Editorial &amp;quot;Ecosystems in transition: interactions and feedbacks with an emphasis on the initial development&amp;quot;

Hüttl, Reinhard F.; Gerwin, Werner; Kögel-Knabne, I.; Schulin, Rainer; Hinz, Christoph; Subke, Jens‐Arne

doi:10.5194/bg-11-195-2014

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…Most obviously, if the complexity of such sequences is known or can be computed, questions of the evolution of complexity can be addressed once the (or an) appropriate sequential model has been identified. For several decades it has been widely recognized that simple progress-to-equilibrium models are incomplete and not always applicable (Scheidegger 1983;DeAngelis and Waterhouse 1987;Montgomery 1989;Phillips 1992), but the understanding of state transitions in ESS is still rudimentary in many cases (Huttl et al 2014). Further, as ESS evolve they "compute intrinsically and store information" (Still et al 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complexity of Earth Surface System Evolutionary Pathways

Phillips

2016

Math Geosci

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Evolution of Earth surface systems (ESS) comprises sequential transitions between system states. Treating these as directed graphs, algebraic graph theory was used to quantify complexity of archetypal structures, and empirical examples of forest succession and alluvial river channel change. Spectral radius measures structural complexity and is highest for fully connected, lowest for linear sequential and cyclic graphs, and intermediate for divergent and convergent patterns. The irregularity index β represents the extent to which a subgraph is representative of the full graph. Fully connected graphs have β = 1. Lower values are found in linear and cycle patterns, while higher values, such as those of divergent and convergent patterns, are due to a few highly connected nodes. Algebraic connectivity (μ(G)) indicates inferential synchronization and is inversely related to historical contingency. Highest values are associated with fully connected and strongly connected mesh graphs, whereas forking structures and linear sequences all have μ(G) = 1, with cycles slightly higher. Diverging vs. converging graphs of the same size and topology have no differences with respect to graph complexity, so complexity change is dependent on whether development results in increased or reduced richness. Convergent-divergent mode switching, however, would generally increase ESS complexity, decrease irregularity, and increase algebraic connectivity. As ESS and associated graphs evolve, none of the possible trends reduces complexity, which can only remain constant or increase. Algebraic connectivity may increase, however. As improving shortcomings in ESS 123 Math Geosci evolution models generally result in elaborating possible state changes, this produces more structurally complex but less historically contingent models.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complexity of Earth Surface System Evolutionary Pathways

Phillips

2016

Math Geosci

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“…Based on these manifold results it was concluded that the behavior of initial ecosystems on these large open-cast mining sites should be regarded as significantly different from more natural ecosystems (Schaaf et al 2011). It was hypothesized that the first phase of ecosystem development on these sites is characterized by less structure, heterogeneity and complexity than later phases (Hüttl, Gerwin, Kögel-Knabner et al 2014) and analyses of initial ecosystems on these types of disturbed sites allow for better insights into ecosystem functioning. The first years of monitoring ecosystem development in the artificial Chicken Creek catchment revealed a primary, very short but pronounced geohydro-phase with high erosion rates and sedimentation processes (Elmer et al 2013).…”

Section: Phases Of Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Landscape Development From Point Zero

Hüttl,

Gerwin

2024

Pacific Science

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“…To study the role of feedbacks in state transitions during ecosystem development, we used 10-year time series of data from the constructed catchment Chicken Creek. This unique site offers the chance to observe state transitions in a relatively simple ecosystem from a very initial state with hardly any internal ecological memory [28] to more complex states.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecosystem Development in the Constructed Catchment “Chicken Creek”

Schaaf¹,

Hinz²,

Gerwin³

et al. 2018

Hydrology of Artificial and Controlled Experiments

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Landscapes and ecosystems are complex systems with many feedback mechanisms acting between the various abiotic and biotic components. The knowledge about these interacting processes is mainly derived from mature ecosystems. The initial development of ecosystem complexity may involve state transitions following catastrophic shifts, disturbances, or transgression of thresholds. We propose a conceptual framework of feedback processes in early states of ecosystem development affected by spatiotemporal environmental drivers. To test this concept, we used 10-year time series of hydrological, biological, geomorphological, and soil data from the constructed catchment Chicken Creek." The 6ha site was left to unrestricted development since 2005 and was intensively monitored. The data showed a very rapid development of the site with an increasing complexity and heterogeneity. In the first years, stochastic signals like the initial substrate conditions and external drivers like extreme weather events were the most important factors resulting in abiotic/abiotic feedback mechanisms shaping the morphology of the site and creating site diversity. Initial abiotic feedback mechanisms between water and substrate were soon followed by abiotic/biotic feedbacks between biological soil crusts, invading vegetation, geomorphology, and hydrology resulting in state transitions of catchment functioning.

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Editorial "Ecosystems in transition: interactions and feedbacks with an emphasis on the initial development"

Cited by 9 publications

References 52 publications

Complexity of Earth Surface System Evolutionary Pathways

Complexity of Earth Surface System Evolutionary Pathways

Landscape Development From Point Zero

Ecosystem Development in the Constructed Catchment “Chicken Creek”

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