A Test of the R* Concept of Resource Competition Among Plants

在过去的15年里，蒂尔曼发展了一种竞争理论，其前提是具有最低均衡资源集中度（R*）的物种将是优越的竞争者。关于R*概念的有效性存在相当大的争议。目前的实验证据在一定程度上与R*概念的有效性相矛盾，特别是在它如何普遍适用方面。本研究将评估竞争的基本机制和R*概念的适用性。初步研究将确定竞争成功与各种资源利用特征之间的关系（包括估计的R*）在低和高10种新兴沼泽植物生育水平。该项目还将包括完成正在进行的营养竞争实验，5种沼泽物种的盐度效应和地上/地下竞争分配。它希望除了解决关于R概念有效性的争论之外，这一研究有助于我们理解资源竞争的机制及其影响因素适用于短期和长期的成功性质。

Over the past decade and a half, Tilman has developed a theory of competition based on the premise that the species withthe lowest equilibrium resource concentration (R*) will be the superior competitor. Considerable controversy exists on the validity of the R* concept. Current experimental evidence is somewhat contradictory as to the validity of the R* concept, and in particular, how generally it applies. This research will evaluate the basic mechanism of competition and the applicability of the R* concept. Preliminary studies will determine the relationships between competitive success and various resource use characteristics (including estimates of R*) for 10 species of emergent marsh plants at low and high fertility levels. The project will also include the completion of on-going experiments on nutrient competition, salinity effects and above/below ground partitioning of competition in 5 marsh species. It hoped that in addition to resolving the debate about the validity of the R concept, this research will help us to understand the mechanisms of resource competition and their applicability to both short-term and long-term success in nature.