Stochastic processes dominate community assembly at large spatial scales
in Patagonian fjord ecosystems
Abstract
Understanding how community assembly processes vary across spatial
scales and environmental gradients is key to predicting species
coexistence and informing conservation priorities. Beta-diversity
represents the spatial variation in biodiversity and is intimately
linked to processes ranging from fully niche-based to neutral assembly
processes. Here we investigated the beta-diversity patterns of rocky
subtidal macrobenthic assemblages in two environmentally contrasting
fjords of Chilean Patagonia and across three spatial scales and
dimensions within each fjord: vertical scale (subtidal depth; 0 – 21
m), fine horizontal (within fjord sections; 1 - 10 km) and broad
horizontal (between fjord sections; 10 - 100 km). We applied generalized
dissimilarity models (GDMs) to analyse three underlying processes that
shape ecological communities: density-independent responses to abiotic
conditions (salinity and temperature), dispersal (geographical distances
and depth), and stochasticity (beta-null deviations) on beta-diversity
expressed as Bray-Curtis dissimilarities. Stochastic and dispersal
processes dominated beta-diversity along horizontal gradients,
particularly at larger spatial scales, while environmental filters
consistently contributed to beta-diversity along depth gradients. The
southern fjord presented higher community variation in line with higher
environmental heterogeneity. Stochastic processes dominate the northern
fjord, suggesting a greater influence of habitat homogenization. These
results emphasize the scale-dependent nature of assembly processes in
fjord ecosystems and underscore the importance of incorporating multiple
spatial dimensions into biodiversity assessments.