Correlated traits generate the structure and stability of multiplex ecological networks

Abstract

Ecological stability and function emerge from the many and diverse types of interactions among species. Ecological networks represent the structure and strength of species interactions, but their study is often restricted to single interaction-types, likely due to an absence of models for plausibly (i.e., nonrandomly) structured 'multiplex networks' of multiple interaction types. Here, we present a general but mechanistic model that simulates multiplex networks using the different, but correlated, traits that determine different species interactions. We show that ecological stability varies systematically with these trait correlations by controlling the emergent complexity and positioning of strong interactions in the community. Our model provides a flexible but power tool to study multiplex networks under alternative trait-based hypotheses, offering new insights into the structure and stability of complex natural systems.