BIOL 2260 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Models 1, Doubling Time, Mount Everest
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Know the meaning of, and the differences between, (lambda) and r: be able to apply basic population growth models. Any change in population size can ultimately be attributed to one or more of the factors above. What is a model : simplification of natural world, can be graphical, verbal, or mathematical. Essentially, all models are wrong, some are useful . Empirical model-building and response surfaces (1987) p 424. Since all models are wrong the scientist cannot obtain a correct one by excessive elaboration he should seek an economical description of natural phenomena. Any change in population size can ultimately be attributed to : i. d. e. Nt+1 = nt + b + i d e. Nt+1 population size at time t + 1 . Geometric rate of increase: the average number of offspring left by an individual during one time interval. Useful for modelling populations with pulsed reproduction (i. e. non-overlapping generations)