2015, Handbook for Evolutionary Thinking - Springer
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9014-7_26…
40 pages
In this chapter, we first trace the history of the concept of ecological niche and see how its meanings varied with the search for a theory of ecology. The niche concept has its roots in the Darwinian view of ecosystems that are structured by struggle for survival and, originally, the niche was perceived as an invariant place within the ecosystem, that would preexist the assembly of the ecosystem. The concept then slipped towards a sense in which the niche, no longer a pre-existing ecosystem structure, eventually became a variable that would in turn have to be explained by the competitive exclusion principle and the coevolution of species. The niche concept used at that time, while more operational from an empirical point of view than the previous one, suffered however from an ill-founded definition. A recent refoundation by Chase & Leibold enabled to overcome some of the definitional difficulties.We then present how, in contemporary ecology, the niche concept is recruited to explain biodiversity and species coexistence patterns. We show how, in parallel, neutralist models, by succeedingly explaining some ecological patterns without resorting to explanations in terms of niche, have questioned the explanatory virtues of the niche concept.In conclusion, it seems that the forunes and misfortunes of the niche concept can be seen as a reflection of the difficulties of ecology to give birth to a theory that would be both predictive and explanatory.
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Biology & Philosophy
Niches and mechanisms are two important but contested elements in the study of organism-environment interactions. Although they are closely interrelated, with niches playing a crucial role in theorizing about ecological and evolutionary mechanisms such as niche construction, facilitation, and species invasion, philosophical discussions about each issue have been largely disconnected. This collection addresses this gap, bringing together contributions from philosophers and biologists about the niche concept, niche construction theory, and ecological and evolutionary mechanisms. In this introduction we provide some background to the collection, which arose out of two workshops organized within an interdisciplinary research consortium. We also summarize each contribution, organized roughly into three groups with considerable overlap and interrelations: niche construction and evolutionary theory, niches, and ecological and evolutionary mechanisms.
Research in Biodiversity - Models and Applications, 2011
Journal of Biogeography, 2012
In this first of three papers we examine the use of niche concepts in ecology and especially in species distribution modelling (SDM). This paper deliberately focuses on the lack of clarity found in the term 'niche'. Because its meanings are so diverse, the term niche tends to create confusion and requires constant qualification. The literature houses many idiosyncratic ideas of what the niche is, but few examples where niche is more explanatory than the terminologies of population and community ecology or the statistical methods used to implement SDM analyses. In many cases the original (and inspirational) concepts are not directly applicable to our modern applications (e.g. set theory). There are some conceptual limitations found in individual definitions of niche (e.g. the fundamental niche concept), so it is perhaps understandable why more neutral terminology is becoming popular in SDM. An examination of the literature reveals a wide range of uncritical use of niche terminology. Our findings in this paper do not necessarily support the position of niche as a universally useful concept.
The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science
The niche has been central to ecology for most of the discipline's history, yet there have been few attempts by philosophers to work out the ontology of the niche. A challenge is that there is a plurality of seemingly inconsistent definitions of the niche in ecology. This paper characterizes the population-level ecological niche by distinguishing among niche concepts, niche models, and the niche as a phenomenon. I argue that "niche concepts" should be interpreted as theoretical frameworks or modelling strategies. I also argue that there is a unified niche phenomenon underlying the seemingly heterogeneous models and definitions. The plurality of niche concepts in ecology should be seen as an expected consequence of the nature of modelling complex systems.
