Work

The Effect of Additive and Multiplicative Cyclic Perturbations on Noise-Induced Tipping Dynamics

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The dynamics of systems near tipping points attract considerable attention in the context of climate change, ecological regime shifts, disease spreading, and other complex systems undergoing transitions. In particular, the duration and cause of transitions between states remain subjects of ongoing debate. We address these questions by applying the large-fluctuation framework to analyse noise-induced transitions in a widely studied tipping model describing dynamics near a fold bifurcation. As complex systems are typically not in equilibrium, we include cyclic perturbations representing, for example, diurnal variations, seasonal cycles, solar activity oscillations, and Milankovitch cycles in the climate system. We investigate how the frequency and type of cyclic perturbation influence noise-induced transitions between states by examining the fluctuational force. Two types of periodic perturbations, additive and multiplicative, representing B- and R-tipping, are considered. We show, first, that depending on the type of cyclic perturbation, the fluctuations need to be synchronised with different perturbation phases to induce the transition. Secondly, we demonstrate that the transition duration depends on the perturbation frequency: when the periodic perturbation is slower than the system's relaxation rate, the transition occurs within a single oscillatory cycle, whereas high-frequency perturbations can significantly prolong the transition time.

Source: Entropy

DOI: 10.3390/e27121255

Authors: Igor A. Khovanov, Natasha A. Khovanova

Institution: University of Warwick

Language: English

Topic: Ecosystem dynamics and resilience

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137

Funder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council