Comparison across terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems facilitates a broader understanding of ecological patterns. Although meta-analyses are important for quantitative synthesis across ecosystems, detailed comparisons of natural history and species interactions also illuminate convergence among systems. We compare the ecology of superficially dissimilar African savannas and coral reefs via shared characteristics including: (1) hyperdiverse guilds of large vertebrate herbivores and predators, (2) similar mechanisms driving positive feedback loops between herbivory and primary production, (3) similar roles of disturbance and herbivory in mediating ecosystem state, and (4) numerous smaller vertebrate and invertebrate species that underpin diversity and ecosystem processes. Our goal in comparing the natural history and ecology of these ecosystems is to facilitate others in finding their own comparative systems. We encourage scientists, especially early-career scientists, to explore ecosystems other than their primary focus. Whatever your ecosystem of study, examining the ecology of its analog in another environment may enliven your career.

中文翻译：

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整个珊瑚礁和非洲大草原生态学的真知灼见：鹦嘴鱼湿的牛羚吗？

比较陆地和水生生态系统有助于更广泛地了解生态模式。尽管荟萃分析对于整个生态系统的定量合成很重要，但是对自然历史和物种相互作用的详细比较也说明了系统之间的融合。我们通过以下共同特征比较了表面相异的非洲大草原和珊瑚礁的生态，这些特征包括：（1）大型脊椎动物食草动物和掠食者的超多样性行会；（2）相似的机制驱动食草动物和初级生产之间的正反馈回路；（3）相似的作用干扰和草食性介导生态系统状态，以及（4）支撑多样性和生态系统过程的众多小型脊椎动物和无脊椎动物。我们比较这些生态系统的自然历史和生态的目的是促进其他人找到自己的比较系统。我们鼓励科学家，尤其是早期职业科学家，探索除主要关注点之外的生态系统。无论您研究的是哪种生态系统，在其他环境中研究其类似物的生态都可以使您的事业焕发活力。