The impact of structured higher-order interactions on ecological network stability.
J Christopher D Terry1, Michael B Bonsall1, Rebecca J Morris2
1Department of Biology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SZ UK.
Theoretical Ecology
|January 16, 2026
Summary
Structured higher-order ecological interactions significantly impact community dynamics, altering stability and diversity-stability relationships. Understanding these non-random interaction structures is crucial for ecological research.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Theoretical Ecology
- Network Theory
Background:
- Higher-order interactions (more than two species) are vital for ecological systems.
- Previous studies often assume random structures for these interactions.
- The impact of structured, non-random interaction networks remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the significant impact of structured higher-order interactions on ecological communities.
- To investigate how non-random distributions of interaction modifications affect food web structure.
- To analyze the influence of structured interactions on local stability and diversity-stability relationships.
Main Methods:
- Simulated ecological communities with structured higher-order interactions.
- Focused on interaction modifications within food webs (e.g., consumer-resource modified by a third species).
- Analyzed effects of non-random interaction modification distributions on network structure, stability, and feasibility domains.
Main Results:
- Structured higher-order interactions profoundly impact community dynamics and network structure.
- Local stability and feasibility domains critically depend on the interplay of trophic and non-trophic effects.
- Structured interactions, particularly mutual interference motifs, have consequential topological and sign effects.
- The impact of higher-order interactions on diversity-stability relationships can be reversed when interactions are structured.
Conclusions:
- The structure of higher-order interactions is a critical determinant of ecological community dynamics.
- Non-random interaction modifications, especially those involving mutual interference, significantly alter community properties.
- Empirical data on interaction modification signs are essential for advancing ecological understanding.
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