Use of individual-based models for population parameters estimation

Authored by Gianni Gilioli, Sara Pasquali

Date Published: 2007

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2006.07.017

Sponsors: No sponsors listed

Platforms: No platforms listed

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Mathematical description

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

A method for parameters estimation of stage-specific mortality and fecundity rate functions in poikilotherm organisms, and in particular for arthropod structured population, is proposed. The application of this method requires three types of information: stage-frequency data of a sampled population, development rate function and time evolution of forcing variables affecting the rate functions. By means of an individual-based model (a microscopic model) the number of eggs produced by the adults is generated starting from the number of individuals collected at each sampling time. Using a compartmental model (a macroscopic model) a stage-structured population dynamics is described and compared with observations. Non-linear regression methods based on least square principle are used to estimate the optimal parameters of the mortality and fecundity rate functions combining microscopic and macroscopic models. As a case study, the parameter estimation of the temperature-dependent mortality function of olives fruit fly Bactrocera oleae is presented. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Tags
Structured population