Ecological networks depict the interactions between species, mainly based on observations in the field. The information contained in such interaction matrices depends on the sampling design, and typically, compounds preferences (specialization) and abundances (activity). Null models are the primary vehicles to disentangle the effects of specialization from those of sampling and abundance, but they ignore the feedback of network structure on abundances. Hence, network structure, as exemplified here by modularity, is difficult to link to specific causes. Indeed, various processes lead to modularity and to specific interaction patterns more generally. Inferring (co)evolutionary dynamics is even more challenging, as competition and trait matching yield identical patterns of interactions. A satisfactory resolution of the underlying factors determining network structure will require substantial additional information, not only on independently assessed abundances, but also on traits, and ideally on fitness cons...

中文翻译：

---

确定生态网络模式的原因：机会和限制

生态网络描绘了物种之间的相互作用，主要基于实地观察。此类交互矩阵中包含的信息取决于抽样设计，通常还取决于化合物偏好（专业化）和丰度（活动）。零模型是将专业化的影响与采样和丰度的影响分开的主要工具，但它们忽略了网络结构对丰度的反馈。因此，这里以模块化为例的网络结构很难与特定原因联系起来。事实上，各种流程导致模块化和更普遍的特定交互模式。推断（共同）进化动力学更具挑战性，因为竞争和特征匹配会产生相同的相互作用模式。