Navigating the multiple meanings of β diversity: a roadmap for the practicing ecologist.
A recent increase in studies of β diversity has yielded a confusing array of concepts, measures and methods. Here, we provide a roadmap of the most widely used and ecologically relevant approaches for analysis through a series of mission statements. We distinguish two types of β diversity: directional turnover along a gradient vs. non-directional variation. Different measures emphasize different properties of ecological data. Such properties include the degree of emphasis on presence/absence vs. relative abundance information and the inclusion vs. exclusion of joint absences. Judicious use of multiple measures in concert can uncover the underlying nature of patterns in β diversity for a given dataset. A case study of Indonesian coral assemblages shows the utility of a multi-faceted approach. We advocate careful consideration of relevant questions, matched by appropriate analyses. The rigorous application of null models will also help to reveal potential processes driving observed patterns in β diversity.
Institute of Information and Mathematical Sciences, Massey University, Albany Campus, Auckland, New Zealand. m.j.anderson@massey.ac.nz
Marti J
MJ
Anderson
Thomas O
TO
Crist
Jonathan M
JM
Chase
Mark
M
Vellend
Brian D
BD
Inouye
Amy L
AL
Freestone
Nathan J
NJ
Sanders
Howard V
HV
Cornell
Liza S
LS
Comita
Kendi F
KF
Davies
Susan P
SP
Harrison
Nathan J B
NJ
Kraft
James C
JC
Stegen
Nathan G
NG
Swenson
D044822:Biodiversity; D057894:Coral Reefs; D004463:Ecology; D059000:El Nino-Southern Oscillation; D007214:Indonesia; D008954:Models, Biological; D015999:Multivariate Analysis