Both the authors contributed equally.
1461-0248/asset/olbannerleft.gif?v=1&s=3cdd97f41173d141f3f51773629729a6ad3be0ef)
1461-0248/asset/ele_centre.gif?v=1&s=8f1a28c45a6b32f9407a8bd9efb9c5b2aaffe521)
Phylogenetic beta diversity: linking ecological and evolutionary processes across space in time
Article first published online: 13 OCT 2008
DOI: 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2008.01256.x
© 2008 Blackwell Publishing Ltd/CNRS
Additional Information
How to Cite
Graham, C. H. and Fine, P. V. A. (2008), Phylogenetic beta diversity: linking ecological and evolutionary processes across space in time. Ecology Letters, 11: 1265–1277. doi: 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2008.01256.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 5 NOV 2008
- Article first published online: 13 OCT 2008
- Editor, Howard Cornell Manuscript received 3 March 2008 First decision made 4 April 2008 Second decision made 19 June 2008 Third decision made 28 July 2008 Manuscript accepted 1 August 2008
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- Alpha diversity;
- beta diversity;
- community phylogenetics;
- ecological niche modelling;
- phylobetadiversity;
- phylogenetic beta diversity
Abstract
A key challenge in ecological research is to integrate data from different scales to evaluate the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms that influence current patterns of biological diversity. We build on recent attempts to incorporate phylogenetic information into traditional diversity analyses and on existing research on beta diversity and phylogenetic community ecology. Phylogenetic beta diversity (phylobetadiversity) measures the phylogenetic distance among communities and as such allows us to connect local processes, such as biotic interactions and environmental filtering, with more regional processes including trait evolution and speciation. When combined with traditional measures of beta diversity, environmental gradient analyses or ecological niche modelling, phylobetadiversity can provide significant and novel insights into the mechanisms underlying current patterns of biological diversity.