Species diversity and interspecific information flow

• DOI: 10.1111/brv.13055
• Publication Date: 2024-01-27T11:09:29Z
• Authors: Eben Goodale; Robert D. Magrath
• Keywords: Keystone species; Ecosystem engineer

ABSTRACT Interspecific information flow is known to affect individual fitness, population dynamics and community assembly, but there has been less study of how species diversity affects thereby ecosystem functioning services. We address this question by first examining differences among in the sensitivity, accuracy, transmissibility, detectability value cues signals they produce, receive, store use derived from heterospecifics. then review interspecific occurs communities, involving a sensory modes, can ecosystem‐level functions, such as decomposition, seed dispersal or algae removal on coral reefs. highlight evidence that some keystone are particularly critical source used eavesdroppers, so have disproportionate effect flow. Such include informants producing signals, about predation risk, influence other species' landscapes fear, aggregation initiators creating resources. suggest presence means will likely be positive relationship many communities between through ‘sampling effect’, which larger pools more chance. consider whether number relative abundance species, irrespective matter flow; issue, theory developed, scant indirect. Higher could increase quantity quality eavesdroppers because redundancy increases reliability provide complementary information. Alternatively, lack if widespread parasitism where users not sources, sourced heterospecifics lower than gained personally conspecifics. Recent research suggests does information‐modulated consequences, especially birds, at feeders increasing resource exploitation, imitated responses vocal mimics. A step for future includes comprehensive observations different taxa habitats. Then studies should investigate influences cumulative level, consequently processes. An applied objective conserve part their sources including humans.