Masters Degrees (Mathematical Sciences)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Mathematical Sciences) by Subject "Adaptation (Biology) -- Mathematical models"

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    Spatio-temporal dynamics in adaptive multispecies competitive communities
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12) Langat, Gilbert Kiprotich; Hui, Cang; Minoarivelo, Henintsoa Onivola; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Mathematical Sciences. Division Mathematics.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An ecosystem is made up of a diverse range of species interacting with each other to form complex networks though suggested being unstable contrary to the naturally observed multispecies coexistence. To solve this paradox, species interaction switching and spatial flows have been postulated as among the factors shaping community structures and stability. Historically, these studies have considered only simple community models focussing on specific forms of interaction switching with little attention to the comparison of the different switching criteria. Using May’s ideology of applying random matrices theory, I attempt to understand the effect of community complexity in the presence of adaptation and species spatial flows in competitive ecosystems. Here, I use a modified Lotka-Volterra model in which species adaptively switch their interaction partner by either elimination of the unfit or survival of the fittest switching interchangeably in single communities and metacommunities. I showed that adaptive switching improves community productivity, nestedness, resilience, and diversity with increased complexity having a negative relation to productivity, resilience, and competitiveness. Species spatial movement further enhances stability and productivity. I argue that adaptive switching is an essential element of understanding the maintenance of community diversity in the presence of community complexity.