Lectures on species interactions and competition

Implications of Resource-ratio hypothesis
(Tilman 1988)
Differences in the relative supply rates of limiting resources should
lead to differences in the composition of plant communities:
– Species allocation patterns: Species with allocation patterns focusing
on shoots are assumed to be relatively effective competitors for light,
and those allocating more heavily to roots are assumed to be good
competitor for below-ground resources (water, nutrients).
– Landscape implications: Various habitats within landscapes differ in
their level of key resources, and hence will favor either root or shoot
specialists depending on the local resource supply.
– Succession implications: Resource supply ratios also vary
systematically through successional series to first favor root
specialists (because soil nutrition is more limiting than light in primary
succession) and then shoot specialists because light is more limiting
in later stages of succession.