Abstract
The spatial rock-paper-scissors ecosystem, where three species interact cyclically, is a model example of how spatial structure can maintain biodiversity. We here consider such a system for a broad range of interaction rates. When one species grows very slowly, this species and its prey dominate the system by self-organizing into a labyrinthine configuration in which the third species propagates. The cluster size distributions of the two dominating species have heavy tails and the configuration is stabilized through a complex spatial feedback loop. We introduce a statistical measure that quantifies the amount of clustering in the spatial system by comparison with its mean-field approximation. Hereby, we are able to quantitatively explain how the labyrinthine configuration slows down the dynamics and stabilizes the system.
Originalsprog | Engelsk |
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Tidsskrift | Physical Review E. Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics |
Vol/bind | 87 |
Udgave nummer | 4 |
Sider (fra-til) | 042702 |
Antal sider | 4 |
ISSN | 1539-3755 |
DOI | |
Status | Udgivet - 8 apr. 2013 |