Measuring the variability of the drosophilid assemblages associated with forests of the Brazilian savanna across temporal and spatial scales

Abstract

The relevant scales over which specific communities vary must be identified to address fundamental ecological questions and to advance the conservation of biological diversity. In this study, the variation among drosophilid assemblages associated with forests was quantified at a large temporal–spatial scale. Our results are based on data collected in four conservation units (CUs) in the Brazilian savanna across four seasons and two years. The primary component of variation occurred at the temporal scale: it was three times greater than that of the spatial scale. Significant variability was also found in the interaction between seasons and CUs. Measuring the temporal and spatial variability of drosophilid diversity in forests contributed to the improvement of the methodological framework supporting such assemblages as bioindicators and provided important insights into the mechanisms behind the dynamic patterns in time and space that ultimately can improve our understanding of Cerrado biodiversity.