Ecological theory of mutualism: Robust patterns of stability and thresholds in two‐species population models
Abstract Mutualisms are ubiquitous in nature, provide important ecosystem services, and involve many species of interest for conservation. Theoretical progress on the population dynamics of mutualistic interactions, however, comparatively lagged behind that of trophic and competitive interactions, l...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2021-12-01
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| Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8453 |
| _version_ | 1818369501233676288 |
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| author | Kayla R. S. Hale Fernanda S. Valdovinos |
| author_facet | Kayla R. S. Hale Fernanda S. Valdovinos |
| author_sort | Kayla R. S. Hale |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Mutualisms are ubiquitous in nature, provide important ecosystem services, and involve many species of interest for conservation. Theoretical progress on the population dynamics of mutualistic interactions, however, comparatively lagged behind that of trophic and competitive interactions, leading to the impression that ecologists still lack a generalized framework to investigate the population dynamics of mutualisms. Yet, over the last 90 years, abundant theoretical work has accumulated, ranging from abstract to detailed. Here, we review and synthesize historical models of two‐species mutualisms. We find that population dynamics of mutualisms are qualitatively robust across derivations, including levels of detail, types of benefit, and inspiring systems. Specifically, mutualisms tend to exhibit stable coexistence at high density and destabilizing thresholds at low density. These dynamics emerge when benefits of mutualism saturate, whether due to intrinsic or extrinsic density dependence in intraspecific processes, interspecific processes, or both. We distinguish between thresholds resulting from Allee effects, low partner density, and high partner density, and their mathematical and conceptual causes. Our synthesis suggests that there exists a robust population dynamic theory of mutualism that can make general predictions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T23:24:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2767ce6f44fb49b7b6066feb1861a95f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-7758 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T23:24:51Z |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj.art-2767ce6f44fb49b7b6066feb1861a95f2022-12-21T23:27:34ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582021-12-011124176511767110.1002/ece3.8453Ecological theory of mutualism: Robust patterns of stability and thresholds in two‐species population modelsKayla R. S. Hale0Fernanda S. Valdovinos1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan USADepartment of Environmental Science and Policy University of California Davis California USAAbstract Mutualisms are ubiquitous in nature, provide important ecosystem services, and involve many species of interest for conservation. Theoretical progress on the population dynamics of mutualistic interactions, however, comparatively lagged behind that of trophic and competitive interactions, leading to the impression that ecologists still lack a generalized framework to investigate the population dynamics of mutualisms. Yet, over the last 90 years, abundant theoretical work has accumulated, ranging from abstract to detailed. Here, we review and synthesize historical models of two‐species mutualisms. We find that population dynamics of mutualisms are qualitatively robust across derivations, including levels of detail, types of benefit, and inspiring systems. Specifically, mutualisms tend to exhibit stable coexistence at high density and destabilizing thresholds at low density. These dynamics emerge when benefits of mutualism saturate, whether due to intrinsic or extrinsic density dependence in intraspecific processes, interspecific processes, or both. We distinguish between thresholds resulting from Allee effects, low partner density, and high partner density, and their mathematical and conceptual causes. Our synthesis suggests that there exists a robust population dynamic theory of mutualism that can make general predictions.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8453Allee effectconsumer‐resourcecost‐benefitdensity‐dependencedensity‐independencedynamics |
| spellingShingle | Kayla R. S. Hale Fernanda S. Valdovinos Ecological theory of mutualism: Robust patterns of stability and thresholds in two‐species population models Ecology and Evolution Allee effect consumer‐resource cost‐benefit density‐dependence density‐independence dynamics |
| title | Ecological theory of mutualism: Robust patterns of stability and thresholds in two‐species population models |
| title_full | Ecological theory of mutualism: Robust patterns of stability and thresholds in two‐species population models |
| title_fullStr | Ecological theory of mutualism: Robust patterns of stability and thresholds in two‐species population models |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ecological theory of mutualism: Robust patterns of stability and thresholds in two‐species population models |
| title_short | Ecological theory of mutualism: Robust patterns of stability and thresholds in two‐species population models |
| title_sort | ecological theory of mutualism robust patterns of stability and thresholds in two species population models |
| topic | Allee effect consumer‐resource cost‐benefit density‐dependence density‐independence dynamics |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8453 |
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