Gregory P. Cheplick and Stanley Faeth
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780195308082
- eISBN:
- 9780199867462
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195308082.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology
Symbiotic relationships between plants and fungi are extremely common in nature, ranging from highly parasitic to closely mutualistic. Grasses, which are common and ecologically important components ...
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Symbiotic relationships between plants and fungi are extremely common in nature, ranging from highly parasitic to closely mutualistic. Grasses, which are common and ecologically important components of many ecosystems worldwide, are often infected by clandestine, endosymbiotic fungi that grow within their stems, leaves, and seeds. This book attempts to synthesize the accumulating literature on grass-endophyte symbioses within a modern ecological and evolutionary framework. Topics covered include effects of endophytes on host growth, physiology, reproduction, and competitive ability in both agronomically important forages such as tall fescue and perennial ryegrass and in native grasses. Also, endophyte-host interactions are explored in relation to abiotic (e.g., drought) and biotic stresses (e.g., herbivory). Possible effects of endophyte infection on community and ecosystem-level processes are discussed. The ecological outcomes and coevolutionary dynamics of grass-endophyte associations are shown to be highly contingent on host and endophyte genotypes as well as environmental conditions. In addition to synthesizing much of the current literature on grass-endophyte interactions in natural and managed habitats, this book highlights gaps in current knowledge of specific aspects of symbiosis ecology and suggests many avenues for future research. Endophytic fungi are common in plants yet the nature of these interactions and how they cascade upward to communities and ecosystems are largely unknown.Less
Symbiotic relationships between plants and fungi are extremely common in nature, ranging from highly parasitic to closely mutualistic. Grasses, which are common and ecologically important components of many ecosystems worldwide, are often infected by clandestine, endosymbiotic fungi that grow within their stems, leaves, and seeds. This book attempts to synthesize the accumulating literature on grass-endophyte symbioses within a modern ecological and evolutionary framework. Topics covered include effects of endophytes on host growth, physiology, reproduction, and competitive ability in both agronomically important forages such as tall fescue and perennial ryegrass and in native grasses. Also, endophyte-host interactions are explored in relation to abiotic (e.g., drought) and biotic stresses (e.g., herbivory). Possible effects of endophyte infection on community and ecosystem-level processes are discussed. The ecological outcomes and coevolutionary dynamics of grass-endophyte associations are shown to be highly contingent on host and endophyte genotypes as well as environmental conditions. In addition to synthesizing much of the current literature on grass-endophyte interactions in natural and managed habitats, this book highlights gaps in current knowledge of specific aspects of symbiosis ecology and suggests many avenues for future research. Endophytic fungi are common in plants yet the nature of these interactions and how they cascade upward to communities and ecosystems are largely unknown.
Alex Córdoba-Aguilar (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199230693
- eISBN:
- 9780191710889
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199230693.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology, Animal Biology
This book is a collection of nineteen chapters where summaries of major ecological and evolutionary questions have been asked and responded using dragonflies and damselflies as study subjects. Each ...
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This book is a collection of nineteen chapters where summaries of major ecological and evolutionary questions have been asked and responded using dragonflies and damselflies as study subjects. Each chapter is written by a well-respected scientist. The topics covered are: demography, population and community ecology, life-history, distribution, abundance, migration, conservation, applied use, predator-prey interactions, mating isolation, lifetime reproductive success estimates, reproduction vs. survival, parasite-host relationships, cryptic female choice, sexual conflict, territoriality, sex-limited colour polymorphisms, sexual size dimorphism, flight performance, and wing evolution. Each chapter puts forward new data and hypothesis in relation to further ecological and evolutionary questions.Less
This book is a collection of nineteen chapters where summaries of major ecological and evolutionary questions have been asked and responded using dragonflies and damselflies as study subjects. Each chapter is written by a well-respected scientist. The topics covered are: demography, population and community ecology, life-history, distribution, abundance, migration, conservation, applied use, predator-prey interactions, mating isolation, lifetime reproductive success estimates, reproduction vs. survival, parasite-host relationships, cryptic female choice, sexual conflict, territoriality, sex-limited colour polymorphisms, sexual size dimorphism, flight performance, and wing evolution. Each chapter puts forward new data and hypothesis in relation to further ecological and evolutionary questions.
