水杉原生种群结构及空间分布格局

水杉(Metasequoia glyptostroboides)是我国特有濒危极小种群物种, 其种群的状态一直被国内外学者广泛关注。分析现存水杉原生种群结构和空间分布格局及其空间关联性, 可以从空间格局角度深入认识水杉原生种群结构和分布格局及可能的形成机理。本文基于湖北利川境内水杉原生种群的野外调查数据, 分析其径级和高度级结构, 同时运用点格局分析中的成对相关函数g(r)以及3个零模型(完全空间随机模型、异质泊松模型、先决条件模型)分析水杉原生种群空间分布格局、各龄级空间分布格局及空间关联性。结果表明: (1)分布于研究区域内的水杉原生种群个体数共5,663株, 已死亡33株, 现存活5,630株, 其中40株濒临死亡, 465株处于衰弱状态, 部分个体呈现不同的形态特征和生长状况, 断梢和蚁害最为常见, 雷击是最致命的危害。(2)水杉原生种群结构分析显示, 其径级结构和高度级结构均呈纺锤型, 自然更新不良。(3)基于完全空间随机模型, 水杉原生种群在各尺度下均呈现聚集分布, 中龄树在较小尺度(r < 3,300 m)上呈现聚集分布, 成年树和老龄树在较大尺度(r < 4,700 m)上呈现聚集分布; 排除生境异质性影响后, 聚集尺度均减小, 所以种群及不同龄级的聚集尺度分别为0-3,000 m、0-2,100 m、0-2,900 m和0-2,500 m, 随后呈现为微弱的随机分布和均匀分布。(4)基于完全空间随机模型, 3个龄级之间在所有尺度均为正关联; 在排除生境异质性影响后, 不同龄级的正关联尺度减小, 均在0-2,800 m呈正关联。综上, 水杉原生种群个体数量正呈现逐步减少的趋势, 种群主要呈聚集分布, 各个龄级间具有正向的关系, 从现有的空间格局来看, 生境异质性、扩散限制和种内竞争是导致该格局的主要原因。     

祁连山地甘肃臭草斑块土壤水分与植被盖度空间格局

土壤水分是植被格局形成和演变的主要因素,土壤水分的空间异质性对于认识干旱区草原植物对环境的响应机制具有重要意义,而在较小尺度上,植被状况是土壤水分空间异质性的主要驱动因子.利用地统计学方法,研究了祁连山北坡甘肃臭草单优种群斑块浅层剖面(0 ～30 cm)土壤水分与植被盖度的空间异质性及其关系.结果表明:甘肃臭草斑块浅层剖面土壤水分和植被盖度均符合正态分布,各层土壤水分均存在高度的空间异质性,其中,80.93％～87.34％的空间异质性是由空间自相关引起的,植被盖度主要体现在4.09～6.91 m的尺度上,而由1 m以下尺度随机因素引起的空间异质性占12.66％ ～19.07％;甘肃臭草在斑块尺度上各层土壤水分的空间结构表现出明显的圈层结构和斑块状分布的特点,土壤水分高低值斑块呈镶嵌分布且具有较强的空间异质性;甘肃臭草通过生理整合影响并在一定程度上改变了小尺度上土壤水分的分布格局,从而实现了对土壤水分资源最大限度的利用,提高了种群在干旱生境中的适应能力和竞争力.     

