Evolutionary Conservation of Species’ Roles in Food Webs

By Daniel B. Stouffer, Marta Sales-Pardo, M. Irmak Sirer, Jordi Bascompte

Science – Studies of ecological networks (the web of interactions between species in a community) demonstrate an intricate link between a community’s structure and its long-term viability. It remains unclear, however, how much a community’s persistence depends on the identities of the species present, or how much the role played by each species varies as a function of the community in which it is found. We measured species’ roles by studying how species are embedded within the overall network and the subsequent dynamic implications. Using data from 32 empirical food webs, we find that species’ roles and dynamic importance are inherent species attributes and can be extrapolated across communities on the basis of taxonomic classification alone. Our results illustrate the variability of roles across species and communities and the relative importance of distinct species groups when attempting to conserve ecological communities.

Source: Science, March 23rd, 2012
Click here to read the complete article at Science
You also follow Labex Korea by Twitter

Research seeks to produce enzymes for whitening cellulose

By Flora Serra

Agência FAPESP – Enzymes are among the most remarkable biomolecules. They are proteins that possess catalytic properties to accelerate chemical reactions that occur inside and outside of organisms. Enzymes have been used extensively, including by the pharmaceutical industry, to increase the efficiency of processes or reduce the costs and environmental impacts of some chemical compounds.

Source and Photo: Agência FAPESP, March 21st, 2012
Click here to read the complete article
You also follow Labex Korea by Twitter

Will Rio+20 make a difference to sustainable development?

Guardian, March 29th, 2012 – Will June’s climate conference prove to be a vital chance to renew political commitment for sustainable development or just more talk and no action You can read the complete article or watch a video with several Instutution representative answering the questions about this theme….. Click here and enjoy

>> Labex Korea Twitter<<