Scale‐Dependent Effects of Landscape Heterogeneity on Butterfly Functional and Taxonomic Diversity in Andean Urban Parks.

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Title: Scale‐Dependent Effects of Landscape Heterogeneity on Butterfly Functional and Taxonomic Diversity in Andean Urban Parks.
Authors: Coral‐Acosta, Nathali1 (AUTHOR) coraln@javeriana.edu.co, Castaño, John Harold2 (AUTHOR), Jiménez, Darly Tatiana Rodríguez3 (AUTHOR), Urbina‐Cardona, J. Nicolás1 (AUTHOR)
Source: Ecology & Evolution (20457758). Oct2025, Vol. 15 Issue 10, p1-13. 13p.
Subject Terms: *Biodiversity, *Species diversity, *Landscape changes, *Nature parks, *Plant communities, Urbanization
Geographic Terms: Colombia
Abstract (English): Urbanization poses a significant threat to biodiversity, reducing native species diversity in cities. Urban green spaces, like parks, become essential refuges for species adapting to altered environments, influenced by anthropogenic infrastructure that shapes species' functional responses. This study evaluates the associations between local vegetation structure, landscape heterogeneity, and butterfly taxonomic and functional diversity in 15 urban parks within the Andean city of Bogotá, Colombia. We measured 15 local‐scale variables and 8 landscape heterogeneity variables at each spatial scale, examining their associations within areas ranging from 250 to 1000 m around the parks. Tree height was positively associated with functional dispersion at the local scale. At smaller landscape scales (250–500 m), species richness was positively associated with the total area of neighborhood (0.1–1.5 ha) and pocket (< 0.1 ha) parks. At larger scales (750–1000 m), functional divergence was correlated with the number of trees, while functional richness and originality were linked to proximity to water bodies. Additionally, fourth‐corner and RLQ analyses revealed a scale‐dependent pattern: At the local scale, tree height and diameter at breast height (DBH) were associated with wing span. At intermediate scales (250–750 m), wing span was also related to the distance from bodies of water, while at 1000 m, the total area of neighborhood parks emerged as an additional factor influencing wing span. Urban management should prioritize a great diversity of tall native trees to support diverse butterfly assemblages at local scales. Enhancing connectivity between pocket and neighborhood parks, integrating water bodies, and increasing the number of native trees within a 750 m radius can significantly boost both taxonomic and functional diversity in Bogotá. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Abstract (Spanish): RESUMEN: La urbanización constituye una amenaza significativa para la biodiversidad al reducir la diversidad de especies nativas en las ciudades. Los espacios verdes urbanos, particularmente los parques, emergen como refugios esenciales para especies adaptadas a entornos alterados, influenciados por la infraestructura antrópica que modula las respuestas funcionales de las especies. Este estudio evalúa las asociaciones entre la estructura de la vegetación local, la heterogeneidad del paisaje y la diversidad taxonómica y funcional de mariposas en 15 parques urbanos de Bogotá, en los Andes de Colombia. Se midieron 15 variables a escala local y 8 variables de heterogeneidad del paisaje, examinando asociaciones en áreas de 250 a 1000 metros alrededor de los parques estudiados. Los resultados revelan patrones dependientes de la escala espacial. A nivel local, la altura de los árboles se asoció positivamente con la dispersión funcional. En escalas pequeñas (250–500 m), la riqueza de especies se relacionó positivamente con el área de parques vecinales (0,1–1,5 ha) y de bolsillo (< 0,1 ha). A escalas mayores (750–1000 m), la divergencia funcional se correlacionó con el número de árboles, mientras que la riqueza y originalidad funcional se vincularon con la proximidad a cuerpos de agua. Los análisis de cuarta esquina y RLQ revelaron patrones específicos dependientes de la escala: a escala local, la altura de árboles y el diámetro a la altura del pecho (DAP) se asociaron con la envergadura alar. En escalas intermedias (250‐750 m), la envergadura alar se relacionó también con la distancia a cuerpos de agua, mientras que a 1000 m, el área de parques vecinales emergió como factor adicional. La gestión urbana debe priorizar una alta diversidad de árboles nativos de gran altura para apoyar ensamblajes diversos de mariposas a escala local. Se recomienda mejorar la conectividad entre parques de bolsillo y vecinales, integrar cuerpos de agua y aumentar el número de árboles nativos dentro de un radio de 750 m. Estas medidas pueden incrementar significativamente la diversidad taxonómica y funcional de mariposas en Bogotá. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Abstract:Urbanization poses a significant threat to biodiversity, reducing native species diversity in cities. Urban green spaces, like parks, become essential refuges for species adapting to altered environments, influenced by anthropogenic infrastructure that shapes species' functional responses. This study evaluates the associations between local vegetation structure, landscape heterogeneity, and butterfly taxonomic and functional diversity in 15 urban parks within the Andean city of Bogotá, Colombia. We measured 15 local‐scale variables and 8 landscape heterogeneity variables at each spatial scale, examining their associations within areas ranging from 250 to 1000 m around the parks. Tree height was positively associated with functional dispersion at the local scale. At smaller landscape scales (250–500 m), species richness was positively associated with the total area of neighborhood (0.1–1.5 ha) and pocket (< 0.1 ha) parks. At larger scales (750–1000 m), functional divergence was correlated with the number of trees, while functional richness and originality were linked to proximity to water bodies. Additionally, fourth‐corner and RLQ analyses revealed a scale‐dependent pattern: At the local scale, tree height and diameter at breast height (DBH) were associated with wing span. At intermediate scales (250–750 m), wing span was also related to the distance from bodies of water, while at 1000 m, the total area of neighborhood parks emerged as an additional factor influencing wing span. Urban management should prioritize a great diversity of tall native trees to support diverse butterfly assemblages at local scales. Enhancing connectivity between pocket and neighborhood parks, integrating water bodies, and increasing the number of native trees within a 750 m radius can significantly boost both taxonomic and functional diversity in Bogotá. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:20457758
DOI:10.1002/ece3.72341