The area-independent effects of habitat complexity on biodiversity vary between regions
Johnson, Mark P., Frost, Natalie J., Mosley, Matthew W.J., Roberts, Malcolm.F. and Hawkins, Stephen J. (2003) The area-independent effects of habitat complexity on biodiversity vary between regions. Ecology Letters, 6, (2), 126-132. (doi:10.1046/j.1461-0248.2003.00404.x).
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Description/Abstract
Potential explanatory variables often co-vary in studies of species richness. Where topography varies within a survey it is difficult to separate area and habitat-diversity effects. Topographically complex surfaces may contain more species due to increased habitat diversity or as a result of increased area per se . Fractal geometry can be used to adjust species richness estimates to control for increases in area on complex surfaces. Application of fractal techniques to a survey of rocky shores demonstrated an unambiguous area-independent effect of topography on species richness in the Isle of Man. In contrast, variation in species richness in south-west England reflected surface availability alone. Multivariate tests and variation in limpet abundances also demonstrated regional variation in the area-independent effects of topography. Community composition did not vary with increasing surface complexity in south-west England. These results suggest large-scale gradients in the effects of heterogeneity on community processes or demography.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| ISSNs: | 1461-023X (print) |
| Related URLs: | |
| Keywords: | fractal, heterogeneity, lottery, spacing, topography |
| Subjects: | Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology |
| Divisions: | University Structure - Pre August 2011 > School of Biological Sciences University Structure - Pre August 2011 > School of Ocean & Earth Science (SOC/SOES) |
| Item ID: | 57734 |
| Date Deposited: | 08 Aug 2008 |
| Last Modified: | 25 Apr 2013 17:35 |
| Contributors: | Johnson, Mark P. (Author) Frost, Natalie J. (Author) Mosley, Matthew W.J. (Author) Roberts, Malcolm.F. (Author) Hawkins, Stephen J. (Author) |
| Date: | February 2003 |
| Status: | Published |
| Contact Email Address: | m.johnson@qub.ac.uk |
| URI: | http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/57734 |
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