engleski

Application of matrix population models in biology

Main reasons for the investigation of population dynamics are understanding, predicting and describing population growth, estimating population extinction risks, and improving control methods. For vectors, such as mosquitoes, studying population dynamics can be useful for other reasons, such as combining population models with the epidemiological models or predictions, as well as for the planning and optimisation of control methods. Matrix population models have long been used in modelling and describing the dynamics of different populations. These types of discrete mathematical models enable modelling of age-structured populations or populations structured by developmental stages, i.e. predicting the number of individuals of a certain age or developmental stage after a selected time interval. In this study, matrix population models were constructed for two mosquito species, Aedes vexans and Culex pipiens, and also for three different ecological categories of earthworms, epigeic, endogeic and anecic. Using constructed models, it is possible to investigate population dynamics of modelled species and perform various simulations that enable the determination of population responses to environmental stress or climate change ; to investigate and optimise control measures ; to detect the most vulnerable developmental stages. Both population models, mosquito and earthworm, are constructed entirely based on the available literature and experimental data. Models are also forced by environmental factors relevant for modelled species (mosquito models: air temperature, rainfall, Danube and Drava water levels, photoperiod ; earthworm models: soil temperature and soil humidity). The main aim of this study is to present various possibilities of mathematical models and their application in biology and ecology.

matrix population models, mosquitoes, earthworms, climate change, population dynamics

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