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Testing the metabolic theory of ecology
Author(s) -
Price Charles A.,
Weitz Joshua S,
Savage Van M.,
Stegen James,
Clarke Andrew,
Coomes David A.,
Dodds Peter S.,
Etienne Rampal S.,
Kerkhoff Andrew J.,
McCulloh Katherine,
Niklas Karl J.,
Olff Han,
Swenson Nathan G.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2012.01860.x
Subject(s) - scope (computer science) , ecology , function (biology) , range (aeronautics) , enthusiasm , biology , computer science , evolutionary biology , psychology , engineering , social psychology , programming language , aerospace engineering
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.