In: Ecosphere, 2016, vol. 7, no. 11, p. e01599
A theoretical analysis of density-dependent population dynamics in two patches sheds novel light on our understanding of basic ecological parameters. Firstly, as already highlighted in the literature, the use of the traditional r-K parameterization for the logistic equation (due to Lotka and Gause) can lead to paradoxical situations. We show that these problems do not exist with Verhulst's...
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In: Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 2015, vol. 30, no. 7, p. 417–425
Much of the focus in evolutionary biology has been on the adaptive differentiation among organisms. It is equally important to understand the processes that result in similarities of structure among systems. Here, we discuss examples of similarities occurring at different ecological scales, from predator–prey relations (attack rates and handling times) through communities (food-web structures)...
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In: New Phytologist, 2012, vol. 194, no. 3, p. 859–867
A high ability of alien plant species to capitalize on increases in resource availability has been suggested as an explanation for being globally successful. Here, we tested this hypothesis meta-analytically using existing data from experiments manipulating plant resources (light, water and nutrients).From these studies we extracted the response to resource increase of biomass, as an indicator of...
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In: PLOS Computational Biology, 2018, vol. 14, no. 2, p. e1005988
The consensus that complexity begets stability in ecosystems was challenged in the seventies, a result recently extended to ecologically-inspired networks. The approaches assume the existence of a feasible equilibrium, i.e. with positive abundances. However, this key assumption has not been tested. We provide analytical results complemented by simulations which show that equilibrium...
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In: Biological Invasions, 2020, vol. 22, no. 6, p. 1997–2016
Two contradictory hypotheses have been put forth to forecast alien invasiveness: being either functionally similar, or dissimilar, to resident natives along environmental gradients. The ‘try-harder’ hypothesis predicts that alien plants will be functionally dissimilar to natives and should thus exhibit exaggerated trait values when compared to natives in respect to resource extraction or...
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In: Ecosphere, 2014, vol. 5, no. 2, p. art18
Declining plant species richness in agro-ecosystems and thus reduced habitat quality can have cascading effects on ecosystem functioning, leading to reduced pollination and biological control. Here we test if plant diversity can affect arthropod diversity and abundance on a very small scale, manipulating plant species richness (2, 6, 12 and 20 sown species) in small adjacent subplots (6 × 9 m)...
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In: Journal of Animal Ecology, 2013, vol. 82, no. 6, p. 1203–1214
Understanding the environmental factors that structure biodiversity and food webs among communities is central to assess and mitigate the impact of landscape changes. Wildflower strips are ecological compensation areas established in farmland to increase pollination services and biological control of crop pests and to conserve insect diversity. They are arranged in networks in order to favour...
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In: Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 2018, vol. 33, no. 4, p. 287–300
The quest for understanding how species interactions modulate diversity has progressed by theoretical and empirical advances following niche and network theories. Yet, niche studies have been limited to describe coexistence within tropic levels despite incorporating information about multi-trophic interactions. Network approaches could address this limitation, but they have ignored the...
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In: Biological Control, 2020, vol. 140, p. 104106
Pollen beetles (Brassicogethes spp.) are a major pest in colza (Brassica napus L., also known as oilseed rape) and show increasing resistance to commonly used insecticides. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) such as Beauveria bassiana have potential as a sustainable alternative means of control. However, field applications of fungal spores targeting the immigrated beetles on the crop have not been...
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In: Biologial Review, 2012, vol. 87, no. 4, p. 769-785
Ecophylogenetics can be viewed as an emerging fusion of ecology, biogeography and macroevolution. This new and fast-growing field is promoting the incorporation of evolution and historical contingencies into the ecological research agenda through the widespread use of phylogenetic data. Including phylogeny into ecological thinking represents an opportunity for biologists from different fields...
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