Dataset Information

The pitfalls of biodiversity proxies: Differences in richness patterns of birds, trees and understudied diversity across Amazonia.

ABSTRACT: Most knowledge on biodiversity derives from the study of charismatic macro-organisms, such as birds and trees. However, the diversity of micro-organisms constitutes the majority of all life forms on Earth. Here, we ask if the patterns of richness inferred for macro-organisms are similar for micro-organisms. For this, we barcoded samples of soil, litter and insects from four localities on a west-to-east transect across Amazonia. We quantified richness as Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) in those samples using three molecular markers. We then compared OTU richness with species richness of two relatively well-studied organism groups in Amazonia: trees and birds. We find that OTU richness shows a declining west-to-east diversity gradient that is in agreement with the species richness patterns documented here and previously for birds and trees. These results suggest that most taxonomic groups respond to the same overall diversity gradients at large spatial scales. However, our results show a different pattern of richness in relation to habitat types, suggesting that the idiosyncrasies of each taxonomic group and peculiarities of the local environment frequently override large-scale diversity gradients. Our findings caution against using the diversity distribution of one taxonomic group as an indication of patterns of richness across all groups.

SUBMITTER: Ritter CD

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6915760 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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The pitfalls of biodiversity proxies: Differences in richness patterns of birds, trees and understudied diversity across Amazonia.

Ritter Camila D CD Faurby Søren S Bennett Dominic J DJ Naka Luciano N LN Ter Steege Hans H Zizka Alexander A Haenel Quiterie Q Nilsson R Henrik RH Antonelli Alexandre A

Scientific reports 20191216 1

Most knowledge on biodiversity derives from the study of charismatic macro-organisms, such as birds and trees. However, the diversity of micro-organisms constitutes the majority of all life forms on Earth. Here, we ask if the patterns of richness inferred for macro-organisms are similar for micro-organisms. For this, we barcoded samples of soil, litter and insects from four localities on a west-to-east transect across Amazonia. We quantified richness as Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) in thos ...[more]

PMID: 31844092

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Project description:Aim:To document the species richness patterns of breeding birds along elevational gradients and explore its drivers in the Horn of Africa region. Location:Horn of Africa region. Taxon:Breeding birds. Methods:Distributional data for breeding birds were collected. Elevational distribution data were extracted, interpolated, and assembled for all birds, passerines, and nonpasserines. In order to tease apart how different environmental factors contributed to the variation in species richness, we found it is necessary to divide the area into four subregions with different climatic regimes and topographic structure, namely western slope, eastern slope, wet side, and dry side. Then, the species richness in each 100-m elevational band was counted along the elevational gradients of each subregion. Pearson's correlation analyses and ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions were used to examine the relationships between species richness and factors. Results:The variation in species richness followed hump-shaped patterns for all subregions, although with peak values at different elevations. The bird species groups on the western and eastern slopes showed low and high plateaus with mid-elevation peaks, respectively, but very low species diversities at the highest elevations. Species richness was significantly correlated with temperature range and productivity in each subregion. The temperature range, area, and productivity explained 82% of the species richness variations for all birds on the western slope. Main conclusions:The separate analyses of four area subdivisions provide strong indications of how various factors interact. Productivity and temperature range were the major driving factors for shaping the richness patterns, but deviations from expected patterns suggest modifying roles of mist formation zones in the valleys that deeply intersect the large highlands in the west and rich riparian vegetation where water from cool and humid environments at high elevation reaches lower elevations in the arid east. Conservation is recommended in each subregion based on the elevational richness scenarios.

Dataset Information

The pitfalls of biodiversity proxies: Differences in richness patterns of birds, trees and understudied diversity across Amazonia.

Publications

The pitfalls of biodiversity proxies: Differences in richness patterns of birds, trees and understudied diversity across Amazonia.

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