Ecological theory of mutualism: Robust patterns of stability and thresholds in two-species population models

被引:14
|
作者
Hale, Kayla R. S. [1 ]
Valdovinos, Fernanda S. [2 ]
机构
[1] Univ Michigan, Dept Ecol & Evolutionary Biol, Biol Sci Bldg,1105 North Univ Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
[2] Univ Calif Davis, Dept Environm Sci & Policy, Wickson Hall,One Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616 USA
来源
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION | 2021年 / 11卷 / 24期
基金
美国国家科学基金会;
关键词
Allee effect; consumer-resource; cost-benefit; density-dependence; density-independence; dynamics; functional response; mutualism; overexploitation; stability; thresholds; DENSITY-DEPENDENCE; MIXED POPULATIONS; PREDATOR-PREY; DYNAMICS; PLANT; ANTS; BIODIVERSITY; PERSISTENCE; COMPETITION; RESPONSES;
D O I
10.1002/ece3.8453
中图分类号
Q14 [生态学(生物生态学)];
学科分类号
071012 ; 0713 ;
摘要
Mutualisms are ubiquitous in nature, provide important ecosystem services, and involve many species of interest for conservation. Theoretical progress on the population dynamics of mutualistic interactions, however, comparatively lagged behind that of trophic and competitive interactions, leading to the impression that ecologists still lack a generalized framework to investigate the population dynamics of mutualisms. Yet, over the last 90 years, abundant theoretical work has accumulated, ranging from abstract to detailed. Here, we review and synthesize historical models of two-species mutualisms. We find that population dynamics of mutualisms are qualitatively robust across derivations, including levels of detail, types of benefit, and inspiring systems. Specifically, mutualisms tend to exhibit stable coexistence at high density and destabilizing thresholds at low density. These dynamics emerge when benefits of mutualism saturate, whether due to intrinsic or extrinsic density dependence in intraspecific processes, interspecific processes, or both. We distinguish between thresholds resulting from Allee effects, low partner density, and high partner density, and their mathematical and conceptual causes. Our synthesis suggests that there exists a robust population dynamic theory of mutualism that can make general predictions.
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页码:17651 / 17671
页数:21
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