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Published on: March 12, 2013
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Ecological patterns and processes in the vertical dimension of terrestrial ecosystems
Shuang Xing1, Lily Leahy2, Louise A Ashton3
1School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.
The Journal of Animal Ecology
|January 9, 2023
Summary
Vertical plant structures create microclimates, driving species biodiversity and evolution similarly to latitude and elevation. This review highlights vertical gradients as key to understanding ecological patterns and future global change responses.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Biogeography
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Macroclimatic gradients like latitude and elevation are primary drivers of global biogeography.
- Terrestrial plant structure creates vertical climatic gradients, offering ecological space for species coexistence and increasing biodiversity.
- These vertical gradients can act as pathways for evolutionary adaptation and specialization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review ecological evidence supporting the vertical gradient as a driver of species ecology and evolution.
- To synthesize how vertical patterns shape species composition, distribution, and interactions in vertebrate and invertebrate taxa.
- To propose the vertical dimension as a model for exploring ecological and evolutionary questions and global change impacts.
Main Methods:
- Literature synthesis of ecological evidence on vertical gradients.
- Focus on vertebrate and invertebrate taxa to understand ecological patterns within the vertical dimension.
- Identification of key ecological mechanisms and species traits facilitating persistence in vertical environments.
Main Results:
- Vertical gradients are comparable to macro-gradients in shaping biogeographical patterns.
- Three key ecological mechanisms related to species traits enable persistence within vertical environments.
- Empirical examples illustrate the processes shaping species composition, distribution, and biotic interactions.
Conclusions:
- The vertical dimension is a significant, yet often overlooked, factor in ecology and evolution.
- Vertical gradients provide a valuable framework for studying biodiversity, adaptation, and ecological specialization.
- Future research should investigate the role of vertical dimensions in animal taxa's resilience to global change.
Keywords:
biogeographyecological mechanismfunctional traitsspecies distributionvertical stratificationMore Related Videos
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