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The importance of importance
Author(s) -
Brooker Rob,
Kikvidze Zaal,
Pugnaire Francisco I.,
Callaway Ragan M.,
Choler Philippe,
Lortie Christopher J.,
Michalet Richard
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
oikos
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.672
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1600-0706
pISSN - 0030-1299
DOI - 10.1111/j.0030-1299.2005.13557.x
Subject(s) - competition (biology) , confusion , spurious relationship , ecology , key (lock) , psychology , computer science , biology , machine learning , psychoanalysis
Failure to distinguish between ‘importance’ and ‘intensity’ of competition has hindered our ability to resolve key questions about the role interactions may play in plant communities. Here we examine how appropriate application of metrics of importance and intensity is integral to investigating key theories in plant community ecology and how ignoring this distinction has lead to confusion and possibly spurious conclusions. We re‐explore the relationship between competition intensity and importance for individuals across gradients, and apply our review of concepts to published data to help clarify the debate. We demonstrate that competition importance and intensity need not be correlated and show how explicit application of the intensity and importance of competition may reconcile apparently incompatible paradigms.