Plant Competition Mediated by Host-Specific Parasites-a Simple Model

Abstract

It is suggested that competing co-dominant species in natural ecosystems may be maintained in equilibrium by an ecological, negative feedback system involving reciprocal, host-specific parasites. A simple model is derived to describe this relationship and a hypothetical example computed to illustrate its use. The model has important implications for the management of natural forests and for the practice of monoculture. These are briefly discussed.