One of the central themes in modern ecology is the enduring debate on whether there is a relationship between the complexity of a biological community and its stability. In this paper, we focus on the role of detritus and spatial dispersion on the stability of ecosystems. Using Monte Carlo simulations we analyze two three-level models of food webs: a grazing one with the basal species (i.e., primary producers) having unlimited food resources and a detrital one in which the basal species uses detritus as a food resource. While the vast majority of theoretical studies neglects detritus, from our results it follows that the detrital food web is more stable than its grazing counterpart, because the interactions mediated by detritus damp out fluctuations in species' densities. Since the detritus model is the more complex one in terms of interaction patterns, our results provide evidence for the advocates of the complexity as one of the factors enhancing stability of ecosystems.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.89.052714 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Travertine Mineralogical Characteristics and Spatial Distribution in Huanglong, China, a World Natural Heritage: Derived from Late Pleistocene to Early Holocene Glacial U-Shaped Valley Carbonate Deposits.
ACS Omega
January 2025
Sichuan Geological Environment Survey and Research Center, Chengdu 610081, P. R. China.
In the long and complex process of geological evolution, the rise of the Himalayan movement and the strong Quaternary glacial movement 400,000 years ago have shaped the highly distinctive travertine landform landscape of Huanglong, China. The overflow of karst water in the high travertine layer has formed magnificent waterfalls and wonderful karst caves as well as the world's largest open-air travertine beaches and pools. The unique travertine landscape has entered the public's vision.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIsotopic variability of the invasive blue crab Callinectes sapidus in the Gulf of Cadiz: Impacts and implications for coastal ecosystem management.
J Environ Manage
January 2025
Department of Ecology and Coastal Management, Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía (ICMAN-CSIC), Avda. República Saharaui, 2, Puerto Real, Cadiz, 11510, Spain; Associate Research Unit "Blue Growth", Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) - Andalusian Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research and Training (IFAPA), Cadiz, Spain. Electronic address:
The variability in trophic position and carbon isotopic signatures can provide information about their dietary flexibility and its ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions. The impact of the invasive blue crab Callinectes sapidus was assessed by estimating its trophic position and isotopic niche using stable isotopes (δ³C, δ⁵N, δ³⁴S) across different invaded Atlantic coastal areas. This study, the first of its kind in the eastern Atlantic range, reveals the crab's omnivorous behavior with a wide trophic position (TP = 2-4), consistent with findings from its native range.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFKey bacteria decomposing animal and plant detritus in deep sea revealed via long-term incubation in different oceanic areas.
ISME Commun
January 2024
Key Laboratory of Marine Genetic Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources of PR China, 178 Daxue Road, Siming District, Xiamen City, Fujian Province 361005, PR China.
Transport of organic matter (OM) occurs widely in the form of animal and plant detritus in global oceans, playing a crucial role in global carbon cycling. While wood- and whale-falls have been extensively studied, the process of OM remineralization by microorganisms remains poorly understood particularly in pelagic regions on a global scale. Here, enrichment experiments with animal tissue or plant detritus were carried out in three deep seas for 4-12 months using the deep-sea incubators.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCretaceous spreite-dominated ichnoassemblages in Antarctica.
An Acad Bras Cienc
December 2024
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Museu Nacional, Departamento de Geologia e Paleontologia, Campus de Pesquisa e Ensino, Avenida Bartolomeu de Gusmão, 875, São Cristóvão, 20941-160 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
This study investigates ichnoassemblages characterized by spreite trace fossils from the Upper Cretaceous Snow Hill Island Formation on Vega Island, Antarctica. The succession reveals alternating heterolithic beds of sandy siltstones to very fine- to fine-grained sandstones, suggestive of a deltaic depositional setting influenced by fluctuating energy conditions. The dominance of spreite structures, such as Paradictyodora antarctica and Euflabella, suggests the prevalence of a colonization window for deposit- or detritus-feeding activity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSeabed microplastics in the European continental shelf: Unravelling physical and biological transport pathways and reciprocal fauna-Polymer relationships.
Environ Pollut
January 2025
University of Ghent, Marine Biology Research Group (MarBiol), Krijgslaan 281 - s8, 9000, Gent, Belgium. Electronic address:
Article Synopsis
- Marine sediments are significant repositories for microplastics, even in previously considered clean areas, due to complex interactions and processes.
- In a study focusing on European coastal seas, researchers quantified microplastics in the sediments and examined variations in polymer composition between surface and deeper layers.
- Findings revealed that factors like seawater salinity and sediment detritus influenced microplastic distribution, while temperature and wildlife activities affected deeper sediments, illustrating the connection between microplastic pollution and marine ecosystem health.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!