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Species are not functionally independent. From a long-term perspective, only an ecosystem with a fully integrated nutrient cycle is alive. The lack of trophic autonomy should be considered one of the key factors that ensure and maintain biodiversity. The variability of abiotic conditions, both in space and in time, also creates a huge diversity of niches and sub-niches for genotypes and species. In addition, life maintains its essential variables (biomass and productivity) as stable as possible due to the diversity of structures (genes, macromolecules, metabolic pathways, genotypes, species, etc.): the structures that reach optima are multiplied and thus activated, while the functioning of those which lost their optima is suppressed.
The facts and concepts presented in this monograph thus support the conclusions that
(a) genotype and species diversity is supported by trophic specialisation
(b) biodiversity helps to stabilise the functions (essential variables) of individuals, populations, and ecological communities
(c) in evolution, the emergence of biodiversity is determined by heritable variation and the advantage of specialised (more effective) structures over non-specialised ones
(d) biodiversity is characterised by its ability to increase itself and to organise itself into relatively consistent structures, which we call production pyramids and nutrient cycles.
This book, therefore, provides an answer to the question "why the diversity of life is of such and such a nature".
Edmundas Lekevičius is a theoretical biologist. He graduated from Alytus Secondary School No. 1, studied biology at Vilnius University, and continued his studies at the Institute of General Genetics in Moscow. After returning to Lithuania, he worked at the Institutes of Botany and Ecology, where he conducted genetic, ecological and evolutionary research. He taught general ecology and related disciplines at Vilnius University. His research focuses on ecology and theoretical biology.
