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Parasites in the meta-ecosystem landscape: hidden connectors and disruptors
Christian Selbach1, Eirik H Henriksen2, Rachel A Paterson3
1Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Abstract:
The meta-ecosystem framework explains spatial flows of organisms, materials, and energy across ecosystem boundaries. Parasites play crucial roles in these processes, yet they remain absent from meta-ecosystem models. Using examples from terrestrial and aquatic environments, we illustrate how parasitic organisms act as central connectors or disruptors of the flow of organisms, nutrients, and energy across ecosystem boundaries via four key mechanisms: parasite-induced host movement, behavioural changes that increase cross-ecosystem predation, host mortality, and parasite avoidance behaviour. These examples highlight the central role of parasites in driving and regulating nutrient and energy flow from catchment-to-coast, and we outline a pathway for improved integration of these parasite-mediated processes into the meta-ecosystem framework.
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