Acta Biotheoretica, 1982
This article examines some of the main tenets of competition theory in light of the theory of evolution and the concept of an ecological niche. The principle of competitive exclusion and the related assumption that communities exist at competitive equilibrium-fundamental parts of many compctition theories and models-may be violated if non-cquilibrium conditions exist in natural communities or are incorporated into competition models. Furthermore, these two basic tenets of competition theory are not compatible with the theory of evolution. Variation in ecologically significant environmental factors and non-equilibrium in population numbers should occur in most natural communities, and such changes have important effects on community relations, niche overlap, and the evolution of ecosystems. Ecologists should view compctition as a process occurring within a complex dYllamic system, and should be wary of theoretical positions built upon simple laboratory experiments or simplistic mathematical models. In considering the relationship between niche overlap and competition, niche overlap should not be taken as a sufficient condition for competition; many factors may prevent or diminish competition between populations with similar resource utilization patterns. The typically opposing forces of intraspecific and interspecific competition need to be simultaneouslY considered, for it is the balance between them that 1n large part detcrmines niche boundaries. 109, p. 769-784. Wuenscher, J.E. (l969). Niche specification and competition modelling.-J. theoret.
Austral Ecology, 2014
The fi eld of conservation biology seeks to provide scientifi c guidance for halting or slowing the current extinction wave and degradation of the planet's biological diversity. To achieve this goal, conservation biologists attempt to answer fundamental questions, such as what to conserve, where best to conserve it, and how best to conserve it (Primack 2006). Can niche models help to address these questions? We believe that the answer is yes, particularly by helping researchers answer the "what" and "where" questions. However, using niche models to address conservation questions requires a solid understanding of the underlying concepts and methods. Inappropriate interpretation of the underlying theory and methods can lead to mistakes and potentially misleading interpretations of niche model outputs. Therefore, in this chapter, we introduce briefl y the conceptual aspects of the "what" and "where" questions in conservation biology, and discuss how niche models can help address these questions. Topics addressed include inferences about extinction risk, identifi cation of regions for species reintroductions, conservation reserve network planning, and considerations of how climate change may affect species' distributions. Each of these conservation applications is discussed with respect to the conceptual framework laid out in chapters 2 and 3, and practical recommendations regarding calibration and evaluation of niche models are also offered. If given the opportunity, conservation practitioners would certainly target and manage all genetically distinct populations of all species on Earth. In practice, however, biodiversity conservation must coexist with competing human interests (Primack 2006). Effective conservation action thus entails a diffi cult, but unavoidable, process of prioritization of limited opportunities and resources.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2009
Estimating actual and potential areas of distribution of species via ecological niche modeling has become a very active field of research, yet important conceptual issues in this field remain confused. We argue that conceptual clarity is enhanced by adopting restricted definitions of “niche” that enable operational definitions of basic concepts like fundamental, potential, and realized niches and potential and actual distributional areas. We apply these definitions to the question of niche conservatism, addressing what it is that is conserved and showing with a quantitative example how niche change can be measured. In this example, we display the extremely irregular structure of niche space, arguing that it is an important factor in understanding niche evolution. Many cases of apparently successful models of distributions ignore biotic factors: we suggest explanations to account for this paradox. Finally, relating the probability of observing a species to ecological factors, we addr...
Acta Biotheoretica, 2012
Ecological communities around the world are under threat while a consensus theory of community structure remains elusive. In the last decade ecologists have struggled with two seemingly opposing theories: niche-based theory that explains diversity with species' differences and the neutral theory of biodiversity that claims that much of the diversity we observe can be explained without explicitly invoking species' differences. Although ecologists are increasingly attempting to reconcile these two theories, there is still much resistance against the neutral theory of biodiversity. Here we argue that the dispute between the two theories is a classic example of the dichotomy between philosophical perspectives, realism and instrumentalism. Realism is associated with specific, small-scale and detailed explanations, whereas instrumentalism is linked to general, large-scale, but less precise accounts. Recognizing this will help ecologists get both niche-based and neutral theories in perspective as useful tools for understanding biodiversity patterns.
