Google’s algorithm helps study extinction
One of the first algorithms Google used, PageRank, has been found to be a helpful tool not only in the field of search engines, but also in studying food webs. Through applying PageRank, scientists are able to study which extinctions could possibly lead to ecosystem collapse. Like how web pages hold importance if important pages point to those pages, scientists are taking this approach and using it on species where a species is considered important if it points to important species. Dr. Allesina and Dr. Mercedes Pascual of University of Michigan tested the PageRank system on studying food webs where they ranked species according to the damage they would cause if they were removed from the ecosystem. The complex world of our ecosystem is now better understood with the application of the PageRank system.
As discussed in class, the principles behind RageRank is that nodes that are viewed with more importance area able to make stronger endorsements and these important pages are important if they are cited by other important pages. It is a ay of measuring the importance of website page. Usually used in setting of Websites, this concept of PageRank is now being applied to other fields, including the study of our very own ecosystem.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8238462.stm