Skip to content

SciTech

Common species are most important in ecosystems

by JW Dowey 27 May 2014
Common species are most important in ecosystems

To the NW of West Papua, south of the Philippines are these healthy coral reefs in Raja Ampat. The violet soft coral, Dendronephthya sp. illustrates the differences between many coral types and their community of fish and fellow-invertebrates; Coral image; Credit: © Shutterstock

Biodiversity theories state that abundance results from chance variations rather than individual traits. This test of theory finds that abundance of species varies so much that the species' traits drive the structure of a community. This seems an acceptable result, s a massive 1185 animal species were included from 14 marine ecosystems, leading to this modification of biodiversity theory in which crucial ecological differences among species are central.

Maintaining diversity in a community could be difficult. In a community, the abundant species are often critical in providing habitat for others or maintaining the status quo by removing excess plants. The neutral biodiversity theory indicates that species can be replaced with others. If the niche is given more priority, then replacement would be very difficult. Dr Julian Caley of the Australian Institute of Marine Science states, "those species had particular traits that made them so abundant, and therefore critical to a functioning healthy reef system."

He was one of several authors, led by Professor Sean Connolly of Australia's James Cook University, alongside researchers from the Universities of Pisa, Western Australia, Calcutta, and many other North American and European institutions. This august assemblage used mathematical tools to probe the likelihood of various aspects of biodiversity theory. The effects on our treatment of conservation issues will be profound.

The richness of species in marine communities has prevented a species by species approach previously, as the mathematical parameters increase to an infinite number. With many of the species very rare, their level of interaction is almost impossible to assess. Here, the researchers used Dr Salvador Pueyo's method to analyse the dynamics mathematically. The result is an explanation as to why 2 species of Acropora (elkhorn and staghorn) dominated Caribbean reefs until the 1970s. No coral has since been able to fill the niche of those corals. Their special characteristics or traits developed to suit that Caribbean niche and make them abundant.

All the analyses provide remarkably consistent evidence that very different ecosystems from the depths to the shore are similar. They all depend on abundant species to maintain aspects of their diversity, and the niches of others. The fact that these key species remain common over measurable timescales is also relevant to the argument. Now all we have to do is identify the traits that make them so abundant and keep them at the top. A lot of effort has been put in to investigate rare species, but it seems the common species are worth investigating more.

The whole paper from Sean Connolly et al can be viewed as, "Commonness and rarity in the marine biosphere," in - PNAS.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping