Interspecific Competition in Birds

In nature there exist three main types of biotic interactions between individuals of different species: competition, predation, and mutualism. All three exert powerful selection pressures, and all three shape communities. However, the question of how important interspecific competition in nature really is remains controversial and unresolved. This book provides a critical and exhaustive review of the topic. Although the examples are limited mostly to birds (interspecific competition and community structure have been exhaustively studied in this animal group, and a lot of experimental data are available), the conclusions reached have a far broader relevance to population ecologists in general. The book reasons that the coexistence of species is the result of both past and presently on-going interspecific competition. Furthermore, understanding the importance of interspecific competition in natural systems will be increasingly important when modelling the effects of climate change on populations. An excellent addition to the bookshelf of anyone studying the Aves. Reading it is almost like listening to a series of clear and well-prepared lectures. The work has broad relevance; seeing it just as an ornithology resource would be to do it a disservice. Trends in Ecology and EvolutionPreface ; 1. Introduction ; 2. Definitions, models, and on how to measure the existence of interspecific competition ; 3. Space as a limiting resource ; 4. Food as a limiting resource ; 5. Nest sites as a limiting resource ; 6. The effect of intraspecific competition on population processes ; 7. Studies of foraging niches and food ; 8. Field experiments to test the existence and effects of interspecific competition ; 9. Long-term experiments on competition between great and blue tit ; 10. Evolutionary effects of interspecific competition ; 11. Concluding thoughts ; Appendices ; References ; Index