The effect of elevation and time on mountain spider diversity: a view of two aspects in the Cederberg mountains of South Africa

Spider diversity in the Cederberg mountains of South Africa exhibits complex, aspect-specific patterns influenced by elevation and season. Research reveals that while alpha diversity (species richness) varies with elevation—showing a hump-shaped pattern on the western aspect and a U-shaped one on the eastern—the interaction between season and elevation produces more intricate dynamics during dry periods. Beta diversity, primarily driven by species turnover (60–70% contribution), differs significantly between aspects: increased turnover dominates the western side, while species loss characterizes the eastern. Minimal nestedness suggests localized adaptation rather than hierarchical structuring. The study highlights that large-scale predictors explain little variation in spider diversity, underscoring the importance of local and stochastic processes. Conducted over six years with biannual sampling across 17 sites spanning 1900 meters, this work advances understanding of biodiversity patterns in UNESCO-listed Cape Floral Region Protected Areas.

Foord, S. H., & Dippenaar‐Schoeman, A. S. (2016). The effect of elevation and time on mountain spider diversity: a view of two aspects in the Cederberg mountains of South Africa. Journal of Biogeography, 43(12), 2354–2365. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.12817