Is an ecosystem perspective sufficient to understand meta-ecosystem processes? A critical reflection DOI Open Access
Jürg W. Spaak, Mirco Bundschuh, Martin H. Entling

et al.

Authorea (Authorea), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 12, 2023

Meta-ecosystems are the largest and probably most complex structures investigated in ecol-ogy. Because of their complexity they often separated into respective ecosystems then studied isolation. This is done without analysing whether an understanding individual can lead to a proper meta-ecosystem, like-ly because we lack clear guidelines when such separation sufficient. We here propose four conceptual models for which appropriately approximates full dynamics. For each these provide empirical evidence from riparian meta-ecosystems showcase that terrestrial or aquatic ecosystem should likely not be Finally, new theoretical framework assess how strongly two linked discuss this might applied future research.

Language: Английский

A synthesis of anthropogenic stress effects on emergence-mediated aquatic-terrestrial linkages and riparian food webs DOI
Ralf Schulz, Mirco Bundschuh, Martin H. Entling

et al.

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 908, P. 168186 - 168186

Published: Oct. 30, 2023

Language: Английский

Citations

18
Global patterns of allochthony in stream–riparian meta‐ecosystems DOI Creative Commons
Daniel C. Allen, James H. Larson, C. Murphy

et al.

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(3)

Published: March 1, 2024

Abstract Ecosystems that are coupled by reciprocal flows of energy and nutrient subsidies can be viewed as a single “meta‐ecosystem.” Despite these connections, the flow is greatly asymmetrical seasonally pulsed. Here, we synthesize existing literature on stream–riparian meta‐ecosystems to quantify global patterns amount subsidy consumption organisms, known “allochthony.” These resource important since they comprise large portion consumer diets, but disrupted human modification streams riparian zones. flows, found stream allochthony equivalent. Although both fish invertebrates rely pulsed allochthonous resources, find varies only for fish, being nearly three times greater during summer fall than winter spring. We also with feeding traits aquatic invertebrates, terrestrial arthropods, not vertebrates. Finally, climate twice great in arid climates tropical climates, fish. findings critical understanding consequences change, ecosystem connections increasingly disrupted.

Language: Английский

Citations

8
Cascading impacts of changes in subsidy quality on recipient ecosystem functioning DOI Creative Commons
Stephen E. Osakpolor, Alessandro Manfrin, Shawn Leroux

et al.

Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 104(5)

Published: March 9, 2023

Abstract Resource quantity and quality can differ between adjacent ecosystems, these differences impact subsidies exchanged ecosystems. The of are rapidly changing in response to stressors associated with global environmental change, but while we have models predict the effects changes subsidy quantity, currently lack on recipient ecosystem functioning. We developed a novel model biomass distribution, recycling, production, efficiency. parameterized for case study riparian subsidized by pulsed emergent aquatic insects. In this focused common measure that differs ecosystems: higher content long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) analyzed how PUFA concentration affect dynamics stocks functions ecosystem. also conducted sensitivity analysis identify key drivers impacts. Our showed increased functioning Recycling more strongly than production per unit increase, meaning there was threshold where an increase led stronger recycling relative predictions were most sensitive basal nutrient input, highlighting relevance levels understanding connections. argue ecosystems rely high‐quality subsidies, such as aquatic–terrestrial ecotones, highly subsidy–recipient unifies hypothesis food provides testable understand connections under changes.

Language: Английский

Citations

15
Quality matters: Stoichiometry of resources modulates spatial feedbacks in aquatic‐terrestrial meta‐ecosystems DOI Creative Commons
Benôıt Pichon, Élisa Thébault,

Gérard Lacroix

et al.

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 26(10), P. 1700 - 1713

Published: July 17, 2023

Species dispersal and resource spatial flows greatly affect the dynamics of connected ecosystems. So far, research on meta-ecosystems has mainly focused quantitative effect subsidy flows. Yet, exchanges at heterotrophic-autotrophic (e.g. aquatic-terrestrial) ecotones display a stoichiometric asymmetry that likely matters for functioning. Here, we joined ecological stoichiometry meta-ecosystem framework to understand how mediates response Our model results demonstrate between ecosystems can induce positive feedback loop, leading higher production scale by relaxing local ecosystem limitations ('spatial complementarity'). Furthermore, show also have an unexpected negative impact when accentuating mismatch resources basal species needs. This study paves way studies interdependency landscape extent.

Language: Английский

Citations

14
A general meta‐ecosystem model to predict ecosystem functions at landscape extents DOI Creative Commons
Éric Harvey, Justin N. Marleau, Isabelle Gounand

et al.

Ecography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 2023(11)

Published: Sept. 6, 2023

The integration of ecosystem processes over large spatial extents is critical to predicting whether and how local global changes may impact biodiversity functions. Yet, there remains an important gap in meta‐ecosystem models predict multiple functions (e.g. carbon sequestration, elemental cycling, trophic efficiency) across types terrestrial‐aquatic, benthic‐pelagic). We derive a flexible model at landscape by integrating the dimension natural systems as networks different habitat connected cross‐ecosystem flows materials organisms. partition physical connectedness ecosystems from flow rates organisms, allowing representation all connectivity boundaries. Through simulating forest‐lake‐stream meta‐ecosystem, our illustrates that even if induced significant losses nutrients, differences efficiencies could lead increased secondary production regional scale. This emergent result, which we dub ‘cross‐ecosystem efficiency hypothesis', emphasizes importance diversity complementarity generate empirically testable hypotheses for

Language: Английский

Citations

14
Land use alters cross-ecosystem transfer of high value fatty acids by aquatic insects DOI Creative Commons
Katharina Ohler, Verena C. Schreiner,

Lukas Reinhard

et al.

