| | |  | | | | Record from Web of Science® | | | | | | |
| Asymmetric coevolutionary networks facilitate biodiversity maintenance |
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| Author(s): Bascompte J, Jordano P, Olesen JM |
| Source: SCIENCE Volume: 312 Issue: 5772 Pages: 431-433 Published: APR 21 2006 |
| Times Cited: 100 References: 25 |
| Abstract: The mutualistic interactions between plants and their pollinators or seed dispersers have played a major role in the maintenance of Earth's biodiversity. To investigate how coevolutionary interactions are shaped within species-rich communities, we characterized the architecture of an array of quantitative, mutualistic networks spanning a broad geographic range. These coevolutionary networks are highly asymmetric, so that if a plant species depends strongly on an animal species, the animal depends weakly on the plant. By using a simple dynamical model, we showed that asymmetries inherent in coevolutionary networks may enhance long-term coexistence and facilitate biodiversity maintenance. |
| Document Type: Article |
| Language: English |
| Reprint Address: Bascompte, J (reprint author), CSIC, Estac Biol Donana, Integrat Ecol Grp, Apartado 1056, E-41080 Seville, Spain |
Addresses:
1. CSIC, Estac Biol Donana, Integrat Ecol Grp, E-41080 Seville, Spain
2. Aarhus Univ, Dept Ecol & Genet, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark |
| Publisher: AMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE, 1200 NEW YORK AVE, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20005 USA |
| Subject Category: Multidisciplinary Sciences |
| IDS Number: 034OZ |
| ISSN: 0036-8075 |
| DOI: 10.1126/science.1123412 |
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| | | | | | | | | Record from Web of Science® | | | | | | | | | |