| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Total Authors: 2
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| Affiliation: | [1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Ecol, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 1
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| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 9, JAN 24 2019. |
| Web of Science Citations: | 2 |
| Abstract | |
Perturbations, such as fluctuations in abundance, can ripple across species assemblages through ecological interactions. Furthermore, the way in which ecological interactions are organized into a network and the interaction strengths connecting species may be important for cascading effects. Previous work revealed that network structure determines how cascading effects spread across species assemblages. A next step is to understand how interaction strengths influence cascading effects. Here, we assume that perturbations have negative effects, and we evaluate whether interaction strength affects network robustness to cascading effects in mutualistic interactions, and examine the role of network structure in mediating perturbation cascades when interaction strength is incorporated. We combine empirical data on 18 mutualistic networks, two simulations scenarios, and network theory, to investigate how network structure affects perturbation spreading time, a proxy of network robustness to cascading effects. Simulations in which we included interaction strength presented higher mean spreading time, indicating that interaction strength increases network robustness. Richness, modularity, and nestedness had a strong, positive effect, on mean perturbation spreading time regardless of the interaction strengths. We found that network structure and the distribution of interaction strengths affected communities' robustness to perturbation spreading. Our results contribute to the discussion on the danger that ecosystems face when species, and interactions alike, become extinct. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 14/20572-1 - How cascading effects propagate in mutualistic networks: incorporating species role and natural history |
| Grantee: | Marília Palumbo Gaiarsa |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate |
| FAPESP's process: | 13/13319-5 - Ecological and evolutionary cascades in mutualistic networks |
| Grantee: | Marília Palumbo Gaiarsa |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate |