A general framework for effectiveness concepts in mutualisms

Author

Eugene W. Schupp, Pedro Jordano, José M. Gómez

Published

March 28, 2017

Doi

10.1111/ele.12764

Eugene W. Schupp, Pedro Jordano, José M. Gómez 2017. A general framework for effectiveness concepts in mutualisms. Ecology Letters 20: 577–590. https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.12764

Publication Details

Published in: Ecology Letters  Open Access: Yes

BibTeX

@article{RN11632,
   author = {Schupp, Eugene W and Jordano, Pedro and Gómez, José María},
   title = {A general framework for effectiveness concepts in mutualisms},
   journal = {Ecology Letters},
   volume = {20},
   pages = {577–590},
   abstract = {Abstract A core interest in studies of mutualistic interactions is the ‘effectiveness’ of mutualists in providing benefits to their partners. In plant-animal mutualisms it is widely accepted that the total effect of a mutualist on its partner is estimated as (1) a ‘quantity’ component multiplied by (2) a ‘quality’ component, although the meanings of ‘effectiveness,’ ‘quantity,’ and ‘quality’ and which terms are applied to these metrics vary greatly across studies. In addition, a similar quantity 9 quality = to- tal effect approach has not been applied to other types of mutualisms, although it could be infor- mative. Lastly, when a total effect approach has been applied, it has invariably been from a phytocentric perspective, focussing on the effects of animal mutualists on their plant partner. This lack of a common framework of ‘effectiveness’ of mutualistic interactions limits generalisation and the development of a broader understanding of the ecology and evolution of mutualisms. In this paper, we propose a general framework and demonstrate its utility by applying it to both partners in five different types of mutualisms: pollination, seed dispersal, plant protection, rhizo- bial, and mycorrhizal mutualisms. We then briefly discuss the flexibility of the framework, poten- tial limitations, and relationship to other approaches.},
   keywords = {ecology letters
2017
577
20
Mutualism effectiveness
mycorrhizal mutualisms
plant protection mutualisms
pollination mutualisms
rhizobial mutualisms
seed dispersal mutualisms
590
alisms
mutualism effectiveness
pollination mutu-},
   ISSN = {1972952943},
   DOI = {10.1111/ele.12764},
   year = {2017},
   type = {Journal Article}
}