title: When is an ecological network complex? Connectance drives degree distribution and emerging network properties.
abstract: Connectance and degree distributions are important components of the structure of ecological networks. In this contribution, we use a statistical argument and simple network generating models to show that properties of the degree distribution are driven by network connectance. We discuss the consequences of this finding for (1) the generation of random networks in null-model analyses, and (2) the interpretation of network structure and ecosystem properties in relationship with degree distribution.
authors.affiliation: Université du Québec à Rimouski , Département de Biologie , Rimouski (QC) , Canada.
authors.forename: Timothée
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Poisot
authors.affiliation: Université du Québec à Rimouski , Département de Biologie , Rimouski (QC) , Canada.
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gravel
keywords: Connectance; Degree distribution; Ecological networks; Food webs; Network theory; Niche model; Null models; Power-law