DOI: 10.5061/dryad.j00p6
title: Data from: Matrix context and patch quality jointly determine diversity in a landscape-scale experiment

description: The biodiversity of a habitat patch is predicted to be driven in part by
 interactions between patch quality and landscape context (i.e., type of
 regional matrix), but these interactions are rarely explored
 experimentally. Understanding the interaction between patch quality and
 matrix context can provide insight into the kind of dynamics that best
 describe a metacommunity and help predict how the diversity of a patch
 will respond to environmental change at different scales. We conducted a
 landscape-scale experiment to examine how regional and local aspects of
 the terrestrial matrix interact to affect biodiversity within artificial
 ponds designed to mimic generic features of freshwater ephemeral ponds. We
 manipulated both the kind of matrix surrounding ponds (open canopy
 grassland, pine forest, and hardwood forest) and pond quality (three
 different types of leaf litter substrate). Ponds were left open to natural
 colonization for three months by aquatic insects and amphibians. The
 terrestrial matrix had consistent and strong effects on biodiversity
 throughout the experiment: ponds in open canopy areas had more animal
 morphotypes than ponds in pine or hardwood forests. Leaf litter type
 affected biodiversity during the experiment, with more animal morphotypes
 in ponds with higher quality litter than ponds with lower quality litter,
 and this effect was stronger in open canopy areas. The effect of leaf
 litter, however, disappeared by the end of the experiment. Our results
 suggest that the matrix surrounding patches has strong effects on
 community dynamics and biodiversity within patches, and conservation
 efforts aimed at maintaining biodiversity requires simultaneous
 consideration of both matrix habitats and habitat patches.
description: JuneMorphotypeDataSite-by-species matrix for June samples. First column is the individual tank identification code, with the first letters representing a site identifier, the second letter representing the matrix type (O=open, HW=hardwood, P=pine), and the last letter representing the litter type (P=pine, M=maple, S=sedge).JulyMorphotypeDataSite-by-species matrix for July samples. First column is the individual tank identification code, with the first letters representing a site identifier, the second letter representing the matrix type (O=open, HW=hardwood, P=pine), and the last letter representing the litter type (P=pine, M=maple, S=sedge).AugustMorphotypeDataSite-by-species matrix for August samples. First column is the individual tank identification code, with the first letters representing a site identifier, the second letter representing the matrix type (O=open, HW=hardwood, P=pine), and the last letter representing the litter type (P=pine, M=maple, S=sedge).ProducerDataPeriphyton and phytoplankton abundance data as measured by spectroscopic analysis. First column is the individual tank identification code, with the first letters representing a site identifier, the second letter representing the matrix type (O=open, HW=hardwood, P=pine), and the last letter representing the litter type (P=pine, M=maple, S=sedge).Light(Lux)Light levels measured in lux. First column is the individual tank identification code, with the first letters representing a site identifier, the second letter representing the matrix type (O=open, HW=hardwood, P=pine), and the last letter representing the litter type (P=pine, M=maple, S=sedge).