Competitive Hunter Models (UMAP)

Author: Frank R. Giordano and Stanley C. Lega

In this module various assumptions about the growth in isolation of a single species are modeled and analyzed both graphically and analytically. Scenarios involving two species competing for the same resources are modeled resulting in a system of differential equations. The equilibrium points of the resulting system are analyzed graphically to determine the stability. The module concludes by emphasizing the limitations of a graphical analysis. Students learn: 1) to combine various assumptions about single species growth to model the growth of competing species; and 2) to analyze the stability of the resulting system graphically and appreciate the limitations of such an analysis.

Table of Contents:

1. INTRODUCTION

2. SINGLE SPECIES GROWTH

3. COMPETITIVE HUNTER MODEL

4. GRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

5. THE XY PLANE

6. MODEL INTERPRETATION

7. LIMITATIONS OF GRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

8. REFERENCES

9. MODEL EXAM

10. ANSWERS TO EXERCISES

11. ANSWERS TO MODEL EXAM