Complex Dynamics In Spatially Structured Ecological Systems
Informations
- Funding country
Europe- Acronym
- -
- URL
- -
- Start date
- 1/1/2002
- End date
- 12/31/2003
- Budget
- 147,800 EUR
Fundings
| Name | Role | Start | End | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FP5 - Fifth Framework Programme | Grant | 1/1/2002 | 12/31/2003 | 147,800 EUR |
Abstract
In the current scientific quest to conserve biodiversity and maintain life quality on our planet, it has become vital to develop a theoretical understanding of ecological systems. Currently, however , theory of biocomplexity lags behind experimental and field studies and is a research field that is still in its initial phase of scientific development. In this interdisciplinary research project I will take advantage of modern mathematical modeling techniques from nonlinear dynamics to study natural ecological systems. The major theme will be the systematic investigation of complex dynamics and spatio-temporal synchronization in theory, models, real ecosystems and laboratory experiment. The main goals are:%L(a) to develop and explore new realistic ecological models;%L(b) to complete a theoretical study on complex behavior in spatially structured ecological models;%L(c) to investigate the mechanisms leading to ecological synchronization;%L( d) to characterize complex dynamics in real ecosystem case studies; and%L(e) to experimentally verify the theoretical work in laboratory systems. Through this framework it will be passible to achieve a sophisticated study of the ecological consequences of complex dynamics: how different forms of collective behavior affect the risk of species extinction in spatially extended systems and the manner in which synchronization can be used as a control to manage ecosystem dynamics.