In theoretical ecology, traditional studies based on dynamical stability and numerical simulations have not found a unified answer to the effect of network architecture community persistence. Here, we introduce mathematical framework concept structural explain such disparity results. We investigated range conditions necessary for stable coexistence all species in mutualistic systems. show that apparently contradictory conclusions reached by previous arise as consequence overseeing either...

Abstract Although observations of species‐rich communities have long served as a primary motivation for research on the coexistence competitors, majority our empirical and theoretical understanding comes from two‐species systems. How much observed in results indirect effects among competitors that only emerge diverse systems remains poorly understood. Resolving this issue requires simple, scalable, intuitive metrics quantifying conditions multispecies systems, how these differ those expected...

Determinants of plant establishment and invasion are a key issue in ecology evolution. Although success varies substantially among species, the importance species traits extrinsic factors as determinants existing communities has remained difficult to prove observational studies because they can be confounded mask each other. Therefore, we conducted large multispecies field experiment disentangle relative vs. characteristics for plants grasslands. We introduced 48 alien 45 native at different...

Abstract Empirical studies have found that the mutualistic interactions forming structure of plant–pollinator networks are typically more nested than expected by chance alone. Additionally, theoretical shown a positive association between and community persistence. Yet, it has been some may be others, raising interesting question which factors responsible for such enhanced structure. It argued ordered network structures increase persistence ecological communities under less predictable...

The target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) is a master regulator cell homeostasis, which promotes anabolic reactions and synchronously inhibits catabolic processes such as autophagy-mediated protein degradation. Its prime autophagy Atg13, subunit the Atg1 kinase that acts gatekeeper canonical autophagy. To study whether activities TORC1 are coupled through additional, more intricate control mechanisms than simply this linear pathway, we analyzed epistatic relationship between by using...

Several stochastic models have tried to capture the architecture of food webs. This approach is interesting, but it limited by fact that different assumptions can yield similar results. To overcome this limitation, we develop a purely statistical approach. Body size in terms an optimal ratio between prey and predator used as explanatory variable. In 12 observed webs, model predicts, on average, 20% interactions. analyze unexplained part, introduce latent term: each species described two...

Summary Understanding the environmental factors that structure biodiversity and food webs among communities is central to assess mitigate impact of landscape changes. Wildflower strips are ecological compensation areas established in farmland increase pollination services biological control crop pests conserve insect diversity. They arranged networks order favour high species richness abundance fauna. We describe results from experimental wildflower a fragmented agricultural landscape,...

The consensus that complexity begets stability in ecosystems was challenged the seventies, a result recently extended to ecologically-inspired networks. approaches assume existence of feasible equilibrium, i.e. with positive abundances. However, this key assumption has not been tested. We provide analytical results complemented by simulations which show equilibrium feasibility vanishes species rich systems. This leaves us uncomfortable situation assumed local criteria is far from granted....

Significance It has been unclear whether understanding how biodiversity is maintained requires us to study species interactions within and across trophic levels simultaneously. Achieving this task remains, however, challenging for practical theoretical reasons. Here, integrating a simple but detailed experimental plant–pollinator community tractable mathematical framework, we show that strongly affected by competitive among plants pollinators, as well the mutualistic effects between...

In a mixed-ploidy population, strong frequency-dependent mating will lead to the elimination of less common cytotype, unless prezygotic barriers enhance assortative mating. However, such favouring cytotype coexistence have only rarely been explored. Here, an assessment is made mechanisms involved in formation populations and diploid plants their closely related allotetraploid derivates from Centaurea stoebe complex (Asteraceae). An investigation was microspatial microhabitat distribution,...

Food webs are the complex networks of trophic interactions that stoke metabolic fires life. To understand what structures these in natural communities, ecologists have developed simple models to capture their main architectural features. However, apparently realistic food can be generated by invoking either predator–prey body-size hierarchies or evolutionary constraints as structuring mechanisms. As a result, this approach has not conclusively revealed which factors most important. Here we...

Abstract The ability to model biodiversity patterns is of prime importance in this era severe environmental crisis. Species assemblage along gradients subject the interplay biotic interactions complement abiotic filtering and stochastic forces. Accounting for complex a wide array species remains so far challenging. Here, we propose using food web models that can infer potential interaction links between as constraint distribution models. Using plant–herbivore (butterfly) dataset, demonstrate...

Understanding the effects of biodiversity on community persistence and productivity is key to managing both natural production systems. Because rare species face greater danger extinction, evenness, a measure how similar abundances are across in community, seen as component biodiversity. However, previous studies have failed find consistent association evenness with survival biomass production. Here we provide theoretical framework for relationship among these three elements. We demonstrate...

Abstract Aim To assess how the magnitude of impacts non‐native plants on species richness resident and animals varies in relation to traits phylogenetic position as well characteristics invaded site. Location Global. Methods Meta‐analysis regressions based 216 studies were used examine effects 96 plant while considering differences (life‐form, clonality or vegetative reproduction, nitrogen‐fixing ability) site (ecosystem type, insularity climatic region). Results Plots with had lower...

Abstract Many of the observed species interactions embedded in ecological communities are not permanent, but characterized by temporal changes that along with abiotic and biotic variations. While work has been done describing quantifying these changes, little is known about their consequences for coexistence. Here, we investigate extent to which composition impact likelihood persistence predator–prey community highly seasonal Białowiez˙a Primeval Forest (northeast Poland), (predator diet)...

For plants, the advantages of associating with beneficial bacteria include plant growth promotion, reduction abiotic and biotic stresses enhanced protection against various pests diseases. Beneficial rightly equipped for successful colonization showing antagonistic activity towards pathogens seem to be actively recruited by plants. To gain more insights into genetic determinants responsible activities, we first sequenced de novo assembled complete genomes nine Pseudomonas strains that had...

The realization that evolutionary feedbacks need to be considered fully grasp ecological dynamics has sparked interest in the effect of evolution on community properties like coexistence and productivity. However, little is known about robustness productivity along diversification processes species-rich systems. We leverage recent structural approach together with adaptive study such their relationships a general trait-based model competition niche axis. show effects coevolution are two-fold...