Does cooperation among conspecifics facilitate the coexistence of species?

In ecosystems, cooperative behavior is universal and can dramatically improve a species’ chances of survival. Nevertheless, the situations that can occur when different species with cooperative tendencies interact are veiled. To explore such a situation, in this paper, we investigate how cooperative behavior can affect biodiversity in the population system. Based on the spatial rock–paper–scissors (RPS) game, which incorporates the relative power between predator and prey species, we redefine the competition rate to facilitate cooperative behavior. Competition rates are modulated by the sensitivity parameter, which regulates alterations in competition rates stemming from variations in predator–prey population disparities. Through comprehensive numerical analysis, we have demonstrated compelling evidence confirming the nature of cooperative behavior in maintaining biodiversity. The sensitivity parameter acts as a double-edged sword; it hampers biodiversity when it falls below a certain level. Conversely, when it exceeds the threshold, it supports the maintenance of biodiversity. From snapshots and the coefficient analysis based on spatial autocorrelation, we found that empty sites are essential to promote coexistence as resource nodes. Compared with previous studies in spatial RPS games, our findings suggest that simple modification of a competition rate rather than exploiting cooperative games can realize the cooperative behavior of cyclically competing populations, and biodiversity is sensitively affected by cooperation.