Open AccessPhylogenetic diversity of Amazonian tree communities
Author(s) -
Honorio Coronado Eurídice N.,
Dexter Kyle G.,
Pennington R. Toby,
Chave Jérôme,
Lewis Simon L.,
Alexiades Miguel N.,
Alvarez Esteban,
Alves de Oliveira Atila,
Amaral Iêda L.,
AraujoMurakami Alejandro,
Arets Eric J. M. M.,
Aymard Gerardo A.,
Baraloto Christopher,
Bonal Damien,
Brienen Roel,
Cerón Carlos,
Cornejo Valverde Fernando,
Di Fiore Anthony,
FarfanRios William,
Feldpausch Ted R.,
Higuchi Niro,
HuamantupaChuquimaco Isau,
Laurance Susan G.,
Laurance William F.,
LópezGonzalez Gabriela,
Marimon Beatriz S.,
MarimonJunior Ben Hur,
Monteagudo Mendoza Abel,
Neill David,
Palacios Cuenca Walter,
Peñuela Mora Maria Cristina,
Pitman Nigel C. A.,
Prieto Adriana,
Quesada Carlos A.,
Ramirez Angulo Hirma,
Rudas Agustín,
Ruschel Ademir R.,
Salinas Revilla Norma,
Salomão Rafael P.,
Segalin de Andrade Ana,
Silman Miles R.,
Spironello Wilson,
Steege Hans,
Terborgh John,
Toledo Marisol,
Valenzuela Gamarra Luis,
Vieira Ima C. G.,
Vilanova Torre Emilio,
Vos Vincent,
Phillips Oliver L.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
diversity and distributions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.918
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1472-4642
pISSN - 1366-9516
DOI - 10.1111/ddi.12357
Subject(s) - amazonian , species richness , amazon rainforest , phylogenetic diversity , phylogenetic tree , ecology , taxon , biology , alpha diversity , rainforest , biodiversity , clade , geography , biochemistry , gene
Aim To examine variation in the phylogenetic diversity ( PD ) of tree communities across geographical and environmental gradients in Amazonia. Location Two hundred and eighty‐three c . 1 ha forest inventory plots from across Amazonia. Methods We evaluated PD as the total phylogenetic branch length across species in each plot ( PD ss), the mean pairwise phylogenetic distance between species ( MPD ), the mean nearest taxon distance ( MNTD ) and their equivalents standardized for species richness (ses. PD ss, ses. MPD , ses. MNTD ). We compared PD of tree communities growing (1) on substrates of varying geological age; and (2) in environments with varying ecophysiological barriers to growth and survival. Results PD ss is strongly positively correlated with species richness ( SR ), whereas MNTD has a negative correlation. Communities on geologically young‐ and intermediate‐aged substrates (western and central Amazonia respectively) have the highest SR , and therefore the highest PD ss and the lowest MNTD . We find that the youngest and oldest substrates (the latter on the Brazilian and Guiana Shields) have the highest ses. PD ss and ses. MNTD . MPD and ses. MPD are strongly correlated with how evenly taxa are distributed among the three principal angiosperm clades and are both highest in western Amazonia. Meanwhile, seasonally dry tropical forest (SDTF) and forests on white sands have low PD , as evaluated by any metric. Main conclusions High ses. PD ss and ses. MNTD reflect greater lineage diversity in communities. We suggest that high ses. PD ss and ses. MNTD in western Amazonia results from its favourable, easy‐to‐colonize environment, whereas high values in the Brazilian and Guianan Shields may be due to accumulation of lineages over a longer period of time. White‐sand forests and SDTF are dominated by close relatives from fewer lineages, perhaps reflecting ecophysiological barriers that are difficult to surmount evolutionarily. Because MPD and ses. MPD do not reflect lineage diversity per se , we suggest that PD ss, ses. PD ss and ses. MNTD may be the most useful diversity metrics for setting large‐scale conservation priorities.