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How competitive intransitivity and niche overlap affect spatial coexistence

Cite this dataset

Yang, Yinghui; Hui, Cang (2020). How competitive intransitivity and niche overlap affect spatial coexistence [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.gxd2547jv

Abstract

Competitive intransitivity is mostly considered outside the main body of coexistence theories that rely primarily on the role of niche overlap and differentiation. How the interplay of competitive intransitivity and niche overlap jointly affects species coexistence has received little attention. Here, we consider a rock-paper-scissors competition system where interactions between species can represent the full spectra of transitive-intransitive continuum and niche overlap/differentiation under different levels of competition asymmetry. By comparing results from pair approximation that only considers interference competition between neighbouring cells in spatial lattices, with those under the mean-field assumption, we show that (1) species coexistence under transitive competition is only possible at high niche differentiation; (2) in communities with partial or pure intransitive interactions, high levels of niche overlap are not necessary to beget species extinction; and (3) strong spatial clustering can widen the condition for intransitive loops to facilitate species coexistence. The two mechanisms, competitive intransitivity and niche differentiation, can support species persistence and coexistence, either separately or in combination. Finally, the contribution of intransitive loops to species coexistence can be enhanced by strong local spatial correlations, modulated and maximised by moderate competition asymmetry. Our study, therefore, provides a bridge to link intransitive competition to other generic ecological theories of species coexistence.

Methods

This dataset contains the analyses of pair approximationthe (PA) model, codes of drawing Figure 3 and numerical solution datas. It is performed by Matlab R2014a. 

Usage notes

Code of calculating the change in invasion growth rate under pair approximation (PA) model
The ZIP archive contains three kinds of files: (1) The numerical solution of the main program ("PAsimulation.m"). It is used to set parameter values and run all the sub codes. (2) Calculation of  Ri and Ri,-j, where i=1,2,3,  j=1,2,3 andi. They are files "PAr_i.m" and "PAr_iLj.m". (3) The nested functions used in calculation process of step (2). They are files "f_i.m" and "f_iLj.m".
Programs of drawing Figure 3
Detail contents of how to draw Figure 3 in main text. It is the file "Critical_region_for_PA_model.m".
Numerical solution Data
These are numerical data abstained from the process of step (1).

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China, Award: 31700347, 11801470

National Research Foundation of South Africa, Award: 89967

National Research Foundation of South Africa, Award: 89967