title: Assemblage time series reveal biodiversity change but not systematic loss.
abstract: The extent to which biodiversity change in local assemblages contributes to global biodiversity loss is poorly understood. We analyzed 100 time series from biomes across Earth to ask how diversity within assemblages is changing through time. We quantified patterns of temporal α diversity, measured as change in local diversity, and temporal β diversity, measured as change in community composition. Contrary to our expectations, we did not detect systematic loss of α diversity. However, community composition changed systematically through time, in excess of predictions from null models. Heterogeneous rates of environmental change, species range shifts associated with climate change, and biotic homogenization may explain the different patterns of temporal α and β diversity. Monitoring and understanding change in species composition should be a conservation priority.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biological Diversity and Scottish Oceans Institute, School of Biology, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9TH, UK.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dornelas
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Gotelli
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: McGill
authors.forename: Hideyasu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shimadzu
authors.forename: Faye
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Moyes
authors.forename: Caya
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sievers
authors.forename: Anne E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Magurran
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D001717:Birds; D017753:Ecosystem; D053476:Extinction, Biological; D005399:Fishes; D058865:Introduced Species; D007448:Invertebrates; D008322:Mammals; D010944:Plants; D011157:Population Dynamics; D013997:Time Factors