title: A general framework for effectiveness concepts in mutualisms.
abstract: A core interest in studies of mutualistic interactions is the 'effectiveness' of mutualists in providing benefits to their partners. In plant-animal mutualisms it is widely accepted that the total effect of a mutualist on its partner is estimated as (1) a 'quantity' component multiplied by (2) a 'quality' component, although the meanings of 'effectiveness,' 'quantity,' and 'quality' and which terms are applied to these metrics vary greatly across studies. In addition, a similar quantity × quality = total effect approach has not been applied to other types of mutualisms, although it could be informative. Lastly, when a total effect approach has been applied, it has invariably been from a phytocentric perspective, focussing on the effects of animal mutualists on their plant partner. This lack of a common framework of 'effectiveness' of mutualistic interactions limits generalisation and the development of a broader understanding of the ecology and evolution of mutualisms. In this paper, we propose a general framework and demonstrate its utility by applying it to both partners in five different types of mutualisms: pollination, seed dispersal, plant protection, rhizobial, and mycorrhizal mutualisms. We then briefly discuss the flexibility of the framework, potential limitations, and relationship to other approaches.
authors.affiliation: Department of Wildland Resources and the Ecology Center, Utah State University, 5230 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322-5230, USA.|Integrative Ecology Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana, EBD-CSIC, c/Americo Vespucio 26, Isla de La Cartuja, E-41092, Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: Eugene W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Schupp
authors.affiliation: Integrative Ecology Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana, EBD-CSIC, c/Americo Vespucio 26, Isla de La Cartuja, E-41092, Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jordano
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva, Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA-CSIC), Carretera de Sacramento s/n, La Cañada de San Urbano, E-04120, Almería, Spain.|Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, E-18071, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: José María
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gómez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D005658:Fungi / Q000502:physiology*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D038821:Mycorrhizae; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena; D054817:Pollination; D058614:Seed Dispersal; D013559:Symbiosis
keywords: Mutualism effectiveness; mycorrhizal mutualisms; plant protection mutualisms; pollination mutualisms; rhizobial mutualisms; seed dispersal mutualisms