Abiotic niche partitioning and negative density dependence drive tree seedling survival in a tropical forest

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 284(1869), P. 20172210 - 20172210

Published: Dec. 13, 2017

In tropical tree communities, processes occurring during early life stages play a critical role in shaping forest composition and diversity through differences species' performance. Predicting the future of forests depends on solid understanding drivers seedling survival. At same time, factors determining spatial temporal patterns survival can large permitting species coexistence diverse communities. Using long-term data more than 45 000 seedlings 238 Neotropical forest, we assessed relative importance key abiotic biotic neighbourhood variables thought to influence individual tested whether vary significantly their responses these variables, consistent with niche differences. community level, was correlated plant size, topographic habitat, densities conspecific seedlings, heterospecific trees annual variation water availability, descending order effect size. Additionally, found significant among sensitivity light as well within different habitats, indicating potential for differentiation that could allow coexistence.

Language: Английский

---

Rainfall variability maintains grass‐forb species coexistence

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 22(10), P. 1658 - 1667

Published: July 12, 2019

Environmental variability can structure species coexistence by enhancing niche partitioning. Modern theory highlights two fluctuation-dependent temporal mechanisms -the storage effect and relative nonlinearity - but empirical tests are rare. Here, we experimentally test if environmental fluctuations enhance in a California annual grassland. We manipulate rainfall timing densities of the grass Avena barbata forb Erodium botrys, parameterise demographic model, partition mechanisms. Rainfall was integral to grass-forb coexistence. Variability enhanced growth rates both species, early-season drought essential for persistence. While theoretical developments have focused on effect, it not critical In comparison, strongly stabilised coexistence, where experienced disproportionately high under due competitive release from Avena. Our results underscore importance suggest that is underappreciated mechanism.

Language: Английский

---

Pluck or Luck: Does Trait Variation or Chance Drive Variation in Lifetime Reproductive Success?

The American Naturalist, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 191(4), P. E90 - E107

Published: Feb. 19, 2018

While there has been extensive interest in how intraspecific trait variation affects ecological processes, outcomes are highly variable even when individuals identical: some lucky, while others not. Trait is therefore important only if it adds substantially to the variability produced by luck. We ask a substantial effect on lifetime reproductive success (LRS), using two approaches: (1) we partition LRS into contributions from luck and (2) what can be inferred about an individual's traits with certainty, given their observed LRS. In theoretical stage- size-structured models empirical case studies, find that usually dominates variance of Even differ ways affect expected LRS, unless effects reduced (e.g., low life span or annual fecundity), most due luck, implying departures "null" omitting will hard detect. Luck also obscures relationship between realized individual traits. may influence fate populations, often governs lives individuals.

Language: Английский

---

Diversity begets diversity in competition for space

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 1(6)

Published: May 15, 2017

Language: Английский

---

Self-regulation and the stability of large ecological networks

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 1(12), P. 1870 - 1875

Published: Oct. 20, 2017

Language: Английский

---

Accurate predictions of coexistence in natural systems require the inclusion of facilitative interactions and environmental dependency

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 106(5), P. 1839 - 1852

Published: Aug. 13, 2018

Abstract Coexistence between plant species is well known to depend on the outcomes of interactions within an environmental context. The incorporation variation into empirical studies coexistence are rare, however, due complex experiments needed do so and lack feasible modelling approaches for determining how factors alter specific mechanisms. In this article, we present a simple framework assessing in across gradients impact niche overlap fitness differences, two core determinants coexistence. We use novel formulation annual population dynamics model that allows competitive facilitative strength direction these gradients. Using framework, examine plant–plant four commonly co‐occurring from Western Australian woodlands. then determine differences vary three previously identified as important structuring diversity patterns system: soil phosphorus, shade water. found facilitation be widespread phenomenon most pairs shift multiple Environmental conditions also altered strength, relative both nonlinear unpredictable ways. Synthesis . provide incorporating heterogeneity explorations Our findings highlight importance environment outcome potential pairwise species. prevalence our system indicates need improve current theoretical frameworks include noncompetitive ways translating effects explicit predictions study suggests further research which result consistent responses variation. Such information will ability predict coexistence, invasion events whole communities future change.

Language: Английский

---

Intransitivity is infrequent and fails to promote annual plant coexistence without pairwise niche differences

Ecology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 98(5), P. 1193 - 1200

Published: Feb. 27, 2017

Abstract Intransitive competition is often projected to be a widespread mechanism of species coexistence in ecological communities. However, it unknown how much the we observe nature results from this when interactions are also stabilized by pairwise niche differences. We combined field‐parameterized models among 18 annual plant with tools network theory quantify prevalence intransitive competitive relationships. then analyzed predicted outcome and without was found for just 15–19% 816 possible triplets, never sufficient stabilize triplet pair‐wise differences between competitors were removed. Of transitive only four coexist these more similar multidimensional trait space defined 11 functional traits than non‐coexisting triplets. Our argue that may less frequent recently posed, even does operate, key coexistence.

Language: Английский

---

The effects of intransitive competition on coexistence

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 20(7), P. 791 - 800

Published: May 26, 2017

Abstract Coexistence theory has been developed with an almost exclusive focus on interactions between two species, often ignoring more complex and indirect interactions, such as intransitive loops, that can emerge in competition networks. In fact, typically studied isolation from other pairwise stabilising processes, thus little is known about how intransitivity interacts traditional drivers of species coexistence niche partitioning. To integrate into theory, we a metric growth rate when rare, , to identify quantify the impact against backdrop differences. Using this index simulations community dynamics, demonstrate loops both stabilise or destabilise coexistence, but strength importance are significantly affected by length topology these loops. We conclude showing be used evaluate effects empirical studies. Our results emphasise need mechanisms emerging diverse our understanding coexistence.

Language: Английский

---

Movement‐mediated community assembly and coexistence

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 95(4), P. 1073 - 1096

Published: April 20, 2020

ABSTRACT Organismal movement is ubiquitous and facilitates important ecological mechanisms that drive community metacommunity composition hence biodiversity. In most existing theories models in biodiversity research, represented simplistically, ignoring the behavioural basis of consequently variation behaviour at species individual levels. However, as human endeavours modify climate land use, processes organisms response to these changes, including movement, become critical understanding resulting loss. Here, we draw together research from different subdisciplines ecology understand impact individual‐level on community‐level patterns coexistence. We join framework with key concepts theory, assembly modern coexistence theory using idea micro–macro links, where various aspects emergent scale up local regional mobility mobile‐link‐generated abiotic biotic environmental conditions. These turn influence both and, timescales, such dispersal limitation, filtering, niche partitioning. conclude by highlighting challenges promising future avenues for data generation, analysis complementary modelling approaches provide a brief outlook how new behaviour‐based view becomes responses communities under ongoing change.

Language: Английский

---

Common alien plants are more competitive than rare natives but not than common natives

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 22(9), P. 1378 - 1386

Published: June 17, 2019

Abstract Success of alien plants is often attributed to high competitive ability. However, not all aliens become dominant, and natives are vulnerable exclusion. Here, we quantified outcomes their determinants, using response‐surface experiments, in 48 pairs native naturalised annuals that common or rare Germany. Overall, were more than natives. (invasive) were, despite strong limitation by intraspecific competition, This because species had higher intrinsic growth rates natives, ones. Strength interspecific competition was related status commonness. Our work highlights the importance including commonness understanding invasion success. It suggests variation among important inter‐ thus contributes success rarity.

Language: Английский

---