1
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Suding KN, Collins CG, Hallett LM, Larios L, Brigham LM, Dudney J, Farrer EC, Larson JE, Shackelford N, Spasojevic MJ. Biodiversity in changing environments: An external-driver internal-topology framework to guide intervention. Ecology 2024:e4322. [PMID: 39014865 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Accompanying the climate crisis is the more enigmatic biodiversity crisis. Rapid reorganization of biodiversity due to global environmental change has defied prediction and tested the basic tenets of conservation and restoration. Conceptual and practical innovation is needed to support decision making in the face of these unprecedented shifts. Critical questions include: How can we generalize biodiversity change at the community level? When are systems able to reorganize and maintain integrity, and when does abiotic change result in collapse or restructuring? How does this understanding provide a template to guide when and how to intervene in conservation and restoration? To this end, we frame changes in community organization as the modulation of external abiotic drivers on the internal topology of species interactions, using plant-plant interactions in terrestrial communities as a starting point. We then explore how this framing can help translate available data on species abundance and trait distributions to corresponding decisions in management. Given the expectation that community response and reorganization are highly complex, the external-driver internal-topology (EDIT) framework offers a way to capture general patterns of biodiversity that can help guide resilience and adaptation in changing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine N Suding
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Courtney G Collins
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Biodiversity Research Centre, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lauren M Hallett
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Department of Biology and Environmental Studies Program, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | - Loralee Larios
- Department of Botany & Plant Sciences, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Laurel M Brigham
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Joan Dudney
- Environmental Studies Program, Santa Barbara, California, USA
- Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UC Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Emily C Farrer
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Julie E Larson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, Burns, Oregon, USA
| | - Nancy Shackelford
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Marko J Spasojevic
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
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2
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Yin H, Rudolf VHW. Time is of the essence: A general framework for uncovering temporal structures of communities. Ecol Lett 2024; 27:e14481. [PMID: 39022847 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Ecological communities are inherently dynamic: species constantly turn over within years, months, weeks or even days. These temporal shifts in community composition determine essential aspects of species interactions and how energy, nutrients, information, diseases and perturbations 'flow' through systems. Yet, our understanding of community structure has relied heavily on static analyses not designed to capture critical features of this dynamic temporal dimension of communities. Here, we propose a conceptual and methodological framework for quantifying and analysing this temporal dimension. Conceptually, we split the temporal structure into two definitive features, sequence and duration, and review how they are linked to key concepts in ecology. We then outline how we can capture these definitive features using perspectives and tools from temporal graph theory. We demonstrate how we can easily integrate ongoing research on phenology into this framework and highlight what new opportunities arise from this approach to answer fundamental questions in community ecology. As climate change reshuffles ecological communities worldwide, quantifying the temporal organization of communities is imperative to resolve the fundamental processes that shape natural ecosystems and predict how these systems may change in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Yin
- Program of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Volker H W Rudolf
- Program of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
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3
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Lampo A, Palazzi MJ, Borge-Holthoefer J, Solé-Ribalta A. Structural dynamics of plant-pollinator mutualistic networks. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae209. [PMID: 38881844 PMCID: PMC11177885 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
The discourse surrounding the structural organization of mutualistic interactions mostly revolves around modularity and nestedness. The former is known to enhance the stability of communities, while the latter is related to their feasibility, albeit compromising the stability. However, it has recently been shown that the joint emergence of these structures poses challenges that can eventually lead to limitations in the dynamic properties of mutualistic communities. We hypothesize that considering compound arrangements-modules with internal nested organization-can offer valuable insights in this debate. We analyze the temporal structural dynamics of 20 plant-pollinator interaction networks and observe large structural variability throughout the year. Compound structures are particularly prevalent during the peak of the pollination season, often coexisting with nested and modular arrangements in varying degrees. Motivated by these empirical findings, we synthetically investigate the dynamics of the structural patterns across two control parameters-community size and connectance levels-mimicking the progression of the pollination season. Our analysis reveals contrasting impacts on the stability and feasibility of these mutualistic communities. We characterize the consistent relationship between network structure and stability, which follows a monotonic pattern. But, in terms of feasibility, we observe nonlinear relationships. Compound structures exhibit a favorable balance between stability and feasibility, particularly in mid-sized ecological communities, suggesting they may effectively navigate the simultaneous requirements of stability and feasibility. These findings may indicate that the assembly process of mutualistic communities is driven by a delicate balance among multiple properties, rather than the dominance of a single one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniello Lampo
- Grupo Interdisciplinar de Sistemas Complejos (GISC), Departamento de Matemáticas, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Av. Universidad, 30 (edificio Sabatini), 28911 Leganés (Madrid), Spain
| | - María J Palazzi
- Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3), Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Rambla del Poblenou, 154 08018, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Javier Borge-Holthoefer
- Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3), Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Rambla del Poblenou, 154 08018, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Albert Solé-Ribalta
- Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3), Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Rambla del Poblenou, 154 08018, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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4
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Krasnov BR, Barki G, Khokhlova IS. Dissimilarity in flea and host assemblages and their interaction networks along a spatial distance gradient: different patterns revealed by different network dissimilarity metrics. Oecologia 2024; 205:397-409. [PMID: 38842685 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-024-05578-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
We investigated the distance-decay pattern (an increase in dissimilarity with increasing geographic distance) in regional assemblages of fleas and their small mammalian hosts, as well as their interaction networks, in four biogeographic realms. Dissimilarity of assemblages (βtotal) was partitioned into species richness differences (βrich) and species replacement (βrepl) components. Dissimilarity of networks was assessed using two metrics: (a) whole network dissimilarity (βWN) partitioned into species replacement (βST) and interaction rewiring (βOS) components and (b) D statistics, measuring dissimilarity in the pure structure of the networks, without using information on species identities and calculated for hosts-shared-by-fleas networks (Dh) and fleas-shared-by-hosts networks (Df). We asked whether the distance-decay pattern (a) occurs among interactor assemblages or their interaction networks; (b) depends on the network dissimilarity metric used; and (c) differs between realms. The βtotal and βrepl of flea and host assemblages increased with distance in all realms except for host assemblages in the Afrotropics. βrich for flea and host assemblages increased with distance in the Nearctic only. In networks, βWN and βST demonstrated a distance-decay pattern, whereas βOS was mainly spatially invariant except in the Neotropics. Correlations of Dh or Df and geographic distance were mostly non-significant. We conclude that investigations of dissimilarity in interaction networks should include both types of dissimilarity metrics (those that consider partner identities and those that consider the pure structure of networks). This will allow elucidating the predictability of some facets of network dissimilarity and the unpredictability of other facets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris R Krasnov
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 84990, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel.
