Oda Gabriela Akemi Macedo, de Siqueira Marinez Ferreira, Pires Alexandra Dos Santos, de Cássia Quitete Portela Rita
Botanical Garden Research Institute of Rio de Janeiro - JBRJ Rio de Janeiro Brazil.
Present address: Department of Environmental Sciences, Forestry Institute Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro - UFR BR465, Km7, 23897-970 Seropédica RJ Brazil.
Ecol Evol. 2019 Jun 2;9(12):7284-7290. doi: 10.1002/ece3.5300. eCollection 2019 Jun.
Historically, macroecology and microecology have diverged with regard to the niche concept. A better understanding of functioning ecological systems, however, depends on an integrative approach to this concept at different spatial scales. A mixed approach, merging macro- and microscale by validating ecological niche modeling (ENM) with the results of in situ experiments and environmental data collection was used to understand if areas identified by ENM as highly suitable for adult palms are also adequate for seedling establishment. 's (Arecaceae) distribution range falls within the Atlantic Rain Forest, and more specifically Serra dos Órgãos region (Rio de Janeiro state), southeastern Brazil. The following steps were performed: (a) ENM to delimit the area of occurrence of and locate experimental areas; (b) a seed sowing experiment in areas with presence or absence of the species in areas of high or low environmental suitability at 36 experimental stations; and (c) characterization of each microhabitat which was related back to the macroscale results of ENM. Evidence of biotic and abiotic limitations was found for distribution. Areas of higher suitability had lower seed predation rates and, consequently, higher seed germination rates. On the other hand, areas with low environmental suitability at the macroscale were divided into two types: areas with microhabitat similar to that of areas with high environmental suitability that had some germination despite high predation and areas with different environmental conditions that had no germination and high predation rates. Seedlings and adults had different abiotic requirements. Microhabitat conditions were more important for the initial establishment of than macroclimatic variables. This finding demonstrates that macro- and microecological information works in a complementary way to a better understanding of the distribution of .
从历史上看，宏观生态学和微观生态学在生态位概念上存在分歧。然而，对功能正常的生态系统的更好理解取决于在不同空间尺度上对这一概念的综合方法。我们采用了一种混合方法，通过将生态位建模（ENM）结果与原位实验和环境数据收集结果相结合，来融合宏观和微观尺度，以了解ENM确定为非常适合成年棕榈树生长的区域是否也适合幼苗的建立。棕榈科植物的分布范围位于大西洋雨林内，更具体地说是巴西东南部里约热内卢州的奥热奥山地区。我们执行了以下步骤：（a）进行ENM以划定该植物的分布区域并确定实验区域；（b）在36个实验站点的高或低环境适宜性区域内，进行有无该物种存在区域的种子播种实验；（c）对每个微生境进行特征描述，并将其与ENM的宏观尺度结果相关联。我们发现了该植物分布存在生物和非生物限制的证据。适宜性较高的区域种子捕食率较低，因此种子发芽率较高。另一方面，宏观尺度上环境适宜性较低的区域分为两种类型：微生境与环境适宜性较高区域相似的区域，尽管捕食率高但仍有一些种子发芽；以及环境条件不同、没有发芽且捕食率高的区域。幼苗和成年植株有不同的非生物需求。微生境条件对该植物的初始建立比宏观气候变量更为重要。这一发现表明，宏观和微观生态信息以互补的方式发挥作用，有助于更好地理解该植物的分布情况。
