Is the island biogeography model a poor predictor of biodiversity patterns in shallow lakes?

Abstract

Summary The classic island biogeography model (IBM) predicts highest species richness in large, connected habitats due to colonisation and reduced risk of extinction. Promoting large, connected habitats has subsequently become a common theme in conservation biology. However, the IBM does not account for direct and indirect interactions among species. For example, planktivorous and benthivorous fish may reduce biodiversity in shallow lakes by inducing shifts to a turbid‐water lake state with low habitat complexity. We assessed relationships between species richness, landscape features, fish biomass and lake state in 104 shallow lakes in Minnesota, U.S.A. First, we tested whether lake size and connectivity influenced species richness of fish and biomass of planktivores and benthivores (fish biomass). We subsequently tested whether fish biomass affected the probability that lakes were in turbid versus clear‐water states. Finally, we tested whether species richness of macrophytes and taxon richness of aquatic invertebrates showed stronger relationships with lake size and connectivity or with fish biomass and lake state. Fish richness and biomass both increased with lake size and were higher in connected basins. Fish biomass, in turn, increased the probability that lakes would be turbid. In contrast, macrophyte and invertebrate richness were unrelated to lake size or connectivity. Instead, macrophyte richness was best predicted by lake state, while invertebrate richness was predicted by lake state and fish biomass. Richness of both macrophytes and invertebrates was higher in clear lakes, and invertebrate richness was inversely related to fish biomass. Our results indicate the IBM poorly explains the diversity of macrophytes and invertebrates in shallow lakes, with diversity more strongly driven by biotic interactions and influences associated with fish. We suggest that ecological implications of increased connectivity and lake size should be considered in future conservation strategies for shallow lakes.