The fourth dimension: incorporating time into landscape-level biodiversity assessments

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A fundamental issue in ecological research is measuring spatial and temporal variation in natural systems in order to assess the effect and magnitude of anthropogenic disturbances. While spatial variation is measured routinely, most ecological studies do not measure temporal variation: sampling is usually limited to relatively short periods and rarely has temporal replication. This not only devalues the spatial comparisons because historical levels of variability are not considered but also precludes assessments of temporal trends (rates of change), or time lags between cause (e.g. vegetation loss) and consequence (e.g. species loss).

To reliably compare rates of change, time must be included in the study design, yet most studies employ space-for-time substitution. In this study, we build on an existing dataset collected in 2002/03 during DUV06 ‘Landscape level thresholds for conservation of biodiversity in rural environments’ by re-surveying birds across 24 landscapes, thus incorporating time into an existing study design. This allows us to monitor changes in landscape-level responses in real-time in multiple landscapes that sample a gradient in extent of native vegetation and contrasting configuration.