Issue of scale in individual-based models: applications in fungal and plant systems

The central question addressed in this thesis is whether descriptions of the dynamics o f ecological systems at one scale may be effectively used as descriptions of the dynamics o f ecological systems at larger scales. This question is addressed in the context of the dynamics of fungal communities. A simple experimental system and complementary theoretical approach, in the form o f an individual-based (cellular automaton) model, is presented. Experimental results derived from small-scale systems are used to quantify parameters of the model; results from large-scale experimental systems serve to test the model. The theoretical analyses clearly demonstrate that the dynamics observed are a result of both local and non-local features of the experimental system. In cases such as this the immediate extrapolation of results derived from xperiments conducted out of the context o f the community to represent system scale behaviour is not possible. In response to this observation a generic framework is developed to allow the consideration of effects at a range of scales through contextual parameterisation of localised dynamics. The framework is directed toward plant systems where a large body of experimental data exists, and may be parameterised by that experimental data. It represents the essential features of individual interactions in terms of competition for space and resource, and the behaviour of a given plant is described in terms of functional traits. Model runs demonstrate complex community patterns suggestive of a known biological phenomena, succession, that arises as a consequence of the coupling between the community and environment. This coupling may allow the long-term coexistence of species through some particular balance in individual function (traits) across the community. A search mechanism is determined to allow combinations of trait values at the scale o f the individual to be assessed for a particular community-scale phenomenon. Initial results demonstrate that this mechanism may identify and converge on combinations of trait values that give rise to, in this case, a simple measure of diversity. The manner in which the generic framework developed may be applied to further the investigation into fungal community dynamics is addressed.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

PhD

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral Thesis

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Abertay Dundee

Year dc:date.issued

2000

Author dc:creator

• Bown, James L.

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

oai:rke.abertay.ac.uk:studenttheses/87bed9b3-454c-48ac-bbf6-ca6058179af8

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:rke.abertay.ac.uk:studenttheses/87bed9b3-454c-48ac-bbf6-ca6058179af8