A Continuum From Positive to Negative Interactions Drives Plant Species' Performance in a Diverse Community

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 28(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT With many species interacting in nature, determining which interactions describe community dynamics is nontrivial. By applying a computational modeling approach to an extensive field survey, we assessed the importance of from plants (both inter‐ and intra‐specific), pollinators insect herbivores on plant performance (i.e., viable seed production). We compared inclusion interaction effects as aggregate guild‐level terms versus specific taxonomic groups. found that continuum positive negative interactions, containing mostly few strong taxonomic‐specific effects, was sufficient performance. While with intraspecific varied weakly positive, heterospecific mainly promoted competition facilitated plants. The consistency these empirical findings over 3 years suggests including groups rather than all pairwise high‐order can be for accurately describing variation across natural communities.

Language: Английский

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Nature, Data, and Power: How Hegemonies Shaped This Special Section

The American Naturalist, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 200(1), P. 81 - 88

Published: March 24, 2022

AbstractSystems of oppression-racism, colonialism, misogyny, cissexism, ableism, heteronormativity, and more-have long shaped the content practice science. But opportunities to reckon with these influences are rarely found within academic science, even though such critiques well developed in social sciences humanities. In this special section, we attempt bring cross-disciplinary conversations among ecology, evolution, behavior, genetics on one hand critical perspectives from humanities other into pages-and front readers-of a scientific journal. introduction recount reflect process running experiment confront harms done name science envision alternatives.

Language: Английский

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NetworkExtinction: An R package to simulate extinction propagation and rewiring potential in ecological networks

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(8), P. 1952 - 1966

Published: June 2, 2023

Abstract Earth's biosphere is undergoing drastic reorganization due to the sixth mass extinction brought on by Anthropocene. Impacts of local and regional extirpation species have been demonstrated propagate through complex interaction networks they are part of, leading secondary extinctions exacerbating biodiversity loss. Contemporary ecological theory has developed several measures analyse structure robustness under However, a toolbox for directly simulating quantifying cascades creating novel interactions (i.e. rewiring) remains absent. Here, we present NetworkExtinction —a R package which explore propagation sequences quantify effects rewiring potential in response primary extinctions. With , integrate computational simulations develop functionality with users may visualize networks. The core functions introduced focus sequential associated extinctions, allowing user‐specified thresholds realization potential. can estimate after performing routines based algorithms. Moreover, compare number simulated against null model random In‐built visualizations enable graphing topological indices calculated deletion sequence each simulation step. Finally, user network's degree distribution fitting different common distributions. illustrate use its outputs analysing Chilean coastal marine food web. compact easy‐to‐use changes network patterns loss, Therefore, this particularly useful evaluating ecosystem responses anthropogenic environmental perturbations that produce nonrandom sometimes targeted,

Language: Английский

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When the window is a mirror: how do dominant theories limit our understanding of nature? (ESA 2023 INS23)

Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 105(3)

