Modelling for Field Biologists and Other Interesting PeopleStudents of evolutionary and behavioural ecology are often unfamiliar with mathematical techniques, though much of biology relies on mathematics. Evolutionary ideas are often complex, meaning that the logic of hypotheses proposed should not only be tested empirically but also mathematically. There are numerous different modelling tools used by ecologists, ranging from population genetic 'bookkeeping', to game theory and individual-based computer simulations. Due to the many different modelling options available, it is often difficult to know where to start. Hanna Kokko has designed this 2007 book to help with these decisions. Each method described is illustrated with one or two biologically interesting examples that have been chosen to help overcome fears of many biologists when faced with mathematical work, whilst also providing the programming code (Matlab) for each problem. Aimed primarily at students of evolutionary and behavioural ecology, this book will be of interest to any biologist interested in mathematical modelling. |
From inside the book
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Page 1
... individual numbers, rather than merely providing us with simplistic methodologies of bookkeeping. When trying to understanding those causalities, evolutionary aspects must be taken into account, because evolution underlies everything ...
... individual numbers, rather than merely providing us with simplistic methodologies of bookkeeping. When trying to understanding those causalities, evolutionary aspects must be taken into account, because evolution underlies everything ...
Page 3
... individuals to behave the way they do – and while saying this, one should not forget the physiological and physical mechanisms that shape and constrain the ways in which individuals can behave. This definition places behavioural and ...
... individuals to behave the way they do – and while saying this, one should not forget the physiological and physical mechanisms that shape and constrain the ways in which individuals can behave. This definition places behavioural and ...
Page 9
... individuals, 'hungry' and 'satisfied'. To show a conceptual point, this might be sufficient. Results could be far simpler to derive this way than with a more complete model, and if our understanding of the biology advances faster this ...
... individuals, 'hungry' and 'satisfied'. To show a conceptual point, this might be sufficient. Results could be far simpler to derive this way than with a more complete model, and if our understanding of the biology advances faster this ...
Page 10
... individuals, and examining the emergent properties of the system. Such results can be fascinating to watch – who wouldn't like to play god, or have their own study species repeating their fascinating behaviour on a computer screen – but ...
... individuals, and examining the emergent properties of the system. Such results can be fascinating to watch – who wouldn't like to play god, or have their own study species repeating their fascinating behaviour on a computer screen – but ...
Page 11
... individual-based models are perhaps most useful if they try to answer a question such as 'X can happen.' For example, when introducing spatial structure, altruism can spread in local subpopulations; or, an emergent property does exist ...
... individual-based models are perhaps most useful if they try to answer a question such as 'X can happen.' For example, when introducing spatial structure, altruism can spread in local subpopulations; or, an emergent property does exist ...
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allele answer approach argument assume assumptions average become behaviour better birds breeding calculate called choice choose condition consider costs course create denote depends derivative detail develop distribution dynamic effect equals equation equilibrium evolution evolutionary exactly example expected expression fact females find first fitness foraging frequency function future gain gene genetic give given grow growth happens height higher important increase individuals interested leads less look male mathematical mating Matlab means migration nature Note offspring once optimal options parameter particular patch perhaps phenotypic plant plot population positive possible predators predict present probability problem produce proportion question reason reproductive requires resident response result rules selection simple simulations solutions strategy success territories things trait values zero
Popular passages
Page 16 - In that Empire, the craft of Cartography attained such Perfection that the Map of a Single province covered the space of an entire City, and the Map of the Empire itself an entire Province. In the course of Time, these Extensive maps were found...
Page 16 - Cartographers evolved a Map of the Empire that was of the same Scale as the Empire and that coincided with it point for point. Less attentive to the Study of Cartography, succeeding Generations came to judge a map of such magnitude cumbersome, and, not without Irreverence, they abandoned it to the Rigours of Sun and Rain. In the western Deserts, tattered Fragments of the Map are still to be found...
Page 8 - A(2:3,1:2) %from 2nd row to 3rd row, from 1st column to 2nd column ans =4 5 7 8 »A(2,:) %2nd row, all columns ans =4 5 6 The colon ( : ) is used for defining an arithmetic (equal difference) sequence without the...