Mathematical Biology and Ecology Flashcards
N(t)
Total population of a species at time t
Give a word equation for the general form of dN/dt
dN/dt = births - deaths + migration = f(N)
Simple model for population growth where Birth and Death are proportional to N
(single stage/species model)
dN/dt = alpha * N - beta * N
alpha - fecundity rate
beta - mortality rate
Another term for logistic growth
Self-limited growth
Define carrying capacity
The maximum population size that can be sustained
Steady states of logistic growth
N=0, N=K (carrying capacity)
What does it mean to have a steady state of a population system?
Population sizes N* at which dN/dt = 0 for all t ⩾ 0
Can be unstable/stable
Define Asymptotic Stability
Stability at a fixed point
Time response of N* (equilibrium population)
The interval of time over which the perturbed population n of the unstable (stable) linearised dynamics increases (decreases) by a factor e
i.e. time response = 1 / |f’(N*)| for t0 → t1
Typical properties of a predation function p(N)
[note that dN/dt = … - p(N) ]
No predation if no prey, p(0) = 0
Rate of predation saturates as population increases, p(N) → constant as N → ∞
For p(N) = hill function (predation model), what do the constants A and B represent?
A ~ determines how quick the model reaches the saturation level
B ~ saturation level
How to Non-dimensionalise a Population system
U = αN
T = βt
Find dU/dT = dU/dN * dN/dt * dt/dT
Then choose α and β to cancel/simplify constants in dU/dT, or make it into the required format
Collect constants to define new parameters (should result in less parameters now)
Describe Hysteresis
The change in behaviour of the system depends on whether a parameter is increased or decreased. The system remembers where it was. ‘jumping’ effect
Define bistability
The co-existence of 2 steady states.
Depending on the initial population size, the system to converges to one of the equilibrium as t → ∞.
(In a dynamical system, bistability means the system has two stable equilibrium states. Something that is bistable can be resting in either of two states. In the example of a saddle-node bifurcation diagram, at values of the parameter between the two critical values - corresponding to the saddle node birfuractions, the system has two stable solutions.)
Define a Saddle-Node Bifurcation
Ṅ = f(N,k) , where k is a parameter.
There is a critical value kc of k such that when k = kc, f’(N) = 0 at an equilibrium N.
The bifurcation at k = kc is a saddle-node bifurcation if when k passes through kc, a stable-unstable pair of equilibria are either created or destroyed in the
neighbourhood of N*.
Aims of harvesting
Maximise sustainable yield
whilst
Minimising harvesting effort.
Give an example of a harvesting term for a population model
PROPORTIONAL HARVESTING dN/dt = f(N) = ... - hN h ~ harvesting rate CONSTANT YIELD dN/dt = f(N) = ... - Y0 Y0 ~ constant yield
Yield of harvest
Y(h) = h*N_h
N_h ~ the non-zero equilibrium
Maximal yield is found by determining what h gives the largest value
What determines a failed harvest
Yield = 0
Zero equilibrium is stable
Define a Transcritical Bifurcation
Ṅ = f(N;k), where k is a parameter.
There is a critical value kc of k such that when k = kc, f’(N) = 0 at an equilibrium N.
The bifurcation at k = kc is a transcritical bifurcation if when k passes through kc, a stable-unstable pair of equilibria –one of which is fixed– approach each other and exchange stability in the neighbourhood of N*.
Another term for Time Response
Recovery time
Define relative recovery time between 2 equilibria
TR(Y) / TR(0)
or
TR(h) / TR(0)
Relative Yield
Y / Ymax
What can the relative recovery time be written as a function of?
A function of the relative yield (found by solving the yield equation for h, and writing this in terms of Ymax)
One-dimensional difference models for Discrete Time population models
N_t+1 = f(N_t)
f ~ evolution function (map)
For discrete time population models, what are the general crowding and self-regulation effects?
f having a maximum at some critical population density Nm, with f decreasing for N>Nm.
How to find equilibria of Discrete Time Population models
f(N) = N
The equilibria N* of N_t+1 = f(N_t) are the
population sizes N* such that Nt = N* for all t ⩾ 0. These equilibria satisfy f(N) = N
Linear Discrete Time population model
N_t+1 = r N_t N(t) = N0 r^t (r > 0)
In cobwebbing diagrams, where should the first line from the x-axis (N) go to?
f(N)
NOT the line y=N
What are the conditions for stability in a discrete time population model?
If N_t+1 = f(N_t)
| f’(N) | < 1
How to find the stability of bifurcations in Discrete Time Population models
Look at the second iterate of the map
u_t+2 = f(u_t)
Find fixed points/ period 2 solutions of f
(Note that the equilibrium to the first iterate will be solutions here)
Examine when these equilibria are stable
Name the 3 x models for interacting
populations
PREDATOR-PREY system
COMPETITIVE system
MUTUALISTIC system