Frédéric Thomas, François Renaud, and Jean-François Guegan (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198529873
- eISBN:
- 9780191712777
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198529873.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Disease Ecology / Epidemiology
Ecologists, epidemiologists, and evolutionary biologists are increasingly aware of the significance of parasites in the study of ecosystems. This book provides a summary of the issues involved as ...
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Ecologists, epidemiologists, and evolutionary biologists are increasingly aware of the significance of parasites in the study of ecosystems. This book provides a summary of the issues involved as well as an overview of the possibilities offered by this research topic, using well-documented case-studies to illustrate the main trends and prospects in this area. This is the first book devoted to the comprehension of both the roles and consequences of pathogens in ecosystems.Less
Ecologists, epidemiologists, and evolutionary biologists are increasingly aware of the significance of parasites in the study of ecosystems. This book provides a summary of the issues involved as well as an overview of the possibilities offered by this research topic, using well-documented case-studies to illustrate the main trends and prospects in this area. This is the first book devoted to the comprehension of both the roles and consequences of pathogens in ecosystems.
J.-F. Guégan, S. Morand, and R. Poulin
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198529873
- eISBN:
- 9780191712777
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198529873.003.0003
- Subject:
- Biology, Disease Ecology / Epidemiology
This chapter reviews recent advances made by parasite community biologists in dissecting the organization of parasite communities at different spatial scales. From a broader scale at which a big ...
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This chapter reviews recent advances made by parasite community biologists in dissecting the organization of parasite communities at different spatial scales. From a broader scale at which a big picture on parasite species gradients can emerge to community assembly rules in the organization of parasite species assemblages on host, it focuses on recent findings in parasite species diversity and community patterns, which could orientate new research on the functioning of ecosystems dynamics and evolution as a whole.Less
This chapter reviews recent advances made by parasite community biologists in dissecting the organization of parasite communities at different spatial scales. From a broader scale at which a big picture on parasite species gradients can emerge to community assembly rules in the organization of parasite species assemblages on host, it focuses on recent findings in parasite species diversity and community patterns, which could orientate new research on the functioning of ecosystems dynamics and evolution as a whole.
Sharon K. Collinge and Chris Ray
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198567080
- eISBN:
- 9780191717871
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198567080.003.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Disease Ecology / Epidemiology
The purpose of this book is to highlight exciting recent advances in theoretical and empirical research which has been conducted towards a greater understanding of the importance of community ...
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The purpose of this book is to highlight exciting recent advances in theoretical and empirical research which has been conducted towards a greater understanding of the importance of community structure in the emergence of infectious diseases. A brief glossary of commonly used terms in ecology and epidemiology is provided including enzootic, epizootic, infectious disease, pathogen, parasite, reservoir host, and SEIR models. Most chapters in this book relate shifts in disease dynamics to alterations of community structure driven by anthropogenic activities, and most involve ecological field studies of diseases just emerging in the United States, although the focus on emergent diseases and their community ecology is clearly applicable to disease dynamics worldwide.Less
The purpose of this book is to highlight exciting recent advances in theoretical and empirical research which has been conducted towards a greater understanding of the importance of community structure in the emergence of infectious diseases. A brief glossary of commonly used terms in ecology and epidemiology is provided including enzootic, epizootic, infectious disease, pathogen, parasite, reservoir host, and SEIR models. Most chapters in this book relate shifts in disease dynamics to alterations of community structure driven by anthropogenic activities, and most involve ecological field studies of diseases just emerging in the United States, although the focus on emergent diseases and their community ecology is clearly applicable to disease dynamics worldwide.
Herman A. Verhoef and Peter J. Morin (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- February 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199228973
- eISBN:
- 9780191711169
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199228973.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology
Community ecology is the study of the interactions between populations of coexisting species. This book provides a state of the art in theory, models and applications of community ecology, with ...
