Scale-dependent responses in spider and beetle communities to flooding: The role of dry refuges in wetlands
Data files
Nov 03, 2025 version files 54.74 KB
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README.md
28.48 KB
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WetlandArthropods.xlsx
26.26 KB
Abstract
Flood disturbances act as strong filters on arthropod communities by excluding species that are not adapted to the high water tables. Sensitive species can survive in these areas by either migrating to more terrestrial habitats or by using dry refuges within the wetland created by topographical heterogeneity. In this study, we examined the role of such refugia and the scale at which these affect arthropod densities, mainly cursorial species, by using previous information on local dryness-wetness of wetlands, as expressed by inundation frequencies at a 2x2 m2 resolution. By focusing on spiders and beetles, these studies indicate that species within Linyphiidae, Staphylinidae, and Chrysomelidae were more abundant in the presence of dry refuges at a scale of 10x10 m2, whereas Salticidae preferred wetter areas. Species within Carabidae, Lycosidae, and a number of other taxon groups were indifferent to these structures. Moreover, the data seem to suggest that mainly habitat generalists benefit from the refuges. Accordingly, those groups that were impartial to the dry refuges included almost exclusively species that can be categorised as wetland specialists. More generally, the small-scale variability in wetland dryness-wetness creating small-scale refuges may be important to consider for guiding contemporary efforts to restore wetlands as a means to promote biodiversity.
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.8cz8w9h2p
Description of the data and file structure
Data from suction sampling of beetles and spiders in relation to the inundation frequency in the local pixel (2x2 m2) where samples were taken or in surrounding pixels (10x10 m2 ... 26x26 m2). All data were collected with a large fen, the Rastmyran wetland (60°07'35" N 17°53'56" E), which is situated two hours north of Stockholm.
R scripts underlying the analyses are included in Rscript.txt
Data is included in WetlandArthropods.xls
This file contains environmental and species data for the 60 included sampling sites
Files and variables
File: WetlandArthropods.xlsx
Description: This file contains environmental and species data for the 60 included sampling sites
Variables
| Variable | Description |
|---|---|
| Site | Site ID |
| Category | Wet-Dry category (local = 2x2 m2, surrounding = 6x6 m2). DD = dry locally, dry surrounding; DW = dry locally, wet surrounding; DDW = dry locally, dry/wet surrounding; WW = wet locally, wet surrounding; WD = wet locally, dry surrounding; WWD = wet locally, dry/wet surrounding. Wet = Inundation frequency > 0.65; Dry = Inundation frequency < 0.45. Inundation frequency is estimated at a scale of 2x2 m2 from March to October. |
| Dry_Prop_2X2 | Local dry frequency (Inundation frequency < 0.45) in 2x2 m2. – central pixel |
| Dry_Prop_6X6 | Surrounding dry frequency (Inundation frequency < 0.45) in 6x6 m2. |
| Dry_Prop_10X10 | Surrounding dry frequency (Inundation frequency < 0.45) in 10x10 m2. |
| Dry_Prop_14X14 | Surrounding dry frequency (Inundation frequency < 0.45) in 14x14 m2. |
| Dry_Prop_18X18 | Surrounding dry frequency (Inundation frequency < 0.45) in 18x18 m2. |
| Dry_Prop_22X22 | Surrounding dry frequency (Inundation frequency < 0.45) in 22x22 m2. |
| Dry_Prop_26X26 | Surrounding dry frequency (Inundation frequency < 0.45) in 26x26 m2. |
| Perc_Soc | Percent soil organic content estimated in the central pixel |
| Avg_Height | Average plant height estimated in the central pixel |
| Density_Spid | Total number of spiders |
| Sp_Rich_Spid | Species richness of spiders |
| Rarefied_Richness_Spid | Rarefied species richness of spiders |
| Density_Beetle | Total number of beetles |
| Sp_Rich_Beetle | Species richness of beetles |
| Rarefied_Richness_Beetle | Rarefied species richness of beetles |
| Generalist_Spider | Number of habitat generalists of spiders |
| Wetland_Spider | Number of wetland specialists among spiders |
| Terrestrial_Spider | Number of terrestrial specialists among spiders |
| Ambush_Hunter | Number of ambush hunters among spiders |
| Ground_Hunter | Number of ground hunters among spiders |
| Orbweb_Weavers | Number of orbweb weavers among spiders |
| Other_Hunters | Number of other hunters among spiders |
| Sheetweb_Weavers | Number of sheetweb weavers among spiders |
| Spaceweb_Weavers | Number of spaceweb weavers among spiders |
| Generalist_Beetle | Number of habitat generalists among beetles |
| Wetland_Beetle | Number of wetland specialists among beetles |
| Terrestrial_Beetle | Number of terrestrial specialists among beetles |
| Carnivore_Beetle | Number of carnivores among beetles |
| Herbivore_Beetle | Number of herbivores among beetles |
| Omnivore_Beetle | Number of omnivores among beetles |
| Linyphiidae | Number of Linyphiidae (spider) |
| Lycosidae | Number of Lycosidae (spider) |
| Salticidae | Number of Salticidae (spider) |
| Tetragnathidae | Number of Tetragnathidae (spider) |
| Thomisidae | Number of Thomisidae (spider) |
| Carabidae | Number of Carabidae (beetle) |
| Chrysomelidae | Number of Chrysomelidae (beetle) |
| Coccinellidae | Number of Coccinellidae (beetle) |
| Curculionidae | Number of Curculionidae (beetle) |
| Staphylinidae | Number of Staphylinidae (beetle) |
| Bathyphantes | Number of Bathyphantes (Linyphiidae) |
| Oedothorax | Number of Oedothorax (Linyphiidae) |
| Porrhomma | Number of Porrhomma (Linyphiidae) |
| Savignia | Number of Savignia (Linyphiidae) |
| Silometopus | Number of Silometopus (Linyphiidae) |
| Attulus | Number of Attulus (Salticidae) |
| Marpissa | Number of Marpissa (Salticidae) |
| Amischa | Number of Amischa (Staphylinidae) |
| Erichsonius | Number of Erichsonius (Staphylinidae) |
| Paederus | Number of Paederus (Staphylinidae) |
| Rybaxis | Number of Rybaxis (Staphylinidae) |
| Stenus | Number of Stenus (Staphylinidae) |
| Agonum | Number of Agonum (Carabidae) |
| Bembidion | Number of Bembidion (Carabidae) |
| Oxypselaphus | Number of Oxypselaphus (Carabidae) |
| Philorhizus | Number of Philorhizus (Carabidae) |
