In the Southern Alps, the role of landscape context on meadows plant diversity was evaluated using a multi-model information theoretic approach and five competing hypotheses of landscape context factors: habitat quality (H1), matrix quality (H2), habitat change (H3), matrix quality change (H4) and topography-environmental conditions (H5)- measured at three spatial scales (125, 250 and 500 m). Shannon diversity index and species richness represented plant diversity obtained in 34 plots (100 m2 size). Landscape context affected plant diversity measures differently. Matrix quality change at larger scale (500 m) was the most supported hypothesis explaining Shannon diversity index, while species richness responded mostly to topography-environmental conditions in the immediate surroundings (125 m). No effects of present-day habitat and matrix quality (H1 and H2) were found. Matrix quality change affected positively Shannon diversity index through an effect of landscape neighbourhood context on farming management practices. Due to the importance of exposure and inclination of slopes, topography-environmental conditions influenced species richness mostly through energy-driven processes and farming management strategies. In terms of scale, matrix quality change was the strongest hypothesis explaining Shannon diversity index at all scales, while the underlying process affecting species richness changed with scale (H5 or H3). Overall, landscape context explained only 25-28 % of the variation in plant diversity, suggesting that landscape management may support biodiversity conservation when comprised in a global strategy including farming practices. In the study area, change in landscape diversity may be a good indicator for Shannon diversity index and south-eastern facing meadows should be preserved. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Monteiro, A., Fava, F., Gonçalves, J., Huete, A., Gusmeroli, F., Parolo, G., et al. (2013). Landscape context determinants to plant diversity in the permanent meadows of Southern European Alps. BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION, 22(4), 937-958 [10.1007/s10531-013-0460-1].

Landscape context determinants to plant diversity in the permanent meadows of Southern European Alps

FAVA, FRANCESCO PIETRO
Secondo
;
2013

Abstract

In the Southern Alps, the role of landscape context on meadows plant diversity was evaluated using a multi-model information theoretic approach and five competing hypotheses of landscape context factors: habitat quality (H1), matrix quality (H2), habitat change (H3), matrix quality change (H4) and topography-environmental conditions (H5)- measured at three spatial scales (125, 250 and 500 m). Shannon diversity index and species richness represented plant diversity obtained in 34 plots (100 m2 size). Landscape context affected plant diversity measures differently. Matrix quality change at larger scale (500 m) was the most supported hypothesis explaining Shannon diversity index, while species richness responded mostly to topography-environmental conditions in the immediate surroundings (125 m). No effects of present-day habitat and matrix quality (H1 and H2) were found. Matrix quality change affected positively Shannon diversity index through an effect of landscape neighbourhood context on farming management practices. Due to the importance of exposure and inclination of slopes, topography-environmental conditions influenced species richness mostly through energy-driven processes and farming management strategies. In terms of scale, matrix quality change was the strongest hypothesis explaining Shannon diversity index at all scales, while the underlying process affecting species richness changed with scale (H5 or H3). Overall, landscape context explained only 25-28 % of the variation in plant diversity, suggesting that landscape management may support biodiversity conservation when comprised in a global strategy including farming practices. In the study area, change in landscape diversity may be a good indicator for Shannon diversity index and south-eastern facing meadows should be preserved. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
AIC; EVI; Habitat change; Matrix quality change; Multi-model inference; Shannon diversity index; Species richness; Topography-environmental conditions; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Ecology; Nature and Landscape Conservation
English
2013
22
4
937
958
none
Monteiro, A., Fava, F., Gonçalves, J., Huete, A., Gusmeroli, F., Parolo, G., et al. (2013). Landscape context determinants to plant diversity in the permanent meadows of Southern European Alps. BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION, 22(4), 937-958 [10.1007/s10531-013-0460-1].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/78137
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