辽东山区次生林木本植物空间分布

森林木本植物的空间格局有助于揭示群落结构的形成机制与潜在的生态学过程,且对林分经营具有一定指导意义。在0—50 m尺度范围内综合分析了辽东山区4 hm2温带次生林样地多度10的树种空间格局。研究发现:(1)在完全随机零模型下,大部分树种呈现聚集格局,聚集格局树种的比例随尺度增加而降低;在32 m的较大尺度下,随尺度增加,随机和规则格局成为树种分布的主要形式;(2)在异质性泊松过程零模型下,55.9%的树种呈现随机格局,其余大部分树种在10 m的尺度下呈现聚集格局,且随尺度增加,规则格局成为主要形式;(3)在完全随机零模型下,树种属性(林层、径级和多度)显著地影响种群聚集度,而在异质性泊松过程零模型下,树种属性对种群聚集度不存在显著影响。综上,生境异质性、扩散限制和树种属性部分解释了辽东山区次生林木本植物空间分布格局,相对而言,生境异质性的效应更为突出。研究结果有助于揭示次生林群落生物多样性的维持机制。     

天然红海榄种群分布格局研究

以湛江高桥红树林自然保护区中的天然红海榄种群为对象,采用相邻格子法进行野外调查,同时根据红海榄种群个体定位图,运用扩散系数、聚集指数、聚块性指数、扩散型指数、平均拥挤度、负二项参数、Cassie.R.M.指标,分析天然红海榄种群在不同潮带、不同群落类型及不同取样尺度下的空间分布格局。结果表明:红海榄种群在高潮带和低潮带中趋向于随机分布的空间格局,中潮带则呈现为明显的聚集分布;红海榄种群在纯林中的分布格局略偏向于随机型,在混交林中则呈现较强的聚集分布,聚集度指标表现为C>1,Iδ>1,K<8,m*/>1,Ca>0;红海榄种群在不同取样尺度的分布格局存在差异,聚集强度随着取样尺度的增大而减弱,在取样尺度为5m×5m时呈现明显的聚集分布,取样尺度为5m×10m时亦表现为聚集分布但聚集强度相对较小,取样尺度为10m×10m时其空间格局介于聚集分布与随机分布的临界状态。红海榄种群的分布格局与生境条件的异质性以及红海榄自身的生物学特性有关。     

珍稀濒危植物长蕊木兰种群的年龄结构与空间分布

珍稀濒危植物长蕊木兰为国家Ⅰ级保护植物。然而,由于受研究尺度和分析方法的限制,对其种群生态特征等方面仍不清楚。以云南高黎贡山原生的中山湿性常绿阔叶林4 hm2样地调查数据为基础,应用Ripley的L函数分析了长蕊木兰种群的年龄结构与空间分布格局。研究发现:(1)长蕊木兰种群的年龄结构为反"J"型,属稳定型种群。(2)长蕊木兰种群个体的空间分布格局与空间尺度关系密切,空间尺度小于75 m时为聚集分布,大于75 m时为随机分布。生境异质性在长蕊木兰种群空间分布格局的形成中可能发挥了重要的作用。(3)不同发育阶段个体的空间分布格局存在明显的差异,中树和小树阶段的分布格局在中、小尺度上呈聚集分布,在较大尺度上呈随机分布;大树阶段在整个空间尺度上均呈现随机分布。(4)长蕊木兰不同发育阶段的空间关联性主要表现为中、小尺度上的负相关,在较大尺度上则趋向于无关联。     

不同尺度下红树景观格局与叶面积指数的空间分异及表征关系

以2010 年SPOT5(空间分辨率为2.5 m)遥感图像为信息源, 提取红树林群落的空间分布范围及叶面积指数(LAI), 在ArcGIS10.0 软件及fragstats4.0 软件平台的支持下, 分别以100 m、300 m、500 m、700 m、900 m 为网格单元大小计算景观格局指数及LAI 指数, 分析不同尺度下红树林景观格局与叶面积指数的空间分异及表征关系。结果表明: (1)红树林群落叶面积指数(LAI)均呈现较为明显的空间分异特征。随着尺度的增大, 各网格单元的LAI 平均值先减小后增大; (2)斑块数量(NP)及平均斑块面积(MPS)呈现出东南地区高于西北地区的特点, 随着尺度的增大而增大。平均形状指数(MSI)随着尺度的增大逐渐增大。面积周长比均值(MPAR)的空间分异特征不明显; (3)红树林群落叶面积指数与群落景观指数在部分尺度下(500 m、700 m)存在明显的表征关系。(4)700 m 尺度是本研究分析的最佳尺度。     

