Testing the predictions of the Maximum Information Entropy Theory for abundance and energy distributions on the Gothic earthflow

Abstract

Maximum Information Entropy theory, or MaxEnt, has been shown in many cases to accurately predict relationships between macroecological variables in ecosystems in a state of equilibrium. However, little testing has been performed on MaxEnt in disturbed sites. This study evaluated the accuracy of predictions made by MaxEnt for metabolic rate distributions among and across plant species on a high-disturbance earthflow in Gothic, Colorado. My results showed that the quality of MaxEnt predictions of metabolic rate distributions varied between metric examined, as well as plot and species observed. In disagreement with previous studies, abundance distributions were accurately predicted across all stages of succession for which measurements were taken. The findings of this study may prove to be of interest to disturbance ecologists and conservation efforts in general.

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