Aims Harsh environmental conditions in alpine ecosystems shape vegetation structure into patches,where many different plant species cluster and grow together.Yet,which factors are important for the structure and dynam...Aims Harsh environmental conditions in alpine ecosystems shape vegetation structure into patches,where many different plant species cluster and grow together.Yet,which factors are important for the structure and dynamics of such plant–patch networks remains poorly understood.We aim to assess which and how environmental and biotic factors predict the assembly of plant–patch networks along a mountain range.Methods We examined the distribution of plant species in more than 5500 vegetation patches in 37 Mediterranean alpine grasslands distributed along a 500 m altitudinal gradient(National Park of Sierra Guadarrama,Spain).We established a plant–patch network for each grassland community and analyzed how nestedness and modularity vary with environmental(altitude,insolation and soil conditions)and biotic factors(number of species per plot,mean patch area and total pasture area).Important Findings Plant–patch networks showed consistent,non-random patterns characterized by a nested,but not modular,structure,which suggests that positive associations among co-occurring specialists promote their growth within patches as subsets of a pool with more generalist species.Both nestedness and modularity of plant–patch networks varied among grasslands.Specifically,nestedness decreased with increasing species per plot and increased with mean patch area,while it was independent of environmental variables;modularity increased with increasing pasture area and species per plot.The negative relationship between species per plot and nested patterns may be linked to the restricted number of species that can coexist within the same patch at a given size.Moreover,the positive relationship between patch size and nestedness indicates that the growth of rare plant species within vegetation patches occupied by more abundant species is facilitated in bigger rather than smaller patches.Furthermore,these results indicate that the nested assembly of vegetation patches may be independent of abiotic conditions.These findings suggest that large and unfragmented vegetation patches are fundamental for the maintenance of plant diversity in alpine grasslands.Looking at species distribution at fine spatial scales may shed new light on the biotic processes underlying plant network assembly and provide novel ways for conserving biodiversity.展开更多
Introduction:While many studies have explored the link between ecology and urban design,this paper examines two major conceptions that can promote deeper connections between architecture and ecological science.Outcome...Introduction:While many studies have explored the link between ecology and urban design,this paper examines two major conceptions that can promote deeper connections between architecture and ecological science.Outcomes:Rather than providing a comprehensive review,the paper explores in detail two frameworks that have not yet been exploited as foundations for a bridge between these fields.One is the seminal work of Aldo Rossi on the architecture of the city,as opposed to a more traditional architectural focus on specific buildings,lots,or specific clients.The com-plementary fr amework for ecological science is the ecology of the city,developed to support and explain a new era of more integrated social-ecological study of urban systems than had existed previously.Discussion:This paper draws heretofore unexamined parallels between architecture as represented by the work of Rossi and the ecology of the city as represented by the Baltimore School of Urban Ecology.The ecology of the city has become a widely used framing in the science of urban ecology,while the architecture of the city continues to influence a deeper understanding of the built environment as a whole.The parallels provided by the architecture of the city and the ecology of the city help to understand the historical interrelations between nature and culture.Conclusion:Intersecting the two conceptual frameworks of the architecture and ecology of the city can help satisfy the call for an actionable ecology for the city.This call demands both disciplines integrate their conceptual frameworks with communities in the collective enter-prise of creating urban ecosystem health,justice,and sustainability.展开更多
基金supported by the Madrid Regional Government(grant REMEDINAL TE-CM-S2018/EMT-4338)the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain,(grants ROOTs-CGL2015-66809-P-)and AdAptA-CGL2012-33528)partially by the Swiss National Science Foundation to GL(grants IZSEZ0_180195 and P2ZHP3_187938).
文摘Aims Harsh environmental conditions in alpine ecosystems shape vegetation structure into patches,where many different plant species cluster and grow together.Yet,which factors are important for the structure and dynamics of such plant–patch networks remains poorly understood.We aim to assess which and how environmental and biotic factors predict the assembly of plant–patch networks along a mountain range.Methods We examined the distribution of plant species in more than 5500 vegetation patches in 37 Mediterranean alpine grasslands distributed along a 500 m altitudinal gradient(National Park of Sierra Guadarrama,Spain).We established a plant–patch network for each grassland community and analyzed how nestedness and modularity vary with environmental(altitude,insolation and soil conditions)and biotic factors(number of species per plot,mean patch area and total pasture area).Important Findings Plant–patch networks showed consistent,non-random patterns characterized by a nested,but not modular,structure,which suggests that positive associations among co-occurring specialists promote their growth within patches as subsets of a pool with more generalist species.Both nestedness and modularity of plant–patch networks varied among grasslands.Specifically,nestedness decreased with increasing species per plot and increased with mean patch area,while it was independent of environmental variables;modularity increased with increasing pasture area and species per plot.The negative relationship between species per plot and nested patterns may be linked to the restricted number of species that can coexist within the same patch at a given size.Moreover,the positive relationship between patch size and nestedness indicates that the growth of rare plant species within vegetation patches occupied by more abundant species is facilitated in bigger rather than smaller patches.Furthermore,these results indicate that the nested assembly of vegetation patches may be independent of abiotic conditions.These findings suggest that large and unfragmented vegetation patches are fundamental for the maintenance of plant diversity in alpine grasslands.Looking at species distribution at fine spatial scales may shed new light on the biotic processes underlying plant network assembly and provide novel ways for conserving biodiversity.
基金Support has been provided by the National Science Foundation’s Long-Term Ecological Research program to the Baltimore Ecosystem Study.
文摘Introduction:While many studies have explored the link between ecology and urban design,this paper examines two major conceptions that can promote deeper connections between architecture and ecological science.Outcomes:Rather than providing a comprehensive review,the paper explores in detail two frameworks that have not yet been exploited as foundations for a bridge between these fields.One is the seminal work of Aldo Rossi on the architecture of the city,as opposed to a more traditional architectural focus on specific buildings,lots,or specific clients.The com-plementary fr amework for ecological science is the ecology of the city,developed to support and explain a new era of more integrated social-ecological study of urban systems than had existed previously.Discussion:This paper draws heretofore unexamined parallels between architecture as represented by the work of Rossi and the ecology of the city as represented by the Baltimore School of Urban Ecology.The ecology of the city has become a widely used framing in the science of urban ecology,while the architecture of the city continues to influence a deeper understanding of the built environment as a whole.The parallels provided by the architecture of the city and the ecology of the city help to understand the historical interrelations between nature and culture.Conclusion:Intersecting the two conceptual frameworks of the architecture and ecology of the city can help satisfy the call for an actionable ecology for the city.This call demands both disciplines integrate their conceptual frameworks with communities in the collective enter-prise of creating urban ecosystem health,justice,and sustainability.
