Population Structure Plays a Key Role in Community Stability.

ABSTRACT: The relationship between ecosystem complexity and stability remains unresolved and a mechanistic explanation for the stunning levels of biodiversity observed in communities and ecosystems is still lacking. The theoretical study of the stability of ecological communities has long been dominated by the assumption that populations are homogeneous. However, populations are structured, consisting of individuals that differ in multiple traits-such as size or developmental stage-with specific energetic demands and use of space and resources. Stage-specific interactions, such as asymmetric competition for resources or predation targeting particular life stages, are widespread in nature and strongly shape ecological dynamics. Recent theoretical work further demonstrates that differences in juvenile

SUBMITTER: Gimenez-Romero A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12685569 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature