Linking spatial self-organization to community assembly and biodiversity

Bera, Bidesh K.; Tzuk, Omer; Bennett, Jamie J. R.; Meron, Ehud

doi:10.7554/elife.73819

Cited by 13 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…These results are in line with previous empirical studies from patterned ecosystems where the success of introduced patches depended on patch size (Angelini et al, 2016), or the recovery of patch disturbances depended on the habitat suitability for the community forming the disturbed patch (Van Belzen et al, 2017). For instance, while the implications for pattern formation through resource concentration mechanisms have been prominently studied for the restoration of dryland ecosystems (Bera et al, 2021), the restoration perspective taken here highlights the effect of patch size and density on the trajectory toward landscape recovery (Figure 4).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Introducing desirable patches to initiate ecosystem transitions and accelerate ecosystem restoration

Eppinga,

Michaels,

Santos

et al. 2023

Ecological Applications

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Meeting restoration targets may require active strategies to accelerate natural regeneration rates or overcome the resilience associated with degraded ecosystem states. Introducing desired ecosystem patches in degraded landscapes constitutes a promising active restoration strategy, with various mechanisms potentially causing these patches to become foci from which desired species can re‐establish throughout the landscape. This study considers three mechanisms previously identified as potential drivers of introduced patch dynamics: autocatalytic nucleation, directed dispersal, and resource concentration. These mechanisms reflect qualitatively different positive feedbacks. We developed an ecological model framework that compared how the occurrence of each mechanism was reflected in spatio‐temporal patch dynamics. We then analyzed the implications of these relationships for optimal restoration design. We found that patch expansion accelerated over time when driven by the autocatalytic nucleation mechanism, while patch expansion driven by the directed dispersal or resource concentration mechanisms decelerated over time. Additionally, when driven by autocatalytic nucleation, patch expansion was independent of patch position in the landscape. However, the proximity of other patches affected patch expansion either positively or negatively when driven by directed dispersal or resource concentration. For autocatalytic nucleation, introducing many small patches was a favorable strategy, provided that each individual patch exceeded a critical patch size. Introducing a single patch or a few large patches was the most effective restoration strategy to initiate the directed dispersal mechanism. Introducing many small patches was the most effective strategy for reaching restored ecosystem states driven by a resource concentration mechanism. Our model results suggest that introducing desirable patches can substantially accelerate ecosystem restoration, or even induce a critical transition from an otherwise stable degraded state toward a desired ecosystem state. However, the potential of this type of restoration strategy for a particular ecosystem may strongly depend on the mechanism driving patch dynamics. In turn, which mechanism drives patch dynamics may affect the optimal spatial design of an active restoration strategy. Each of the three mechanisms considered reflects distinct spatio‐temporal patch dynamics, providing novel opportunities for empirically identifying key mechanisms, and restoration designs that introduce desired patches in degraded landscapes according to these patch dynamics.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Introducing desirable patches to initiate ecosystem transitions and accelerate ecosystem restoration

Eppinga,

Michaels,

Santos

et al. 2023

Ecological Applications

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show abstract

“…By means of Turing reaction-diffusion morphogenesis equations (Cuddington et al, 2007), modelling self-organisation processes can highlight the role of EEs in the assembly, dynamic, diversity and stability of ecosystems and EF (Bera et al, 2021). The formation of spatial patterns such as bare soil, spot, rings, strips or uniform vegetation results from a combination of positive and negative feedback between EEs and resources at individual and landscape scales (Gilad et al, 2007).…”

Section: Mechanistic Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring and modelling the effects of ecosystem engineers on ecosystem functioning

et al. 2023

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1. Ecosystem engineers modify biophysical environments, create novel habitats, and change biodiversity, with the ultimate effect of modulating critical ecosystem functions. This review describes and synthesises approaches, methodologies, and analytical frameworks for quantifying how ecosystem engineers drive ecosystem functioning.2. We i) outline what variables to measure, how to measure them, and define the appropriate ecological and spatiotemporal scales for monitoring changes in both ecosystem engineers and ecosystem functioning; ii) illustrate experiments involving species exclusion or removal, addition or re-introduction, and comparative designs when experimental manipulation is not feasible; and iii) describe statistical, datadriven, and theory-driven approaches for estimating and forecasting the impact of ecosystem engineers on ecosystem functioning.3. In the Anthropocene, humans are a salient example of an ecosystem engineer. We discuss how to leverage the ecosystem engineer knowledge in the context of current anthropogenic change for achieving conservation, restoration, and climatemitigation goals.4. We suggest evidence-based models and practises that can facilitate transformative changes in socio-ecological processes associated with ecosystem engineers. We conclude that implementing programs that monitor, forecast and apply the ecosystem engineer framework would sustain biological diversity and functional ecosystems.

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“…Self-organization of vegetation patchiness caused by aridity can reduce ecosystem plant biomass (Box 2), and increase water fluxes and nutrient cycling in vegetation patches 132 . For shallow-rooted plant species adapted to mesic conditions, selforganization of vegetation patchiness amplifies degradative climate change effects, while transition to deep-rooted, drought-adapted species buffers against such effects (Box 2) 133 .…”

Section: Self-organization Of Vegetation Patchinessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dryland mechanisms could widely control ecosystem functioning in a drier and warmer world

et al. 2022

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Responses of terrestrial ecosystems to climate change have been explored in many regions worldwide. While continued drying and warming may alter process rates and deteriorate the state and performance of ecosystems, it could also lead to more fundamental changes in the mechanisms governing ecosystem functioning. Here, we argue that climate change will induce unprecedented shifts in these mechanisms in historically wetter climatic zones, towards mechanisms currently prevalent in dry regions, which we refer to as "dryland mechanisms". We discuss twelve dryland mechanisms affecting multiple processes of ecosystem functioning, including vegetation development, water flow, energy budget, carbon and nutrient cycling, plant production and organic matter decomposition. We then examine mostly rare examples of the operation of these mechanisms in non-dryland regions where they have been considered insignificant at present. Current and future climate trends could force microclimatic conditions across thresholds and lead to the emergence of dryland mechanisms and their increasing control over ecosystem functioning in many biomes on Earth.

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Linking spatial self-organization to community assembly and biodiversity

Cited by 13 publications

References 71 publications

Introducing desirable patches to initiate ecosystem transitions and accelerate ecosystem restoration

Introducing desirable patches to initiate ecosystem transitions and accelerate ecosystem restoration

Monitoring and modelling the effects of ecosystem engineers on ecosystem functioning

Dryland mechanisms could widely control ecosystem functioning in a drier and warmer world

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