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Interplay between intraspecific suppression and environment in shaping biodiversity
Seong-Gyu Yang1,2, Hye Jin Park3
1Korea Institute for Advanced Study, School of Computational Sciences, Seoul 02455, Republic of Korea.
Physical Review. E
|September 16, 2025
Summary
Intraspecific suppression, where species limit their own populations, boosts biodiversity. This mechanism allows more species to coexist than previously thought possible, even exceeding the number of available resources.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Theoretical Ecology
- Biodiversity Science
Background:
- High biodiversity is a central ecological challenge.
- MacArthur's consumer-resource model (MCRM) posits that consumer diversity is resource-limited.
- Empirical data frequently show biodiversity exceeding MCRM predictions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate mechanisms sustaining high biodiversity.
- To extend the generalized consumer-resource model by including intraspecific suppression.
- To analyze the impact of intraspecific suppression on species coexistence.
Main Methods:
- Utilized dynamical mean-field theory for analysis.
- Extended the generalized consumer-resource model framework.
- Incorporated intraspecific suppression dynamics into the model.
Main Results:
- Intraspecific suppression was found to promote biodiversity.
- Suppression prevents dominant species from emerging, facilitating coexistence.
- Analytical bounds show consumer species can exceed resource kinds, especially in resource-rich environments.
Conclusions:
- Intraspecific suppression is a critical factor for high biodiversity.
- Environmental factors and intraspecific interactions shape coexistence.
- The study provides a theoretical basis for biodiversity exceeding resource availability.
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