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Short-term versus multi-decadal responses of community synchrony, biodiversity, and stability to multiple global change drivers
  • +8
  • Janette Davidson,
  • Kaitlyn Renee McKnight,
  • Megan Szojka,
  • Dustin Gannon,
  • Nathan Wisnoski,
  • Chhaya M. Werner,
  • Maowei Liang,
  • Eric Seabloom,
  • Courtenay Ray,
  • Melissa DeSiervo,
  • Lauren Shoemaker
Janette Davidson
University of Wyoming

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Kaitlyn Renee McKnight
University of Wyoming
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Megan Szojka
University of Wyoming
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Dustin Gannon
Oregon State University
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Nathan Wisnoski
Mississippi State University
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Chhaya M. Werner
Southern Oregon University
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Maowei Liang
University of Minnesota
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Eric Seabloom
University of Minnesota
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Courtenay Ray
University of Wyoming
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Melissa DeSiervo
Union College
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Lauren Shoemaker
University of Wyoming
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Abstract

Global change drivers alter multiple components of community composition, with cascading impacts on ecosystem stability. However, few studies have examined the complex interplay between global change drivers, synchrony, and diversity, especially over long-term successional dynamics. We analyzed a 22-year time series of grassland community data from Cedar Creek, USA, to examine the joint effects of pulse soil disturbance and press nitrogen addition on community synchrony, diversity, and stability during transient and post-transient periods of succession. Using multiple regression and structural equation modeling, we found that global change drivers decreased both synchrony and stability, thereby decoupling classic theoretical relationships, such as the portfolio effect. While the effect of soil disturbance weakened through time, nitrogen addition induced unexpected dynamics with maintained long-term impacts on composition, synchrony, and stability. Our findings underscore the need for long-term data and a comprehensive approach when managing ecosystems under ongoing global environmental changes.
30 Jan 2024Submitted to Ecology Letters
01 Feb 2024Submission Checks Completed
01 Feb 2024Assigned to Editor
01 Feb 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
08 Feb 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
18 Jun 2024Submission Checks Completed
18 Jun 2024Assigned to Editor
01 Jul 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
07 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
24 Aug 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
30 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
30 Aug 20242nd Revision Received
02 Sep 2024Submission Checks Completed
02 Sep 2024Assigned to Editor
04 Sep 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
09 Oct 2024Editorial Decision: Accept