Strong contributors to network persistence are the most vulnerable to extinction

Serguei Saavedra, Daniel B. Stouffer, Brian Uzzi and Jordi Bascompte ()
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Serguei Saavedra: Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems, Northwestern University
Daniel B. Stouffer: Integrative Ecology Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Calle Américo Vespucio s/n, E-41092 Sevilla, Spain
Brian Uzzi: Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems, Northwestern University
Jordi Bascompte: Integrative Ecology Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Calle Américo Vespucio s/n, E-41092 Sevilla, Spain

Nature, 2011, vol. 478, issue 7368, 233-235

Abstract: Network stalwarts not rewarded Nodes in cooperative networks, such as those between plants and their pollinators or service providers and their contractors, form complex networks of interdependences. In these mutualistic networks, nodes that contribute to the nestedness of the network improve its stability. However, this study, using ecological data from 20 plant–pollinator networks and from socioeconomic networks, shows that these same nodes do not reap the benefits. In fact, the nodes that contribute the most to network persistence are also the most vulnerable to extinction.

Date: 2011
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DOI: 10.1038/nature10433

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