Origins of Large-Scale Spacial Synchrony in Ecology

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Abstract. Synchronous periodic behavior is observed in a wide variety of ecological systems.For example, many trees produce large nut crops every other year and many insect species have periodic outbreaks.This periodic behavior is typically synchronized over large areas.Understanding the causes of spatial synchrony in population biology is vitally important to the conservation and management of species.How is synchronization established and maintained?Is it due to external entraining forces such as weather or local interactions or both?The working group will investigate the mechanisms regulating large-scale spatial synchrony in ecology.We will use methods from mathematical ecology and statistical physics to build and refine models of large scale synchrony and apply these methods to several data sets.

Purpose: Research Collaboration SFI Host: Jon Machta, Alan Hastings, and Andrew Noble