Connected interactions: enriching food web research by spatial and social interactions

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Food Web Dynamics
• Systems Ecology

Background:

• Traditional food web research primarily focuses on trophic interactions.
• There's a growing need to incorporate a broader range of ecological interactions, including social and spatial dimensions.
• Understanding the interconnectedness of ecological systems requires a holistic approach.

Discussion:

• This theme issue explores 18 papers on ecological interactions, expanding beyond trophic networks to include metabolic, social, and spatial connections.
• A hierarchical framework is presented, linking horizontal effects within organizational levels to vertical connections across biological organization levels.
• The critical role of human interactions within ecological systems is highlighted, particularly in the context of the Anthropocene.

Key Insights:

• Integrating diverse interaction types (metabolic, social, spatial, trophic) provides a richer understanding of food webs.
• A hierarchical approach reveals cross-level connections in ecological systems.
• Incorporating human activities is essential for contemporary ecological research.

Outlook:

• Future research should continue to integrate diverse interaction types to build more comprehensive food web models.
• Further investigation into the vertical and horizontal linkages across biological organization levels is warranted.
• Developing frameworks that effectively integrate human-ecosystem interactions will be crucial for addressing Anthropocene challenges.