Feature Papers in Biogeography and Macroecology

A topical collection in Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This collection belongs to the section "Biogeography and Macroecology".

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Editor

1. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UAR 2029, Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale, 09200 Moulis, France
2. Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Institut Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), UMR 7205, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, 75241 Paris, France
Interests: genotype-phenotype interactions; phenotypic diversity; sexual selection; metapopulation biology; dispersal; migration; adaptive radiation; coevolution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

As Diversity is a generalist journal, we hereby invite authors to submit articles outlining the state of the art of some special features concerning biogeography and macroecology, dealing with all aspects of the spatial patterns and processes in ecology and evolution of living and extinct organisms.  

Specialized or local studies will be evaluated only if discussion leads to/illustrates general questions/conclusions relevant to biogeography and macroecology. Submission of both empirical studies and theoretical papers are encouraged.

The following list includes some of the topics covered:

  • Distribution range description and analysis of macro and microtaxa;
  • Macroecological and macroevolutionary patterns and processes;
  • Patterns and processes of biodiversity origin, regulation and evolution at multiple spatial scales;
  • Patterns and processes of species abundance, distribution and diversity at multiple spatial scales;
  • Ecological biogeography;
  • Evolutionary biogeography;
  • Palaeobiogeography;
  • Adaptive radiation;
  • Island biogeography;
  • Speciation;
  • Extinction;
  • Colonization;
  • Spatial behaviour;
  • Dispersal;
  • Migration;
  • Life history;
  • Movement ecology;
  • Landscape ecology;
  • Metapopulations, metacommunities and metaecosystems;
  • Spatial patterns and processes in ecology and evolution;
  • Spatial issues of global changes on biodiversity.

Submissions would ideally provide a sound state-of -the-art of the research in the field that would be accessible to both non-specialists and to specialists in the field, and provide clear perspectives for future research in the field.

Prof. Dr. Michel Baguette
Collection Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the collection website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diversity is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (3 papers)

2023

Jump to: 2022

11 pages, 1213 KiB  
Article
Impacts of Climate Change on Densities of the Urchin Centrostephanus rodgersii Vary among Marine Regions in Eastern Australia
by Tom R. Davis, Nathan A. Knott, Curtis Champion and Rachel Przeslawski
Diversity 2023, 15(3), 419; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030419 - 13 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2239
Abstract
The urchin Centrostephanus rodgersii is expanding its range southward in eastern Australia, which has been associated with negative ecological impacts, including shifts from kelp forests to barrens. However, limited analyses are available that examine the factors influencing its abundance and distribution across the [...] Read more.
The urchin Centrostephanus rodgersii is expanding its range southward in eastern Australia, which has been associated with negative ecological impacts, including shifts from kelp forests to barrens. However, limited analyses are available that examine the factors influencing its abundance and distribution across the entirety of this range. Here, we utilise data from 13,085 underwater visual census surveys, from 1992 to 2022, to develop an urchin density model for C. rodgersii across its historical and extending geographical range. We apply this model to examine whether C. rodgersii densities are increasing and to project future urchin densities by 2100 under IPCC climate scenario RCP 8.5. Significant increases in C. rodgersii densities were detected in data for the South-east marine region of Australia, which encompasses Tasmania, Victoria, and the far south coast of New South Wales (NSW) over the last 30 years. In the Temperate East marine region (encompassing Queensland and NSW waters to 36.6° S), however, no significant increases in densities were observed. Future projections indicated that further substantial increases in C. rodgersii densities are likely to occur in the South-east marine region and substantial reductions in most of the Temperate East marine region by 2100. Importantly, results indicate that current and future changes to C. rodgersii densities in Australia vary among marine regions. Therefore, the future ecological impacts of urchins on temperate ecosystems, including the formation of barrens, will also vary among regions. Consequently, management actions will need to differ among these regions, with the South-east marine region requiring mitigation of the impacts of increasing C. rodgersii densities, whereas the Temperate East marine region may need actions to preserve declining C. rodgersii populations. Full article
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Graphical abstract