| | - Goni Barki
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 84990, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Irina S Khokhlova
- French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
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5
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Ye ZM, He YD, Bergamo PJ, Orr MC, Huang W, Jin XF, Lun HN, Wang QF, Yang CF. Floral resource partitioning of coexisting bumble bees: Distinguishing species-, colony-, and individual-level effects. Ecology 2024; 105:e4284. [PMID: 38494344 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Resource partitioning is considered a key factor in alleviating competitive interactions, enabling coexistence among consumer species. However, most studies have focused on resource partitioning between species, ignoring the potentially critical role of intraspecific variation in resource use. We investigated floral resource partitioning across species, colonies, and individuals in a species-rich bumblebee community in the diversification center of bumblebees. We used a total of 10,598 bumblebees belonging to 13 species across 5 years in the Hengduan Mountains of southwest China. First, we evaluated the influence of a comprehensive set of floral traits, including both those related to attractiveness (flower color and shape) and rewards (pollen, sugar ratio, nectar volume, sugar concentration, and amino acid content) on resource partitioning at the species level in bumblebee-plant networks. Then, we explored intraspecific resource partitioning on the colony and individual levels. Our results suggest that bumblebee species differ substantially in their use of the available floral resources, and that this mainly depends on flower attractiveness (floral color and shape). Interestingly, we also detected floral resource partitioning at the colony level within all commonest bumblebee species evaluated. In general, floral resource partitioning between bumblebee individuals decreased with species- and individual-level variation in body size (intertegular span). These results suggest that bumblebee species may coexist via the flexibility in their preferences for specific floral traits, which filters up to support the co-occurrence of high numbers of species and individuals in this global hotspot of species richness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Ming Ye
- CAS Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yong-Deng He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Pedro J Bergamo
- Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Michael C Orr
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Entomologie, Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Wen Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Fang Jin
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Han-Ning Lun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qing-Feng Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Chun-Feng Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
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6
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Kharouba HM. Shifting the paradigm: The role of introduced plants in the resiliency of terrestrial ecosystems to climate change. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17319. [PMID: 38804095 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Current ecological communities are in a constant state of flux from climate change and from species introductions. Recent discussion has focused on the positive roles introduced species can play in ecological communities and on the importance of conserving resilient ecosystems, but not how these two ideas intersect. There has been insufficient work to define the attributes needed to support ecosystem resilience to climate change in modern communities. Here, I argue that non-invasive, introduced plant species could play an important role in supporting the resilience of terrestrial ecosystems to climate change. Using examples from multiple taxonomic groups and ecosystems, I discuss how introduced plants can contribute to ecosystem resilience via their roles in plant and insect communities, as well as their associated ecosystem functions. I highlight the current and potential contributions of introduced plants and where there are critical knowledge gaps. Determining when and how introduced plants are contributing to the resilience of ecosystems to climate change will contribute to effective conservation strategies.
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7
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Cox DTC, Gaston KJ. Cathemerality: a key temporal niche. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:329-347. [PMID: 37839797 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Given the marked variation in abiotic and biotic conditions between day and night, many species specialise their physical activity to being diurnal or nocturnal, and it was long thought that these strategies were commonly fairly fixed and invariant. The term 'cathemeral', was coined in 1987, when Tattersall noted activity in a Madagascan primate during the hours of both daylight and darkness. Initially thought to be rare, cathemerality is now known to be a quite widespread form of time partitioning amongst arthropods, fish, birds, and mammals. Herein we provide a synthesis of present understanding of cathemeral behaviour, arguing that it should routinely be included alongside diurnal and nocturnal strategies in schemes that distinguish and categorise species across taxa according to temporal niche. This synthesis is particularly timely because (i) the study of animal activity patterns is being revolutionised by new and improved technologies; (ii) it is becoming apparent that cathemerality covers a diverse range of obligate to facultative forms, each with their own common sets of functional traits, geographic ranges and evolutionary history; (iii) daytime and nighttime activity likely plays an important but currently neglected role in temporal niche partitioning and ecosystem functioning; and (iv) cathemerality may have an important role in the ability of species to adapt to human-mediated pressures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel T C Cox
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Kevin J Gaston
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
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8
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Cox DTC, Gaston KJ. Ecosystem functioning across the diel cycle in the Anthropocene. Trends Ecol Evol 2024; 39:31-40. [PMID: 37723017 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Given the marked differences in environmental conditions and active biota between daytime and nighttime, it is almost inevitable that ecosystem functioning will also differ. However, understanding of these differences has been hampered due to the challenges of conducting research at night. At the same time, many anthropogenic pressures are most forcefully exerted or have greatest effect during either daytime (e.g., high temperatures, disturbance) or nighttime (e.g., artificial lighting, nights warming faster than days). Here, we explore current understanding of diel (daily) variation in five key ecosystem functions and when during the diel cycle they primarily occur [predation (unclear), herbivory (nighttime), pollination (daytime), seed dispersal (unclear), carbon assimilation (daytime)] and how diel asymmetry in anthropogenic pressures impacts these functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel T C Cox
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK.
