Structural asymmetry and the stability of diverse food webs
Article Abstract:
Food webs are structured as multiple asymmetric energy channels so that top predators act as couplers of distinct energy channels that differ in both productivity and turnover rate. Theoretical analysis shows that coupled fast and slow channels convey both local and non-local stability to food webs, and that human actions that result in the loss of biodiversity also directly erode the structures and processes that confer stability on diverse food webs.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2006
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Experimental demonstration of chaos in a microbial food web
Article Abstract:
The dynamics of a defined predator-prey system consisting of a bacterivorous ciliate and two bacterial prey species are studied. Such a defined microbial food web offers a new possibility for the experimental study of deterministic chaos in real biological systems.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2005
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Protecting biostructure
Article Abstract:
The changes to the underlying biostructure should be monitored in order to understand the implications of the loss of biodiversity. The impact of structural deterioration on ecosystem function and sustainability is examined.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2007
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