Higher‐order species interactions cause time‐dependent niche and fitness differences: Experimental evidence in plant‐feeding arthropods

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(5)

Published: April 29, 2024

Abstract Species interact in different ways, including competition, facilitation and predation. These interactions can be non‐linear or higher order may depend on time species densities. Although these higher‐order are virtually ubiquitous, they remain poorly understood, as challenging both theoretically empirically. We propose to adapt niche fitness differences from modern coexistence theory apply them over time. As such, not merely inform about coexistence, but provide a deeper understanding of how change. Here, we investigated the exploitation biotic resource (plant) by phytophagous arthropods affects their interactions. performed monoculture competition experiments fit generalized additive mixed model empirical data, which allowed us calculate differences. found that switch between types time, intra‐ interspecific facilitation, strong weak competition.

Language: Английский

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Characterizing a stable five-species microbial community for use in experimental evolution and ecology

Microbiology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 170(9)

Published: Sept. 19, 2024

Model microbial communities are regularly used to test ecological and evolutionary theory as they easy manipulate have fast generation times, allowing for large-scale, high-throughput experiments. A key assumption most model is that stably coexist, but this rarely tested experimentally. Here we report the (dis)assembly of a five-species community from metacommunity soil microbes can be future Using reciprocal invasion-from-rare experiments show all species coexist demonstrate stable long time (~600 generations). Crucially work, each identified by their plate morphologies, even after >1 year in co-culture. We characterise pairwise interactions produce high-quality reference genomes species. This questions ecology evolution.

Language: Английский

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Trophic tug‐of‐war: Coexistence mechanisms within and across trophic levels

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(4)

Published: April 1, 2024

Abstract Ecological communities encompass rich diversity across multiple trophic levels. While modern coexistence theory has been widely applied to understand community assembly, its traditional formalism only allows assembly within a single level. Here, using an expanded definition of niche and fitness differences applicable multitrophic communities, we study how levels affects species coexistence. If each level is analysed separately, both lower‐ higher are governed by the same mechanisms. In contrast, if as whole, different mechanisms: at lower predominantly limited differences, whereas differences. This dichotomy in mechanisms supported theoretical derivations, simulations phenomenological trait‐based models, case primeval forest ecosystem. Our work provides general testable prediction mechanism operating communities.

Language: Английский

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The assembly and dynamics of ecological communities in an ever‐changing world

Ecological Monographs, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 30, 2024

Abstract Alternative perspectives on the maintenance of biodiversity and assembly ecological communities suggest that both processes cannot be investigated simultaneously. In this concept synthesis, we challenge view by presenting major theoretical advances in structural stability permanence theory. These advances, which provide complementary views, allow studying short‐ long‐term dynamics as changes species richness, composition, abundance. Here, global attractor, technically named informational structure (IS), is central element to construct from information species' intrinsic growth rates their strength sign interactions. The attractor has four main properties: (1) It contains all limits what feasible unfeasible dynamical behavior an system, therefore, (2) it provides a thorough characterization combinations richness composition can coexist (i.e., stable equilibrium), (3) well connections (paths) between coexisting communities. Importantly, (4) such topology when environmental (abiotic biotic) variation affects ability grow interact with others. Overall, these properties switching traditional evaluation coexistence at equilibrium much more realistic nonequilibrium perspective where underlie transient dynamics. Several fields ecology benefit study IS. For instance, serve evaluate community responses after end perturbation, design restoration trajectories, consequences biological invasions persistence native within communities, or assess ecosystem health status. We illustrate latter possibility empirical observations 7 years Mediterranean annual grasslands. document extremely wet dry generate ISs supporting few paths. remaining distinguish winners losers ongoing climate change indicate future opportunities. A fully tractable operational framework readily available understand predict ever‐changing world.