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Community ecology is the study of the interactions between populations of coexisting species. This book provides a state of the art in theory, models and applications of community ecology, with special attention to its topology, dynamics, the importance of spatial and temporal scale as well as applications to emerging problems in human-dominated ecosystems (including the restoration and reconstruction of viable communities). It adopts a mainly theoretical approach and focuses on the use of network-based theories and models which are little explored in standard community ecology textbooks. The book includes discussion of the effects of biotic invasions on natural communities, the linking of ecological network structure to empirically measured community approaches, the effects of evolution on community patterns and processes, and the integration of fundamental interactions into ecological networks. A final chapter indicates future research directions for the discipline. As such, this book provides ideal graduate seminar course material. Community Ecology will be suitable for graduate-level students as well as professional researchers in the fields of population and community ecology, network biology and theoretical ecology.Less
Community ecology is the study of the interactions between populations of coexisting species. This book provides a state of the art in theory, models and applications of community ecology, with special attention to its topology, dynamics, the importance of spatial and temporal scale as well as applications to emerging problems in human-dominated ecosystems (including the restoration and reconstruction of viable communities). It adopts a mainly theoretical approach and focuses on the use of network-based theories and models which are little explored in standard community ecology textbooks. The book includes discussion of the effects of biotic invasions on natural communities, the linking of ecological network structure to empirically measured community approaches, the effects of evolution on community patterns and processes, and the integration of fundamental interactions into ecological networks. A final chapter indicates future research directions for the discipline. As such, this book provides ideal graduate seminar course material. Community Ecology will be suitable for graduate-level students as well as professional researchers in the fields of population and community ecology, network biology and theoretical ecology.
Sharon K. Collinge and Chris Ray (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198567080
- eISBN:
- 9780191717871
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198567080.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Disease Ecology / Epidemiology
Many infectious diseases of recent concern, including malaria, cholera, plague, and Lyme disease, have emerged from complex ecological communities involving multiple hosts and their associated ...
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Many infectious diseases of recent concern, including malaria, cholera, plague, and Lyme disease, have emerged from complex ecological communities involving multiple hosts and their associated parasites. Several of these diseases appear to be influenced by human impacts on the environment, for example intensive agriculture, clear-cut forestry, and habitat loss, and fragmentation. Such environmental impacts may affect many species at trophic levels below or above the host community. Thus, the prevalence of both human and wildlife diseases may alter in unanticipated ways as a result of changes in the structure and composition of ecological communities. This book highlights exciting advances in theoretical and empirical research aimed towards a better understanding of the importance of community structure in the emergence of infectious diseases. To date, research on host-parasite systems has tended to explore only a limited set of community interactions, and little effort has been devoted to addressing complications, such as multiple-host-multiple-parasite systems; sequential hosts acting on different trophic levels; alternate hosts with spatially varying interactions; or stochastic effects resulting from small population size in at least one alternate host species. The chapters in this book illustrate aspects of community ecology that influence pathogen transmission rates and disease dynamics in a wide variety of study systems. It communicates a clear message: studies of epidemiology can be approached from the perspective of community ecology, and students of community ecology can contribute significantly to epidemiology.Less
Many infectious diseases of recent concern, including malaria, cholera, plague, and Lyme disease, have emerged from complex ecological communities involving multiple hosts and their associated parasites. Several of these diseases appear to be influenced by human impacts on the environment, for example intensive agriculture, clear-cut forestry, and habitat loss, and fragmentation. Such environmental impacts may affect many species at trophic levels below or above the host community. Thus, the prevalence of both human and wildlife diseases may alter in unanticipated ways as a result of changes in the structure and composition of ecological communities. This book highlights exciting advances in theoretical and empirical research aimed towards a better understanding of the importance of community structure in the emergence of infectious diseases. To date, research on host-parasite systems has tended to explore only a limited set of community interactions, and little effort has been devoted to addressing complications, such as multiple-host-multiple-parasite systems; sequential hosts acting on different trophic levels; alternate hosts with spatially varying interactions; or stochastic effects resulting from small population size in at least one alternate host species. The chapters in this book illustrate aspects of community ecology that influence pathogen transmission rates and disease dynamics in a wide variety of study systems. It communicates a clear message: studies of epidemiology can be approached from the perspective of community ecology, and students of community ecology can contribute significantly to epidemiology.
John D. Thompson
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198515340
- eISBN:
- 9780191705687
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198515340.003.0003
- Subject:
- Biology, Plant Sciences and Forestry
This chapter explores the biogeography of endemism and the population ecology of endemic species. The key feature of endemism is stated clearly: the majority of species have a narrow endemic ...
