Algorithmic reconstruction of trophic networks from open-access species lists reveals key organisms in real ecosystems
Fig 5
Quantitative comparison between empirically measured trophic interactions and those predicted by the automated protocol.
The Figure compares, on a link-by-link basis, 100 automatically generated network replicates with the corresponding empirical food webs reported for five wetland-like ecosystems with varying species richness and connectivity [6]: Benguela Coastal Ecosystem (N = 29), Ythan Estuary (N = 92), Tuesday Lake (N = 56), Skipwith Pond (N = 37), and Broadstone Stream (N = 37). Underestimated links (red) correspond to interactions present in the empirical network but missing in the reconstructed networks, whereas overestimated links (yellow) are interactions present in the reconstructed networks but absent from the empirical data. (A) Comparison using a default estimated average connectivity of ≈0.12. (B) Comparison using the empirically measured connectivity for each ecosystem. (C) Comparison with equally connected random networks, in which each possible link is realized with a probability equal to the empirical connectivity.