| | - Kevin J Gaston
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK
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9
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Cruz AR, Davidowitz G, Moore CM, Bronstein JL. Mutualisms in a warming world. Ecol Lett 2023. [PMID: 37303268 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Predicting the impacts of global warming on mutualisms poses a significant challenge given the functional and life history differences that usually exist among interacting species. However, this is a critical endeavour since virtually all species on Earth depend on other species for survival and/or reproduction. The field of thermal ecology can provide physiological and mechanistic insights, as well as quantitative tools, for addressing this challenge. Here, we develop a conceptual and quantitative framework that connects thermal physiology to species' traits, species' traits to interacting mutualists' traits and interacting traits to the mutualism. We first identify the functioning of reciprocal mutualism-relevant traits in diverse systems as the key temperature-dependent mechanisms driving the interaction. We then develop metrics that measure the thermal performance of interacting mutualists' traits and that approximate the thermal performance of the mutualism itself. This integrated approach allows us to additionally examine how warming might interact with resource/nutrient availability and affect mutualistic species' associations across space and time. We offer this framework as a synthesis of convergent and critical issues in mutualism science in a changing world, and as a baseline to which other ecological complexities and scales might be added.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin R Cruz
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Goggy Davidowitz
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Department of Entomology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | | | - Judith L Bronstein
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Department of Entomology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
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10
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Brimacombe C, Bodner K, Michalska-Smith M, Poisot T, Fortin MJ. Shortcomings of reusing species interaction networks created by different sets of researchers. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002068. [PMID: 37011096 PMCID: PMC10101633 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Given the requisite cost associated with observing species interactions, ecologists often reuse species interaction networks created by different sets of researchers to test their hypotheses regarding how ecological processes drive network topology. Yet, topological properties identified across these networks may not be sufficiently attributable to ecological processes alone as often assumed. Instead, much of the totality of topological differences between networks-topological heterogeneity-could be due to variations in research designs and approaches that different researchers use to create each species interaction network. To evaluate the degree to which this topological heterogeneity is present in available ecological networks, we first compared the amount of topological heterogeneity across 723 species interaction networks created by different sets of researchers with the amount quantified from non-ecological networks known to be constructed following more consistent approaches. Then, to further test whether the topological heterogeneity was due to differences in study designs, and not only to inherent variation within ecological networks, we compared the amount of topological heterogeneity between species interaction networks created by the same sets of researchers (i.e., networks from the same publication) with the amount quantified between networks that were each from a unique publication source. We found that species interaction networks are highly topologically heterogeneous: while species interaction networks from the same publication are much more topologically similar to each other than interaction networks that are from a unique publication, they still show at least twice as much heterogeneity as any category of non-ecological networks that we tested. Altogether, our findings suggest that extra care is necessary to effectively analyze species interaction networks created by different researchers, perhaps by controlling for the publication source of each network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Brimacombe
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Korryn Bodner
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthew Michalska-Smith
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Timothée Poisot
- Département de Sciences Biologiques, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre de la Science de la Biodiversité du Québec, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Marie-Josée Fortin
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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11
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Gaston KJ, Gardner AS, Cox DTC. Anthropogenic changes to the nighttime environment. Bioscience 2023; 73:280-290. [PMID: 37091747 PMCID: PMC10113933 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biad017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
How the relative impacts of anthropogenic pressures on the natural environment vary between different taxonomic groups, habitats, and geographic regions is increasingly well established. By contrast, the times of day at which those pressures are most forcefully exerted or have greatest influence are not well understood. The impact on the nighttime environment bears particular scrutiny, given that for practical reasons (e.g., researchers themselves belong to a diurnal species), most studies on the impacts of anthropogenic pressures are conducted during the daytime on organisms that are predominantly day active or in ways that do not differentiate between daytime and nighttime. In the present article, we synthesize the current state of knowledge of impacts of anthropogenic pressures on the nighttime environment, highlighting key findings and examples. The evidence available suggests that the nighttime environment is under intense stress across increasing areas of the world, especially from nighttime pollution, climate change, and overexploitation of resources.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexandra S Gardner
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel T C Cox
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom
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12
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García-Callejas D, Godoy O, Buche L, Hurtado M, Lanuza JB, Allen-Perkins A, Bartomeus I. Non-random interactions within and across guilds shape the potential to coexist in multi-trophic ecological communities. Ecol Lett 2023; 26:831-842. [PMID: 36972904 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Theory posits that the persistence of species in ecological communities is shaped by their interactions within and across trophic guilds. However, we lack empirical evaluations of how the structure, strength and sign of biotic interactions drive the potential to coexist in diverse multi-trophic communities. Here, we model community feasibility domains, a theoretically informed measure of multi-species coexistence probability, from grassland communities comprising more than 45 species on average from three trophic guilds (plants, pollinators and herbivores). Contrary to our hypothesis, increasing community complexity, measured either as the number of guilds or community richness, did not decrease community feasibility. Rather, we observed that high degrees of species self-regulation and niche partitioning allow for maintaining larger levels of community feasibility and higher species persistence in more diverse communities. Our results show that biotic interactions within and across guilds are not random in nature and both structures significantly contribute to maintaining multi-trophic diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- David García-Callejas
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Ciencias del Mar (INMAR), Departamento de Biología, Universidad de Cádiz, E-11510, Puerto Real, Spain
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, 8140, Christchurch, Private Bag 4800, New Zealand
| | - Oscar Godoy
- Instituto Universitario de Ciencias del Mar (INMAR), Departamento de Biología, Universidad de Cádiz, E-11510, Puerto Real, Spain
| | - Lisa Buche
- Instituto Universitario de Ciencias del Mar (INMAR), Departamento de Biología, Universidad de Cádiz, E-11510, Puerto Real, Spain
| | - María Hurtado
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Ciencias del Mar (INMAR), Departamento de Biología, Universidad de Cádiz, E-11510, Puerto Real, Spain
| | - Jose B Lanuza
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain
| | - Alfonso Allen-Perkins
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain
- Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica, Automática y Física Aplicada, ETSIDI, Technical University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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13
