A Framework for the Eltonian Niche of Humans

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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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Author and article information

Contributors

Remington J Moll: (View ORCID Profile)

Journal

Title: BioScience

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

ISSN (Print): 0006-3568

ISSN (Electronic): 1525-3244

Publication date Created: September 2021

Publication date Created: September 01 2021

Publication date Created: May 26 2021

Publication date Other: September 2021

Publication date (Print): September 01 2021

Publication date (Electronic): May 26 2021

Volume: 71

Issue: 9

Pages: 928-941

Affiliations

[1 ]Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, United States

[2 ]School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

[3 ]Conservation Biology Research Group, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia

[4 ]Mammal Research Centre, University of Pretoria, Tshwane, South Africa, and with the Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

[5 ]Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney, United Kingdom

Article

DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biab055

SO-VID: 01991948-bfc8-4e9c-b09a-6a9820e428ee

License:

https://academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model

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