The structure of plant-herbivore interaction networks varies along elevational gradients in the European Alps

Aim: Ecological gradients are expected to be associated with structural rewiring of species interaction networks. The study of network structures along geographic and ecological gradients, however, remains marginal because documenting species interactions at multiple sites is a methodological challenge. Here, we aimed to study the structural variation in plant-herbivore interaction networks along elevational gradients using molecular metabarcoding. Location: European Alps. Taxon: Plant and Orthopteran herbivores. Methods: We used a standardized DNA metabarcoding method applied to Orthopteran faeces to document the structure of 48 networks of species interactions across six elevational gradients. We examined how structural properties of plant-Orthoptera networks reflecting specialization and robustness vary with elevation. We compared observed variation to null models to account for differences in network size. Results: We found an increase in the levels of generality and nestedness with decreasing temperature, and the correlation was stronger than in null models. These relationships corresponded to greater robustness and reduced the importance of specific keystone species in alpine habitats compared to lowland grasslands. Main conclusions: In cold environments, plant-herbivore networks are wired in a way that may reinforce the resilience of the system to species extinction. Documenting ecological networks along ecological gradients allows a better understanding of the influence of climate on the structure of ecological communities.

Automated summary

This study used molecular metabarcoding to investigate the structural variation in plant-herbivore interaction networks along elevational gradients. The results showed an increase in generality and nestedness levels with decreasing temperature, enhancing the robustness of the ecological system. In alpine habitats, specific keystone species decreased in importance, which contributes to the resilience of the system to species extinction along ecological gradients.