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Food web complexity and stability across habitat connectivity gradients
Robin M LeCraw1, Pavel Kratina, Diane S Srivastava
1Department of Zoology and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, 6270 University Blvd., Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada, lecraw@zoology.ubc.ca.
Oecologia
|September 18, 2014
Summary
Habitat connectivity impacts food web stability and complexity. Empirical data largely supports theoretical predictions for stability, but less so for complexity metrics like food chain length.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Theoretical Ecology
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Habitat connectivity is crucial for ecological processes.
- Previous research has focused on species richness, neglecting other food web metrics.
- Understanding connectivity's impact on food web stability and complexity is vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize empirical evidence and theoretical predictions on habitat connectivity's effects on food webs.
- To assess the concordance between theory and empirical data for food web stability and complexity.
- To identify gaps in current understanding and future research directions.
Main Methods:
- Literature synthesis of empirical studies and theoretical models.
- Comparison of predicted versus observed relationships between connectivity and food web metrics.
- Analysis of food web stability, complexity, and food chain length.
Main Results:
- Empirical studies generally support theoretical predictions for food web stability at intermediate connectivity.
- Observed patterns for food chain length and complexity metrics (link density, connectance) show less concordance with theory.
- Mechanisms underlying empirical patterns may differ from theoretical assumptions.
Conclusions:
- Growing agreement exists between theory and empirical data for some food web effects of connectivity.
- Further research is needed to test predictions across full connectivity gradients and model empirical complexity metrics.
- Addressing these gaps will enhance understanding of connectivity's role in real-world food webs.
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