Table 1.

Definitions and units for dynamical variables and mechanistic parameters.

Ni	population density of species i (individuals/volume)
Rα	Concentration of resource α (mass/volume)
ciα	Uptake rate per unit concentration of resource α by species i (volume/time)
Dαβ	Fraction of byproducts from resource β converted to α (unitless)
gi	Conversion factor from energy uptake to growth rate (1/energy)
wα	Energy content of resource α (energy/mass)
lα	Leakage fraction for resource α (unitless)
mi	Minimal energy uptake for maintenance of species i (energy/time)
κα	External supply of resource α (mass/volume/time)
τR	Timescale for resource dilution (time)