Temporal β diversity—a macroecological perspective
Abstract
Issue Biodiversity change, that is how the taxonomic identities and abundances of species in ecological systems are changing over time, has two facets: temporal α diversity and temporal β diversity. To date, temporal α diversity has received most attention even though compositional shifts in assemblages exceed expectations based on ecological theory. Growing concern about the state of the world’s biodiversity highlights the need for better understanding of the extent, and consequences, of compositional reorganization in ecological systems. Challenges Most methods of measuring β diversity have been developed in a spatial context. We discuss the additional challenges involved in the assessment of temporal change, summarize existing methodological approaches, highlight the importance of establishing relevant baselines, and identify the need for appropriate null models of temporal β diversity. Given considerable potential for research on the macroecology of temporal β diversity we suggest future directions and challenges. Conclusions Although data availability remains the main impediment to improved quantification of temporal β diversity at macroecological scales, there are substantial opportunities for improved methodology and theory. Taxonomic β diversity has received most attention, but other dimensions of diversity, including functional and phylogenetic, should be part of integrated assessments of biodiversity change. Future approaches need to be ecologically meaningful and interpretable as well as statistically robust.
Citation
Magurran , A E , Dornelas , M , Moyes , F & Henderson , P A 2019 , ' Temporal β diversity—a macroecological perspective ' , Global Ecology and Biogeography , vol. Early View . https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.13026
Publication
Global Ecology and Biogeography
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
1466-822XType
Journal article
Rights
Copyright © 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This work has been made available online in accordance with publisher policies or with permission. Permission for further reuse of this content should be sought from the publisher or the rights holder. This is the author created accepted manuscript following peer review and may differ slightly from the final published version. The final published version of this work is available at https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.13026
Description
Authors acknowledge the following funding: European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant (AdG) BioTIME (250198) and ERC Proof of Concept (PoC) BioCHANGE (727440) to AEM.Collections
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