ABSTRACT
A major challenge in invasion ecology is determining which introduced species pose a threat to resident species through competitive displacement. Here, we provide a statistical framework rooted in coexistence theory to calculate coexistence outcomes – including competitive displacement – between resident and invading species. Advantageously, our framework uses readily available trait and abundance data rather than the demographic data traditionally used in coexistence theory applications which is often difficult to collect for most species. Our framework provides methods for predicting displacement that has yet to manifest in incipient invasions, and for quantifying displacement in ongoing invasions. We apply this framework to the native and introduced gecko species on Curaçao and predict the displacement of all three native species by introduced species and quantify that the displacement of one native species is already underway. Our results affirm that trait and abundance data are suitable proxies to reasonably predict and quantify coexistence outcomes.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
Footnotes
Statement of Authorship, JEB conceived of the study and all authors contributed to refining its design; JEB, TJT, and MRH collected data; JEB conducted data analyses and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. All authors contributed substantially to revisions.
Data accessibility statement, Should the manuscript be accepted, the data supporting the results will be archived in an appropriate public repository and the doi will be included at the end of the article.