Language: Английский

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Assembly Graph as the Rosetta Stone of Ecological Assembly

Environmental Microbiology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 27(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Ecological assembly-the process of ecological community formation through species introductions-has recently seen exciting theoretical advancements across dynamical, informational, and probabilistic approaches. However, these theories often remain inaccessible to non-theoreticians, they lack a unifying lens. Here, I introduce the assembly graph as an integrative tool connect emerging theories. The visually represents dynamics, where nodes symbolise combinations edges represent transitions driven by introductions. Through lens graphs, review how processes reduce uncertainty in random arrivals (informational approach), identify graphical properties that guarantee coexistence examine class dynamical models constrain topology graphs (dynamical quantify transition probabilities with incomplete information (probabilistic approach). To facilitate empirical testing, also methods decompose complex into smaller, measurable components, well computational tools for deriving graphs. In sum, this math-light progress aims catalyse research towards predictive understanding assembly.

Language: Английский

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Eco-evolutionary dynamics between multiple competitors reduce phytoplankton coexistence but have limited impacts on community productivity

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 15, 2025

ABSTRACT Species can evolve rapidly in response to competition but how evolution within communities affects community properties is unclear. To test this, we grew three marine phytoplankton species monoculture (alone) or polyculture (together) for 17 weeks. We then combined them based on their history (monoculture isolates) and tracked composition productivity over time. found that dominance was unaffected, coexistence reduced when evolved together (polyculture isolates). Total biovolume robust changes relative abundances. However, isolates had greater oxygen fluxes during exponential phase were less the addition of an invader. Our results suggest strengthen competitive differences between with uneven effects different aspects functioning. Thus, should be cautious extrapolating consequences biomass other stability.

Language: Английский

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Coexistence Theory for Microbial Ecology, and Vice Versa

Environmental Microbiology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 27(3)

Published: March 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Classical models from theoretical ecology are seeing increasing uptake in microbial ecology, but there remains rich potential for closer cross‐pollination. Here we explore opportunities stronger integration of ecological theory into research (and vice versa) through the lens so‐called “modern” coexistence theory. Coexistence can be used to disentangle contributions different mechanisms (e.g., resource partitioning, environmental variability) make species coexistence. We begin with a short primer on fundamental concepts theory, an emphasis relevance communities. next present systematic review, which highlights paucity empirical applications systems. In light this gap, then identify and discuss ways which: (i) help answer applied questions particularly spatio‐temporally heterogeneous environments, (ii) experimental systems leveraged validate advance Finally, address several unique often surmountable challenges posed by systems, as well some conceptual limitations. Nevertheless, thoughtful presents wealth advancement both ecology.

Language: Английский

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Assembly Graph as the Rosetta Stone of Ecological Assembly

Published: Aug. 2, 2024

Ecological assembly---the process of ecological community formation through species introductions---has recently seen exciting theoretical advancements across dynamical, informational, and probabilistic approaches. However, these theories often remain inaccessible to non-theoreticians, they lack a unifying lens. Here, I introduce the assembly graph as an integrative tool connect emerging theories. The visually represents dynamics, where nodes symbolize combinations edges represent transitions driven by introductions. Through lens graphs, review how processes reduce uncertainty in random arrivals (informational approach), identify graphical properties that guarantee coexistence examine class dynamical models constrain topology graphs (dynamical quantify transition probabilities with incomplete information (probabilistic approach). To facilitate empirical testing, also methods decompose complex into smaller, measurable components, well computational tools for deriving graphs. In sum, this math-light progress aims catalyze research towards predictive understanding assembly.

Language: Английский

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Characterising a stable five-species microbial community for use in experimental evolution and ecology

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 25, 2020

Abstract Model microbial communities are regularly used to test ecological and evolutionary theory as they easy manipulate have fast generation times, allowing for large-scale, high throughput experiments. A key assumption most model is that stably coexist, but this rarely tested experimentally. Here we report the (dis)assembly of a five-species community from metacommunity soil microbes can be future Using reciprocal invasion rare experiments show all species coexist demonstrate stable long time (∼600 generations). Crucially work, each identified by their plate morphologies, even after >1 year in co-culture. We characterise pairwise interactions produce high-quality reference genomes species. This questions ecology evolution.

Language: Английский

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Temporal beta diversity and plant metacommunity structure dynamics over a 43-year period in an inter-tropical mexican arid region

Journal of Arid Environments, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 222, P. 105175 - 105175

Published: May 4, 2024

Language: Английский

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