Random matrix theory has been applied to food web stability for decades, implying elliptical eigenvalue spectra and that large food webs should be unstable. Here we allow feasible food webs to self-assemble within an evolutionary process, using simple Lotka–Volterra equations and several elementary interaction types. We show that, as complex food webs evolve under 105 invasion attempts, the community matrix spectra become bi-modal, rather than falling onto elliptical geometries. Our results raise questions as to the applicability of random matrix theory to the analysis of food web steady states.
Låstad S.B. and Härter J. (2022) The geometry of evolved community matrix spectra. Scientific Reports 12(1). 10.1038/s41598-022-17379-6
@article{Låstad2022,
Title = {The geometry of evolved community matrix spectra},
Author = {Låstad, Silja Borring and Härter, Jan},
Editor = {},
Journal = {Scientific Reports},
Year = {2022},
Volume = {12},
Doi = {10.1038/s41598-022-17379-6},
Abstract = {Random matrix theory has been applied to food web stability for decades, implying elliptical eigenvalue spectra and that large food webs should be unstable. Here we allow feasible food webs to self-assemble within an evolutionary process, using simple Lotka–Volterra equations and several elementary interaction types. We show that, as complex food webs evolve under 105 invasion attempts, the community matrix spectra become bi-modal, rather than falling onto elliptical geometries. Our results raise questions as to the applicability of random matrix theory to the analysis of food web steady states.},
}
TY - JOUR
AU - Låstad, Silja Borring
AU - Härter, Jan
TI - The geometry of evolved community matrix spectra
T2 - Scientific Reports
PY - 2022
VL - 12
DO - 10.1038/s41598-022-17379-6
AB - Random matrix theory has been applied to food web stability for decades, implying elliptical eigenvalue spectra and that large food webs should be unstable. Here we allow feasible food webs to self-assemble within an evolutionary process, using simple Lotka–Volterra equations and several elementary interaction types. We show that, as complex food webs evolve under 105 invasion attempts, the community matrix spectra become bi-modal, rather than falling onto elliptical geometries. Our results raise questions as to the applicability of random matrix theory to the analysis of food web steady states.
ER -
