Upcoming Guest Seminar
Speaker: Prof. Ulf Dieckmann (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA))
Date: Mar. 13th, 2019
Time: 13:00 -
Venue: Room 310, ESB building, Hayama Campus, SOKENDAI (総研大葉山キャンパス 先導科学研究科棟) Access
Title: Complex Adaptive Systems at the Interface of Ecology and Evolution, Statistical Physics, and Social Dynamics
Abstract:
Analyzing humankind’s interactions with our collective environment requires understanding complex adaptive systems. This is especially important for mitigating anthropogenic impacts on the biosphere, managing the multifaceted services provided by ecosystems, and shaping social structures and their dynamics. Complex adaptive systems share key features qualitatively setting them apart from simpler systems: they typically comprise large numbers of nonlinearly interacting agents; have a high propensity for collective dynamics, self-organization, and emergent phenomena; may involve complex behavior and rapid adaptation; incorporate aspects of their own history, causing path-dependence; and exhibit resilience punctuated by discontinuous change, implying tipping points and regime shifts. In this presentation, I will emphasize the interdisciplinary remit of research on complex adaptive systems by highlighting perspectives associated with ecology and evolution, statistical physics, and social dynamics. In regard to ecology and evolution, I will outline our work on food-web dynamics, fisheries-induced evolution, and biodiversity formation. In regard to statistical physics, I will mention research on moment approximations, critical exponents in evolutionary slowing down, and species packing. In regard to social dynamics, I will describe our efforts to understand the evolution of behavioral reaction norms, the optimal use of positive and negative incentives, and the dynamics of institutional corruption.