THE COLOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE

• DOI: 10.1890/02-3122
• Publication Date: 2007-06-04T19:31:17Z
• Authors: David A. Vasseur; Peter Yodzis
• Keywords: Environmental Noise

Biological populations are strongly influenced by the random variation in their environment. The spectrum of frequencies noise is particularly important to dynamics and persistence. Here we present an analysis variance spectra a wide variety long-term time series environmental variables. Spectra were well approximated inverse power law 1/fβ within appropriate range f; however, majority “flattened” at low frequencies. With some qualification found spectral exponents (β) corroborate earlier suggestion that terrestrial tends be “white” (β < 0.5), while marine environments tend “red” ≈ 1) or “brown” 2). As well, tendency for whiter temperate latitudes than either high latitudes. These results have wide-ranging consequences ecosystem fragility species conservation.