Methods

Using the Global Surface Water database, we represented the waterscapes by a grid of 10 × 10 km cells, classifying surface waters in each cell as ephemeral, temporal, and permanent on the basis of their frequency of occurrence. Then, a coa- lescent metacommunity model was run estimating the effect of landscape configuration on the diversity pattern when different freshwater environments were mutually isolated versus when dispersal among fresh- water ecosystems was permitted. Notably, waterscape configuration and dispersal among different fresh- water ecosystems were indicated as key processes determining biogeographic diversity patterns in all freshwater environments of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Results

The results indicated that the coupling between different types of environments fostered local diversity, in a magnitude that increased from the ephemeral to permanent waters and from poorer to richer communities. Furthermore, a strong spatial structure in the potential effect of dispersal among different freshwater environments was observed, indicating that freshwater biogeography was likely determined by the connection among freshwater ecosys- tems to a larger extent than previously thought.

Conclusions

This interfreshwater dispersal may have an important role in shaping geographic patterns of biodiversity in the United Kingdom and Ireland as well as in other regions. These results constitute a step forward in incorporating regional-scale approximations into management and biodiversity conservation. In the current global change context, landscape management from a mechanistic understanding of its connection with biodiversity represents a promising path for ensuring ecosystem resilience.

Borthagaray, Ana & Cunillera-Montcusí, David & Bou, Jordi & Biggs, Jeremy & Arim, Matias. (2023). Pondscape or waterscape? The effect on the diversity of dispersal along different freshwater ecosystems. Hydrobiologia. 10.1007/s10750-022-05123-0.