Competition and information

Abstract

Reconsideration of the logistic equation and of its expansion to the special and general Volterra competition equations in terms of mass/energy in phase-space, shows that information on the phase-spatial conditions of resource and consumers determines specific population parameters which, in turn, decide on coexistence and extinction. Thus, introduction of Information as a separate and independent biophysical parameter, in analogy, and in addition, to Force in Classical Physics, is necessary. This allows for quantification of informational effects on resource flows and population numbers. As such, different population growth dN/dt during a competitive exclusion process, is the effect of competition, and not its cause. It is found that species recognition of "self" and ignorance of other consumers and of their phase-spatial conditions of resource supplies stabilizes coexistence, while excess information on competitors and on resource supplies destabilizes community structure. These findings are particularly relevant for the species Homo sapiens. Among other, apparently disparate population phenomena, Information as a causative parameter also resolves the controversy of "complexity and stability" in biological systems. © 1993 Kluwer Academic Publishers.