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

拟议研究的目标是发展和测试一个大型生态系统的非平衡理论，明确考虑个人和物质的空间流动。我们对自然生态系统的理解已经从研究局部生态相互作用发展到整合空间运动和个体跨尺度相互作用的理论。然而，有充分记录的沿海水域有机和无机物质流动仍然没有很好地纳入对区域人口持久性和生物多样性的预测。这项研究将首先发展元生态系统的一般非平衡理论。我们将采用耦合振子方法将模型近似和简化为能够描述许多非平衡耦合系统之间关系的相动力学。这种形式主义将允许通过个体和物质之间的相互作用来预测区域生态系统的功能和时空异质性作为空间异步性。我们将使用潮间带贻贝床作为模式系统，并利用代谢室进行中游实验，以测试贻贝之间以及与优势伴生物种之间的简单竞争和营养相互作用对驱动生态系统功能的通量(如氧气、氨、叶绿素a)的作用。这些实验的目标将是测试种群水平的连通性和生态系统功能之间的反馈。实验结果将被整合到沿海元生态系统的特定理论中，我们将预测有机物质和无机物质波动之间的空间同步性。我们将沿着圣劳伦斯河口南岸进行一次大规模(150公里)的实地调查，并根据现有的(如CHONE、LTER、PISCO)数据集来验证我们的预测。这些理论和成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，其中保护区的规模和间距为区域范围内与决策者和管理人员有关的人口和物质之间的相互联系进行了优化。它们还将使训练有素的学生处于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.