Pendulums, Predators And Prey: The Ecology Of Coupled Oscillations

[phantom power]

A single predator/prey system acts like an oscillator. Two previously independent oscillators may be coupled, in this case by the addition of either a new competing predator species, or mutual prey species.

Somebody should look into whether the introduction of zebra mussels, snakefish, kudzu, etc, has yielded any new couple oscillators.

This behavior of coupled oscillators---long a fascination of physicists and mathematicians---also can help biologists seeking to understand such questions as why some locations overflow with plants and animals while others are bereft, University of Michigan theoretical ecologist John Vandermeer maintains.

(...)

Predator-prey systems can also become coupled when a new prey species invades and competes for resources with prey species in two previously unconnected predator-prey systems. For example, an extremely fast antelope might begin competing with zebras and impalas for food. Even though neither lion nor cheetah is fast enough to prey on the new antelope, the antelope's activity links the previously unconnected lion-zebra and cheetah-impala pairs. In such a case, the ups and downs of the two original prey species are thrown into chaotic but coordinated patterns, Vandermeer said.

"That's what's known as coordinated chaos---a phenomenon that occurs in some physical systems, such as lasers, but hadn't been pointed out in ecology before." By oscillating out of phase with the other two grazers---zebras and impalas---the antelope can coexist with them, prospering when their numbers are low.

Considering such scenarios with the aid of mathematical simulations such as Vandermeer's can help address questions biologists have wrestled with for decades, such as how species that appear to be exploiting the same resources can coexist and why some predator-prey systems are particularly resistant to invaders.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/12/061201180633.htm

[applegrove]

1. There are patterns in nature and politics. Particularly this animal-like

form of politics the GOP has been practicing of late. Perhaps why some ex sportscaster named Keith Olberman may have an easier time of "seeing the pattern" and then "calling it". IMHO

[rman]

2. aka "chaos theory", aka "complexity"

The interesting part about it is that any dynamic system even if very simple, can and usually will show complex, seemingly random behavior. This kind of behavior can be simulated mathematically using very simple formulas - key is that the formula must implement 'feedback'.

..."The equation would be simple if population just rises indefinitely, but the effect of predators and a limited food supply make this equation incorrect. The simplest equation that takes this into account is the following:

next year's population = r * this year's population * (1 - this year's population)



http://www.imho.com/grae/chaos/chaos.html