Species richness and population dynamics of animal assemblages. Patterns in body size: abundance space

Abstract

Links between population dynamics, the relative abundance of species and the richness of animal communities are reviewed within the framework ol a simple conceptual model, based on body size and abundance. Populations of individual species occupy positions in this body size: abundance space. Problems of relative abundance and absolute species-richness revolve around a number ol simple questions, including: what determines the upper and lower bounds (maximum and minimum population densities) of species in the assemblage; what determines the overall density of points (number of species) within these bounds; and how are the vertical and horizontal partitioning rules between species decided? The answers to these, and related questions, are briefly reviewed.