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Does spatiotemporal nutrient variation allow more species to coexist?
Josie Antonucci Di Carvalho1, Stephen A Wickham2
1Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstrasse 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria. josie.carvalho@stud.sbg.ac.at.
Oecologia
|October 25, 2020
Summary
Asynchronous nutrient addition boosted phytoplankton and zooplankton diversity in aquatic ecosystems. This effect on biodiversity was transient and not affected by ecosystem connectivity.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Environmental Science
- Aquatic Ecology
Background:
- Nutrient availability heterogeneity influences species coexistence and biodiversity.
- Both temporal and spatial nutrient heterogeneity are known drivers of diversity.
- Metacommunity dynamics are shaped by nutrient supply and patch connectivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined impact of temporal and spatial nutrient addition on aquatic biodiversity.
- To test how nutrient addition synchronicity and metacommunity connectivity affect phytoplankton and zooplankton diversity.
- To determine if asynchronous nutrient supply enhances species coexistence.
Main Methods:
- A microcosm experiment was conducted using algae, cyanobacteria, ciliates, and rotifers.
- Two nutrient addition strategies were tested: synchronous (regional) and asynchronous (local).
- Two levels of patch connectivity (low and high) were manipulated in the metacommunities.
Main Results:
- Asynchronous nutrient addition led to transient increases in phytoplankton diversity.
- Zooplankton richness was persistently higher under asynchronous nutrient addition.
- The degree of connectivity between patches did not influence the observed effects of nutrient addition.
Conclusions:
- Asynchronous nutrient supply can create favorable conditions for species to co-occur, enhancing biodiversity.
- The positive effects of asynchronous nutrient addition on biodiversity were partially transient.
- Metacommunity connectivity did not modulate the impact of nutrient addition timing on diversity.
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