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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. 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.
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    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.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Fath, Brian D. & Scharler, Ursula M. & Baird, Dan, 2013. "Dependence of network metrics on model aggregation and throughflow calculations: Demonstration using the Sylt–Rømø Bight Ecosystem," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 252(C), pages 214-219.
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    9. 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.
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    12. 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.
    13. 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.
    14. 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.
    15. Schaubroeck, Thomas & Staelens, Jeroen & Verheyen, Kris & Muys, Bart & Dewulf, Jo, 2012. "Improved ecological network analysis for environmental sustainability assessment; a case study on a forest ecosystem," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 247(C), pages 144-156.
    16. 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.
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    20. Zarbá, Lucía & Brown, Mark T., 2015. "Cycling emergy: computing emergy in trophic networks," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 315(C), pages 37-45.

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