Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
10682972 | Energy | 2005 | 11 Pages |
Abstract
We explore the use of Fisher Information as a basis for an index of sustainability. Sustainability of an ecosystem refers to the robustness of a preferred dynamic regime to human and natural disturbances. Ecosystems under perturbations of varying regularity and intensity can either remain within the current regime or transition into the neighbourhood of a regime with different (viz. less desirable) characteristics. The Fisher Information index we develop is based on the probability of finding the system in a particular state. We apply the index to a 10-compartment food web model with five functional groups: detritus, primary producers, herbivores, carnivores, and an omnivore. Fisher Information is shown to be sensitive to transients in model generated data. Such transients can be indicative of a transition to a new dynamic regime. Early detection of transitions to undesirable regimes may permit management intervention.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Energy
Energy (General)
Authors
Christopher W. Pawlowski, Brian D. Fath, Audrey L. Mayer, Heriberto Cabezas,