Analysis of trophic networks: an optimisation approach

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Systems Ecology
• Ecological Network Analysis

Background:

• Ecosystems involve complex matter flows that are challenging to quantify.
• Traditional methods struggle with high-dimensional biomass data and biological constraints.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a robust methodology for studying ecosystem matter flows.
• To apply convex optimization for analyzing ecological network structures and dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing observational biomass data and biological constraints.
• Formulating ecosystem flow analysis as a convex optimization problem.
• Employing seven ecological network indices as convex goal functions.

Main Results:

• The proposed method is computationally efficient and scalable to large ecosystems.
• Minimum flow solutions were analyzed via flow decomposition into paths and circuits.
• Biomass dynamics were assessed using differential equations and fixed-point stability analysis.

Conclusions:

• The convex optimization approach provides a powerful tool for ecosystem flow analysis.
• The methodology is validated on both simplified and realistic food web models.
• This approach enhances our understanding of ecosystem structure and stability.