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Selforganizology, 2015, 2(3): 55-64
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Article

A generalized network evolution model and self-organization theory on community assembly

WenJun Zhang
School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Hong Kong

Received 13 February 2015;Accepted 18 March 2015;Published online 1 September 2015
IAEES

Abstract
Community assembly is the process that species grow and interact to establish a community. In present study, a generalized, rule-based network evolution model, CommAssembly, for community assembly was proposed. The model is based on difference equations with different number of species in different stages of evolution. It consists of pioneer rule, invasion and growth rule, extinction rule, connection (flow) rule and termination rule, etc. Species invades, grows in, or quits the community following specific rules. In addition, I proposed the self-organization theory on community assembly. In this theory, I think that community assembly is a self-organization process. In terms of the model proposed, the practical community can spontaneously adjust its A(t), and guarantee itself to evolve in a natural way. Temporal dynamics and species composition of community depend on species composition of species pool, between-species interactions, intrinsic growth of species, environmental capacity (resource availability), and the probability, strength and history of invasions, etc. The invasion, establishment, growth, and extinction of species follow a series of rules. Community assembly can be best described and modeled with self-organization approaches. The model provides the basis to build self-organization models of community assembly.

Keywords community assembly;network evolution;differential equation;difference equation;rules;self-organization theory.

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