Data for: Spatial and environmental factors shape multiple facets of macrophyte β-diversity in tropical freshwaters, revealing dispersal and adaptive patterns

Aquatic macrophyte metacommunities are shaped by dispersal processes, reproductive traits, and adaptive dynamics. This study investigates how local (environmental) and regional (spatial) factors influence taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic β-diversity in Amazonian lentic and lotic ecosystems. Sampling 124 water bodies (85 streams, 39 lakes/ponds) in the Eastern Amazon, we analyzed β-diversity components (replacement and richness difference) using dispersal traits such as vegetative propagation, seed dispersal, and life-history. In lentic ecosystems, replacement and richness differences contributed equally to functional and phylogenetic β-diversity. Richness differences dominated functional β-diversity in lotic ecosystems, while phylogenetic β-diversity remained balanced. Taxonomic β-diversity was largely driven by replacement in both ecosystems. Spatial factors structured macrophyte metacommunities in lentic ecosystems, while both spatial and environmental factors influenced lotic ecosystems. These findings reveal how connectivity, isolation, and dispersal limitations shape macrophyte communities in contrasting environments. Incorporating phylogenetic β-diversity deepened the understanding of evolutionary relationships in community assembly. This study emphasizes the importance of incorporating the multidimensionality of diversity to uncover key mechanisms driving tropical aquatic ecosystems and inform conservation strategies addressing environmental degradation and the ecological services provided by macrophytes.