Coevolution increases robustness to extinctions in mutualistic but not exploitative communities.
Authors: Pedraza, F., Gawecka, K.A., Bascompte, J.
Journal: Ecology
Publication Date: 03/2025
Volume: 106
Issue: 3
Pages: e70044
eISSN: 1939-9170
DOI: 10.1002/ecy.70044
Abstract:Coextinctions may exacerbate the current biodiversity crisis. Yet, we do not understand all the factors that shape the robustness of communities to the loss of species. Here we analyze how coevolution influences the robustness to secondary extinctions of mutualistic and exploitative communities. We find that coevolution increases robustness in mutualism but reduces it under exploitative interactions. These differences are due to coevolution altering the density of interactions in communities. Coevolution leads to densely connected mutualistic communities and sparsely connected exploitative communities. We find the magnitude of these effects depends on the strength of coevolution and the size of the community. The largest changes to the density of interactions and robustness of communities occur when coevolutionary selection is strong. Moreover, the changes to network robustness are greater for small mutualistic communities and large exploitative communities. Our results broaden our understanding of the suite of mechanisms affecting the resilience of ecological communities. These insights may inform efforts to reduce the risk of species loss in the face of global change.
Source: PubMed
Coevolution increases robustness to extinctions in mutualistic but not exploitative communities
Authors: Pedraza, F., Gawecka, K.A., Bascompte, J.
Journal: ECOLOGY
Publication Date: 03/03/2025
Volume: 106
Issue: 3
eISSN: 1939-9170
ISSN: 0012-9658
DOI: 10.1002/ecy.70044
Source: Web of Science
Coevolution increases robustness to extinctions in mutualistic but not exploitative communities.
Authors: Pedraza, F., Gawecka, K.A., Bascompte, J.
Journal: Ecology
Publication Date: 03/2025
Volume: 106
Issue: 3
Pages: e70044
eISSN: 1939-9170
ISSN: 1939-9170
DOI: 10.1002/ecy.70044
Abstract:Coextinctions may exacerbate the current biodiversity crisis. Yet, we do not understand all the factors that shape the robustness of communities to the loss of species. Here we analyze how coevolution influences the robustness to secondary extinctions of mutualistic and exploitative communities. We find that coevolution increases robustness in mutualism but reduces it under exploitative interactions. These differences are due to coevolution altering the density of interactions in communities. Coevolution leads to densely connected mutualistic communities and sparsely connected exploitative communities. We find the magnitude of these effects depends on the strength of coevolution and the size of the community. The largest changes to the density of interactions and robustness of communities occur when coevolutionary selection is strong. Moreover, the changes to network robustness are greater for small mutualistic communities and large exploitative communities. Our results broaden our understanding of the suite of mechanisms affecting the resilience of ecological communities. These insights may inform efforts to reduce the risk of species loss in the face of global change.
Source: Europe PubMed Central