Community Regulation: Variation in Disturbance, Competition, and Predation in Relation to Environmental Stress and Recruitment

Abstract

A model of community regulation is presented that incorporates the effects of abiotic disturbance, predation, competition, and recruitment density. It is assumed that mobile organisms (i.e., consumers) are more strongly affected by environmental stress than are sessile organisms and that food-web complexity decreases with increasing stress. The model makes three predictions under conditions of high recruitment; a description of these is included. Hypothetical conditions are described and predictions are made concerning competition for space. Partial tests from marine habitats support some predictions of the model, but further testing is needed, particularly in nonmarine habitats.