Temporal stability vs. community matrix measures of stability and the role of weak interactions

• Published in: Ecology letters 2020-10, Vol.23 (10), p.1468-1478
• Main Authors: Downing, Amy L., Jackson, Craig, Plunkett, Claire, Ackerman Lockhart, Jayne, Schlater, Shannon M., Leibold, Mathew A., Becks, Lutz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Asymptotic methods; asymptotic resilience; Autoregressive models; Coefficient of variation; community matrix; initial resilience; intrinsic stochastic variability; mesocosm; multivariate autoregressive models; Plankton; Resilience; Stability; Stochasticity; weak interactions
• ISSN: 1461-023X; 1461-0248
• DOI: 10.1111/ele.13538

Relationships between different measures of stability are not well understood in part because empiricists and theoreticians tend to measure different aspects and most studies only explore a single form of stability. Using time‐series data from experimental plankton communities, we compared temporal stability typically measured by empiricists (coefficient of variation in biomass) to stability measures typically measured by theoreticians derived from the community matrix (asymptotic resilience, initial resilience and intrinsic stochastic invariability) using first‐order multivariate autoregressive models (MAR). Community matrices were also used to derive estimates of interaction strengths between plankton groups. We found no relationship between temporal stability and stability measures derived from the community matrix. Weaker interaction strengths were generally associated with higher stability for community matrix measures of stability, but were not consistently associated with higher temporal stability. Temporal stability and stability measures derived from the community matrix stability appear to represent different aspects of stability reflecting the multi‐dimensionality of stability. Understanding the multi‐dimensionality of ecological stability is challenging because empiricists and theoreticians tend to measure different aspects and most studies only explore a single form of stability. Using time‐series data from plankton communities, we compared measures of temporal stability (CVs) to measures of stability derived from the community matrix and the role of weak interactions as a stabilising mechanism using first‐order multivariate autoregressive models (MAR). Weak interactions are important for some but not all forms of stability, and temporal stability and community matrix stability capture different aspects of stability reflecting the multi‐dimensionality of stability.