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Ecology 8310Population (and Community) Ecology
Competition: the R* approach
• Consumer and resource dynamics• A graphical approach
• ZNGIs• Consumption vectors• Resource renewal• Putting it together
• Tests
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The basics:
0
Resource density (R)
dC
/Cd
tConsumer growth
Mortality
R*
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The basics: A chemostat
Consumer demographics; resource
"non-dynamic"
Inflow of resource Loss of resource and consumer
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The basics: dynamics
Consumer demographics; resource
"non-dynamic"
Inflow of resource Loss of resource and consumer
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The basics:
0
Time
Con
sum
er
or
Reso
urc
e D
en
sity Consume
r
Resource
Set by concentration in
inflow
R*
Introduce consumer
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What happens to C* and R* if we increase the flow?
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The basics:
0
Resource density (R)
dC
/Cd
t
Consumer growth
Mortality
R*
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What if we have two consumers?
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Two consumers:
0
Resource density (R)
dC
/Cd
tConsumer 1's growth
Mortality
R* R*
Consumer 2's growth
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Synedra Asterionella
From Tilman et al. 1981 (L&O)
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Alone:Followed population growthand resource (silicate) when
alone:
Data = points.Lines = predicted from model
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In Competition:
Synedra wins
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What if we change the environment?
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Synedra won at 24oC.
Who will win at 8oC?
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Asterionella Synedra
From Tilman et al. 1981 (L&O)
Who will win?
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From Tilman et al. 1981 (L&O)
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From Tilman et al. 1981 (L&O)
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What about changing the mortality rate?
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Two consumers:
0
Resource density (R)
dC
/Cd
tConsumer 1's growth
Mortality
Consumer 2's growth
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Let's extend this to >1 resource…
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We could approach this mathematically, but Tilman advanced an elegant graphical approach (underlain by
explicit math)…
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ZNGIs:
0
R1
R2
Zero Net Growth Isocline (ZNGI): all
(R1, R2) combinations at which dC/dt=0
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ZNGIs:
R1
R2
R1
R2
R1
R2
R1
R2
Essential Substitutable
Complementary
Switching
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ZNGI's tell us when the consumer is at equilibrium.
What about the resources?
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Resource equilibrium:
Supply = Consumption
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Resource supply: "equable" vs. biotic (logistic) resources
Equable (abiotic)
R1
R2
S
R1
R2
S
Biotic (logistic)
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Resource consumption?
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We'll assume: 1) essential resources; 2) fixed stoichiometry (i.e., consumption
ratio is constant)
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Resource supply:
R1
R2
Resource Supply Point
Resource Supply Rates
Consumption vectors
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Stable equilibrium:
R1
R2
Resource Supply Point
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Competition – 1 scenario:
R1
R2
SWhat is the long-term outcome?
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Competition – another scenario:
R1
R2
SWhat is the long-term outcome?
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What else do we need to specify?
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Competition – 1 scenario:
R1
R2
SWe need to find
R1* and R2*
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Notice that C* is implicit
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Competition – another scenario:
R1
R2
SWhat is the long-term outcome?
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Competition – another scenario:
R1
R2
Neither species
can make it
Blue can make it, but not red (but
not competitive exclusion)
Red can make it, but not blue (but
not competitive exclusion)
What about this region?
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Competition – another scenario:
R1
R2
SSpecify S
and consumption vectors
Now what?
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Competition – another scenario:
R1
R2
S
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Let's look at invasibility…
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Competition – invasibility?
R1
R2
S Where is the single species
equilibrium for Blue?
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Competition – invasibility?
R1
R2
S Where is the single species
equilibrium for Red?
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Competition – another scenario:
R1
R2
S
You should figure this one
out.
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Competition – another scenario:
R1
R2
S
Could get 2 species, but is this equilibrium stable?
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Let's look at invasibility…
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Invasibility?
R1
R2
S
Can red invade?
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Invasibility:
R1
R2
S
Blue can invade
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Can we interpret the conditions for coexistence?
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Resource limitation?
R1
R2
S
Which resource limits Red vs. Blue?
Which resource is
used primarily
by Red vs. Blue?
So, "intra vs. inter"?
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Experimental test: vary ratio of resources
R1
R2
S
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Another possibility:
R1
R2
Homework #4
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Homework 4:
1) Determine "who wins" for each region in the previous slide.
2) Evaluate co-existence based on invasibility, when there is an equilibrium that potentially allows the
two consumers to persist
3) For a supply point in the wedge, sketch out the dynamics (densities through time for the two
resources and the two consumers) if you start the system with very low numbers of each consumer
Due by 5pm Monday