Research On Complexity Of Ecosystems

Ecosystem is a typical nonlinear system far from equilibrium, which has a close relationship with human beings. How to analyze the structural formation is the key . Study on ecosystem structure is carrying on. Many classical theories still affect our life until now. Since most analyses on the ecosystem structure in the past are macroscopically, the underlying microscopic dynamic mechanism that induces complex pattern in ecosystems can't be revealed perfectly. Although differential equations with restraint conditions and some computer models solve many problems, they are not most effective methods up to today. Based on characteristics of structural formation and thoughts of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics, the Maximum Flux Principle (MFP) is proposed form dynamical view: an open system far from equilibrium always seeks an optimization process so that the obtained flux from outside is maximal under a given constraint. The evolution dynamic processes and structural classifications on system patterns are discussed. The dynamic mechanisms on the formation and evolution of ecosystem structure are also then revealed. The general form of dynamics equation for ecosystem order structure formation is derived. It can deeply demonstrate the ordered structure formation of ecosystem from microscopic dynamics. Beyond ecosystems, MFP is the universal law applicable for nature, society and economy. The ecosystem evolution is further simulated by using the theoretical model of artificial neural network of Self-Organization Feature Map (SOM), by which succession of plant community and ecosystem fractal growth model are elaborated. It not only shows dynamics process of structure formation and quantitative results, but also theoretically and empirically obtains the dynamics mechanism of ecosystem ordered structure formation. The result helps us analyzing formation and dynamics of the ecosystem structure and providing implications for classifications, protection and optimization. It is our belief that the present results on the ordered structure formation in this paper can in turn promote the relevant progress of complexity science.