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Related Experiment Videos

Multiple states in river and lake ecosystems.

C Lisa Dent1, Graeme S Cumming, Stephen R Carpenter

  • 1Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706, USA. ldent@facstaff.wisc.edu

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences
|June 25, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Nonlinear ecosystem models with multiple states are useful for lakes, but also apply to rivers. Physical factors in rivers don't prevent internal feedbacks from creating multiple states, suggesting nonlinear dynamics are common in aquatic ecosystems.

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Environmental Science
  • Aquatic Ecosystems

Background:

  • Nonlinear models with positive feedbacks and multiple states offer strong explanations for ecosystem dynamics.
  • Linear models may suffice when external factors dominate ecosystem behavior.
  • Traditionally, lake ecosystems are viewed as internally driven (biotic), while rivers are externally driven (physical).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test the hypothesis that multiple-state models are more applicable to lakes than rivers.
  • To explore the role of internal feedbacks in riverine ecosystems.
  • To assess the prevalence of nonlinear behavior in aquatic ecosystems.

Main Methods:

  • Reviewing established examples of multiple states in lake ecosystems.
  • Identifying and describing examples of multiple states in river ecosystems.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Comparing the applicability of nonlinear and linear models to lake and river dynamics.

    • Main Results:

    • The hypothesis that multiple-state models are only useful for lakes is an oversimplification.
    • Internal feedbacks, including both biotic and physical processes, can create multiple states in rivers.
    • Nonlinear dynamics and multiple states may be more prevalent in aquatic ecosystems than previously assumed.

    Conclusions:

    • The distinction between internally driven lakes and externally driven rivers regarding multiple states is not absolute.
    • Physical forcing in rivers does not preclude the existence of internal feedbacks leading to multiple states.
    • Nonlinear behavior is likely a common feature across diverse aquatic ecosystems, including rivers.