E. coli microcosms indicate a tight link between predictability of ecosystem dynamics and diversity.
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ABSTRACT: The diversity-stability hypothesis proposes that ecosystem diversity is positively correlated with stability. The impact of ecosystem diversity is, however, still debated. In a microcosm experiment using diverged Escherichia coli cells, we show that the fitness of community members depends on the complexity (number of participants) of the system. Interestingly, the spread of a community member with a superior genotype is mostly stochastic in low-complexity systems, but highly deterministic in a more complex environment. We conclude that system complexity provides a buffer against stochastic effects.
SUBMITTER: Imhof M
PROVIDER: S-EPMC1500808 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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