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Sánchez‐Martín R, Verdú M, Montesinos‐Navarro A. Phylogenetic and functional constraints of plant facilitation rewiring. Ecology 2023; 104:e3961. [PMID: 36545892 PMCID: PMC10078402 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Facilitative interactions bind community species in intricate ecological networks, preserving species that would otherwise be lost. The traditional understanding of ecological networks as static components of biological communities overlooks the fact that species interactions in a network can fluctuate. Analyzing the patterns that cause those shifts can reveal the principles that govern the identity of pairwise interactions and whether they are predictable based on the traits of the interacting species and the local environmental contexts in which they occur. Here we explore how abiotic stress and phylogenetic and functional affinities constrain those shifts. Specifically, we hypothesize that rewiring the facilitative interactions is more limited in stressful than in mild environments. We present evidence of a distinct pattern in the rewiring of facilitation-driven communities at different stress levels. In highly stressful environments with a firm reliance on facilitation, rewiring is limited to growing beneath nurse species with traits to overcome harsh stressful conditions. However, when environments are milder, rewiring is more flexible, although it is still constrained to nurses that are close relatives. Understanding the ability of species to rewire their interactions is crucial for predicting how communities may respond to the unprecedented rate of perturbations on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miguel Verdú
- Centro de Investigaciones Sobre Desertificación (CIDE, CSIC‐UV‐GV)MoncadaSpain
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14
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Zoller L, Bennett J, Knight TM. Plant-pollinator network change across a century in the subarctic. Nat Ecol Evol 2023; 7:102-112. [PMID: 36593294 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-022-01928-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Animal-mediated pollination is a vital ecosystem service to crops and wild plants, and long-term stability of plant-pollinator interactions is therefore crucial for maintaining plant biodiversity and food security. However, it is unknown how the composition of pollinators and the structure of pollinator interactions have changed across longer time spans relevant to examining responses to human activities such as climate change. We resampled an historical dataset of plant-pollinator interactions across several orders of pollinating insects in a subarctic location in Finland that has already experienced substantial climate warming but little land use change. Our results reveal a dramatic turnover in pollinator species and rewiring of plant-pollinator interactions, with only 7% of the interactions shared across time points. The relative abundance of moth and hoverfly pollinators declined between time points, whereas muscoid flies, a group for which little is known regarding conservation status and responses to climate, became more common. Specialist pollinators disproportionately declined, leading to a decrease in network-level specialization, which could have harmful consequences for pollination services. Our results exemplify the changes in plant-pollinator networks that might be expected in other regions as climate change progresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leana Zoller
- Institute of Biology, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany. .,German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Joanne Bennett
- Institute of Biology, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.,Centre for Applied Water Science, Institute for Applied Ecology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Tiffany M Knight
- Institute of Biology, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.,German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Community Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Halle (Saale), Germany
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15
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Felix GM, Pinheiro RBP, Jorge LR, Lewinsohn TM. A framework for hierarchical compound topologies in species interaction networks. OIKOS 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.09538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel M. Felix
- Univ. Estadual de Campinas, Depto de Biologia Animal, Inst. de Biologia Campinas Brazil
| | - Rafael B. P. Pinheiro
- Univ. Estadual de Campinas, Depto de Biologia Animal, Inst. de Biologia Campinas Brazil
| | - Leonardo R. Jorge
- Inst. of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences České Budějovice Czechia
| | - Thomas M. Lewinsohn
- Univ. Estadual de Campinas, Depto de Biologia Animal, Inst. de Biologia Campinas Brazil
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16
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Duchenne F, Wüest RO, Graham CH. Seasonal structure of interactions enhances multidimensional stability of mutualistic networks. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20220064. [PMID: 36100030 PMCID: PMC9470273 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Community ecologists have made great advances in understanding how natural communities can be both diverse and stable by studying communities as interaction networks. However, focus has been on interaction networks aggregated over time, neglecting the consequences of the seasonal organization of interactions (hereafter 'seasonal structure') for community stability. Here, we extended previous theoretical findings on the topic in two ways: (i) by integrating empirical seasonal structure of 11 plant–hummingbird communities into dynamic models, and (ii) by tackling multiple facets of network stability together. We show that, in a competition context, seasonal structure enhances community stability by allowing diverse and resilient communities while preserving their robustness to species extinctions. The positive effects of empirical seasonal structure on network stability vanished when using randomized seasonal structures, suggesting that eco-evolutionary dynamics produce stabilizing seasonal structures. We also show that the effects of seasonal structure on community stability are mainly mediated by changes in network structure and productivity, suggesting that the seasonal structure of a community is an important and yet neglected aspect in the diversity–stability and diversity–productivity debates.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Duchenne
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Rafael O Wüest
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Catherine H Graham
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
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17
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Sandor ME, Elphick CS, Tingley MW. Extinction of biotic interactions due to habitat loss could accelerate the current biodiversity crisis. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 32:e2608. [PMID: 35366031 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Habitat loss disrupts species interactions through local extinctions, potentially orphaning species that depend on interacting partners, via mutualisms or commensalisms, and increasing secondary extinction risk. Orphaned species may become functionally or secondarily extinct, increasing the severity of the current biodiversity crisis. While habitat destruction is a major cause of biodiversity loss, the number of secondary extinctions is largely unknown. We investigate the relationship between habitat loss, orphaned species, and bipartite network properties. Using a real seed dispersal network, we simulate habitat loss to estimate the rate at which species are orphaned. To be able to draw general conclusions, we also simulate habitat loss in synthetic networks to quantify how changes in network properties affect orphan rates across broader parameter space. Both real and synthetic network simulations show that even small amounts of habitat loss can cause up to 10% of species to be orphaned. More area loss, less connected networks, and a greater disparity in the species richness of the network's trophic levels generally result in more orphaned species. As habitat is lost to land-use conversion and climate change, more orphaned species increase the loss of community-level and ecosystem functions. However, the potential severity of repercussions ranges from minimal (no species orphaned) to catastrophic (up to 60% of species within a network orphaned). Severity of repercussions also depends on how much the interaction richness and intactness of the community affects the degree of redundancy within networks. Orphaned species could add substantially to the loss of ecosystem function and secondary extinction worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manette E Sandor
- Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
- Northern Arizona University, Landscape Conservation Initiative, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, USA
| | - Chris S Elphick
- Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Morgan W Tingley
- Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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18
