Generalized mechanism model for ecosystem hysteresis

Generalized mechanism model for ecosystem hysteresis | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Generalized mechanism model for ecosystem hysteresis Yanfen Wang, Yanbin Hao, Xin Wang, Jie Liu, Jianqing Du, Kai Xue, and 3 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5799734/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Ecosystem hysteresis, the occurrence of irreversible state transitions due to external disturbances, is a prevalent phenomenon in dynamic ecosystems. Understanding hysteresis is essential for predicting ecosystem responses and developing effective restoration strategies. However, the intrinsic dynamics quantifying the positive-negative feedback in driving hysteresis and its intensity remain undisclosed. We introduce a quantitative framework to address hysteresis by assessing ecosystem states and feedback loops, which diverges from prior phenomenological theories of hysteresis. Employing this framework, a generalized mechanism model is proposed to estimate positive-negative feedback strengths and defines the irreversible potential of hysteresis to determine its intensity. We identify a dimensionless critical constant that indicates whether hysteresis occurs. The model effectively captures both forward and backward trajectories of hysteresis across various ecological scale. The direction of state transitions may be predicted using unidirectional data. Our findings offer a universal framework for predicting and mitigating irreversible state shifts of ecosystems. Earth and environmental sciences/Ecology/Ecological modelling Biological sciences/Ecology/Ecosystem ecology Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO Competing Interest. Supplementary Files SupplementaryMaterialsNC.docx Generalized mechanism model for ecosystem hysteresis Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-5799734","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":411680474,"identity":"9b5f5560-9212-42fe-bf8a-733f2abae0d5","order_by":0,"name":"Yanfen 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