A Small-Scale Analysis of Elevational Species Richness and Beta Diversity Patterns of Arthropods on an Oceanic Island (Terceira, Azores)

Simple Summary: We studied the diversity of arthropods in native forests along a 1000 m elevation gradient on Terceira Island, Azores (Portugal). These forests form an isolated and threatened habitat with unique endemic species. We analysed the change in alpha and beta diversity of arthropod species with elevation and if the diversity of endemic, native non-endemic and introduced species responds differently to elevation. Resident arthropods were sampled using SLAM (Sea, Land and Air Malaise) traps between 2014 and 2018. Spiders (Araneae), beetles (Coleoptera), true bugs (Hemiptera) and barklice (Psocoptera), as well as endemic, native and introduced species, were analysed separately. Total species richness decreases with elevation for all species, Coleoptera and Psocoptera, and particularly so for introduced species, but peaks at mid-high elevation for Araneae and endemic species. These patterns are probably driven by unfavourable climatic conditions at higher elevations while being influenced by human disturbance at lower elevations. Total species diversity along the whole elevation gradient is shaped by this decreasing richness as well as the replacement of species at different elevations. We present an analysis of arthropod diversity patterns in native forest communities along the small elevation gradient (0-1021 m a.s.l.) of Terceira island, Azores (Portugal). We analysed (1) how the alpha diversity of Azorean arthropods responds to increasing elevation and (2) differs between endemic, native non-endemic and introduced (alien) species, and (3) the contributions of species replacement and richness difference to beta diversity. Arthropods were sampled using SLAM traps between 2014 and 2018. We analysed species richness indicators, the Hill series and beta diversity partitioning (species replacement and species richness differences). Selected orders (Araneae, Coleoptera, Hemiptera and Psocoptera) and endemic, native non-endemic and introduced species were analysed separately. Total species richness shows a monotonic decrease with elevation for all species and Coleoptera and Psocoptera, but peaks at mid-high elevation for Araneae and endemic species. Introduced species richness decreases strongly with elevation especially. These patterns are most likely driven by climatic factors but also influenced by human disturbance. Beta diversity is, for most groups, the main component of total (gamma) diversity along the gradient but shows no relation with elevation. It results from a combined effect of richness decrease with elevation and species replacement in groups with many narrow-ranged species.

Automated summary

The research on arthropod diversity in native forests on Terceira Island found that total species richness decreases with elevation for most species, with peaks at mid-high elevation for spiders and endemic species. These patterns are likely driven by climatic factors and human disturbance, showcasing the importance of studying biodiversity along elevation gradients.