Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2026
08:45
Separation of Rat Epidermis and Dermis with Thermolysin to Detect Site-Specific Inflammatory mRNA and Protein
Published on: September 29, 2021
5.7K
Technical Comment on Pande et al. (2020): Why invasion analysis is important for understanding coexistence
Stephen P Ellner1, Robin E Snyder2, Peter B Adler3
1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
Ecology Letters
|August 28, 2020
Summary
Invader growth rates (IGRs) can decrease persistence time, challenging coexistence theory. Understanding mechanisms behind positive IGR is crucial for community persistence, especially with increasing system size.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Community Ecology
- Theoretical Ecology
Background:
- Modern coexistence theory faces challenges as invader growth rates (IGRs) can decrease persistence time.
- Persistence time increases with system size only when IGR > 0, highlighting a critical condition for community stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between invader growth rates (IGRs) and community persistence.
- To identify the underlying mechanisms responsible for positive IGRs in ecological communities.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of theoretical models examining species interactions and population dynamics.
- Review of empirical data on invasion success and community stability across different system sizes.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that increasing IGRs do not always correlate with longer persistence times, contradicting some aspects of current coexistence theory.
- Identified a strong positive correlation between system size and persistence time specifically under conditions of positive IGR.
Conclusions:
- The study underscores the importance of positive invader growth rates (IGRs) for maintaining community persistence, particularly in larger systems.
- Further research into the mechanisms driving positive IGRs is essential for advancing our understanding of ecological coexistence and community stability.
Related Concept Videos
02:39Gene Flow
Gene flow is the transfer of genes among populations, resulting from either the dispersal of gametes or from the migration of individuals.
01:21Causality in Epidemiology
Causality or causation is a fundamental concept in epidemiology, vital for understanding the relationships between various factors and health outcomes. Despite its importance, there's no single, universally accepted definition of causality within the discipline. Drawing from a systematic review, causality in epidemiology encompasses several definitions, including production, necessary and sufficient, sufficient-component, counterfactual, and probabilistic models. Each has its strengths and...
01:18Steps in Outbreak Investigation
In the ever-evolving field of public health, statistical analysis serves as a cornerstone for understanding and managing disease outbreaks. By leveraging various statistical tools, health professionals can predict potential outbreaks, analyze ongoing situations, and devise effective responses to mitigate impact. For that to happen, there are a few possible stages of the analysis:
01:22Microbial Interactions: Parasitism
Parasitism is a form of microbial interaction in which parasitic microbes exploit a host organism for nutrients and shelter, often at the host's expense. Unlike mutualistic relationships, where both organisms benefit, parasitism benefits only the parasite and harms the host.Classification of ParasitesMicrobial parasites are broadly classified based on their location relative to the host.Ectoparasites remain on the host’s surface, such as the skin or outer tissues, drawing nutrients...
01:28Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence
Infectious diseases appear in populations through various transmission patterns, influenced by pathogen characteristics, population immunity, environmental conditions, and social behavior. Understanding these patterns is essential for effective public health surveillance and intervention. These categories—sporadic, outbreak, epidemic, pandemic, and endemic—help frame the nature and scope of disease events.Sporadic diseases occur irregularly and infrequently, without a predictable temporal or...
01:25Colonisation of Pathogens
Pathogen colonization of host tissues is a critical step in the development of infectious diseases. Various pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, have evolved complex strategies to attach to, invade, and persist within host environments. These mechanisms enable pathogens to establish infections, evade immune responses, and resist antimicrobial treatments.Attachment to Host CellsIn bacteria, colonization typically begins with adherence to host epithelial...