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Ecosystem ecology: size-based constraints on the pyramids of life
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 11:51 authored by Rowan TrebilcoRowan Trebilco, Baum, JK, Salomon, AK, Dulvy, NKBiomass distribution and energy flow in ecosystems are traditionally described with trophic pyramids, and increasingly with size spectra, particularly in aquatic ecosystems. Here, we show that these methods are equivalent and interchangeable representations of the same information. Although pyramids are visually intuitive, explicitly linking them to size spectra connects pyramids to metabolic and size-based theory, and illuminates size-based constraints on pyramid shape. We show that bottom-heavy pyramids should predominate in the real world, whereas top-heavy pyramids indicate overestimation of predator abundance or energy subsidies. Making the link to ecological pyramids establishes size spectra as a central concept in ecosystem ecology, and provides a powerful framework both for understanding baseline expectations of community structure and for evaluating future scenarios under climate change and exploitation.
History
Publication title
Trends in Ecology and EvolutionVolume
28Issue
7Pagination
423-431ISSN
0169-5347Department/School
Institute for Marine and Antarctic StudiesPublisher
Elsevier Science LondonPlace of publication
84 Theobalds Rd, London, England, Wc1X 8RrRights statement
?© 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Repository Status
- Restricted