Seasonal Patterns in Species Diversity Across Biomes

The search for general patterns in ecology remains a challenge. However, nature has offered highly repeatable patterns in the form of seasonal change. Given the annual (seasonal) cycle, we ask when in the year we expect to observe the highest active species diversity. We find a consistent season–diversity relationship (SDR) in many ecosystems with a peak in species diversity during the growing season. We also observe some ecosystems to have multiple peaks in species diversity during a year. In addition, we build and apply mathematical models to provide hypotheses on what ultimately may drive the SDR. Photo credit: J. P. Mellard. This photograph illustrates the article “Seasonal patterns in species diversity across biomes” by Jarad P. Mellard, Pauline Audoye, and Michel Loreau published in Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.262