Use of Time in the Phenology of Horizontal Species Interactions

Abstract

This chapter addresses the role of time in horizontal species interactions. Horizontal, or lateral, species interactions are those involving individuals within a single trophic level in the same local community or species assemblage. These involve primarily interference interactions such as competition for resources required by more than one member of the local assemblage. The chapter then considers the allocation of time within an individual organism's life history cycle. The use of time by the individual must address potentially strongly competing interests. In a competitive context, while earlier timing of life history events may in and of itself present a competitive advantage among conspecifics, its value as a strategy in interspecific competition relates to its effect on phenological duration. This is because duration determines overlap within the phenological community.