Abstract

Many ecological systems can exhibit alternative stable states (ASS), which implies that ecological communities may diverge depending on their initial state, despite identical environmental conditions. Here we present a new mechanism that can cause ASS in competition systems. Using a physiologically structured model of competing populations, representing Baltic Sea sprat and herring and their resources, we show how cohort-driven population cycles may result in priority effects leading to ASS. Similar mechanisms could, depending on mortality level, also result in a resident strikes back phenomenon. We argue that the prerequisites for the occurrence of ASS in our model system, that is, communities with competing populations exhibiting cohort cycles and variation in size at maturation, may be common in ecological systems.

Keywords

alternative stable states; competition; herring; mortality; size structure; sprat

Published in

American Naturalist
2013, Volume: 182, number: 3, pages: 374-392

SLU Authors

• Huss, Magnus

  • Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Casini, Michele

  • Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Gårdmark, Anna

  • Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG14 Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development


UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/671327

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/53339