Collection of studies included in the review from How artificial light at night may rewire ecological networks: concepts and models

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is eroding natural light cycles thereby changing species distributions and activity patterns. Yet, little is known about how ecological interaction networks respond to this global change driver. Here, we assess the scientific basis of the current understanding of community-wide ALAN impacts. Based on current knowledge, we conceptualize and review four major pathways by which ALAN may affect ecological interaction networks by (i) impacting primary production, (ii) acting as an environmental filter affecting species survival, (iii) driving the movement and distribution of species, and (iv) changing functional roles and niches by affecting activity patterns. Using an allometric-trophic network model, we then test how a shift in temporal activity patterns for diurnal, nocturnal, and crepuscular species impacts food web stability. The results indicate that diel niche shifts can severely impact community persistence by altering the temporal overlap between species, which leads to changes in interaction strengths and rewiring of networks. ALAN can thereby lead to biodiversity loss through the homogenization of temporal niches. This integrative framework aims to advance a predictive understanding of community-level and ecological-network consequences of ALAN and their cascading effects on ecosystem functioning.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Light pollution in complex ecological systems’.

夜间人工光（Artificial Light at Night, ALAN）正在侵蚀自然光照周期，进而改变物种的分布与活动模式。然而，目前学界对生态互作网络如何响应这一全球变化驱动因子仍知之甚少。本研究旨在评估当前学界关于群落尺度ALAN影响的认知所依托的科学依据。基于现有研究成果，我们梳理并构建了ALAN影响生态互作网络的四大主要路径：其一，作用于初级生产过程；其二，作为环境过滤因子影响物种存活；其三，驱动物种的移动与分布格局；其四，通过改变物种活动模式进而调整其功能角色与生态位。我们借助异速生长-营养网络模型，测试了昼行性、夜行性与晨昏性物种的时间活动模式转变如何影响食物网稳定性。研究结果显示，昼夜生态位偏移可通过改变物种间的时间重叠度，严重削弱群落存续能力，进而引发互作强度变化与网络结构重连。ALAN可通过时间生态位同质化过程导致生物多样性丧失。本整合框架旨在推动学界对ALAN引发的群落尺度与生态网络效应，及其对生态系统功能的级联效应形成可预测性认知。本文隶属于'复杂生态系统中的光污染'专题栏目。