ECOL203/403: Ecology: Populations to Ecosystems - Ecological Assignment Help

Assignment Task:

Objective

The purpose of this assignment is for you to run a manipulative experiment using a realistic predator-prey model. In so doing, you will 

1. explore how predators affect prey populations and vice versa

2. explore the linkages between ecological processes and their representations in models 3. design and execute an ecological experiment 

Introduction

This assignment demonstrates how the actions of individuals compound to generate population dynamics. We know that all populations can grow exponentially, and we also know that never occurs for long, as the resources available to populations eventually restrict their growth. In this practical, you will explore how and when this occurs. You will further explore conditions under which more complicated – and even interesting – population dynamics occur. 

In simple models, one could assume that all predators had access to all prey at all times. In reality, however, populations have spatial structure, because individuals are located at specific locations in space. This has several effects on their ecology. First, an individual’s spatial location restricts the set of individuals that it can interact with to be those in its local neighborhood. Second, space (together with the sensory organs of the organism in question) affects the detectability of predators and prey. Third, heterogeneity in the spatial distribution of resource availability, refuges, mates, and abiotic conditions (etc) can strongly influence ecological processes. Finally, the viscosity (or ‘thickness’) of the environment, together with the dispersal abilities of the organism, affects how quickly they can move through space. All of these factors influence ecological interactions among organisms. A final consideration is the dimensionality of space. For terrestrial organisms, the world is (to a first approximation) flat, whereas for aquatic, marine or airborne organisms it is three-dimensional. In the sky, a predator may be above you. In water, predators may lurk above or below you. In this model, we assume that the predators and prey exist in a flat (two- dimensional) homogeneous field. 

Modelling platform

You will use a modeling platform, NetLogo, in which the spatially explicit two- species model has been developed. NetLogo is a multi-agent programmable modeling environment used by tens of thousands of students, teachers and researchers worldwide. Models are written in the NetLogo language, which provides a graphical user interface for users. 

Description of model ARENA:

You will simulate predator-prey dynamics in a homogeneous, two- dimensional closed habitat. The habitat is rectangular, with dimensions you specify. The model is spatially explicit, with each individual having a set location. By joining the top and bottom edges of the arena, and the left and right edges, we create a torus (a donut). These manipulations make the spatial area of simulation endless. Prey are shown as “bird” symbols, and predators as “cats”. These symbols were chosen to remind you of the devastating impact that feral cats have had on the native fauna of Australia. This is a general model, however. You can simulate ANY type of predators, and ANY type of prey, depending on the parameters you choose (see below). So don’t get trapped into thinking it’s only two particular species. 

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