Harnessing interactions between traits and the environment to improve predictions of ecosystem functioning

The data correspond to the manuscript entitled "Harnessing interactions between traits and the environment to improve predictions of ecosystem functioning". Data needed to reproduce the figure 2 about springtails colonisation of defaunated soil blocks, from two different environments (forest or meadow), with the springtail species classified according to the supposed dispersal ability. Species with long legs and antennae, a well-developed jumping apparatus (furcula), and a complete visual apparatus were considered to be able to disperse more rapidly on their own and were thus categorized as “fast” dispersers. Other species with reduced locomotor and vision organs were categorized as “slow” dispersers (Ponge et al. 2006a).

The "number of individuals" corresponds to the number of individuals found in each defaunated soil block after one week in the initial data set (Auclarc et al., 2009).

Ponge J-F, Dubs F, Gillet S, et al. 2006a. Decreased biodiversity in soil springtail communities: the importance of dispersal and landuse history in heterogeneous landscapes. Soil Biol Biochem 38: 1158–61.

Auclerc A, Ponge JF, Barot S, and Dubs F. 2009. Experimental assessment of habitat preference and dispersal ability of soil springtails. Soil Biol Biochem 41: 1596–604.