Simulated tri-trophic networks reveal complex relationships between species diversity and interaction diversity.

ABSTRACT: Most of earth's biodiversity is comprised of interactions among species, yet it is unclear what causes variation in interaction diversity across space and time. We define interaction diversity as the richness and relative abundance of interactions linking species together at scales from localized, measurable webs to entire ecosystems. Large-scale patterns suggest that two basic components of interaction diversity differ substantially and predictably between different ecosystems: overall taxonomic diversity and host specificity of consumers. Understanding how these factors influence interaction diversity, and quantifying the causes and effects of variation in interaction diversity are important goals for community ecology. While previous studies have examined the effects of sampling bias an

SUBMITTER: Pardikes NA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5868776 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature