Effective size and the persistence of ecosystems.
Author | |
Abstract |
:
Ecosystems distributed in space have an effective size, reflecting both their absolute size (extent) and their fine-scale physical structure (viscosity). In this paper, a general mathematical model of a predator-prey interaction is presented via the phase-plane graphs of Rosenzweig and MacArthur (1963) to show one reason why ecosystems of larger effective size should persist longer than smaller ones: oscillations of population densities tend to be displaced farther from extinction thresholds-even in spatially homogeneous systems. Experimental results obtained by Gause and Luckinbill with protozoa and Huffaker with mites are interpreted in this context. |
Year of Publication |
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1978
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Journal |
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Oecologia
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Volume |
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35
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Issue |
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2
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Number of Pages |
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185-195
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ISSN Number |
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0029-8549
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DOI |
:
10.1007/BF00344731
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Short Title |
:
Oecologia
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