基于零模型的宁夏荒漠草原优势种群点格局分析

植物种群空间分布格局是多种生态过程综合作用的结果。明确植物优势种群个体的空间分布格局与形成机制有助于认识种群生态适应对策与群落多样性维持机制。以宁夏荒漠草原优势种群蒙古冰草、短花针茅、牛枝子和牛心朴子为研究对象,采用完全空间随机零模型分析其种群空间分布格局特征,并通过异质泊松零模型与泊松聚块零模型探讨生境异质性、扩散限制等因子在其空间分布格局形成过程中的作用。结果显示:(1)完全空间随机零模型下,4个物种在4 m尺度范围内表现为聚集分布,随尺度增大,逐渐过渡到随机分布和均匀分布。(2)在排除生境异质性的异质泊松零模型下,蒙古冰草种群在整个研究尺度上表现为随机分布;牛枝子、短花针茅和牛心朴子种群仅分别在0—0.2、0.1—0.4 m与0—0.2 m尺度范围内发生偏离,表现为均匀分布与聚集分布,其他尺度均为随机分布。(3)在排除扩散限制的泊松聚块零模型下,所研究种群均表现为随机分布。综上,荒漠草原优势种群在小尺度范围内主要表现为聚集分布;生境异质性与扩散限制均是驱动其空间分布格局形成的重要因子,相对而言,小尺度空间范围内扩散限制的作用更为显著。     

亚热带常绿阔叶林优势种个体及生物量的点格局分析

在广东康禾自然保护区的亚热带常绿阔叶林内设置4 hm2固定样地进行每木调查,分析群落优势种米槠(Castanopsis carlesii)和木荷(Schima superba)种群的年龄结构,并分别用Ripley's L函数和标记相关函数(mark correlation function)对种群个体和生物量空间点格局进行可视化解析。结果表明:1)米槠和木荷种群的径级结构为金字塔型,种群中有大量幼年个体,属增长型种群。2)米槠和木荷种群在0—50 m尺度上均呈聚集分布,说明生境异质性在种群空间格局形成中发挥重要作用。米槠种群聚集强度随空间尺度的增大逐渐增强,木荷种群在0—29.5 m尺度上聚集强度随尺度增大而增强,随后开始减小。3)米槠和木荷种群生物量分布格局与个体分布格局并不耦合,米槠生物量在个体间主要呈负相关,说明个体间存在显著的资源竞争。木荷个体间生物量分布相互独立,竞争不明显,显示出作为亚热带先锋树种的木荷有很高的资源利用效率。个体及生物量空间分布格局分析表明两个种群的分布模式均有利于实现物种共存。     

北京暖温带次生林种群分布格局与种间空间关联性

种群分布格局和种间空间关联性研究有助于深入理解物种共存机制.本研究在北京地区5个1 ha典型暖温带森林样地,在0-50 m尺度范围内综合分析了常见种的种群分布格局及成年树种问的空间关联性.研究发现:(1)所有检验的物种都表现了聚集格局,主要发生在较小(0-15 m)的尺度范围内,并且同种聚集强度峰值普遍出现在目标个体周围1 m的距离内;在>15 m的较大尺度上,随着尺度增加,随机和规则格局成为物种分布的主要形式;(2)种间不相关联的比例高(～50%),即使种间存在显著的关联性,也是以隔离和部分重叠为主要的关联形式;很少的物种对(～4%)呈混合分布.种子扩散限制和牛境异质性在某种程度上解释了种群普遍聚集的格局,种群聚集分布又促使种间分布不相关联,或者种间呈现隔离和部分重叠格局,反映了物种分布与生境存在紧密的关联性.另外,种间隔离的格局会阻止种间个体相互竞争.然而,由于同种个体聚集分布,密度制约成为调节种群分布的主要形式.本结果将有助于揭示森林群落物种共存的潜在维持机制.     

