Journal Article

Geographical ecology of dry forest tree communities in the West Indies

Rojas-Sandoval, J, Bangor University, Mcdonald, M.A, Department of Geography [Los Angeles] ; University of California [Los Angeles] (UCLA) ; University of California (UC)-University of California (UC), Trinity College Dublin, Daniels, M.L, University of Puerto Rico (UPR), Marcano-Vega, H, Ross, M.S, Gonzalez, G, Universidad de Caldas [Manizales, Colombia], Kelly, D.L, Smithsonian Institution, Steadman, D.W, Risques, Ecosystèmes, Vulnérabilité, Environnement, Résilience (RECOVER) ; Aix Marseille Université (AMU)-Institut national de recherche en sciences et technologies pour l'environnement et l'agriculture (IRSTEA), Ecologie des forêts de Guyane (UMR ECOFOG) ; Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (Cirad)-Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-AgroParisTech-Université de Guyane (UG)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université des Antilles (UA), Kapos, V, The University of the West Indies, Fandino, M.C, Ruiz, J, Terrill, I, Andrade, R, Florida Internat

2018

Overview

Aim: Seasonally dry tropical forest (SDTF) of the Caribbean Islands (primarily West Indies) is floristically distinct from Neotropical SDTF in Central and South America. We evaluate whether tree species composition was associated with climatic gradients or geographical distance. Turnover (dissimilarity) in species composition of different islands or among more distant sites would suggest communities structured by speciation and dispersal limitations. A nested pattern would be consistent with a steep resource gradient. Correlation of species composition with climatic variation would suggest communities structured by broad‐scale environmental filtering.Location: The West Indies (The Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Lucia), Providencia (Colombia), south Florida (USA) and Florida Keys (USA).Taxon: Seed plants—woody taxa (primarily trees).Methods: We compiled 572 plots from 23 surveys conducted between 1969 and 2016. Hierarchical clustering of species in plots, and indicator species analysis for the resulting groups of sites, identified geographical patterns of turnover in species composition. Nonparametric analysis of variance, applied to principal components of bioclimatic variables, determined the degree of covariation in climate with location. Nestedness versus turnover in species composition was evaluated using beta diversity partitioning. Generalized dissimilarity modelling partitioned the effect of climate versus geographical distance on species composition.Results: Despite a set of commonly occurring species, SDTF tree community composition was distinct among islands and was characterized by spatial turnover on climatic gradients that covaried with geographical gradients. Greater Antillean islands were characterized by endemic indicator species. Northern subtropical areas supported distinct, rather than nested, SDTF communities in spite of low levels of endemism.Main conclusions: The SDTF species composition was correlated with climatic variation. SDTF on large Greater Antillean islands (Hispaniola, Jamaica and Cuba) was characterized by endemic species, consistent with their geological history and the biogeography of plant lineages. These results suggest that both environmental filtering and speciation shape Caribbean SDTF tree communities.

• Publisher: Wiley,HAL CCSD,John Wiley & Sons Ltd,Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subject: analysis of variance / Bahamas / beta diversity / bioclimatic indexes / Bioclimatology / Biodiversity / Biodiversity and Ecology / Biogeography / Caribbean / climate / Climate effects / Climate models / Cluster analysis / Clustering / Colombia / Communities / Community composition / community structure / Composition / Cuba / Dispersal / Dry forests / Endemic species / Endemism / Environmental Sciences / Filtration / Florida / Forest communities / forest trees / Geography / Geological history / Guadeloupe / Herbivores / Hispaniola / Humanities and Social Sciences / Indicator species / indigenous species / Islands / Jamaica / Martinique / nestedness / Plant species / Providencia / Puerto Rico / Regionalization and communities / Saint Lucia / seasonally dry tropical forest / Speciation / Species composition / species diversity / species turnover / surveys / Taxa / tropical dry forest / Tropical forests / Variance analysis / Virgin Islands of the United States / West Indies