Community Ecology
Volume/Issue:
Volume 12: Issue 2
Patterns of species diversity and functional diversity along the southto north-facing slope gradient in a sub-alpine meadow
Authors: X. Li 1 , Y. Nie 1 , X. Song 1 , R. Zhang 1 , and G. Wang 1
View More View Less
  • 1 Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Arid and Grassland Agroecology at Lanzhou University Lanzhou 730000 People’s Republic of China
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1556/comec.12.2011.2.5
Page Count:
179–187
Publication Date:
01 Dec 2011
Online Publication Date:
17 Nov 2011
Article Category:
Research Article
Restricted access

Different components of biodiversity may vary differently since species diversity was considered to be determined by resource availability but functional diversity was related to partitioning of niche space. Moreover, the harsh or benign conditions may result in different niche space partitioning by the coexisting species. For example, in harsh environments niche differentiation may be stronger resulting in higher functional diversity. In this study, we investigate species diversity and functional diversity along a south-to north-facing slope gradient with different resource availability in a sub-alpine meadow. Our results indicate that the patterns of species diversity and functional diversity are not consistent along this gradient. Both species richness and Shannon index of diversity increased, but functional diversity slightly decreased or changed a little from south-to north-facing slope. Moreover, these two components formed a quadratic relationship. Soil water content (SWC) was the limiting resource along this gradient. On one hand, it determined the species diversity; on the other hand, it also influenced functional diversity via affecting niche differentiation and species trait pool. In conclusion, functional diversity was determined by both species richness and niche differentiation with the influence of soil water content.

  • Badano, E. I., L. A. Cavieres, M. A. Molina-Montenegro and C. L. Quiroz. 2005. Slope aspect influences plant association patterns in the Mediterranean matorral of central Chile. J. Arid Environ. 62: 93–108.

    Quiroz C. L. , 'Slope aspect influences plant association patterns in the Mediterranean matorral of central Chile ' (2005 ) 62 J. Arid Environ. : 93 -108.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Baher, Z. F., M. Mirza, M. Ghorbanli and M. Bagher Rezaii. 2002. The influence of water stress on plant height, herbal and essential oil yield and composition in Satureja hortensis L. Flavour and Fragrance J. 17: 275–277.

    Bagher Rezaii M. , 'The influence of water stress on plant height, herbal and essential oil yield and composition in Satureja hortensis L ' (2002 ) 17 Flavour and Fragrance J. : 275 -277.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Blondel, J. 2003. Guilds or functional groups: does it matter? Oikos 100: 223–231.

    Blondel J. , 'Guilds or functional groups: does it matter? ' (2003 ) 100 Oikos : 223 -231.

  • Colleen, T. W., A. H. Jennifer, M. A. Gregory, I. P. Matthew and N. L. Poff. 2010. A structured and dynamic framework to advance traits-based theory and prediction in ecology. Ecol. Lett. 13: 267–283.

    Poff N. L. , 'A structured and dynamic framework to advance traits-based theory and prediction in ecology ' (2010 ) 13 Ecol. Lett. : 267 -283.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Cornwell, W. K. and D. D. Ackerly. 2009. Community assembly and shifts in plant trait distributions across an environmental gradient in coastal California. Ecol. Monogr. 79: 109–126.

    Ackerly D. D. , 'Community assembly and shifts in plant trait distributions across an environmental gradient in coastal California ' (2009 ) 79 Ecol. Monogr. : 109 -126.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Díaz, S. and M. Cabido. 2001. Vive la différence: plant functional diversity matters to ecosystem processes. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 16: 646–655.

    Cabido M. , 'Vive la différence: plant functional diversity matters to ecosystem processes ' (2001 ) 16 Trends in Ecology & Evolution : 646 -655.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Díaz, S., S. Lavorel, F. de Bello, F. Quetier, K. Grigulis and T. M. Robson. 2007. Incorporating plant functional diversity effects in ecosystem service assessments. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 104: 20684–9.

    Robson T. M. , 'Incorporating plant functional diversity effects in ecosystem service assessments ' (2007 ) 104 Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA : 20684 -9.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • De Bello, F., J. Lepš and M. T. Sebastià. 2006. Variations in species and functional plant diversity along climatic and grazing gradients. Ecography 29: 801–810.

