Catastrophic Phase Transitions and Early Warnings in a Spatial Ecological Model

• Published in: arXiv.org
• Main Authors: Fernandez, Ariel, t, Hugo
• Format: Paper Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ithaca Cornell University Library, arXiv.org 06.10.2009
• Subjects: Carrying capacity; Diffusion; Ecological monitoring; Ecosystems; Exploitation; Heterogeneity; Particle size distribution; Phase transitions; Physics - Biological Physics; Physics - Statistical Mechanics; Quantitative Biology - Populations and Evolution; Statistical mechanics; Strategic management

Gradual changes in exploitation, nutrient loading, etc. produce shifts between alternative stable states (ASS) in ecosystems which, quite often, are not smooth but abrupt or catastrophic. Early warnings of such catastrophic regime shifts are fundamental for designing management protocols for ecosyst...