Spatial complementarity and the coexistence of species
Jorge Velázquez1, Juan P Garrahan2, Markus P Eichhorn3
1School of Physics & Astronomy, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom; Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, 72001, Puebla, Pue., México.
Plos One
|December 23, 2014
Summary
Spatial structure allows similar species to coexist, challenging competitive exclusion. A new "triadic mechanism" explains how offspring escape competition, enabling coexistence through complementary species traits.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Theoretical Ecology
- Population Dynamics
Background:
- Species coexistence is a paradox, especially for similar species.
- Spatial structure can facilitate coexistence by increasing self-limitation.
- Existing hypotheses on spatial effects (segregation, heteromyopia) conflict.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate spatial mechanisms enabling species coexistence beyond population-level predictions.
- Identify conditions and spatial signatures of different coexistence mechanisms.
- Develop a predictive framework for species coexistence.
Main Methods:
- Individual-based model in 2D homogeneous space.
- Simulated two sessile species with differing demographic rates and competition.
- Characterized parameter space for coexistence.
Main Results:
- Revealed a novel coexistence mechanism: the "triadic mechanism", where rare species' offspring escape ancestral competition.
- Identified conditions for three spatial coexistence mechanisms (segregation, heteromyopia, triadic).
- Ecological pressure metric showed coexistence depends on both species, not just the dominant one.
Conclusions:
- Spatial coexistence arises from complementary species traits, not solely self-limitation.
- A unified framework predicts coexistence, mechanism, and spatial patterns.
- Understanding spatial dynamics is crucial for predicting community structure.
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