Navigation Links
Scientists find universal rules for food-web stability
Date:8/6/2009

The findings, published in this week's issue of Science, conclude that food-web stability is enhanced when many diverse predator-prey links connect high and intermediate trophic levels. The computations also reveal that small ecosystems follow other rules than large ecosystems: differences in the strength of predator-prey links increase the stability of small webs, but destabilize larger webs.

Natural ecosystems consist of interwoven food chains, in which individual animal or plant species function as predator or prey. Potential food webs not only differ by their species composition, but also vary in their stability. Observable food webs are stable food webs, with the relationships between their species remaining constant over relatively long periods of time.

Understanding complex systems such as food webs present major challenges to science. They can either be examined by observing natural environments, or by computer simulations. To enable computer simulations of such systems, scientists often have to make simplifying assumptions, keeping the number of model parameters as low as possible. Yet, the computational demands of such simulations are high and their relevance is often limited.

Innovative methodology

Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems (MPIPKS) in Dresden, Germany, have developed a new method that allows them to efficiently analyze the impact of innumerable parameters on complex systems.

"By using a method called generalized modeling, we examine whether a given food web can, in principle, be stable, i.e., whether its species can coexist in the long term," says Thilo Gross from MPIPKS. Complex ecosystems can thus be simulated and analyzed under almost any conditions. "In this way we can estimate which parameters will keep ecosystems stable and which will upset their balance."

The method can also be used for examining other complex systems, such as
'/>"/>

Contact: Dr. Thilo Gross
thilo.gross@physics.org
49-035-187-11122
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
Source:Eurekalert

