Introduction Ecological communities are intricate tapestries woven from the roles organisms play and the interactions they establish. Food webs capture this complexity by mapping who eats whom and how energy and nutrients flow through ecosystems. Central to these networks are two foundational concepts: niches, which describe the functional role of each species, and trophic levels, […]

Introduction Niche theory has long served as a cornerstone of ecological thought, shaping how scientists understand species behavior, community structure, and the dynamics of ecosystems. Eltonian and Grinnellian niches represent two influential, but distinct, lenses through which niches can be defined and studied. While both concepts aim to describe the role of a species within

Introduction Coral reefs are among the most productive and diverse ecosystems on Earth, supporting countless species and providing essential services to coastal communities. Yet they stand at the frontline of climate-driven change, with ocean warming acting as a principal driver of mass bleaching events. When sea temperatures rise above the long-term summer maximum for extended

Ocean acidification is a pervasive consequence of the rising carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere. When CO2 dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid, which lowers pH and reduces the availability of carbonate ions necessary for calcifying organisms. This process affects coral reefs, shellfish, phytoplankton, and the broader marine food web, with cascading implications for

Introduction Ocean acidification (OA) and ocean warming (OW) are two interconnected stressors reshaping marine ecosystems. OA reduces theAvailability of carbonate ions necessary for calcifying organisms to build shells and skeletons, while OW alters metabolic rates, distribution, phenology, and the structure of marine communities. Together, these stressors can amplify each other’s effects, threatening biodiversity, ecosystem services,

Introduction The large oceans act as a major sink for atmospheric carbon, absorbing a substantial portion of CO2 emitted from human activities. While this natural process provides a buffering effect against rapid atmospheric CO2 buildup, it also interacts with ocean chemistry and ecosystems in ways that can affect marine life and climate feedbacks. Effective policy

Introduction Internal nutrient cycling refers to the movement and transformation of nutrients within an aquatic system without external inputs or outputs, driven by biological, chemical, and physical processes. This internal reservoir of nutrients—often stored in sediments and organic matter—can substantially influence water quality trends by modulating the availability of key elements such as nitrogen and

Keystone taxa shape the architecture of nutrient cycling in freshwater lakes, steering the flow of elements through complex, interdependent food webs. In these aquatic systems, a handful of organisms exert outsized influence on how nutrients are transformed, stored, and released. By shaping microbial community structure, enabling or constraining metabolic pathways, and mediating chemical transformations at

Nutrient cycling is the backbone of healthy freshwater ecosystems. The movement of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon, and sulfur through soils, water, plants, and microbial communities underpins water quality, aquatic productivity, and the resilience of downstream communities. When nutrient cycles operate within natural ranges, they support productive fisheries, reliable drinking water sources, and sustainable

Introduction Nutrient cycling and water security are deeply intertwined in both natural ecosystems and human-managed landscapes. Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus drive productivity, soil fertility, and ecosystem resilience, yet imbalances can degrade water quality and deplete water resources. The challenge is to design and implement management strategies that maintain robust nutrient cycling—enabling nutrients to