Niche theory predicts that human disturbance should influence the assembly of communities, favouring functionally homogeneous communities dominated by few but widespread generalists.
However, this study shows that natural community assembly may cause communities to reach convergent richness and PD levels, a result indicating that diversity effects on productivity may only be apparent during periods of biological change [21].
Last week, Kortu joined more than 100 farmers and land rights activists from across the country in the capital, Freetown, for a national assembly of communities affected by so-called land grabs.
This month, farmers and land rights activists from across Sierra Leone converged on the country's capital for a national assembly of communities affected by large-scale land deals, where groups launched a new civil-society watchdog to monitor agribusiness investments.
They provide a model system for studying mechanisms that drive the establishment and early assembly of communities.
The assembly's communities, equality and local government committee wants an affordable homes building target, and is calling for "clear leadership".
Meanwhile, the chair of the assembly's Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee has invited the different parties to set out their positions.
The trust said 47% of referrals were due to benefit changes or delays, up from 43.5% in 2012/13, in evidence to the assembly's communities committee on Tuesday.
Another caveat to our results lies in the very strength of the study the experimental assembly of communities.
"Sunday Assemblies" are communities that gather for social interaction and support in cities around the world.
