Fine‐scale quantification of floral and faunal breaks and their geographic correlates, with an example from south‐eastern Australia

摘要: Aim  We introduce a method to quantify shared breaks in aggregate biotic distributions and their relationships geographic variables. The is based on quantification of distributional taxic abiotic data that can be applied over multiple spatial scales. aim show biogeographic varying transition zones at fine level detail (5-km resolution) develop an approach assess existing bioregionalization schemes. Location  Global applicability, using example from New South Wales south-eastern Australia. Methods  Moving window analyses, rotated 15° increments through 360°, are used the degree anisotropic turnover between sets gridded cells containing georeferenced species observations. Patterns compared with equivalent analyses for elevation lithology. Identified assessed against scheme (Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation Australia, IBRA). Results  There was fine-scale concordance patterns several IBRA bioregions. Breaks flora fauna corresponded boundaries Hunter Valley Sydney Basin regions, particularly boundary Brigalow Belt Basin. Low-turnover were quantified; prominent examples Cataract Wyong Turnover along many gradational, confirming mapped not abrupt. A previously unidentified break identified East Corner bioregion. Spatial similar biota reflected mean correlation coefficients each group: mammals–reptiles (r = 0.70, P << 0.01); mammals–flora (r = 0.56, reptiles–flora (r = 0.51, P << 0.01). Generally, turnover, although correlations weaker than biota. Main conclusions  Using this we able characterize overlaps spatially resolution. For our study region, confirm overall integrity framework, but suggest it may benefit revision some respects.