Understanding Ecosystem Complexity via Application of a Process-Based State Space rather than a Potential Surface

Figure 1

Graphic of a termite colony (a) and its simplified interaction network (b). Termites modify their environment and build a mound with various chambers to host the colony (a). The original ecosystem graph is composed of 12 nodes (Table 1) with five colors representing their different natures (b, left). Their 15 associated interactions (i.e., processes, Table 2) are shown directionally (b) from component conditions to realizations.

(a)

(b)