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Costa A, Heleno R, Dufrene Y, Huckle E, Gabriel R, Harrison X, Schabo DG, Farwig N, Kaiser‐Bunbury CN. Seasonal variation in impact of non‐native species on tropical seed dispersal networks. Funct Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.14171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alba Costa
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Penryn United Kingdom
| | - Ruben Heleno
- Centre for Functional Ecology, TERRA Associated Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences University of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal
| | | | - Eleanor Huckle
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Penryn United Kingdom
| | - Ronny Gabriel
- Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority Mahé Seychelles
| | - Xavier Harrison
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Penryn United Kingdom
| | - Dana G. Schabo
- Conservation Ecology, Department of Biology University of Marburg Germany
| | - Nina Farwig
- Conservation Ecology, Department of Biology University of Marburg Germany
| | - Christopher N. Kaiser‐Bunbury
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Penryn United Kingdom
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19
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Lázaro A, Gómez‐Martínez C. Habitat loss increases seasonal interaction rewiring in plant‐pollinator networks. Funct Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.14160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amparo Lázaro
- Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (IMEDEA; UIB‐CSIC). Global Change Research Group. C/ Miquel Marquès 21 Esporles Balearic Islands Spain
| | - Carmelo Gómez‐Martínez
- Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (IMEDEA; UIB‐CSIC). Global Change Research Group. C/ Miquel Marquès 21 Esporles Balearic Islands Spain
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20
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Dehling DM, Barreto E, Graham CH. The contribution of mutualistic interactions to functional and phylogenetic diversity. Trends Ecol Evol 2022; 37:768-776. [PMID: 35680468 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Reduction of functional diversity (FD) and phylogenetic diversity (PD) likely affects ecosystem functions and reduces the potential of communities to respond to changes, such as climate change. Mutualistic interactions are essential for maintaining diversity, but their role has largely been ignored in conservation planning. We propose using a species' interaction niche - the diversity of its interaction partners - to measure a species' contribution to the maintenance of FD and PD via mutualistic interactions, and thus identify species and interspecific interactions that are particularly important for the conservation of ecosystem functions and evolutionary lineages in ecological communities. Our approach represents a switch in perspective that allows a direct assessment of the importance of mutualistic interactions for the maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elisa Barreto
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland; Laboratório de Ecologia Teórica e Síntese, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
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21
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Brimacombe C, Bodner K, Fortin MJ. How network size strongly determines trophic specialisation: A technical comment on Luna et al. (2022). Ecol Lett 2022; 25:1914-1916. [PMID: 35610664 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Luna et al. (2022) concluded that the environment contributes to explaining specialisation in open plant-pollinator networks. When reproducing their study, we instead found that network size alone largely explained the variation in their specialisation metrics. Thus, we question whether empirical network specialisation is driven by the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Brimacombe
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Korryn Bodner
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marie-Josée Fortin
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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22
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Ceron K, Provete DB, Pires MM, Araujo AC, Blüthgen N, Santana DJ. Differences in prey availability across space and time lead to interaction rewiring and reshape a predator-prey metaweb. Ecology 2022; 103:e3716. [PMID: 35388458 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Space and time promote variation in network structure by affecting the likelihood of potential interactions. However, little is known about the relative roles of ecological and biogeographical processes in determining how species interactions vary across space and time. Here, we study the spatiotemporal variation in predator-prey interaction networks formed by anurans and arthropods and test for the effects of prey availability in determining interaction patterns, information that is often absent and limits the understanding of the determinants of network structure. We found that network dissimilarity between ecoregions and seasons was high and primarily driven by interaction rewiring. Interaction rewiring drove variation across seasons and ecoregions and species turnover was positively related to geographical distance. Using a null model approach to disentangle the effect of prey availability on the spatial and temporal variation we show that differences in prey availability were important in determining the variation in network structure between seasons and among areas. Our study reveals that fluctuations in prey abundance, along with limited dispersal abilities of anurans and their prey, may be responsible for the spatial patterns that emerged in our predator-prey metaweb. These findings contribute to our understanding of the assembly rules that maintain biotic processes in metacommunities and highlight the importance of prey availability to the structure of these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoline Ceron
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Cidade Universitária, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.,Laboratório de Estrutura e Dinâmica da Diversidade (LEDDiv), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Diogo B Provete
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Cidade Universitária, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.,Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Göteborg, SE-405 30, Box 100, Sweden
| | - Mathias M Pires
- Laboratório de Estrutura e Dinâmica da Diversidade (LEDDiv), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andréa C Araujo
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Cidade Universitária, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Nico Blüthgen
- Ecological Networks Research Group, Department of Biology, Technische Univsersität Darmstadt, Schinittspahnstraβe. 3, Germany
| | - Diego J Santana
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Cidade Universitária, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
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23
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Cappellari A, Bonaldi G, Mei M, Paniccia D, Cerretti P, Marini L. Functional traits of plants and pollinators explain resource overlap between honeybees and wild pollinators. Oecologia 2022; 198:1019-1029. [PMID: 35380272 PMCID: PMC9056470 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-022-05151-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Managed and wild pollinators often cohabit in both managed and natural ecosystems. The western honeybee, Apis mellifera, is the most widespread managed pollinator species. Due to its density and behaviour, it can potentially influence the foraging activity of wild pollinators, but the strength and direction of this effect are often context-dependent. Here, we observed plant–pollinator interactions in 51 grasslands, and we measured functional traits of both plants and pollinators. Using a multi-model inference approach, we explored the effects of honeybee abundance, temperature, plant functional diversity, and trait similarity between wild pollinators and the honeybee on the resource overlap between wild pollinators and the honeybee. Resource overlap decreased with increasing honeybee abundance only in plant communities with high functional diversity, suggesting a potential diet shift of wild pollinators in areas with a high variability of flower morphologies. Moreover, resource overlap increased with increasing trait similarity between wild pollinators and the honeybee. In particular, central-place foragers of family Apidae with proboscis length similar to the honeybee exhibited the highest resource overlap. Our results underline the importance of promoting functional diversity of plant communities to support wild pollinators in areas with a high density of honeybee hives. Moreover, greater attention should be paid to areas where pollinators possess functional traits similar to the honeybee, as they are expected to be more prone to potential competition with this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andree Cappellari
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padua, Legnaro, Padua, Italy.