桂西北喀斯特常绿落叶阔叶混交林物种多样性分布格局的尺度效应

物种多样性的空间分布格局及其与尺度的关系研究对于了解群落物种多样性形成机制具有重要意义。为了探讨喀斯特地区物种多样性空间分布格局的尺度效应,以喀斯特常绿落叶阔叶混交林25 hm~2样地的(胸径DBH≥1)木本植物为研究对象,分析了6个空间尺度(5 m×5 m,10 m×10 m,20 m×20 m,50 m×50 m,100 m×100 m,250 m×250 m)上的多度、物种丰富度、Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson指数以及Pielou均匀度指数的变化规律。结果表明:物种多样性指数的空间分布均表现出较高的空间异质性;物种多样性指数的方差随取样尺度增加呈现单峰分布特征,并且在100 m×100 m尺度上达到最大值;物种多样性指数的变异系数随尺度的增加呈线性下降趋势,其中,Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson指数以及Pielou均匀度指数均在5 m×5 m至20 m×20 m尺度上明显减小;在大于50 m×50 m的尺度上,物种丰富度与多度的正相关性不显著(P0.05)。喀斯特常绿落叶阔叶混交林物种多样性的空间分布格局与不同空间尺度密切相关,深入解析物种多样性随空间尺度的变化模式,需要在类似的森林生态系统做更多的研究。     

华南海岸英罗港红树植物木榄种群结构的空间异质性(英文)

The spatial heterogeneity, including distribution pattern, tree perimeter and height differentiation, and canopy structure heterogeneity, of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lamk populations at Yingtuo Bay, South-China Coast was investigated using the positioning index (CE), differentiation index (TC and TH), Shannon-Wiener diversity index (D), and Ripley‘s K-functions. Most populations showed random distribution and low differentiation in perimeters and heights of individuals, while a few showed clumped distribution and clear differentiation. Canopy and gap patches were analyzed at multiple horizontal and vertical scales using geographic information system (GIS). The mosaic patterns of canopy and gap patches are different among populations, and could be quantitatively described with the Shannon-Wiener diversity index based on crown projection. The spatial heterogeneity of the canopy structure changed with spatial scales, but this kind of change would remain relatively stable over a range of scales. This scale range could be regarded as the referenced scale for a regeneration or ecological management unit for the forest.     

The quantification of local substrate heterogeneity in streams and its significance for macroinvertebrate assemblages

The effect of substrate heterogeneity on the structure of stream macroinvertebrate assemblages (total abundance, taxon richness, and evenness) is still not clear, but this could be due to the lack of standard methods for quantifying substrate heterogeneity. An accurate quantification of substrate heterogeneity was obtained from photographs of sampled areas (each 225 cm²), which were used to create maps that were subsequently digitized and analyzed using image analysis software. These maps allowed the calculation of multiple metrics quantifying two aspects of substrate heterogeneity: composition and spatial configuration of substrate patches. The diversity of substrate types (calculated as the Shannon diversity index), and the heterogeneity of patch compactness (calculated as the coefficient of variation of the relationship between patch dimensions) were the metrics explaining more biotic variance at the sample scale, but at higher scales there were no relationships between assemblage structure and substrate heterogeneity. Most variation in substrate heterogeneity occurred at the sample scale, while some metrics varied significantly at riffle or segment scales; these patterns of variation match those of macroinvertebrate assemblages, which had been previously studied. The importance of quantifying substrate heterogeneity and considering the spatial scales of its study are discussed.     