Ecology Letters, 2010
Ecological niche construction, the process whereby an organism improves its environment to enhance its growth and persistence, is an important missing element of niche theory. Niche theory has mainly focused on niche-deteriorating processes, such as resource consumption, predation and competition, which have negative effects on population growth. Here, we integrate niche construction explicitly into modern niche theory. We use a graphical approach to analyse how a speciesÕ niche-improving impacts interplay with nichedeteriorating impacts to modify its response to the environment. In a model of two consumers that compete for one limiting resource and one predator, we show how niche construction modifies the traditional nichedeteriorating impacts of its agent or of competing species, and hence the potential for species coexistence. By altering the balance between intraspecific and interspecific competitive effects, niche construction can either generate net interspecific facilitation or strengthen interspecific competition. The adaptive benefit derived from niche construction also strongly affects the realized niche of a niche-constructing species.
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Research showed that many competition studies lacked robust null hypotheses, undermining niche theory's validity, leading to increased skepticism among ecologists.
Hutchinson formalized the niche concept as a volumetric space of environmental variables, introducing the distinction between fundamental and realized niches.
The Competitive Exclusion Principle, derived from studies by Gause, posits that species occupying identical niches cannot coexist, reinforcing niche theory in ecology.
Niche construction theories argue that organisms actively modify their environments, contrasting with traditional models that view environments as unchangeable.
Neutral theory challenges traditional niche theories by proposing that species diversity can arise from random dynamics rather than niche differentiation.
Acta Biotheoretica, 1975
Received 27-VIII-I974; revised 2I-I-I975) SUMMARY DARWIN'S phrase "place in natural economy", and SPENCER'S term "correspondence" can be regarded as first attempts to express the organism-environment relationships. The same concept has more recently been approached from the point of view of (I) life-form, (2) external activities, and habitat. Though all these points are interlocking, they have been stressed differently in the writings of American and European ecologists. It is proposed that the term "niche" would be most useful and rational if applied to the total of relationships between a living organism (population, species) and its complete environment, both biotic and abiotic.
Encyclopedia of Entomology, 2008
Ecological niche characterizes the position of a species within an ecosystem, comprising species habitat requirements as well as its functional role. This century-old concept has undergone several substantial transformations, but still represents a major heuristic tool for our understanding of nature. Niches of distinct, even closely related species, tend to differ at least in some aspects as interspecific competition minimizes their overlap. Interspecific differences in abundance and distribution can be explained by different niche width and position. However, species can locally coexist also due to processes other than simple niche separation-namely due to stochastic spatiotemporal population dynamics. Species evolution always implies the evolution of its niche. To some extent, we can predict niche evolution from the knowledge of the environment and the trade-offs affecting possibilities of resource utilization of individual species. In the course of evolution, species have tendency to narrow their niches due to interspecific competition and intraspecific optimization. Consequently, niche widening often occurs when the species is released from interspecific competition. Species do not passively adapt to their niches but also actively modify them. Such a feedback leads to the coevolution between species and their environment and the evolution of whole ecological communities.
Ecological Complexity, 2011
Biological Conservation, 2019
Niche construction theory (NCT) is a theoretical framework that has great potential for increasing our understanding of ecological and evolutionary phenomena. However, few ecologists still use NCT, probably because they believe that ecological and evolutionary processes do not occur at the same pace or because they believe that the modern evolutionary synthesis (MES) explains the studied phenomena well enough. NCT is not opposed to the MES. However, NCT proponents argue that because all organisms undergo environmental modifications, they can alter the selection pressures that act on themselves and other species. In this case, adaptation is conceived as a two-way process in which organisms and the environment act upon one another. Therefore, this article aims to present a brief introduction of NCT, arguing and exemplifying its applicability in ecological studies and conservation strategies. Finally, we provide suggestions about how NCT can contribute to ecological studies and the planning of conservation strategies.
