Title of article :
Synchronized reproduction promotes species coexistence through reproductive facilitation
Author/Authors :
Chen، نويسنده , , Yu-Yun and Hsu، نويسنده , , Sze-Bi، نويسنده ,
Issue Information :
روزنامه با شماره پیاپی سال 2011
Pages :
9
From page :
136
To page :
144
Abstract :
Theories for species coexistence often emphasize niche differentiation and temporal segregation of recruitment to avoid competition. Recent work on mutualism suggested that plant species sharing pollinators provide mutual facilitation when exhibit synchronized reproduction. The facilitation on reproduction may enhance species persistence and coexistence. Theoretical ecologists paid little attention to such indirect mutualistic systems by far. We propose a new model for a two-species system using difference equations. The model focuses on adult plants and assumes no resource competition between these well-established individuals. Our formulas include demographic parameters, such as mortality and recruitment rates, and functions of reproductive facilitation. Both recruitment and facilitation effects reach saturation levels when flower production is at high levels. We conduct mathematical analyses to assess conditions of coexistence. We establish demographical conditions permitting species coexistence. Our analyses suggest a “rescue” effect from a “superior” species to a “weaker” species under strong recruitment enhancement effect when the later is not self-sustainable. The facilitation on rare species may help to overcome Allee effect.
Keywords :
Synchrony , Recruitment enhancement , indirect mutualism , Species coexistence
Journal title :
Journal of Theoretical Biology
Serial Year :
2011
Journal title :
Journal of Theoretical Biology
Record number :
1540575
Link To Document :
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