The spatial scaling of species interaction networks
Type | Article | ||||||||||||
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Date | 2018-05 | ||||||||||||
Language | English | ||||||||||||
Author(s) | Galiana Nuria1, 2, Lurgi Miguel![]() ![]() ![]() |
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Affiliation(s) | 1 : CNRS, Theoret & Expt Ecol Stn, Ecol Networks & Global Change Grp, Moulis, France. 2 : Paul Sabatier Univ, Moulis, France. 3 : UAB, CREAF, Edifici Ciencies, Bellaterra, Catalunya, Spain. 4 : BABVE, Ecol Dept, Bellaterra, Catalunya, Spain. 5 : Univ Toronto, Dept Ecol & Evolutionary Biol, Toronto, ON, Canada. 6 : Mem Univ, Dept Biol, St John, NF, Canada. 7 : Univ Quebec Rimouski, Dept Biol Chim & Geog, Rimouski, PQ, Canada. 8 : Quebec Ctr Biodivers Sci, Montreal, PQ, Canada. 9 : Univ Montpellier, UMR MARBEC, Montpellier, France. 10 : Univ Sherbrooke, Dept Biol, Sherbrooke, PQ, Canada. |
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Source | Nature Ecology & Evolution (2397-334X) (Nature Publishing Group), 2018-05 , Vol. 2 , N. 5 , P. 782-790 | ||||||||||||
DOI | 10.1038/s41559-018-0517-3 | ||||||||||||
WOS© Times Cited | 57 | ||||||||||||
Abstract | Species-area relationships (SARs) are pivotal to understand the distribution of biodiversity across spatial scales. We know little, however, about how the network of biotic interactions in which biodiversity is embedded changes with spatial extent. Here we develop a new theoretical framework that enables us to explore how different assembly mechanisms and theoretical models affect multiple properties of ecological networks across space. We present a number of testable predictions on network-area relationships (NARs) for multi-trophic communities. Network structure changes as area increases because of the existence of different SARs across trophic levels, the preferential selection of generalist species at small spatial extents and the effect of dispersal limitation promoting beta-diversity. Developing an understanding of NARs will complement the growing body of knowledge on SARs with potential applications in conservation ecology. Specifically, combined with further empirical evidence, NARs can generate predictions of potential effects on ecological communities of habitat loss and fragmentation in a changing world. |
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