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Thermodynamic stability of ecosystems.

¹Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, A.P. 20-364, 01000 México D.F., Mexico. karo@fisica.unam.mx

Journal of Theoretical Biology

|June 28, 2005

Summary

Ecosystem stability during evolutionary stasis is a thermodynamic stationary state. Natural selection drives community stability, while external changes can trigger ecosystem phase transitions.

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Area of Science:

Ecology
Thermodynamics
Evolutionary Biology

Background:

Ecosystem stability is crucial for macro-evolutionary trajectories.
Understanding ecological stasis requires a non-equilibrium thermodynamic perspective.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate ecosystem stability during evolutionary stasis using non-equilibrium thermodynamics.
To frame ecological steady states as thermodynamic stationary states.

Main Methods:

Viewing species as units of entropy production and exchange in open thermodynamic systems.
Applying classical irreversible thermodynamics theory.
Analyzing the impact of constant and changing external constraints.

Main Results:

Ecological steady states (stasis) are proposed as thermodynamic stationary states.
Natural selection's role in community stability is linked to non-equilibrium thermodynamic directives.
Ecosystem succession following stasis may represent non-equilibrium phase transitions.

Conclusions:

Ecological stability is a manifestation of thermodynamic principles.
Changes in external constraints can induce critical transitions in ecosystems, akin to phase transitions.

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