A general model of local competition for space

Philip H. Crowley, Heather M. Davis, Amanda L. Ensminger, Linda C. Fuselier, J. Kasi Jackson, D. Nicholas McLetchie

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Local competition for space across a wide array of taxa typically involves three mechanisms that we denote here as expansion (spreading into unoccupied habitat), lottery (replacing dead competitors), and overgrowth (encroaching on competitors along zones of contact). By formulating and analysing a simple, general model incorporating these features, we identify ecological conditions and life-history features that lead to stable coexistence or competitive exclusion (with or without initial-condition dependence) and gain insight by linking these to case studies in the literature. We demonstrate the importance of contact inhibition, a little-studied feature of overgrowth, and we show how life-history tradeoffs may influence and be influenced by local competition for space. The general model we present can help indicate whether local interactions are sufficient to explain patterns of coexistence or exclusion and can serve as the foundation for more specific, realistic models of spatial competition.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)176-188
Number of pages13
JournalEcology Letters
Volume8
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2005

Keywords

  • Competitive exclusion
  • Expansion competition
  • Life-history strategies
  • Lottery competition
  • Metapopulations
  • Overgrowth competition
  • Stable coexistence
  • Volterra competition

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

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