Landscape quantifies the intermediate state and transition dynamics in ecological networks

Lv, Jinchao and Wang, Jin and Li, Chunhe and Fu, Feng (2024) Landscape quantifies the intermediate state and transition dynamics in ecological networks. PLOS Computational Biology, 20 (1). e1011766. ISSN 1553-7358

[thumbnail of journal.pcbi.1011766.pdf] Text
journal.pcbi.1011766.pdf - Published Version

Download (2MB)

Abstract

Understanding the ecological mechanisms associated with the collapse and restoration is especially critical in promoting harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. So far, it remains challenging to elucidate the mechanisms of stochastic dynamical transitions for ecological systems. Using an example of plant-pollinator network, we quantified the energy landscape of ecological system. The landscape displays multiple attractors characterizing the high, low and intermediate abundance stable states. Interestingly, we detected the intermediate states under pollinator decline, and demonstrated the indispensable role of the intermediate state in state transitions. From the landscape, we define the barrier height (BH) as a global quantity to evaluate the transition feasibility. We propose that the BH can serve as a new early-warning signal (EWS) for upcoming catastrophic breakdown, which provides an earlier and more accurate warning signal than traditional metrics based on time series. Our results promote developing better management strategies to achieve environmental sustainability.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: Institute Archives > Biological Science
Depositing User: Managing Editor
Date Deposited: 23 Mar 2024 08:33
Last Modified: 23 Mar 2024 08:33
URI: http://eprint.subtopublish.com/id/eprint/4179

Actions (login required)

View Item
View Item