Data for: Disruption of ecological networks in lakes by climate change and nutrient fluctuations

Climate change interacts with local processes to threaten biodiversity by disrupting the complex network of ecological interactions. While changes in network interactions drastically affect ecosystems, how ecological networks respond to climate change, in particular warming and nutrient supply fluctuation, is largely unknown. Here, using an equation-free modeling approach on monthly plankton community data in ten Swiss lakes, we show that the number and strength of plankton community interactions fluctuate and respond nonlinearly to water temperature and phosphorus. While lakes show system-specific responses, warming generally reduces network interactions, particularly under high phosphate levels. This network reorganization shifts trophic control of food webs, leading to consumers being controlled by resources. Small grazers and cyanobacteria emerge as sensitive indicators of changes in plankton networks. By exposing the outcomes of a complex interplay between environmental drivers, our results provide tools for studying and advancing our understanding of how climate change impacts entire ecological communities.

搜集汇总

背景与挑战

背景概述

该数据集基于瑞士10个湖泊的月度浮游生物群落数据，采用无方程建模方法，研究气候变化（如变暖）和营养波动（如磷供应）对湖泊生态网络的影响。分析发现，网络相互作用随水温和磷水平非线性变化，气候变暖通常减少相互作用，尤其在磷水平高时，导致食物网营养控制转移，小型食草动物和蓝藻可作为网络变化的敏感指标。