Temporal β diversity—A macroecological perspective

Abstract

Issue Biodiversity change, that is how the taxonomic identities and abundances of species in ecological systems are changing over time, has two facets: temporal α diversity and temporal β diversity. To date, temporal α diversity has received most attention even though compositional shifts in assemblages exceed expectations based on ecological theory. Growing concern about the state of the world’s biodiversity highlights the need for better understanding of the extent, and consequences, of compositional reorganization in ecological systems. Challenges Most methods of measuring β diversity have been developed in a spatial context. We discuss the additional challenges involved in the assessment of temporal change, summarize existing methodological approaches, highlight the importance of establishing relevant baselines, and identify the need for appropriate null models of temporal β diversity. Given considerable potential for research on the macroecology of temporal β diversity we suggest future directions and challenges. Conclusions Although data availability remains the main impediment to improved quantification of temporal β diversity at macroecological scales, there are substantial opportunities for improved methodology and theory. Taxonomic β diversity has received most attention, but other dimensions of diversity, including functional and phylogenetic, should be part of integrated assessments of biodiversity change. Future approaches need to be ecologically meaningful and interpretable as well as statistically robust.

Temporal biodiversity change following disturbance varies along an environmental gradient

“…To date, the spatial dimension of biodiversity change has been the focus of research, while the constraints and drivers of temporal turnover remain less known (e.g., Magurran et al., 2019). By temporal turnover we mean changes in the identities and/or the abundances of species in a community over time.…”

“…But to what degree do these identity shifts alter community composition and functioning of the communities? The answer depends on the relationship between identity and dominance shifts, also called rank shifts (Hillebrand et al., 2018; Magurran et al., 2019): if identity shifts are positively associated with dominance shifts, it means that colonizers gain high abundances, while some previously dominant species become less common. If ecosystem processes (Allan et al., 2011; Sasaki & Lauenroth, 2011) and stability (Cottingham et al., 2001; Hillebrand et al., 2008) are driven by dominant species and their traits, then shifts in dominance structure will alter functioning of the communities if traits of new colonizers differ from those of previous dominants.…”

Degrees of compositional shift in tree communities vary along a gradient of temperature change rates over one decade: Application of an individual-based temporal beta-diversity concept

“…Legendre (2019) elegantly partitioned temporal beta-diversity into loss and gain components of the compositional changes in each community, thereby facilitating mechanistic understanding of the temporal changes in community composition. Furthermore, recent studies have started to show that the temporal beta-diversity patterns differ among sites (Legendre & Condit 2019, Magurran et al . 2019).…”

Deterministic and stochastic processes in natural and modified floodplain habitats: consequences for fish community temporal dynamics

“…Understanding the underlying abiotic and biotic assembly mechanisms controlling temporal and spatial community structure and patterns is not only a central issue in ecology (Cottenie 2005;Leibold et al 2004;Magurran et al, 2018Magurran et al, & 2019McGill 2003;Ning et al 2019), but also has practical implications for biodiversity conservation (Economo 2011;McGill et al 2015;Yurkonis et al 2005). Many mechanisms have been hypothesized as explaining spatial and temporal variations in community structure, i.e.…”