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Curvilinear interspecific density–range size relationship in small mammals in F inland
Author(s) -
Komonen Atte,
Henttonen Heikki,
Huitu Otso,
Nissinen Kari
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of biogeography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 158
eISSN - 1365-2699
pISSN - 0305-0270
DOI - 10.1111/jbi.12078
Subject(s) - macroecology , range (aeronautics) , interspecific competition , abundance (ecology) , occupancy , ecology , habitat , population density , relative species abundance , biology , population , species richness , geography , demography , materials science , sociology , composite material
Aim Macroecological patterns have mainly been depicted as atemporal, with existing research covering only short time periods. One fundamental pattern in macroecology is the interspecific relationship between local abundance and regional range size, which is generally considered to be positively linear. Here, we examine structural details of the relationship between abundance and range size in cyclic populations of small mammals and its long‐term temporal variation. Location Finland. Methods We analysed 39 years of trapping data of Rodentia and Soricomorpha collected in field and forest habitats across Finland. Abundance was measured as the mean population density of individuals, and range size as the number of grid cells occupied and sample occupancy. Data were analysed using linear mixed models. Results The relationship between mean local density and sample occupancy was generally linear, whereas the relationship between density and the number of grid cells occupied was generally curvilinear (U‐shaped) for both habitats, being negative for species with small range sizes and positive for species with larger ranges. The curvilinearity was temporally consistent in both habitats. Main conclusions The interspecific relationship between abundance and range size varies depending on how range size is measured. Interestingly, the curvilinear relationship between density and range size was found in an assemblage in which many of the species have fluctuating (cyclic) populations. Future research on abundance–range size relationships should focus on long‐term temporal variation to better understand the underlying mechanisms and to develop macroecological theory.