title: Colored-noise-induced discontinuous transitions in symbiotic ecosystems.
abstract: A symbiotic ecosystem is studied by means of the Lotka-Volterra stochastic model, using the generalized Verhulst self-regulation. The effect of fluctuating environment on the carrying capacity of a population is taken into account as dichotomous noise. The study is a follow-up of our investigation of symbiotic ecosystems subjected to three-level (trichotomous) noise [Phys. Rev. E 65, 051108 (2002)]]. Relying on the mean-field theory, an exact self-consistency equation for stationary states is derived. In some cases the mean field exhibits hysteresis as a function of noise parameters. It is established that random interactions with the environment can cause discontinuous transitions. The dependence of the critical coupling strengths on the noise parameters is found and illustrated by phase diagrams. Predictions from the mean-field theory are compared with the results of numerical simulations. Our results provide a possible scenario for catastrophic shifts of population sizes observed in nature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural Sciences, Tallinn Pedagogical University, 25 Narva Road, 10120 Tallinn, Estonia.
authors.forename: Romi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mankin
authors.forename: Ako
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sauga
authors.forename: Ain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ainsaar
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haljas
authors.forename: Kristiina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Paunel
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017753:Ecosystem; D004777:Environment; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011158:Population Growth; D013269:Stochastic Processes; D013559:Symbiosis / Q000502:physiology*