Bernd Blasius - Research Interests

Application of Nonlinear Dynamics and Statistical Physics in Biological and Ecological Systems

Synchronization in Ecological Systems

The natural ecosystems on our planet are subject to continuous change. In the current scientific quest to conserve biodiversity and maintain life quality on our planet, it has become vital to develop a better theoretical understanding of ecological systems. Mathematical models are perhaps one of the most powerful approaches available for increasing our understanding of the complex dynamics of natural systems. Recently it has become clear that progress in this direction will only be achieved if better ways are found to take into account the spatial scales, structures and complexities of ecosystems. Hence the focus of my research interest centers on the dynamics of spatially structured interacting populations and communities. In order to pursue these questions, I take a multi-disciplinary oriented approach using modern mathematical modelling techniques from nonlinear dynamics to study complex natural systems.

Most ecosystems are spatially-extended and may be decomposed into a set of weakly interacting local communities or subsystems. Of particular interest is the complex synchronization that occurs between small local communities, which `scales up'' to organize the global dynamics of the larger ecosystem. Synchronization is a powerful process often encountered in living systems, and has the potential to shape the distribution and abundance of species over all scales, from local to continental. For example, such synchronization effects are now understood to be critical in controlling the regional extinction rates of endangered species, in the spread of epidemics (and their spatially synchronized vaccination programs), and in the design of Nature Reserves networked through corridors.

Although synchronization is a fundamental natural phenomenon, basic theoretical understanding of synchronization still lags behind experimental and field studies. This, together with the growing importance now attached to understanding ecological cycles and change, is the motivation behind my current research in self-organization, synchronization and spatio-temporal structures in ecological systems. The major theme is the investigation of synchronization in spatially structured ecological systems with a focus on important subtle forms of synchronization, such as those found in coupled chaotic biological oscillators and large complex systems.

Synchronization of two populations

(See Publication: E.Montbrio, J. Kurths and B. Blasius
Synchronization of two interacting populations of oscillators

Phys. Rev. E 70: 056125 (2004).
pdf file see also : Virtual Journal of Biological Physics Research, December 1, 2004 Volume 8, Issue 11