I studied two climatic condition i.e. arid and semi-arid. In each climatic condition I selected two statues: 1. Sites with conservation measures named mananged 2. Degraded sites.
These sites have similar conditions in terms of physiographic atributes.
I compared alph (within plots) and beta diversity (between plots) of all plant species.
Q1: in both arid and semi-arid regions alpha diversity was higher in mananged sites than unmananged . . Why?
Q2: above result also occured for beta diversity. But there was not significant different between unmananged sites in different climatic conditions. While in mananged sites beta diversity was significantly higher in semi-arid region than arid region. Simply unmanagement decline the postive effect of better climatic conditions on beta diversity.
I have some reasons for above results but I need more refrences and discussion.
Managed sites often have higher diversity because exotic pests are controlled, allowing indigenous flora and fauna to proliferate. Semi-arid conditions also allow higher diversity than arid sites due to the more favourable environmental conditions of the former :)
Thanks. Are you agreevwith this sentence of my conclusion:
Unmanangement decline the positive effects of better climate on beta diversity.
I think you can only say that the effect of lack of management of sites on beta diversity was not influenced by climate :)
If better and controlled management is there beta diversity might not be affected...
little help
Dear Mehdi,
There are several reasons that may explain why biodiversity is higher in managed plot. There as other important factors: What is the type of management? How long was management?
I feel you conclusion (Unmanangement decline the positive effects of better climate on beta diversity) is not accurate. I expect it is better to say: the positive effect on management was not affected or enhanced by climate variation.
Best wishes
I agree with Ayman that there are many reasons why a managed site should do well than open plots. It does largely depend on the way the plots are managed. However if we look at it in the open plot perspective; herbivory and fire can play a major role in shaping up the community composition and structure in arid and semi arid systems, often overpowering the effect of better rainfall conditions. This may not be a problem in the managed plots. I would suggest looking (if there are any records of such available) into fire history and herbivore densities, or conduct simple herbivore exclusion experiments to assess if there is any improvement in species composition.
Regards,
Sneha.
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