A trait-based approach to assess niche overlap and functional distinctiveness between non-indigenous and native species

Our understanding of the community assembly processes acting on non-indigenous species (NIS), as well as the relationship with native species is limited, especially in marine ecosystems. To overcome this knowledge gap we here develop a trait-based approach based on the functional distinctiveness metric to assess niche overlap between NIS and native species, using high-resolution data on benthic invertebrate communities in the Baltic Sea. Our results show that NIS retain a certain degree of similarity with native species, but display one or a few singular unique traits (e.g., bioturbation ability). Furthermore, we demonstrate that community assembly processes, including both environmental filtering and limiting similarity affect NIS establishment, but that their effects may be highly context dependent, as illustrated by pronounced spatial patterns in distinctiveness. Finally, our trait-based approach provides a generic framework applicable to other areas and organisms, to better understa..., , , This README file was generated on 2023-09-13 by Antoni Vivó Pons.

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Title of Dataset: A trait-based approach to assess niche overlap and functional distinctiveness between non-indigenous and native species
2. Author Information
A. Principal Investigator Contact Information
Name: Antoni Vivó Pons
Institution: National Insitute for Aquatic resources - Denmark Technical University
Address: Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
Email: [e-mail]
3. Date of data collection (single date, range, approximate date): 2005-2020
4. Geographic location of data collection: Baltic Sea, Swedish coast

SHARING/ACCESS INFORMATION

1. Licenses/restrictions placed on the data: CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain
2. Links to publications that cite or use the data:

Vivó-Pons, A., Blomqvist, M., Törnroos, A., & Lindegren, M. (2023). A trait-based approach to assess niche overlap and functional distinctiveness between non-indigenous and native species. Ecology L...