1

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Scientists open doors to diagnosis of emphysema
2. Scientists decoding genomic sequences of H1N1 using isolates from outbreak in Argentina
3. Scientists uncork a potential secret of red wines health benefits
4. Scientists discover Amazon river is 11 million years old
5. Scientists track impact of DNA damage in the developing brain
6. Scientists closer to making implantable bone material, thanks to new research
7. What scientists know about jewel beetle shimmer
8. Scientists discover gene mutation responsible for hereditary neuroendocrine tumor
9. Scientists link immune systems natural killer cells to infant liver disease
10. Scientists report first remote, underwater detection of harmful algae, toxins
11. Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC scientists identify enzyme important in aging
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
(Date:5/22/2013)... Harvard physicists have developed a novel technique that can ... a process that is one of the most important, ... described in a paper in Nature , post-doctoral ... Dr. Melanie Schnell of the Center for Free-Electron Laser ... relies on finely-tuned microwave fields to identify molecular variants ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... new, streamlined approach to genetic engineering drastically reduces ... genes into bacteria, the workhorses of biotechnology, scientists ... Synthetic Biology , the method paves the way ... drug development, environmental cleanup and other activities. , ... integrating, a piece of the genetic material DNA ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... The feared Legionella pneumophila bacteria is responsible ... pneumonia. In order to infect us, this pathogen has ... and go unnoticed in our cells, thus avoiding these ... the Basque biosciences research centre, CIC bioGUNE, in which ... the USA and the National Supercomputation Centre in Barcelona ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Detecting mirror molecules 2Detecting mirror molecules 3Mechanism discovered which aids Legionella to camouflage itself in the organism 2
... ... 8, 2009 National Instruments (Nasdaq: NATI ), a ... leader and pioneer in manufacturing automation using robotics technology, today ... with DENSO robotic arms. The collaboration increases productivity and performance ...
... , , , , , LONDON, ... Security Product Innovation Award is presented to Sagem Securite (Safran ... recognises the company,s expertise in advanced biometric technology and its ... , (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/FSLOGO ) , "Sagem Securite ...
... WI, December 15, 2009 Economics, environmental impacts, social ... influence the overall success of an agroecosystem. Positive or ... individuals and social groups to continuously adapt farming and ... learning theory suggests that knowledge is gained as a ...
Cached Biology News:National Instruments and DENSO Robotics Collaborate to Address New Applications in Industrial Robotics 2National Instruments and DENSO Robotics Collaborate to Address New Applications in Industrial Robotics 3National Instruments and DENSO Robotics Collaborate to Address New Applications in Industrial Robotics 4National Instruments and DENSO Robotics Collaborate to Address New Applications in Industrial Robotics 5Frost & Sullivan Recognises Sagem Securite for its Innovative Automated Border Control Systems 2Frost & Sullivan Recognises Sagem Securite for its Innovative Automated Border Control Systems 3Frost & Sullivan Recognises Sagem Securite for its Innovative Automated Border Control Systems 4Experiential learning teaches change and adaptation 2
(Date:5/21/2013)... 21, 2013 Through science fairs, workshops, ... for lab equipment, 25 organizations will continue their work ... optics and photonics in daily life with the aid ... organizations, located in 10 countries, are the first of ... by SPIE, the international society for optics and ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... May 21, 2013 Alpha Source, ... , will be exhibiting for the 13th consecutive ... Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) 2013 Conference and Expo. The ... distribute, and manufacture healthcare technologies. This year’s event ... Beach, California. , The three-day event draws ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... Branchburg, NJ (PRWEB) May 21, 2013 ... enhancement industry, has appointed Dale Braddy to Southeastern USA ... proactively bolster its sales muscle in the Southeast. ... a food ingredient brokerage and supplier to food processors ... past 13 years in the food industry and has ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... (PRWEB) May 21, 2013 Smarter Security, ... security solutions, today announced that Genzyme, a Sanofi company ... of Door Detective® CL for a multi-use facility in ... in four other Genzyme buildings, this latest order underscores ... the tailgate detection device improving doorway access ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Learning About Light: Education Outreach Projects Funded in 10 Countries Through First Round of SPIE Grants 2Learning About Light: Education Outreach Projects Funded in 10 Countries Through First Round of SPIE Grants 3Alpha Source, Inc. to Exhibit at the AAMI 2013 Conference and Expo 2Door Security at Genzyme, a Sanofi Company, Enhanced with Door Detective from Smarter Security 2Door Security at Genzyme, a Sanofi Company, Enhanced with Door Detective from Smarter Security 3
... Medical Education Agency Expanding Industry Connections, MOUNTAINSIDE, ... independent, full-service medical education company,today announced the hiring ... Weinstein will leverage his experience in medical education ... to joining L&M, he,served as Manager of Publication ...
... The increased emphasis on,safety by regulatory agencies worldwide ... and requires rapid, cost-effective and,resource intensive actions by ... can be found in consulting organizations. GZP,has already ... errors,that can lead to adverse regulatory action by ...
... Oct. 14 Based on its recent,analysis of ... ISTO,Technologies, Inc. with the 2008 North American Frost ... InQu(R) Bone Graft Extender and Substitute,scaffold. InQu represents ... its proprietary biomaterial-based platform technology., Although spinal ...
Cached Biology Technology:L&M Healthcare Communications LLC Expands Client Services With Executive Team Expansion 2Ground Zero Pharmaceuticals Announces Expansion of Regulatory and Product Development Consulting Services 2Ground Zero Pharmaceuticals Announces Expansion of Regulatory and Product Development Consulting Services 3Frost & Sullivan Acknowledges ISTO Technologies' Role in Developing Advanced Biologic Products for Bone Healing 2Frost & Sullivan Acknowledges ISTO Technologies' Role in Developing Advanced Biologic Products for Bone Healing 3Frost & Sullivan Acknowledges ISTO Technologies' Role in Developing Advanced Biologic Products for Bone Healing 4
... unique quantitative and qualitative capabilities of the ... LC/MS/MS Systems with the new Tempo nano ... a rapid solution for high sensitivity validation ... extensive sample preparation with high instrument selectivity ...
... reliable and compact GC-8A is Shimadzu's basic ... and simple to use, the GC-8A supports ... control, on column injection port(s), and analog ... models are available. The GC-8A is only ...
... Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-gamma (PPARGamma) Competitor ... and efficient method for studying ... using fluorescence polarization (FP). The ... domain (PPARGamma-LBD) with an N-terminal ...
... call for critical, but time-consuming optimization ... siRNA transfection protocols resulting in less ... be used to efficiently transfect adherent ... without increased cytotoxicity. From start to ...
Biology Products: