A framework for the Eltonian niche of humans

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Authors

Moll, Remington J.
Killion, Alexander K.
Hayward, Matt W.
Montgomery, Robert A.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Abstract

Recent research has highlighted several influential roles that humans play in ecosystems, including that of a superpredator, hyperkeystone species, and niche constructor. This work has begun to describe the Eltonian niche of humans, which encompasses humanity's cumulative ecological and evolutionary roles in trophic systems. However, we lack a unifying framework that brings together these strands of research, links them to ecoevolutionary and sociocultural theory, and identifies current research needs. In this article, we present such a framework in hope of facilitating a more holistic approach to operationalizing human roles in trophic systems across an increasingly anthropogenic biosphere. The framework underscores how humans play numerous nuanced roles in trophic systems, from top-down to bottom-up, that entail not only pernicious effects but also benefits for many nonhuman species. Such a nuanced view of the Eltonian niche of humans is important for understanding complex social–ecological system functioning and enacting effective policies and conservation measures.

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Keywords

Anthropocene, Anthrome, Community ecology, Homo sapiens, Social-ecological systems (SES)

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Remington J. Moll, Alexander K. Killion, Matt W. Hayward, Robert A. Montgomery, A Framework for the Eltonian Niche of Humans, BioScience, Volume 71, Issue 9, September 2021, Pages 928–941, https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biab055.