Feedbacks: a new synthesis of causal loops across ecology

Abstract

Feedbacks are the basic linkages of living systems. In organisms, they regulate the processes of growth and homeostasis, as well as their interactions with their world. Feedback, which Judson (1980) called ‘one of the chief themes of scientific understanding,' is equally important in ecological systems. The ecological literature is rich in papers dealing with the role of feedback in various phenomena. However, we know of no comprehensive synthesis of feedbacks in ecology. Pichon et al. (2024) accomplish this, and for the first time show that ecological feedbacks can be categorized in terms of a small number of fundamental attributes. The paper brings the array of different types of feedbacks into a manageable order, providing not only the relevant theoretical framework but also guidance on methods for applying understanding to practical issues.