Dataset Information

Exploring the Frequency and Distribution of Ecological Non-monotonicity in Associations among Ecosystem Constituents.

ABSTRACT: Complex links between biotic and abiotic constituents are fundamental for the functioning of ecosystems. Although non-monotonic interactions and associations are known to increase the stability, diversity, and productivity of ecosystems, they are frequently ignored by community-level standard statistical approaches. Using the copula-based dependence measure qad, capable of quantifying the directed and asymmetric dependence between variables for all forms of (functional) relationships, we determined the proportion of non-monotonic associations between different constituents of an ecosystem (plants, bacteria, fungi, and environmental parameters). Here, we show that up to 59% of all statistically significant associations are non-monotonic. Further, we show that pairwise associations between plants, bacteria, fungi, and environmental parameters are specifically characterized by their strength and degree of monotonicity, for example, microbe-microbe associations are on average stronger than and differ in degree of non-monotonicity from plant-microbe associations. Considering directed and non-monotonic associations, we extended the concept of ecosystem coupling providing more complete insights into the internal order of ecosystems. Our results emphasize the importance of ecological non-monotonicity in characterizing and understanding ecosystem patterns and processes.

Supplementary information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10021-023-00867-9.

SUBMITTER: Hanusch M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10721710 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Exploring the Frequency and Distribution of Ecological Non-monotonicity in Associations among Ecosystem Constituents.

Hanusch Maximilian M He Xie X Janssen Stefan S Selke Julian J Trutschnig Wolfgang W Junker Robert R RR

Ecosystems (New York, N.Y.) 20230814 8

Complex links between biotic and abiotic constituents are fundamental for the functioning of ecosystems. Although non-monotonic interactions and associations are known to increase the stability, diversity, and productivity of ecosystems, they are frequently ignored by community-level standard statistical approaches. Using the copula-based dependence measure <i>qad,</i> capable of quantifying the directed and asymmetric dependence between variables for all forms of (functional) relationships, we ...[more]

PMID: 38106357

Similar Datasets

Project description:ObjectiveSignificant differences have been discovered between subtypes of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The role of gut microbiota in promoting the onset of UC and CD is established, but conclusions regarding subtype-specific analyses remain limited.MethodsThis study aims to explore the influence of gut microbiota on subtypes of UC and CD, offering novel insights into the pathogenesis and treatment of UC and CD.Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was employed to examine the causal relationship between subtypes of UC and CD and gut microbiota composition. Gut microbiota data were sourced from the International Consortium MiBioGen, while UC and CD data were obtained from FINNGEN. Eligible single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected as instrumental variables. Multiple analytical approaches such as inverse variance-weighted (IVW), MR-Egger regression, weighted median, weighted mode, and MR-RAPS were utilized. Sensitivity analyses including MR-Egger intercept test, Cochran's Q test, and leave-one-out analysis were conducted for quality control. Subsequently, we employed multivariable IVW, MR-Egger, weighted median, and LASSO regression methods to identify independently significant genera or families and conducted sensitivity analyses.ResultsWe have determined that Hungatella, Acidaminococcaceae, and 15 other microbial taxa act as protective factors for various CD and UC subtypes, while Terrisporobacter, Anaerostipes, and 23 other microbial taxa are associated with increased risk for different CD and UC subtypes. Furthermore, through multivariable MR analysis, we have identified significant genera or families with independent effects.ConclusionOur study confirms a causal relationship between dysbiosis of gut microbiota and the occurrence of CD and UC subtypes. Furthermore, it validates etiological distinctions among different subtypes of CD and UC. A novel approach to adjunctive therapy involving distinct UC or CD subtypes may involve the use of probiotics and represents a potential avenue for future treatments.

Dataset Information

Exploring the Frequency and Distribution of Ecological Non-monotonicity in Associations among Ecosystem Constituents.

Supplementary information

Publications

Exploring the Frequency and Distribution of Ecological Non-monotonicity in Associations among Ecosystem Constituents.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets