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Dispersal syndromes can link intraspecific trait variability and meta-ecosystem functioning
Allan Raffard1, Elvire Bestion2, Julien Cote3
1Université Catholique de Louvain, Earth and Life Institute, Biodiversity Research Centre, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|December 25, 2021
Summary
Dispersal syndromes, linked to functional traits, influence meta-ecosystem processes. This connection can alter trait flow and ecosystem function, potentially linking evolution and ecosystem dynamics across generations.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Meta-ecosystem Dynamics
Background:
- Dispersal is crucial for meta-community and meta-ecosystem functioning.
- Individual dispersal tendency varies with phenotypic traits, known as dispersal syndromes.
- The impact of dispersal syndromes on meta-ecosystem functioning remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the implications of dispersal syndromes for meta-ecosystem functioning.
- To highlight the link between dispersal and key functional traits across diverse taxa.
- To understand how trait flow and spatial heterogeneity of ecosystem functions are mediated by dispersal syndromes.
Main Methods:
- Review of empirical examples from vertebrates, arthropods, and microbes.
- Analysis of the coupling between dispersal tendency and functional traits.
- Conceptual framework linking dispersal syndromes to meta-ecosystem processes.
Main Results:
- Key functional traits are often linked to dispersal tendency (dispersal syndromes).
- Dispersal syndromes mediate the flow of functional traits within meta-ecosystems.
- This mediation influences the spatial heterogeneity of ecosystem functions.
Conclusions:
- The coupling of dispersal and functional traits has significant consequences for meta-ecosystem functioning.
- Genetically determined dispersal syndromes can lead to transgenerational carry-over of functional trait heterogeneity.
- Meta-ecosystem functioning is linked to evolutionary dynamics through dispersal syndromes.
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