Summary
This theoretical study uses adaptive dynamics and trait-based modelling to investigate how evolutionary processes shape the robustness and productivity of diverse ecological communities over different timescales. The authors demonstrate a fundamental trade-off: whilst short-term coevolution strengthens coexistence through niche differentiation, long-term diversification leads to niche packing with reduced robustness. The findings suggest that co-evolved communities may achieve higher average robustness and productivity than non-evolutionary assemblages, with implications for empirical ecology and conservation practice.
UK applicability
The theoretical framework may inform understanding of how agricultural and natural ecosystems develop resilience through biodiversity and evolutionary processes. However, direct application to UK farming or land management would require empirical validation in specific agroecological and habitat contexts.
Key measures
Community robustness, productivity, coexistence, niche differentiation, niche packing, trait evolution under adaptive dynamics
Outcomes reported
The study modelled how coevolution affects community robustness and productivity across timescales during species diversification, using trait-based competition models. It identified contrasting short-term (strengthened coexistence through niche differentiation) versus long-term (niche packing, decreased robustness) evolutionary effects, and compared co-evolved communities with non-evolutionary assemblages.
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