Detecting successional changes in tropical forest structure using GatorEye drone-borne lidar

Drone-based remote sensing is a promising new technology that combines the benefits of ground-based and satellite-derived forest monitoring by collecting fine-scale data over relatively large areas in a cost-effective manner. Here, we explore the potential of the GatorEye drone-lidar system to monitor tropical forest succession by canopy structural attributes including canopy height, spatial heterogeneity, gap fraction, leaf area density (LAD) vertical distribution, canopy Shannon index (an index of LAD), leaf area index (LAI), and understory LAI. We focus on these variables’ relationship to aboveground biomass (AGB) stocks and species diversity. In the Caribbean lowlands of northeastern Costa Rica, we analyze nine tropical forests stands (seven second-growth and two old-growth). Stands were relatively homogenous in terms of canopy height and spatial heterogeneity, but not in their gap fraction. Neither species density nor tree community Shannon diversity index was significantly correlated with the canopy Shannon index. Canopy height, LAI, and AGB did not show a clear pattern as a function of forest age. However, gap fraction and spatial heterogeneity increased with forest age, whereas understory LAI decreased with forest age. Canopy height was strongly correlated with AGB. The heterogeneous mosaic created by successional forest patches across human-managed tropical landscapes can now be better characterized. Drone-lidar systems offer the opportunity to improve assessment of forest recovery and develop general mechanistic carbon sequestration models that can be rapidly deployed to specific sites, an essential step for monitoring progress within the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.     

Genet structure and determinants of clonal structure in a temperate deciduous woodland herb, Uvularia perfoliata

1 We used isozyme variation to examine the genet structure of Uvularia perfoliata patches in gap and closed canopy habitats in a temperate deciduous forest in Maryland, USA.
2 A large patch in a gap habitat was composed of a small number of widely spread genets with many ramets, and a large number of genets with more restricted distribution and few ramets. Genets with many ramets were patchily distributed at a metre scale. Analysis of genet structure on a scale of square centimetres, however, revealed that the genets were highly intermingled with no clear boundaries between them. The presence at both scales of sampling of many genets with unique multilocus genotypes indicated continuing genet recruitment within the population.
3 In the closed canopy habitat, the patches examined were each composed of a single unique multilocus genotype, suggesting that each had developed by asexual propagation following the establishment of a single genet.
4 The clonal structure of U. perfoliata patches in both gap and closed canopy habitats therefore appears to depend on recruitment patterns of genets. Populations in closed canopy habitats are characterized by a 'waiting' strategy, in which asexual ramet production maintains populations until genet recruitment by seed production can occur under the more optimal conditions associated with canopy gaps. Extended sampling suggests that the genetic diversity of U. perfoliata populations is primarily controlled by the disturbance regime of the forest canopy.     

林冠结构是局域尺度木本植物功能性状beta多样性形成的重要驱动力

功能性状beta多样性反映了群落间功能性状组成的差异, 解析其形成机制是群落生态学研究的核心内容之一。本研究以云南西双版纳热带季节雨林20 ha动态监测样地为研究对象, 测定木本植物11个重要的功能性状, 采用多度加权的平均最近邻体性状距离度量不同取样尺度的功能性状beta多样性, 基于距离矩阵的多元回归方法解析林冠结构差异、环境异质性、空间距离在功能性状beta多样性格局形成中的相对作用。结果表明, 对于所有木本植物个体(DBH ≥ 1 cm)而言, 同时考虑林冠结构、环境和空间距离的模型为解释功能性状beta多样性格局的最优模型; 在3个不同取样尺度上, 林冠结构差异和环境距离都对功能性状beta多样性具有较大的解释力, 且随着取样尺度的增大而上升, 空间距离的作用基本可以忽略。本研究证实了林冠结构是局域尺度木本植物功能性状beta多样性格局形成的重要驱动力, 这一发现更新了环境异质性和空间距离是驱动功能性状beta多样性格局形成的主要因素的传统认知, 为将来研究功能性状beta多样性形成机制提供新的视角, 并证实了取样尺度在解析木本植物功能性状beta多样性格局形成机制中的重要性。     

