Summary
This paper synthesises theory and cross-ecosystem evidence to argue that mobile generalist consumers will predictably rewire food webs in response to climate-driven heterogeneity. The authors distinguish two rewiring mechanisms: topological (new species invasions and prey additions) and interaction-strength based (shifts in energy routing through existing connections). The work positions generalist species behavioural responses as a potentially powerful early-warning system for monitoring climate impacts on entire ecosystems.
Regional applicability
Although global in scope, the theoretical framework applies to United Kingdom ecosystems experiencing climate-driven range shifts and habitat restructuring. The emphasis on mobile generalists (e.g., migratory fish, mobile predators) is relevant to UK freshwater and terrestrial food webs, though specific application would require UK-focused empirical studies to validate predictions in local contexts.
Key measures
Food web topology (species connections), interaction strength (energy and carbon flow through trophic links), generalist species spatial redistribution, habitat use shifts
Outcomes reported
The study demonstrates how mobile generalist consumer species respond behaviourally to climate-driven environmental change, causing food web rewiring through topological changes (addition/loss of connections) and interaction strength shifts (altered energy/carbon routing). It proposes generalist species responses as indicators for predicting ecosystem-level climate impacts.
Topic tags
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