multifractal spatial patterns and diversity in an ecological succession多重分形空间模式和多样性的生态演替.pdfVIP

Multifractal Spatial Patterns and Diversity in an Ecological Succession 1 2 1 Leonardo Ariel Saravia *, Adonis Giorgi , Fernando Momo ´ 1 Instituto de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de General Sarmiento, Los Polvorines, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2 CONICET, Departamento de Ciencias Basicas, Universidad ´ ´ Nacional de Lujan, Lujan, Buenos Aires, Argentina Abstract We analyzed the relationship between biodiversity and spatial biomass heterogeneity along an ecological succession developed in the laboratory. Periphyton (attached microalgae) biomass spatial patterns at several successional stages were obtained using digital image analysis and at the same time we estimated the species composition and abundance. We show that the spatial pattern was self-similar and as the community developed in an homogeneous environment the pattern is self-organized. To characterize it we estimated the multifractal spectrum of generalized dimensions Dq. Using Dq we analyze the existence of cycles of heterogeneity during succession and the use of the information dimension D 1 as an index of successional stage. We did not find cycles but the values of D 1 showed an increasing trend as the succession developed and the biomass was higher. D 1 was also negatively correlated with Shannon’s diversity. Several studies have found this relationship in different ecosystems but here we prove that the community self-organizes and generates its own spatial heterogeneity influencing diversity. If this is confirmed with more experimental and theoretical evidence D 1 could be used as an index, easily calc