Differences in Tri-Trophic Community Responses to Temperature-Dependent Vital Rates, Thermal Niche Mismatches and...

Area of Science:

• Aquatic Ecology
• Climate Change Biology
• Theoretical Ecology

Background:

• Warming climates impact aquatic ectotherms via altered vital rates and body size (temperature-size rule, TSR).
• Indirect effects include modified species interactions and environmental feedbacks.
• The relative importance of direct versus indirect temperature effects on community structure is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of direct kinetic temperature effects and TSR in aquatic community structure.
• To explore these effects along resource productivity and temperature gradients.
• To determine the primary drivers of community responses to environmental change.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a tri-trophic food chain model.
• Incorporated size- and temperature-dependent vital rates and interaction strengths.
• Analyzed community structure across resource productivity and temperature gradients.

Main Results:

• Direct kinetic effects of temperature on vital rates were the primary driver of community structure.
• Thermal mismatches between consumers and predators significantly influenced community dynamics.
• Temperature-size rule (TSR)-mediated effects were less influential than direct kinetic effects.

Conclusions:

• Direct temperature effects and interspecific thermal mismatches largely dictate aquatic community responses to warming.
• The temperature-size rule plays a secondary role in shaping community structure under climate change.
• This research clarifies the complex interactions between temperature, species traits, and aquatic ecosystem dynamics.