In nature there exist three main types of biotic interactions between individuals of different species: competition, predation, and mutualism. All three exert powerful selection pressures, and all three shape communities. However, the question of how important interspecific competition in nature really is remains controversial and unresolved.
This book provides a critical and exhaustive review of the topic. Although the examples are limited mostly to birds the conclusions reached have a far broader relevance to population ecologists in general. The book reasons that the coexistence of species is the result of both past and presently on-going interspecific competition. Furthermore, understanding the importance of interspecific competition in natural systems will be increasingly important when modelling the effects of climate change on populations.
Contents
Preface
1: Introduction
2: Definitions, models, and on how to measure the existence of interspecific competition
3: Space as a limiting resource
4: Food as a limiting resource
5: Nest sites as a limiting resource
6: The effect of intraspecific competition on population processes
7: Studies of foraging niches and food
8: Field experiments to test the existence and effects of interspecific competition
9: Long-term experiments on competition between great and blue tit
10: Evolutionary effects of interspecific competition
11: Concluding thoughts
Appendices
References
Index