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Modularity and stability in ecological communities

Author

Listed:
  • Jacopo Grilli

    (University of Chicago)

  • Tim Rogers

    (Centre for Networks and Collective Behaviour, University of Bath)

  • Stefano Allesina

    (University of Chicago
    Computation Institute, University of Chicago
    Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO), Northwestern University)

Abstract

Networks composed of distinct, densely connected subsystems are called modular. In ecology, it has been posited that a modular organization of species interactions would benefit the dynamical stability of communities, even though evidence supporting this hypothesis is mixed. Here we study the effect of modularity on the local stability of ecological dynamical systems, by presenting new results in random matrix theory, which are obtained using a quaternionic parameterization of the cavity method. Results show that modularity can have moderate stabilizing effects for particular parameter choices, while anti-modularity can greatly destabilize ecological networks.

Suggested Citation

  • Jacopo Grilli & Tim Rogers & Stefano Allesina, 2016. "Modularity and stability in ecological communities," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-10, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms12031
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12031
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    Cited by:

    1. Dongli, Duan & Chengxing, Wu & Yuchen, Zhai & Changchun, Lv & Ning, Wang, 2022. "Coexistence mechanism of alien species and local ecosystem based on network dimensionality reduction method," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    2. González, Cecilia, 2023. "Evolution of the concept of ecological integrity and its study through networks," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 476(C).
    3. Yuguang Yang & Katharine Z. Coyte & Kevin R. Foster & Aming Li, 2023. "Reactivity of complex communities can be more important than stability," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    4. David William Shanafelt & Michel Loreau, 2018. "Stability trophic cascades in food chains," Post-Print hal-02097236, HAL.
    5. Polovnikov, Kirill & Kazakov, Vlad & Syntulsky, Sergey, 2020. "Core–periphery organization of the cryptocurrency market inferred by the modularity operator," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 540(C).
    6. Guy Amit & Amir Bashan, 2023. "Top-down identification of keystone taxa in the microbiome," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.

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