| | - Giovanna Bonaldi
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padua, Legnaro, Padua, Italy
| | - Maurizio Mei
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Pierfilippo Cerretti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Marini
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padua, Legnaro, Padua, Italy
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24
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Moss ED, Evans DM. Experimental Climate Warming Reduces Floral Resources and Alters Insect Visitation and Wildflower Seed Set in a Cereal Agro-Ecosystem. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:826205. [PMID: 35283885 PMCID: PMC8905351 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.826205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Declines in pollinating insects and wildflowers have been well documented in recent years. Climate change is an emerging threat to insect pollinators and their food plants, but little is known about how whole communities of interacting species will be affected or what impacts there may be on ecosystem services such as pollination. Using a novel open-air field experiment, we simulated an increase in temperature of 1.5°C and rainwater of 40% for two growing seasons to investigate how climate change may impact several within-field features of temperate arable agro-ecosystems: (1) wildflower floral resources; (2) insect visitation; (3) flower-visitor network structure; and (4) wildflower seed set. Experimental warming reduced total floral abundance by nearly 40%, and nectar volumes by over 60% for two species. The species richness of the visiting insects and flowering plants (dominated by annuals) were unaffected by warming, and while a negative impact on visitor abundance was observed, this effect appears to have been mediated by different community compositions between years. Warming increased the frequency of visits to flowers and the complexity of the flower-visitor interaction networks. Wildflower seed set was reduced in terms of seed number and/or weight in four of the five species examined. Increased rainwater did not ameliorate any of these effects. These findings demonstrate the adverse impacts that climate warming might have on annual wildflowers in arable systems and the pollinating insects that feed on them, highlighting several mechanisms that could drive changes in community composition over time. The results also reveal how cascading impacts within communities can accumulate to affect ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen D. Moss
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- School of Biological, Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
| | - Darren M. Evans
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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25
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Sponsler D, Kallnik K, Requier F, Classen A, Maihoff AF, Sieger J, Steffan‐Dewenter I. Floral preferences of mountain bumble bees are constrained by functional traits but flexible through elevation and season. OIKOS 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.08902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Sponsler
- Univ. of Würzburg, Dept of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology Würzburg Germany
| | - Katharina Kallnik
- Univ. of Würzburg, Dept of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology Würzburg Germany
| | - Fabrice Requier
- Univ. Paris‐Saclay, Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie Gif‐sur‐Yvette France
| | - Alice Classen
- Univ. of Würzburg, Dept of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology Würzburg Germany
| | - A. Fabienne Maihoff
- Univ. of Würzburg, Dept of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology Würzburg Germany
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26
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Xu X, Ren Z, Trunschke J, Kuppler J, Zhao Y, Knop E, Wang H. Bimodal activity of diurnal flower visitation at high elevation. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:13487-13500. [PMID: 34646485 PMCID: PMC8495799 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful pollination in animal-pollinated plants depends on the temporal overlap between flower presentation and pollinator foraging activity. Variation in the temporal dimension of plant-pollinator networks has been investigated intensely across flowering seasons. However, over the course of a day, the dynamics of plant-pollinator interactions may vary strongly due environmental fluctuations. It is usually assumed there is a unimodal, diurnal, activity pattern, while alternative multimodal types of activity patterns are often neglected and deserve greater investigation. Here, we quantified the daily activity pattern of flower visitors in two different habitats contrasting high elevation meadows versus forests in Southwest China to investigate the role of abiotic conditions in the temporal dynamics of plant-pollinator interactions. We examined diurnal activity patterns for the entire pollinator community. Pollinator groups may differ in their ability to adapt to habitats and abiotic conditions, which might be displayed in their patterns of activity. We hypothesized that (a) pollinator communities show multimodal activity patterns, (b) patterns differ between pollinator groups and habitat types, and (c) abiotic conditions explain observed activity patterns. In total, we collected 4,988 flower visitors belonging to six functional groups. There was a bimodal activity pattern when looking at the entire pollinator community and in five out of six flower visitor groups (exempting solitary bees) regardless of habitat types. Bumblebees, honeybees, dipterans, lepidopterans, and other insects showed activity peaks in the morning and afternoon, whereas solitary bees were most active at midday. Activity of all six pollinator groups increased as solar radiation increased and then decreased after reaching a certain threshold. Our findings suggest that in habitats at higher elevations, a bimodal activity pattern of flower visitation is commonly employed across most pollinator groups that are diurnal foragers. This pattern may be caused by insects avoiding overheating due to elevated temperatures when exposed to high solar radiation at midday.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xu
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East AsiaKunming Institute of BotanyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Zong‐Xin Ren
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East AsiaKunming Institute of BotanyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Yunnan Lijiang Forest Ecosystem National Observation and Research StationLijiangChina
| | - Judith Trunschke
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East AsiaKunming Institute of BotanyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
| | - Jonas Kuppler
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation GenomicsUlm UniversityUlmGermany
| | - Yan‐Hui Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East AsiaKunming Institute of BotanyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
| | - Eva Knop
- Agroecology and EnvironmentAgroscopeZürichSwitzerland
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Hong Wang
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East AsiaKunming Institute of BotanyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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27
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Deprá MS, Evans DM, Gaglianone MC. Pioneer herbaceous plants contribute to the restoration of pollination interactions in restinga habitats in tropical Atlantic Forest. Restor Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Scaramussa Deprá
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro Avenida Alberto Lamego, 2000 Campos dos Goytacazes Rio de Janeiro CEP 28013‐602 Brazil
| | - Darren Mark Evans
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle University Agriculture Building, King's Road Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU U.K
| | - Maria Cristina Gaglianone
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro Avenida Alberto Lamego, 2000 Campos dos Goytacazes Rio de Janeiro CEP 28013‐602 Brazil
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28
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Crespo A, Aguilar JM, Pintado K, Tinoco BA. Key plant species to restore plant–hummingbird pollinator communities in the southern Andes of Ecuador. Restor Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Crespo
- Laboratorio de Plantas Nativas Universidad del Azuay Av. 24 de Mayo 7‐77 y Hernán Malo Cuenca Ecuador
- Escuela de Biología Universidad del Azuay Av. 24 de Mayo 7‐77 y Hernán Malo Cuenca Ecuador
| | - Juan Manuel Aguilar
- Departamento de Posgrados Universidad del Azuay Av. 24 de Mayo 7‐77 y Hernán Malo Cuenca Ecuador
| | - Karla Pintado
- Institute of Forest Management Technische Universität München 85354 Freising Germany
| | - Boris A. Tinoco
- Escuela de Biología Universidad del Azuay Av. 24 de Mayo 7‐77 y Hernán Malo Cuenca Ecuador
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29
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Fründ J. Dissimilarity of species interaction networks: how to partition rewiring and species turnover components. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Fründ
- Biometry and Environmental System Analysis Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources University of Freiburg Tennenbacher Straße 4 Freiburg 79106 Germany
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30
