Lotka-Volterra
Competition Graphs
Ecology
Evolution, Application, Integration
Professor David T. Krohne
9780199757459
Introduction
We know that interspecific competition affects the potential coexistence of two species. If their niches are too similar, competitive exclusion is likely. Alternatively, selection may result in the divergence of the niches a phenomenon known as character displacement, allowing the species to coexist. How do we know if the niches are sufficiently different to allow coexistence? The Lotka-Volterra models allow us to address this question.
Learning Goals
After reading your text and completing this exercise, you should be able to:
- Understand the algebraic basis of the Lotka-Volterra graphs.
- Understand how this analysis predicts the outcome of competition between two species.
- Understand the conditions that permit coexistence.
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