Mean-field approximations of ecological networks

Professor Per Lundberg
Theoretical Ecology, Lund University


Friday, March 31  2006

Lecture room F, Theoretical Physics, Sölvegatan 14A

Abstract:
We show that generalized Lotka-Volterra models capture most observable
features of natural species communities. Under the assumption that
communities are species-rich, we can use moment-generating functions to
derive species abundance distributions for ecological network of very many
kinds. Our approach also lets us derive conditions for species invasions
and persistence, and the effects of species loss. We also discuss the
correspondence between linearized mean-field communities and network
graphs.