Published: April 1, 2024

In our zealous desire for familiar models of explanation, we risk not noticing the discrepancies between own predispositions and range possibilities inherent in natural phenomena. short, imposing on nature very stories like to hear. Evelyn Fox Keller, 1985 Reflections Gender Science The narratives metaphors that ecologists use describe phenomena influence what study how do it (Larson 2011, Craver Darden 2013, Otto Rosales 2020). Stories about ecological processes patterns are told through particular frames laden with assumptions arising from their framing. For example, tubercle bacillus became cause tuberculosis, rather than unregulated industrial capitalism, storytelling: framing story was biomedical, as a result assumption treat tuberculosis individual medical intervention, (for example) social revolution (Levins Lewontin 1985). More recently, commonly cited solution rising CO2 emissions is plant trees, which conveniently elides economic roots global warming. responsible frames, narratives, analogies understanding requires reflect choices: Which tell? How tell them? And they structure way world? To make room this kind reflection, organized participated an Inspire session entitled "When window mirror: dominant theories limit nature?" at ESA 2023 meeting. This attempt explore limitations current theory consequences observe world. set case studies, examined existing "mirrors": examples built constrain research process, doing so reveal something ourselves privilege. Our speakers described limits topics ranging sexual behavior plant–microbe interactions genetic polymorphism. allowed us look uniting themes across subdisciplines ecology. bringing these together, attempted highlight such isolated exceptions, but recurring singular, ways approaching questions. emphasized importance creativity wonderment scientific power pluralistic approaches confronting theoretical brought by societal assumptions. Same-sex (SSB) widespread throughout animal kingdom. years, Western scientists ignored, downplayed, or discounted costly aberration. recent work, including own, has recognized SSB only common may have long evolutionary history need incur fitness costs (Monk et al. 2019, Lerch Servedio 2021, Richardson Zuk 2023). As recognition scope among animals grown both popular culture, many questioned insights mean human sexuality; does fact engage "natural"? Demonstrating diversity systems behaviors found undoubtedly vital increasing feelings belonging queer students researchers sciences (Casper 2022). However, reframing shows understand be "natural" first place inevitably shaped cultures, norms, values hold. We argue there great danger positioning deemed "objectively natural" arbiter culturally normative, moral, appropriate. Instead, should aim interrogate articulate politics, think critically inform decisions; questions ask, hypotheses make, methods use, results voices uplift, interpretations favor. It important share extraordinary nonhuman species, indeed combat simplify public's biological sex behavior. clear trans identities valid no matter science evolution, acceptance predicated constantly shifting temporal order interval community assembly can often affect species interact. Generally defined "priority effect," phenomenon interested empiricists theoreticians (Fukami 2015). limited ability characterize priority effects because incorporate two principles time. First, communities operate time scales. Priority organisms bacteria yeast amphibian communities. vast differences life imply distinctive underlying mechanisms each community. Second, all take time; therefore, changes depend length difference arrival times, determine relative sizes degree habitat modification (Rudolf 2019). These features well incorporated into explanations effects, based positive frequency dependence: if other more themselves, abundant wins (Ke Letten 2018). conception detached early necessarily slow-reproducing allow interactions. bridge experiments define those dependence "frequency-dependent" "trait-dependent" usually caused traits over size, age, (Zou Rudolf categorization accommodates diverse nature, beyond competition change Models designed mind capture different ecosystems accurately. Plant bidirectional beneficial detrimental soil microbes (van der Putten 2013). predict long-term plant–soil microbe interactions, employ two-phased experiment inspired feedback (Bever 1997). classic experimental design consists conditioning phase, during plants modify community, subsequent response respond modification. models, also abstraction nature. Specifically, immediately transplanting responding seedling after conditioning, implicitly assume new arrive conditioned microbial legacies long-lasting death host plant. Nevertheless, shown hold various systems, characterized distinct seasonality frequent disturbance (Nagendra Peterson 2016, Esch Kobe 2021). Neglecting decay lead incorrect predictions competitive outcomes overestimation impact Therefore, while aims generality, crucial consider when extrapolating context (Travis Plants capacity climate around them (Lembrechts 2023, Novick Barnes particular, open stomata photosynthesize consequently move water out air leaves. cools humidifies microclimates macroclimates. Grasses small scales (Wright 2021), tropical forest trees drive climatic scale entire regions 2017). Initial attempts quantify effect vegetation focused understory temperatures (e.g. Lembrechts 2023), locally correlated humidity vapor pressure deficit. every type earth either cool warm microclimate (warming most cold biomes where insulate create areas warmer air). conditions performance (Aguirre trait expression (Watson plant–plant interaction strengths 2014), productivity Because vegetation-induced temperature, humidity, deficit ubiquitous inevitable, I reimagine world types (including competition) nested within constructed microclimates. compete resources, purely maintained intraspecific competition: must itself strongly ensure coexistence. Intraspecific become central standard procedure simulating parameterizing population distribution models. While know capable facilitation, rarely accounted frameworks maintenance, certainly talk, present extensive evidence facilitation diverse, system relaxing above restrictions parameterizations. varied idiosyncratically environmental conditions, indicating simply exception, pervasive force shaping diversity. Current coexistence operating, despite empirical contrary. Competitive maintenance therefore certain under arise clearly full spectrum arise. thus neither exhaustive nor limiting. Creating novel better reflects unexpected blinded it. Dominant ecology mutualism. nearly half century seen marginalization