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Ecological communities from random generalized Lotka-Volterra dynamics with nonlinear feedback
1Theoretical Physics, Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom.
Physical Review. E
|April 16, 2020
Summary
Nonlinear feedback stabilizes ecological community dynamics, increasing stability and diversity. Decreasing saturation value enhances stability, similar to reducing interaction covariance.
Area of Science:
- Theoretical Ecology
- Mathematical Biology
- Complex Systems
Background:
- Generalized Lotka-Volterra models are crucial for understanding ecological community dynamics.
- Random interaction coefficients and nonlinear feedback are key factors influencing ecosystem stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the stabilizing effects of nonlinear feedback in ecological communities with random interactions.
- To analyze the impact of interaction coefficients and feedback saturation on community stability and diversity.
Main Methods:
- Simulations of generalized Lotka-Volterra dynamics with random interactions and nonlinear feedback.
- Analytical generating-functional approach for piecewise linear saturating responses.
- Derivation of self-consistent relations and linear stability analysis.
Main Results:
- Nonlinear feedback saturation was shown to stabilize community dynamics.
- Stability and diversity increase with nonlinear feedback; decreasing saturation value enhances stability.
- Cooperation's detrimental effect on stability is mitigated by nonlinear feedback.
Conclusions:
- Nonlinear feedback is a significant stabilizing mechanism in ecological communities.
- Community stability and diversity are tunable through parameters like interaction covariance and feedback saturation.
- The symmetry of interactions has less impact on mean abundance and diversity with stronger saturation.
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