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  • A general framework for species‐abundance distributions: Linking traits and dispersal to explain commonness and rarity
Title: A general framework for species‐abundance distributions: Linking traits and dispersal to explain commonness and rarity
Abstract Species‐abundance distributions (SADs) describe the spectrum of commonness and rarity in a community. Beyond the universal observation that most species are rare and only a few common, more‐precise description of SAD shape is controversial. Furthermore, the mechanisms behind SADs and how they vary along environmental gradients remain unresolved. We lack a general, non‐neutral theory of SADs. Here, we develop a trait‐based framework, focusing on a local community coupled to the region by dispersal. The balance of immigration and exclusion determines abundances, which vary over orders‐of‐magnitude. The local trait‐abundance distribution (TAD) reflects a transformation of the regional TAD. The left‐tail of the SAD depends on scaling exponents of the exclusion function and the regional species pool. More‐complex local dynamics can lead to multimodal TADs and SADs. Connecting SADs with trait‐based ecological theory provides a way to generate more‐testable hypotheses on the controls over commonness and rarity in communities.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1754250
PAR ID:
10482966
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
Wiley
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Ecology Letters
Edition / Version:
1
Volume:
25
Issue:
11
ISSN:
1461-023X
Page Range / eLocation ID:
2359 to 2371
Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
competition mass effects metacommunity species-abundance distributions trait-abundance distributions trait-based model
Format(s):
Medium: X Size: 1MB Other: pdf
Size(s):
1MB
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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