Article
How to quantify the temporal storage effect using simulations instead of math
Ecology Letters
(2016)
Abstract
The storage effect has become a core concept in community ecology, explaining how environmental fluctuations can promote coexistence and maintain biodiversity. However, limitations of existing theory have hindered empirical applications: the need for detailed mathematical analysis whenever the study system requires a new model, and restricted theory for structured populations. We present a new approach that overcomes both these limitations. We show how temporal storage effect can be quantified by Monte Carlo simulations in a wide range of models for competing species. We use the lottery model and a generic integral projection model (IPM) to introduce ideas, and present two empirical applications: (1) algal species in a chemostat with variable temperature, showing that the storage effect can operate without a long-lived life stage and (2) a sagebrush steppe community IPM. Our results highlight the need for careful modelling of nonlinearities so that conclusions are not driven by unrecognised model constraints.
Disciplines
Publication Date
2016
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.12672
Citation Information
Peter B. Adler. "How to quantify the temporal storage effect using simulations instead of math" Ecology Letters Vol. 19 Iss. 11 (2016) p. 1333 - 1342 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/peter_adler/111/