Drivers of plant-associated invertebrate community structure in West-European coastal dunes

Abstract The organisation of species assemblages is affected by environmental factors acting at different spatial scales. To understand the drivers behind the community structure of invertebrates associated with marram grass -a dune-building ecosystem engineer -, we set up a stratified sampling sche...

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Main Authors: Ruben Van De Walle, Maxime Dahirel, Ward Langeraert, Dries Benoit, Pieter Vantieghem, Martijn L. Vandegehuchte, François Massol, Dries Bonte
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:npj Biodiversity
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s44185-025-00084-8
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author Ruben Van De Walle
Maxime Dahirel
Ward Langeraert
Dries Benoit
Pieter Vantieghem
Martijn L. Vandegehuchte
François Massol
Dries Bonte
author_facet Ruben Van De Walle
Maxime Dahirel
Ward Langeraert
Dries Benoit
Pieter Vantieghem
Martijn L. Vandegehuchte
François Massol
Dries Bonte
author_sort Ruben Van De Walle
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The organisation of species assemblages is affected by environmental factors acting at different spatial scales. To understand the drivers behind the community structure of invertebrates associated with marram grass -a dune-building ecosystem engineer -, we set up a stratified sampling scheme in six biogeographic sectors along the North Sea. We tested to which degree invertebrate species composition is affected by the spatial organisation of marram grass tussocks. Using distance-based RDA and a joint species distribution modelling approach, we show biogeography to be the most important driver, followed by species-specific responses to marram grass cover and vitality. Traits and phylogeny had a minor influence on the species distribution patterns. The residual species covariation suggests negative interactions between groups of specialist and generalist species. Our research indicates that the biological value of nature-based solutions for coastal protection can be optimized by the design of a heterogeneous marram grass planting scheme and/or development.
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publishDate 2025-03-01
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series npj Biodiversity
spelling doaj-art-e26f4834cd8b42388169b0bfc67f0a1e2025-08-20T01:54:30ZengNature Portfolionpj Biodiversity2731-42432025-03-014111210.1038/s44185-025-00084-8Drivers of plant-associated invertebrate community structure in West-European coastal dunesRuben Van De Walle0Maxime Dahirel1Ward Langeraert2Dries Benoit3Pieter Vantieghem4Martijn L. Vandegehuchte5François Massol6Dries Bonte7Ghent University, Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology UnitGhent University, Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology UnitGhent University, Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology UnitGhent University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Department of Marketing, Innovation and OrganisationGhent University, Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology UnitGhent University, Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology UnitUniv. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of LilleGhent University, Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology UnitAbstract The organisation of species assemblages is affected by environmental factors acting at different spatial scales. To understand the drivers behind the community structure of invertebrates associated with marram grass -a dune-building ecosystem engineer -, we set up a stratified sampling scheme in six biogeographic sectors along the North Sea. We tested to which degree invertebrate species composition is affected by the spatial organisation of marram grass tussocks. Using distance-based RDA and a joint species distribution modelling approach, we show biogeography to be the most important driver, followed by species-specific responses to marram grass cover and vitality. Traits and phylogeny had a minor influence on the species distribution patterns. The residual species covariation suggests negative interactions between groups of specialist and generalist species. Our research indicates that the biological value of nature-based solutions for coastal protection can be optimized by the design of a heterogeneous marram grass planting scheme and/or development.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44185-025-00084-8
spellingShingle Ruben Van De Walle
Maxime Dahirel
Ward Langeraert
Dries Benoit
Pieter Vantieghem
Martijn L. Vandegehuchte
François Massol
Dries Bonte
Drivers of plant-associated invertebrate community structure in West-European coastal dunes
npj Biodiversity
title Drivers of plant-associated invertebrate community structure in West-European coastal dunes
title_full Drivers of plant-associated invertebrate community structure in West-European coastal dunes
title_fullStr Drivers of plant-associated invertebrate community structure in West-European coastal dunes
title_full_unstemmed Drivers of plant-associated invertebrate community structure in West-European coastal dunes
title_short Drivers of plant-associated invertebrate community structure in West-European coastal dunes
title_sort drivers of plant associated invertebrate community structure in west european coastal dunes
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s44185-025-00084-8
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