嵌套分布格局研究进展:分析方法、影响机制及保护应用

A review on the nested distribution pattern(nestedness):Analysis methods,mechanisms and conservation implications

基于物种分布或群落组成的嵌套格局(嵌套分布格局)是岛屿生物地理学和群落生态学的重要前沿研究领域和核心问题之一。嵌套分布格局最初起源于岛屿物种组成的研究,是指物种较贫乏岛屿中的物种是物种较丰富岛屿中的物种的一个适当子集的分布模式。深入了解嵌套分布格局及其影响机制对生物多样性保护具有重要意义,并可用于指导管理工作。近40年来,嵌套分布格局备受生态学家和保护生物学家的关注,并且在分析方法、影响机制、生物多样性保护应用等方面都取得了一系列重要进展。本文通过对文献的系统检索和归纳总结,从4个方面对嵌套分布格局的最新研究进展进行了综述:(1)发展历史及其研究现状;(2)分析方法,包括各个嵌套指数和零模型的优点与局限;(3)影响机制及其检验方法;(4)在生物多样性保护与管理中的应用。最后,我们对该领域进行了归纳总结并对以后的发展方向提出了针对性建议,包括选择最适合的嵌套指数和零模型进行嵌套分析、同时对多种嵌套理论假说进行验证、开展更多关于功能嵌套和谱系嵌套的研究、推动嵌套分布格局与其他相关领域的融合。本文对于深入了解嵌套分布格局的前沿进展,以及推动国内该领域的快速发展将有重要意义。

Background&Aim:Nested distribution pattern(nestedness)is an important part of the theoretical framework of island biogeography and community ecology.Nestedness occurs when the species on the species-poor islands are appropriate subsets of the species on the species-rich islands.Understanding the nestedness pattern and its mechanistic basis has important implications for biodiversity conservation and can be used to direct management efforts.In the past four decades,a series of important progressions have been made in the nestedness pattern in the research fields of analysis methods,underlying mechanisms,and biodiversity conservation.The overall aim of this study is to review this rapidly developing literature of nestedness studies and provide comprehensive suggestions and guidelines for future studies.Review results:We first introduced the history of how nestedness was developed and then analyzed the nestedness literature from different aspects,i.e.a comparison of publications among continents,countries,taxa,and time.Second,we introduced the analysis methods of nestedness in detail,including the various kinds of nestedness metrics and null models as well as their advantages and shortcomings.Third,we reviewed the five main hypotheses underlying nestedness,including passive sampling,selective extinction,selective colonization,habitat nestedness,and human disturbance.Furthermore,we introduced how to apply nestedness analyses to direct management efforts so as to effectively conserve biodiversity.Finally,we provided specific suggestions and guidelines for future nestedness studies,including selecting appropriate nestedness metrics and null models for nestedness analysis,testing multiple hypotheses underlying nestedness simultaneously,conducting more studies on functional nestedness and phylogenetic nestedness,and integrating nestedness with other related research fields such as the small-island effect.Conclusions:Our review will be helpful for a comprehensive understanding of the research progress of nestedness which will prove to be important for promoting the rapid development of this research field in China.