Niche complementarity among plants and animals can alter the biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationship

Functional Ecology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 37(10), С. 2652 - 2665

Опубликована: Авг. 28, 2023

Abstract Species‐rich communities exhibit higher levels of ecosystem functioning compared with species‐poor ones, and this positive relationship strengthens over time. One proposed explanation for phenomenon is the reduction niche overlap among plants or animals, which corresponds to increased complementarity reduced competition. In order examine potential animals strengthen between diversity functions, we integrated models bio‐energetic population dynamics food‐web assembly. Through simulation various scenarios plant animal change, sought elucidate mechanisms underlying observed increases in (1) primary productivity, (2) control herbivores by predators (3) herbivore pressure on species‐rich communities. Our findings reveal that can steepen diversity–function relationships if it does not increase their intraspecific competition, while increasing during community assembly also have a effect but considerable variability. The study highlights importance trait variation both within species interplay intra‐ interspecific competition strength shaping ecosystems These results offer insights into underpinning diversity–functioning practical implications management conservation efforts. Read free Plain Language Summary article Journal blog.

Язык: Английский

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Energy transfer efficiency rather than productivity determines the strength of aquatic trophic cascades

Ecology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Ноя. 27, 2024

Abstract Trophic cascades are important determinants of food web dynamics and functioning, yet mechanisms accounting for variation in trophic cascade strength remain elusive. Here, we used chain models a mesocosm experiment (phytoplankton–zooplankton–shrimp) to disentangle the relative importance two energetic processes driving cascades: primary productivity energy transfer efficiency. Food predicted that was increased as efficiency between herbivore predator (predator efficiency) increased, while its relationship with relatively weak. These model predictions were confirmed by experiment, which showed but remained unaffected nutrient supply rate or productivity. Combined, our results indicate along chain, rather than total amount fixed producers, determines cascades. Our study provides an integrative perspective reconcile population webs, has implications both ecological research ecosystem management.

Язык: Английский

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Dome patterns in pelagic size spectra reveal strong trophic cascades

Nature Communications, Год журнала: 2019, Номер 10(1)

Опубликована: Сен. 27, 2019

Abstract In ecological communities, especially the pelagic zones of aquatic ecosystems, certain body-size ranges are often over-represented compared to others. Community size spectra, distributions community biomass over logarithmic body-mass axis, tend exhibit regularly spaced local maxima, called “domes”, separated by steep troughs. Contrasting established theory, we explain these dome patterns as manifestations top-down trophic cascades along food chains. Compiling high quality size-spectrum data and comparing with a model introduced in this study, test theory develop detailed picture mechanisms which bottom-up effects interact generate patterns. Results imply that strong common freshwater much more than hitherto demonstrated, may arise nutrient rich marine systems well. Transferring insights from general non-linear pattern formation domes patterns, provide new interpretations past lake-manipulation experiments.

Язык: Английский

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Changing Physical Conditions and Lower and Upper Trophic Level Responses on the US Northeast Shelf

Frontiers in Marine Science, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 7

Опубликована: Сен. 15, 2020

Sea surface temperature (SST), salinity, and chlorophyll concentration (CHL) have changed in the US Northeast Shelf ecosystem over recent decades. The changes these parameters were distinctly marked by change points around year 2012 resulting a 0.83°C increase SST, 0.3 PSU decrease CHL excess of 0.4 mg m-3. Where salinity shifted mean level their respective points, declined more monotonic fashion. Modelled data suggest that shift resulted greater contribution pico- nanophytoplankton decreased microphytoplankton to overall CHL. Complementary estimates different phytoplankton functional types diminished diatoms community. Hence, not only is there evidence decline primary production capacity ecosystem, but also fundamental size quality supporting food webs. Two responses observed analyzed. Both length weight at age for number species, both measures growth appear be negatively associated with positively Biomass fish macroinvertebrates has years, pelagic species CHL, while demersal was an temperature. Collectively, result complex interactions thermal effects base web.

Язык: Английский

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Functional trait dimensions of trophic metacommunities

Ecography, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 44(10), С. 1486 - 1500

Опубликована: Авг. 29, 2021

Metacommunity ecology currently lacks a consistent functional trait perspective across trophic levels. To foster new cross‐taxa experiments and field studies, we present hypotheses on how three dimensions change along gradients of density individuals, resource supply habitat isolation. The movement dimension refers to the ability move navigate in space, tolerance addresses tolerate prevailing environmental conditions interaction aggregates abilities acquire resources competition with other species, defend against consumers or profit from species by mutualism facilitation. In multi‐trophic functionally analogous traits associated these need be defined taxa measured. represent subnetworks strongly correlated within overall phenotypic network. These can aggregated modules using reduction techniques. We demonstrate derive distributions correlation networks, salt marshes as an example. hypothesize that at single‐community scale, investments organisms increase decreasing supply. Investments increasing density. Communities densely packed individuals are characterized convergence under equal divergence stabilizing equalizing competition. At metacommunity trade‐offs between shape community composition. Biomass removal act factor dimension, particularly well‐connected habitats. As future research directions advance ecology, propose investigating 1) feasibility broad generalizations multiple functions different meta‐ecosystems, 2) analogues taxa, 3) responses effects meta‐ecosystems 4) matching

Язык: Английский

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