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This chapter explores the biogeography of endemism and the population ecology of endemic species. The key feature of endemism is stated clearly: the majority of species have a narrow endemic distribution. The diversity of endemic distribution patterns in the Mediterranean flora, and the historical and biogeographic associations of endemic plants are discussed. Endemism is examined in the context of the ecology and dynamics of the plant communities in which they occur. Finally, the ecological and biological correlates of endemism, in particular whether endemic species differ from widespread species in traits linked to ecological function and habitat occupation, are explored.Less
This chapter explores the biogeography of endemism and the population ecology of endemic species. The key feature of endemism is stated clearly: the majority of species have a narrow endemic distribution. The diversity of endemic distribution patterns in the Mediterranean flora, and the historical and biogeographic associations of endemic plants are discussed. Endemism is examined in the context of the ecology and dynamics of the plant communities in which they occur. Finally, the ecological and biological correlates of endemism, in particular whether endemic species differ from widespread species in traits linked to ecological function and habitat occupation, are explored.
Lori Lach, Catherine Parr, and Kirsti Abbott (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- February 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199544639
- eISBN:
- 9780191720192
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199544639.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology, Animal Biology
From scorching, barren deserts to humid tropical forests, from deep in the soil, to high in the tree canopies, ants are everywhere! Comprising a substantial part of living biomass on earth, ants are ...
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From scorching, barren deserts to humid tropical forests, from deep in the soil, to high in the tree canopies, ants are everywhere! Comprising a substantial part of living biomass on earth, ants are integral to the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. More than 12,000 species have been described to date, and it is estimated that perhaps as many still await classification. Their social structure provides a rich ground for exploring how division of labour affects the acquisition of resources, foraging and defensive behaviours, and coevolution with the flora and fauna with which they interact. The study of ants has led to significant advances in our understanding of insect evolution, global diversity patterns, competitive interactions, mutualisms, ecosystem's responses to change, and biological invasions. Ant Ecology explores these and other key ecological issues and new developments in myrmecology across a range of scales. The book begins with a global perspective on species diversity in time and space and explores interactions at the community level before describing the population ecology of these social insects. The final section covers the recent ecological phenomenon of invasive ants: how they move across the globe, invade, affect ecosystems, and are managed by humans. Each chapter links ant ecology to broader ecological principles, provides a succinct summary, and discusses future research directions. The Synthesis and Perspectives highlights contributions of ant ecology to ecology more broadly, and outlines promising areas for future research.Less
From scorching, barren deserts to humid tropical forests, from deep in the soil, to high in the tree canopies, ants are everywhere! Comprising a substantial part of living biomass on earth, ants are integral to the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. More than 12,000 species have been described to date, and it is estimated that perhaps as many still await classification. Their social structure provides a rich ground for exploring how division of labour affects the acquisition of resources, foraging and defensive behaviours, and coevolution with the flora and fauna with which they interact. The study of ants has led to significant advances in our understanding of insect evolution, global diversity patterns, competitive interactions, mutualisms, ecosystem's responses to change, and biological invasions. Ant Ecology explores these and other key ecological issues and new developments in myrmecology across a range of scales. The book begins with a global perspective on species diversity in time and space and explores interactions at the community level before describing the population ecology of these social insects. The final section covers the recent ecological phenomenon of invasive ants: how they move across the globe, invade, affect ecosystems, and are managed by humans. Each chapter links ant ecology to broader ecological principles, provides a succinct summary, and discusses future research directions. The Synthesis and Perspectives highlights contributions of ant ecology to ecology more broadly, and outlines promising areas for future research.
Gregory P. Cheplick and Stanley H. Faeth
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780195308082
- eISBN:
- 9780199867462
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195308082.003.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology
Symbiotic associations between plants and fungi are very common in ecological communities. In grasses, the hyphae of endophytic fungi (Family Clavicipitaceae; Tribe Balansiae) can be found growing ...
