L10 - Trophic networks Flashcards
Define the term ecological network.
A network of interactions where nodes are individuals, guilds, populations and there are different types of interactions between the nodes.
What are some examples of different types of networks?
- Mutualistic -> ++, eg plant pollinator
- Competition -> –, eg microbe microbe
- Trophic -> -+, food webs
- Behavioural -> all variations, eg social networks in and beyond groups.
What is hypothesized to have started the consumer resource interactions?
Great oxidation event.
What are modules?
Groups of few interconnected nodes.
What are motifs?
Modules frequently seen together.
How do modules fall into the concept of evolution?
They may be selected for or deselected depending on whether they increase or decrease the stability of the network. Species that are within deselected modules may have a higher chance of going extinct.
Define network/system stability.
If a species is able to recover after a disruption.
Define network/system resilience.
How well it is able to buffer and absorb disturbances (more resilient = less of an impact on the networks/species).
Define a generalist within a trophic network.
A species that is able to consume more than one resource, not ‘picky’.
How are microbial networks put into the context of trophic networks?
How metabolic byproducts of one microbe are consumed by another.
What relationship is there between size and trophic level?
Trophic level increases with the size of the organism.
How do nutrition needs adjust with higher trophic levels?
More nutrition needed in higher trophic levels as energy is lost throughout trophic levels.
What is resource competition?
When there are 2 consumers for 1 resource.
What is apparent competition?
When there is 1 consumer for 2 resources.
Why do we need a metabolic basis to fully understand the characteristics of trophic networks?
Effect of dynamics within individuals within species (body size, body size difference, temperature and nutrients) all affect community assembly and system resilience and stability.
what was the conclusion of Darwins Gedanken experiment
every ecosystem is more than the sum of its parts because of underlying interaction networks
