Non-equilibrium theory of ecosystem function: from phase dynamics to coastal ecosystems

提出的研究目标是开发和测试大规模生态系统的非平衡理论，明确考虑个体和物质的空间流动。我们对自然生态系统的认识已经从局部生态相互作用的研究发展到整合空间运动和个体跨尺度相互作用的理论。然而，沿海水域有机和无机物流动的充分记录，仍然没有很好地纳入区域人口持续性和生物多样性的预测。本研究将首先发展元生态系统的一般非平衡理论。我们将采用一种耦合振荡器方法来近似和简化模型，作为可以描述许多非平衡耦合系统之间关系的相动力学。这种形式可以通过个体和物质之间的相互作用来预测区域生态系统功能和时空异质性。我们将使用潮间带贻贝床作为模型系统，并利用代谢室进行中尺度实验，以测试贻贝之间以及与优势相关物种之间的简单竞争和营养相互作用在通量驱动生态系统功能（例如氧、铵、叶绿素a）中的作用。这些实验的目标是测试人口层面的连通性和生态系统功能之间的反馈。将实验结果整合到沿海元生态系统的具体理论中，并预测有机和无机物波动之间的空间同步性。我们将通过沿着圣劳伦斯河口南岸进行大规模（150公里）的实地调查和现有（如CHONe， LTER， PISCO）数据集来验证我们的预测。这些理论和结果将为基于生态系统的管理和海洋保护区网络提供更一般的理论，在这些网络中，保护区的规模和间距为与决策者和管理者相关的区域尺度上的人口和物质之间的相互联系而优化。他们还将训练有素的学生定位在以生态系统为基础的海洋科学和保护的前沿。

The goal of the proposed research is to develop and test a non-equilibrium theory of large-scale ecosystems with explicit consideration of spatial flows of individuals and matter. Our understanding of natural ecosystems has progressed from the study of local ecological interactions to theories integrating spatial movement and interactions of individuals across scales. However, well-documented flows of organic and inorganic matter in coastal waters, are still not well integrated into predictions of regional population persistence and biodiversity. The research will first develop a general non-equilibrium theory of meta-ecosystems. We will adopt a coupled-oscillator approach to approximate and simplify the model as phase dynamics that can describe relationships between many non-equilibrium coupled systems. This formalism will allow the prediction of regional ecosystem functions and of spatiotemporal heterogeneity as spatial asynchrony through the interaction between fluxes of individuals and matter. We will use intertidal mussel beds as a model system and conduct mesocosm experiments with metabolic chambers to test the role of simple competitive and trophic interactions among mussels and with dominant associated species for fluxes driving ecosystem functions (e.g. oxygen, ammonium, chlorophyll a). The goal of these experiments will be to test for feedbacks between population-level connectivity and ecosystem functions. Experimental results will be integrated into a specific theory of coastal meta-ecosystems, and we will predict spatial synchrony between fluctuations of organic and inorganic matter. We will validate our predictions by conducting a large-scale (150km) field survey along the south shore of the St. Lawrence Estuary and from existing (e.g. CHONe, LTER, PISCO) datasets. These theories and results will provide a more general theory of ecosystem-based management and of marine reserve networks where size and spacing of reserves are optimized for interconnections among populations and matter over regional scales that are relevant to policy makers and managers. They will also position trained students at the leading edge of ecosystem-based marine science and conservation.