Detection of alternative stable states in marine communities

Assembly and maintenance of subtidal habitat heterogeneity: synergistic effects of light penetration and sedimentation

“…dredging) that change environmental conditions (e.g. light and sedimentation), which in turn starts a positive feedback mechanism resulting in a switch (Petraitis & Dudgeon 2004a). These ideas are yet to be tested in subtidal kelp, but it is possible that critical thresholds of light and sediment exist (as related to size of clearings of kelp and human activity), and crossing them produces a switch (kelp versus alternate state of habitat).…”

Fish versus starfish predation in controlling sea urchin populations in Mediterranean rocky shores

“…& Estes 2003). Overall, these mechanisms increase barren resilience through positive feedback (Scheffer & Carpenter 2003, Petraitis & Dudgeon 2004, Suding et al 2004.…”

Resistance and resilience of microbial communities – temporal and spatial insurance against perturbations

“…So far there is no strict definition of alternative stable states (Petraitis and Dudgeon 2004), however the concept of alternative stable state can be explained using the ball and cup model (shown in Figure 2). A perturbation can move the ball and a state is stable when the ball remains in the cup (domain).…”