Scale dependency of processes structuring metacommunities of cladocerans in temporary pools of High‐Andes wetlands

Metacommunity structure can be shaped by a variety of processes operating at different spatial scales. With increasing scale, the compositional variation among local communities (beta diversity) may reflect stronger environmental heterogeneity, but may also reflect reduced exchange of organisms between habitat patches. We analyzed the spatial architecture of a metacommunity of cladoceran zooplankton in temporary pools of High Andes wetlands, with the objective of explaining the spatial dependency of its structure. The spatial distribution of the pools is hierarchical and highly discontinuous: pools are clustered within small wetlands, which lay scattered over valleys that are separated from each other by mountain ridges. We studied a total of 59 pools, belonging to six different wetlands in four different valleys. We assessed pool environmental heterogeneity and sampled active communities and dormant propagule banks of cladoceran zooplankton. Environmental heterogeneity proved very high within wetlands and showed almost no increase with increasing spatial scale. Conversely, diversity partitioning analyses indicated an increase in beta diversity with spatial scale, especially among valleys. Variation partitioning on environmental data and spatial RDA models suggested environmental heterogeneity as the most important generator of beta diversity within wetlands. At the largest spatial scale, beta diversity manifested itself mainly as a differentiation of species occurrence patterns among valleys, which could not be entirely explained by environmental variables. Our study thus presents a case where environmental control seems to be the dominant metacommunity structuring process at the smallest spatial scale, whereas neutral processes and dispersal limitation are the most likely generators of beta diversity at the largest spatial scale.     

Scales of aboveground and below-ground competition in a semi-arid woodland detected from spatial pattern

Abstract. Semi-arid woodlands are two-phase mosaics of canopy and inter-canopy patches. We hypothesized that both aboveground competition (within canopy patches), and below-ground competition (between canopy patches), would be important structuring processes in these communities. We investigated the spatial pattern of trees in a Pinus edulis-Juniperus monosperma woodland in New Mexico using Ripley's K-function. We found strong aggregation of trees at scales of 2 to 4 m, which indicates the scale of canopy patches. Canopy patches were composed of individuals of both species. Crown centers of both species were always less aggregated than stem centers at scales less than canopy patch size, indicating morphological plasticity of competing crowns. In the smallest size classes of both species, aggregation was most intense, and occurred over a larger range of scales; aggregation decreased with increasing size as is consistent with density-dependent mortality from intraspecific competition. Within canopy patches, younger trees were associated with older trees of the other species. At scales larger than canopy patches, younger trees showed repulsion from older conspecifics, indicating below-ground competition. Hence, intraspecific competition was stronger than interspecific competition, probably because the species differ in rooting depth. Woodland dynamics depend on the scale and composition of canopy patches, aggregated seed deposition and facilitation, above- and below-ground competition, and temporal changes in the spatial scale of interactions. This woodland is intermediate in a grassland-forest continuum (a gradient of increasing woody canopy cover) and hence we expected, and were able to detect, the effects of both above- and below-ground competition.     

Environmental heterogeneity,species diversity and co‐existence at different spatial scales

The positive relationship between spatial environmental heterogeneity and species diversity is a widely accepted concept, generally associated with niche limitation. However, niche limitation cannot account for negative heterogeneity–diversity relationships (HDR) revealed in several case studies. Here we explore how HDR varies at different spatial scales and provide novel theories for small‐scale species co‐existence that explain both positive and negative HDR. At large spatial scales of heterogeneity (e.g. landscape level), different communities co‐exist, promoting large regional species pool size and resulting in positive HDR. At smaller scales within communities, species co‐existence can be enhanced by increasing the number of different patches, as predicted by the niche limitation theory, or alternatively, restrained by heterogeneity. We conducted meta‐regressions for experimental and observational HDR studies, and found that negative HDRs are significantly more common at smaller spatial scales. We propose three theories to account for niche limitation at small spatial scales. (1) Microfragmentation theory: with increasing spatial heterogeneity, large homogeneous patches lose area and become isolated, which in turn restrains the establishment of new plant individuals and populations, thus reducing species richness. (2) Heterogeneity confounded by mean: when heterogeneity occurs at spatial scales smaller than the size of individual plants, which forage through the patches, species diversity can be either positively or negatively affected by a change in the mean of an environmental factor. (3) Heterogeneity as a separate niche axis: the ability of species to tolerate heterogeneity at spatial scales smaller than plant size varies, affecting HDR. We conclude that processes other than niche limitation can affect the relationship between heterogeneity and diversity.     

