Testing the metabolic theory of ecology

Price, Charles A.; Weitz, Joshua S; Savage, Van M.; Stegen, James; Clarke, Andrew ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7582-3074; Coomes, David A.; Dodds, Peter S.; Etienne, Rampal S.; Kerkhoff, Andrew J.; McCulloh, Katherine; Niklas, Karl J.; Olff, Han; Swenson, Nathan G.; Chave, Jerome. 2012 Testing the metabolic theory of ecology. Ecology Letters, 15 (12). 1465-1474. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2012.01860.x

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2012.01860.x

Abstract/Summary

The metabolic theory of ecology (MTE) predicts the effects of body size and temperature on metabolism through considerations of vascular distribution networks and biochemical kinetics. MTE has also been extended to characterise processes from cellular to global levels. MTE has generated both enthusiasm and controversy across a broad range of research areas. However, most efforts that claim to validate or invalidate MTE have focused on testing predictions. We argue that critical evaluation of MTE also requires strong tests of both its theoretical foundations and simplifying assumptions. To this end, we synthesise available information and find that MTE's original derivations require additional assumptions to obtain the full scope of attendant predictions. Moreover, although some of MTE's simplifying assumptions are well supported by data, others are inconsistent with empirical tests and even more remain untested. Further, although many predictions are empirically supported on average, work remains to explain the often large variability in data. We suggest that greater effort be focused on evaluating MTE's underlying theory and simplifying assumptions to help delineate the scope of MTE, generate new theory and shed light on fundamental aspects of biological form and function.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2012.01860.x
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Polar Science for Planet Earth (2009 - ) > Ecosystems
ISSN:	1461023X
NORA Subject Terms:	Biology and Microbiology
Date made live:	17 Dec 2012 17:34 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/20831

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2012.01860.x

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > Polar Science for Planet Earth (2009 - ) > Ecosystems

ISSN:

1461023X

NORA Subject Terms:

Biology and Microbiology

Date made live:

17 Dec 2012 17:34 +0 (UTC)