Homework for Session 0

STUDENTS: Write the answers to the exercises neatly and hand or send them to your instructor at the completion of each session.

Exercises

Simulate the dynamics of predator and prey populations with the PAS Predator-Prey Game PG3 (see here for an example) on various sized lattices and under different degrees of environmental variability (random mortality). Click here to download PG3. Describe the dynamics you observed and the lessons you learned by playing the PG3.
 

Reading

Berryman, A. A. 1999. Principles of population dynamics and their application. Stanley Thornes Ltd., Cheltenham, England (Chapters 1 and 2).

Things you should know

  1. What is the step-ahead equation for forecasting population change?
  2. Define the instantaneous per-capita rate of change in terms of per-capita birth and death rates.
  3. What is the difference between the finite and instantaneous per-capita rates of change?
  4. What is sensitive dependence?
  5. What are transient dynamics?
  6. What is a stochastic simulation?

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