Character displacement in the presence of multiple trait differences: Evolution of the storage effect in germination and growth

Ecological character displacement is a prominent hypothesis for the maintenance of ecological differences between species that are critical to stable coexistence. Models often ascribe interspecific competitive interactions single character, but multiple characters contribute competition, and their effects on selection can be nonadditive. Focusing one we ask if other affect competition alter evolutionary outcomes focal character. We address this question using variable environment seed bank model two with traits. The trait temporal pattern germination, which labile. plant growth, assumed fixed. whether divergence germination patterns depends in growth. Patterns growth ways. First, cues present at provide information about future Second, jointly determine biomass plants, determines demand resources. Germination gradient distinct components, density-independent density-dependent. Importantly, relative strengths components key. When density-dependent component stronger, larger. Stronger strengthen by increasing benefits germinating years favorable But also boosting species’ biomass, hence its effect, good years. Consequently, weaken when similar competitors, favor species-specific. Understanding how these change contexts help understand origin temporally fluctuating environments.