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Life history trade-offs assemble ecological guilds.
Michael B Bonsall1, Vincent A A Jansen, Michael P Hassell
1Department of Biological Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7PY, UK. m.bonsall@imperial.ac.uk
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|October 2, 2004
Summary
Life history trade-offs allow multiple species to coexist on limited resources, challenging traditional niche theories. Evolutionary processes fundamentally shape ecological community structure.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Theoretical Ecology
Background:
- Ecological theory posits that competition for limited resources leads to species exclusion.
- Coexistence models often rely on niche width and limiting similarity concepts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how continuously varying life histories and trade-offs influence species coexistence.
- To reveal the emergence and shaping of limiting similarity by ecological and evolutionary factors.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical modeling of ecological competition.
- Analysis of life-history trait trade-offs.
Main Results:
- Continuously varying life histories and trade-offs facilitate the coexistence of multiple competitors.
- Limiting similarity arises from and is shaped by competitor characteristics.
Conclusions:
- The interplay of ecological and evolutionary processes is crucial for structuring ecological communities.
- Evolutionary processes, specifically life-history trait trade-offs, are fundamental to understanding community structure.
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