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The architecture of mutualistic networks minimizes competition and increases biodiversity

Author

Listed:
  • Ugo Bastolla

    (Centro de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid – CSIC)

  • Miguel A. Fortuna

    (Integrative Ecology Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, c/ Américo Vespucio s/n, Sevilla 41092, Spain)

  • Alberto Pascual-García

    (Centro de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid – CSIC)

  • Antonio Ferrera

    (ETSI Aeronáuticos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Plaza Cardenal Cisneros 3, Madrid 28040, Spain)

  • Bartolo Luque

    (ETSI Aeronáuticos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Plaza Cardenal Cisneros 3, Madrid 28040, Spain)

  • Jordi Bascompte

    (Integrative Ecology Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, c/ Américo Vespucio s/n, Sevilla 41092, Spain)

Abstract

Competition versus biodiversity One of the abiding questions of ecology is how so many species can exist given that they are competing with one another for resources. Theories of biodiversity have in the main assumed that species interact randomly with each other or have ignored inter-species interactions. Recent work, however, has shown that the interactions between species aren't a free-for-all, but are highly structured or even nested. Bastolla et al. look at the mutualistic networks between plants and animals and find that the 'nestedness' of mutualistic interactions acts to minimize competition and enhance biodiversity. Nested networks seem to occur in many biological and social contexts, suggesting that the results are relevant in a wide range of fields — from biology to banking.

Suggested Citation

  • Ugo Bastolla & Miguel A. Fortuna & Alberto Pascual-García & Antonio Ferrera & Bartolo Luque & Jordi Bascompte, 2009. "The architecture of mutualistic networks minimizes competition and increases biodiversity," Nature, Nature, vol. 458(7241), pages 1018-1020, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:458:y:2009:i:7241:d:10.1038_nature07950
    DOI: 10.1038/nature07950
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