戴云山物种多样性与系统发育多样性海拔梯度分布格局及驱动因子

生物多样性的海拔分布格局是生态学研究的热点。海拔作为综合性因子驱动着植物群落的物种、系统发育与功能多样性的空间分布。以戴云山南坡900-1600 m森林植物群落为研究对象,探讨物种多样性、系统发育指数与环境驱动因子的相互关系以及环境因子在群落构建与多样性维持中的重要意义。结果表明：（1）森林植物群落的系统发育多样性与物种多样性沿海拔均呈现中间高度膨胀格局。（2）物种多样性Margalef指数、Shannon-Wiener指数与系统发育多样性指数呈显著正相关,表明物种多样性越高,系统发育多样性也越高。Shannon-Wiener指数与物种多样性指数（Margalef、Pielou、Simpson指数）、系统发育多样性及系统发育结构都存在显著相关性,一定程度上Shannon-Wiener指数可以代替其他指数。Pielou指数、Simpson指数、Shannon-Wiener指数与系统发育结构NRI （Net relatedness index）指数、NTI （Net nearest taxa index）指数存在显著正相关,表明群落优势度、均匀度与系统发育结构相关性较强。（3）土壤全磷含量是影响系统发育多样性和物种多样性的主要驱动因子,土壤含水量是影响Shannon-Wiener、Pielou、Simpson指数的最显著因子,海拔是影响群落系统发育结构的主要因素。海拔是影响系统发育结构变化的主要环境因子,而土壤因子是影响物种多样性与系统发育多样性的主要因素,进一步验证了物种多样性与系统发育多样性的高度相关,结果旨在揭示物种群落空间分布规律。     

The scale of genetic differentiation in the Dunes Sagebrush-Lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus), an endemic habitat specialist

The Dunes Sagebrush-Lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus) is a North American species endemic to sand-shinnery oak habitats of the Mescalero and Monahans sand dunes in eastern New Mexico and western Texas. This lizard is listed as Endangered in New Mexico and exhibits habitat specificity at several geographic scales. Dunes Sagebrush-Lizards are only found in topographically complex shinnery oak (Quercus havardii) dominated landscapes within their small geographic distribution and are not found in surrounding human-altered landscapes. Within suitable sand-shinnery oak habitat, individuals predominantly occupy non-vegetated sand dune blowouts and utilize blowouts with particular physical characteristics due to thermoregulatory, reproduction, and foraging requirements. Here, we examined historical and contemporary patterns of genetic differentiation with respect to the current distribution of suitable habitat at multiple spatial scales using mitochondrial DNA sequences and microsatellite data from individuals throughout the entire range. We found three genetic clusters of individuals generally concordant with geographic regions and low sequence divergence at mitochondrial loci suggesting a recent origin of these populations. We also found high levels of genetic structure at microsatellite loci among populations within each of these groups indicating restricted gene flow at intermediate scales. Despite high habitat specificity, we did not detect genetic structure among sand blowouts at finer spatial scales. Within each population, matrices comprised of both sand blowouts and vegetated shinnery oak patches are necessary for genetic connectivity, but the fine scale spatial arrangement of blowouts may not be as critical. We discuss our results with respect to the scale of landscape heterogeneity and habitat connectivity and consider the conservation implications for this threatened taxon.