A Direct, Experimental Test of Resource vs. Consumer Dependence: Reply

In a recent study (Fussmann et al. 2005), we used an experimental rotifer-algal system to show that the functional response of the consumer depends on the resource but not on the consumer concentration. We concluded that resource dependence should be the norm in dynamical mathematical models. Jensen et al. (2007) published a Comment on our paper in which they criticized us for overinterpreting our experimental results. We reject this point of view. This controversy must be viewed in the historical context of a longstanding debate between supporters of consumer- and supporters of resource-dependence. In the 1990s, Ecology was a forum for this debate (e.g., Abrams 1994, Akcakaya et al. 1995), which appeared to have come to its conclusion with a synthesis paper in TREE (Abrams and Ginzburg 2000). Here we reply to the Comment by addressing the most important points of criticism.