Species coexistence in resource‐limited patterned ecosystems is facilitated by the interplay of spatial self‐organisation and intraspecific competition

The exploration of mechanisms that enable species coexistence under competition for a sole limiting resource is widespread across ecology. Two examples such facilitative processes are intraspecific and spatial self-organisation. These determine the outcome competitive dynamics in many resource-limited patterned ecosystems, classical which include dryland vegetation patterns, intertidal mussel beds subalpine ribbon forests. Previous theoretical investigations have explained within ecosystems by making strong assumptions on differences between (e.g. contrasting dispersal behaviours or different functional responses to availability). In this paper, I show interplay detrimental effects nature self-organisation forms mechanism does not rely species-specific captures wide range environmental stress gradient. use model interactions two generic consumer with an explicitly modelled relies balance species' colonisation abilities their local competitiveness, provided sufficiently strong. Crucially, requirements self-limitation occur differ opposite ends input spectrum. For low levels, facilitated superior its abilities, but larger volumes input, locally enables coexistence. Results presented paper also highlight importance hysteresis understanding tipping points, particular extinction events. Finally, framework provides insights into distributions single patches, supporting verbal hypotheses herbaceous woody patterns suggesting potential empirical tests context other ecosystems.