In Biodiversity, What You Do Matters More Than Who You Are
Thursday, September 11, 2008 - 14:28
in Biology & Nature
When it comes to biodiversity, the ecological roles filled by species matter more than the number of species in the system. A recent study of parasitic wasps and their aphid prey showed that the key to biological diversity in an ecosystem is having species with non-overlapping roles. In addition to answering an important ecological question, the study provided empirical support for sustainable agriculture practices and offered guidance on how best to do biological control of agricultural pests.