Detritus, trophic dynamics and biodiversity

John C. Moore, Eric L. Berlow, David C. Coleman, Peter C. De Suiter, Quan Dong, Alan Hastings, Nancy Collins Johnson, Kevin S. McCann, Kim Melville, Peter J. Morin, Knute Nadelhoffer, Amy D. Rosemond, David M. Post, John L. Sabo, Kate M. Scow, Michael J. Vanni, Diana H. Wall

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

943 Scopus citations

Abstract

Traditional approaches to the study of food webs emphasize the transfer of local primary productivity in the form of living plant organic matter across trophic levels. However, dead organic matter, or detritus, a common feature of most ecosystems plays a frequently overlooked role as a dynamic heterogeneous resource and habitat for many species. We develop an integrative framework for understanding the impact of detritus that emphasizes the ontogeny and heterogeneity of detritus and the various ways that explicit inclusion of detrital dynamics alters generalizations about the structure and functioning of food webs. Through its influences on food web composition and dynamics, detritus often increases system stability and persistence, having substantial effects on trophic structure and biodiversity. Inclusion of detrital heterogeneity in models of food web dynamics is an essential new direction for ecological research.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)584-600
Number of pages17
JournalEcology Letters
Volume7
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2004

Keywords

  • Decomposers
  • Detritus
  • Diversity
  • Ecosystems
  • Food chain
  • Food web
  • Primary productivity
  • Processing chains
  • Subsidies
  • Trophic dynamics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

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