13 Jan 10:39
Phylogenetic Correlations (I)
Dear Foodwebs List Members
****************************************************************
******* First of all a happy year 2009 for all of you! *********
****************************************************************
With this message I would like to initiate a small tutorial on
Phylogenetic correlations in food-web topology.
Cheers,
Axel
** PREFACE
While it has long been recognized that phylogenetic correlations can
induce structure in ecological data in general, the role of
phylogenetic correlations for food webs topology is often
underestimated. Some of you might not even be sure what "phylogenetic
correlation" in this context means. The purpose of this first message
is to clarify this question. Later messages, following in loose
sequence, will address other issues, e.g., empirical evidence for
phylogenetic correlations and typical patterns characteristic for
phylogenetically structured food webs.
I am writing this tutorial because, in my view, unawareness of the
explanatory power of phylogenetic correlations has become a major
obstacle for progress in food-web science. Progress which is critical
if food-web science is to contribute to the mitigation of biodiversity
loss, either by informing management or by contributing to a better
(Continue reading)
RSS Feed