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Symbiotic associations between plants and fungi are very common in ecological communities. In grasses, the hyphae of endophytic fungi (Family Clavicipitaceae; Tribe Balansiae) can be found growing between the cells of stems, leaves, and seeds. In terms of the endophyte's effect on the host, extensive investigation has revealed that the symbioses can range from parasitism to commensalism to mutualism. Effects of the endophyte on host grasses depends greatly on environmental conditions and the genotype of host and endophyte. The ramifications of endophyte-infected grasses within natural communities are complex and involve interactions among host plants, and primary and secondary consumers. Agronomically important grasses such as Festuca and Lolium species have been the most widely studied grass-endophyte systems. The assessment of endophyte infections in host populations using histochemical, biochemical, and molecular techniques reveals that the frequency of infection varies among populations, individuals, and tillers within individuals. The relative level or intensity of infection can also vary within and among tillers, and among individual host plants within a population. Grass-endophyte symbioses have the potential to impact their associated animal and plant communities as well as the ecosystems in which they occur.Less
Symbiotic associations between plants and fungi are very common in ecological communities. In grasses, the hyphae of endophytic fungi (Family Clavicipitaceae; Tribe Balansiae) can be found growing between the cells of stems, leaves, and seeds. In terms of the endophyte's effect on the host, extensive investigation has revealed that the symbioses can range from parasitism to commensalism to mutualism. Effects of the endophyte on host grasses depends greatly on environmental conditions and the genotype of host and endophyte. The ramifications of endophyte-infected grasses within natural communities are complex and involve interactions among host plants, and primary and secondary consumers. Agronomically important grasses such as Festuca and Lolium species have been the most widely studied grass-endophyte systems. The assessment of endophyte infections in host populations using histochemical, biochemical, and molecular techniques reveals that the frequency of infection varies among populations, individuals, and tillers within individuals. The relative level or intensity of infection can also vary within and among tillers, and among individual host plants within a population. Grass-endophyte symbioses have the potential to impact their associated animal and plant communities as well as the ecosystems in which they occur.
Nils Chr. Stenseth, Geir Ottersen, James W. Hurrell, and Andrea Belgrano (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198507499
- eISBN:
- 9780191709845
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198507499.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Aquatic Biology
This book focuses on the influence of climate variability on the marine ecosystems of the North Atlantic. The ecological impact of climate variability on population dynamics is addressed at the full ...
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This book focuses on the influence of climate variability on the marine ecosystems of the North Atlantic. The ecological impact of climate variability on population dynamics is addressed at the full range of trophic levels, from phytoplankton through zooplankton and fish to marine birds. Climate effects on biodiversity and community structure are also examined. The book discusses what is currently known about how climate affects the ecological systems of the North Atlantic, and then places these insights within a broader ecological perspective. Many of the general features of the North Atlantic region are also seen in other marine ecosystems as well as terrestrial and freshwater systems. The final section of the book makes these generalities more explicit, so as to stimulate communication and promote co-operation amongst researchers who may previously have worked in semi-isolation. The book comprises five main sections: background (general introduction, atmospheric and ocean climate of the North Atlantic, and modelling methodology), plankton populations (phytoplankton and zooplankton), fish and seabird populations, community ecology (phytoplankton, benthos and fish), and the final section consisting of six commentaries from scientists working in areas outside the North Atlantic marine sector. In order to enhance integration, a series of introductions link chapters and sections. Throughout the book, numerous examples highlight different aspects of ecology-climate interactions. They document recent progress and illustrate the challenges of trying to understand ecological processes and patterns in the light of climate variations.Less
This book focuses on the influence of climate variability on the marine ecosystems of the North Atlantic. The ecological impact of climate variability on population dynamics is addressed at the full range of trophic levels, from phytoplankton through zooplankton and fish to marine birds. Climate effects on biodiversity and community structure are also examined. The book discusses what is currently known about how climate affects the ecological systems of the North Atlantic, and then places these insights within a broader ecological perspective. Many of the general features of the North Atlantic region are also seen in other marine ecosystems as well as terrestrial and freshwater systems. The final section of the book makes these generalities more explicit, so as to stimulate communication and promote co-operation amongst researchers who may previously have worked in semi-isolation. The book comprises five main sections: background (general introduction, atmospheric and ocean climate of the North Atlantic, and modelling methodology), plankton populations (phytoplankton and zooplankton), fish and seabird populations, community ecology (phytoplankton, benthos and fish), and the final section consisting of six commentaries from scientists working in areas outside the North Atlantic marine sector. In order to enhance integration, a series of introductions link chapters and sections. Throughout the book, numerous examples highlight different aspects of ecology-climate interactions. They document recent progress and illustrate the challenges of trying to understand ecological processes and patterns in the light of climate variations.