mutualism explicit dismissal ("… unlike trophic mutualisms seem universal importance," Turchin (2013)) self-admonishing "laziness" (May 1981). But systemic underrepresentation interspecific predation observed quantitative analysis books Simha (2022) primary literature (Bronstein 1994, Raerinne Recently, however, been viewed modeled consumer–resource (e.g., Holland 2005), incredibly useful theoretically De Mazancourt Schwartz 2010, DeAngelis 2010) empirically Lim Although helps fit framework, provides some mathematical conveniences (i.e., "put curve it" prevent unbounded growth, Type functional recovered II setting parameter 0), wanted draw attention idea framework. Conceptually issues ecologically pollination, seed dispersal, defense interaction. Revilla (2015) asked, "… handling uses pollinator disperser? Or rate attack service?" presented unpublished data showing Holling numerical responses studies mutualism: unimodal. Mutualistic wonderfully essential parts ecosystems. theory, ask continue assuming fully explained embracing marveling complexity. distributions parent materials, topography, latitude, presence nearby islands, drivers island biodiversity dynamics (Brandeis 2009, Carstensen 2012, Whittaker influential process European colonization Caribbean islands due suitability colonial extraction (Parsons 1975, Watts 1990, Mahony Endfield Suitability plantation colonialism include potential landscape annual precipitation, altitude), resources support intensive monocropping groundwater availability), sufficient manage large enslaved populations (Ross biogeographical determinants biogeography following sustained disturbances remain largely unaddressed terrestrial Through field former Danish colony St. Croix (U.S. Virgin Islands), my colleagues test whether aforementioned state factors intensity ecosystem (proxied duration colonization, cultivated area, crops, cumulative archival records). work interdisciplinary relationship predictive reassembly abandonment sugarcane fields. hypothesize post-plantation environments physically disturbed nutrient-limited agricultural degradation. On Croix, abundance taxa alleviate resource leguminous, C4 photosynthetic, arbuscular mycorrhizal (Dovrat 2020)) vary along axes known greatest utility exploitation contiguous area alluvial soils, highest calcareous material, etc.). field-based, island-specific up larger spatial scales, ultimately ahistorical notions biogeographic twentieth-century present-day function footprint colonialism. (2022), "diversity paradox" ecology: multispecies although classical modeling suggest "should" coexist except special conditions. parallel framework exists biology genetics, persistence polymorphism action selection surprising occurrence warrants explanation. expects studied forms directional stabilizing reduce variation (Falconer 1996), complicate predictions. pleiotropy, plasticity, epistasis, demographic compensation mapping onto fitness. Similarly, geographic multiple inference made using static estimates coefficients. Finally, balancing maintain deplete (Hedrick 2006, Mitchell-Olds 2007). concerning diversifying less made, tested, illustrates complicating evolution phenotypic landscape. Focusing just one genes controlling secondary chemistry pleiotropic drought tolerance anti-herbivore defense. plasticity chemical biosynthesis fitness, magnitude direction exerted herbivory components, net selective interactive, varying complex (Carley Morris, data). Ultimately, metabolites experience maintains variation; single optimum genotype phenotype consistently favored demonstrates real-world driving adaptation frequently violate simple model assumptions, "complicating factors" necessary variation. What portray, image outside (window) vs version (mirror), aspect future During panel discussion, question role computational becomes necessitated simpler dissolved, general obsolete? example audience member provided individual-based (IBMs), individuals populations, opposed themselves. implication compute finer-and-finer resolution main goal modeling, it's worth asking truly case. One speaker raised issue short "On Exactitude Science," warns against higher precision highlighting generality making sense (Kandlikar). hand, demonstrated overly led astray collapsing ignoring easy take-home message would perhaps sacrifice favor realism 1966). propose instead aligns closely Levins (1966)'s call multiplicity (see Odenbaugh 2005). By "embracing … complexity" (Moore), reframe effort generalizable truths world, precisely recapitulate complexity might advantage accept "all wrong" captures ourselves. If simultaneously windows mirrors, reveals (and relation it) pursuit grails precision, realism. Another theme emerged discussion ideas teach Do stop teaching deeply discipline, informed biases nature? Or, abandon classroom, convey uncertainty contemplation conveyed talks session? Given outsized roles (by definition) play historical contemporary field, excluding outright seems unsatisfactory. A fruitful path forward will space discussions social–historical origins ideas, impacts limitations. help ecology, (Wright) introduces academic family (https://academictree.org) origins. foster conversations cultural forces "foundational" papers, privilege authors enjoy efforts disseminate ideas. generally, incorporating lessons philosophy fields & Technology Studies, traditional "ecology" classrooms train assess "mirrors" "windows" interact shape of, with, Teaching wider texts essential. Several highlighted often-overlooked (Wright, Bimler, Moore); thoroughly introducing last (Kandlikar) advocated fearless experimentation classroom. Students' introduction classroom shapes approach lives. Embracing intentionally breaking dubious conventions, sharing rationale so, step developing generations thinkers. unifying takeaway historicizing interrogating go them. same-sex incurs cost rare (discussed Monk) stem Western, Victorian-era sexuality. modern "haunted" since Linnaeus (Subramaniam Bartlett Even day, Asian plants' invasion United States mirror anti-Asian xenophobia, even characterizations belie reality (Cardozo Subramaniam believe putting contexts suggested Wright, Taylor (2010)) empower spot cases "double transference" these, transposed natural, then used justify orders (Foster 2011). Drawing allied disciplines Black ecologies (Hare 1970, Hosbey 2022), (Mortimer-Sandilands Erickson 2010), Indigenous (Reo Ogden 2018, Hart-Fredeluces addition cross-disciplinary art, history, philosophy, inspire conceptualizations Whether simplifying ideologies, convention, sheer convenience, leaving unexamined its expansive possibilities. inquiry strengthened consideration consequences, unfolds. No were collected study.

