|
Abstract |
I will first start with a general introduction on theoretical ecology, stressing the
reasons that make connections with statistical physics interesting and timely.
I will then focus on Lotka-Volterra equations, which provide a general model to study large assemblies of
strongly
interacting degrees of freedom in many different fields: biology, economy and in particular ecology.
I will present our analysis of Lotka-Volterra equations as model of ecosystems formed by a
large number of species and show the different phases that emerge. Two of them are particularly
interesting: when interactions are symmetric we find a regime characterised by an exponential
number of multiple equilibria, all poised at the edge of stability for a large number of species.
For non symmetric interactions, this phase is replaced by a chaotic one.
I will then conclude discussing relationships with experiments and general consequences of our works. |
