Skip to main content

Ecological Systems are Not Dynamic Systems: Some Consequences of Individual Variability

  • Chapter
Predictability and Nonlinear Modelling in Natural Sciences and Economics

Summary

Ecological systems are not dynamic systems (they are not “state variable models”), because they consist of individuals, which are different. An individual-based model of single population of competing individuals is presented to explain this. The model illustrates the meaning of “density dependence” on the level of individuals. Two time scales on which density dependence is operating can be distinguished: “between generation” and “within-generation”. For the latter one, individual variability is an important factor.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Cappuccino, N. (1992), ‘The nature of population stability in Eurosta solidaginis, an outbreeding herbivore of goldenrod’, Ecology, 73, 1792–1801.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeAngelis, D.L. (1992), ‘Mathematics: a bookkeeping tool or means of deeper understanding of ecological systems?’ Varhandlungen der Gesellschaft für Ökologie, 21 9–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeAngelis, D.L. and L.J. Gross [Eds] (1992), ‘Individual-based models and approaches in ecology. Populations, communities and ecosystems’, Chapman and Hall, New York, Individual variability London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grimm, V., E. Schmidt and C. Wissel (1992), ‘On the application of stability concepts in ecology’, Ecological Modelling, 63, 143–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ivlev, V.S. (1961), ‘Experimental ecology of the feeding of fishes’, Yale University Press, New Haven.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kooijman, S.A.L.M., J.A.J. Metz (1984), ‘On the dynamics of chemically stressed populations: the deduction of population consequences from effects on individuals’, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 8 254–274.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Latto, J. (1992), ‘The differentiation of animal body weight’, Functional Ecology,6,386–395.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lomnicki, A. (1978), ‘Individual differences between animals and the natural regulation of their numbers’, Journal of Animal Ecology, 47, 461–475.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Metz, J.A.J. and O. Diekmann [Eds] (1986), ‘The dynamics of physiologically structured populations’, Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reiss, M.J. (1989), ‘The allometry of growth and reproduction’, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Sibly, R.M. and P. Calow (1986), ‘Physiological ecology of animals’, Blackwell, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sushchenya, L.M. (1975), ‘Kolicestvennyje zakonomernosti pitanija rakoob raznych’, Nauka i Technika, Minsk.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sushchenya, L. M. and N.N. Khmeleva (1967), ‘Potreblenie piscy kak funkcja vela tela u rakoobraznych’, Dokl. Akad. Nauk. SSSR, 76, 1428–1431.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uchmanski, J. (1985), ‘Differentiation and frequency distributions of body weights in plants and animals’, Philosophical Transactions of Royal Society London, Ser. B, 310 1–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Uchmanski, J. (1987), ‘Resource partitioning among unequal competitors’, Ekologia polska, 35, 71–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uchmafiski, J. and J. Dgebuadze (1990), ‘Factors affecting skewness of weight distributions in even-aged populations: a numerical example’, Polish Ecological Studies, 16, 297–311.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uchmanski, J and V. Grimm (in press), ‘The concept of “regulation” revised: a model study of the significance of individual variability’, In: Proceedings of the 6th European Ecological Congress, Marseille.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaika, V.E. (1975), ‘Balansovoye uravnenye rosta’, In: Kolichestvenniye aspekty rosta organizmov, Nauka, Moscow, pp. 25–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaika, V.E. (1985), ‘Balansovaya teoria rosta zhivotnykh’, Naukova Dumka, Kiev.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaika, V.E. and N.P. Makarova (1971),,Biologichesky smysl parametrov vkhody ashchykh v uravnenye rosta Bertalanfi’, Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR, 199, 242–244.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1994 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Grimm, V., Uchmański, J. (1994). Ecological Systems are Not Dynamic Systems: Some Consequences of Individual Variability. In: Grasman, J., van Straten, G. (eds) Predictability and Nonlinear Modelling in Natural Sciences and Economics. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0962-8_21

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0962-8_21

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-4416-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-0962-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics