Spatial effects in an individual-based model of producer-herbivore interaction
Authored by W J Chivers, W Gladstone, R D Herbert
Date Published: 2008
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Abstract
In this paper, we describe an individual-based model of the interaction
between a producer and herbivore species. The interaction occurs in a
2-dimensional matrix of individual cells. The producer organism grows in
the cells and the herbivores move between the cells, towards areas of
high concentration of producer. Herbivores may die of starvation or they
may reproduce asexually. The model is not built to represent a specific
existing system but is a parsimonious generalized model of
producer-herbivore interaction designed to test spatial effects.
Although the model algorithm is kept simple-the herbivores have no
learning or social behavior and have a minimal foraging strategy-the
model displays some characteristics of real systems such as
metapopulation behavior. We find significant effects on the herbivore
and producer populations of the maximum move distance per step of the
herbivores, the shape of the two-dimensional matrix, the quality of a
corridor between patches habitable by the herbivores, and edge effects
with frizzy edges. The behavior of the model is comparable with
empirical observations found in the literature, and we suggest that this
simple model may be used to investigate the mechanism of these real
effects.
Tags
Dynamics
ecology
System
Rain-forest