Nature Ecology & Evolution
Ecology Letters, 2006
In this study, we ask if instead of being fundamentally opposed, niche and neutral theories could simply be located at the extremes of a continuum. First, we present a model of recruitment probabilities that combines both niche and neutral processes. From this model, we predict and test whether the relative importance of niche vs. neutral processes in controlling community dynamics will vary depending on community species richness, niche overlap and dispersal capabilities of species (both local and long distance). Results demonstrate that niche and neutrality form ends of a continuum from competitive to stochastic exclusion. In the absence of immigration, competitive exclusion tends to create a regular spacing of niches. However, immigration prevents the establishment of a limiting similarity. The equilibrium community consists of a set of complementary and redundant species, with their abundance determined, respectively, by the distribution of environmental conditions and the amoun...
Synthese, 1985
ABSTRACT. The concept of an ecological niche (econiche) has been used in a variety of ways, some of which are incompatible with a relational or functional interpretation of the term. This essay seeks to standardize usage by limiting the concept to functional relations ...
Ecology Letters, 2000
Applications of Hutchinson's n-dimensional niche concept are often focused on the role of interspecific competition in shaping species distribution patterns. In this paper, I discuss a variety of factors, in addition to competition, that influence the observed relationship between species distribution and the availability of suitable habitat. In particular, I show that Hutchinson's niche concept can be modified to incorporate the influences of niche width, habitat availability and dispersal, as well as interspecific competition per se. I introduce a simulation model called NICHE that embodies many of Hutchinson's original niche concepts and use this model to predict patterns of species distribution. The model may help to clarify how dispersal, niche size and competition interact, and under what conditions species might be common in unsuitable habitat or absent from suitable habitat. A brief review of the pertinent literature suggests that species are often absent from suitable habitat and present in unsuitable habitat, in ways predicted by theory. However, most tests of niche theory are hampered by inadequate consideration of what does and does not constitute suitable habitat. More conclusive evidence for these predictions will require rigorous determination of habitat suitability under field conditions. I suggest that to do this, ecologists must measure habitat specific demography and quantify how demographic parameters vary in response to temporal and spatial variation in measurable niche dimensions.
Biology & Philosophy, 2005
There has been a categorically unresolved crucial question in ecology and evolutionary theory for many decades; perhaps from the times of Charles Darwin himself: Is it possible, under natural conditions, that two species can perform a commonly shared ecological niche? There are two extreme conventional responses that have kept divided the scientific community in this regard for almost forty years: (a) No; that is to say, the well-known competitive exclusion principle (CEP). (b) Yes; that is to say, the well-known hypothesis of full functional redundancy (HFR). Obviously, the reliability of both responses depends on an underlying and even more essential requisite: that the ecological niche of a given species can be assessed with such accuracy as we could want in order to detect the degree in which it is shared between coexisting species. This article is the seventh in a continuous series of interconnected recent publications that promotes an alternative understanding of ecology and evolutionary biology which is in favor of strong and mutually fruitful analytical links between biology and physics. This article analyzes the statistical behavior of ecological niches by taking into account two indicators that are essential to perform the ecological niche of all species: species diversity per plot (H p ) and eco-kinetic energy (E e ) as a proxy for trophic energy in a scalar field H p , E e in which an oscillating performance of ecological niches is deployed. According to our results, in the same measurement in which the accuracy of H p assessments increases (reduction of H p 's standard deviation: Hp ) the accuracy of E e assessment decreases (increment of Ee ), and vice versa, in agreement with a pattern that is completely equivalent to that of the Heisenberg's uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics (i.e.: Hp · Ee 1/2h e ec /2 ; where h e ec : ecological equivalent of Planck's constant found in previous publications). As a result, the ecological niche is, even in principle in addition to in practice, indeterminable with enough exactness to arrive to a categorical response to the above-stated question. This means that CEP and HFR are simultaneously true and false in the same measure, because the only feasible option to keep the functional stability of ecosystems is a wave-like combination of both options: when species are pushed to a high degree of coexistence (increase of partition of the gradient) in regard to H p values (a trend in favor of HFR), their degree of coexistence in regard to E e values diminishes (decrease of partition of the E e gradient, a trend in favor of CEP), and vice versa. The final sections of the article highlight the eco-evolutionary, biogeographical and socio-economic meaning of this result, by offering plausible alternative explanations to a wide spectrum of phenomena that appear to be only partially understood so far, e.g.: the contradictory results about the relationship between body size, species diversity and macroevolutionary rates; the general environmental scenario in favor of macroevolutionary leaps with a low probability to leave footprints in the fossil record; the unnecessary, although stimulant, influence of geographic isolation to promote evolutionary changes; the island rule; and the general meaning of the interaction between nature and society.
