Using functional and phylogenetic diversity to infer avian community assembly along elevational gradients

By Flavia A. Montaño‐Centellas, C. McCain, Bette A. Loiselle. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 2019

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Aim: We present the first global analysis of elevational gradients in functional and phylogenetic diversity of birds and test for signals of deterministic processes (i.e., environmental filtering and limiting similarity) in community assembly. Further, we examine for latitudinal effects in the strength of these processes. Location: Forty‐six elevational gradients across the globe. Time period: Current (between 1924 and 2016). Major taxa: Birds. Methods: We systematically selected, compiled and analysed published data on bird diversity along elevational gradients. For each gradient, we calculated functional and phylogenetic diversity across elevations and described the main patterns for each diversity metric. Then, we calculated standardized effect sizes (SES) of each metric and used these SES values to (a) test the signals of deterministic processes shaping assemblages across elevations and (b) to compare changes in within‐mountain diver‐ sity, among mountains located at different latitudes. Results: Birds displayed eight different patterns of functional and phylogenetic di‐ versity across elevations, but no

Subfields: Ecological Modeling, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Nature and Landscape Conservation

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