Many rare species play unique ecological roles and are therefore irreplaceable, even in the most species-rich ecosystems.
This was demonstrated by an international team led by researchers of the CNRS, the University of Montpellier 2, the EPHE and the IRD.
Using datasets of species occurrences and functional traits from three highly diverse ecosystems (coral reefs, alpine prairies, tropical forests), the scientists discovered that unique ecological functions (like an exceptional resilience to fire and drought) are mainly supported by rare species. The functions are thus highly vulnerable to biodiversity erosion. These functions could be particularly important for ecosystem functioning in case of major environmental changes.
Published on May 28th, 2013 in Plos Biology, these works emphasize the importance of biodiversity conservation as a whole, for the resilience and survival of the ecosystems.
Two members of the CEBA have contributed to this article, Jérôme Chave (laboratory Évolution et diversité biologique, scientific director of the CEBA) and Christopher Baraloto (laboratory Ecofog –Ecology of French Guianan forests).
Example of a species supporting vulnerable functions:
Pouteria maxima (Sapotaceae) is a solid rain forest tree with thick, coriaceous leaves,
which can resist drought and fire.
© C.E.T. Paine
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Publication references:
Rare species support vulnerable functions in high-diversity ecosystems
Mouillot D., Bellwood D.R., Baraloto C., Chave J., Galzin R., Harmelin-Vivien M., Kulbicki M., Lavergne S., Lavorel S., Mouquet N., Paine C.E.T., Renaud J. & Thuiller W.
Plos Biology, May 28th 2013.
To access the publication:
http://www.plosbiology.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pbio.1001569
Communication contact
Claire Lafleur, CEBA, claire.lafleur@labex-ceba.fr, tel : +594 (0)5 94 38 87 58