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Duchenne F, Fontaine C, Teulière E, Thébault E. Phenological traits foster persistence of mutualistic networks by promoting facilitation. Ecol Lett 2021; 24:2088-2099. [PMID: 34218505 PMCID: PMC8518482 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Morphological and phenological traits are key determinants of the structure of mutualistic networks. Both traits create forbidden links, but phenological traits can also decouple interaction in time. While such difference likely affects the indirect effects among species and consequently network persistence, it remains overlooked. Here, using a dynamic model, we show that networks structured by phenology favour facilitation over competition within guilds of pollinators and plants, thereby increasing network persistence, while the contrary holds for networks structured by morphology. We further show that such buffering of competition by phenological traits mostly beneficiate to specialists, the most vulnerable species otherwise, which propagate the most positive effects within guilds and promote nestedness. Our results indicate that beyond trophic mismatch, phenological shifts such as those induced by climate change are likely to affect indirect effects within mutualistic assemblages, with consequences for biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Duchenne
- Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris, (Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Université Paris Est Créteil, INRAE, IRD), Paris, France.,Centre d'Ecologie et des Sciences de la Conservation, (CNRS, MNHN, Sorbonne Université), Paris, France.,Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Research Center, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Colin Fontaine
- Centre d'Ecologie et des Sciences de la Conservation, (CNRS, MNHN, Sorbonne Université), Paris, France
| | - Elsa Teulière
- Lycée Romain Rolland, Académie de Créteil (Education Nationale), Ivry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Elisa Thébault
- Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris, (Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Université Paris Est Créteil, INRAE, IRD), Paris, France
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31
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Stock M, Piot N, Vanbesien S, Meys J, Smagghe G, De Baets B. Pairwise learning for predicting pollination interactions based on traits and phylogeny. Ecol Modell 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2021.109508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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32
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Seifert CL, Jorge LR, Volf M, Wagner DL, Lamarre GPA, Miller SE, Gonzalez‐Akre E, Anderson‐Teixeira KJ, Novotný V. Seasonality affects specialisation of a temperate forest herbivore community. OIKOS 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.08265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carlo L. Seifert
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Inst. of Entomology České Budějovice Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Univ. of South Bohemia České Budějovice Czech Republic
| | - Leonardo R. Jorge
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Inst. of Entomology České Budějovice Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Univ. of South Bohemia České Budějovice Czech Republic
| | - Martin Volf
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Inst. of Entomology České Budějovice Czech Republic
| | - David L. Wagner
- Dept of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Univ. of Connecticut Storrs CT USA
| | - Greg P. A. Lamarre
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Inst. of Entomology České Budějovice Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Univ. of South Bohemia České Budějovice Czech Republic
| | - Scott E. Miller
- National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Inst. Washington D.C. USA
| | - Erika Gonzalez‐Akre
- Conservation Ecology Center, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Inst. Front Royal VA USA
| | | | - Vojtěch Novotný
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Inst. of Entomology České Budějovice Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Univ. of South Bohemia České Budějovice Czech Republic
- ForestGEO, Smithsonian Tropical Research Inst. Balboa Ancon Panama
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33
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Campagnoli ML, Christianini AV. Temporal consistency in interactions among birds, ants, and plants in a neotropical savanna. OIKOS 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.08231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mariana L. Campagnoli
- Programa de Pós‐graduação em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Univ. Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar) São Carlos São Paulo Brazil
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34
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Schwarz B, Dormann CF, Vázquez DP, Fründ J. Within-day dynamics of plant-pollinator networks are dominated by early flower closure: an experimental test of network plasticity. Oecologia 2021; 196:781-794. [PMID: 34081202 PMCID: PMC8292255 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-021-04952-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Temporal variability of plant–pollinator interactions is important for fully understanding the structure, function, and stability of plant–pollinator networks, but most network studies so far have ignored within-day dynamics. Strong diel dynamics (e.g., a regular daily cycle) were found for networks with Cichorieae, which typically close their flowers around noon. Here, we experimentally prevented early flower closure to test whether these dynamics are driven by the temporally limited availability of Cichorieae, or by timing of pollinator activity. We further tested if the dynamics involving Cichorieae and their pollinators also affect the dynamics on other plants in the network. Finally, we explored the structure of such manipulated networks (with Cichorieae available in the morning and afternoon) compared to unmanipulated controls (Cichorieae available only in the morning). We found that flower closure of Cichorieae is indeed an important driver of diel network dynamics, while other drivers of pollinator timing appeared less important. If Cichorieae flowers were available in the afternoon, they were visited by generalist and specialist pollinators, which overall decreased link turnover between morning and afternoon. Effects of afternoon availability of Cichorieae on other plants in the network were inconclusive: pollinator switching to and from Cichorieae tended to increase. On the level of the aggregated (full-day) network, the treatment resulted in increased dominance of Cichorieae, reducing modularity and increasing plant generality. These results highlight that network dynamics can be predicted by knowledge of diel or seasonal phenology, and that fixed species timing assumptions will misrepresent the expected dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Schwarz
- Biometry and Environmental System Analysis, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Str. 4, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Carsten F Dormann
- Biometry and Environmental System Analysis, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Str. 4, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Diego P Vázquez
- Argentine Institute for Dryland Research, CONICET, Av. Ruiz Leal s/n, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina.,Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, National University of Cuyo, Padre Jorge Contreras 1300, M5502JMA, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Jochen Fründ
- Biometry and Environmental System Analysis, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Str. 4, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
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35
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Pollinator interaction flexibility across scales affects patch colonization and occupancy. Nat Ecol Evol 2021; 5:787-793. [PMID: 33795853 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-021-01434-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Global change alters ecological communities and may disrupt ecological interactions and the provision of ecosystem functions. As ecological communities respond to global change, species may either go locally extinct or form novel interactions. To date, few studies have assessed how flexible species are in their interaction patterns, mainly due to the scarcity of data spanning long time series. Using a ten-year species-level dataset on the assembly of mutualistic networks from the Central Valley in California, we test whether interaction flexibility affects pollinators' colonization and persistence and their resulting habitat occupancy in a highly modified landscape. We propose three metrics of interaction flexibility associated with different scales of organization within ecological communities and explore which species' traits affect them. Our results provide empirical evidence linking species' ability to colonize habitat patches across a landscape to the role they play in networks. Phenological breadth and body size had contrasting effects on interaction flexibility. We demonstrate the relationship between mutualistic networks and species' ability to colonize and persist in the landscape, suggesting interaction flexibility as a potential mechanism for communities to maintain ecosystem function despite changes in community composition.
