The role of conjugation in the gene–individual–population relationships in increasing eco-exergy

• Published in: Ecological modelling 2011-02, Vol.222 (3), p.407-418
• Main Authors: Cho, Woon-Seok, Jørgensen, Sven Erik, Chon, Tae-Soo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Eco-exergy; Ecotoxicological systems; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Food competition; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects. Techniques; genes; Individual based model; Metabolic efficiency; Methods and techniques (sampling, tagging, trapping, modelling...); population size; species diversity; Toxin susceptibility
• ISSN: 0304-3800; 1872-7026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2010.09.041

The genotypic and phenotypic processes were incorporated into one system in the gene–individual–population relationships under the framework of Individual based models (IBMs). The gene types addressing different degrees of metabolic efficiency and toxin susceptibility were provided as attributes in the individuals. Subsequently ecological processes such as food competition and movement were allowed concurrently on the 2-D space to determine the suitable species adapted to the system. The integrative gene–individual–population model accordingly responded to gene exchanges between the neighboring individuals through conjugation. At a substantially low level of gene exchange, system heterogeneity increased to produce high levels of eco-exergy, being presented by species diversity and total population size in the system. The issues related to genetic and ecological effects in the integrative gene–individual–population relationships were further discussed.