Term
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Definition
(Planktonic) Reefs will be filled by random settlement of species dropping from the plankton.
Community Size=STABLE
Species Composition=VARIABLE (chance events)
DI
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Term
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Definition
(Planktonic) Larval supply insufficient for total population to reach carrying capacity at the time of settlement.
-Supported by strong larval recruitment classes that are followed by strong adult classes (e.g. 2002-2003)
Community Size=UNSTABLE
Species Composition=UNSTABLE
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Term
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Definition
(Benthic, post-larval) Population kept in check by top-down control, following settlement (which is initially higher than K). Predators determine species composition.
-Supported by KG trials (e.g. early studies in Great Barrier Reef)
DD |
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Term
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Definition
(Benthic, post-larval) In relatively stable environments, strong competitive interactions following recruitment lead to high degrees of speciation.
Supported density-dependent competition studies that show a negative effect on survival, growth, and fecundity/maturation.
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