Multispecies interactions: causes and effects of species fluctuations in space and time

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

One of the most perplexing challenges to understanding biodiversity lies in determining the importance of fluctuations in species abundances through time and space. Scientists have shown that species-specific fluctuations are necessary to maintain diversity, yet fluctuations are known to contribute to species extinctions. Moreover, most species occur in spatially patchy habitats, which are prone to large fluctuations. Reconciling the opposing consequences of fluctuations requires identifying processes that drive fluctuations, determining when and how these processes dominate ecological dynamics, and understanding why different processes lead to divergent outcomes.