Extending, synthesizing, and applying recent advances in competition theory

Theoretical work on interspecific competition over the past 15 years has been characterized by the inclusion of an increasing amount of detail regarding the mechanism of population interaction. In comparison with previous work, recent theory has included more explicit descriptions of: (1) spatial and temporal variability; (2) adaptive behavior and/or evolution; and (3) between-individual differences in characteristics affecting competition. These studies have been undertaken largely independently, and many have been based on specific systems or assumptions. This proposal has two goals: (1) to explore the relationships between, and the interaction of these three components of the mechanism of competition; and (2) to determine if there is empirical evidence for the more general predictions uncovered by work related to the first goal. The second goal will also encompass plans for future empirical studies if evidence is lacking in past work. The working group will include investigators who have been actively involved in developing recent theory as well as empirical biologists who have had experience in meta-analysis of published experiments. The tangible results of the working group will be several joint theoretical papers and meta-analyses of published work, and proposals for empirical studies to apply the theory developed here.