

From rabbits and foxes to the human gut microbiome, physics is helping us understand the natural world
Jul 24, 2025
Ada Altieri, an associate professor specializing in theoretical ecology, and Silvia De Monte, a senior research scientist with expertise in evolutionary biology, dive into the intersection of physics and ecology. They discuss how statistical physics models can illuminate complex ecosystems, from predator-prey interactions to the intricate world of the human gut microbiome. The duo explores the challenges and potential of modeling these systems, highlighting their relevance in addressing gut disorders and predicting ecological tipping points.
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Basics of Theoretical Ecology
- Theoretical ecology uses mathematical models to understand species interactions in ecosystems.
- Early models like Lotka-Volterra capture predator-prey dynamics in simple two-species systems.
From Rabbits to Gut Microbiomes
- Foxes and rabbits are classic examples of predator-prey species used in ecology models.
- Modern models study complex communities like gut microbiomes with hundreds or thousands of species.
Predicting Ecosystem Tipping Points
- Small environmental changes can cause sudden shifts in ecosystem states, known as tipping points.
- Statistical physics methods reveal these as phase transitions, helping predict ecosystem stability.