Uncovering the relative influences of space and environment in shaping the biogeographic patterns of mangrove mollusk diversity

Abstract

AbstractDetermining the relative importance of ecological processes regulating the biogeographic patterns of marine species, especially with respect to α- and β-diversity in multi-habitat communities, is a central goal in marine ecology. We explored the relative contribution of spatial (stochastic processes) and environmental factors (deterministic processes) to the biogeographic patterns of the α- and β-diversity of mangrove mollusks. A total of 16 mangrove areas were sampled in southeast coast China from 18°N to 28°N latitude. The highest mean α-diversity was found at 20°N and that of β-diversity was at 21°N. Both spatial and environmental factors had significant effects on the α- and β-diversity patterns. The environments had greater effects than the spaces on shaping the α-diversity pattern, while the spaces were relatively more important in governing the β-diversity patterns than the environments. Our results suggest that the α-diversity pattern was mainly controlled by deterministic processes (environmental filtering), while β-diversity was primarily shaped by stochastic processes (dispersal-related), although both processes had significant impacts on α- and β-diversity patterns. Identifying the ecological variables and mechanisms that drive variations in α- and β-diversity may help guide the conservation for biodiversity in endangered mangrove ecosystems under anthropogenic and global changes.