The prevalence and importance of competition among coral reef fishes

Bonin, Mary C., Boström-Einarsson, Lisa, Munday, Philip L., and Jones, Geoffrey P. (2015) The prevalence and importance of competition among coral reef fishes. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, 46. pp. 169-190.

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Abstract

Although competition is recognized as a core ecological process, its prevalence and importance in coral reef fish communities have been debated. Here we compile and synthesize the results of 173 experimental tests of competition from 72 publications. We show that evidence for competition is pervasive both within and between species, with 72% of intraspecific tests and 56% of interspecific tests demonstrating a demographically significant consequence of competition (e.g., a decrease in recruitment, survival, growth, or fecundity). We highlight several factors that can interact with the effects of competition and make it more difficult to detect in field experiments. In light of this evidence, we discuss the role of competition in shaping coral reef fish communities and competition's status as one of several processes that contribute to species coexistence. Finally, we consider some of the complex ways that climate change may influence competition, and we provide suggestions for future research

Item ID: 43042
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1545-2069
Keywords: intraspecific competition, interspecific competition, density dependence, coexistence, resource limitation, climate change
Funders: Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
Date Deposited: 07 Mar 2016 23:03
FoR Codes: 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology > 060202 Community Ecology (excl Invasive Species Ecology) @ 34%
06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology > 060205 Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl Marine Ichthyology) @ 33%
06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology > 060207 Population Ecology @ 33%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960808 Marine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 50%
96 ENVIRONMENT > 9699 Other Environment > 969902 Marine Oceanic Processes (excl. Climate Related) @ 50%
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