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- Title
SIMPLE TROPHIC MODULES FOR COMPLEX FOOD WEBS.
- Authors
Bascompte, Jordi; Melián, Carlos J.
- Abstract
There are two common approaches to food webs. On the one hand, empirical studies have described aggregate statistical measures of many-species food webs. On the other hand, theoretical studies have explored the dynamic properties of simple tri-trophic food chains (i.e., trophic modules). The question remains to what extent results based on simple modules are relevant for whole food webs. Here we bridge between these two independent research agendas by exploring the relative frequency of different trophic modules in the five most resolved food webs. While apparent competition and intraguild predation are overrepresented when compared to a suite of null models, the frequency of omnivory highly varies across communities. Inferences about the representation of modules may also depend on the null model used for statistical significance.
- Subjects
FOOD chains; STATISTICS; ANIMAL feeding behavior; NULL models (Ecology); BIOLOGICAL productivity; ECOLOGY
- Publication
Ecology, 2005, Vol 86, Issue 11, p2868
- ISSN
0012-9658
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1890/05-0101