D. Dudley Williams
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198528128
- eISBN:
- 9780191713538
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198528128.003.0006
- Subject:
- Biology, Aquatic Biology
This chapter describes the very prominent succession of species that characterizes the communities living in temporary waters. It examines the important biological factors that influence these ...
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This chapter describes the very prominent succession of species that characterizes the communities living in temporary waters. It examines the important biological factors that influence these communities, particularly colonization dynamics and competition. Conceptually, temporary waters are explored as islands in space and time. The chapter concludes with an in depth consideration of foodweb dynamics of communities among different habitat types and along a hydroperiod gradient, seeking to determine whether these habitats exhibit trophic continua or disjunct phases.Less
This chapter describes the very prominent succession of species that characterizes the communities living in temporary waters. It examines the important biological factors that influence these communities, particularly colonization dynamics and competition. Conceptually, temporary waters are explored as islands in space and time. The chapter concludes with an in depth consideration of foodweb dynamics of communities among different habitat types and along a hydroperiod gradient, seeking to determine whether these habitats exhibit trophic continua or disjunct phases.
Sam P. Brown, Jean-Baptiste André, Jean-Baptiste Ferdy, and Bernard Godelle
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198529873
- eISBN:
- 9780191712777
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198529873.003.0010
- Subject:
- Biology, Disease Ecology / Epidemiology
This chapter argues that parasite-induced changes in host phenotypes can have a dramatic impact on the community structure of their free-living hosts. It begins with a review of host-manipulation ...
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This chapter argues that parasite-induced changes in host phenotypes can have a dramatic impact on the community structure of their free-living hosts. It begins with a review of host-manipulation literature, illustrating how parasites can modify their host phenotypes in dramatic ways. It then considers two generic examples of host manipulation: parasite-induced susceptibility to predation (PISP) and parasite-induced castration (PIC), and develops simple population-dynamical models of the consequences of PISP and PIC on communities (host plus two predators for PISP, host plus competitor for PIC). Finally, the chapter highlights how the simple model results are likely to have parallels in a range of empirical systems, offering an agenda for future theoretical and empirical research.Less
This chapter argues that parasite-induced changes in host phenotypes can have a dramatic impact on the community structure of their free-living hosts. It begins with a review of host-manipulation literature, illustrating how parasites can modify their host phenotypes in dramatic ways. It then considers two generic examples of host manipulation: parasite-induced susceptibility to predation (PISP) and parasite-induced castration (PIC), and develops simple population-dynamical models of the consequences of PISP and PIC on communities (host plus two predators for PISP, host plus competitor for PIC). Finally, the chapter highlights how the simple model results are likely to have parallels in a range of empirical systems, offering an agenda for future theoretical and empirical research.
Walter K. Dodds
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780520260405
- eISBN:
- 9780520944541
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of California Press
- DOI:
- 10.1525/california/9780520260405.003.0004
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology
This chapter presents some questions leading to patterns that can be used for predictive ecological science. It describes the utility of empirical and mechanistic models, neutral models, and natural ...
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This chapter presents some questions leading to patterns that can be used for predictive ecological science. It describes the utility of empirical and mechanistic models, neutral models, and natural history in predictive ecology. The questions of scaling and fractal approaches to ecology are also related to how scientists can deal with spatial and temporal scales across which organisms operate. Finally, it addresses some questions related to patterns in community ecology.Less
This chapter presents some questions leading to patterns that can be used for predictive ecological science. It describes the utility of empirical and mechanistic models, neutral models, and natural history in predictive ecology. The questions of scaling and fractal approaches to ecology are also related to how scientists can deal with spatial and temporal scales across which organisms operate. Finally, it addresses some questions related to patterns in community ecology.
Michio Kondoh
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198564836
- eISBN:
- 9780191713828
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198564836.003.0012
- Subject:
- Biology, Aquatic Biology
How do diverse species coexist in the complex networks of prey-predator interactions in nature? While most theoretical models predict that complex food webs do not persist, recent empirical studies ...
