ABSTRACT
Oceanic island floras are well known for their morphological peculiarities and exhibit striking examples of trait evolution1-3. These morphological shifts are commonly attributed to insularity and are thought to be shaped by the biogeographical processes and evolutionary histories of oceanic islands2,4. However, the mechanisms through which biogeography and evolution have shaped the distribution and diversity of plant functional traits remain unclear5. Here we describe the functional trait space of the native flora of an oceanic island (Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain) using extensive field and laboratory measurements, and relate it to global trade-offs in ecological strategies. We find that the island trait space exhibits a remarkable functional richness but that most plants are concentrated around a functional hotspot dominated by shrubs with a conservative life-history strategy. By dividing the island flora into species groups associated with distinct biogeographical distributions and diversification histories, our results also suggest that colonization via long-distance dispersal and the interplay between inter-island dispersal and archipelago-level speciation processes drive functional divergence and trait space expansion. Contrary to our expectations, speciation via cladogenesis has led to functional convergence, and therefore only contributes marginally to functional diversity by densely packing trait space around shrubs. By combining biogeography, ecology and evolution, our approach opens new avenues for trait-based insights into how dispersal, speciation and persistence shape the assembly of entire native island floras.
Subject(s)
Biodiversity , Islands , Oceans and Seas , Plants , Genetic Speciation , Life History Traits , Phenotype , Phylogeny , Plants/classification , Spain , EcologyABSTRACT
Current models of island biogeography treat endemic and non-endemic species as if they were functionally equivalent, focussing primarily on species richness. Thus, the functional composition of island biotas in relation to island biogeographical variables remains largely unknown. Using plant trait data (plant height, leaf area and flower length) for 895 native species in the Canary Islands, we related functional trait distinctiveness and climate rarity for endemic and non-endemic species and island ages. Endemics showed a link to climatically rare conditions that is consistent with island geological change through time. However, functional trait distinctiveness did not differ between endemics and non-endemics and remained constant with island age. Thus, there is no obvious link between trait distinctiveness and occupancy of rare climates, at least for the traits measured here, suggesting that treating endemic and non-endemic species as functionally equivalent in island biogeography is not fundamentally wrong.
Subject(s)
Climate , Plants , Phenotype , Plant Leaves , Spain , IslandsABSTRACT
Dada la diversidad y oferta de áreas naturales o artificiales en el piedemonte Llanero y cuenca del Orinoco para la avifauna, se hace necesario llevar a cabo inspecciones y monitoreos de focos de concentración de aves como posible peligro para la aeronavegación. Para este propósito se tomó como referencia al municipio de Villavicencio (Meta, Colombia) estableciendo dos niveles diferentes de evaluación, incluyendo las áreas de aeropuertos y el Parque Ecológico Reciclante. En cada nivel identificado se realizaron visitas de inducción, ajuste de categorías de hábitats, caracterización de la cobertura y uso del suelo y la identificación de los ecosistemas estratégicos partiendo del concepto de servicios ambientales prestados, especialmente la oferta de hábitat. Las observaciones permitieron la categorización de hábitats de influencia de los niveles 1 y 2, en ecosistemas boscosos, pastizales, ecosistemas acuáticos, agroecosistemas y la presencia de infraestructura urbana y productiva, focos importantes para aves de importancia potencial en el peligro aviario.
Given the diversity and range of natural or artificial areas for avifauna in the Plains piedmont and the Orinoco river basin, it is necessary to carry out inspections and monitoring of concentration of bird outbreaks as a potential hazard to air navigation. For this purpose, the municipality of Villavicencio (Meta, Colombia) was made reference to establish two different levels of evaluation, including the areas of airports and the Reciclante Ecological Park. At each level identified induction visits, adjustment of habitat categories, coverage characterization and land use, and identification of strategic ecosystems based on the concept of environmental services, especially habitat supply were performed. The observations allowed the categorization of level 1 and 2, habitats influence in forest ecosystems, grasslands, aquatic ecosystems, agro ecosystems and the presence of urban and productive infrastructure, central focus for birds of potential importance in aviary hazard.
