Patterns and drivers in the functional diversity decomposition of invaded stream fish communities

Abstract

Aim

The assembly of real-world ecological communities in human-modified landscapes is influenced by a complex interplay of spatial, temporal, environmental and invasion gradients. However, understanding the relative importance of these drivers and their interactions in shaping functional assembly remains elusive. Our study aimed to investigate the relative influence of these drivers on the functional assembly of a stream fish metacommunity.

Location

Streams of the Lake Balaton catchment, Hungary.

Methods

We analysed a long-term (18-year) dataset of the stream fish metacommunity, focusing on changes in functional diversity (Q), redundancy (R) and species dominance (D). Ternary diagrams were utilized to decompose functional diversity into Q, R and D components and to visualize diversity patterns. Linear mixed-effect regression and separate structural equation models were employed to identify significant drivers of Q, R and D.

Results

Native fish communities exhibited low functional diversity (Q) but high redundancy (R) and dominance (D), indicating functional convergence and dominance. Stream habitat size, network position and associated spatial, physical and chemical gradients emerged as consistently significant drivers of D and R. Changes in Q were additionally linked to non-native community properties and subtle shifts in land use and within-stream habitat characteristics.

Main Conclusions

Our findings suggest that both environmental filtering and interspecies interactions, particularly trait similarity between invaders and natives shape functional assembly of stream fish metacommunities. Despite minimal temporal directional changes, environmental drivers predominantly influence long-term diversity patterns of native fish communities, overshadowing invasion effects. Our findings underscore the importance of considering both environmental filtering mechanisms and interspecies interactions in understanding functional assembly. Additionally, the joint application of diversity decomposition frameworks with predictive modelling provides comprehensive insight into patterns of functional diversity and assembly across ecological communities.