Language: Английский

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Evaluating the impacts of extinction thresholds of species in a marine food web in the Yellow Sea (China)

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 304, P. 111050 - 111050

Published: Feb. 27, 2025

Language: Английский

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Shared sinks alter competitive outcomes via edge effects

Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 106(5)

Published: May 1, 2025

Abstract Most work on source‐sink dynamics in metacommunities assumes that species have minimal or no niche overlap and thus different sources sinks. We explore the alternative possibility: competing an overlapping set of Using both implicit‐space two‐patch (ordinary differential equations) explicit‐space reaction–diffusion (partial models, we find presence shared sinks (where neither can persist indefinitely) allows for a would otherwise be driven extinct to exclude its superior competitor, assuming benefits most source incurs greater cost than competitor sink. Competitive outcomes are altered when there is abrupt transition between sink (i.e., due edge effect) because more tolerant has lower net emigration rate at edge. discuss how relate previously described trade‐offs potential applications conservation restoration.

Language: Английский

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Ecological and evolutionary consequences of selective interspecific information use

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 26(4), P. 490 - 503

Published: Feb. 27, 2023

Recent work has shown that animals frequently use social information from individuals of their own species as well other species; however, the ecological and evolutionary consequences this remain poorly understood. Additionally, users may be selective in use, deciding whom how to information, but been overlooked an interspecific context. In particular, intentional decision reject a behaviour observed via received less attention, although recent indicated its presence various taxa. Based on existing literature, we explore which circumstances lead different coevolutionary outcomes between two species, such explaining co-occurrences putative competitors. The initial differences balance costs competition benefits potentially determine whether selection trait divergence, convergence or arms race species. We propose including adoption rejection behaviours, have far-reaching fitness consequences, leading community-level eco-evolutionary outcomes. argue these much more widespread than thus far considered.

Language: Английский

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Coexistence in spatiotemporally fluctuating environments

Theoretical Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 16(2), P. 59 - 92

Published: April 22, 2023

Abstract Ecologists have put forward many explanations for coexistence, but these are only partial ; nature is complex, so it reasonable to assume that in any given ecological community, multiple mechanisms of coexistence operating at the same time. Here, we present a methodology quantifying relative importance different based on an extension Modern Coexistence Theory . Current versions allow analysis communities affected by spatial or temporal environmental variation, not both. We show how analyze with spatiotemporal fluctuations, parse variation and measure everything either mathematical expressions simulation experiments. Our shows more species can coexist than originally thought. More importantly, allows empiricists use realistic models data better infer real communities.

Language: Английский

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On the hunt for facilitation in symbiont communities

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 39(9), P. 793 - 796

Published: Aug. 6, 2024

Language: Английский

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Revisiting Clements and Gleason: Insights from plant distributions on Pikes Peak, Clements’s life-long study site

The American Naturalist, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 204(6), P. 533 - 545

Published: Aug. 19, 2024

AbstractHow do species' distributions respond to their environments? This question was at the heart of Clements-Gleason controversy, ecology's most famous debate. Do species environment in concerted ways, leading distinct and cohesive assemblages (the Clementsian paradigm), or independently Gleasonian paradigm)? Using plant occurrences along elevation gradient Pikes Peak (Colorado) as a lens through which gain insight into Clements's perspectives on debate, we formally test for community patterns this using modern framework unavailable time Clements Gleason. The region study area more than 40 years, where he established research lab distributed sites elevational gradient. His investigations mountain likely influenced his views communities. We found mixed support paradigms, with neither paradigm nor fully supported. While showed evidence clustering range edges, considered be consistent paradigm, pattern weak, edges turnover peaked ecotone elevations, expected under paradigm. Our results illuminate debate by allowing us probe issues that complicate conclusively testing such deciding how quantify environmental gradients determining appropriate scales processes might generate them. Revisiting also revealed Gleason's had common realize. may less neatly resolved assume from mythos, it continues have relevance basic applied ecology today, its legacy has shaped our (still tenuous) notion ecological communities trajectory field.

Language: Английский

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