Spatial and taxonomic correlates of species and species trait assemblages in soil invertebrate communities

Whether dispersal limitation and phylogenetic conservatism influence soil species assemblages is still a debated question. We hypothesized that spatial and phylogenetic patterns influence communities in a hump-backed fashion, maximizing their impact at intermediate spatial and phylogenetic distances. Species–environment relationships are blurred by dispersal limitation and restricted habitat choice at long and short spatial distances,...