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How do diverse species coexist in the complex networks of prey-predator interactions in nature? While most theoretical models predict that complex food webs do not persist, recent empirical studies have revealed the very complex structure of natural food webs. This discrepancy between theory and observation implies that essential factors stabilizing natural food webs are lacking from previous models. This chapter reviews these studies on food web complexity and its community-level consequences. It contends that the architectural flexibility arising from foraging adaptation of consumer species is key to explaining linkage patterns and persistent mechanisms of complex food webs. A novel hypothesis is presented, which relates the complexity-stability relationship to evolutionarily history of the community.Less
How do diverse species coexist in the complex networks of prey-predator interactions in nature? While most theoretical models predict that complex food webs do not persist, recent empirical studies have revealed the very complex structure of natural food webs. This discrepancy between theory and observation implies that essential factors stabilizing natural food webs are lacking from previous models. This chapter reviews these studies on food web complexity and its community-level consequences. It contends that the architectural flexibility arising from foraging adaptation of consumer species is key to explaining linkage patterns and persistent mechanisms of complex food webs. A novel hypothesis is presented, which relates the complexity-stability relationship to evolutionarily history of the community.
Mark A. McPeek
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- May 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780691088778
- eISBN:
- 9781400888214
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691088778.003.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
This book investigates how local and regional patterns of community structure develop across space and through time by focusing on the theoretical interrelationships among community ecology, ...
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This book investigates how local and regional patterns of community structure develop across space and through time by focusing on the theoretical interrelationships among community ecology, evolutionary adaptation, dispersal, and speciation and extinction. It discusses the purely ecological dynamics of interacting species in different community modules, how species in simple community modules evolve to adapt to one another, and how speciation and biogeographic mixing of taxa influence local community structure. It also examines community mixing due to climate change and how regional community structure is shaped by the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of species across a metacommunity. This introduction provides an overview of the evolutionary trajectories of various species in the context of ecological opportunity and community ecology, aggregated taxa in the trophic web, types of species found in a community, sources of biodiversity in a community, and the dynamics of natural selection, coevolution, and community structure.Less
This book investigates how local and regional patterns of community structure develop across space and through time by focusing on the theoretical interrelationships among community ecology, evolutionary adaptation, dispersal, and speciation and extinction. It discusses the purely ecological dynamics of interacting species in different community modules, how species in simple community modules evolve to adapt to one another, and how speciation and biogeographic mixing of taxa influence local community structure. It also examines community mixing due to climate change and how regional community structure is shaped by the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of species across a metacommunity. This introduction provides an overview of the evolutionary trajectories of various species in the context of ecological opportunity and community ecology, aggregated taxa in the trophic web, types of species found in a community, sources of biodiversity in a community, and the dynamics of natural selection, coevolution, and community structure.
James G. Sanderson and Stuart L. Pimm
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- May 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780226292724
- eISBN:
- 9780226292861
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226292861.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Biodiversity / Conservation Biology
This book is about the identification and interpretation of nature’s large-scale patterns of species co-occurrence and what we can deduce from them about how nature works. We present Diamond’s ...
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This book is about the identification and interpretation of nature’s large-scale patterns of species co-occurrence and what we can deduce from them about how nature works. We present Diamond’s assembly rules. He suggested that similar species avoid each other, choosing different islands or, on large islands, different elevations within an island, for no better explanation than to avoid each other. Diamond concentrated on birds in two island groups off New Guinea—the Solomons and the Bismarcks. Diamond’s ideaswere vigorously challenged by those who suggested the patterns were simply chance occurrences. In a series of papers, some argued that Diamond’s assembly rules were poorly constructed and that, moreover, his observations did not support them. Certainly, critics made an important contribution to the study of ecological patterns by requiring observed distributions to be compared to carefully constructed null hypotheses. Developing appropriate statistical methods to analyze these patterns in nature is difficult, though it is now a solved problem. We confirm patterns of mutual exclusivity in some island groups, though not all. Finally, we extend these ideas to species along elevational gradients and to applications involving food webs.Less
This book is about the identification and interpretation of nature’s large-scale patterns of species co-occurrence and what we can deduce from them about how nature works. We present Diamond’s assembly rules. He suggested that similar species avoid each other, choosing different islands or, on large islands, different elevations within an island, for no better explanation than to avoid each other. Diamond concentrated on birds in two island groups off New Guinea—the Solomons and the Bismarcks. Diamond’s ideaswere vigorously challenged by those who suggested the patterns were simply chance occurrences. In a series of papers, some argued that Diamond’s assembly rules were poorly constructed and that, moreover, his observations did not support them. Certainly, critics made an important contribution to the study of ecological patterns by requiring observed distributions to be compared to carefully constructed null hypotheses. Developing appropriate statistical methods to analyze these patterns in nature is difficult, though it is now a solved problem. We confirm patterns of mutual exclusivity in some island groups, though not all. Finally, we extend these ideas to species along elevational gradients and to applications involving food webs.
