Generalized Lotka-Volterra Equations with Random, Nonreciprocal Interactions: The Typical Number of Equilibria

Phys Rev Lett. 2023 Jun 23;130(25):257401. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.130.257401.

Abstract

We compute the typical number of equilibria of the generalized Lotka-Volterra equations describing species-rich ecosystems with random, nonreciprocal interactions using the replicated Kac-Rice method. We characterize the multiple-equilibria phase by determining the average abundance and similarity between equilibria as a function of their diversity (i.e., of the number of coexisting species) and of the variability of the interactions. We show that linearly unstable equilibria are dominant, and that the typical number of equilibria differs with respect to the average number.

MeSH terms

  • Ecosystem*
  • Models, Biological*