Niche partitioning and the storage effect facilitate coexistence in an amphibian community

• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10629
• Publication Date: 2023-10-19T05:45:35Z
• Authors: George C. Brooks; Nicholas M. Caruso; Houston C. Chandler; Carola A. Haas
• Keywords: Ephemeral key; Niche differentiation; Community; Dominance (genetics)

Virtually all natural community assemblages are dominated by a handful of common species. Dominant species can exert negative impacts on biodiversity through competitive exclusion, and thus there is strong incentive to understand imbalances in composition, changes dominance hierarchies time, mechanisms coexistence. Pond-breeding amphibians that utilize ephemeral wetlands provide an excellent opportunity evaluate theoretical predictions composition stochastic environments. One the most striking features pond-breeding marked fluctuations abundance across years. Given empirical links between evenness biomass, one would expect change from year year. Moreover, if different exhibit boom-and-bust reproductive cycles, then storage effect may help explain why does not outcompete others. Here, we explore interplay biotic abiotic conditions shaping amphibian communities at two Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. We document consistent over 6 years monitoring, resulting lack turnover similar responses members environmental conditions. The dynamics argues against as sole mechanism for coexistence instead points niche partitioning more important factor. In support this conclusion, show degree synchrony breeding migrations only correlates with within species, pattern seen implies individuals somewhat constrained timing migrations, perhaps owing part competition other members. hope our work reinvigorates interest highlights model systems study