Trophic Cascades

Trophic cascades are the effects of antagonists (e.g., predators and parasites) on victims (e.g., prey and hosts) that propagate down food webs. They cause inverse patterns of abundance and biomass among trophic groups. Complex interactions within food webs may limit trophic cascades, and researchers have debated where trophic cascades are most likely to occur and their relative strength. Nevertheless, trophic cascades are widely observed in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Changes in trophic cascades may shift systems to alternate states, and trophic cascades influence many processes, including biogeochemical cycling, crosshabitat linkages, and ecosystem services. Restoration of top consumers and resulting trophic cascades are important targets for conservation that can contribute to sustaining biodiversity.