On two dissimilarity-based measures of functional beta diversity

Abstract

In this paper, we propose two related versions of a dissimilarity-based measure of functional beta diversity, together with the associated tests for differences in beta diversity among different groups of samples. Both measures are based on the optimal functional matching between the species in two samples. As such, they are tightly connected to Hurlbert's seminal work on encounter-based diversity measures. The behavior of the proposed measures is illustrated with one worked example on the functional turnover of Alpine species along a successional gradient. Results show that both measures proved able to detect the functional turnover of vegetation along the chronosequence. The method, for which we provide a simple r function, further allows to evaluate the functional contribution of single sampling units to the overall beta diversity of any kind of species assemblages.