The loose‐equilibrium concept (LEC) predicts that ecological assemblages change
transiently but return towards an earlier or average structure. The LEC framework can help …

A pioneering, quantitative study published in Journal of Animal Ecology in 1966 on
freshwater mussel populations in the River Thames, UK, continues to be cited extensively as …

Animals can have pervasive effects on ecosystems as they modify their biogeochemical and
physical environments. In particular, when animals occur in high densities these effects can …

Positive biodiversity–ecosystem functioning (BEF) relationships observed in experiments
can be challenging to identify in natural communities. Freshwater animal communities are …

Biogeochemical cycling has often been characterized by physical and microbial processes,
yet animals can be essential mediators of energy and nutrients in ecosystems. Excretion by …

Nutrient recycling by consumers can strongly impact nutrient availability for autotrophic and
heterotrophic microbes, thus impacting functions such as primary production and …

The continued global loss of biodiversity highlights the importance of understanding how
species loss may impact ecosystem function. Shifting temperatures will accelerate species …

In freshwater ecosystems, consumers can play large roles in nutrient cycling by modifying
nutrient availability for autotrophic and heterotrophic microbes. Nutrients released by …

Increases in species richness with habitat area (species–area relationship, or SAR) and
increases in ecosystem function with species richness (biodiversity–ecosystem functioning …

This study aimed to identify the importance of ecological factors to distribution patterns of the
invasive Clam (Corbicula fluminea) relative to native mussels (family: Unionidae) across …