Disentangling evolutionary, geometric and ecological components of the elevational gradient of diversity.

ABSTRACT: Despite the high importance and risk of mountain ecosystems in global biodiversity conservation, the mechanisms giving rise to and maintaining elevational biodiversity gradients are poorly understood, limiting predictions of future responses. Species richness peaks at lowlands for many taxa, which might be a consequence of mountain shape, reducing available area in highlands. For other taxa, diversity can be highest at mid elevations, suggesting the presence of mechanisms that counteract the influence of geometry. Here, we mechanistically investigate the role of mountain geometry (smaller at the peak) interaction with ecological niche width, diversification, and altitudinal dispersal to investigate the relative roles of these processes in shaping elevational biodiversity gradients. We simu

SUBMITTER: Herrera-Alsina L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11790213 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature