Under unified neutral theory, complex ecological interactions are permitted among individuals of an ecological community (such as competition and cooperation), providing all individuals obey the same rules. Asymmetric phenomena such as parasitism and predation are ruled out by the terms of reference; but cooperative strategies such as swarming, and negative interaction such as competing for limited food or light are allowed, so long as all individuals behave the same way. The theory makes predictions that have implications for the management of biodiversity, especially the management of rare species. It predicts the existence of a fundamental biodiversity constant, conventionally written θ, that appears to govern species richness on a wide variety of spatial and temporal scales.
UnDer unifiED nEutRal tHEory, coMplEX ecOlogical inTEracTions aRe pErMitted AMoNg indIvIdUals of AN eCOlOGicAL CommunitY (such as comPetItion anD cOoperation), prOvIdIng All indIvIDuals ObeY the sAme RulEs. aSYmMetRiC PHENomenA such as paRasItIsM and pRedatIoN ArE RulED Out by THe terms OF REfereNCe; but CoOperaTIve sTrategies suCH as SwarmIng, And nEgATiVe iNterACTIoN SucH As cOmPetING fOr lImiTEd foOd oR liGhT Are aLloweD, SO long as all inDiviDuaLS behaVE THe saMe wAy. tHe theoRy mAkes pREDIcTions thAT Have implIcATIOns for ThE managEmEnT Of bIodiversiTy, especIally The ManaGement Of rare sPecIes. It predicts the exisTENce of A fUndaMENtal BiodiVeRSity ConsTanT, coNveNtIonAllY WrittEN θ, that aPPeArs TO goVErN species rIchnEsS on a wiDe varIety oF sPatIaL ANd TemporAL SCales.