Ecosystems depend on the intricate and often delicate balance of behaviors across a multitude of species. In the sciences, however, species are often studied in isolation or in relation to one other species, resulting in data, visualisations, and knowledge that misses the complexity of phenomena in the overall ecosystem.
We created a map that illustrates the network of relationships between different trees, herbivores, and pollinators in the UK, as currently documented in the research literature. The map visualisation indicated how changes in the population of one specific organism could affect others and the ecosystem more broadly. By modeling the interaction between species, the map also allows for a better understanding of the impacts of changes and interventions in terms of climate change or direct rehabilitation programs. The visualization further demonstrated the lack of data (and therefore research) on the interaction of specific species drawing attention to further research opportunities.
