Spatial Heterogeneity

The research topic of spatial heterogeneity in the macroecology workgroup is being developed by the work of Professor Meelis Pärtel, Researchers Robert Szava-Kovats, Lauri Laanisto, Antonio Gazol and Doctoral students Inga Hiiesalu and Riin Tamme.
We are interested in how environmental spatial heterogeneity affects plant species coexistence and diversity, especially at small spatial scales, which is directly linked to plant individuals and coexistence. In our work we use three different approaches: 1) using meta-analyses we review the data from published literature; 2) analysing spatial heterogeneity data, as well as above- and below-ground diversity data collected at field sites; 3) studying the dynamics of plant communities in spatially heterogenous environment using computer simulations. We try to reveal why the relationship between environmental spatial heterogeneity and species diversity varies and propose new theories in addition to classical niche theory to explain both positive and negative relationships.

Selected publications:

Gazol, A., Tamme, R., Price, J.N., Hiiesalu, I., Laanisto, L., Pärtel, M. (2013) A negative heterogeneity–diversity relationship found in experimental grassland communities. Oecologia.

Laanisto, L., Tamme, R., Hiiesalu, I., Szava-Kovats, R., Gazol, A., Pärtel, M. (2013). Microfragmentation concept explains non-positive environmental heterogeneity-diversity relationships. Oecologia 171, 217-226.

Tamme, R., Hiiesalu, I., Laanisto, L., Szava-Kovats, R., Pärtel, M. (2010). Environmental heterogeneity, species diversity and coexistence at different spatial scales. Journal of Vegetation Science 21, 796-801.

Selected publications:

Gazol, A., Tamme, R., Price, J.N., Hiiesalu, I., Laanisto, L., Pärtel, M. (2013) A negative heterogeneity–diversity relationship found in experimental grassland communities. Oecologia.

Spatial Heterogeneity

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