Environmental Sciences Europe, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 36(1)

Published: Jan. 9, 2024

Abstract Background Many aquatic insects emerge as adults from water bodies to complete parts of their life cycle in terrestrial ecosystems and are potential prey for riparian predators. The benefits predators include higher contents long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) compared insects. Aquatic therefore considered a high-quality food. Food containing high levels PUFA can enhance growth immune response spiders. However, agricultural stressors like nutrient increase, pesticides habitat degradation affect the biomass turn diet Studies quantifying influence land use on acid (FA) profiles emergent lacking. We quantified differences exports FA, saturated monounsaturated PUFA, FA spiders between forested sites over primary emergence period within one year. export food web is crucial understand energy fluxes ecosystems. Furthermore, we monitored environmental variables identify associations Results found land-use types. quantity total via was lower (95% CI 1147–1313 µg m −2 ) comparison 1555–1845 ), while sites. Additionally, spring significantly (up 0.06 d −1 than Agricultural explained only little variation insects, e.g., 4% caddisflies 12% non-biting midges. Percentage shading pool habitats were identified most important explaining profiles. Conclusion quality source smaller sites, which decrease fitness To improve our capacity predict adverse effects web, future studies should mechanisms underlying content.

Language: Английский

Citations

5
Seasonal dynamics of detritus flows and decomposition across ecosystem boundaries DOI Creative Commons
Eva Cereghetti, Tianna Peller,

Silvana Kaeser

et al.

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 1, 2025

Material fluxes are ubiquitous in nature within and across ecosystems, connecting habitats with vastly different characteristics, like forests to rivers lakes.1,2,3 Although individual their cascading effects well known,4,5,6 very few studies address the intra-annual phenology of ecosystem processes, despite pronounced seasonality fluxes. Here, we empirically quantified resolved recalcitrant labile types leaf litter temperate riparian streams a year, representing one most emblematic examples seasonal systems. We variation inputs from terrestrial plants forest floors estimated aquatic decomposition rates year at 6-week intervals. Our data show that autumn pulse is complemented by smaller magnitude but more constant-through-the-year lateral flows stream ecosystems. Decomposition fluctuated seasonally, on phenology, generally higher summer, remained largely constant. Microorganisms were main contributors process both streams. Overall, our work highlights asynchronous seasonally variable changes between detritus initial synchronized availability suggests dominating presence buffers responses concentrated temporal distribution resources.7,8 Investigating such ecological processes borders fine resolutions imperative understand complex system context species' shifts phenologies resource quality.9,10,11.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Cross-ecosystem effects of light pollution and invasive signal crayfish on riparian spiders DOI Creative Commons
Alessandro Manfrin,

Jens Schirmel,

Marina Arias

et al.

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. e03577 - e03577

Published: April 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
A theory for context‐dependent effects of mammalian trampling on ecosystem nitrogen cycling DOI
G. Adam Meyer, Shawn Leroux

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 93(5), P. 583 - 598

Published: April 2, 2024

Abstract Large mammalian herbivores substantially impact ecosystem functioning. As their populations are dramatically altered globally, disentangling consumptive and non‐consumptive effects is critical to advance mechanistic understanding improve prediction of over Earth‐system spatial extents. Mathematical models have played an important role in clarifying potential mechanisms herbivore zoogeochemistry, based mostly on as primary consumers recyclers organic inorganic matter via defecation urination. Trampling a ubiquitous effect among walking vertebrates, but the consequences trampling diverse environments remain poorly understood. We derive novel mathematical model large nitrogen cycling, focusing how environmental context soil processes. with linear positive or negative additive soil‐mediated cycling Combining analytical numerical analyses, we find by likely decrease mineralisation rate across environments, such temperate grassland boreal forest. These mediated multiple mechanisms, including trampling‐induced changes detritivore biomass functioning (e.g. consumption). also uncover scenarios where can increase rate, contingent environment‐specific relative sensitivity mineral‐nitrogen release mortality, trampling. In contrast some our results suggest pace prior has little influence direction net mineralisation, that may be greater slow‐cycling systems forests) than fast‐cycling grasslands). Our clarifies previously overlooked zoogeochemistry common all terrestrial biomes. provide empirically testable predictions guide future progress empirical theoretical studies contexts. Resolving ecological contingencies around animal will whole‐ecosystem management efforts restoration rewilding.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Resource flow network structure drives meta-ecosystem function DOI
Tianna Peller, Isabelle Gounand,

Florian Altermatt

et al.

The American Naturalist, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 204(6), P. 546 - 560

Published: Aug. 22, 2024

Previous articleNext article No AccessResource flow network structure drives meta-ecosystem functionTianna Peller, Isabelle Gounand, and Florian AltermattTianna AltermattPDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookxLinkedInRedditEmailPrint SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The American Naturalist Just Accepted Published for Society of Naturalists Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/732812 PermissionsRequest permissions © 2024 University Chicago. All Rights reserved.PDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.

Language: Английский

Citations

2