Scale-Dependent Diversity Patterns in Subalpine Grasslands: Homogenization vs. Complexity
This study investigates the scale-dependent alpha and beta diversity patterns in the subalpine grasslands of the Central Balkan Mountains following decades of reduced grazing. We examined two distinct vegetation patches: pure grasslands (N-type) and grasslands mixed with dwarf shrubs (V-type), focus...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | Land |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/4/823 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850144782716764160 |
|---|---|
| author | Tsvetelina Terziyska James Tsakalos Sándor Bartha Iva Apostolova Desislava Sopotlieva |
| author_facet | Tsvetelina Terziyska James Tsakalos Sándor Bartha Iva Apostolova Desislava Sopotlieva |
| author_sort | Tsvetelina Terziyska |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigates the scale-dependent alpha and beta diversity patterns in the subalpine grasslands of the Central Balkan Mountains following decades of reduced grazing. We examined two distinct vegetation patches: pure grasslands (N-type) and grasslands mixed with dwarf shrubs (V-type), focusing on coarse-scale (among stands) and fine-scale (within stands) heterogeneity. Using micro-quadrat transects and dissimilarity analyses, we assessed the species composition variability and spatial complexity of the two vegetation patches. The results showed that the N-type exhibited higher coarse-scale beta diversity, attributed to fluctuating dominant grass proportions, and lower fine-scale diversity due to competitive exclusion. Conversely, V-type vegetation displayed lower coarse-scale but higher fine-scale diversity, reflecting the heterogeneous spatial matrix created by dwarf-shrub encroachment. Fine-scale spatial complexity, quantified by the compositional diversity of dominants, strongly correlated with species richness and diversity. Two main conclusions emerged: (a) Grazing decline-driven succession toward grass–dwarf shrub mixtures enhanced local diversity while reducing landscape heterogeneity. Conversely, regeneration toward typical dominant grasses diminished local diversity but increased landscape heterogeneity. (b) A balanced fine-scale spatial mixture of dominant species was found to reduce their individual negative impact on other species’ diversity. Effective high-mountain pasture management requires the consideration of scale and local plant co-existence. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4d5a19fdf7284328bdaf12e2bc411dc4 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2073-445X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Land |
| spelling | doaj-art-4d5a19fdf7284328bdaf12e2bc411dc42025-08-20T02:28:15ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-04-0114482310.3390/land14040823Scale-Dependent Diversity Patterns in Subalpine Grasslands: Homogenization vs. ComplexityTsvetelina Terziyska0James Tsakalos1Sándor Bartha2Iva Apostolova3Desislava Sopotlieva4Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Gagarin Str., 1113 Sofia, BulgariaSchool of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, Plant Diversity and Ecosystems Management Unit, University of Camerino, Via Pontoni 5, I-62032 Camerino, MC, ItalyHUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Alkotmány út 2-4, H-2163 Vácrátót, HungaryInstitute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Gagarin Str., 1113 Sofia, BulgariaInstitute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Gagarin Str., 1113 Sofia, BulgariaThis study investigates the scale-dependent alpha and beta diversity patterns in the subalpine grasslands of the Central Balkan Mountains following decades of reduced grazing. We examined two distinct vegetation patches: pure grasslands (N-type) and grasslands mixed with dwarf shrubs (V-type), focusing on coarse-scale (among stands) and fine-scale (within stands) heterogeneity. Using micro-quadrat transects and dissimilarity analyses, we assessed the species composition variability and spatial complexity of the two vegetation patches. The results showed that the N-type exhibited higher coarse-scale beta diversity, attributed to fluctuating dominant grass proportions, and lower fine-scale diversity due to competitive exclusion. Conversely, V-type vegetation displayed lower coarse-scale but higher fine-scale diversity, reflecting the heterogeneous spatial matrix created by dwarf-shrub encroachment. Fine-scale spatial complexity, quantified by the compositional diversity of dominants, strongly correlated with species richness and diversity. Two main conclusions emerged: (a) Grazing decline-driven succession toward grass–dwarf shrub mixtures enhanced local diversity while reducing landscape heterogeneity. Conversely, regeneration toward typical dominant grasses diminished local diversity but increased landscape heterogeneity. (b) A balanced fine-scale spatial mixture of dominant species was found to reduce their individual negative impact on other species’ diversity. Effective high-mountain pasture management requires the consideration of scale and local plant co-existence.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/4/823alpha diversitybeta diversitydominantsdwarf-shrub encroachmentregenerationsuccession |
| spellingShingle | Tsvetelina Terziyska James Tsakalos Sándor Bartha Iva Apostolova Desislava Sopotlieva Scale-Dependent Diversity Patterns in Subalpine Grasslands: Homogenization vs. Complexity Land alpha diversity beta diversity dominants dwarf-shrub encroachment regeneration succession |
| title | Scale-Dependent Diversity Patterns in Subalpine Grasslands: Homogenization vs. Complexity |
| title_full | Scale-Dependent Diversity Patterns in Subalpine Grasslands: Homogenization vs. Complexity |
| title_fullStr | Scale-Dependent Diversity Patterns in Subalpine Grasslands: Homogenization vs. Complexity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Scale-Dependent Diversity Patterns in Subalpine Grasslands: Homogenization vs. Complexity |
| title_short | Scale-Dependent Diversity Patterns in Subalpine Grasslands: Homogenization vs. Complexity |
| title_sort | scale dependent diversity patterns in subalpine grasslands homogenization vs complexity |
| topic | alpha diversity beta diversity dominants dwarf-shrub encroachment regeneration succession |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/4/823 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT tsvetelinaterziyska scaledependentdiversitypatternsinsubalpinegrasslandshomogenizationvscomplexity AT jamestsakalos scaledependentdiversitypatternsinsubalpinegrasslandshomogenizationvscomplexity AT sandorbartha scaledependentdiversitypatternsinsubalpinegrasslandshomogenizationvscomplexity AT ivaapostolova scaledependentdiversitypatternsinsubalpinegrasslandshomogenizationvscomplexity AT desislavasopotlieva scaledependentdiversitypatternsinsubalpinegrasslandshomogenizationvscomplexity |