and to sharper ecotones, and this impact is only slightly lessened by higher heterogeneity. Some simulation runs reveal an unanticipated selection for greater individual variability when volatility creates strong negative anomalies that fall short of extinction events. Increasing volatility can have significant ecological impacts because negative anomalies are not balanced by positive ones.
George P. Malanson. Intraspecific variability may not compensate for increasing climatic volatility. Population Ecology 2018, 60, 287 -295.
AMA StyleGeorge P. Malanson. Intraspecific variability may not compensate for increasing climatic volatility. Population Ecology. 2018; 60 (3):287-295.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGeorge P. Malanson. 2018. "Intraspecific variability may not compensate for increasing climatic volatility." Population Ecology 60, no. 3: 287-295.