species redundancy empirical datasets

In our study, we applied the concept of species redundancy and the partitioning method for beta diversity to three real data, we further examined how species loss and changes in species composition affect ASR, Tbeta, Fbeta, and their components.(1) Aquatic Insects under Anthropogenic DisturbancesThe first real dataset includes 32 aquatic insect communities across two treatments (16 natural and 16 degraded stream communities) in the lowland of the Pearl River Basin (Wang et al., 2023, 2025). The degraded streams have experienced extensive anthropogenic disturbances, leading to reduced species richness and abundance but increased habitat heterogeneity (Wang et al., 2025). Six qualitative traits (dispersal mode, ecological tolerance, voltinism, body size, feeding habits and habitat preferences) were chosen. RLQ analysis (Dolédec et al., 1996) and fourth-corner analysis (Dray et al., 2014) were used to identify traits sensitive to environmental gradients. Only two environmentally responsive traits (ecological tolerance and feeding habits) were retained for functional analyses.(2) Plant Communities Under Fire DisturbanceThe second real dataset was cited from Abedi et al. (2022), a 2 × 2 factorial field study (fire × slope exposure) following a natural wildfire event. Vegetation surveys were carried out two years after the fire. A total of 80 plots (4 m × 4 m) were established, with 20 replicates per treatment combination: southern exposure with and without fire (SF and SNF), northern exposure with and without fire (NF and NNF), respectively. The coverage of all vascular plant species was recorded for each plot. Four leaf traits measured for 56 species were used to construct functional diversity, including Leaf thickness (LTH), Leaf length (LL), Specific leaf area (SLA) and Leaf dry matter content (LDMC).3) Plant communities Along a Successional GradientThe third real dataset was first compiled and analyzed by Ricotta et al. (2016). It was originally collected by Caccianiga et al. (2006) along a primary successional gradient on the Rutor Glacier foreland in northwestern Italy. The dataset comprises 59 vegetation plots located between 2400 and 3000 m above sea level. Based on moraine age, plots were assigned to three successional stage treatments: early (17 plots), intermediate (32 plots), and late (10 plots). Species abundance was estimated for each vascular plant species. Their functional traits were defined following Grime’s CSR classification. Each species was assigned quantitative scores for competitive (C), stress-tolerant (S), and ruderal (R) strategies. Functional dissimilarities among species were calculated using these CSR components.