‘Islands on islands’ as dynamic multi-scale metacommunities
- Anusha Beer,
- Travis Ingram,
- Ceridwen Fraser
Abstract
A process-based understanding of community assembly at multiple scales
can allow forecasting of community response to degradation and
restoration practices. We draw attention to a distinct metacommunity
arrangement characterised by multiple levels of assembly filters, and
exemplified by freshwater habitat patches on islands. This type of
metacommunity has complex spatial dynamics, and dispersal must occur
across multiple intermediate habitat types. An interdisciplinary
approach harnessing mathematical models and genetic tools such as eDNA
and population genomics will allow us to unravel the fundamental
processes acting over a large spatial and temporal scale influenced by
the region's geography, historical events and species pool.05 Sep 2024Submitted to Ecology and Evolution 12 Sep 2024Submission Checks Completed
12 Sep 2024Assigned to Editor
14 Sep 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
14 Oct 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending