The dynamics of spatially coupled food webs.

McCann, K. S.; Rasmussen, J. B.; Umbanhowar, J.

doi:10.1111/j.1461-0248.2005.00742.x

Cited by 648Mathematical and Theoretical Epidemiology and Ecology ModelsEcology and Vegetation Dynamics StudiesAnimal Ecology and Behavior Studies

The dynamics of spatially coupled food webs.

McCann, K. S., Rasmussen, J. B., Umbanhowar, J.·2005·Ecology Letters

DOI 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2005.00742.x

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Abstract

The dynamics of ecological systems include a bewildering number of biotic interactions that unfold over a vast range of spatial scales. Here, employing simple and general empirical arguments concerning the nature of movement, trophic position and behaviour we outline a general theory concerning the role of space and food web structure on food web stability. We argue that consumers link food webs in space and that this spatial structure combined with relatively rapid behavioural responses by consumers can strongly influence the dynamics of food webs. Employing simple spatially implicit food web models, we show that large mobile consumers are inordinately important in determining the stability, or lack of it, in ecosystems. More specifically, this theory suggests that mobile higher order organisms are potent stabilizers when embedded in a variable, and expansive spatial structure. However, when space is compressed and higher order consumers strongly couple local habitats then mobile consumers can have an inordinate destabilizing effect. Preliminary empirical arguments show consistency with this general theory.

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A theoretical study with a dynamical model suggests that this type of structure may contribute to stability in the sense of the persistence of species.
“A theoretical study with a dynamical model suggests that this type of structure may contribute to ‘stability’ in the sense of the persistence of species [49].”
From Spatial Guilds in the Serengeti Food Web Revealed by a Bayesian Group Model (2011) · cites this paper as [49]

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Authors: McCann, K. S., Rasmussen, J. B., & Umbanhowar, J.
Affiliations: University of Lethbridge (CA)
University of Guelph (CA)
Corresponding author: McCann, K. S.
ORCID: McCann, K. S.
Rasmussen, J. B.
Umbanhowar, J.
Venue: Ecology Letters
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2005-03-30
Volume: 8
Issue: 5
Pages: 513-523
ISSN: 1461-023X (ISSN-L)
1461-0248
DOI: 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2005.00742.x
OpenAlex: W2116044661
Cited by: 648
References: 64
Citations by year: 2026: 16 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 44 · 2022: 29 · 2021: 42 · 2020: 38 · 2019: 44 · 2018: 43 · 2017: 39 · 2016: 26 · 2015: 35 · 2014: 28 · 2013: 31 · 2012: 20
FWCI: 19.22
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations: Ecology Letters (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Mathematical and Theoretical Epidemiology and Ecology Models
Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
Keywords: food web stability, consumer movement, mobile consumers, trophic position, behavioral responses, spatial structure, ecosystem dynamics

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The dynamics of spatially coupled food webs.

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