Data for: Spatial and environmental factors shape multiple facets of macrophyte β-diversity in tropical freshwaters, revealing dispersal and adaptive patterns
Data files
Jun 04, 2025 version files 66.80 KB
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Fares_et_al_data_lentic.csv
8.86 KB
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Fares_et_al_data_lotic.csv
24.12 KB
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Fares_et_al_data_traits.csv
3.38 KB
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README.md
2.93 KB
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spatial_vectors.R
4.53 KB
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tree_macro_beta.txt
5.04 KB
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variance_partition_beta_diversity.R
17.93 KB
Abstract
Aquatic macrophyte metacommunities are shaped by dispersal processes, reproductive traits, and adaptive dynamics. This study investigates how local (environmental) and regional (spatial) factors influence taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic β-diversity in Amazonian lentic and lotic ecosystems. Sampling 124 water bodies (85 streams, 39 lakes/ponds) in the Eastern Amazon, we analyzed β-diversity components (replacement and richness difference) using dispersal traits such as vegetative propagation, seed dispersal, and life-history. In lentic ecosystems, replacement and richness differences contributed equally to functional and phylogenetic β-diversity. Richness differences dominated functional β-diversity in lotic ecosystems, while phylogenetic β-diversity remained balanced. Taxonomic β-diversity was largely driven by replacement in both ecosystems. Spatial factors structured macrophyte metacommunities in lentic ecosystems, while both spatial and environmental factors influenced lotic ecosystems. These findings reveal how connectivity, isolation, and dispersal limitations shape macrophyte communities in contrasting environments. Incorporating phylogenetic β-diversity deepened the understanding of evolutionary relationships in community assembly. This study emphasizes the importance of incorporating the multidimensionality of diversity to uncover key mechanisms driving tropical aquatic ecosystems and inform conservation strategies addressing environmental degradation and the ecological services provided by macrophytes.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.h44j0zpxx
Description of the data and file structure
Data was collected in a total of 124 waterbodies, divided into lentic (49) and lotic (85). Local environmental variables comprised water parameters such as temperature, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen, that were measured using a multiparameter probe, as well as canopy cover, which was measured at the margins of the sites using a convex densiometer, which was later converted to a percentage. We sampled macrophyte species along a 150 m stretch in each sampling site. The plants were identified in the field, and the non-identified material was collected and later identified using specialized literature. We also gathered information in the literature on 3 functional traits: dispersal mode, vegetative propagation, and life-history. The phylogenetic tree of the community found in the study was built by classifying taxa into family, genus, and species following APG IV and PPG I. The data is presented in three csv files: two containing environmental variables, geographic coordinates and species occurrence in each site, one spreadsheet for each type of ecosystem (lotic and lentic), and one containing the functional traits of each species collected in the study.
Files and variables
File: spatial_vectors.R
Description: R code for calculation of spatial vectors.
File: tree_macro_beta.txt
Description: Phylogenetic tree of the study
File: variance_partition_beta_diversity.R
Description: R Code for variance partitioning
File: Fares_et_al_data_lentic.csv
Description: Data spreadsheet
Variables
- sample: sampling site
- canopy: canopy cover (%)
- temp: water temperature (ºC)
- cond: water conductivity (µS/cm)
- od: dissolved oxygen (mg/L)
- x: longitude
- y: latitude
- sp: species occurence (presence - 1; absence - 0)
File: Fares_et_al_data_lotic.csv
Description: Data spreadsheet
Variables
- sample: sampling site
- canopy: canopy cover (%)
- temp: water temperature (ºC)
- cond: water conductivity (µS/cm)
- od: dissolved oxygen (mg/L)
- x: longitude
- y: latitude
- sp: species occurence (presence - 1; absence - 0)
File: Fares_et_al_data_traits.csv
Description: Trait spreadsheet
Variables
- species
- seed: dispersal mode
- vegetative: vegetative propagation
- life: life-history
Code/software
We have two code files to be run in the R program: one for the variance partitioning (beta diversity) and another one for the calculation of spatial vectors (linear and fluvial). Finally, we uploaded the phylogenetic tree for all species collected in the study. All analyses were performed using the R version 4.2.2.