title: Community ecology in a changing environment: Perspectives from the Quaternary.
abstract: Community ecology and paleoecology are both concerned with the composition and structure of biotic assemblages but are largely disconnected. Community ecology focuses on existing species assemblages and recently has begun to integrate history (phylogeny and continental or intercontinental dispersal) to constrain community processes. This division has left a "missing middle": Ecological and environmental processes occurring on timescales from decades to millennia are not yet fully incorporated into community ecology. Quaternary paleoecology has a wealth of data documenting ecological dynamics at these timescales, and both fields can benefit from greater interaction and articulation. We discuss ecological insights revealed by Quaternary terrestrial records, suggest foundations for bridging between the disciplines, and identify topics where the disciplines can engage to mutual benefit.
authors.affiliation: Southwest Climate Science Center, US Geological Survey, Tucson, AZ 85719; Department of Geosciences and School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721; and stjackson@usgs.gov.
authors.forename: Stephen T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.affiliation: Life and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced CA 95343.
authors.forename: Jessica L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Blois
mesh_terms: D058448:Biota; D005580:Fossils; D010163:Paleontology; D011058:Pollen / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Quaternary paleoecology; climate change; community ecology