On the energy trait control phenomena in ecosystems

Prevailing ecological control theory is based on predation phenomena, it implies that a symbiotic ecosystem results from the predator imposing on prey a low, stable equilibrium. Mathematically, such dynamic model, like prevailing control equations, stresses directly regulating the state of prey, the controlled population, while the input variable of the control is state variable of the predator population. However, predation relation is not unique theorem to explain every kind of interaction between populations, the interactions without energy or biomass exchange are scarcely depicted by the dynamic models which depict the interaction based on principle of predation. How to model the interrelation deals with how to comprehend the interaction mechanism. Many researchers have recognized that some interactions work in indirect ways, regulating state of a population via imposing on its ecological/physiological trait is also one mode of interaction between the populations. These phenomena broadly exist in ecosystems. If coefficients of state equation of the regulated population are defined in terms of their ecological trait, regulating the coefficients to vary the population state may implement a kind of particular control processes, namely, trait control.Expressed by differential dynamic equations, as well known, an ecosystem may exhibit different formal solutions by regulating coefficients of the equations, and each solution corresponds to an ecological pattern. This is theoretic basis of ecological trait control. Introduced trait control function by means of coefficient regulation, the dynamic model can depict many indirect effects caused by biotic or abiotic ecological factors, and explain more complex phenomena in ecosystems. For instance, the environmental factors can be considered as variables imposing on the trait of the ecosystem.This paper applies Life Energy System dynamic model (LESM) to illustrate the principle and analysis approach of energy trait control; possible energy trait control modes are proposed according to different interaction between populations in an ecosystem. It was found that the trait control could realize distinct control effect from that depicted by traditional biological control models. With the trait control function, the dynamic model is able to interpret more complex ecological structures and potential evolutionary mechanism. Such exploration may provide further research on complexity of ecosystem with theoretical basis.