Populationsdynamik und Eigenschaften Einzelner Individuen

Abstract

The classic approach of describing dynamics of populations by the logistic equation (or other differential equations) has several drawbacks. A rather serious one is that population density and its changes can not be traced back quantitatively to the physiological and behavioural properties of the individual animals constituting the population, another one that the effects of spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the environment the population lives in are not quantifiable.

A new approach using the algorithmic language Simula gives the possibility of representing these factors and assessing their influence on population density. The basic entity in this description is the individual which is represented with all its relevant physiological and behavioural properties and has the capacity of selfreprociuction. Numerous individuals may act concurrently in a defined environment, thus forming a population. Population density and its changes in the course of time accrue from the life histories of the individuals, their reaction to the environment and their reproductive success. Examples illustrating this approach are given for the population dynamics of rotifers, the control of male density in dragonflies by behavioural mechanisms and the predator-prey interaction in mites.

Mit Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Ka 3 38/1 und Ha 832/1).