Static and dynamic explanations for patterns in food webs

摘要: Ten interesting patterns can be discerned in compendia of published food webs, and are not all easily dismissed as artefacts poor data. A variety theoretical explanations have been put forward to explain one, or more, these patterns; for example, five reasons advanced why chains short. Two bodies theory each satisfactorily account a majority (but all) the patterns, but draw on very different assumptions. One group is based dynamic interactions between species, modelled by Lotka-Volterra equations. The other takes static view web assembly, assumes trophic cascade, hierarchy feeding links, which species body sizes appear play crucial role. On present evidence, it possible distinguish relative contributions either possibilities creation structure real webs.