Cross-scale organization and resilience of ecological systems

Ecological organization varies across scales. We propose that the resilience of ecosystems depends upon the distribution of ecological functions performed by species and processes within and across scales. Furthermore, we propose resilience, and the vulnerability of species can be assessed by analyzing the distribution of function across scales by analyzing the distribution of species body masses, that correlates strongly with the scale at which species perform ecological functions. Our working group will test these propositions using two complimentary approaches. Firstly, we will develop and refine alternate methods of pattern detection and comparison to examine empirical ecosystem data. Secondly, we will synthesize existing models of cross-scale ecological organization. These approaches will be synthesized by using the analytical methods to compare body mass patterns produced by modeled and actual ecosystems.