Abstract
Some conceptual models have been proposed to attempt an explanation of the mechanisms of coexistence of species groups inside environmental systems subjected to disturbances. Some of these models emphasize the role disturbances (and, more specifically, their regimen) may have in maintaining or altering the diversity of species observed in the ecosystems (Petraitis et al. 1989; McCabe and Gotelli 2000).
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- 1.
Many of these opportunistic species will be r-selected, differently from K-selected ones which are generally linked to more stable and less disturbed environments. In areas of intermediate disturbance, the IDH model thus predicts a coexistence of species with different strategies.
- 2.
However, it is necessary to define the term intermediate. It can be considered with both an absolute and a relative meaning. For example, for a species with a relatively long life cycle a once a year recurrence of a disturbance may constitute an event of intermediate frequency (compared to a more frequent disturbance that occurs, for example, once a month or with a less frequent disturbance, such as once every ten years). Conversely, in a species that accomplishes its life cycle in a relatively short period (e.g., within a single year) the terms high, low, intermediate, will refer to completely different periods. In essence, the frequency of discrete events is closely related to and established on the longevity and life cycles of the species that suffer the disturbance.
- 3.
We mentioned the role of disturbance in promoting diversity at landscape scale, allowing the structuring of environmental mosaics (or eco-mosaics) formed by different patches due to the different intensities and frequencies of such events. This heterogeneity may play an important role in promoting the coexistence of species, especially in those landscapes where disturbances occur with intermediate frequencies and intensities (Roxburgh et al. 2004). In such contexts, the undisturbed patches may be used as a refuge by the susceptible species and act in the medium to long term as source areas of re-colonization (source patches).
- 4.
The distinction between the within- and between-patch mechanisms is also linked to the scale of analysis. If the total area in which a disturbance is acting (disturbance area) is wider than the sampling area, within-patch mechanisms are under study; if the disturbance area is less extensive than the sampling area, between-patch mechanisms are considered.
- 5.
In this case, the term intermediate is referred to the distance in time from the beginning of the post-disturbance succession.
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Battisti, C., Poeta, G., Fanelli, G. (2016). Disturbances and Coexistence of Species. In: An Introduction to Disturbance Ecology. Environmental Science and Engineering(). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32476-0_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32476-0_5
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