Matrix context and patch quality jointly determine diversity in a landscape‐scale experiment

Abstract

The biodiversity of a habitat patch is predicted to be driven in part by interactions between patch quality and landscape context (i.e. type of regional matrix), but these interactions are rarely explored experimentally. Understanding the interaction between patch quality and matrix context can provide insight into the kind of dynamics that best describe a metacommunity and help predict how the diversity of a patch will respond to environmental change at different scales. We conducted a landscape-scale experiment to examine how regional and local aspects of the terrestrial matrix interact to affect biodiversity within artificial ponds designed to mimic generic features of freshwater ephemeral ponds. We manipulated both the kind of matrix surrounding ponds (open canopy grassland, pine forest, and hardwood forest) and pond quality (three different types of leaf litter substrate). Ponds were left open to natural colonization for three months by aquatic insects and amphibians. The terrestrial matrix had consistent and strong effects on biodiversity throughout the experiment: ponds in open canopy areas had more animal morphotypes than ponds in pine or hardwood forests. Leaf litter type affected biodiversity during the experiment, with more animal morphotypes in ponds with higher quality litter than ponds with lower quality litter, and this effect was stronger in open canopy areas. The effect of leaf litter, however, disappeared by the end of the experiment. Our results suggest that the matrix surrounding patches has strong effects on community dynamics and biodiversity within patches, and conservation efforts aimed at maintaining biodiversity requires simultaneous consideration of both matrix habitats and habitat patches.

Predation risk and patch size jointly determine perceived patch quality in ovipositing treefrogs,Hyla chrysoscelis

“…The fact that in the presence of larger patches smaller patches that are readily utilized when there is no variation in patch size are not utilized reinforces the idea that perceived patch quality and resulting colonization rate are highly context dependent across multiple spatial scales , Resetarits and Binckley 2009, Hughey et al 2012, Wesner et al 2012, Deans and Chalcraft 2017, Resetarits and Silberbush 2016. Preferred habitats in one spatial context may be less so in another spatial context, depending upon characteristics of the individual patch, characteristics of surrounding patches , and the larger habitat matrix in which a patch is embedded (Deans and Chalcraft 2017). In this context, patch size itself becomes another niche dimension across which species may behaviorally sort in natural systems.…”

“…Numerous studies have documented the important role of patch quality in colonization rate both in terrestrial (Rausher 1983, 1993, Singer 1984, Thompson and Pellmyr 1991, Renwick 1994, Mortelliti et al 2014, and aquatic systems (Resetarits and Wilbur 1989, Resetarits 2001, Kiflawi et al 2003, 2007, Vonesh and Buck 2007, Vonesh et al 2009, Deans and Chalcraft 2017, review: Blaustein 1999. However, these studies typically manipulate quality while holding size (and isolation) constant and are rarely designed to compare relative importance.…”

Micro-habitat distribution drives patch quality for sub-tropical rocky plateau amphibians in the northern Western Ghats, India

“…Therefore, habitat quality was highly important in determining the presence and persistence of many taxa but most importantly the rare ones. That quality depends on both landscape level variables including climate, seasonality and topography and within-plateau elements [ 63 ].…”

“…Amphibian patch occupancy is dependent upon patch quality and regional factors including patch distribution, the nature of the intervening landscape, and climate [ 63 ]. The importance of patch quality in regulating species distribution is becoming widely recognised as a key factor [ 64 ].…”

Contágio espacial resultante do risco de predação na seleção de sí­tios de oviposição por mosquito

“…Surpreendentemente, a percepção que os indivíduos têm quanto à qualidade de uma mancha de hábitat pode ser alterada dependendo da qualidade que eles percebem das manchas vizinhas (Resetarits et al 2005;Deans & Chalcraft 2017;Trekels & Vanschoenwinkel 2019). Consequentemente, a dinâmica de colonização das manchas de hábitat isoladas acaba não dependendo apenas da qualidade intrínseca percebida, mas, também, do contexto espacial no qual a mancha se insere (Resetarits et al 2005;Wesner et al 2012;Deans & Chalcraft 2017;Trekels & Vanschoenwinkel 2019).…”