 |
Center for Nonlinear Studies |
Predicting the variation of biodiversity across the surface of the Earth is a fundamental issue in ecology, and in this talk I will focus on one of the most widely studied spatial biodiversity patterns: the Species-Area Relationship (SAR). The SAR is a central tool in conservation, being used to predict species loss, and it tends to display power-law behaviour throughout different geographic regions and across the Tree of Life. I will draw upon the methods of quantum field theory to derive predictions for this power law, and a number of other spatial patterns. No prior knowledge of ecology or field theory will be assumed.
Host: Eli Ben-Naim, T-4, ebn@lanl.gov