    Sebastià M. T. , 'Variations in species and functional plant diversity along climatic and grazing gradients ' (2006 ) 29 Ecography : 801 -810.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • De Bello, F., W. Thuiller, J. Lepš, P. Choler, J.-C. Clent, P. Macek, M. T. Sebastià and S. Lavorel. 2009. Partitioning of functional diversity reveals the scale and extent of trait convergence and divergence. J. Veg. Sci. 20: 475–486.

    Lavorel S. , 'Partitioning of functional diversity reveals the scale and extent of trait convergence and divergence ' (2009 ) 20 J. Veg. Sci. : 475 -486.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Devictor, V., D. Mouillot, C. Meynard, F. Jiguet, W. Thuiller and N. Mouquet. 2010. Spatial mismatch and congruence between taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity: the need for integrative conservation strategies in a changing world. Ecol. Lett. 13: 1030–1040.

    Mouquet N. , 'Spatial mismatch and congruence between taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity: the need for integrative conservation strategies in a changing world ' (2010 ) 13 Ecol. Lett. : 1030 -1040.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Fonseca, C. R., J. M. Overton, B. Collins and M. Westoby. 2000. Shifts in trait-combinations along rainfall and phosphorus gradients. J. Ecol. 88: 964–977.

    Westoby M. , 'Shifts in trait-combinations along rainfall and phosphorus gradients ' (2000 ) 88 J. Ecol. : 964 -977.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Gelfand, A. E., A. M. Schmidt, S. Wu, J. A. Silander, Jr., A. Latimer and A. G. Rebelo. 2005. Modelling species diversity through species level hierarchical modelling. J. Roy. Stat. Soc. Series C (Applied Statistics) 54: 1–20.

    Rebelo A. G. , 'Modelling species diversity through species level hierarchical modelling ' (2005 ) 54 J. Roy. Stat. Soc. Series C (Applied Statistics) : 1 -20.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Grace, J. B. 1999. The factors controlling species density in herbaceous plant communities: an assessment. Persp. Plant Ecology, Evol. Syst. 2: 1–28.

    Grace J. B. , 'The factors controlling species density in herbaceous plant communities: an assessment ' (1999 ) 2 Persp. Plant Ecology, Evol. Syst. : 1 -28.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Griffin, J. N., V. Méndez, A. F. Johnson, S. R. Jenkins and A. Foggo. 2009. Functional diversity predicts overyielding effect of species combination on primary productivity. Oikos 118: 37–44.

    Foggo A. , 'Functional diversity predicts overyielding effect of species combination on primary productivity ' (2009 ) 118 Oikos : 37 -44.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Grime, J. P. 2006. Trait convergence and trait divergence in herbaceous plant communities: Mechanisms and consequences. J. Veg. Sci. 17: 255–260.

    Grime J. P. , 'Trait convergence and trait divergence in herbaceous plant communities: Mechanisms and consequences ' (2006 ) 17 J. Veg. Sci. : 255 -260.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Hector, A., Y. Hautier, P. Saner, L. Wacker, R. Bagchi, J. Joshi, M. Scherer-Lorenzen, E. M. Spehn, E. Bazeley-White, M. Weilen-mann, M. C. Caldeira, P. G. Dimitrakopoulos, J. A. Finn, K. Huss-Danell, A. Jumpponen, C. P. Mulder, C. Palmborg, J. S. Pereira, A. S. Siamantziouras, A. C. Terry, A. Y. Troumbis, B. Schmid and M. Loreau. 2010. General stabilizing effects of plant diversity on grassland productivity through population asynchrony and overyielding. Ecology 91: 2213–20.

    Loreau M. , 'General stabilizing effects of plant diversity on grassland productivity through population asynchrony and overyielding ' (2010 ) 91 Ecology : 2213 -20.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Hubbell, S. P. 2001, A Unified Neutral Theory of Biodiversity and Biogeography. Princeton University Press, Princeton.

    Hubbell S. P. , '', in A Unified Neutral Theory of Biodiversity and Biogeography , (2001 ) -.

  • Jung, V., C. Violle, C. Mondy, L. Hoffmann and S. Muller. 2010. Intraspecific variability and trait-based community assembly J. Ecol. 98: 1134–1140.