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36
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Schlautmann J, Rehling F, Albrecht J, Jaroszewicz B, Schabo DG, Farwig N. Observing frugivores or collecting scats: a method comparison to construct quantitative seed dispersal networks. OIKOS 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.08175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Schlautmann
- Conservation Ecology, Dept of Biology, Univ. of Marburg Germany
| | - Finn Rehling
- Conservation Ecology, Dept of Biology, Univ. of Marburg Germany
| | - Jörg Albrecht
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK‐F) Frankfurt/Main Germany
| | - Bogdan Jaroszewicz
- Białowieża Geobotanical Station, Faculty of Biology, Univ. of Warsaw Białowieża Poland
| | - Dana G. Schabo
- Conservation Ecology, Dept of Biology, Univ. of Marburg Germany
| | - Nina Farwig
- Conservation Ecology, Dept of Biology, Univ. of Marburg Germany
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37
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Bello C, Barreto E. The footprint of evolution in seed dispersal interactions. Science 2021; 372:682-683. [PMID: 33986166 DOI: 10.1126/science.abi8160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Bello
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Zürcherstrasse 111, 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland.
| | - Elisa Barreto
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Zürcherstrasse 111, 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland.,Laboratório de Ecologia Teórica e Síntese, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
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38
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Burin G, Guimarães PR, Quental TB. Macroevolutionary stability predicts interaction patterns of species in seed dispersal networks. Science 2021; 372:733-737. [DOI: 10.1126/science.abf0556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Assessing deep-time mechanisms affecting the assembly of ecological networks is key to understanding biodiversity changes on broader time scales. We combined analyses of diversification rates with interaction network descriptors from 468 bird species belonging to 29 seed dispersal networks to show that bird species that contribute most to the network structure of plant–frugivore interactions belong to lineages that show higher macroevolutionary stability. This association is stronger in warmer, wetter, less seasonal environments. We infer that the macroevolutionary sorting mechanism acts through the regional pool of species by sorting species on the basis of the available relative differences in diversification rates, rather than absolute rates. Our results illustrate how the interplay between interaction patterns and diversification dynamics may shape the organization and long-term dynamics of ecological networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Burin
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paulo R. Guimarães
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tiago B. Quental
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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39
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Resasco J, Chacoff NP, Vázquez DP. Plant-pollinator interactions between generalists persist over time and space. Ecology 2021; 102:e03359. [PMID: 33819351 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Generalist species are the linchpins of networks, as they are important for maintaining network structure and function. Previous studies have shown that interactions between generalists tend to occur consistently across years and sites. However, the link between temporal and spatial interaction persistence across scales remains unclear. To address this gap, we collected data on plant-pollinator interactions throughout the flowering period for 5 yr across six plots in a subalpine meadow in the Rocky Mountains. We found that interactions between generalists tended to persist more in time and space such that interactions near the network core were more frequently recorded across years, within seasons, and among plots. We posit that species' tolerance of environmental variation across time and space plays a key role in generalization by regulating spatiotemporal overlap with interaction partners. Our results imply a role of spatiotemporal environmental variation in organizing species interactions, marrying niche concepts that emphasize species environmental constraints and their community role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Resasco
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, 80309, USA
| | - Natacha P Chacoff
- Instituto de Ecología Regional, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e IML, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Diego P Vázquez
- Argentine Institute for Dryland Research, CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina.,Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, National University of Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
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40
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Kortsch S, Frelat R, Pecuchet L, Olivier P, Putnis I, Bonsdorff E, Ojaveer H, Jurgensone I, Strāķe S, Rubene G, Krūze Ē, Nordström MC. Disentangling temporal food web dynamics facilitates understanding of ecosystem functioning. J Anim Ecol 2021; 90:1205-1216. [PMID: 33608888 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Studying how food web structure and function vary through time represents an opportunity to better comprehend and anticipate ecosystem changes. Yet, temporal studies of highly resolved food web structure are scarce. With few exceptions, most temporal food web studies are either too simplified, preventing a detailed assessment of structural properties or binary, missing the temporal dynamics of energy fluxes among species. Using long-term, multi-trophic biomass data coupled with highly resolved information on species feeding relationships, we analysed food web dynamics in the Gulf of Riga (Baltic Sea) over more than three decades (1981-2014). We combined unweighted (topology-based) and weighted (biomass- and flux-based) food web approaches, first, to unravel how distinct descriptors can highlight differences (or similarities) in food web dynamics through time, and second, to compare temporal dynamics of food web structure and function. We find that food web descriptors vary substantially and distinctively through time, likely reflecting different underlying ecosystem processes. While node- and link-weighted metrics reflect changes related to alterations in species dominance and fluxes, unweighted metrics are more sensitive to changes in species and link richness. Comparing unweighted, topology-based metrics and flux-based functions further indicates that temporal changes in functions cannot be predicted using unweighted food web structure. Rather, information on species population dynamics and weighted, flux-based networks should be included to better comprehend temporal food web dynamics. By integrating unweighted, node- and link-weighted metrics, we here demonstrate how different approaches can be used to compare food web structure and function, and identify complementary patterns of change in temporal food web dynamics, which enables a more complete understanding of the ecological processes at play in ecosystems undergoing change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Kortsch
- Environmental and Marine Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Romain Frelat
- Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Laurene Pecuchet
- Environmental and Marine Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.,UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, The Norwegian College of Fishery Science, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Pierre Olivier
- Environmental and Marine Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Ivars Putnis
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, Riga, Latvia
| | - Erik Bonsdorff
- Environmental and Marine Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Henn Ojaveer
- Pärnu College, University of Tartu, Pärnu, Estonia.,National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | | | - Gunta Rubene
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, Riga, Latvia
| | - Ēriks Krūze
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, Riga, Latvia
| | - Marie C Nordström
- Environmental and Marine Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
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