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Utilizing Network Graphs to Prevent Ecological Collapse

https://e360.yale.edu/features/network_theory_a_key_to_unraveling_how_nature_works

The graphs depicting the myriad ecological intraspecific relationships, behaviors, and food webs are just as complex (and confusing) as the ecosystems they represent. As a result, ecologists have been pioneers in simplifying originally complex ideas into simple visualizations. For example, a food web is a relatively easy to understand representation of the nitrogen cycle in a specific environment. The use of nodes and directed edges signify the direction of nitrogen, and therefore nutrients throughout the ecosystem. The analysis of the nodes, each representing a single species, and its connections to the ecosystem at large can aid in determining theĀ  environmental impact of the reduction or extirpation of a species from its preferred habitat. Nodes with many connections are denoted as “keystone species,” and are considered for special consideration in conservation efforts, for their vital roles in their locale’s nitrogen cycle and environmental stability.

The ecological community’s use of network graph theory in their research is highly relevant to the course. It serves as an example of the application of theories such as the strong triadic closure property and the clustering coefficient of nodes can be used to calculate the effects of the removal of a node on the entire network graph. These concepts have a practical use in this field of study, now that the importance of a species or ecological niche for an entire ecosystem can be calculated, better efforts can be made to save species that are indispensable for food webs, and prevent ecological disasters resulting from human encroachment.

 

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