Guy Bunin: Phase-transitions as signatures of complex communities

Abstract: What characterizes species-rich communities with complex species interactions–for example, competing over many niches? Models predict sharp transitions, as conditions are changed, between qualitatively different dynamical behaviors. These include the abrupt appearance of a vast number of alternative steady-states; and the onset of persistent abundance fluctuations, nearly uncorrelated between species. We discuss these phenomena, and how they differ from related low-dimensional behavior.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw3Gsa8FI18