Before revision:  We provide simple explanations in graphical terms for the qualitative phenomena consistently found by extensive numerical simulations, including the effects of nestedness and adaptive foragingon community dynamics, and the effects of invasions by new pollinator species. We also use this representation to highlight general similarities and differences between mutualistic systems and the more well-studied scenarios of pure competition .
After revision:  We provide simple explanations in graphical terms for the qualitative phenomena consistently found by extensive numerical simulations, including the effects on community dynamics of nestedness, adaptive foraging, and pollinator invasions. Our graphical approach promotes the unification of niche and network theories, and deepens the synthesis of different types of interactions within a consumer-resource framework .