    Muller S. , 'Intraspecific variability and trait-based community assembly ' (2010 ) 98 J. Ecol. : 1134 -1140.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Keeney, D. B. and R. Poulin. 2007. Functional richness, functional evenness, and use of niche space in parasite communities. J. Parasitol. 93: 216–219.

    Poulin R. , 'Functional richness, functional evenness, and use of niche space in parasite communities ' (2007 ) 93 J. Parasitol. : 216 -219.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Kraft, N. J. B., W.K. Cornwell, C.O. Webb and D. D. Ackerly. 2007. Trait evolution, community assembly, and the phylogenetic structure of ecological communities. Amer. Nat. 170: 271–283.

    Ackerly D. D. , 'Trait evolution, community assembly, and the phylogenetic structure of ecological communities ' (2007 ) 170 Amer. Nat. : 271 -283.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Kraft, N. J. B., R. Valencia and D. D. Ackerly. 2008. Functional traits and niche-based tree community assembly in an Amazonian forest. Science 322: 580–582.

    Ackerly D. D. , 'Functional traits and niche-based tree community assembly in an Amazonian forest ' (2008 ) 322 Science : 580 -582.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Ledeganck, P., I. Nijs and L. Beyens. 2003. Plant functional group diversity promotes soil protist diversity. Protist 154: 239–249.

    Beyens L. , 'Plant functional group diversity promotes soil protist diversity ' (2003 ) 154 Protist : 239 -249.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Leps, J., F. De Bello, S. Lavorel and S. Berman. 2006. Quantifying and interpreting functional diversity of natural communities: practical considerations matter. Preslia 78: 481–501.

    Berman S. , 'Quantifying and interpreting functional diversity of natural communities: practical considerations matter ' (2006 ) 78 Preslia : 481 -501.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Martínez, J. A. and J. J. Armesto. 1983. Ecophysiological plasticity and habitat distribution in three evergreen sclerophyllous shrubs of the Chilean matorral. Acta Oecol. 4: 211–219.

    Armesto J. J. , 'Ecophysiological plasticity and habitat distribution in three evergreen sclerophyllous shrubs of the Chilean matorral ' (1983 ) 4 Acta Oecol. : 211 -219.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Mayfield, M. M., S. P. Bonser, J. W. Morgan, I. Aubin, S. McNamara and P. A. Vesk. 2010. What does species richness tell us about functional trait diversity? Predictions and evidence for responses of species and functional trait diversity to land-use change. Global Ecol. Biogeogr. 19: 423–431.

    Vesk P. A. , 'What does species richness tell us about functional trait diversity? Predictions and evidence for responses of species and functional trait diversity to land-use change ' (2010 ) 19 Global Ecol. Biogeogr. : 423 -431.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • McGill, B. J., B. J. Enquist, E. Weiher and M. Westoby. 2006. Rebuilding community ecology from functional traits. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 21: 178–185.

    Westoby M. , 'Rebuilding community ecology from functional traits ' (2006 ) 21 Trends in Ecology & Evolution : 178 -185.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • McLaren, J. R., and R. Turkington. 2009. Ecosystem properties determined by plant functional group identity. J. Ecol. 98: 459–469.

    Turkington R. , 'Ecosystem properties determined by plant functional group identity ' (2009 ) 98 J. Ecol. : 459 -469.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Miller, P. C. and D. K. Poole. 1980. Partitioning of solar and net irradiance in mixed and chamise chaparral in southern California. Oecologia 47: 328–332.

    Poole D. K. , 'Partitioning of solar and net irradiance in mixed and chamise chaparral in southern California ' (1980 ) 47 Oecologia : 328 -332.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Morin, P. J. 2000. Biodiversity’s ups and downs. Nature 406: 463–464.

    Morin P. J. , 'Biodiversity’s ups and downs ' (2000 ) 406 Nature : 463 -464.

  • Mouchet, M. A., S. Villéger, N. W. H. Mason and D. Mouillot. 2010. Functional diversity measures: an overview of their redundancy and their ability to discriminate community assembly rules. Funct. Ecol. 24: 867–876.

