The inherent complexity of high‐diversity systems can make them particularly difficult to
understand. The relatively recent introduction of functional approaches, which seek to infer …

Teleost fishes are the most diverse group of vertebrates on Earth. On tropical coral reefs,
their species richness exceeds 6000 species; one tenth of total vertebrate biodiversity. A …

Coral reef ecosystems are remarkable for their high productivity in nutrient-poor waters. A
high proportion of primary production is consumed by the dominant herbivore assemblage …

All animals on Earth compete for free energy, which is acquired, assimilated, and ultimately
allocated to growth and reproduction. Competition is strongest within communities of …

Surgeonfishes have had a long evolutionary history that has been closely linked with coral
reef ecosystems. Today they are a key component of reef fish assemblages, playing a …

Understanding species' roles in food webs requires an accurate assessment of their trophic
niche. However, it is challenging to delineate potential trophic interactions across an …

Preserving biodiversity and ecosystem function in the Anthropocene is one of humanity's
greatest challenges. Ecosystem‐based management and area closures are considered an …

As anthropogenic and natural disturbances intensify, there is mounting concern about the
loss of functionally important or unique species. Functional redundancy, or the presence of …

There is now a general consensus that biodiversity positively affects ecosystem functioning.
This consensus, however, stems largely from small-scale experiments, raising the question …

Algal turfs are likely to rise in prominence on coral reefs in the Anthropocene. In these
ecosystems the sediments bound within algal turfs will shape ecosystem functions and the …