Species-sorting and mass-transfer paradigms control managed natural metacommunities

Authored by Hauke Harms, Susanne Guenther, Karoline Faust, Joachim Schumann, Jeroen Raes, Susann Mueller

Date Published: 2016

DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.13402

Sponsors: European Union

Platforms: R

Model Documentation: Other Narrative

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

A complex microbial system consisting of six different interconnected localities was thoroughly investigated at full scale for over a year. The meta-community concept originating from macro-ecology was used to uncover mechanisms of community assembly by observing microbial interrelationships in and between the different localities via correlation and network analysis. The individual-based observation approach was applied using high-throughput microbial community cytometry in addition to next generation sequencing. We found robust alpha-diversity values for each of the six localities and high beta-diversity values despite directed connectivity between localities, classifying for endpoint assembly of organisms in each locality. Endpoint characteristics were based on subcommunities with high cell numbers whereas those with lower cell numbers were involved in dispersal. Perturbation caused abiotic parameters to alter local community assembly with especially the rare cells announcing community restructuration processes. The mass-effect paradigm as part of the metacommunity concept was identified by an increase in interlocality biotic correlations under perturbation which, however, did not unbalance the predominant species-sorting paradigm in the studied full scale metacommunity. Data as generated in this study might contribute to the development of individual-based models for controlling managed multispecies natural systems in future.

Tags

Productivity Diversity Biodiversity systems Plant Colonization Disturbance Ecological communities Microbial community Population regulation