    Mouillot D. , 'Functional diversity measures: an overview of their redundancy and their ability to discriminate community assembly rules ' (2010 ) 24 Funct. Ecol. : 867 -876.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Navas, M. and C. Violle. 2009. Plant traits related to competition: how do they shape the functional diversity of communities? Community Ecol. 10: 131–137.

    Violle C. , 'Plant traits related to competition: how do they shape the functional diversity of communities? ' (2009 ) 10 Community Ecol. : 131 -137.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Niinemets, Ü. 2001. Global-scale climatic controls of leaf dry mass per area, density, and thickness in trees and shrubs. Ecology 82: 453–469.

    Niinemets , 'Global-scale climatic controls of leaf dry mass per area, density, and thickness in trees and shrubs ' (2001 ) 82 Ecology : 453 -469.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Pen-Mouratov, S., N. Berg, N. Genzer, S. Ukabi, D. Shargil and Y. Steinberger. 2009. Do slope orientation and sampling location determine soil biota composition? Frontiers of Biology in China 4: 364–375.

    Steinberger Y. , 'Do slope orientation and sampling location determine soil biota composition? ' (2009 ) 4 Frontiers of Biology in China : 364 -375.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Petchey, O. L. 2000. Species diversity, species extinction, and ecosystem function. Am. Nat. 155: 696–702.

    Petchey O. L. , 'Species diversity, species extinction, and ecosystem function ' (2000 ) 155 Am. Nat. : 696 -702.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Petchey, O. L. and K. J. Gaston. 2002. Functional diversity (FD), species richness and community composition. Ecol. Lett. 5: 402–411.

    Gaston K. J. , 'Functional diversity (FD), species richness and community composition ' (2002 ) 5 Ecol. Lett. : 402 -411.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Petchey, O. L. and K. J. Gaston. 2006. Functional diversity: back to basics and looking forward. Ecol. Lett. 9: 741–758.

    Gaston K. J. , 'Functional diversity: back to basics and looking forward ' (2006 ) 9 Ecol. Lett. : 741 -758.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Podani, J. 2009. Convex hulls, habitat filtering, and functional diversity: mathematical elegance versus ecological interpretability. Community Ecol. 10: 244–250.

    Podani J. , 'Convex hulls, habitat filtering, and functional diversity: mathematical elegance versus ecological interpretability ' (2009 ) 10 Community Ecol. : 244 -250.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Podani, J. and D. Schmera. 2006. On dendrogram-based measures of functional diversity. Oikos 115: 179–185.

    Schmera D. , 'On dendrogram-based measures of functional diversity ' (2006 ) 115 Oikos : 179 -185.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Schmera, D., T. Erős and J. Podani. 2009. A measure for assessing functional diversity in ecological communities. Aquat. Ecol. 43: 157–167.

    Podani J. , 'A measure for assessing functional diversity in ecological communities ' (2009 ) 43 Aquat. Ecol. : 157 -167.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Schumacher, J. and C. Roscher. 2009. Differential effects of functional traits on aboveground biomass in semi-natural grasslands. Oikos 118: 1659–1668.

    Roscher C. , 'Differential effects of functional traits on aboveground biomass in semi-natural grasslands ' (2009 ) 118 Oikos : 1659 -1668.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Sternberg, M. and M. Shoshany. 2001. Influence of slope aspect on Mediterranean woody formations: Comparison of a semiarid and an arid site in Israel. Ecol. Res. 16: 335–345.

    Shoshany M. , 'Influence of slope aspect on Mediterranean woody formations: Comparison of a semiarid and an arid site in Israel ' (2001 ) 16 Ecol. Res. : 335 -345.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Stubbs, W. J. and J. B. Wilson. 2004. Evidence for limiting similarity in a sand dune community. J. Ecol. 92: 557–567.

    Wilson J. B. , 'Evidence for limiting similarity in a sand dune community ' (2004 ) 92 J. Ecol. : 557 -567.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Violle, C. and L. Jiang. 2009. Towards a trait-based quantification of species niche. J. Plant Ecol. 2: 87–93.

    Jiang L. , 'Towards a trait-based quantification of species niche ' (2009 ) 2 J. Plant Ecol. : 87 -93.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Violle, C., M.-L. Navas, D. Vile, E. Kazakou, C. Fortunel, I. Hummel and E. Garnier. 2007. Let the concept of trait be functional! Oikos 116: 882–892.