AStA Advances in Statistical Analysis
The last few decades have seen an increasing interest and strong development in spatial point process methodology, and associated software that facilitates model fitting has become available. A lot of this progress has made these approaches more accessible to users, through freely available software. However, in the ecological user community the methodology has only been slowly picked up despite its obvious relevance to the field. This paper reflects on this development, highlighting mutual benefits of interdisciplinary dialogue for both statistics and ecology. We detail the contribution point process methodology has made to research on biodiversity theory as a result of this dialogue and reflect on reasons for the slow take-up of the methodology. This primarily concerns the current lack of consideration of the usability of the approaches, which we discuss in detail, presenting current discussions as well as indicating future directions.
Frontiers in Plant Science
The success of seed-based conservation and restoration efforts using native plant species is largely determined by ensuring two key life history transitions are accommodated. These are from "seed to germinated seed" and "germinated seed to established seedling." In turn, optimization of these life history transitions is determined by a "genetic × environmental" interaction and later largely characterized by localized climatic (abiotic) conditions. It is these environmental stress factors that can act as natural selection agents for specific plant-trait combinations, or phenotypes. In turn, such adaptation may also limit a species range. To test the relationship between these two early plant life history stage transitions, "seed to germinated seed" and "germinated seed to established seedling," the attributes were characterized for two species of Plantago that occupy contrasting environments and since these species have potential for native seed-based habit restoration and conservation. The species were Plantago coronopus (L.), localized at lower and drier altitudes, and Plantago lanceolata (L.), characterized as occupying higher and wetter altitudinal clines. Seeds were collected from 20 accessions of six natural populations spanning four European countries for both P. lanceolata and P. coronopus. Seed germination (G) and seedling establishment (S) data were determined at six temperatures (T) and six water potentials (), and the data obtained were analyzed using a generalized linear model (GLM). The results indicate that P. coronopus has adapted physiologically to its high-altitude conditions such that seed germination and seedling establishment may be more readily achieved in this cooler environment where water is less limiting. In contrast, the lower θ T of P. lanceolata better facilitates more efficient seed germination and seedling establishment in drier and warmer clines of lower altitude. In addition to establishing a genotypic (species) underpin for seed and seedling trait differences observed, the insights gained may also be exploited to best deploy each species in situ for seed-based conservation and restoration efforts.
We introduce the group-based approach, use it to develop a multi-group biodiversity theory, and apply it find solutions to the multi-species maximum sustainable yield problem for a mixed species fishery. The group-based approach to community ecology is intermediate between classical species-centric and more recent trait-based (species-less) approaches. It describes ecological communities as composed of conspecific groups rather than species (as in classical models) or species-less individuals (as in trait-based models), and reconsiders community structure as results of inter-group resource competition. The approach respects species affiliation and recognises the importance of trait trade-offs at the conspecific group level. It offers an alternative to both classical and trait-based approaches and, remarkably, provides a complete analytical description of the community structure in the bench-mark case of zero-sum resource redistribution.HighlightsWe introduce a group-based approach t...
