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Cited by 138Mathematical and Theoretical Epidemiology and Ecology ModelsEcosystem dynamics and resilienceEcology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 70 of the 72 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Self-regulation and the stability of large ecological networks

Open access
Barabás, György, Michalska-Smith, Matthew J., Allesina, Stefano·2017·Nature Ecology & Evolution
DOI 10.1038/s41559-017-0357-6
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Abstract

The stability of complex ecological networks depends both on the interactions between species and the direct effects of the species on themselves. These self-effects are known as 'self-regulation' when an increase in a species' abundance decreases its per-capita growth rate. Sources of self-regulation include intraspecific interference, cannibalism, time-scale separation between consumers and their resources, spatial heterogeneity and nonlinear functional responses coupling predators with their prey. The influence of self-regulation on network stability is understudied and in addition, the empirical estimation of self-effects poses a formidable challenge. Here, we show that empirical food web structures cannot be stabilized unless the majority of species exhibit substantially strong self-regulation. We also derive an analytical formula predicting the effect of self-regulation on network stability with high accuracy and show that even for random networks, as well as networks with a cascade structure, stability requires negative self-effects for a large proportion of species. These results suggest that the aforementioned potential mechanisms of self-regulation are probably more important in contributing to the stability of observed ecological networks than was previously thought.

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Crossref · 10.1038/s41559-017-0357-6

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Pimm, S. L. Food Webs (Univ. of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL, 2002).
  2. Chesson, P. in Ecological Systems: Selected Entries from the Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology (ed. Leemans, R.) Ch. 13 (Springer, New York, 2013).

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Metadata

Authors
Barabás, G., Michalska-Smith, M. J., & Allesina, S.
Affiliations
Linköping University (SE)
Corresponding author
Barabás, György
ORCID
Venue
Nature Ecology & Evolution
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2017-10-23
Volume
1
Issue
12
Pages
1870-1875
ISSN
2397-334X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1038/s41559-017-0357-6
OpenAlex
W2766879503
Cited by
138
References
72
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 2
FWCI
8.47
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Nature Ecology & Evolution (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • KTH Publication Database DiVA (KTH Royal Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Applied Mathematics › Mathematical and Theoretical Epidemiology and Ecology Models
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Ecosystem dynamics and resilience
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
Keywords
self-regulation, food webs, intraspecific interference, cannibalism, time-scale separation, spatial heterogeneity, predator-prey interactions, random networks, cascaded networks, per capita growth
MeSH terms
Models, Biological, Population Dynamics, Food Chain

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