Trophic downgrading decreases species asynchrony and community stability regardless of climate warming. (18th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rezende, Felipe; Antiqueira, Pablo A. P.; Petchey, Owen L.; Velho, Luiz Felipe M.; Rodrigues, Luzia C.; Romero, Gustavo Q.
• Editors: Donohue, Ian
• Is Part Of: Ecology letters. Volume 24:Number 12(2021)
• Page Start: 2660
• Page End: 2673
• Publication Date: 2021-09-18
• Subjects: climate change -- community stability -- microbial food web -- predator loss -- species asynchrony -- tank‐bromeliad -- trophic cascades; Ecology -- Periodicals; 577
• DOI: 10.1111/ele.13885
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1461-023X

Abstract

Abstract: Theory and some evidence suggest that biodiversity promotes stability. However, evidence of how trophic interactions and environmental changes modulate this relationship in multitrophic communities is lacking. Given the current scenario of biodiversity loss and climate changes, where top predators are disproportionately more affected, filling these knowledge gaps is crucial. We simulated climate warming and top predator loss in natural microcosms to investigate their direct and indirect effects on temporal stability of microbial communities and the role of underlying stabilising mechanisms. Community stability was insensitive to warming, but indirectly decreased due to top predator loss via increased mesopredator abundance and consequent reduction of species asynchrony and species stability. The magnitude of destabilising effects differed among trophic levels, being disproportionally higher at lower trophic levels (e.g. producers). Our study unravels major patterns and causal mechanisms by which trophic downgrading destabilises large food webs, regardless of climate warming scenarios. Abstract : Theory and some evidence suggest that biodiversity promotes stability. We simulated climate warming and top predator loss in natural microcosms to investigate their direct and indirect effects on the temporal stability of microbial communities and the role of underlying stabilising mechanisms. Community stability was insensitive to warming, but indirectly decreased due to top predator loss via increased mesopredator abundance and consequent reduction of species asynchrony and species stability.