Competition modes determine ecosystem stability in rock–paper–scissors games

Zeyu Zhang, Daniel Bearup, Guanming Guo, Helin Zhang and Jinbao Liao

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, 2022, vol. 607, issue C

Abstract: Identification of the mechanisms which permit ecological communities to maintain high levels of biodiversity is of both theoretical interest and practical importance. Intransitive competition, in which there is no single superior competitor, is known to play an important role in this problem. In this study, we undertake a systematic comparative analysis of how different competition modes and ranges affect community stability in paper–rock–scissors games. We confirm that short-ranged interactions, in combination with cyclic competition, permits relatively stable coexistence. However, in contrast to previous studies, we show that long-range interactions can also produce stable communities. This stability emerges when competition interactions create asymmetries in the opportunities for population growth depending on the abundance of the species. Our findings demonstrate that small differences in the way species compete can qualitatively change dynamic behaviours of the system, and therefore emphasize the importance of correctly identifying these competition modes when designing conservation actions.

Keywords: Cyclically competing ecosystems; Negative frequency dependence (NFD); Interaction modes; Interaction range; Symmetric and asymmetric competition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:phsmap:v:607:y:2022:i:c:s0378437122007348

DOI: 10.1016/j.physa.2022.128176

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