Across the edge: Spatial segregation drives community structure in tri-trophic multilayer networks at a forest-grassland edge
Data files
Sep 03, 2025 version files 171.94 KB
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F1_bipartite.csv
15.71 KB
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F2_bipartite.csv
22.87 KB
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F3_bipartite.csv
8.29 KB
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G1_bipartite.csv
11.08 KB
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G2_bipartite.csv
11.93 KB
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G3_bipartite.csv
2.99 KB
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interlayer_links.csv
45.24 KB
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intralayer_links.csv
44.32 KB
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node_information.csv
5.33 KB
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README.md
4.19 KB
Abstract
This dataset accompanies a study investigating species interactions across forest–grassland edges in southern Brazil, focusing on a tri-trophic antagonistic system (prey–consumer–parasitoid) within fire-prone mosaics of Atlantic Forest and Pampa Grassland. The data support analyses of multitrophic network structure and connectivity across habitat boundaries.
The dataset includes: (i) a node table containing species-level information (taxonomy and trophic level); (ii) two extended edge lists, representing intralayer (within-layer links) and interlayer (across-layer links) interactions in a multilayer network format; and (iii) bipartite interaction matrices for each habitat layer, enabling layer-specific analyses. All files are provided in CSV format for straightforward reuse.
These data allow for replicating the published multilayer and bipartite network analyses, but they can also be repurposed for alternative approaches, such as network centrality, modularity, or species turnover studies. Additionally, the bipartite representations can be integrated into broader meta-analyses of ecological networks.
No legal or ethical restrictions apply, as all species records stem from ecological field sampling of invertebrates without involving protected or endangered species. These data provide a valuable resource for advancing network-based approaches to edge ecology, trophic dynamics, and habitat connectivity in fire-prone ecosystems.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.nzs7h4540
Description of the data and file structure
The dataset includes: (i) a node table containing species-level information (taxonomy and trophic level); (ii) two extended edge lists, representing intralayer (within-layer links) and interlayer (across-layer links) interactions in a multilayer network format; and (iii) bipartite interaction matrices for each habitat layer, enabling layer-specific analyses. All files are provided in CSV format for straightforward reuse.
Files and variables
File: intralayer_links.csv
Description: Intralayer links between state nodes in the same layers
Variables
- layer: Layer in which the interaction occurred
- node_from: State node origin
- node_to: State node destiny
- weight: Weight (Number of times the interaction has occurred)*
- link_type: Consumer-prey or host parasitoid interaction
- link_direction: Link direction, if it's bottom-up or up-down
*Intralayer edges connected different species state nodes between trophic levels (vertical edges) and were weighted as the abundance of each prey species captured by each consumer species (consumer-prey interactions), or the number of cells of a given consumer-level species parasitised by a parasitoid species (host-parasitoid interactions). This was done to standardise interactions among parasitoids, as species may deliver from a single to hundreds of offspring per cell due to life-history traits. All intralayer edges connected the consumer level to the parasitoid or prey level, never linking a prey node directly to a parasitoid node. For more Information, see S1.
File: interlayer_links.csv
Description: Interlayer links between state nodes in different layers
Variables
- layer_from: Layer origin
- node_from: State node origin
- layer_to: Layer destiny
- node_to: State node destiny
- weight: Weight (Number of times the interaction has occurred)*
- link_type: Consumer-prey or host parasitoid interaction
- link_direction: Link direction, if it's bottom-up or up-down
*Interlayer edges also occurred between trophic levels but were based on intralayer edges, linking ‘2 species motifs’ (interaction pairs), present in multiple layers (diagonal edges). For more Information, see S1.
File: node_information.csv
Description:
Variables
- species: Taxonomy
- trophic_level: Trophic Level
- type: Species type
File: F1_bipartite.csv
Description: Quantitative bipartite table. It shows "forest edge" data, the interactions occurring in the 0-20m forest strata from the edge. See the "Intralayer Links Weight" section above for the cell weight.
File: F2_bipartite.csv
Description: Quantitative bipartite table. It shows "forest intermediate" data, the interactions occurring in the 20-40m forest strata from the edge. See the "Intralayer Links Weight" section above for the cell weight.
File: F3_bipartite.csv
Description: Quantitative bipartite table. It shows "forest interior" data, the interactions occurring in the 40-60m forest strata from the edge. See the "Intralayer Links Weight" section above for the cell weight.
File: G1_bipartite.csv
Description: Quantitative bipartite table. It shows "grassland edge" data, the interactions occurring in the 0-20m grassland strata from the edge. See the "Intralayer Links Weight" section above for the cell weight.
File: G2_bipartite.csv
Description: Quantitative bipartite table. It shows "grassland intermediate" data, the interactions occurring in the 20-40m grassland strata from the edge. See the "Intralayer Links Weight" section above for the cell weight.
File: G3_bipartite.csv
Description: Quantitative bipartite table. It shows "grassland interior" data, the interactions occurring in the 40-60m grassland strata from the edge. See the "Intralayer Links Weight" section above for the cell weight.
Code/software
All analyses were run on R. Packages description is available in the paper.