Theoretical guidelines for editing ecological communities. (7th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nguyen, Vu A.T.; Vural, Dervis Can
• Is Part Of: Journal of theoretical biology. Volume 534(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02-07
• Subjects: Manipulating interactions -- Community control -- Ecological engineering -- Population dynamics -- Lotka-Volterra -- Control theory; Biology -- Periodicals; Biological Science Disciplines -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Biologie -- Périodiques; Theoretische biologie; Biology; Periodicals; 571.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2021.110945
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-5193

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Here, we theoretically explore the possibility of manipulating ecological communities by introducing strains with slightly modified interaction characteristics. We establish which interaction values should be modified, and by how much, in order to alter the composition or resilience of a community towards a favorable direction While doing so, we take into account the experimental difficulties in making such modifications. Specifically, large modifications are penalized in our optimization. In addition to prescribing what changes should be made to interspecies interactions, our approach also serves to establish the limits of community control, i.e. how well one can manipulate community composition at best, even when not constrained by experimental difficulties. Abstract: Having control over species abundances and community resilience is of great interest for experimental, agricultural, industrial and conservation purposes. Here, we theoretically explore the possibility of manipulating ecological communities by modifying pairwise interactions. Specifically, we establish which interaction values should be modified, and by how much, in order to alter the composition or resilience of a community towards a favorable direction. While doing so, we also take into account the experimental difficulties in making such modifications by including in our optimization process, a cost parameter, which penalizes large modifications. In addition to prescribing what changes should be made to interspecies interactions given some modification cost, our approach also serves to establish the limits of community control, i.e. how well can one approach an ecological goal at best, even when not constrained by cost.