Authors: Campbell O Webb (Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University), Steven M Vamosi (University of Calgary), Stephen B Heard (University of New Brunswick), Jana C Vamosi(University of Calgary)

The analysis of the phylogenetic structure of communities can help reveal dominant, contemporary ecological interactions, as well as link community ecology with biogeography and the study of character evolution. The number of studies employing this broad approach has increased to the point where comparison of their results can now be used to highlight successes and deficiencies in the approach. We review studies of the phylogenetic structure of communities of different major taxa and trophic levels, across different spatial and phylogenetic scales, and using different metrics and null models. We discuss the relationship between metrics of phylogenetic clustering and tree balance, and explore the potential of phylogenetic structure analysis to reveal trophic cascades. Finally, we look beyond one-dimensional metrics of phylogenetic structure towards multivariate descriptors that better capture the variety of ecological behaviors likely to be exhibited in communities of species with hundreds of millions of years of independent evolution.