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Critical behavior of a phase transition in the dynamics of interacting populations
by Thibaut Arnoulx de Pirey, Guy Bunin
Submission summary
| Authors (as registered SciPost users): | Thibaut Arnoulx de Pirey |
| Submission information | |
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| Preprint Link: | https://arxiv.org/abs/2402.05063v2 (pdf) |
| Date submitted: | 2024-04-17 11:17 |
| Submitted by: | Arnoulx de Pirey, Thibaut |
| Submitted to: | SciPost Physics |
| Ontological classification | |
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| Academic field: | Physics |
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| Approach: | Theoretical |
Abstract
Many-variable differential equations with random coefficients provide powerful models for the dynamics of many interacting species in ecology. These models are known to exhibit a dynamical phase transition from a phase where population sizes reach a fixed point, to a phase where they fluctuate indefinitely. Here we provide a theory for the critical behavior close to the phase transition. We show that timescales diverge at the transition and that temporal fluctuations grow continuously upon crossing it. We further show the existence of three different universality classes, with different sets of critical exponents, depending on the migration rate which couples the system to its surroundings.
Author indications on fulfilling journal expectations
- Provide a novel and synergetic link between different research areas.
- Open a new pathway in an existing or a new research direction, with clear potential for multi-pronged follow-up work
- Detail a groundbreaking theoretical/experimental/computational discovery
- Present a breakthrough on a previously-identified and long-standing research stumbling block
Current status:
In refereeing