Karstic Microrefugia Host Functionally Specific Ant Assemblages
Issue Date
12-2020
Abstract
Karst landscapes are among the topographically most complex systems with various microhabitats, where species can persist despite unfavourable macro-environmental changes. These microhabitats can also function as stepping stones during range shifts. Although the enclosed depressions (dolines, sinkholes or tiankengs) of karst landscapes may act as such safe havens, data on the functional diversity of their animal assemblages are scarce. Here, we investigate the functional diversity (i.e., certain functional groups and functional traits) of ant assemblages in dolines and study whether dolines surrounded by resource-poor environments (i.e., Fagus sylvatica forests) may function as safe havens for different kinds of ants. We found that dolines have the potential to maintain distinctive ant assemblages characterised by specific functional groups and traits that are rare in the surrounding habitats. Although continuous Fagus sylvatica cover in dolines had a detrimental impact on ant assemblages, grassland dolines surrounded by grasslands or Fagus sylvatica forests supported the presence of some specific functional groups and traits. These results suggest that conservation management needs to consider the influence of vegetation characteristics not only in dolines but also on the surrounding plateau. Moderate grazing and/or mowing would be desirable in order to prevent shrub encroachment into grasslands to ensure optimal vegetation structure for ants in the long run. Therefore, proper management and conservation of these safe havens may mitigate the rate of biodiversity loss under global warming. There is a need to explore a wide variety of taxonomic groups and taxon-specific traits in parallel with the quality of the surrounding habitats when evaluating current and potential microrefugia.
Source or Periodical Title
Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
Volume
8
Page
1-12
Document Type
Article
Physical Description
illustration, graphs, tables
Language
English
Subject
doline, functional group, functional trait, hostile environment, microhabitat, refugia, safe haven, tiankeng
Recommended Citation
Bátori, Z., Lőrinczi, G., Tölgyesi, C., Módra, G., Juhász, O., Aguilon, D.J., Vojtkó, A., Valkó, O., Balázs, D., Erdős, L., Elek, M. (2020). Karstic Microrefugia Host Functionally Specific Ant Assemblages. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 8, 1-12. 10.3389/fevo.2020.613738.
Identifier
DOI:10.3389/fevo.2020.613738
Digital Copy
yes
En – AGROVOC descriptors
DOLINE; FUNCTIONAL GROUP; FUNCTIONAL TRAIT; HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT; MICROHABITAT; REFUGIA; SAFE HAVEN; TIANKENG