Paul Schmid-Hempel
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- December 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199229482
- eISBN:
- 9780191774744
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199229482.003.0014
- Subject:
- Biology, Disease Ecology / Epidemiology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
This chapter discusses how ecology and ecological communities affect both the life-history and evolution of the parasite and the host. Ecological communities consist of populations of different ...
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This chapter discusses how ecology and ecological communities affect both the life-history and evolution of the parasite and the host. Ecological communities consist of populations of different species. Community ecology is an active area of ecological research that makes inquiries such as: what processes might be responsible for the coexistence, or mutual exclusion of species, and how can the number of species and the diversity of a community be explained? The chapter goes into the ecological communities of parasites, or parasite ecology, which have equivalent properties to those of hosts. The difference, however, is that only hosts represent a suitable environment for a parasite. The chapter looks at the characteristics of parasite communities, such as the ‘compound parasite community’, which is the community of all parasites in a given ecosystem.Less
This chapter discusses how ecology and ecological communities affect both the life-history and evolution of the parasite and the host. Ecological communities consist of populations of different species. Community ecology is an active area of ecological research that makes inquiries such as: what processes might be responsible for the coexistence, or mutual exclusion of species, and how can the number of species and the diversity of a community be explained? The chapter goes into the ecological communities of parasites, or parasite ecology, which have equivalent properties to those of hosts. The difference, however, is that only hosts represent a suitable environment for a parasite. The chapter looks at the characteristics of parasite communities, such as the ‘compound parasite community’, which is the community of all parasites in a given ecosystem.
Andrew R. Solow
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198564836
- eISBN:
- 9780191713828
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198564836.003.0007
- Subject:
- Biology, Aquatic Biology
This chapter focuses on the formal statistical analysis of community food webs. Among the issues covered are testing for hypothesized regularities (e.g., constant connectance) in a collection of food ...
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This chapter focuses on the formal statistical analysis of community food webs. Among the issues covered are testing for hypothesized regularities (e.g., constant connectance) in a collection of food webs and fitting and testing parametric models (e.g., the cascade model). The analysis of partially observed food webs is also covered.Less
This chapter focuses on the formal statistical analysis of community food webs. Among the issues covered are testing for hypothesized regularities (e.g., constant connectance) in a collection of food webs and fitting and testing parametric models (e.g., the cascade model). The analysis of partially observed food webs is also covered.
Alfonso Valiente-Banuet and Héctor Godínez-Alvarez
- Published in print:
- 2002
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780520231573
- eISBN:
- 9780520927889
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of California Press
- DOI:
- 10.1525/california/9780520231573.003.0006
- Subject:
- Biology, Plant Sciences and Forestry
Cacti show considerable diversity of life form in tropical and subtropical America. Species diversity increases considerably toward the tropics, Mexico being the most important center, with 850 ...
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Cacti show considerable diversity of life form in tropical and subtropical America. Species diversity increases considerably toward the tropics, Mexico being the most important center, with 850 species and 54 genera. This chapter considers the key aspects in the population and community ecology of cacti. It examines how abiotic and biotic factors interact to influence the distribution and abundance of a particular species, leading to particular survivorship, fecundity, growth patterns, and groups of species, with an emphasis on the maintenance of biodiversity. To understand the population dynamics of cacti, the relative importance of abiotic and biotic factors should be assessed. The chapter also analyzes the geomorphic history of the localities in which populations of cacti occur to understand population dynamics at the landscape level.Less
Cacti show considerable diversity of life form in tropical and subtropical America. Species diversity increases considerably toward the tropics, Mexico being the most important center, with 850 species and 54 genera. This chapter considers the key aspects in the population and community ecology of cacti. It examines how abiotic and biotic factors interact to influence the distribution and abundance of a particular species, leading to particular survivorship, fecundity, growth patterns, and groups of species, with an emphasis on the maintenance of biodiversity. To understand the population dynamics of cacti, the relative importance of abiotic and biotic factors should be assessed. The chapter also analyzes the geomorphic history of the localities in which populations of cacti occur to understand population dynamics at the landscape level.
