Network ecology in dynamic landscapes

Network ecology is an emerging field that allows researchers to conceptualize and analyse ecological networks and their dynamics. Here, we focus on the dynamics of ecological networks in response to environmental changes. Specifically, we formalize how network topologies constrain the dynamics of ecological systems into a unifying framework in network ecology that we refer to as the 'ecological network dynamics framework'. This framework stresses that the interplay between species interaction networks and the spatial layout of habitat patches is key to identifying which network properties (number and weights of nodes and links) and trade-offs among them are needed to maintain species interactions in dynamic landscapes. We conclude that to be functional, ecological networks should be scaled according to species dispersal abilities in response to landscape heterogeneity. Determining how such effective ecological networks change through space and time can help reveal their complex dynamics in a changing world.

Automated summary

The field of network ecology focuses on conceptualizing and analyzing ecological networks in response to environmental changes. The 'ecological network dynamics framework' formalizes how network topologies constrain ecological system dynamics, emphasizing the interplay between species interaction networks and habitat patches to maintain species interactions in dynamic landscapes. Effective ecological networks should be scaled according to species dispersal abilities in dynamic landscapes to reveal complex dynamics over space and time.