Physiological Constraints and the Geometry of Ecosystem Metabolism

Abstract: Theoretical ecology often struggles to reconcile abstract mathematical models with the complex, underlying biological mechanisms that govern microbial life. While current consumer-resource models attempt to predict microbiome dynamics, they typically rely on simplified approximations that overlook critical physiological realities, such as specific metabolic constraints and nutrient limitations. This project aims to bridge this gap by defining a new class of consumer-resource models that are rigorously grounded in empirical microbial physiology. By integrating these biological mechanisms directly into mathematical frameworks, the researchers seek to create more accurate, predictive models of how complex microbial communities grow, adapt, and interact within changing environments.