Ecologists have long recognized the importance of biodiversity, but measuring its impact on ecosystem functions has proven challenging. A recent study led by Dr. Andrew D. Burns from the University of Waikato analyzed over 300 global food webs, finding that ecosystems with greater species diversity transfer significantly more energy through the food chain, largely driven by predators.
The researchers mapped out 318 food webs, which included diverse environments like oceans, lakes, and soils. Instead of merely counting species, they focused on energy flux—the energy transferred during feeding. The study revealed that as species diversity increases, so does the total energy moving through the ecosystem, with rich food webs transferring up to 70 times more energy to predators than less diverse ones.
The research highlights two key patterns: increased species numbers create taller food webs with more feeding levels, facilitating energy transfer to predators, and promote nutritional complementarity among predators, allowing for more effective energy processing. Dr. Benoit Gauzens emphasized that species interact within networks, influencing ecosystem health.
The study warns that losing predators can lead to ecosystem collapse, drastically impacting functions like pest control and ecological balance. It calls for a shift in conservation efforts, advocating for the protection of ecological relationships rather than just species counts, as maintaining these connections is crucial for sustaining ecosystem productivity and resilience. This approach promises tangible benefits for agriculture, fisheries, and overall ecosystem health. The findings were published in Nature.
