Abstract
A mathematical model of species packing in ann-dimensional environmental space is given which represents niches as hyperspheres, based on certain statistical considerations. Then a single environmental parameter is represented as a point inn-dimensional space, with the aid of the Shannon sampling theorem, and niche space is again partitioned by hyperspheres. Explicit estimates for the effective number of niches with respect to certain defined statistical and functional variables are given. These estimates conform with known general facts about generalist and specialist species. The work is related to the canonical literature as developed by R. Levins, R. McArthur and R. M. May. The theory makes rigorous certain more intuitive development along this line as advanced by John MacArthur, and an application is mentioned.
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Rogers, T.D. Ecological capacity and species packing. Bltn Mathcal Biology 39, 99–107 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02460684
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02460684