New research finds that chaos plays a bigger role in population dynamics than decades of ecological data seemed to suggest.
By the early ’90s, ecologists had amassed enough time-series data sets on species populations and enough computing power to test these ideas. There was just one problem: The chaos didn’t seem to be there. Only about 10 percent of the examined populations seemed to change chaotically; the rest either cycled stably or fluctuated randomly. Theories of ecosystem chaos fell out of scientific fashion by the mid-1990s., however, suggest that the older work missed where the chaos was hiding.
The researchers also uncovered an inverse relationship between an organism’s body size and how chaotic its population dynamics tend to be. This may be due to differences in generation time, with small organisms that breed more often also being more affected by outside variables more often. For example, populations of diatoms with generations of around 15 hours show much more chaos than packs of wolves with generations almost five years long.
Sugihara thinks that the new results might be important for conservation. Improved models with the right element of chaos could do a better job of forecasting toxic algal blooms, for example, or tracking fishery populations to prevent overfishing. Considering chaos could also help researchers and conservation managers to understand how far out it’s possible to meaningfully predict population size. “I do think that it’s useful for the issue to be in people’s minds,” he said.
Österreich Neuesten Nachrichten, Österreich Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Chaos Erupts When SUV Drives Into Native American Parade in New MexicoThousands of people lined the streets in Gallup, New Mexico when the SUV driver barreled down the street, leaving multiple people injured.
Weiterlesen »
Chula Vista has a new elementary school — and a new free meals programFahari L. Jeffers Elementary just opened in the Chula Vista Elementary School District, with 350 students on the Otay Ranch campus. It is named after a local legend.
Weiterlesen »
NYC point guard legends featured in new documentary - New York Amsterdam NewsThe style and impact of New York City’s legendary point guards are depicted in the Showtime Sports documentary film “NYC Point Gods.” The film includes archival footage of point guards such as Kenny Anderson, Mark Jackson, Stephon Marbury, God Shammgod, Kenny Smith, Rod Strickland and the late Dwayne “Pearl” Washington.
Weiterlesen »
Corgi Found Shot In Face In Lancaster County Finds New HomeWe have good news to report about “Arthur” the corgi. He is recovering and has a new forever home. He was officially adopted Saturday by the woman who found him shot and took him to get treated.
Weiterlesen »
New Research Finds That Acupuncture May Help Ward Off DiabetesA new study from has found that acupuncture therapy may be a useful tool in people with prediabetes. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of illnesses — and now it could also help fight one of the 21st century’s biggest health challenges. New research from Edith
Weiterlesen »