Frontiers in Marine Science
Plankton cyst abundance and distribution is controlled by multiple factors. The stress linked to the fluctuations and variations of the environmental conditions in the water column is a major vector of encystment and intraspecific variability is an important adaptive strategy. The present study aims to disclose a link between the spatial distribution and abundance of different cyst morphotypes ofScrippsiella acuminatacomplex in surface sediments collected in the Black Sea at 34 sites and selected environmental variables. With this purpose, a basin scale data set was analyzed for patterns of intraspecific spatial heterogeneity. Redundancy analysis (RDA) was implemented to identify explanatory environmental variables associated with the cyst morphotypes abundance. Environmental multiyear data were used to ensure better approximation of a model that links environmental gradients with cyst abundance. Our results show that allS. acuminatacysts morphotypes are significantly correlated to ...
Biology & Philosophy
Niches and mechanisms are two important but contested elements in the study of organism-environment interactions. Although they are closely interrelated, with niches playing a crucial role in theorizing about ecological and evolutionary mechanisms such as niche construction, facilitation, and species invasion, philosophical discussions about each issue have been largely disconnected. This collection addresses this gap, bringing together contributions from philosophers and biologists about the niche concept, niche construction theory, and ecological and evolutionary mechanisms. In this introduction we provide some background to the collection, which arose out of two workshops organized within an interdisciplinary research consortium. We also summarize each contribution, organized roughly into three groups with considerable overlap and interrelations: niche construction and evolutionary theory, niches, and ecological and evolutionary mechanisms.
Mammal Review, 2022
1. Understanding variation in the diet of widely distributed species can help us to predict how they respond to future environmental and anthropogenic changes. 2. We studied the diet of the red fox Vulpes vulpes, one of the world's most widely distributed carnivores. We compiled dietary data from 217 studies at 276 locations in five continents to assess how fox diet composition varied according to geographic location, climate, anthropogenic impact, and sampling method. 3. The diet of foxes showed substantial variation throughout the species' range, but with a general trend for small mammals and invertebrates to be the most frequently occurring dietary items. 4. The incidence of small and large mammals and birds in fox diets was greater away from the equator. The incidence of invertebrates and fruits increased with mean elevation, while the occurrence of medium-sized mammals and birds decreased. 5. Fox diet differed according to climatic and anthropogenic variables. Diet richness decreased with increasing temperature and precipitation. The incidence of small and large mammals decreased with increasing temperature. The incidence of birds and invertebrates decreased with increasing mean annual precipitation. Higher Human Footprint Index was associated with a lower incidence of large mammals and a higher incidence of birds and fruit in fox diet. 6. Sampling method influenced fox diet estimation: estimated percentage of small and medium-sized mammals and fruit was lower in studies based on stomach contents, while large mammals were more likely to be recorded in studies of stomach contents than in studies of scats. 7. Our study confirms the flexible and opportunistic dietary behaviour of foxes at the global scale. This behavioural trait allows them to thrive in a range of climatic conditions, and in areas with different degrees of human-induced habitat change. This knowledge can help us to place the results of local-scale fox diet studies into a broader context and to predict how foxes will respond to future environmental changes.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), 2019
Abstract Organisms and their resident microbial communities - the microbiome - form a complex and mostly stable ecosystem. It is known that the composition of the microbiome and bacterial species abundances can have a major impact on host health and Darwinian fitness , but the processes that lead to these microbial patterns have not yet been identified. We here apply the niche concept and trait-based approaches as a first step in understanding the patterns underlying microbial community assembly and structure in the simple metaorganism Hydra . We find that the carrying capacities in single associations do not reflect microbiota densities as part of the community, indicating a discrepancy between the fundamental and realized niche. Whereas in most cases, the realized niche is smaller than the fundamental one, as predicted by theory, the opposite is observed for Hydra ’s two main bacterial colonizers. Both, Curvibacter sp. and Duganella sp. benefit from association with the other members of the microbiome and reach higher fractions as compared to when they are the only colonizer. This cannot be linked to any particular trait that is relevant for interacting with the host or by the utilization of specific nutrients but is most likely determined by metabolic interactions between the individual microbiome members.
Arnaud Pocheville