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Ecogeographical rules and the macroecology of food webs

Ecogeographical rules and the macroecology of food webs

Authors :
Baiser, B
Fortin, Marie‐Josée1
Baiser, B
Gravel, D
Cirtwill, AR
Dunne, JA
Fahimipour, AK
Gilarranz, LJ
Grochow, JA
Li, D
Martinez, ND
McGrew, A
Poisot, T
Romanuk, TN
Stouffer, DB
Trotta, LB
Valdovinos, FS
Williams, RJ
Wood, SA
Yeakel, JD
Baiser, B
Fortin, Marie‐Josée1
Baiser, B
Gravel, D
Cirtwill, AR
Dunne, JA
Fahimipour, AK
Gilarranz, LJ
Grochow, JA
Li, D
Martinez, ND
McGrew, A
Poisot, T
Romanuk, TN
Stouffer, DB
Trotta, LB
Valdovinos, FS
Williams, RJ
Wood, SA
Yeakel, JD
Source :
Global Ecology and Biogeography; vol 28, iss 9, 1204-1218; 1466-822X
Publication Year :
2019

Abstract

Aim: How do factors such as space, time, climate and other ecological drivers influence food web structure and dynamics? Collections of well-studied food webs and replicate food webs from the same system that span biogeographical and ecological gradients now enable detailed, quantitative investigation of such questions and help integrate food web ecology and macroecology. Here, we integrate macroecology and food web ecology by focusing on how ecogeographical rules [the latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG), Bergmann's rule, the island rule and Rapoport's rule] are associated with the architecture of food webs. Location: Global. Time period: Current. Major taxa studied: All taxa. Methods: We discuss the implications of each ecogeographical rule for food webs, present predictions for how food web structure will vary with each rule, assess empirical support where available, and discuss how food webs may influence ecogeographical rules. Finally, we recommend systems and approaches for further advancing this research agenda. Results: We derived testable predictions for some ecogeographical rules (e.g. LDG, Rapoport's rule), while for others (e.g., Bergmann's and island rules) it is less clear how we would expect food webs to change over macroecological scales. Based on the LDG, we found weak support for both positive and negative relationships between food chain length and latitude and for increased generality and linkage density at higher latitudes. Based on Rapoport's rule, we found support for the prediction that species turnover in food webs is inversely related to latitude. Main conclusions: The macroecology of food webs goes beyond traditional approaches to biodiversity at macroecological scales by focusing on trophic interactions among species. The collection of food web data for different types of ecosystems across biogeographical gradients is key to advance this research agenda. Further, considering food web interactions as a selection pressure that drives or dis

Details

Database :
OAIster
Journal :
Global Ecology and Biogeography; vol 28, iss 9, 1204-1218; 1466-822X
Notes :
application/pdf, Global Ecology and Biogeography vol 28, iss 9, 1204-1218 1466-822X
Publication Type :
Electronic Resource
Accession number :
edsoai.on1367406974
Document Type :
Electronic Resource