Abstract
The behavior of large systems of randomly-interacting variables is examined using an intentionally simplified model. The stable positive solutions are found to exhibit to a significant degree some well-known properties of ecological systems. This resemblance (including for example the predominance of “predator-prey” interactions) is all the more striking in view of the lack of biological “data” at the input end. The findings suggest it advisable to distinguish two kinds of properties in ecosystems. One kind would depend on specifically biological mechanisms; the other would characterize a wide class of persistent systems, and arise from the need for a dynamic balance between positive and negative feedback.
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Tregonning, K., Roberts, A. Ecosystem-like behavior of a random-interaction model I. Bltn Mathcal Biology 40, 513–524 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02460775
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02460775