Population Dynamics, Disturbance, and Pattern Evolution: Identifying the Fundamental Scales of Organization in a Model Ecosystem

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dc.contributor.authorWiegand, Thorsten
dc.contributor.authorMoloney, Kirk A
dc.contributor.authorMILTON, SUZANNE J
dc.date.accessioned2021-10-08T07:20:32Z
dc.date.available2021-10-08T07:20:32Z
dc.date.issued1998
dc.description.abstractABSTRACT We used auto‐ and cross‐correlation analysis and Ripley's K ‐function analysis to analyze spatiotemporal pattern evolution in a spatially explicit simulation model of a semiarid shrubland (Karoo, South Africa) and to determine the impact of small‐scale disturbances on system dynamics. Without disturnities bance, local dynamics were driven by a pattern of cyclic succession, where ‘colonizer’ and ‘successor’ species alternately replaced each other. This results in a strong pattern of negative correlation in the temporal distribution of colonizer and successor species. As disturbance rates were increased, the relationship shifted from being negatively correlated in time to being positively correlated—the dynamics became decoupled from the ecologically driven cyclic succession and were increasingly influenced by abiotic factors (e.g., rainfall events). Further analysis of the spatial relationships among colonizer and successor species showed that, without disturbance, periods of attraction and repulsion between colonizer and successor species alternate cyclically at intermediate spatial scales. This was due to the spatial ‘memory’ embedded in the system through the process of cyclic succession. With the addition of disturbance, this pattern breaks down, although there is some indication of increasing ecological organization at broader spatial scales. We suggest that many of the insights that can be gained through spatially explicit models will only be obtained through a direct analysis of the spatial patterns produced.
dc.identifier.apacitationWiegand, T., Moloney, K. A., & MILTON, S. J. (1998). Population Dynamics, Disturbance, and Pattern Evolution: Identifying the Fundamental Scales of Organization in a Model Ecosystem. <i>The American Naturalist</i>, 152(3), 321 - 337. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34948en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationWiegand, Thorsten, Kirk A Moloney, and SUZANNE J MILTON "Population Dynamics, Disturbance, and Pattern Evolution: Identifying the Fundamental Scales of Organization in a Model Ecosystem." <i>The American Naturalist</i> 152, 3. (1998): 321 - 337. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34948en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationWiegand, T., Moloney, K.A. & MILTON, S.J. 1998. Population Dynamics, Disturbance, and Pattern Evolution: Identifying the Fundamental Scales of Organization in a Model Ecosystem. <i>The American Naturalist.</i> 152(3):321 - 337. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34948en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn0003-0147
dc.identifier.issn1537-5323
dc.identifier.ris TY - Journal Article AU - Wiegand, Thorsten AU - Moloney, Kirk A AU - MILTON, SUZANNE J AB - ABSTRACT We used auto‐ and cross‐correlation analysis and Ripley's K ‐function analysis to analyze spatiotemporal pattern evolution in a spatially explicit simulation model of a semiarid shrubland (Karoo, South Africa) and to determine the impact of small‐scale disturbances on system dynamics. Without disturnities bance, local dynamics were driven by a pattern of cyclic succession, where ‘colonizer’ and ‘successor’ species alternately replaced each other. This results in a strong pattern of negative correlation in the temporal distribution of colonizer and successor species. As disturbance rates were increased, the relationship shifted from being negatively correlated in time to being positively correlated—the dynamics became decoupled from the ecologically driven cyclic succession and were increasingly influenced by abiotic factors (e.g., rainfall events). Further analysis of the spatial relationships among colonizer and successor species showed that, without disturbance, periods of attraction and repulsion between colonizer and successor species alternate cyclically at intermediate spatial scales. This was due to the spatial ‘memory’ embedded in the system through the process of cyclic succession. With the addition of disturbance, this pattern breaks down, although there is some indication of increasing ecological organization at broader spatial scales. We suggest that many of the insights that can be gained through spatially explicit models will only be obtained through a direct analysis of the spatial patterns produced. DA - 1998 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town IS - 3 J1 - The American Naturalist LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 1998 SM - 0003-0147 SM - 1537-5323 T1 - Population Dynamics, Disturbance, and Pattern Evolution: Identifying the Fundamental Scales of Organization in a Model Ecosystem TI - Population Dynamics, Disturbance, and Pattern Evolution: Identifying the Fundamental Scales of Organization in a Model Ecosystem UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34948 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/34948
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationWiegand T, Moloney KA, MILTON SJ. Population Dynamics, Disturbance, and Pattern Evolution: Identifying the Fundamental Scales of Organization in a Model Ecosystem. The American Naturalist. 1998;152(3):321 - 337. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34948.en_ZA
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Biological Sciences
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Science
dc.sourceThe American Naturalist
dc.source.journalissue3
dc.source.journalvolume152
dc.source.pagination321 - 337
dc.source.urihttps://dx.doi.org/10.1086/286172
dc.subject.otherindividual‐based model
dc.subject.otherdisturbance
dc.subject.otherKaroo shrubland
dc.subject.otherRipley'sKfunction
dc.subject.otherspatiotemporal dynamics
dc.subject.othercorrelation analysis
dc.titlePopulation Dynamics, Disturbance, and Pattern Evolution: Identifying the Fundamental Scales of Organization in a Model Ecosystem
dc.typeJournal Article
uct.type.publicationResearch
uct.type.resourceJournal Article
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