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On the consequences of aggregation and balancing of networks on system properties derived from ecological network analysis

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  • Baird, Dan
  • Fath, Brian D.
  • Ulanowicz, Robert E.
  • Asmus, Harald
  • Asmus, Ragnhild

Abstract

In the ecological network analysis (ENA) of complex flow food webs the assumption is often made that the models characterizing the flows and stocks of ecosystems occur in a steady state where inflows equals outflows. An assessment of the system indices derived from ENA of six balanced and unbalanced system models, respectively, indicate to differences between indices. The aggregation of highly articulated flow models into models with fewer compartments also has drastic effects on the system metrics, particularly on the information indices.

Suggested Citation

  • Baird, Dan & Fath, Brian D. & Ulanowicz, Robert E. & Asmus, Harald & Asmus, Ragnhild, 2009. "On the consequences of aggregation and balancing of networks on system properties derived from ecological network analysis," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 220(23), pages 3465-3471.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecomod:v:220:y:2009:i:23:p:3465-3471
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2009.09.008
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fath, Brian D., 2007. "Network mutualism: Positive community-level relations in ecosystems," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 208(1), pages 56-67.
    2. Ulanowicz, Robert E. & Scharler, Ursula M., 2008. "Least-inference methods for constructing networks of trophic flows," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 210(3), pages 278-286.
    3. Johnson, Galen A. & Niquil, Nathalie & Asmus, Harald & Bacher, Cédric & Asmus, Ragnhild & Baird, Daniel, 2009. "The effects of aggregation on the performance of the inverse method and indicators of network analysis," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 220(23), pages 3448-3464.
    4. Fath, Brian D. & Scharler, Ursula M. & Ulanowicz, Robert E. & Hannon, Bruce, 2007. "Ecological network analysis: network construction," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 208(1), pages 49-55.
    5. Christian, Robert R. & Brinson, Mark M. & Dame, James K. & Johnson, Galen & Peterson, Charles H. & Baird, Daniel, 2009. "Ecological network analyses and their use for establishing reference domain in functional assessment of an estuary," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 220(22), pages 3113-3122.
    6. Fath, Brian D. & Halnes, Geir, 2007. "Cyclic energy pathways in ecological food webs," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 208(1), pages 17-24.
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    2. van der Heijden, L.H. & Niquil, N. & Haraldsson, M. & Asmus, R.M. & Pacella, S.R. & Graeve, M. & Rzeznik-Orignac, J. & Asmus, H. & Saint-Béat, B. & Lebreton, B., 2020. "Quantitative food web modeling unravels the importance of the microphytobenthos-meiofauna pathway for a high trophic transfer by meiofauna in soft-bottom intertidal food webs," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 430(C).
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    7. Han, Jeong-Ho & Kumar, Hema K. & Lee, Jae Hoon & Zhang, Chang-Ik & Kim, Se-Wha & Lee, Jung-Ho & Kim, Sang Don & An, Kwang-Guk, 2011. "Integrative trophic network assessments of a lentic ecosystem by key ecological approaches of water chemistry, trophic guilds, and ecosystem health assessments along with an ECOPATH model," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 222(19), pages 3457-3472.
    8. Mukherjee, Joyita & Scharler, Ursula M. & Fath, Brian D. & Ray, Santanu, 2015. "Measuring sensitivity of robustness and network indices for an estuarine food web model under perturbations," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 306(C), pages 160-173.
    9. Borrett, S.R. & Freeze, M.A. & Salas, A.K., 2011. "Equivalence of the realized input and output oriented indirect effects metrics in Ecological Network Analysis," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 222(13), pages 2142-2148.
    10. Borrett, Stuart R. & Sheble, Laura & Moody, James & Anway, Evan C., 2018. "Bibliometric review of ecological network analysis: 2010–2016," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 382(C), pages 63-82.
    11. Zhang, Yan & Lu, Hanjing & Fath, Brian D. & Zheng, Hongmei, 2016. "Modelling urban nitrogen metabolic processes based on ecological network analysis: A case of study in Beijing, China," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 337(C), pages 29-38.
    12. Mao, Xufeng & Yang, Zhifeng, 2011. "Functional assessment of interconnected aquatic ecosystems in the Baiyangdian Basin—An ecological-network-analysis based approach," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 222(23), pages 3811-3820.
    13. Zhang, Yan & Zheng, Hongmei & Fath, Brian D., 2015. "Ecological network analysis of an industrial symbiosis system: A case study of the Shandong Lubei eco-industrial park," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 306(C), pages 174-184.
    14. Burns, Thomas P. & Rose, Kenneth A. & Brenkert, Antoinette L., 2014. "Quantifying direct and indirect effects of perturbations using model ecosystems," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 293(C), pages 69-80.
    15. Galychyn, Oleksandr, 2022. "Towards sustainable cities: A multi-criteria assessment framework for studying urban metabolism," MPRA Paper 121584, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 11 May 2022.
    16. Pacella, Stephen R. & Lebreton, Benoit & Richard, Pierre & Phillips, Donald & DeWitt, Theodore H. & Niquil, Nathalie, 2013. "Incorporation of diet information derived from Bayesian stable isotope mixing models into mass-balanced marine ecosystem models: A case study from the Marennes-Oléron Estuary, France," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 267(C), pages 127-137.
    17. Salas, Andria K. & Borrett, Stuart R., 2011. "Evidence for the dominance of indirect effects in 50 trophic ecosystem networks," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 222(5), pages 1192-1204.
    18. Zhang, Yan & Zheng, Hongmei & Fath, Brian D., 2014. "Analysis of the energy metabolism of urban socioeconomic sectors and the associated carbon footprints: Model development and a case study for Beijing," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 540-551.
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    20. Borrett, S.R. & Salas, A.K., 2010. "Evidence for resource homogenization in 50 trophic ecosystem networks," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 221(13), pages 1710-1716.

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