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.