2022

Jump to: 2023

16 pages, 2032 KiB  
Article
Understanding Spatiotemporal Variation in Richness and Rate of Within-Site Turnover for Vegetation Communities in Western Eurasia over the Last 4000 Years
by Anne E. Goodenough and Julia C. Webb
Diversity 2022, 14(12), 1096; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14121096 - 10 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1178
Abstract
Vegetation communities are intricate networks of co-occurring species. Logistical challenges in collecting primary data means research often utilises short-term data from restricted geographical areas. In this study, we examine spatiotemporal change in richness and turnover of vascular plants and bryophytes over the last [...] Read more.
Vegetation communities are intricate networks of co-occurring species. Logistical challenges in collecting primary data means research often utilises short-term data from restricted geographical areas. In this study, we examine spatiotemporal change in richness and turnover of vascular plants and bryophytes over the last 4000 years at 23 sites in western Eurasia using high-resolution palaeoecological data. We find support for the Latitudinal Diversity Gradient and Altitudinal Diversity Gradient in both the overall vegetation community (arboreal and non-arboreal species) and the shrub and herb sub-community (non-arboreal species only), as well as a significant temporal increase in the gradient of both relationships. There was a temporal increase in (alpha) richness; the rate of turnover was high but temporally consistent for the overall vegetation community and high but decreasing over time for the shrub and herb sub-community. The rate of change in turnover was affected by latitude (steeper negative relationship at higher latitudes) and altitude (steeper negative relationship at lower altitudes). The Diversity-Stability Hypothesis was supported: vegetation communities changed from “lower richness, higher turnover” historically to “higher richness, lower turnover” more recently. Causal mechanisms for these complex interlinked biogeographical patterns remain ambiguous, but likely include climate change, non-native introductions, increasing homogenisation of generalist taxa, landscape simplification, and anthropogenic disturbance. Further research into drivers of the spatiotemporal patterns revealed here is a research priority, which is especially important in the context of biodiversity decline and climate change. Full article
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17 pages, 11558 KiB  
Article
Mapping the Distribution and Dispersal Risks of the Alien Invasive Plant Ageratina adenophora in China
by Xiaojuan Zhang, Yanru Wang, Peihao Peng, Guoyan Wang, Guanyue Zhao, Yongxiu Zhou and Zihao Tang
Diversity 2022, 14(11), 915; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14110915 - 27 Oct 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1755
Abstract
Identifying the distribution dynamics of invasive alien species can help in the early detection of and rapid response to these invasive species in newly invaded sites. Ageratina adenophora, a worldwide invasive plant, has spread rapidly since its invasion in China in the [...] Read more.
Identifying the distribution dynamics of invasive alien species can help in the early detection of and rapid response to these invasive species in newly invaded sites. Ageratina adenophora, a worldwide invasive plant, has spread rapidly since its invasion in China in the 1940s, causing serious damage to the local socioeconomic and ecological environment. To better control the spread of this invasive plant, we used the MaxEnt model and ArcGIS based on field survey data and online databases to simulate and predict the spatial and temporal distribution patterns and risk areas for the spread of this species in China, and thus examined the key factors responsible for this weed’s spread. The results showed that the risk areas for the invasion of A. adenophora in the current period were 18.394° N–33.653° N and 91.099° E–121.756° E, mainly in the tropical and subtropical regions of China, and densely distributed along rivers and well-developed roads. The high-risk areas are mainly located in the basins of the Lancang, Jinsha, Yalong, and Anning Rivers. With global climate change, the trend of continued invasion of A. adenophora is more evident, with further expansion of the dispersal zone towards the northeast and coastal areas in all climatic scenarios, and a slight contraction in the Yunnan–Guizhou plateau. Temperature, precipitation, altitude, and human activity are key factors in shaping the distribution pattern of A. adenophora. This weed prefers to grow in warm and precipitation-rich environments such as plains, hills, and mountains; in addition, increasing human activities provide more opportunities for its invasion, and well-developed water systems and roads can facilitate its spread. Measures should be taken to prevent its spread into these risk areas. Full article
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