Data from: Spatio-temporal dynamics in syntopy are driven by variability in rangeland conditions

Sympatry is the most common form of niche differentiation and can exist as
broad sympatry (shared geographical region) or direct sympatry (i.e.,
syntopy (shared resource patch)). Syntopy may be highly dynamic,
particularly in environments that experience stochastic events that
increase variability in abiotic conditions and vegetation. We examined how
estimates of syntopy varied across space and time in a rangeland system
within the Southern Great Plains, USA over a three-year period
(2013-2015). We modeled annual estimates of syntopy between three
functionally similar (ground-foraging Galliformes) species (northern
bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), scaled quail (Callipepla squamata), and
lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus). Niche similarity
representing increased syntopy was greatest during years with increased
drought conditions (2013-2014). Niche differentiation was greatest in 2015
in which rangelands experienced the greatest amount of precipitation.
Syntopy estimates were driven by variability in vegetation cover
estimates, representing changes in rangeland conditions related to abiotic
conditions. Our results suggest that syntopy can be highly dynamic across
space and time and can be driven by variability in abiotic conditions
(i.e., precipitation). Furthermore, these results suggest that habitat is
in a state of non-equilibrium. Finally, we highlight that climate refuges
that promote demographic resiliency through intraspecific changes in
resource use are fundamental drivers of spatio-temporal patterns in
community dynamics, particularly across similar functional species.