A systemic theory of orbits in ecological networks
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to analyze ecological networks from a different viewpoint, using the concepts of orbits, coverage, invariant sets, etc.
Design/methodology/approach
A very simple view of ecosystems is presented, without delving into their multiple properties. Specifically, an ecosystem will be considered a system containing living and non‐living entities whose interrelationships include those of predator‐prey and competition. On interpreting that orbits are associated with ecosystems' direct and indirect paths, it is possible to present a much more conceptual design of ecological networks.
Findings
An ecosystem's two most important relationships, those of predator‐prey and competition, appear to be interconnected with the concepts of coverage, invariance and orbit, with multiple properties.
Originality/value
There are many interesting analyses of ecological networks' indirect effects that develop the quantitative and qualitative theory of ecological networks. What is new in this study is that it is the first dealing with orbits in the field of ecosystems.
Keywords
Citation
Lloret‐Climent, M. and Esteve‐Calvo, P.F. (2007), "A systemic theory of orbits in ecological networks", Kybernetes, Vol. 36 No. 3/4, pp. 469-475. https://doi.org/10.1108/03684920710747084
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited