Species abundance is governed by many weak probabilistic forces, not single dominant causes

Evidence

Finally, we want to note our agreement with McNaughton’s (1983) view that the proximate mechanism regulating the abundance of species results from many weak forces acting probabilistically. The cumulative effects are large but the individual effects are minor, interactive, and uncertain. Spatial and temporal heterogeneity in species attributes and population characteristics (distribution, etc.), although a bane to early ecologists as they searched for communities that were homogeneous in space and time, may be particularly important contributors to the integrity and continuity of ecological systems. Study of the ecology of disturbance may well tie together many of these more problematic areas of ecology. — S. T. A. Pickett and P. S. White, eds., The Ecology of Natural Disturbance and…, 1122

Categorization

• XREF: This weak-interaction/probabilistic regulation reframe parallels the Soundscape lectures’ claim that many weak ambient forces, not single loud signals, shape experience. — connects to: Topography-driven wind patterns skew treefall frequency and thus species abundance locally — S. T. A. Pickett and P. S. White, eds., The Ecology of Natural Disturbance and…, 472

Broader Connections

• Topography-driven wind patterns skew treefall frequency and thus species abundance locally #exemplifies (0.80) — S. T. A. Pickett and P. S. White, eds., The Ecology of Natural Disturbance and…, 472