Graduation Year
2006
Document Type
Open Access Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Mathematics
Reader 1
Jon T. Jacobsen
Reader 2
Alfonso Castro
Abstract
We study the behavior of diffusive Lotka-Volterra systems in environments with spatially varying carrying capacities. In particular, we use numeric and analytic techniques to study two similar models for population growth, in order to determine their qualitative differences. Additionally, we investigate competition models in the presence of periodic disasters, in order to determine what factors affect competitive dominance. We found that under conditions of high spatial heterogeneity, the model for population growth was the main factor determining coexistence. Under low spatial heterogeneity, the effect of disturbance on the stronger competitor was the main factor determining coexistence.
Recommended Citation
Stump, Simon Maccracken, "Succession, Invasion, & Coexistence: PDEs in Ecology" (2006). HMC Senior Theses. 190.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/hmc_theses/190
Picture of Simon Maccracken Stump
sstump-2006-prop.pdf (21 kB)
Thesis Proposal
sstump-2006-thesis-talk.pdf (2733 kB)
Talk
sstump-2006-thesis-poster.pdf (1 kB)
Poster
