Intermediate fragmentation <i>per se</i> provides stable predator‐prey metapopulation dynamics

Cooper, Jennifer L.; Li, Jiqiu; Montagnes, David J. S.

doi:10.1111/j.1461-0248.2012.01808.x

Cited by 38 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Abundance was determined twice daily. Although the volume of these incubations (8 ml) is smaller than the total volume for the metapopulation incubations (total 100 ml, see below), the temporal predator–prey dynamics in the 8 ml incubations at 20°C was similar to that in 64 ml containers, of a similar depth, also at 20°C (see Results and Cooper et al , Fig. e), suggesting that the 8 ml incubations are at least indicative of trends in larger volumes.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 79%

Spatial extinction or persistence: landscape‐temperature interactions perturb predator–prey dynamics

Salt

Bulit²,

Zhang

et al. 2016

Ecography

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Recognising that species interact across a range of spatial scales, we explore how landscape structure interacts with temperature to influence persistence. Specifically, we recognise that few studies indicate thermal shifts as the proximal cause of species extinctions; rather, species interactions exacerbated by temperature result in extinctions. Using microcosm‐based experiments, as models of larger landscape processes, we test hypotheses that would be problematic to address through field work. A text‐book predator–prey system (the ciliates Didinium and Paramecium) was used to compare three landscapes: an unfragmented landscape subjected to uniform temperatures (10, 20, 30°C); a fragmented landscape (potentially hosting metapopulations) subjected to these three temperatures; and a fragmented landscape subjected to a spatial temperature gradient (∼ 10 to 30°C) – despite the prevalence of natural temperature ecoclines this is the first time such an analysis has been conducted. Initial thermal response‐analysis (growth, mortality, and movement measured between 10 and 30°C) suggested that as temperature increased, the predator might drive the prey to extinction. Thermal preferences (measured at 5 temperatures between 10 and 30°C), indicated that both predator and prey preferred warmer temperatures, with the predator exhibiting the stronger preference, suggesting that cooler regions might act as a prey‐refuge. The landscape level observations, however, did not entirely support the predictions. First, in the unfragmented landscape, increased temperature led to extinctions, but at the highest temperature (where the predator growth can be reduced) the prey survived. Second, at high temperatures the fragmented landscape failed to host metapopulations that would allow predator–prey persistence. Third, the thermal ecocline did not provide heterogeneity that improved stability; rather it forced both species to occupy a smaller realized space, leading toward extinctions. These findings reveal that temperature‐impacted rates and temperature preferences combine to drive predator–prey dynamics and persistence across landscapes.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 79%

Spatial extinction or persistence: landscape‐temperature interactions perturb predator–prey dynamics

Salt

Bulit²,

Zhang

et al. 2016

Ecography

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“…, Cooper et al. ). Further, experimental studies in fragmented forest landscapes show that avian insectivory is greater at forest edges than interiors because of greater availability and/or detectability of prey at edges, and preferential foraging in edge habitat, which provides a movement corridor (Gonzalez‐Gomez et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bird functional diversity decreases with time since disturbance: Does patchy prescribed fire enhance ecosystem function?

Sitters

Stefano

Christie

et al. 2016

Ecological Applications

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Animal species diversity is often associated with time since disturbance, but the effects of disturbances such as fire on functional diversity are unknown. Functional diversity measures the range, abundance, and distribution of trait values in a community, and links changes in species composition with the consequences for ecosystem function. Improved understanding of the relationship between time since fire (TSF) and functional diversity is critical given that the frequency of both prescribed fire and wildfire is expected to increase. To address this knowledge gap, we examined responses of avian functional diversity to TSF and two direct measures of environmental heterogeneity, plant diversity, and structural heterogeneity. We surveyed birds across a 70-year chronosequence spanning four vegetation types in southeast Australia. Six bird functional traits were used to derive four functional diversity indices (richness, evenness, divergence, and dispersion) and the effects of TSF, plant diversity and structural heterogeneity on species richness and the functional diversity indices were examined using mixed models. We used a regression tree method to identify traits associated with species more common in young vegetation. Functional richness and dispersion were negatively associated with TSF in all vegetation types, suggesting that recent prescribed fire generates heterogeneous vegetation and provides greater opportunities for resource partitioning. Species richness was not significantly associated with TSF, and is probably an unreliable surrogate for functional diversity in fire-prone systems. A positive, relationship between functional evenness and structural heterogeneity was comnon to all vegetation types, suggesting that fine-scale (tens of meters) structural variation can enhance ecosystem function. Species more common in young vegetation were primarily linked by their specialist diets, indicating that ecosystem services such as seed dispersal and insect control are enhanced in more recently burnt vegetation. We suggest that patchy prescribed fire sustains functional diversity, and that controlled use of patchy fire to break up large expanses of mature vegetation will enhance ecosystem function.

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“…However, many field experiments indicate that the configuration of both habitat (Bélisle & Desrochers ; Robertson & Radford ) and matrix (Aben et al . ; Villard & Haché ) strongly influence landscape permeability, as well as species interactions (Roland ; Cooper, Li & Montagnes ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

REVIEW: Beyond the fragmentation debate: a conceptual model to predict when habitat configuration really matters

Villard

Metzger

2014

Journal of Applied Ecology

339

280

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Summary Research addressing the effects of habitat fragmentation on species, assemblages or ecosystems has been fraught with difficulties, from its conceptual foundation to statistical analyses and interpretation. Yet, it is critical to address such challenges as ecosystems are rapidly being altered across the world. Many studies have concluded that effects of habitat loss exceed those of fragmentation per se, that is, the degree to which a given amount of habitat is broken apart. There is also evidence from different biomes and taxa that habitat configuration, that is, the spatial arrangement of habitat at a given time, may influence several landscape processes such as functional connectivity, edge and matrix effects, and thus population viability. Instead of focusing attention on the relative influence of either habitat loss or fragmentation, we must identify portions of the gradient in habitat amount where configuration effects are most likely to be observed. Here, we suggest that all species are, to a certain degree, sensitive to landscape change and that, assuming a homogeneous matrix, habitat configuration will have a higher influence on species at intermediate values of habitat amount, where configuration has potentially the greatest variability. On the basis of empirical studies and simulations, we expect that species that are relatively tolerant to fragmentation of their habitat will exhibit a wider band where amount and configuration interact compared to species less tolerant to fragmentation. Synthesis and applications. Reducing habitat loss should be a top priority for conservation planners. However, researchers should also investigate the indirect impacts of habitat loss on biodiversity through fragmentation effects. This research aims to identify windows of opportunity where habitat configuration can mitigate to some extent the effects of habitat loss, particularly through the maintenance of functional connectivity.

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Intermediate fragmentation per se provides stable predator‐prey metapopulation dynamics

Cited by 38 publications

References 42 publications

Spatial extinction or persistence: landscape‐temperature interactions perturb predator–prey dynamics

Spatial extinction or persistence: landscape‐temperature interactions perturb predator–prey dynamics

Bird functional diversity decreases with time since disturbance: Does patchy prescribed fire enhance ecosystem function?

REVIEW: Beyond the fragmentation debate: a conceptual model to predict when habitat configuration really matters

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