Summary
A population model explicitly describing the dynamics of an arbitrary population size distribution is presented. One consequence of the model is an equation for the exact shape of the size distribution of a stationary or steady-state population. The shape is expressed as a function of sizespecific mortality and growth rates. From the equation, various mortality estimation formulas can be derived, two of which are discussed in detail. One of the methods permits estimation of size-specific mortality rates without the assumption of a theoretical growth model.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Von Bertalanffy, L.: Quantitative laws in metabolism and growth. Quart. Rev. Biol. 32, 217–231 (1957)
Beverton, R.J.W., Holt, S.J.: On the dynamics of exploited fish populations. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office 1957
Billups, C., Wilkins, R., Pike, R. W.: Application of population balance models in the prediction of shrimp size distributions. Coastal Studies Bulletin #6, Special Sea Grant Issue, Center for Wetland Resources, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (1971)
Coe, W. R., Fitch, J. E.: Population studies, local growth rates, and reproduction of the Pismo Clam. J. Mar. Res. 9, 188–210 (1950)
Ebert, T.A.: Estimating growth and mortality rates from size data. Oecologia (Berl.) 11, 281–298 (1973)
Von Foerster, H.: Some remarks on changing populations. In: The kinetics of cellular proliferation (F. Stohlman, Jr., ed.). New York: Grune and Stratton 1959
Lee, K. Y., Barr, R. O., Gage, S. H., Kharkar, A. N.: Formulation of a mathematical model for insect pest ecosystems-the cereal leaf beetle problem. J. theor. Biol. 59, 33–76 (1976)
Leighton, D., Boolootian, R. A.: Diet and growth in the black abalone, Haliotis cracherodii. Ecology 44, 227–238 (1963)
Oster, G., Takahashi, Y.: Models for age-specific interactions in a periodic environment. Ecol. Mon. 44, 483–501 (1974)
Ricker, W. E.: Handbook of computations for biological statistics of fish populations. Fish. Res. Bd. Can. Bull. 119 (1958)
Ricker, W. E.: Computation and interpretation of biological statistics of fish populations. Fish. Res. Bd. Can. Bull. 191 (1975)
Seber, G. A. F.: The estimation of animal abundance. New York: Hafner 1973
Sinko, J. W., Streifer, W.: A new model for the age-size structure of a population. Ecology 48, 910–918 (1967)
Sinko, J. W., Streifer, W.: Applying models incorporating the age-size structure of a population to Daphnia. Ecology 50, 608–615 (1969)
Smith, S. V.: Production of calcium carbonate on the mainland shelf of Southern California. Limnol. and Ocean. 17, 28–41 (1972)
Streifer, W.: Realistic models in population ecology. Adv. Ecol. Res. 8, 199–266 (1974)
Van Sickle, J. A.: The theory of physiological age distributions in biological populations. Ph. D. Thesis, Dept. Elec. Eng. Sys. Sci. Michigan State University, E. Lansing, Mich. (1975)
Van Sickle, J. A.: Analysis of a distributed-parameter population model based on physiological age. J. theor. Biol. (in press, 1977)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported by a National Research Council Research Associateship
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Van Sickle, J. Mortality rates from size distributions. Oecologia 27, 311–318 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00345564
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00345564