Year: 2000
Type: article
Abstract: We use tools of the equilibrium statistical mechanics of disordered systems to study analytically the statistical properties of an ecosystem composed of N species interacting via random mutual interactions, as well as via deterministic self-interactions of order p>/=2. We show that the main effect of increasing the order of the interactions among the species is to make the system less competitive, in the sense that the fraction of extinct species is greatly reduced. In addition, we find that for p>2 there is a threshold value which gives a lower bound to the concentration of the surviving species, preventing then the existence of rare species and, consequently, increasing the robustness of the ecosystem to external perturbations.
Source: Physical Review Letters
Authors: Viviane M. de Oliveira, J. F. Fontanari
Institutions: Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Física de São Carlos
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2036787154