Taking Apart the Time Machine: Investigating Space-for-Time Substitution Modeling in the Florida Everglades

Authors

Theresa Kelly Brown, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Thesis

Major/Program

Biology

First Advisor's Name

Joel C. Trexler

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Jennifer Richards

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Third Advisor's Name

Sarah Eddy

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Fourth Advisor's Name

Leonard Pearlstine

Fourth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Keywords

Space-for-Time Substitution, Chronosequence, Everglades, Beta Diversity

Date of Defense

12-2019

Abstract

Space-for-Time substitution modeling has been used with increasing frequency to identify functional relationships between environmental drivers and ecological responses. I investigated the use of space-for-time substitution as a null model and beta diversity as a validity test for this null model in the Greater Everglades aquatic metacommunity. I began by conducting a literature review and analysis to investigate the suitability of the space-for-time substitution method as a null model. I then analyzed beta diversity of the Greater Everglades aquatic metacommunity through a sums-of-squares approach. Finally, I tested for correlation between the beta diversity analysis and the space-for-time models. Results indicate that while beta diversity is correlated with space-for-time model success for some species, the relationship is not consistently significant and therefore not suited for validity testing. Space-for-Time substitution is suitable for use as a null model but cannot be used reliably in predictive models for management purposes.

Identifier

FIDC008972

Recommended Citation

Brown, Theresa Kelly, "Taking Apart the Time Machine: Investigating Space-for-Time Substitution Modeling in the Florida Everglades" (2019). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 4380.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/4380