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| Inferring biotic interactions from functional, phylogenetic
and geographical proxies remains one great challenge
in ecology. We propose a conceptual framework to infer
the backbone of biotic interaction networks within regional
species pools. First, interacting groups are identified
to order links and remove forbidden interactions
between species. Second, additional links are removed
by examination of the geographical context in which
species co-occur. Third, hypotheses are proposed to
establish interaction probabilities between species.
We illustrate the framework using published food-webs
in terrestrial and marine systems. We conclude that
preliminary descriptions of the web of life can be made
by careful integration of data with theory. | |
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