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Food-web stability signals critical transitions in temperate shallow lakes

Author

Listed:
  • Jan J. Kuiper

    (Netherlands Institute of Ecology
    Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Wageningen University)

  • Cassandra van Altena

    (Biometris, Wageningen University)

  • Peter C. de Ruiter

    (Biometris, Wageningen University
    Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam)

  • Luuk P. A. van Gerven

    (Netherlands Institute of Ecology
    Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Wageningen University)

  • Jan H. Janse

    (Netherlands Institute of Ecology
    PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency)

  • Wolf M. Mooij

    (Netherlands Institute of Ecology
    Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Wageningen University)

Abstract

A principal aim of ecologists is to identify critical levels of environmental change beyond which ecosystems undergo radical shifts in their functioning. Both food-web theory and alternative stable states theory provide fundamental clues to mechanisms conferring stability to natural systems. Yet, it is unclear how the concept of food-web stability is associated with the resilience of ecosystems susceptible to regime change. Here, we use a combination of food web and ecosystem modelling to show that impending catastrophic shifts in shallow lakes are preceded by a destabilizing reorganization of interaction strengths in the aquatic food web. Analysis of the intricate web of trophic interactions reveals that only few key interactions, involving zooplankton, diatoms and detritus, dictate the deterioration of food-web stability. Our study exposes a tight link between food-web dynamics and the dynamics of the whole ecosystem, implying that trophic organization may serve as an empirical indicator of ecosystem resilience.

Suggested Citation

  • Jan J. Kuiper & Cassandra van Altena & Peter C. de Ruiter & Luuk P. A. van Gerven & Jan H. Janse & Wolf M. Mooij, 2015. "Food-web stability signals critical transitions in temperate shallow lakes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-7, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms8727
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8727
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    Cited by:

    1. Kong, Xiangzhen & He, Wei & Liu, Wenxiu & Yang, Bin & Xu, Fuliu & Jørgensen, Sven Erik & Mooij, Wolf M., 2016. "Changes in food web structure and ecosystem functioning of a large, shallow Chinese lake during the 1950s, 1980s and 2000s," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 319(C), pages 31-41.
    2. Janssen, Annette B.G. & Teurlincx, Sven & Beusen, Arthur H.W. & Huijbregts, Mark A.J. & Rost, Jasmijn & Schipper, Aafke M. & Seelen, Laura M.S. & Mooij, Wolf M. & Janse, Jan H., 2019. "PCLake+: A process-based ecological model to assess the trophic state of stratified and non-stratified freshwater lakes worldwide," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 396(C), pages 23-32.
    3. Abram, Joseph J. & Dyke, James G., 2018. "Structural Loop Analysis of Complex Ecological Systems," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 333-342.

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