Anthropogenic factors explain the most spatial variation of plant beta-diversity in the Netherlands

Abstract

We researched the relationships between anthropogenic and natural landscape heterogeneity and spatial beta-diversity in a forest, peatland and urban environment in the Netherlands. Plot-level vegetation surveys were done and using TOMST TMS4 sensors temperature was measured . Land use and management were given a value based on the intensity. pH, elevation and soil type data was collected via online databases. Using a Generalized Linear Mixed Model with random effects it was found that difference in tree cover explained the most variance in surface temperature, while differences in anthropogenic factors explained the most variance in beta diversity across landscapes. Variation in land use, management and natural factors increase landscape heterogeneity, and therefore increase beta-diversity. These findings underscore the ecological importance of human-driven heterogeneity, particularly for biodiversity conservation in multifunctional landscapes with little natural heterogeneity like the Netherlands.