    Garnier E. , 'Let the concept of trait be functional! ' (2007 ) 116 Oikos : 882 -892.

  • Vogt, R. J., B. E. Beisner and Y. T. Prairie. 2010. Functional diversity is positively associated with biomass for lake diatoms. Freshwater Biol. 55: 1636–1646.

    Prairie Y. T. , 'Functional diversity is positively associated with biomass for lake diatoms ' (2010 ) 55 Freshwater Biol. : 1636 -1646.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Warren, R. 2008. Mechanisms driving understory evergreen herb distributions across slope aspects: as derived from landscape position. Plant Ecol. 198: 297–308.

    Warren R. , 'Mechanisms driving understory evergreen herb distributions across slope aspects: as derived from landscape position ' (2008 ) 198 Plant Ecol. : 297 -308.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Weigelt, A., J. Schumacher, C. Roscher and B. Schmid. 2008. Does biodiversity increase spatial stability in plant community biomass? Ecol. Lett. 11: 338–347.

    Schmid B. , 'Does biodiversity increase spatial stability in plant community biomass? ' (2008 ) 11 Ecol. Lett. : 338 -347.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Westoby, M. 1998. A leaf-height-seed (LHS) plant ecology strategy scheme. Plant and Soil 199: 213–227.

    Westoby M. , 'A leaf-height-seed (LHS) plant ecology strategy scheme ' (1998 ) 199 Plant and Soil : 213 -227.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Wilson, J. B. 2007. Trait-divergence assembly rules have been demonstrated: Limiting similarity lives! A reply to Grime. J. Veg. Sci. 18: 451–452.

    Wilson J. B. , 'Trait-divergence assembly rules have been demonstrated: Limiting similarity lives! A reply to Grime ' (2007 ) 18 J. Veg. Sci. : 451 -452.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Wright, I. J., P. B. Reich and M. Westoby. 2001. Strategy shifts in leaf physiology, structure and nutrient content between species of high- and low-rainfall and high- and low-nutrient habitats. Funct. Ecol. 15: 423–434.

    Westoby M. , 'Strategy shifts in leaf physiology, structure and nutrient content between species of high- and low-rainfall and high- and low-nutrient habitats ' (2001 ) 15 Funct. Ecol. : 423 -434.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Wright, I. J., P. B. Reich, M. Westoby, D. D. Ackerly, Z. Baruch, F. Bongers, J. Cavender-Bares, T. Chapin, J. H. Cornelissen, M. Diemer, J. Flexas, E. Garnier, P. K. Groom, J. Gulias, K. Hikosaka, B. B. Lamont, T. Lee, W. Lee, C. Lusk, J. J. Midgley, M. L. Navas, U. Niinemets, J. Oleksyn, N. Osada, H. Poorter, P. Poot, L. Prior, V. I. Pyankov, C. Roumet, S. C. Thomas, M. G. Tjoelker, E. J. Veneklaas and R. Villar. 2004. The worldwide leaf economics spectrum. Nature 428: 821–7.

    Villar R. , 'The worldwide leaf economics spectrum ' (2004 ) 428 Nature : 821 -7.

  • Yael, S., S. Galina, K. Leonid and S. Marcelo. 2009. From mesic to arid environments:Morphological and genetic divergence in Asphodelus aestivus Brot. populations. Isr. J. Plant Sci. 57: 91–102.

    Marcelo S. , 'From mesic to arid environments:Morphological and genetic divergence in Asphodelus aestivus Brot. populations ' (2009 ) 57 Isr. J. Plant Sci. : 91 -102.

    • Search Google Scholar
Cover Community Ecology
Community Ecology An Interdisciplinary Journal Reporting Progress in Community and Population Studies
Print ISSN:
1585-8553
Online ISSN:
1588-2756
Keywords:
Functional traits; Niche differentiation; Soil water content; Sub-alpine meadow

Monthly Content Usage

Abstract Views Full Text Views PDF Downloads
Nov 2020 2 6 1
Dec 2020 4 0 0
Jan 2021 2 0 0
Feb 2021 8 0 0
Mar 2021 6 0 0
Apr 2021 11 0 0
May 2021 0 0 0