Liu Ying, Lisovski Simeon, Courtin Jérémy, Stoof-Leichsenring Kathleen R, Herzschuh Ulrike
Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Polar Terrestrial Environmental Systems, 14473, Potsdam, Germany.
Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.
Nat Commun. 2025 Jan 28;16(1):1128. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-56176-3.
A nearly ubiquitous negative relationship between taxonomic richness and mean range-size (average area of taxa) is observed across space. However, the complexity of the mechanism limits its applicability for conservation or range prediction. We explore whether the relationship holds over time, and whether plant speciation, environmental heterogeneity, or plant interactions are major factors of the relationship within northeast Siberia and Alaska. By analysing sedimentary ancient DNA from seven lakes, we reconstruct plant richness, biotic environmental heterogeneity, and mean range-size over the last 30,000 years. We find positive richness to range-size relationships during the glacial period, shifting to negative during the interglacial period. Our results indicate neither speciation nor environmental heterogeneity is the principal driver. Network analyses show more positive interactions during the glacial period, which may contribute to positive richness to range-size relationships. Conversely, in the interglacial environment, negative interactions may result in negative relationships. Our findings suggest potential susceptibility to invasion but conservation advantages in far northern tundra given their positive interactions.
在空间上，分类丰富度与平均分布范围大小（分类单元的平均面积）之间几乎普遍存在负相关关系。然而，该机制的复杂性限制了其在保护或分布范围预测方面的适用性。我们探究这种关系是否随时间推移而成立，以及植物物种形成、环境异质性或植物相互作用是否是西伯利亚东北部和阿拉斯加地区这种关系的主要因素。通过分析来自七个湖泊的沉积古DNA，我们重建了过去3万年的植物丰富度、生物环境异质性和平均分布范围大小。我们发现在冰川期丰富度与分布范围大小呈正相关关系，而在间冰期则转变为负相关。我们的结果表明，物种形成和环境异质性都不是主要驱动因素。网络分析显示在冰川期有更多的正相互作用，这可能促成了丰富度与分布范围大小的正相关关系。相反，在间冰期环境中，负相互作用可能导致负相关关系。我们的研究结果表明，鉴于其正相互作用，极北苔原可能易受入侵，但具有保护优势。
