Complexity, diversity, and stability: a reconciliation of theoretical and empirical results ( grazing).

In model grazing systems, examines the relationship between complexity and the lack of change in total plant biomass (biomass stability) following removal of an herbivore. Systems with relatively few plant species are expected to be more stable than systems with more (but also fewer) plants per herbivore. But systems with more competing plant species are more biomass stable than those with few, if any, interactions between plants. Moreover, increased evenness in plant abundances also enhances biomass stability. Also, with the removal of the herbivore, increases in evenness are associated with smaller changes in biomass.-from Authors

Duke Scholars

Author Stuart L. Pimm Environmental Sciences and Policy