Mixed evidence for the small island effect in a replicated colonisation experiment

Aim Plant species richness increases with island/patch area, but the effect of spatial scale on shape species‒area relationship remains debatable. We asked whether small-island (SIE; i.e. different between island area and smaller compared to larger plots) occurs in plants naturally colonising extremely small de novo plots. Location Northern Europe. Methods established 16 experimental plots bare ground (two each eight sizes, from 2 0.01 m2) four localities, monitored colonisation these by vascular 2008 2010. modelled relationships linear breakpoint regressions, we analysed plant functional traits respect plot size. Results Small-seeded were over-represented among primary colonisers, changed On average, number was six times greater our largest (2 than smallest (0.01 The SIE observed half analyses; semi-log models identified more often log-log did (71.1% 28.9% all analyses respectively). Conclusions evidence for boreal forest patches is mixed. Despite patch size habitat uniformity, data showed a “classic” relationship. Our findings hint that probability occurrence decreases pool colonisers time beginning colonisation. suggest analysis study systems where does occur be conducted uncover drivers this interesting biogeographical phenomenon.