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The neglected role of limiting factors in large-scale abundance patterns
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  • Fernanda Alves-Martins,
  • Ignacio Morales-Castilla,
  • Enrique Andivia,
  • Sara Villén-Pérez
Fernanda Alves-Martins
University of Porto Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources
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Ignacio Morales-Castilla
Universidad de Alcalá
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Enrique Andivia
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
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Sara Villén-Pérez
Universidad de Alcala

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abstract

The Law of the Minimum states that species’ abundance at a location is limited by one single factor. If true, abundance-environment plots should take polygonal shapes constrained by an upper boundary representing the maximum abundance that the species can reach across the environmental gradient. Here, we examine the generality of polygonal plots in the literature and in observational data, and assess how often they are analyzed under the theory of ecological limitation. We also present a proof-of-concept of a method to identify polygon-shaped plots. We found polygonal plots in 76% of reviewed studies and in 73% of the 300 analyzed tree and bird species. We demonstrate that polygonal shapes with upper boundaries are prevalent in abundance-environment plots; yet they are rarely interpreted considering the Law of the Minimum. A wider acknowledgement of limiting relationships would improve our ecological understanding and estimation with further benefits to theoretical and applied ecology.